[optacon-l] Re: Somewhat off topic. Original Blazie Diskdrive
- From: "Susan Mangis" <susanmangis@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:08:40 -0800
It probably goes to the Braille 'n speak.
Sue Mangis
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Lori
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 7:52 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Somewhat off topic. Original Blazie Diskdrive
Hi All,
I recently came across one of the original Blazie diskdrives for floppy
discs. I'm not sure if I still have any cables, but the thing is still in
the box and I can check for cables. It says Blazie right on the hardcase. If
anyone is interested in it, please let me know.
----- Original Message -----
From: "cpond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:06 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon research
Most of the spare parts and newer materials were simply destroyed and
dumped.
Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:14 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon research
They didn't acquire the other company for the Optacon. They acquired Blazie
Engineering for the notetaker technology. Blazie had assumed what little
residual responsibility there was for the Optacon upon the bankruptcy and
liquidation of Telesensory Systems. Blazie was the repository for the spare
parts. I believe Richard Oehm acquired those when FS acquired Blazie.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marie Rudys" <mrudys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 8:16 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon research
> Why did they even bother to acquire the product when FS has no intention
> to
> continue it? I just don't understand that at all.
>
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "cpond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 5:09 PM
> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon research
>
>
>> Freedom Scientific destroyed their documentation, prototypes and spare
>> parts
>> for optacons which they had acquired from Blazie Engineering. Blazie had
>> been working on an optacon device and had done some good work for sure on
>> displays, software and the processor needed. Freedon Scientific had no
>> intention to finish up the project; so, they let the NSF grant expire
>> using
>> it up, and that was that.
>>
>> Charles
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: J. R. Westmoreland
>> Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 3:30 PM
>> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon research
>>
>> Currently Freedom Scientific has acquired all Optacon information when
>> they
>> purchased Telesensory Systems.
>> I believe all patents have expired for the system.
>> Work is underway to obtain a copy of all the prints and information. Some
>> documents have been located and preserved others we don't have.
>> There has been some initial discussion with FS but further information
>> and
>> discussions are not complete.
>>
>> Best,
>> J. R.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>> On Behalf Of Rebecca Blaevoet
>> Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:21 AM
>> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [optacon-l] optacon research
>>
>> Hello cAtherine,
>> Your comments about the optacon wizards brings up an interesting point.
>> Is
>> the technology still under patent somewhere or can schematics be got by
>> private individuals? I have noticed a reticence on the part of engineers
>> and
>> programmers to give specific information to those not in the inner circle
>> as
>> it were and I'm wondering if it's concern that someone else, not related
>> to
>> the said wizards, would develop a modern version of the device sooner? If
>> there is no exclusivity, can the relevant schematics/diagrams be made
>> available? If there is exclusivity, under whose name is it and was it
>> transferred from Telesensory Systems, even though that company saw no
>> reason
>> to continue manufacturing of the Optacon?
>> Perhaps others on this list know the answers to those questions.
>> I want to see a modern version of the optacon as soon as may be, no
>> matter
>> who invents it!
>> Rebecca
>>
>> On 2011-12-29, at 2:40 PM, Catherine Thomas wrote:
>>
>>> In approximately 2006 members of this list began an effort to preserve
>>> the Optacon. Many unuser and non-working Optacons were located and
>>> refurbished by our excellent Optacon repairers--Dave Godfrey in
>>> England, Nigel Herring in Australia and Richard Oehm in the U.S. Leo
>>> Drell of the U.S. also repairs Optacons. Richard Oehm has been selling
>>> refurbished Optacons at a reasonable price including a warranty. You can
>> contacct him at:
>>> oehmelec@xxxxxxx
>>> Phone: 408 971-6250 in the U.S.
>>>
>>> List mebers have done a lot of outreach to locate Optacon users. We
>>> created a survey to help us identify how the Optacon is used in these
>>> days of computers and scanners. Please email me if you have not yet
>>> filled out the survey and would like to.
>>>
>>> We have a group of engineers and software experts who call themselves
>>> the Optacon wizards. They have been at work on their own time at a
>>> possible re-development of the Optacon which would read some of the
>>> more modern displays and additional colors.
>>>
>>> The Optacon is still the only device that reads print in real time
>>> without re-interpreting it first. This feature is essential.
>>>
>>> The Optacon repairers have fabricated a couple of the essential parts
>>> to keep the current Optacons running such as a new version of the
>>> delicate retina cable. During 2011 progress has been made on figuring
>>> out technology for the more modern arrays. Hopefully, in 2012 we will
>>> come even closer to a new Optacon. In the meantime we are still
>>> looking for non-working or unused machines. If an Optacon can't be
>>> repaired it is used for parts.
>>>
>>> Happy New Year to all.
>>> Catherine
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> --------
>>> -Catherine Thomas
>>> braille@xxxxxxxxx /
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ---------
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>>
>> -----
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