Your point is well taken. Additionally, the iPhone offers beneficial
applications, such as color identifier, navigation apps and so forth.
Plus, the thinking nowadays is toward electronic technology. That is the
market mindset. Even a woman of 78, such as I, recognizes that and can
see that you, as someone who is a tech pro, has some workable-sounding
ideas. I'm thinking that there also could be interface with Android
phones to the advantage of those who prefer using them.
Bye for now,
Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dan Tevelde
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 12:28 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Wy did the Optacon Die
Hello All,
I have stated my case before but my ideas have been criticized and shot
down. However, I am going to take a chance on stating my case again.
First of all, the present optacon is not fine the way it is and wouldn't
atract new users. The current device has one advantage and only one. It
does one task and does it well. The problem is I don't see how it could
easily be updated without sending a device to someone to make repairs or
update any hardware and software.
I used an optacon in high school but felt no incentive to keep up my
skills as the optacon was on loan from the department of education and I
didn't have any resources to buy one so I could make a long-term
investment on the use of the device. I didn't think about the
practicality of a new optacon until I got my current job as a computer
programmer and had access to Braille displays. My employer bought me my
first disppay. Later, I was able to afford my own displays and
notetakers. I currently use my Braille Sense as a notetaker and a
Braille display with my iPhone. I''m lucky to have the best of both
worlds. I can use the convenient options of a notetaker and still take
advantages of the increasing opportunities and tasks I can do with a
phone. Any new type of optacon will need to offer the capabilities of
the current optacon while still taking advantage of the opportunities
offered by mainstream technologies. Providing some of the capabilities
of mainstream technolo
gy would make the optamon more attractive to potential users and easier
to maintain and update.
Their are several promising technologies which could be combined to make
a new optacon which would be attractive to new users, easy to learn, and
easy to update.
A new optacon could be developed using a mobile tablet. These devices
are already available and are becoming cheaper to sell. We already have
ocr which runts on these devices and it could be harnessed for a new
optacon. The KNFB Reader as a starting point. Say what you will about
the NFB but they succeeded at developing an attractive app which can be
used on devices which fit in your pocket. What would be needed is the
capability of taking advantage of the haptic feedback which is already on
phones. The latest addition to this sooftware is Apple's force touch
technology. There are also individuals who are working on technology
which would replace piezo-electric Braille cells with new proprietary
technology which would be cheaper to make and also add the ability of
displaying graphical information. I could forsee the development of a
tactile array which could communicate with a mobile device using
BlueTooth technology. The tactile array could sit next to the phone or
both the phone and the tactile array could sit side by side in a case.
A smaller tactile array could be housed in a small camera which would
look like the current camera for the traditional optacon it could also
communicate by BlueTooth technology so the camera could be placed on any
object at any angle.
A mobile tablet could also add many capabilities which the current
optacon doesn't have like sythetic speech, Braille, and Internet and
file-sharing capabilities. This would allow the development of many
types of training materials and apps would be specifically developed for
the blind.
Let's face it, sooner or later everyone will need to have some computer
skills and the use of assistive technology. I have known people who were
put off about learning to use a computer and a screenreader but were able
to learn to use an iPhone in a relatively short time because the iPhone
has an intuitive interface. I keep finding more and more uses for my
iPhone while the need to use the traditional screenreader has decreased.
I'm convinced that the approach I am stating is the only practical one
where we could make a case to the computer industry and assistive
technology companies. I have just scratched the surface as I can think
of many more applications for the type of device I am proposing. I'm old
enough to remember the advantages and disadvantages of the current
optacon but young enough to have learned how to use an iPhone. The
iPhone has its limitations but it has improved my quality of life.
Sometimes the only way to make progress with any technology is to have a
paradigm shift. There's no reason that a blind person should be exempted
from this process. We can keep past technologies which have worked and
be willing to think about assistive technologies in new ways. I would be
happy to correspond with anyone on this list. All I ask is that people
have an open mind.
Thanks,
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 15, 2016, at 10:17 AM, JOHN HUFFMAN <J73.HUFFMAN@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
questions.
Paul,
Folks more learned than I will have to respond to hour specific
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Chers!
John, who is not a techie
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Behalf Of Paul Huntcan
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 10:55 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Wy did the Optacon Die
Hello John. If the bimorph was once made, it can be made again. If we
create the demand for the Optacon, and a company is willing to take iton,
it can be done.[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
What is the bimorph and what applications did it have?
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Behalf Of JOHN HUFFMANbimorph,
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 8:51 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: 'Paul & Sheryl Hunt' <slhunt2@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Wy did the Optacon Die
Paul et al,
I was told 15 or more years ago that there came a time when the Optacon
could no longer be manufactured because a key component, called a
ceased to be available, and no replacement could be found. I didn'task for
more nitty-gritty details because I'm not a techie and figured they'dbe
over my head in any case. This by no means takes away from Paul'spoints
set out below.[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Regards. JH
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Behalf Of Paul Huntperspective.
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 9:32 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Paul & Sheryl Hunt
Subject: [optacon-l] Wy did the Optacon Die
Hello everyone. I've been reading the posts on this list for about anow and have some thoughts about why the Optacon was discontinued.
month
Let's look at the issue from Telesensory Systems Inc. (TSI)'s
TSI was in the business to make a profit. Companies discontinueproducts
that they can't sell. If we look at their decision to discontinue theand the
Optacon from their point of view, we can understand why they made it.
The reason that the Optacon didn't sell was the blindness population
agencies that support them didn't buy it.War
They didn't buy it because of their lack of vision. They didn't buy it
because learning to use an Optacon is hard work and you wouldn't read
and Peace with it. Those of us who use Optacons have real vision andhave
used our Optacons in many ways for many jobs. I once took a Cobolcourse and
had to read listings and punch cards. I couldn't have done it withoutthe
Optacon.petition ACB
I'm curious. How many members do we have on this list? Could we
and NFB to approach the Assistive Technology companies to bring itback?
Really, the work has already been done. The Optacon doesn't needupgrades,
it's fine the way it is. What are your thoughts? to view the listarchives,
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