Exactly! Why not use 3D printing even for this purpose?
On Mon, 15 Feb 2016, Tracy Carcione <carcione@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I wonder if the old parts that are no longer manufactured could be recreated
using 3D printing? Then someone could use the old design, plug in the 3D
printed parts, and there you go.
Tracy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 12:09 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Wy did the Optacon Die
Hello to my Band Tour Mate and Listers,
The users of the Optacon are a die-hard dedicated base, but unfortunately a
very small base.
The Optacon as it was cannot be produced now because there are/were
customized components that aren't available. Diesigning them would made it
cost prohibitive.
Secondly, although there are tasks the Optacon can perform that still can't
be done as conveniently using newer technology, much of the réson d'étre for
the Optacon has been surpassed by OCR software that can be carried now on
your smartphone with the KNFB Reader app for the iPhone and Android phones.
You can get excellent scanning accuracy with one of the commercially
available scan stands so even people who have spatial issues with properly
aligning a phone up with the document can do quite well reading regular
material.
Technology still has yet to develop means for reading charts, and such, but
I think those solutions are in the near-future. After all, Facebook and
Google, are working on facial identification apps!
Having said all that, I think Charles' ideas for an enhanced Optacon that
will incorporate some of the enhanced features with a way to use it in a
traditional mode for these special circumstances has a lot going for it. I
think the ability to read anything using a camera along with the ability to
interpret things that aren't readily amenable to standard OCR techniques
such as charts, displays, stain detection, signature alignment, quick
lookups of information, etc. still has a market, provided manufacturing
costs can be kept reasonable.
If it comes about, of course, it will be incumbent on the AT dealers to
support the producrt. Just like some other AT products, there will need to
be a lot of demonstration, some training of both customers and governmental
rehab and veterans' agencies that would constitute a substantial market for
the new Optacon.
Steve Pollo
Lansing, MI
Go Raiders!
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Hunt
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 10:55 AM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Wy did the Optacon Die
Hello John. If the bimorph was once made, it can be made again. If we can
create the demand for the Optacon, and a company is willing to take it on,
it can be done.
What is the bimorph and what applications did it have?
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of JOHN HUFFMAN
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 bimorph,
ceased to be available, and no replacement could be found. I didn't ask for
more nitty-gritty details because I'm not a techie and figured they'd be
over my head in any case. This by no means takes away from Paul's points
set out below.
Regards. JH
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Paul Hunt
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 perspective.
TSI was in the business to make a profit. Companies discontinue products
that they can't sell. If we look at their decision to discontinue 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 and the
agencies that support them didn't buy it.
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 War
and Peace with it. Those of us who use Optacons have real vision and have
used our Optacons in many ways for many jobs. I once took a Cobol course and
had to read listings and punch cards. I couldn't have done it without the
Optacon.
I'm curious. How many members do we have on this list? Could we petition ACB
and NFB to approach the Assistive Technology companies to bring it back?
Really, the work has already been done. The Optacon doesn't need upgrades,
it's fine the way it is. What are your thoughts? to view the list archives,
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