One of our listers did some research in the list archives (or personal files) and came up with the message below which appeared on the list a few years ago. It compiles most of the wishes expressed in the surveys we are currently receiving. I am posting it as-is especially for you engineering and software experts. Here is the message. Subject: optacon features Here's a list of wished-for optacon features which the list had discussed several years back. 1. The optacon should be as portable as possible, without compromising its usefulness and its features. 2. Some users have suggested a one-handed optacon, whereby the camera and display would be contained in one hand-held, ergonomic unit. 3. The optacon should have user-accessible, user-replaceable, batteries. 4. The batteries should be rechargeable, and of an enduring quality, such as Nickel Metal-Hydride. NiMH batteries would fit into an off-the-shelf charger. 5. The optacon could recharge its batteries. 6. The optacon should have a daily battery charge to allow for extended working hours, minimizing the need to change batteries. 7. The optacon's tactile display should be at least as large, and as fine in resolution as the R1D's display. In fact, the overwhelming agreement is that using the optacon II's display, with is coarse resolution and its "mushy" feel, would be a regression. The users' general rule of thumb to follow is: the larger the display, and (not or) the finer the resolution, the better the display. A number of users favour a display larger than that of the R1D. A larger display would enable the reading of some graphic displays, while a smaller image can be zoomed in on, when preferred. 8. The ergonomic design which allows the user to read with left or right hands, as with the optacon II, should be retained. 9. The setting on the optacon II which negates the pulses, felt on the display when reading monitors, should be retained. 10. Inverse video mode should be retained. 11. Threshold adjustment must be more responsive than the optacon II's; and even more sensitive than the R1D's threshold adjustment. 12. The camera cable should come from the front of the optacon, which is not so with the optacon II. this would improve portability, and expose the cable to less stress. 13. The camera cable should be a standard, detachable and replaceable cable. Such a cable would lessen turn-around time for repairs. Users could have spare cables when needed, and would not lose the use of our optacons for want of a damaged camera cable. 14. A fibre-optic cable was proposed, which would conduct light images to an internal camera. this approach would increase cable and camera durability. The only power conductors needed would be for the lights. 15. Everyone had something to say about the camera, and our need for greater camera flexibly in order to meet diverse reading needs. We all want very wide range of adjustment in camera focus. The camera should allow us to enlarge very tiny characters to make it easier, or even possible, to read. Some tiny characters are impossible to read, even with the magnification lens (which was not adjustable) sold by T.S.I. In addition, we need to reduce in size some very large images. 16. Some users said it would be convenient not to change lenses as we read, but have the extended zoom range switchable on the machine or camera, itself; not necessary, but nice. 17. The optacon should be able to handle a wide variety of colour contrasts. It should also be able to handle faint print. Users on the list defined colour combinations which were hard or impossible to read. 18. The optacon should come with a tiny, slim camera or attachment. We need the ability to read in some hard-to-reach, tight places where the standard camera either cannot fit, or cannot be held flat. Some specific examples given by users are: reading labels on various objects; reading displays on small consumer products such as cellular phones, home entertainment equipment, measuring instruments; reading the writing on printed- circuit boards and between their components; reading the tiny writing and markings on electronics components such as ICs, diodes, etc; reading the controls on consumer products such as VCRs, CD players, stereo controls, etc; reading laboratory instruments. These specific examples are ones we face virtually everyday. 19. The optacon should give us the ability to read a variety of displays: CRTs, monitors, LCDs of various sizes and strengths, LEDs, etc. 20. The optacon should feature bi-directional communication facilities which interrace with computer-based equipment such as personal computers, and laboratory equipment. Serial ports are still standard for some lab equipment, and USB ports are common for computers. 21. Some users debate whether or not to include "image processing" in a new optacon. Some users feel that this feature would make some print easier to read, by thinning lines to the smallest number of vibratory pixels, and by enhancing fonts, etc. Other users feel that even if this were an option which can be switched on and off, the implicit digital approach would compromise or eliminate the optacon's most valuable asset--its transparency--its simplicity, What It Sees Is What You Get. 22. Some users recommend an OCR feature, with high-quality speech, and an optional, automatic tracking aid. 23. An optional, automatic tracking aid would fulfil at least two needs: (A) It would allow for automatic scanning to occur, whereby the data can be stored or sent to another device, as with common scanners; (B) it would greatly enhance the training of optacon use; help to lessen the learning curve. 24. A streamlined, in-built training option would make it easier for users to learn the optacon, especially since we are spread throughout the world. Most often, potentials users do not have the option to go to a learn centre for training. The Braille Blazer is one such example of built-in tutorials. 25. A multimedia, or multisensory approach could be taken to help users learn both the optacon, and their letters. Here is what one list member writes and he expresses it so well: "One way to improve the prospects for the Optacon would be to make it easier to learn how to use. Other modalities - speech and large character display - should be integrated for people with hearing or low vision respectively, to help them learn the Optacon. Thus as you scan printed text, OCR could recognize the letters and speak them out to you, and the character under your finger could be displayed on a screen. For most people who become blind, or who are blind and go deaf, it doesn't happen suddenly, and they should have a chance to learn the Optacon before completely losing their sight or their hearing." 26. For deaf users, any menu-driven functions, or spoken messages, must be tactually accessible. 27. The buzzing sound which the optacon makes when the camera senses a visual contrast is useful when assessing page format. However, a silent optacon would be useful in settings where the buzzing is a disturbance. Therefore, the optacon should have silent and buzz modes (likely doable using sine and square-wave array signals respectively). 28. If the optacon is of a digital, a computer-based design, we- -the users--must not be removed from our kinaesthetic approach. Remember, that the information on the display is what we read, and the information we derive as we move the camera about is equally important. The list was overwhelmingly vehement on this point: the optacon must retain its transparency. Moving a tracking ball, or cursor-like camera along a screen of virtual print is not the same as moving a real camera along a page of real print, even with a tactile output. This would be as silly as believing that using a Braille display is merely tactile speech with format. Therefore: 29. No matter which bells and whistles are added, under no circumstances should the optacon lose its uniqueness, its main purpose. The optacon is truly invaluable because it give transparent access; What It Sees Is What You Get. this transparency, this simplicity of access, is the only single reason why we would use the optacon. 30. The optacon should be so equipped as to easily and conventiently interface with the Windows platform. The mouse in such an interface would essentially act as the optacon's camera. The optacon could be one input/output component as part of a multimedia work-station. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Catherine Thomas braille@xxxxxxxxx / ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.