The vibrotactile display on the optacon III project used up to about 400
millivolts, and it gobbled up to more than 6 amps. I had looked at
about half a dozen power reduction strategies. It produced a lot of
electrical hash, not a big deal, but it did have a magnetic interference
that would have needed to be taken care of. Likely shielding using
Mu-Metal or Permalloy. At times I could feel an "aura" around the
display close up. Not harmful I think, but peculiar.
The videotim's pins have a tenth inch spacing, similar to the tolerances
of a braille display's cell. the optacon is less than half that. The
optacon's display must vibrate to have that make and break contact with
the finger. The video tim's display does not vibrate like the optacon's.
If one wants a videotim-like device rather than an optacon-like device
and its unique display, the dot View (dv-2) from Japan imight be an
option if they still make it.
Charles
On 2021-01-14 8:49 p.m., David wrote:
FCC in the Americas, C.E in Europe. They are both restrictions that hasto view the list archives, go to:
to be met. As of old, I was informed that the Braille displays back
then, would not meet the CE requirements of Europe - even if they were
mainly manufactured inside the continent. The reason that was given to
me back then, was that the Piezo units that lift the pins, will work on
something like 200 volt, and due to you sitting with your hand right on
top of the cells, and them mainly being laid open (through the
pin-holes) - this is not considered "safe" according to the CE
specifications. Besides, how often would you even sit with a portable
Braille display more or less directly in your lap. So one dealer told
me, they somehow had got an exception from the requirements, due to the
Piezo technology being the one and only available for Braille displays.
And sure, you could move such an application, on behalf of all the
thousands of blind users on the continent, that would benefit from the
technology - even totally depend on it.
a bit different story, when comes to a reading device. How will we ever
claim that the job it does, cannot be handled by alternative means? OK,
so I guess the modern Braille displays have managed to meet the
requirements, and as such the Piezo technology might no longer be the
bottle-neck. And I have no reason to think that the VideoTim would not
meet the requirements. As a matter of fact, that is one of the questions
I raised in my contact with the developer, since without such
requirements met, it would be impossible to import it locally. They told
me they would be back with some more info in the coming, so let's not
jump to any conclusions on the very matter.
I did point this out, when Charles was working on his Optacon 3 project,
as one of the cliffs that has to be climbed. Since there are slight
differences between the FCC and the CE, the product will not just have
to pass one test, but might be the target of several testing regimes.
Don't even know, if they have a similar requirement in Australia or
Asia. It sure is to bad, as many technical solutions you have in the
Americas, will not be available in Europe, simply due to the
manufacturer not being able to prove the equipment to meet the CE
requirements. And as you pointed out, things from Europe never make it
to America, due to the FCC.
As a matter of fact, the product might well enough be build in such a
way that it totally and completely meet the requirements, but that is
not enough. You will have to get it certified, and that does cost money.
In the late 90's I checked to have a clue. I asked how much would it
likely cost, just to get a torch certified. Honestly, you by a certified
switch, battery holder, and a bulb. Then you connect all these certified
parts. And still, you have to get the final product certified. Back
then, they estimated that it could cost anything from 1000 and up to the
three thousand dollars, just for such a simple product to get through.
Now imagine today, with a by far more complex unit like the VideoTim.
The requirements locally even got tightened a little more than a year
ago. Now, I have an Optacon that could do with some servicing. In Europe
I know of David in the UK, who could do the service. But to ship it to
him, I have to prove the product to meet the CE requirements. And unless
some of you could point me to some document that states to what extent
the Optacon was manufactured in line with any such requirements, the
unit would not even be allowed to leave my country. Who knows what it
needs to meet to get into the UK. Would be happy if someone has any
experience and could point me to such documentation.
Like you stated, someone with a rather deep pocket will have to prepare
the VideoTim for importing into each country. Now, that pocket might be
as deep it needs to, but once emptied, it likely will have to be
refilled. Hence, who do you expect will take the end-bill? Of course,
the importing dealer will simply pass that cost on to the end-user, and
might as well speckle it with some extra earnings of his. With an
initiating pricing of 13500 dollars when the unit leaves Germany, I
don't even want to perform the calculation of what the end-price would
be in the Americas, or in Australia. All I am thinking is this:
How much does it cost to hire a person, to do all the reading you ever
need, for the rest of your life?
I mean, imagine you do not want to use things like "Be My Eyes". Even if
you paid the person a hundred dollars an hour, you might have his
service for quite a while, right? That is why I am puzzled that the
developer even launched his product. It honestly surprises me, when he
tells they have been in business for something like two decades. Good
enough, back when they started, there did exist little and no
alternatives. But today, with all the scanners and "we want to help you
out"-apps?
I imagine that a foreign-made device would have to "pass muster" not
only with Homeland Security but also with FCC. FCC has a "finger in the
pie" because of possible RF radiation from the device. They will want to
know that such radiation is at a low enough level to do no harm to
established communication and that any such radiation is not in a
frequency band forbidden by them to consumer electronics. I doubt that
we will see one of those reading devices anytime soon unless the maker
can find a company or person with deep pockets willing to "go to bat" to
get the device in here and then push it to consumers or people on their
behalf with money to buy the devices.
to view the list archives, go to:
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of dan.tevelde@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 11:58 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: abtim reading device
Part of the problem with devices from foreign countries is that they have to
be approved for import. I think this is a requirement of the Department of
Homeland Security. The next hurdle is finding reliable sales and technical
support. We've seen European products appear and disappear from the U.S.
market before. Both Baum and Papenmeier left the U.S. market for a variety
of reasons. Unless the inventior of the Abtim can get distribution channels
here, the device won't go anywhere.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 11:43 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: abtim reading device
Yes, I sent in info, I believe back in 2016 when it was the VideoTim.
Unless a way for financing is found, this device will ever stay on the
shelf, no matter how good it is.
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of David
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 9:03 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Alain Bardet <alain.bardet3@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: abtim reading device
Listers,
I just wanted to let you know, I received a message from the developer
regarding the ABTIM device. It is actually called VideoTim.
Apparently they have released a new version, a bit more than a year ago
- version 4. Some good news to share:
According to the info I received, the unit is quite small, with a tiny
enough camera. It supposedly should be able to read modern displays, and
they tell it to even work on smartphones. The camera cable has a USB
connector, and they say both the power-supply and battery should be
mainstream, and easy to replace.
One thing I did feel was a bit sad, was that it weighs approx 1 kilo, or
some 2 pounds. In the old days, compared to the Perkins Brailer that we
carried from one classroom to the other, this seems pretty light-weighted.
But in the modern world with cellphones and tablets weighing only a
fraction, i wonder what makes it such heavy. Unless it would be the display
itself. They tell it to be Piezo-driven. Someone on the list, a while back,
claime that the Piezo would not keep up with the necessary speed of
vibration, to make a good reading experience. Well, the VideoTim seemingly
does work without the vibrating pins we are used to.
Here are the dimentions that I was given:
Main unit: 65 mm (2.6 Inch) high, and has a size of 133 mm (5.32 inch)
width, x 225 mm (9 inch) length.
Camera: 45 mm (1.8 inch) high, x 26 mm (1.05 inch) width, x 80 mm (3.2
inch) Length.
Apparently the newest model should offer the user even better adjustments
for crisp reading. And so far, it sounds pretty promising.
Now some challenges.
No dealers outside Germany, so if you want the unit, you will have to face
the challenge of shipping and importing the unit. That might be an obstacle
to many. And if you now are ready for the real shock, here it is. Price is
some 11 thousand Euros, or what seems to equal to just about 13500 American
dollars. Who has a savings account they want to share? Smiles. Imagine the
price, once you have shipped the unit, and paid whatever taxes will be
needed to get it into your country.
Unfortunately, this lines up with most assistive technology - on the "too
expensive" shelf.
Remember, we have discussed the possibility of having some organization join
the costs in developing a new Optacon? Well, with such a pricing of the
end-product, I do see why noone wants to get their feet wet. If each product
manufactured will cost that much, what would be the development cost of the
project as a total? And why would anyone develop what seemingly already does
exist? Quite disappointing, but not unexpected.
At least, now we know a bit more about the unit. Still, it was interesting
to look into the stuff.
Of course, I have not had my hands on the unit, so won't be able to tell
anything as to its functionality in real life. But I am afraid most of us
will have a hard time in convincing any new user, that this price is what
they need - so as to perform some simple reading around the house, in their
daily living.
David
On 1/14/2021 12:44 PM, Alain Bardet wrote:
Hi thank you very much for your replies regarding the abtim.to view the list archives, go to:
Well let us see the further development. The price is prohibitive
especially when we think of what is available now.
All the best
Alain
Le 12/01/2021 à 20:09, Steve (Redacted sender k8sp for DMARC) a écrit :
It appears from their website that the device is available for saleto view the list archives, go to:
in Europe.
VideoTIM3
READING DEVICE for the BLIND
Applications of VideoTIM
Picture: Tactile display TIM shows the character A
Picture: VideoTIM1 with hand-held video camera on a book page
VideoTIM devices are in use for over ten years in different jobs and
in the private sector.The most common forms of use include the
reading of printed documents and reading books.
Many VideoTIM users were previously OPTACON users. The OPTACON is an
older, no longer produced device with the same scope. The main
differences should be mentioned here: The VideoTIM device generates,
in contrast to OPTACON, neither interfering noise or vibration. The
image on the TIM display is much clearer. VideoTIM shows much more
pixel. As an OPTACON user the familiarization period is between four hours
and two days.
Picture: VideoTIM1 with hand-held video camera on a newspaper
Picture: VideoTIM1 with hand-held video camera on a newspaper
Picture: VideoTIM1 with hand-held video camera on a medicine package
Picture: VideoTIM1 with hand-held video camera on a medicine
package
Picture: Hand written number 7 on the TIM display
Picture: Hand written number 7 on the TIM display
Picture: Hand-held video camera of VideoTIM looks onto notes
Picture: Hand-held video camera of VideoTIM looks onto notes
Some people use the VideoTIM devices but also for other
applications,eg for newspaper reading, the reading of medicine
packages, hand written notes and foreign letters.
Picture: Business grafic on the TIM display
Picture: Letters A, B and C on the TIM display
Picture: Business grafic on the TIM display
Picture: Letters A, B and C on the TIM display
Picture: Scissors symbol on the TIM display
Picture: Windows symbol for minimize on the TIM display
Picture: Scissors symbol on the TIM display
Picture: Windows symbol for minimize on the TIM display
The Video TIM device can represent more than just writing and
numerals. Some people use the pen-shaped camera to work on flat
screen displays (PC monitors or smartphone displays). This way some
software programs can be used.
The VideoTIM can also present graphics. For example it can show
simple business charts, curves, icons and page layouts.
Picture: TIM display shows a moving hand
Picture: Hand movements in front of a video camera
The pictures above show an example of how a video camera captures the
movement of a hand against a white background. The hand movements are
shown live on the TIM display.
table with 18 columns and 25 rows
table with 6 columns and 1 rows nesting level 1 home home (e) the
videotim techn. data usage contact table end nesting level 1
VideoTIM3
READING DEVICE for the BLIND
Technical Data
Picture: VideoTIM3 with mini hand-held video camera on a text
document
Version: VideoTIM3
list of 18 items
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Plumlee (Redacted sender "knobman" for DMARC)"
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 1:06 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: abtim reading device
I had not heard of the abtim reading device until you mentioned it;to view the list archives, go to:
that device might be interesting and worthy of further exploration
because it appears to be able to put a blind person back in contact
with the actual printed page. As much as I hate to see the Optacon
"move off-stage," it is happening - slowed only by those of us who
are confirmed Optacon users who still use this device. I would like
to see the abtim reading device explored in greater detail
especially for the sake of young blind persons in grade school and
high school who do not have direct contact with the printed page these
days.
I would like to see more information on it - its technical
specifications, price, and the like. As I see it, one "weakness" of
the standard Optacon which would make it a "hard sell" for use in
schools these days is the fragile cable between the retina and the
box. We who are experienced Optacon users get along pretty well
with the unit because we have been taught now to take good care of
that cable; but knowing what I hear about kids these days - the way
they have to rush around and carry a lot of stuff with them -
putting a standard Optacon in their hands would be trouble waiting to
happen.
Nowadays, with multiplex technology very well developed, it might be
possible to have wireless digital communication between the camera
and the box. I understand that modern pipe-organ makers use data
multiplexing to connect the organ console to the pipe room so that
they can now have a cable with far fewer wires than the cables of
old which could sometimes be the diameter of a fire hose with maybe
a few hundred wires in it. Today's multiplexing works fast enough
that you wouldn't detect any delay in the response of the organ
compared to what it would be if you had hard-wire connections for
everything in the instrument. A similar system might be possible to "cut
the cord" between the camera and the "box."
The bottom line in my opinion is that my hat is off to anyone who
can develop a sustainable reading system that would put students and
adults in intimate contact with the actual printed page. Such
intimate contact would be great for showing relationships that
sighted people see on a page and take for granted. I can envision
how complex equations might become more intelligible if they could
be examined on a page the way they are laid out on that page. And
we won't even talk about electronic schematics and similar types of
diagrams. Any reading device which would work as well or better
than a standard Optacon would probably have merit in reading that
type of material. The key is that the human mind needs to be the "motor
controller" and "image decoder" to gain greatest benefit.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Alain Bardet
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 11:32 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] abtim reading device
Hi all,
I am a French optacon user and I still enjoy the device!
Have some of you heard about the abtim reading device? What do you
think of it?
Cheers stay well and happy new year!
Alain from Paris
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