Hello all,
A number of years ago I spoke with the developer of this product by phone. He
tried selling the device in the U.S. but with the small market and unfavorable
currency exchange rate the device wasn't available very long. I have sent
e-mails to the developer several times and each time he responds he indicates
he is refining the product. I doubt the device is even available in Europe
despite what the website says. When I spoke with the developer by phone he told
me he was having trouble in Germany getting people interested in the device.
The assistive technology market is small and we are lucky to have a variety of
products even if they are expensive. At least mainstream devices like phones
and computers are getting cheaper but this hasn't yet happened to so-called
specialized devices like notetakers and Braille displays.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of David
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 3:40 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Steve (Redacted sender k8sp for DMARC)
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: abtim reading device
Listers,
Neither had I heard about the device, until today, when Alain mentioned it. And
thanks for sending some info. Looks interesting, but my worries are, what is
the price?
With today's mobil devices all preloaded with a screen reader, or computers
where you can simply download NVDA, and at least perform the most common tasks
easily enough - my fears are that people won't look much to the side of town,
where things are heavily priced. Specially so, should it come to assistive
technology. First of all, persons with some kind of infirmity, tends to have a
low budget. And you guys mention kids. If a family has one blind child, and two
sighted ones, there is no special budget given for that family so as to pay
high prices for a reading equipment - no matter how much help there would be in
it. Even in countries where the authorities have in place some kind of a
funding facility for buying technical aids - we have seen a steady decline in
what they are willing to approve.
For instance, a decade ago, locally we could apply for a bathroom scale.
You did need to mention that you - as a blind person - could not benefit from a
standard scale; but if you did so, they usually would approve of you getting
one, and they took the bill. Now, even if you prove your blindness, and let
them know that modern scales with a digital display does not help you, or that
the talking scales run into prices of the hundreds of dollars - they refuse to
approve anything. Not even if your doctor tell them, you need the scale out of
medical reasons. They disapprove, based on two main factors:
1. Every modern home owns a bathroom scale, and as such, this unit is not
considered a blindness-related "special device".
2. If the blind person does not have a chance of reading the display, he just
needs to ring the doorbell of his neighbor, asking them to read it to him.
Sure. That is privacy? (Big grin). OK, so you can imagine what they will tell
you, should you decide to apply for a reading device, that they just would
claim could be substituted by a scanner, or some service like "Be-My-Eyes".
If a new reading device would attempt to replace the Optacon, the pricing has
to be low enough that people could buy one out of a normal family budget;
whatever that would mean these days. Without the person, and half the family
tree, selling their houses to bring up the finances.
Smiles. That in fact, was one of the obstacles of the Optacon. One thing is the
pricing was high in the States, but by the time it had crossed the ocean and
who knows how many borders, prices had grown like apple trees in the warmest
springtime. Then came the earnings of the company that imported the Optacon to
your country, and finally taxes closed up the whole suitcase of 100-dollar
bills that you had to bring, if you should be the lucky owner of the great
equipment. I know, that is the facts of the commercial world, so let's just
face it. Still, if a person can pick up a mainstream cellphone for say 250
dollars, and he would be using whatever free or low-paid service on that phone
for his reading projects, you won't see much people pay five times more to get
a special equipment, that only can read some text and diagrams.
Seemingly, the Abtim leaves the interpretation to the user's brainwork.
That is great news. I do know - and agree - there never will be such an app or
service that replaces the freedom of the Optacon. But to new-comers, there
will. You do not need just a hands-on experience with an Optacon-like device;
you need long-termed usage, leaving you the chance to explore all the
potentials. Only then, could you be persuaded into buying such a device.
Likely, this is why not many of us ever heard about the ABTIM device.
One of you did mention all the benefits of the Optacon, and its great
capabilities of reading different types of material, like drawings and
schematics. And the webpage quoted, even tells the ABTIM to be able to read
flatscreens and handwritings. Wonderful. Yet, the printed world of today, looks
a bit more complex, than what it did a handful of decades back in history.
Have you ever called some tech support line, asking them to help you out with
an issue on your computer? OK, they tell you to click on something near the top
right corner of the screen. Screen readers, are little help here, since they
tend to rearrange the screen layout. So a modern Optacon solution, could prove
helpful. There only remains one thing. The support guy, tell you to click on
the BLUE icon, not the GREEN. And, how exactly do you want to ever have the
Optacon confirming to you, what color is under the camera? Not a big deal, when
reading printed material, as the individual character almost for certainty, is
all printed in one and same color. A totally different matter, if we are
looking on a graphic symbol.
You could have a graphic, looking like an old-time clockface. Main color is
black, with yellow numbers along the edge. The hands might be in blue, and
there might be a grey area, sectoring out the hours the office is closed. Green
fields will indicate, when it is good to reach the manager. See how complex one
symbol could be?
In the days of the Optacon, such a scenario was hardly ever to be considered.
Printers, or printing facilities back then, would not be capable of making up
such complex color schemes anyway. And most things were printed in clear text.
Just think of the first laundry machine you had, or even the first microwave.
Even your software CD would be close to labelled in clear text. Now, iconic,
holographic, translucent and who knows what kind of attributed text and
symbols, are the standard of the day. Things are engraved or embossed. Pictures
with text inside, or drawings of hands that point to this and that object,
surrounded by all other non-valid objects - well, your fantacy sometimes does
not even suffice for what avenue of info-conveying, the printing industry may
choose. And with all the touch-screen devices, I am not even sure you will ever
have an Optacon thing that will leave you the chance of reading, without
activating all the facilities of the display. Again, without a prolonged
hands-on experience with a device like the Abtim, I would be rather doubtful as
to how much it could do to someone who has not the background of old-time
Optacon users.
You know, one thing that crosses my mind, is if we who are old Optacon users,
tend to think it to be such a great device, due to our way of living. Turn it
what way you want, but if you own a car, you will live as a car-owner, making
tiny decisions throughout the day including driving. Why would you bother the
time-table of the bus, or the ticket-pricing of the train?
As an Optacon owner - or former user - you might choose to perform many tasks
every day, based on the ability of reading your material. You might even decide
to obtain a microwave, due to the fact that you can read its display and key
panel. Or you will greatly enjoy the fact that you were able to label your
tumble-dryer's panel, by using the Optacon to read the printed text or
simplified symbols. That is why you chose exactly that brand and model. And
that is why you don't benefit much from the services on your computerized
devices. Your whole life-style is build up around the very fact, "my Optacon
solves everything". True. And great.
But today's kids have grown up in a world that is ten times more printed and
visualized than we ever knew - and without helping devices. To them, our life
might seem more than old-fashioned - true enough, likely due to many reasons.
Smiles. They have learned solutions, that to them seems just as beneficial, and
which do not include any kind of Optacon device.
Why would they spend thirty minutes in scrambling through a page, holding
drawings, symbols and a few strangely printed words - when all they need is to
bring up Be-My-Eyes, and have a sighted person read it out to them in less than
two minutes?
Again, in your time, while you were doing your Optacon-reading, all your peers
were out playing football. You would not be able to participate, Optacon or not
- so it didn't really matter how long it took you to read the newest novel.
Today, kids are somehow more integrated. Or at least, supposed to be. None of
their peers would bother to wait for you to explore the screen of your device,
so as to hit the right info or icon.
They expect you to "just see it", right away. Electronically, with a properly
developed speech system, or some Braille functionality, this demand could be
met. With an Optacon-like device? - Well, I am not all that certain.
It appears from their website that the device is available for sale in
Europe.to view the list archives, go to:
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
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
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.
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
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.
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
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.
.
