[Blindmath] Tactile Displays?

[Debbie Willis]

I don't know how many Optacons were being used when they were available.  However, I think most of the users found them rather difficult to use.  On the other hand, there were some "true believers" who learned to use them very well.  I know Dr. Sandy Ruconich made great use of her Optacon...and tried to keep it in good repair so that she could continue having access to it.  I do not know if Sandy still uses her Optacon.
Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 4:16 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Tactile Displays?

To answer one of the original questions, the Optacon was a commercial
device, but hasn't been made for about 20 years.  Some people still
use them, there is a mailing list, and a few people do repairs -- but
it isn't an option for most.

Dave

At 02:36 PM 1/15/2009, you wrote:
>Haven't read the article you cited, but I wonder if this may be a
>reference to something called the optocon (not exactly sure of
>spelling). Its an old adaptive device that has a camera which is
>moved over the material to be read/imaged. The image is "displayed"
>on a small array of vibrating pins which sit under one finger. As
>you move the camera across the page (it was meant to allow reading
>of printed material), a vibrating image of the character moves
>across the pin display.  The image is very small, and it cannot be
>used to read pictures or graphs or anything; its specifically meant
>to read text.
>
>Hope this helps..
>-- Rich
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Roopakshi Pathania"
><r_akshi_tgk at yahoo.com>
>To: <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 12:21 PM
>Subject: [Blindmath] Tactile Displays?
>
>
>>
>>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>The recent discussion on the list regarding the accessibility of
>>Mathematica reminded me of the time when I was personally
>>researching the accessibility of same software. I came across an
>>article about a blind physicist. I realise that there are quite
>>afew around these days, but this particular physicist caught my
>>attention. The article mentions a device used by him that consists
>>of a camera attached to a tactile display with vibrating pins.
>>My questions is: how does this device operates? Also, is this
>>product in the market or just a personal invention?
>>The article can be found here.
>>http://www.wolfram.com/news/strickland.html
>>
>>Regards
>>Roopakshi from India
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Blindmath mailing list
>>Blindmath at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>for Blindmath:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/rjc%40mit.edu
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Blindmath mailing list
>Blindmath at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>for Blindmath:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/dandrews%40visi.com
>
>
>
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1896 - Release Date:
>1/15/2009 7:10 PM


_______________________________________________
Blindmath mailing list
Blindmath at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/dwillis%40aph.org