[Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display

Tue Aug 30 14:33:59 UTC 2016

just to clarify in case someone is confused. the device that is being 
talked about in this article is not the refreshable braille displays 
that the NLS is venturing to provide in the same fashion as the digital 
book players already available. "Graphiti" is a Refreshable Tactile 
Graphics Display for dealing with various graphics.

  -------- Original Message --------
From: Mario [mailto:mrb620 at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, Aug 29, 2016 5:35 PM EST
To: New Jersey Technology Division List <njtechdiv at nfbnet.org>
Subject: World's First Affordable Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/08/prweb13587698.htm

Orbit Research and American Printing House for the Blind Announce the
World's First Affordable Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display

WILMINGTON, DE (PRWEB) August 02, 2016
Orbit Research and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) today
announced the introduction of Graphiti™, the world's first affordable
tactile graphics display.
Based on revolutionary Tactuator™ technology from Orbit Research, the
Graphiti refreshable tactile graphics display represents a breakthrough 
in non-visual access to graphical information such as charts, drawings,
flowcharts, floorplans, images and photographs, through an array of
moving pins. The most  unique feature of the technology is the ability
to set each pin to different heights, which enables the display of
topographical maps and other graphical elements such as grey shades and
color represented as varying heights of pins that can be readily sensed
by the user’s fingers.
Connectable to computers, tablets, smartphones, or the Orion TI-84 Plus
Talking Graphing Calculator via a USB-C port or Bluetooth, its open API
allows developers to create apps to work with Graphiti. Additionally, an
HDMI port allows connection to any device with a video display output,
identifying the unit as a display monitor. This enables any device to
connect seamlessly to Graphiti. The unit also includes a cursor pad for
navigation, and an SD-card
slot for loading files for reading and editing in a standalone mode.
Graphiti also features a touch interface to enable the user to "draw" on
the display; tracing a shape with a fingertip raises the pins along the
path traced.
The touch interface allows traditional forms of touch commands such as
scrolling, multi-touch gestures, etc. In addition, it enables novel uses
such as "pushing" or "nudging" an object on the display to physically
move it.
The proprietary technology is fundamentally scalable and enables
development of refreshable graphic displays of any size, at a fraction
of the cost of graphic displays in the market today. The first model has
2,400 pins in an array of 60 x 40 pins, and can be used in a portrait or
landscape orientation.
Each pin is independently addressable and can also be made to
individually "blink" at configurable rates.
Building upon APH’s vast experience in the development of educational
products and Orbit Research’s core technology and expertise in
developing affordable accessible products, this unique product is the
outcome of continuing collaborative efforts between the companies.

"We are tremendously excited about the opportunities Graphiti opens for
the blind or visually impaired user. Our Orion family of talking
scientific and graphing calculators enabled access to mainstream tools
for STEM education for blind and visually impaired students. The
recently announced Orbit Reader 20, enables access to low-cost braille
and literacy. We believe Graphiti will do for graphics what the Orbit
Reader 20 did for braille.” said Dr. Gina Spagnoli, Orbit Research’s
Founder. “The variable-height capability that our Tactuator technology
enables will allow blind users to experience and interact
with graphics like never before – live and in three dimensions. For the
first time, a blind user will be able to create graphics in digital
form, enter them into a computing device, review and edit them, and
exchange such graphics with others.” she added.
“This technology is breaking new ground for the education of the braille
reading students and adults we serve. It gives us a glimpse into the
future of what the graphical digital information age will look like. Up
until now, we have only imagined. Graphiti proves that we can,” said Dr.
Craig Meador, APH
President. “It will be an invaluable tool in the classroom because of
its versatility. For the first time in history, a student who is blind
can connect a tactile monitor to instruments, including microscopes,
telescopes, or video cameras for real time depiction of dynamic content.
For example, it will connect to the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing
Calculator and students will be able to see the graph, immediately, on
the tactile screen. Textbooks in
math and science contain thousands of graphics. Graphiti provides a path
toward delivering textbooks with graphics, electronically.”
The product is expected to ship in late 2017 and further details can be
found at
http://www.orbitresearch.com/graphiti
<http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5vcmJpdHJlc2VhcmNoLmNvbS9ncmFwaGl0aQ==>.

About Orbit Research:
Orbit Research develops and manufactures innovative and affordable
products that enable an independent lifestyle for people who are blind
or visually impaired.
Founded with the mission to fulfill the urgent need for affordable
assistive technology products, the company has introduced breakthrough
products like the Orbit Reader 20, Orion Talking Graphing and Scientific
Calculators and the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier that define the
state-of-the-art in features,
functionality, convenience and cost. For more information, visit
http://www.orbitresearch.com
<http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5vcmJpdHJlc2VhcmNoLmNvbQ==>.

About the American Printing House for the Blind:
The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c) (3) non-profit
organization, is the world's largest nonprofit company devoted solely to
researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are 
blind or
visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its
kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the 
Education of
the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for
visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than 
college level. APH
produces textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and
digital formats and manufactures hundreds of educational, recreational,
and daily living products including computer software design and
engineering along with other technology items.
For more information., visit
http://www.aph.org
<http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hcGgub3Jn>