[Njtechdiv] new print to braille reader

Fri May 26 14:35:58 UTC 2017

The new device sounds very interesting, but it's not like the Optacon.  The
Optacon doesn't translate; it shows what it sees, and the user's brain
translates.  That means, using my Optacon, I can look at print music, or
diagrams, or printed Japanese, which doesn't use Western characters.
Dedicated Optacon users are still waiting hopefully for something that does
what the Optacon does.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: Njtechdiv [mailto:njtechdiv-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mario
Brusco via Njtechdiv
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 2:55 PM
To: Janie Degenshein via Njtechdiv
Cc: Mario Brusco
Subject: Re: [Njtechdiv] new print to braille reader

sounds similar to the Opticon that was developed by Telesensory back in the
mid 1970's. those devices aren't made any more, but someone in California
might still have some for sale. hope these gals keep improving the device.

-------- Original Message --------
From: Janie Degenshein via Njtechdiv [mailto:njtechdiv at nfbnet.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 12:33 PM EST
To: Lester Cameron <underdogmj at comcast.net>, New Jersey Technology Division
List <njtechdiv at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Janie Degenshein <jdegen16 at comcast.net>
Subject: [Njtechdiv] new print to braille reader

Good post Lester!

From: Lester Cameron via Njtechdiv
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 12:13 PM
To: njtec
Cc: Lester Cameron
Subject: [Njtechdiv] new print to braille reader

here is a new print to   braille reader  IInstant Braille translator can fit
in your hand Instant Braille translator can fit in your hand - CNET
    An all-woman team of six engineering undergraduate students at MIT has
created an inexpensive, hand-held device prototype that provides real-time
translation of printed text to Braille -- which could greatly increase
accessibility of written materials for the blind.

    Team Tactile was one of the winners of the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize
this year for their creation, which translates printed text into the
raised-dot language.

    Here's how it works: The device has an internal camera that takes photos
of the printed text, which is then converted into digital text using optical
character recognition software. Next, the text is translated into Braille,
and a mechanical system raises and lowers pins on the surface of the Tactile
that form the characters to be read by one's fingertips.

    Though the current version is limited in the number of characters it can
translate and display, the team hopes to make the device capable of scanning
an entire page at a time and displaying two lines of text at once.

    Credit: Team Tactile

    In a world of audiobooks and text-to-audio technology, why is Braille
still important? Though audio systems are easier to use, they don't instill
the same understanding of language as a written system like Braille does.
Studies have shown that Braille literacy significantly improves employment
opportunities for the blind -- but right now, less than 10% of blind
Americans can read it.

    Part of the problem is that creating Braille texts is costly, greatly
limiting choices for the visually impaired. The Tactile device has the
potential to open up entire libraries of books to the blind. And while there
are products on the market that translate digital texts to Braille, there
are some drawbacks. Not all documents are available electronically. Also,
these devices are very expensive and are designed to work with laptops and
computers, making them less than portable. Team Tactile hopes to make their
handheld translator available for less than $200.

    The six women -- Chen Wang, Chandani Doshi, Grace Li, Jessica Shi,
Charlene Xia and Tania Yu -- met freshman year at MIT. The original Tactile
was the result of a hackathon they entered "as a team of friends just for
fun."

    Now, they're receiving patent help and mentorship through Microsoft's
#MakeWhat'sNext, a program that encourages talented women who are creating
technology for positive change. Though all six team members are graduating
this year, they hope to continue working on the Tactile -- and their larger
ambition: to "improve the world, one innovative solution at a time."

    ATTENTION  THIS IS A DISCLAIMER
    I Mr Lester  take any responsibility  for any  miss spelled words or any
miss leading comments
    sent out as received

    http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/vbjFt0dccic/

from the desk of Mr lester cameron
remember life is what it is
it is what you do with it that matters
do all you can with it
I do that each day of my life

from the desk of Mr lester cameron
remember life is what it is
it is what you do with it that matters
do all you can with it
I do that each day of my life

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