[nfbcs] FW: A keyboard that rises up from flat touch screens

[majolls at cox.net]

The "micro-fluidics" that the video spoke about is related to, if not the same as, "electrostatic polymers" ... which is basically a semi-liquid plastic that reacts to electric current that is applied to it.  Applying the current "deforms" the plastic and ... in the case of the video ... the "key" is raised.  This technology has been under development for a few years.  One of the applications that has been discussed on the web is a multi-line refreshable braille display.  The research I've been reading says that the goal is to get the per-cell cost down from $80 per cell (which is the cost of manufacturing current piezo-electric braille units such as Pac-Mate, Focus 40, and others) to about $10 per cell.  Now we see in this video that the deformable technology is possible ... WOW.  This will hoepfully make a multi-line (say 5 line, or 10 line, and 40 cells per line) model feasable.  At least it wouldn't cost more than what you're paying for a one line display today, and it might be less.  A full page 25 line 40 cell display could also be manufactured, but at $10 per cell, it would be expensive .. you can do the math.  Of course this all depends if they make it where when you touch it to read it, the pressure of the dots is sufficient to keep the dot from falling.  That has been one problem they've been trying to overcome.  Perhaps they have it solved now.

You'll also notice in the video that in the case of the "Universal remote" example, the device was flat and then you select your remote.  Selecting the desired remote results in "deforming only a portion of the device flat top and giving you only the buttons you need".  The implication is that you could have multiple devices in one package.  Perhaps you want a notetaker plus a Victor Reader.  If both devices were programmed in the unit, you just press a selector button that might always be there, and the rest of the flat panel deforms giving you the controls necessary.  The selector button might have to be there all the time to allow you to switch back and forth between devices at will seamlessly.

I would also think this could drive down manufacturing costs since the platform for a braille unit could be manufactured like mainstream devices for the sighted, except the device might have to be larger than those used by the sighted (they like things small, but Braille does take up a certain amount of real-estate).  However, it wouldn't be manufactured differently, and the software inside would dictate the applications and how the unit is deformed.

When I heard about this a couple of years ago, I got really excited.  I've even written to Tactus and got a reply back stating that they were aware of the Braille application.  We'll see if they follow through.  Getting a braille display out there at a low cost ... well that would open it up for a lot of people.

I'll shut up.  Replies welcome.


---- David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote: 
> 
> >It  would be interesting to know if this technology had enough force 
> >and is fast enough to move pins up and down, so it could be used as 
> >an alternative technology to power a refreshable Braille display.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >A keyboard that rises up from flat touch screens | Mobile - CNET News
> ><http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57569078-94/a-keyboard-that-rises-up-from-flat-touch-screens/>http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57569078-94/a-keyboard-that-rises-up-from-flat-touch-screens/
> 
> 
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