All,
The main reason why the Orbit tactile actuator or tactuator
technology is not appropriate for an Optacon display is that it uses
a matrix of rows and columns of actuators and each actuator row and
each column is moved by its own micro motor.
In the case of the Orbit 20 Braille Reader, this is 40 columns and 4
rows driven by 44 motors.
In the case of their tactile graphics display, it is a 60 by 40
matrix with a total of 100 motors.
Each pin is raised or lowered by the row and column actuators that
intersect at that pin.
This means that the pins have to be set up sequentially, and that
takes time. That would take up too much time to vibrate an Optacon
array at the 250 times per second it seems to need to have a decent
tactile feel.
Llavan Fernando and others have successfully built and tested Optacon
displays that utilize other technologies such as Electro Active
Polymers (EAP) for the pin drivers, and as Charles Pond has said,
there are other technologies now available that could probably be
used for a new, more compact, and less expensive Optacon reading device.
The technologies like Fernando's EAP display are much more
appropriate for the Optacon than the Orbit tactuator
mechanism. That's not to say that the Orbit tactuator is not a good
one for the braille or tactile graphics display applications.
Cordially,
Noel
At 05:04 PM 9/1/2016, Dan Tevelde wrote:
Hello All,
This new device has been getting a lot of attention. APH has a
section of their home page devoted to it, and there is a YouTube
video which shows the device in action. There aren't any
particulars about the device other than that it will be tested next year.
If the new products like this device and the Orbit Reader are
successful, this might lower the price on all refreshable Braille
displays, and give people an incentive to develop new
technologies. I don't think people should stick with just one new
technology, but try several to see which one is the most
reliable. I hadn't thought about the refresh rate of the optacon
actuators until people on this list brought it up. One of my
friends saw the Orbit Reader, and he thought the refresh rate was
too slow. I suppose this technology might not be practical for a
new optacon, but the fact that might be a cheaper solution would
give developers an incentive to do more research.
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 1, 2016, at 1:31 PM, Charles Pond <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:inch, and a
I had developed here two different technologies for a tactile interactive
display of any size, for braille and/or graphics, and of variable dot
heights from 0 to 1/4-inch (the 1/4-inch was somewhat arbitarily chosen
based on plasticine reliefs)The one has a pitch of 20 dots per
refresh rate of from 0.05 seconds to under 2 seconds for a fullpage 16-inch
* 20-inch. The other completely different technology produces smooth orthe group in
textured lines and dots, and a limited sense of objects moving like a 3-D
turtle moving toward a textured seaside, and takes just under 5 seconds to
refresh whether it be a line or a page. I attempted to contact
The States who have worked on the display in the announcementhere well over
a year ago when they came out with the adapted T.I. programmablecalculator
(which if I am correct still uses a form of the good old Zilog 80competition. So,
processor), but I received no response from them. It would be good for
various groups and researchers and developers to work in synergy, rather
than using uf expertise and resources in certain forms of
actually, technically, the first full-size dynamic and interactive tactileover a page
display in the world is right here with Chuckie the Luddite in Ottawa. :)
Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: Evan Reese
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 12:07 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: FW: [Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable
Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display
Thanks for the additional details about the refresh rate.
This device does sound exciting, but the speed of the Optacon's response is
something I find very useful when I simply want to run my camera
to determine how much print is on a page, if any, and where it is. For allinch, and a
intents and purposes, the Optacon display seems to respond instantly to
whatever the camera is seeing.
Evan
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Pond
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 10:53 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: FW: [Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable
I had developed here two different technologies for a tactile interactive
display of any size, for braille and/or graphics, and of variable dot
heights from 0 to 1/4-inch (the 1/4-inch was somewhat arbitarily chosen
based on plasticine reliefs)The one has a pitch of 20 dots per
refresh rate of from 0.05 seconds to under 2 seconds for a fullpage 16-inch
* 20-inch. The other completely different technology produces smooth orthe group in
textured lines and dots, and a limited sense of objects moving like a 3-D
turtle moving toward a textured seaside, and takes just under 5 seconds to
refresh whether it be a line or a page. I attempted to contact
The States who have worked on the display in the announcementhere well over
a year ago when they came out with the adapted T.I. programmablecalculator
(which if I am correct still uses a form of the good old Zilog 80competition. So,
processor), but I received no response from them. It would be good for
various groups and researchers and developers to work in synergy, rather
than using uf expertise and resources in certain forms of
actually, technically, the first full-size dynamic and interactive tactileover a page
display in the world is right here with Chuckie the Luddite in Ottawa. :)
Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: Evan Reese
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 12:07 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: FW: [Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable
Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display
Thanks for the additional details about the refresh rate.
This device does sound exciting, but the speed of the Optacon's response is
something I find very useful when I simply want to run my camera
to determine how much print is on a page, if any, and where it is. For alladdition to
intents and purposes, the Optacon display seems to respond instantly to
whatever the camera is seeing.
Evan
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Pond
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 10:53 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: FW: [Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable
Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display
There was a demo model here in Ottawa, a promising and wonderful
tactile tools. The pins move more slowly and are refreshed moreslowly than
our standard braille displays. Sounds like rice crispies moving from leftdisplay because
to right can be heard as the pins refresh along the display. It doesn't
look like the actuator technology can be used for an optacon
of the density of an optacon display, and the required refreshrate, and the
size of the pins. Nevertheless, delighted congratulations to those in theediting in
project. I would take the expected shipping date (as with any novel
project) with a grain of salt, but whilst hoping for timely results.
Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 8:15 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] FW: [Njtechdiv] World's First Affordable Refreshable
Tactile Graphics Display
This is interesting in itself, but I also wonder if the "tactuators" could
be used in a new Optacon.
Tracy
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 GraphitiT, the world's first affordable
tactile graphics display.
Based on revolutionary TactuatorT 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
a standalone mode."draw" on the
Graphiti also features a touch interface to enable the user to
display; tracing a shape with a fingertip raises the pins along the pathdevelopment
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
of refreshable graphic displays of any size, at a fraction of the cost ofcreate graphics
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
in digital form, enter them into a computing device, review and edit them,telescopes,
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,
or video cameras for real time depiction of dynamic content.of graphics.
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
Graphiti provides a path toward delivering textbooks with graphics,<http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5vcmJpdHJlc2VhcmNoLmNvb>
electronically."
The product is expected to ship in late 2017 and further details can be
found at http://www.orbitresearch.com/graphiti
S9ncmFwaGl0aQ==>.
affordable assistive
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
technology products, the company has introduced breakthrough products like<http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5vcmJpdHJlc2VhcmNoLmNvb>
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
Q==>.
who are blind
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
or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of itsworking at less
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
than college level. APH produces textbooks and magazines in braille, largehttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/njtechdiv_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net
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>
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