[optacon-l] Re: New Optacon
- From: "Nick Dotson" <nickdotson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 17:56:28 -0500
That's why I'm in favor of a scanner, particularly the Book-Edged Plusteks.
Get the image, then let us scroll through the image, allot easier for the
Neuvaux user's who don't want to gain the ability to move the camera, just
scroll the image through the buffer...
Nick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Natalie" <nataliej@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 5:31 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: New Optacon
> Again, dreaming about the camera, it could be shaped differently so books
> with narrow margins could be accommodated. It's fun to dream and at the
> same time put in suggestions. It can't hurt.
>
> Natalie Johnson
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dianne B. Phelps" <d.bphelps@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 6:23 PM
> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: New Optacon
>
>
>> Very interesting, though it is fun to dream. Time will certainly tell us
>> the
>> story when all is said and done.
>>
>> Dianne
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>> On Behalf Of MikeD
>> Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 1:40 PM
>> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [optacon-l] New Optacon
>>
>> There has been a lot of messages about 'fixing' the Optacon lately
>> So some answers to some questions.
>>
>> I am an electronics engineer (sighted) that has been helping Charles Pond
>> get his collection of technical info on the Optacon, out to the various
>> service people including Richard Ohm.
>> There is a group of technical minded people on this list (Wizards....)
>> who have been looking at updating and redesigning
>> the good old Optacon (things have been real slow lately....)
>>
>> Some answers to some of the questions:
>>
>> Can you eliminate the vibration?
>> No! That's how it works! The pins vibrate and your finger feels the
>> vibration
>> and your brain converts the vibration to the equivalent of an image.
>> Therefore you can 'read' the page.
>> There have been a number of 'Solutions' offered over the last 10 years
>> NON of which can be used to read non standard text.
>>
>> Can the camera be stabilized on the page?
>> Yes and No. There was a plate that could be put under a page,
>> with magnets that kept the camera from sliding,
>> but it also made it harder to move the camera around and some times the
>> page got stuck
>> and wrinkled. How big a plate would you use? A large one would be clumsy
>> and a small
>> one needed to be moved all the time.
>>
>> Can you eliminate the cable?
>> Yes. You can even use a Bluetooth link, but to do so would require a total
>> rebuild/redesign of the Optacon. You can also change the cable into a
>> 4/5 wire
>> design (rather than the 20 wire currently), but also not a trivial
>> redesign.
>>
>> Can you have replaceable battery packs?
>> Yes. You can even get more powerful batteries
>> (Lithium - would need a new charging system) but the metal case
>> on the rd1 doesn't have a convenient way for non techs to get in
>> and plug in a replacement pack. UL and CSA get upset when people get
>> shocks from exposed circuits in equipment.
>>
>> Can you get new display arrays? Why not bigger or smaller?
>> Yes. Bimorph piezoelectric strips can still be made. Nobody is
>> manufacturing them that we know of.
>> BUT are you willing to pay - BIG TIME. Charles had inquired about getting
>> some manufactured a few years ago and was quote 15 to 20 THOUSAND each
>> array
>> for quantities of 1 thousand units.
>>
>> The Wizards have been looking at upgrading parts of the Optacon,
>> but most of us have other lives and some of the work would take
>> substantial time.
>> Any changes that need small and lightweight results need more
>> sophisticated design work.
>>
>> The things that most people seem to want changed are the battery/power
>> system.
>> It can be done but because one is working with 120Volts AC and batteries
>> it needs to be done properly and safely.
>> The second thing is the camera and cable, this requires more technical
>> expertise.
>> Using off-the-self digital cameras sounds nice, but they aren't designed
>> to work
>> where the object/page is less than a tenth of an inch from the lens!
>> People with this kind of expertise want to get paid for their time!
>>
>> So a few answers to a few suggestions,
>> Mike Donegan
>> donegan@xxxxxxxx
>>
>>
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>>
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