[optacon-l] Re: Optacon DisplayRe: Re: Rebecca: optacon diagrams
- From: "H & C Arnold" <4carolyna@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:33:59 -0500
I agree that the sound can be helpful, but have had co-workers who found it
quite distracting. I always used a headset for my computer, so never
bothered anyone in my work place with the sound of my screen reader;
however, I could not diminish the sound of the Optacon. I had a boss who
asked me if I could step out in the hall whenever I needed to use it. I told
her I couldn't make production if I did, because I used it to look up words,
medical terms, medication spelling, as well as patient information on some
accounts. I probably used it as much as 20 times an hour in some cases. She
could see my point, and we found another place for my desk. I was first in
that office, so as others came, I was already there. And, what do you know,
those people in the office where I started were gone within the month.
People are funny, aren't we?
DOG - Depend on God,
Carolyn
----- Original Message -----
From: "cpond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 7:25 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon DisplayRe: Re: Rebecca: optacon diagrams
Well, the second generation optacons were manufactured by Canon. They used
the standard bimorph (benders) with a lesser resolution to build the
display. The buzzing sound of the display is created because a very
precisely controlled so-called squarewave signal is used to drive these
benders. If a sinewave is used, the image is still the same, but the
buzzing sound goes away. If the squarewave goes out of whack, the bimorphs,
already fragile, can easily crack.
Some find the buzzing useful in quickly ascertaining the layout and
locations of regions on a paper: letterheads, spaces, new paragraphs for
esamples.
The crystal used to make these bimorphs is now more pure than of years ago,
and certain types of circuitry with this better quality crystal results in
less power being required and for a smaller display. Nevertheless, they are
still hard to manufacture. Of the amount of crystal sheet used to make
these bimorphs, when cut into strips, even microcracks render the results
unusable. Therefore, as far as I know, relatively little of it makes it to
the production line. Hmmmm, if the displays are hard to manufature, they
are also hard to fix and reassemble.
Blazie Engineering had been working on a new optacon-like device and
experimemting with display technology and configurations using a grant from
the N.S.F. However, when Freedon Scientific took over things, the project
was squashed, the materials and parts were all junked, the grant was shot
and that was that.
Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: David
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 5:24 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Optacon DisplayRe: Re: Rebecca: optacon diagrams
In the risk of spreading misleading info, I just wanted to mention what I
was told, back in the 90's. The local dealer here, posed the info, that the
Optacon (second generation) was being manufactured by one of the mainstream
electronic brands. I am not sure if my memory serves me right, in recalling
which brand it was, but Panasonic was the name that popped out in my brain.
My point is, if this info is correct, the company who might have
manufactured the Optacon on behalf of TSI, might still be able to reproduce
the display of the Optacon. Just in case, any of this could bring us closer
to get hold of displays.
Would it maybe happen, that the old technology used in the original
displays, but being manufactured with modern materials, would overcome some
of the drawbacks. Give one comparison, with computer Braille displays. I
have two brands here, one being 5 years old, and the other being twice that
age, or so. Looking on the Braille cells and their physical construction, it
is quite similar in operation. But the newer display, is making use of newer
materials, and the cells are somehow reduced in size, and by far reduced in
operational noise.
Taking a look under the hood of an Optacon, I often wondered if the display
would have operated more quietly - simply by enclosing it with some kind of
sound absorbing material. Now aday, things like silicon or even neoprene
materials, can be quite sound absorbant even with relatively thin pads.
Just some ideas, as to the display challenge. Even if we could have got hold
of the original display manufacturer, there might have been chances that the
resolution of the display might be increased, without significant physical
size increase. Name me unrealistic, but something like 3 decades of
experience inside the electronic and technical work, and 4 decades of
experience inside assistive technology, gives the feeling that it is worth
the try. If for no other benefit, hopefully thoughts like this, will produce
new ideas, that in turn might just happen to lead to a break-through.
I guess my next idea - crazy as it is - already have been dealt with, long
time ago. But being new to the list, may I please ask, if anyone ever
contacted the old engineers of TSI, and asked if they could give out any
info to bring us further on. Look, maybe they could not do it ten years ago,
deue to patenting reasons or whatever. Maybe they will be more open about
things today. Just a crazy idea. Smile.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rebecca Blaevoet" <amrywoddyddiauheulog@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 11:14 AM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Rebecca: optacon diagrams
> Hi Charles,
> He was very pleased to receive the diagrams but the main thing they did
> was give us some sense of what we don't know and how to proceed with them.
> I'll keep you posted off-list when there's anything to post.
> Regards,
>
> On 2012-11-11, at 4:00 AM, cpond wrote:
>
>> Hello Rebecca in U.K. What did your husband make of the optacon's
>> diagrams
>> on CD? Any thoughts or observations or ideas?
>>
>> The optacon's valuable display itself has been successfully interfaced
>> with
>> a USB port, but it does not address the challenge of fabracation of a
>> display.
>>
>> Charles
>> Ottawa
>>
>>
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