[optacon-l] Re: Orbit Research Group & TBG announce project for low cost braille display.
- From: "C. Pond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:16:43 -0400
Regarding an updated optacon technology as mentioned in the previous message
here, I believe I reported on the list last summer (if I didn't I will now)
that some proof of concept work was done here in Ottawa for an optacon-like
tactile display project. The design used a tiny magnet resonating in a
magnetic circuit (at between 230Hz and 270Hz)which consists of two coils in
series (for now) and a second stationery magnet; this secondmagnet adds a
lot of much welcomed flux energy to the circuit. There are at least a dozen
or more factors to seriously refine in order to maximize such a tactile
actuator (and make it smaller) so that an optacon display can be built for
the market. In addition, within an active matrix of these actuators, the
driving algorithm must "hold still" those actuators wich are inadvertently
affected by magnetic cross-talk from other actuators which are intended to
vibrate at any given time as the user scans an image. It turns out that
without using a very super-expensive and hard-to-shape substrate, printed
coils won't work because actuators on the same printed layer affect each
other as they vibrate in a way which can't be cancelled by the algorithm.
Magnetic and inductive interference can be electronically factored out, but
not so vibration. Therefore, it is likely that if this design approach be
taken further, then wire wound coils would be used. I was in touch with Dr.
Keith Shaw who headed up the optacon project with what had been Blazie
Engineering (and Dr. Shaw passes his best regards on to you Phil Hall if
you're on list), and many others about this design approach. So, at the
very least, the proof of concept and design ideas are out there if anyone
wishes to run wit it. Further details of this approach and design were sent
to any number of people both on list and off list. As a matter of mention,
the accusation that I have been devious about this stuff, which has been
made against me by someone who owns a company here on Ottawa, is not only
false, but might very well land him in legal trouble if I so choose. My
approachh toward--and my design of using a resonating magnet circuit as a
tactile actuator, and also the factors which must be refined, are as openn
source and as out there as I can make them.
As for an inexpensive and robust braille display technology not based on
benders,: there is neither any connection or any relation to optacon
technology. Some people work on stealth fighter technology; others work on
better guns. The only common denominator is that both are in general terms
military.
The article concerning the project of a hopeful introduction of an
inexpensive braille display seems to have contact information within it. It
may be that the technology is for now proprietary, but at least one can
alwys write and ask.
Charles
From: David
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 3:30 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Orbit Research Group & TBG announce project for low
cost braille display.
Well, I kind of wonder the same. Besides, except from the Braille
Notetakers, all other Braille displays I have been in touch with
personally, mainly has done only this one function, translating the
contents of the screen into Braille. In that sense, this is no news, and
nothing revolutionizing. What caught my great interest, was the
estimated pricing. If they are able to build a 20cell Braille display
for something like 300 dollars, that would actually revolutionized the
market.
Guess things are pretty in its starting grope at the moment. At least,
that is what I took from the article. It will be interesting to see,
when the unit is finally hitting the market, what it is like. Let's just
hope, they are able to keep it that low-priced. I mean, likely enough,
modern technology does not cost all that much, so to manufacture the
unit for a low price, I guess should be possible. The big bottleneck
often comes into existance, when you are to distribute and resell the
product. Then, you see the resellers grabbing their piece of the cake,
and then there is local taxes, customs fees, some freight costs, someone
who wants to earn their chocolate bar, the dog needs its bone, and your
baby wants its bottle. Smiles. Well, my point is, they did not tell that
the 300 dollars would be the price you and I am going to pay, at the end
of the day. If that would be the ccase, they must have shortened really
down on the costs. Now, lately we have seen a Braille typewriter hit the
market, all made up of plastics. I haven't touched it, so cannot speak
for its quality. Yet, they could of course do something similar with the
new Braille display - made up of cheap parts.
The other way they could keep this low price, would be in the case when
some company or cherity sponsors the whole project. But then it will be
interesting to see, if they only sponsor the product, if it is sold to
poor parts of the world, or if it is meant to be sponsored for everyone.
Guess we just have to wait and see. For sure, if they are able to launch
this product on the market for that price, it is going to put some
pressure on the existing manufacturers. And if they do, will the rest of
the market follow custom? Or, are they going to make some new jumps?
Smile. Time will show.
Still, I wish they had specified a bit more about the product. Like
which features you would get. True, they say it is going to connect via
USB and Bluetooth, but I already have one display that does so. Since it
is only going to have 20cells, I hope they will make it fit in my
pocket, making it really portable. But then they also need ensure a
good, solid construction.
Now, we just need have them manufacture a pocket-sized, 300 dollar,
non-interpretting Optacon. Apparently, the willingness and technology is
already there, they just have to see the importance. Smile.
David
On 8/12/2014 8:02 AM, Christine Szostak wrote:
> Hi All,
> Anyone know what makes this different from any other basic braille
> display on the market and so makes it cheaper? That was never specified
> and
> I am really curious since there are a number of dedicated braille displays
> that do nothing but provide basic braille feedback in refreshable format.
> Have a wonderful week all!
> Chris
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "C. Pond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: "optacon list" <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 3:30 PM
> Subject: [optacon-l] Orbit Research Group & TBG announce project for low
> cost braille display.
>
>
>> Orbit Research and the Transforming Braille
>>> Group Announce Agreement to Produce Low-cost Refreshable Braille Display
>>>
>>> WILMINGTON, DE â?" August 6, 2015 â?" Orbit Research
>>> LLC and the Transforming Braille Group LLC are
>>> pleased to announce an agreement to produce a
>>> low cost, refreshable braille display.
>>>
>>> Orbit, an international engineering company
>>> based in Wilmington, Delaware, specialising in
>>> high quality, low cost products for blind and
>>> partially sighted people, will be undertaking
>>> the research, development and manufacture of this unique product.
>>>
>>> The Transforming Braille Group LLC is a global
>>> consortium of organisations of and for the blind
>>> which is investing $1m in the project.
>>>
>>> The objective of the project is to produce a
>>> stand-alone 20-cell refreshable braille display
>>> for $300 (or Ã,£200) which will bring refreshable
>>> braille within the reach of children in
>>> developing countries and will provide libraries
>>> in developed countries with a viable alternative
>>> to hard copy braille. The product will be launched at CSUN in 2016.
>>>
>>> The display is designed to work through USB and
>>> Bluetooth connectivity with 'smart' phones and
>>> tablets. It is not intended to compete with high
>>> specification refreshable braille display
>>> already on the market, primarily used in
>>> education and employment but is intended to
>>> bring braille displayed e-books to a wide audience at an economical
>>> price.
>>>
>>> "The agreement with TBG is a landmark in our
>>> journey to develop and manufacture essential
>>> products at an affordable cost through the
>>> application of mainstream technology in unique
>>> and innovative waysââ,¬Â� said Dr. Gina Spagnoli,
>>> Orbit Researchââ,¬â"¢s Founder. ââ,¬Å"While each of
>>> our previous products has brought a multi-fold
>>> improvement in the state of the art in terms of
>>> performance, cost, size and features, we are
>>> thrilled that through this partnership with TBG,
>>> we will be able to offer a game-changing product
>>> that will impact the daily lives of millions of
>>> blind people across the worldââ,¬Â�
>>>
>>> TBG President, Kevin Carey said: "At last we
>>> have a technology which will guarantee the
>>> survival of braille. It has been my
>>> long-standing, publicly stated objective to find
>>> a disruptive technology which will radically
>>> force down the cost of refreshable braille so
>>> that the world's digital content becomes
>>> available in a tactile format. This new device
>>> will bring braille within the price range of
>>> educators in developing countries and will
>>> enable most blind people to access e-books and
>>> other internet material without resorting to specialist libraries."
>>>
>>> TBG estimates that its new product will retail
>>> at a unit cost less than 20% of the current market price.
>>>
>>> Contact details:
>>> Kevin Carey, President,
>>> Transforming Braille Group LLC
>>> Tel: +44(0)1273 834321
>>> Email: <mailto:humanity@xxxxxxxxxxx>humanity@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>> www.Transformingbraille.org (under construction)
>>>
>>> Carla Morris
>>> Orbit Research LLC
>>> Tel: 1-888-606-7248
>>> Email:
>>> <mailto:morris.carla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>morris.carla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> www.orbitresearch.com
>>>
>> David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
>> E-Mail: dandrews@xxxxxxxx or david.andrews@xxxxxxxxxx
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