[optacon-l] Re: TSI and the Good Old days!
- From: "Pentronics" <service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:23:58 +1100
Hi Keith,
Interestingly I corresponded with someone this week and voiced the identical
opinion. Reproducing the equivalent imaging and electronics of the Optacon
represents no great challenge these days. The tactile array however is
another matter. There is little point doing anything else until a
replacement/equivalent of this is found or developed.
Nigel
Pentronics
33B Sheppard Road
EMU PLAINS NSW 2750
AUSTRALIA
PO Box 965
PENRITH NSW 2751
Tel. +612 4735 7355
e-mail service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
web. www.pentronics.com.au
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Keith Shaw
Sent: Wednesday, 14 January 2009 12:16 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: TSI and the Good Old days!
Hi Nigel and list,
Thank you for responding and I too apologize for getting off topic.
However, I also have been following a wide range of developing technologies
for braille cell actuators; which could, perhaps,
also be used to fabricate an oscillatory Optacon array. The evolving
database of patents and worldwide R&D projects, both current and failed, is
extensive.
My personal opinion is that no real progress can be expected for the design
of a "new" Optacon until an array of actuators can be developed to replace
the piezo-based array used in both the R1 and R2 Optacons. This new array is
required to duplicate the Optacon mechanical specifications for interaction
with the reader's finger, to operate reliably for billions of cycles and
aslo must be produced at a cost less than one thousand dollars (hopefully
way less). To say the least, this is a very difficult task. By comparison
the camera, electronics and software are relatively straight forward
engineering tasks - although still time consuming and expensive.
The bad news is that no low cost replacement actuator can be demonstrated as
of this date, but the good news is that many individuals worldwide are
working on it!
Regards,
Keith
----- Original Message ----
From: Pentronics <service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 7:10:17 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: TSI and the Good Old days!
Hi Keith,
If I remember correctly the cells from that calculator used a cam
arrangement driven by a miniature servo motor. Clever idea but I think the
resultant cell size was a little larger than standard. Unfortunately I have
not seen one in a long time. I'll if I can find an old contact at Robotron.
(I've known Tim a very long time - best not to count the years.)
(Sorry list - I realise this is a bit off topic.)
All the best,
Nigel
Pentronics
33B Sheppard Road
EMU PLAINS NSW 2750
AUSTRALIA
PO Box 965
PENRITH NSW 2751
Tel. +612 4735 7355
e-mail service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
web. www.pentronics.com.au
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message
to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the
quotes) in the message subject.
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes)
in the message subject.
Other related posts:
