Hi David,
Yes, the optacon is vibrating at the pitch you mentioned. The threshhold and
intensity buttons are working as expected. I think the issue is probably the
camera or the camera cable. Once I get the optacon fixed, I will need to learn
how to use it. I hope I am successful so I can make some YouTube videos to
promote the optacon. This may take me awhile though as I have a web design
course I need to complete.
I am primarily focusing on accessibility testing because that is what I need to
do to earn a living. My previous job of 26 years ended recently so I am making
a career change which is a challenge. I still am interested in the optacon and
other research projects I think would benefit the blind community.
Thanks,
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 12, 2017, at 7:51 PM, David Plumlee (Redacted sender "knobman" for
DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I am an Optacon user since around 1980, and I have received Optacon service
from Richard Oehm. He has been quite busy of late, but he does excellent
work; I recommend that you check with him if you want something in the
Optacon family repaired.
His phone number is 408 971-6250.
Although I don't know anything about checking the visual display, I have a
few remarks for you about the Optacon itself. You say that the image on the
array does not change as you move your camera over a page known to have
print; but what happens as you rotate the threshold knob from its minimum to
its maximum with the unit on? By the way, what "note" is the Optacon
producing? It should "play" something around the pitch of the "B" just
below Middle-C. If the note is very far removed from that pitch, the
Optacon probably won't work well, if at all. If the normal/invert switch is
in the Normal position, the pins would normally stop vibrating when the knob
is turned fully counterclockwise, no matter where you had the intensity
control set (I suggest setting that Intensity control somewhere around the
1:00 position while checking as I am suggesting).
Now, if rotation of the threshold control produces normal array behavior
with respect to array vibration, I suggest that you find out for sure
whether the lights in the camera are working. If you have light-detection
software on an iPhone or if you have one of those handy "light probes"
available from a few places selling items for the blind, test for light when
the Optacon is turned on. One problem which sometimes prevents an Optacon
from working properly is that of those tiny contacts inside the camera
failing to make good contact with the two "pins" on the retina. Great care
is REQUIRED if you do what I am suggesting next: With the Optacon turned
on, press VERY GENTLY on the retina as if you were trying to push It a tiny
bit more into the camera module. DON'T PUSH ON THE CABLE! PRESS ONLY ON
THE "FLAT" PART OF THE RETINA CASE ABOVE THE CAMERA CABLE. If a contact in
the camera is not making good connection with the retina, this slight
pressure might cause the Optacon's lights to turn on and help achieve normal
behavior. If one of those tiny contacts is not making a good connection,
that contact can sometimes be bent out toward the retina's pin. THIS IS AN
EXTREMELY DELICATE PROCEDURE, AND I HESITATE TO MENTION IT BECAUSE I DON'T
WANT TO EMBOLDEN A PERSON NOT SKILLED IN DELICATE ELECTRONICS WORK TO DO A
PROCEDURE THAT WOULD DO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAMERA! But if you have that
skill and want the associated risk, you should first turn off the Optacon,
then remove the retina as if you were going to turn it over. With the
