| Credit line |
Museum Purchase |
| Date |
ca. 1977 |
| Description |
The Optacon is housed in a leather case with an adjustable shoulder strap and is powered by a rechargeable battery. It can covert type sizes from 6 point to 20 point. The Optacon and battery charger fit into a vinyl soft-pack. Equipment and accessories are identified below. 2000.39.1a - leather case with additional straps, 2 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 9 in. (closed flap); 2000.39.1b - vinyl soft-pack with zippered top and pocket, 4 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 13 in.; 2000.39.1c - miniature camera in lens module, 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 (module); 2000.39.1d - electronics section and tactile stimulator array (finger plate), 2 1/4 x 6 1/8 x 8 3/8 in.; 2000.39.1e - Demonstration Tracking Aid, model T3A (aluminum), has text printed on it over which the camera can be moved for demonstration purposes, 1/2 x 9 x 5 1/2 in.; 2000.39.1f - Optacon Owner's Manual (stored in case pocket); 1992.39.1g - Portable Line Scanner Operation Manual (stored in case pocket); 2000.39.1h - T3A Demonstration Tracking Aid Instructions (stored in case pocket). 2000.39.2 - Visual Display, model V1A, connects to Optacon with cable and displays in light form the same images as the metal rods; 9 x 7 x 6 in.; 2000.39.3 - T2 Tracking Aid, helps maintain camera alignment, 3/4 x 10 1/8 x 4 1/2 in.; 2000.39.4a - Portable Line Scanner, an instructional device to teach tracking skills, 2 1/8 x 14 3/4 x 9 3/8 in.; 2000.39b - leather case for scanner; 2000.39.5 - Optacon Battery Charger; 2000.39.6 - Metal plate, 3/4 x 15 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. |
| Made |
Telesensory Systems, Inc. |
| Material |
Leather, steel, plastic, rubber, paper |
| Object ID |
2000.39.1-6 |
| Object Name |
Converter |
| Place of Origin |
Palo Alto, CA |
| Provenance/History |
Inspired by his blind daughter, Dr. John Linvill at Stanford University led the development of the reading aid for the blind known as the Optacon, or Optical-to-Tactile Converter, an instrument that allowed vision-impaired persons to read ordinary printed material. He also participated in the founding of Telesensory Systems, Inc., the eventual commercial manufacturer. "The Optacon (OPtical-to-TActile-CONverter) [model R1D] is a compact, portable reading aid for the blind." --Optacon Owner's Manual. It converts printed images to tactile images. A miniature camera, housed inside a lens module, is connected to the main body of the device via a thin cable. The user holds the lens module in one hand and glides it over the material to be read. The user places the index finger of the other hand on a finger plate located on top of the main body of the Optacon. The print images are electronically converted to vibrating metal rods, the tips of which protrude through the finger plate and make the pattern of the tactile image. Each image is felt sequentially, right to left, as the rods vibrate. |
| Subjects |
Aids for the blind and visually handicapped.
Electronic aids. (use for electronic aids for the
handicapped)
Instructional aids, tools, and supplies.
Reading devices for the disabled. |
| Title |
Optacon |
|
