Braille Device Translates Computer Files Quickly
From: R&D Magazine - September, 2001 - page 45

A rotating wheel to help blind and visually impaired persons read text-based
files on a computer or portable device using the Braille code has been
developed by a team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), Gaithersburg, Md. Under the direction of John Roberts, the group
designed a rotating-wheel display with characters on the wheel rim. This
arrangement moves text past the users fingers. Instead of hundreds of
actuators, the NIST design incorporates three solenoids to set the patterns
of dots just before they rotate into the reading area.  

With the NIST Rotating-wheel Braille display, the Braille dots are formed by
the rounded tips of pins that move in and out through holes in the wheel. The
heads of the pins ride around the wheel in one to two positions, retaining
the pattern of Braille text across the reading area.  

Intended for low-cost Braille displays, for connection to desktop computers,
and for general computer work, this technology is relatively inexpensive,
compact, portable, and simple to manufacture. It is expected to make
information of all kinds more accessible for the blind and visually impaired.  

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/gallery/braille.htm
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/braillelinks.html
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/isis/projects/brailleproject.html
http://www.rdmag.com/features/0109100cons.asp

