NIST unveils device for blind to understand images
From: United Press International - 10/24/2002

Functioning like a sophisticated, novelty-store "bed of nails," a new device
developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) allows
the blind and visually impaired to "see" images. The device has 3,600 pins,
about 10 per square inch, that are raised and lowered to mimic images,
allowing users to feel what the image looks like. Officials from the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB), which will test the device, praised it, saying
that it has the potential to empower blind people in ways that were
previously unavailable. Other devices function similarly but cost around
$40,000, said John Roberts of NIST. Early versions of the new device should
cost about $2,000, and the price should drop later, he said. A representative
of the NFB said the device could prove especially beneficial for educational
purposes because of the wide gap between written and image-based information. 

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Other links:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/09/000926071411.htm
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/visual_display.htm
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/isis/projects/brailleproject.html
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/1021/web-blind-10-25-02.asp
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2000/11/06/focus3.html



The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) are working together to
test a prototype technology developed by NIST that provides the blind and
visually impaired with access to electronic images. 

The machine uses about 3,600 small pins that can be raised in any pattern
(similar to the "bed of nails" toy found in novelty stores), and then locked
into place to hold the pattern for reading. The pins can be withdrawn and
reset in a new pattern, allowing the tactile reading to continue through a
variety of images. 

Each image is sent electronically to the device, which uses software to
determine how to create a tactile display that matches the image. 

Visit http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20021107A5 for the complete story.

Federal Computer Week article
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/1104/tec-touch-11-04-02.asp