The proposal of David Albert Harrell has been thoroughly researched and
found to be impracticable. Smith Kettwell has built elaborate equipment
that presents stimulation to a blind persons back using mechanical
stimulators. The R&D Committee has entertained more than one inventor
with ideas for stimulating a Braille reader's fingers with patterns of
electric shock. These conceptually clever ideas simply don't work.
Harrell says that the method of stimulation is still a variable,
presumably to be selected from various options. In face, there are no
known options at this time, and there is very little research aimed at
discovering computer controled dynamic tactile displays.
Any one who has read the contributions to this discussion group knows of
the limited research now in process as well as the research that has been
tried and abandoned on this matter.
If Mr. Harrell will indicate a technology for designing a computer
controllable tactile display, there are several funding sources that
would be eager to support his work. I invite him to correspond on the
basis of confidentiality, if he has knowlege of how to build such a device.
Tim Cranmer
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Dec 02 2012 - 01:30:03 PST