>Posted-Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 09:55:11 -0500 (CDT)
>From: Timothyrsimpson@aol.com
>Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 10:53:11 EDT
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>Re: Thimble eye
>Text reader for the vision impaired
>Dear Sir:
> Over the past several years I have been developing a device that can be
>worn on your finger and will allow you to feel printed information.
> The device will be small and contain no moving parts or computer. When
>placed on the material to be read it will turn the black on a page into small
>electrical pulses that you can feel. These pulses are such that they cannot
>cause the wearer any harm nor will the user suffer sensory fatigue.
> With a short training period the user will be able to read one letter at
>a time. In order to stay on a line of text there are indentations on the
>sides that will provide guiding signals. The first and ring fingers rest on
>the sides and help guide the reader. The middle finger fits inside the
>“Thimble Eye”. An easily purchased rechargeable battery powers the “Thimble
>Eye”.
> I ask that you help make this idea a reality.
> Once a person has a “Thimble Eye” they will experience a new freedom.
>The world of printed material will be wide open to the user. Non-embossed
>Braille, even musical notation can be read. Vision impaired musicians now
>have to read music in Braille which is very difficult.
> I know that a lot of people will want one. I have a letter from a
>designer stating that hundreds of people would love to test the prototype.
> The building of the first-generation unit will allow me to also develop
>the second-generation device. It will be smaller, use less power and have a
>recharger base station. It will also cost less to make.
> The unit will come with a display so that the user or their trainer can
>see what the user feels on their fingertip. A trainer can be anyone who can
>read the display.
> The prototype will not cost more than two of the upscale readers I have
>seen advertised. Once I can show a prototype to my group of investors I will
>be on my way to getting Thimble Eye to market.
> The initial costs include: Buying parts, producing the printed circuit
>boards, design and fabrication of the housing, assembly and testing.
> Thank you for your kind consideration and I hope you can help me find
>funding for a much-needed device that will open the world of printed and
>displayed information to everyone.
>
>
> Sincerely yours,
> Timothy R. Simpson
> Simpson Musical
> 503-230-7776
>
>
>--
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