FYI:
THE eCANE<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsof
An innovative new Assistive Technology called the eCane
is anticipated in the market based on a patent that has just been
announced. It uses a combination of old and new technologies to
produce a smart cane for people who are blind or deaf and blind
(deafblind). It provides communications and navigation on numerous
levels. Moreover the eCane is not limited by the restrictions that
GPS units have by not being able to function indoors or near tall buildings.
Navigation
The device can tell a blind person if a specific object is in the immediate
area. For example, if a person is in a hotel lobby, the eCane can
tell the user if there is an elevator, or a restroom in the immediate
area. After receiving a command, the cane will guide the person to an
elevator or restroom, and in the case of the restroom tell if it is a
men's, women's, or coed restroom. An important feature of the eCane
is the ability to correct any deviations in the course towards a destination.
Communication for and with Deafblind Users
One of the most exciting aspects of the eCane is its communications
capability. This capability is enabled by an innovative use of both
old and new technology. Using the eCane a person who is both deaf and
blind can communicate with others regardless of whether they are deaf
or hearing. The person who is deafblind would know what the hearing
person says and the hearing person will hear a voice that says what
the deafblind person has said by communicating it to the eCane. The
person who is deafblind communicates by keying into the eCane what
they want to say by using Morse code. The cane translates the
response from the hearing person into Morse code and vibrates the
code to the deafblind user.
The eCane uses voice recognition technology to translate the response
from the hearing user into Morse code. Using the eCane a deafblind
person can now have a conversation with a hearing person without
having to rely on an interpreter to do finger spelling in the palm or
his or her hand.
About the inventor
Dr. Ron Liebermann, the inventor of the electronic cane is the president of
Signtel Inc., the makers of the acclaimed Signtel Interpreter that
was developed with a team that included over100 deaf employees of
Signtel. Among his many inventions, he holds patents for the
Telephone for the Deaf, which allows communication between hearing
and deaf persons, without utilizing the relay service, The Fast Cash
Transactions (FCT) -
the forefather of the mobile electronic banking system and a TV for
persons who are both deaf and blind.
Ron Liebermann has a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Oxford,
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />England. He was an
associate professor of physics at the Federal University in Brazil
and later moved to Yale University where he worked on the Hubble
Telescope. His social contributions predate his work on behalf of
deaf, blind and deaf-blind persons, volunteering time in his
community. He created the New Haven Police Stress Unit and later the
New Haven Police Hostage Negotiations Team together with former Chief
Bill Farrell, for which he received a letter of commendation from the
Board of Police Commissioners and also an award from the City of New
Haven. Dr. Liebermann also headed a successful startup company in
telecommunications.
Dr. Liebermann is the first to acknowledge that in order to stay focused, yet
bring the eCane product to market he needs to team up with others and
says he'd welcome any interest from seasoned entrepreneurs, business
people and companies to usher such products to market. Dr. Liebermann
can be reached at Signtel 203-248-0600 or via the Contact Us form at
Signtel's web site (www.signtelinc.com).
David Andrews
Chief Technology Officer
Minnesota State Services for the Blind
2200 University Ave. W., #240
St. Paul, MN 55114-1840
(651) 642-0513 Office
(612) 730-7931 Cell
(651) 649-5927 Fax
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