The BrainPort V100 vision device consists of a base unit, a digital video camera, and a postage-stamp-sized (3 cm by 3 cm) electrode array -- worn in the mouth like a retainer -- placed on the top surface of the tongue.
The video camera collects visual information in the form of white, black, and gray pixels. A processor in the base unit translates the data into patterns of gentle electrical impulses that it sends to electrode array on the tongue. Strong vibrations represent white pixels, medium-strength represent gray, and no vibrations represent black pixels. Newer models have 400 to 600 electrodes and deliver data at approximately 30 frames per second for an information-rich image stream. Neuroscientist Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita pioneered the concept of "sensory substitution," BrainPort's underlying principal, in the late 1960s. Since it is the brain, and not the eye, that processes vision, Bach-y-Rita proposed that visual perception (i.e. the electrical impulses the brain interprets) could be delivered through a secondary sense such as touch. BrainPort sends electrical impulses to the brain through nerves in the tongue rather than the optic nerve. sourse: http://assistivetechnology.about.com/od/ATCAT1/p/Brainport-V100-Vision-Device-Enables-Blind-To-See-Using-Their-Tongue.htm On 11/6/13, Shireen Irani <[email protected]> wrote: > oh really??? ok. i didn't know this. > i thought they r tactile signals like some vibration or something on > the tung. because that's what they have written. that its tactile. > but then how does this become possible?? if the impulse is sent to the > visual cortex, then again the optic nerve must be part of the > comunication process. so dont know how that would work if the nerve is > dead. because whatever path the impulse takes from the tung, it must, > at some point, engage certain visual apparatus which ultimately helps > the eyes actually see. > so dont really understand the mechanism in that case. > but i shall surely read up about this. because if that is true, then > its damn fascinating. > thanx. > > On 11/6/13, Yogesh Chhabra <[email protected]> wrote: >> In brain port scenario, a camera picks up the image of the >> surrounding, the information is processed by a chip which converts it >> into impulses which are sent through an electrode array, via the >> tongue, to the person's brain. The human brain is able to interpret >> these impulses as visual signals and they are then redirected to the >> visual cortex, allowing the person to "see." In other words, a person >> can see exactly as it is in real. now, the question is, how far a >> person can see? well, a powerful camera can (magnifying) glass can >> send a very far sited area also as an impulse through this brain port >> device. >> >> On 11/6/13, Shireen Irani <[email protected]> wrote: >>> while seeing with sound only provides auditory impulses, this >>> brainport seems to use tactile electromagnetic means to pass on >>> information. >>> so in that sense, the sensory devices seem to use a brauder range of >>> sensory input, other than just sound. so i guess that is the only >>> difference. but in any case, they both use the same mechanism of >>> intensity increse/ decrese, based on the distence between u and the >>> object. whether its sound, touch, or whatever else. >>> experienced users, please correct me if i'm wrong. >>> >>> On 11/6/13, Asudani, Rajesh <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> I think it has been shared, but I found this now, so sharing: >>>> Wicab Press Release 3-19-2013.pdf >>>> BrainPort Technologies Logo >>>> Wicab Announces European Market Approval for its >>>> Non-Invasive Assistive Aid for the Blind >>>> Photo of woman wearing the BrainPort V100 device. >>>> Middleton, WI, March 19, 2013- Wicab, Inc. >>>> announced today that the BrainPort(r) V100 device >>>> has been approved for sale in the European >>>> Economic Area. The BrainPort V100 is a non-surgical, >>>> non-invasive assistive aid which translates visual >>>> images of the user's environment into electro-tactile >>>> signals displayed on the user's tongue. With >>>> supervised training, users learn to interpret the >>>> electro-tactile signals to perceive shape, size, >>>> location, and motion of surrounding objects. The >>>> BrainPort V100 is intended for use as an electronic >>>> assistive device for individuals who are profoundly >>>> blind (light perception or no light perception). It is >>>> specifically indicated for use as an aid in orientation, >>>> mobility, object recognition, and spot reading. The device is limited >>>> to >>>> investigational use in the >>>> United States. >>>> Robert Beckman, Wicab CEO, indicated the BrainPort V100 will initially >>>> be >>>> available in Germany, >>>> the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. The company plans to establish a >>>> demonstration program >>>> so that prospective customers can try the device for up to several days >>>> at >>>> a >>>> nominal cost, with no >>>> obligation to purchase the device. Wicab is simultaneously seeking >>>> philanthropic partners to help >>>> make this technology available to potential users that otherwise cannot >>>> afford to purchase the >>>> device. >>>> "After over 15 years of research at Wicab, we are very excited to be >>>> able >>>> to >>>> introduce the >>>> BrainPort V100 to the general public in the European Economic Area," >>>> stated >>>> Mr. Beckman. The >>>> technology behind the BrainPort V100 was first developed by the late >>>> Dr. >>>> Paul Bach-y-Rita, >>>> Wicab's co-founder and former University of Wisconsin-Madison >>>> professor, >>>> who >>>> is widely known >>>> for his work related to brain plasticity and sensory substitution. >>>> "Potential advantages of the >>>> BrainPort V100 are that it can be used regardless of the cause or >>>> duration >>>> of blindness, and does >>>> not require an intact optic nerve in order to function," explains Mr. >>>> Beckman, "Individuals blinded >>>> by congenital and acquired causes may use the BrainPort V100". >>>> According to Mr. Beckman, "another potential advantage is its >>>> simplicity. >>>> Our non-surgical solution >>>> allows users to save their eyes, in case future developments in stem >>>> cell >>>> research offer better >>>> alternatives for people who are totally blind." >>>> Additional information related to Wicab, Inc. and the BrainPort V100 >>>> device >>>> can be found on the >>>> company website, www.wicab.com. Any specific questions related to sales >>>> or >>>> distribution of the >>>> device should be directed via email to >>>> [email protected] >>>> . >>>> Wicab, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based medical device company dedicated to >>>> providing innovative >>>> assistive devices for the blind based on sensory substitution >>>> technology >>>> originally developed by Dr. >>>> Paul Bach-y-Rita at the University of Wisconsin. >>>> >>>> With thanks and regards >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> (Rajesh Asudani) >>>> Assistant General Manager >>>> Reserve Bank of India >>>> Nagpur >>>> >>>> (In youth you want things, and then in middle-age you want to want >>>> them.) >>>> >>>> >>>> ________________________________ >>>> Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, smses or makes >>>> calls >>>> asking for personal information like your bank account details, >>>> passwords, >>>> etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. 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AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent through this mailing list.. >>> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> [email protected] >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. 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