hmmm. quite fascinating. thanx for sharing this info. of course actuall understanding will only come with real time experience. if they're saying it works with most forms of visual impairment, then its surely something to look forward to. thank u both.
On 11/6/13, Yogesh Chhabra <[email protected]> wrote: > 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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