The Optacon OPtical-to-TActile-CONverter is a compact, portable reading aid for the blind. It is about the size of a textbook, and weighs less than 2kg. It works by converting a printed image into a tactile image that a blind person can feel with one finger. After a period of training and practice, a blind person can use the Optacon to read ordinary books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed materials. The Optacon was developed after intensive research at Standford University, California, USA and was trialed by clients of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now part of Vision Australia) in 1973. It has three main sections: 1 a miniature camera, 2 an electronics section, and 3 a tactile stimulator array. The miniature camera, about the size of a pocket knife, is mounted in a housing that has rollers for easy movement along a line of print. The camera is connected to the electronics section by a lightweight cable. The electronics section and the tactile stimulator array are in the main chassis. The array consists of 144 tiny metal rods arranged in six vertical columns and 24 horizontal rows. Each of the rods can vibrate independently. The tips of these rods protrude through holes in a concave finger plate where the index finger is placed flat in order to read. These three components act together to convert the image of a printed letter or other shape into a pattern of vibrating rods, a tactile image of the letter or shape. The letter shape is tactually perceived as an image that moves from right to left on the finger, showing the left or leading edge of the letter first. Letters are felt sequentially rather than all at once, and the image should be kept moving. The Optacon converts a printed O into a tactile form that resembles a crater with a vibrating rim -- a completed circle. C would have a gap or opening on the right side of the curve. The letter F would be felt, sequentially, as a vertical line with two trailing horizontal lines. Because it can convert any ordinary printed image into a corresponding tactile image, the Optacon is not restricted to any special typestyle or language. The camera has a zoom lens that compensates for differences in the size of type. The standard Optacon lens can accommodate type sizes from 6 point to 20 point. With the optional F4A magnifier lens, type sizes as small as 4 point can be read. Powered by a rechargeable battery, and comes with its own battery charger. The battery is contained within the main chassis, and is not removable by the user. There are four basic controls on the Optacon: the Magnification Adjustment zoom button located on the camera section on the side opposite the rollers; and the On-Off switch, the Stimulator Intensity Adjustment knob, and the Threshold Adjustment knob located on the right side of the front panel. The Circuit Breaker protrudes from the right-hand wall inside the chassis compartment. From left to right when the back panel is facing you, are located: the jack for connecting the battery charger; the Battery Check button; the Normal-Invert switch; and the Input/Output I/O connector for use with the Visual Display, when using the Repeater Cable to connect two Optacons to one another or with other accessories. Designed not be removed from the leather case during normal operation, the On-Off switch is a slide switch located on the right side of the front panel. It slides up and snaps into place in the on position. 1 black with orange front, rectangular device in leather case assistive devices, audio equipment

Since their Australian introduction in the early 20th century, public telephones have undergone several design iterations; diversifying methods of payment from coin to card, incorporating solar charging, mobile charging and Wi-fi access and of course, mitigation against vandalism. This model, a coin-operated Gold Phone, replaced the easily pilfered Red Phone and was succeeded by the Blue Phone in the 1990s. Although the prevalence of public telephones has decreased alongside the increase in mobile phone usage, public telephones remain under Telstra’s universal service obligation as vital communications infrastructure for low-income citizens and those needing to communicate in disasters. According to the Conversation, 13 million calls are made annually from public payphones, 200,000 of which are to triple zero.Orange plastic cased public payphone with button dials on face.public telephone, payphone, public services, telecom

Part of a Prisoner made Tattoo Gun - made and confiscated at Geelong Gaol. Circa 1990's. (Prisoner issued Tooth Brush)Orange toothbrush moulded to form tattoo gun with sticky tape.geelong, gaol, museum, tattoo, contraband

Soldier's Pay Book-Active Service 1915 Orange coverSoldier's Pay Book - Active Service Private Ebenezer Charles Gray 22/3/1915 28yowages books, world war one, first world war, ww1, wwi

This Book was prepared by - Committee Kerri Peters, Judith Parker, Sue Cunningham & Mrs Chris PhippsClear Plastic Cover with Black Spine over orange paper.Stawell Historical Society, Grampians Community Health Centre Inc. Northen Grampians Shire Council. 2001 - International Year of Volunteers These are our Stories Stawell & District Volunteers (Photo) Len Hunter and Charlie Price reparing fencing on a Campbell's Bridge property after the December 2000 firesstawell

Fare schedule issued by Ansett Roadways for the run Hamilton - Ballarat - Hamilton, early in the history of Reg Ansett's business enterprises. The year this was printed is not known, but fares are in shillings and pence, so it was before 1966.Rectangular orange-coloured fare schedule and timetable for Ansett Roadways.Text: ANSETT ROADWAYS / Hamilton - Ballarat - Hamilton / MONDAY TO SATURDAY INCLUSIVE / FARE SCHEDULE.ansett roadways, sir reginald ansett, road transport

Mitcham Technical School badge for Form Captain.Small rectangle orange badge with gold "Form Captain" on badgeForm Captain. K.E. Luke Melbourne - on backbadges, mitcham technical

Manufactured by Austico

see NA 359Border Tile - Orange with one black end and black centreceramics, earthenware

Twenty page knitting pattern book featuring black and white text and colour images. The colour cover features a woman wearing a blue and orange knitted jumper and an orange head scarf.front: [printed] BOOK 835 / PRICE CODE H / Patons / HEATHERMOOR / for LADIESfashion, design, knitwear, home made, wool, pattern book, patons

Metal badges - relief of a Melbourne X1 class, number 467 in a MMTB orange and cream with a orange roof, colour scheme. with an enamel gloss finish with a pin on the rear. No destination of manufacturer's details..trams, tramways, badges, x1 class, souvenirs

Perspex containing a picture, and two typed texts about the sinking of the Nella Dan and its Search and Resucue Transponder Beacon (SART). VHF Emergency beacon buoy from the Nella Dan 1986. Protective orange case is open screwed onto a wooden base. Floatable beacon bouy also sitting vertical on wooden base with its anntanae extended and redpouch velcroed to bouy.On orange case: Black label: 'VHF Nodradio fyr./VHF Emergency Radio Equipment./(BE 369-121.5/243 MHz.) Blue dymo label: BATT. UDSKIFT 22./10 88. Red dymo label: NELLA DAN. White adhesive sticker: V. Jonanssen A/S/ Scherngove? - 2100 Nobenhaven. O./ ???? 95622 Telex 2771. //On Beacon buoy: BURNDEPT, ERITH KENT/ENGLAND/ BEACON BUOY/ CAT. NO. BE. 369./ SERIAL NO. 2323. Red Dymo label: NELLA DAN. Written and graphic instructions on how to work buoy.bouy

Clear plastic film reelsOne small reel with AGFA label Large label with BASE label plus orange sticker - TRCreels, agfa, basf, projector reel, film reel

Crumbling label S&H in a red Cycle, almost like the Japanese flag white cork lidS&H concentrated soluble Essence of Orange - Kola Guarantees Quality Stevenson & Howell limited, London

Born: Vienna, Austria 1812; Arrived Victoria 1852; Died: 1901ColonialBennett Bequest, 1998 Rural landscape with trees, figures, animals, rocks and sky.Recto: Signed and dated "Eugene von Guerard/ Melbourne 1856." in orange paint l.r.c of composition; Not titledlandscape, animals, figures, trees, cattle, mustering cattle, colonial, australian art

9063.1 Cream ribbon wound around horseshoe 9063.2 Cream ribbon with lace edging, pearls and wax orange blossom flowers 9063.3 Cream patterned ribbon with large sprig of orange blossom

Update of 1st editon by Jock Ryan published in March 2003. 2nd edition (Revised) Nillumbik Historical Society December 2017 Brief history of the agitation and eventual extension and opening of the Hurstbridge Railway line from Eltham to Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen to Hurstbridge, which was opened in June 1912. Includes details of events thereafter including Wattle Day and Railway accidents. Profusely illustrated with black and white photographs from the collection of the Nillumbik Historical Society (Diamond Creek). Agitation for a railway extension began in 1888 when a meeting was held at Arthurs Creek to press for the construction of a railway line from Heidelberg to Kinglake. The Chairman Mr Charles Draper said this was necessary because this was the best fruit growing district in Victoria. Mr Cameron M.P. pointed out that whatever route the line took it would have to follow the Diamond Valley from Eltham. At the same time another meeting was pressing for the line to be extended to Queenstown (St Andrews). However when detailed surveys were made it was discovered that the only possible route was to Hurstbridge because of the hills. In 1912 the railway was opened terminating at Hurstbridge. Bound with orange covers. Text with black and white illustrations. 30 pages.hurstbridge railway line,diamond creek,wattle glen,hurstbridge, nillumbik historical society

Digital image of "Wattleglen and Watsonia Male" [no date early1960s] date taken from penalty in pounds - decimal currency introduced 1966. Another interesting aspect of this ticket is that it issued to "male' users.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital image of train ticket. Cream with black text and orange stripes.train tickets, watsonia station, wattleglen station

Barcoded membership card issued to S. Ballantyne 2012, cancelledPlastic card printed in orange and green on white, verso black on white yarra plenty regional library, membership cards

A 1930s illustrated newspaper covering social and society news including visitors to Melbourne and photographs of adults and children attending events such as the races.36 pages, text and black and white images. Orange border on cover.the graphic newspaper

Ballarat School of Mines is a predecessor instution of Federation University AustraliaOrange, black and white soft covered handbook for the Ballarat School of Mines. ballarat school of mines, handbook, subjects, history, staff

Manilla folder orange containing typewritten sheets. Pay roll Tax.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETorganization, business, gold mining tax, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

Bar of soap - dark orange - embossed "Guardian Family Health Soap"industry - manufacturing, business and traders - soaps/candles, domestic life, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, unilever australia (holdings) ltd, unichema australia pty ltd, guardian family health soap

Round pink cardboard box with orange top containing violin wax.Gebrüder Schuster, Bestes Deutsches Violinbogen-Harz