Optophone
Encyclopedia
The optophone is a device, used by the blind, that scans text and generates time-varying chords of tones to identify letters. It is one of the earliest known applications of sonification
. Dr. E. E. Fournier d'Albe of Birmingham University invented the optophone in 1913, which used selenium
photosensors to detect black print and convert it into an audible output which could be interpreted by a blind person. Barr and Stroud
participated in improving the resolution and usability of the instrument.
Only a few units were built and reading initially exceedingly slow; a demonstration at the 1918 Exhibition involved Mary Jameson reading at one word per minute. Later models of the Optophone allowed speeds of up to 60 words per minute, though only some subjects are able to achieve this rate.
Sonification
Sonification, a form of auditory display, is the use of non-speech audio to convey information or perceptualize data. Auditory perception has high temporal and pressure resolution, which opens up possibilities for it as an alternative or complement to visualization techniques.For example, the...
. Dr. E. E. Fournier d'Albe of Birmingham University invented the optophone in 1913, which used selenium
Selenium
Selenium is a chemical element with atomic number 34, chemical symbol Se, and an atomic mass of 78.96. It is a nonmetal, whose properties are intermediate between those of adjacent chalcogen elements sulfur and tellurium...
photosensors to detect black print and convert it into an audible output which could be interpreted by a blind person. Barr and Stroud
Barr and Stroud
Barr & Stroud Limited was a pioneering Scottish optical engineering firm, based in Glasgow, that played a leading role in the development of modern optics, including rangefinders, for the Royal Navy and for other branches of British Armed Forces during the 20th century...
participated in improving the resolution and usability of the instrument.
Only a few units were built and reading initially exceedingly slow; a demonstration at the 1918 Exhibition involved Mary Jameson reading at one word per minute. Later models of the Optophone allowed speeds of up to 60 words per minute, though only some subjects are able to achieve this rate.