Devices

Braille Displays

A Braille display is an electronic device that connects to a computer by way of a serial or parallel cable. The display is made up of a line of ‘soft’ cells, each with 6 or 8 pins that move up and down to represent the dots of a Braille cell. The display is used to represent a line of text on a computer screen. Each cell has 6 or 8 metal or nylon pins that are driven by electromechanical or piezo-electric outputs - the latter having the advantage of lower current consumption. The user can ‘read’ a line of Braille cells by touching the pins of each cell as they pop up. After a line has been read the user can ‘refresh’ the display in order to read additional lines.

Braille displays increasingly have a router button that allows control over the position of the text cursor. Pressing the router button of a particular cell will move the cursor over that particular letter of the text. Extra ‘status’ cells are available in some displays to provide additional information such as the row and column co-ordinates of the cursors screen position.

The number of Braille cells in a display can vary. A full size display is 80 cells long which matches the character width of a word processor screen. Smaller displays will read the same line of text in stages (for instance a 40-cell display will read a line in 2 stages and so on). The cheaper or portable devices use these smaller 20 and 40 cell displays. Multi-line, full page and graphical displays are currently undergoing development as engineering prototypes.

Braille displays are often combined with other hardware and software to make up an integrated unit. For instance Braille displays are connected to PCs to serve as the display unit, and many units incorporate speech output of the screen prompts.

Table comparing products and prices

To page 2 of 2

ALVA B.V.
Moolhoek 11, 3235 XK Rockanje, The Netherlands.
Tel: +31 181 409 444
Fax: +31 181 401 190
Email: info@optelec.nl
Web: www.alva-bv.nl

ALVA 584 Satellite Pro
Picture
This 84-cell desktop Braille display has twin satellite keypads, double touch cursors and three status cells. Open standard enables compatibility with most screen reader software and operating systems and IBM compatible PCs with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/ and Windows XP. The Braille display operates from a built-in power adapter. It offers USB hub and RS232 serial connection.
Width: 594mm Depth: 320mm Height: 24mm
Weight: 2.7kg
Last updated: 07/12/2006

ALVA 570 Satellite Pro
Picture
This 70-cell desktop Braille display has twin satellite keypads, 6 keys each. Six navigation front keys, two operating front keys. Open standard enables compatibility with most screen reader software and operating systems. The Braille display operates from a built-in 110-240 volt / 12 watt power adapter. It offers USB hub and RS232 serial connection. Compatible with Windows 98/95 and Windows NT.
Width: 620mm Depth: 290mm Height: 24mm
Last updated: 07/12/2006

ALVA 544 Satellite Traveller
Picture
This ultra-light 44-cell mobile Braille display has, twin satellite keypads, double touch cursors and three status cells. The ALVA 544 Satellite Traveller is USB, or serial powered from the PC or directly from an external power adapter. Can be readily integrated with most popular operating systems, hardware platforms, graphical screen readers, and speech synthesizers. Compatible with: Windows 9xIMe/NT/2000/XP; Apple Macintosh G3/G4 Computers and Mac OS 9.2.2.
Width: 310 mm Depth: 290mm Height: 24mm
Last updated: 07/12/2006

B&M Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Industrieweg 10, D-23730 Neustadt, Germany.
Tel: +49 4561 16388
Fax: +49 4561 16142
Email: bm@bm-ing.de
Web: www.bm-ing.de

BMS IV-Jumbo
Picture
Braille display with rounded edges for comfort. Enables a keyboard to be attached to the top for easy movement of hands. Use of a foot switch as well as thumb keys. Compatible with B&M Access and Jaws programmes. Uses 8-dot braille cell format.
Last updated: 07/12/2006

BMS IV-Mini
Picture
A durable quiet braille display with integrated cursor keys and fast text correction. Direct function keys. Use of Jaws is recommended with this display. Rollers on the front of the machine enable easy and confortable hand movement between lines of braille.
Last updated: 07/12/2006

BAUM Retec AG
Schloss Langenzell, D-69257 Wiesenbach, Germany.
Tel: +49 6223 49090
Fax: + 49 6223 490999
Email: info@baum.de
Web: www.baum.de

PocketVario
Picture
A mini Braille display with 24 cells. This is a low-priced alternative for the private user and can actually be carried in the pocket. Has universal interface options: USB, Bluetooth and serial connections. The VARIO Braille displays have always stood out by their unrivalled long battery-supplied running time: Battery running time with Bluetooth connection: approx. 25 hours; Battery running time with USB or serial connection: approx. 100 hours. In addition, the new Varios offer intelligent loading electronics with the use of the USB-interface: The Braille display is only loaded while your notebook is also mains-operated. When the notebook is battery-supplied, the new VARIO is automatically switched to battery operation, too. Thus the generally shorter running time of your notebook in battery operation will not be further reduced.
Length: 208mm Width: 76mm Height: 20mm
Last updated: 07/12/2006

SuperVario
Picture
Available as a 64, 80, 32 and 40-cell braille display. The new 40-cell display is designed especially for notebooks or reading machines. Each one has universal interface options: USB, Bluetooth and serial connections. The VARIO Braille displays have always stood out by their unrivalled long battery-supplied running time: Battery running time with Bluetooth connection: approx. 25 hours; Battery running time with USB or serial connection: approx. 100 hours. In addition, the new Varios offer intelligent loading electronics with the use of the USB-interface: The Braille display is only loaded while your notebook is also mains-operated. When the notebook is battery-supplied, the new VARIO is automatically switched to battery operation, too. Thus the generally shorter running time of your notebook in battery operation will not be further reduced.
Last updated: 07/12/2006

VarioConnect12
Picture
VarioConnect 12 is a communication orientated, super small mini-Braille display. Whilst using the integrated 6-dot Braille keyboard together with the 12-cell Braille display you also can turn into a mobile communication professional: writing and reading SMS Text Messages and operating your mobile phone or PDA.
Length: 130mm Width: 81mm Height: 17mm
Weight: 2.02kg
Last updated: 07/12/2006

VarioConnect40
Picture
VarioConnect 40 is a communication orientated Braille display. Integrated 8-dot Braille keyboard together with a 40-cell Braille display.
Last updated: 07/12/2006

VarioPro 64
Picture
The navigation rollers ensure ease of use and the two different connection types (serial, USB) make the VarioPro highly adaptable; the large selection of convenient supplementary modules provides flexibility and allows individual configuration. VarioPro displays can be operated not only with VIRGO or BLINDOWS, but also with all other reputable screenreaders. Features: 64 Braille modules, 3 navigation rollers, thumb rollers
Length: 459mm Width: 260mm Height: 24mm
Last updated: 07/11/2006

VarioPro 80
Picture
The navigation rollers ensure ease of use and the two different connection types (serial, USB) make the VarioPro highly adaptable; the large selection of convenient supplementary modules provides flexibility and allows individual configuration. VarioPro displays can be operated not only with VIRGO or BLINDOWS, but also with all other reputable screenreaders. Features: 80 Braille modules, 4 navigation rollers, thumb keys.
Length: 561mm Width: 260mm Height: 24mm
Last updated: 07/11/2006

euroBRAILLE
134-140, rue d'Aubervilliers, F-75019 Paris, France.
Tel: +33 1 55 26 91 00
Fax: +33 1 55 26 91 91
Email: boutique@eurobraille.fr
Web: www.eurobraille.fr

CLIO-euroBRAILLE-80
Picture
Braille terminal with 8-dot, 84 cell piezo-electric display, 10 key Braille keyboard and 25 key command keyboard. Internal functions are composed of connection with French MiniTel: videotex, a text editor, a spreadsheet, cut and paste, a clock, a calendar, a schedule with alarm, a calculator, an on-line help and a Braille table configuration. Connects via a parallel interface or through JAWS screenreader.
Price:€10,680.00
Last updated: 07/12/2006

ESYS40
Picture
40-cell braille display connects to PC by Bluetooth or USB. Works with Windows (Jaws or Jaws NT). Its memory SD CARD enables you to storage of up to 128 Mb of data. The ESYS 40 also connects to a mobile phone or a PDA.
Price:€5,275.00
Last updated: 07/12/2006

To page 2 of 2