From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!info-cpm
Newsgroups: fa.info-cpm
Title: ASCII text to Std. English Braille Grade 2, American Version
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.279
Posted: Wed Dec  8 12:58:46 1982
Received: Thu Dec  9 09:17:54 1982

>From PLEHN@Mit-Mc  Wed Dec  8 12:54:46 1982
To: INFO-CPM@BRL, INFO-MICRO@BRL
Cc: PLOUFF@Mit-Mc, FJW@Mit-Mc, ARPEE@Mit-Mc, ELLEN@Mit-Mc,
        HORNIG.SIPBADMIN@Mit-Multics
Via:  Mit-Mc; 8 Dec 82 0:11-EST
Via:  Brl; 8 Dec 82 0:18-EST
Via:  Brl-Bmd; 8 Dec 82 0:21-EST









John,  an  acquaintance of mine who is blind,  has recently purchased  a 
microcomputer and a "VersaBraille" tactile braille display device.   His 
objective  is to be able to translate ASCII text files to braille  code, 
for  output  to the VersaBraille.   He has asked for help in locating  a 
translation program that runs under CP/M,  to translate CP/M ASCII  text 
files to Standard English Braille,  Grade 2,  American Version.  Any and 
all relevant information would be sincerely appreciated.


                         Background Info 

1.    Braille symbols are not in one-for-one correspondance with letters 
of  the  alphabet.   Contractions are used,  in accordance with  defined 
rules.    "tion",   for  example,   requires  only  one  braille  symbol 
(specifically, when the "tion" is the end of a word)

2.    Braille symbols are "bumps" in the form of a 2x3 matrix,  two wide 
and three high.

3.    The  VersaBraille is a portable device.   It is about 14" wide  by 
8"deep and 6" high.   It displays 20 braille symbols at a time in a  20-
cell  row  of tactile output elements.   Just above the 20-cell  braille 
display  is a long bar much like a space bar on a typewriter  (or  video 
terminal).   When the 20 braille symbols have been read,  a touch of the 
bar  reads  in  the  next  20  braille  symbols  from  a  buffer.    The 
VersaBraille  includes  a capability to enter information,  but I  don't 
recall  just how braille code is entered.   It also includes a  cassette 
drive for storing braille code files.  Manufacturer: Telesensory Systems 
Inc.;  Palo Alto, CA.  Cost: approx $7000 Ouch!  Two similar devices are 
available:  the MB2400 (24-cell) from Triformation, Inc; Stewart, FL and 
the Brailink (40-cell) from Clarke & Smith.

4.    The only translation software that John has been able to find  for 
use  on  a micro is sold by Duxbury  Systems,  Inc.;  Duxbury,MA.   This 
translation program is object code that runs under Northstar  DOS.  (For 
that reason,  in particular,  John bought a Northstar Horizon).   Price: 
(would you believe) $1000.  The company says that they may market a CP/M 
version "in about a year".

5.    There  is apparently a standard way to transmit the 6-bit  braille 
code  since  the  same  serial data that drives  the  VersaBraille  will 
operate a braille printer.   The LED120 Braille Printer (LED is  acronym 
for Line Embossing Device), for example.

6.   Pending availability of a translation program that runs under CP/M, 
it  would be very helpful to be able to convert CP/M ASCII text files to 
Northstar  Type  3  format.   There are a number of  laborious  ways  to 
accomplish this conversion but what is desired is a program that will do 
the  conversion expediently with minimum hacking knowledge  required  of 
the operator.  If such a translation program were available,  John would 
at  least be able to use the translation program that runs under N* DOS.  
Help!   (Apologies to those that receive this msg twice.)