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Link Index Title: Additional Information
Item: For User Reviews Click Here
Item: For User Guides and Instructional Materials Click Here
Item: To Purchase a Palm Writer, Click Here
Note: Palm Writer is protected under US Patent: 10,580,321
The Palm Writer is a patented handheld navigation assistant for the blind that detects the distance to what a user points it at and conveys that information to a user’s palm through a tactile feedback wheel. This is designed to provide a significant improvement to the quality of life of a blind user by allowing them to perceive the world around them in much greater detail. The silver circle shown is the power button. This unit is shown with the wrist strap and ergonomic grip kit.
[Image 2 – Palm Writer Picture A]
[Image 2 – Palm Writer Picture B]
Shown here is the Palm Writer being held in a left hand grip with the aid of the Ergonomic Grip Kit. The Second Generation Palm Writer is fully ambidextrous.
[Image 3 – Palm Writer Left Hand Grip Picture A]
[Image 4 – Palm Writer Left Hand Grip Picture B]
The Ergonomic Grip Kit, now a standard feature on all Second Generation Palm Writers consists of a Wrist Rest at the rear of the Palm Writer and an elastic and hook and loop strap that a user may flexibly wrap over the back of their hand and thereby relieve the strain of having to hold the Palm Writer. The strap effectively suspends the Palm Writer beneath the users hand via three points of contact allowing for maximum control and comfort during use as shown in the right hand grip position below.
[Image 4 – Palm Writer Left Hand Grip Picture C]
[Image 5 – Palm Writer Right Hand Grip]
[Image 6 – Palm Writer Distance Measurement Demonstration A]
[Image 7 – Palm Writer Distance Measurement Demonstration A]
The tactile feedback unit, or writer will represent nearer objects with greater movement, and thereby precision, than farther away objects. The writer represents detected ranges of up to 8 feet, or 2.44 meters, within the length of its slide. Also shown below is the micro USB charge port included on all Second Generation Palm Writers.
[Image 8 – Palm Writer Picture D]
[Image 9 – Palm Writer Picture E]
[Image 10 – Palm Writer Tactile Feedback Unit Picture A]
[Image 11 – Palm Writer Tactile Feedback Unit Picture B]
The Palm Writer updates the position of the tactile feedback unit about 8 times a second, allowing for effectively real-time scanning. The Palm Writer also features a flashing blue warning light on its front for increased visibility at night or in dark locations. The two dark circles shown are the ultrasonic range finding unit.
[Image 12 – Palm Writer Front]
The Palm Writer is powered by a high capacity lithium polymer power cell that is charged by a wireless charging station. Depending on intensity of usage and user power off etiquette, a Palm Writer should last anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of continuous use on a single charge.
[Image 13 – Palm Writer on Charging Station]
[Image 14 – Palm Writer Charging Station Picture A]
The charging station is powered by a wall adapter that plugs into the back of the unit. Note the dark plug shown. The Second Generation Palm Writer includes a seating beep to indicate that a user has correctly placed a Palm Writer on the top deck and that charging has begun.
[Image 15 – Palm Writer Charging Station Picture B]
[Image 16 – Palm Writer Charging Station Picture B]
Palm Writer offers a full auditory announcement system including a simple battery level indication, a homing beep system, and a no signal alert. This technology was designed and refined with the blind to offer a maximum degree of usefulness.
Highlighted Bold Text: Palm Writer can be used without a navigation cane, but it is intended to be an assistive support device. With Palm Writer you can scan for people, pets, and fragile objects within 8 feet of you without the need for physical contact. Palm Writer particularly excels at scanning table tops for glasses, plates, and other objects. It can even detect a pen dropped on the floor. You can check where people are around you and even check for overhead obstructions such as tree branches. Palm Writer can even be used to see through glass or into fish tanks. Palm Writer is designed to grant a user the ability to perceive the world around in rich detail. With rugged hardware and firmware design Palm Writer is ready to help you take in a whole new world of input. Palm Writer offers a fast learning curve, but leaves much room for fine skill development that will only further its useful applications.
Underlined Bold Text: Palm Writer In Action With Some Of Our Blind Users
This is a Link: Click Here To Visit The Video on Youtube
Underlined Bold Text: Palm Writer Introduction Video (First Generation)
This is a Link: Click Here To Visit The Video on Youtube
List Title: Second Generation Palm Writer Specifications
A Palm Writer with Ergonomic Grip Kit weighs 14.1 ounces (28.35 grams) or 0.88 pounds.
40 kilohertz ultrasonic range finding unit (generally will not affect dogs, cats, or birds)
12 watt hour internal lithium polymer power cell (Will last 6-10 hours with standard use)
Palm Writer indicates distances between 0 to 8 feet from the front of the hand unit. (0.3 to 2.4m)
The wrist strap is approximately 8.5 inches long with an attached sliding tensioner. (215.9mm)
The Ergonomic Grip Kit consists of a Wrist Rest and Suspension Strap
The Wrist Rest raises the wrist contact position by 0.6 inches (15.25mm)
Palm Writer is splash/lightly rain resistant, but cannot withstand any degree of submersion.
Palm Writer structure is made of 3D printed PLA plastic.
Charging Station dimensions: 1.5 inches high, 2.8 inches wide, and 7 inches long.
Underlined Highlighted Bold Text: Palm Writer Shape Note
A Palm Writer is roughly an elongated cube. This “brick” like shape exists for several reasons.
The square profile allows the Palm Writer to be placed on a surface such as a table to scan for low objects. Additionally, the square shape is resistant to rolling and sliding off of many surfaces. Furthermore, the interior space of a square is greater than the interior space of a cylinder, and a Palm Writer is packed tightly with internal components. We can assure you that Palm Writer only is as large as necessary to achieve its performance. We have experimented with several other designs that do not use the elongated square profile, however, these alternate designs tend to suffer from various drawbacks including poor balance and weight distribution that resulted in overall worse ergonomics. The Second Generation Palm Writer includes the Ergonomic Grip Kit that eliminates much of the strain of holding a Palm Writer.
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