Robotron Group/Sensory Tools Division

15 Stamford Road
Oakleigh, 3166
Australia
Telephone: 011-61-3-9568-2568.
Fax: 011-61-3-9568-1377.
Web: http://www.sensorytools.com.
Email: info@sensorytools.com.

Products manufactured by Robotron Group/Sensory Tools Division (listed alphabetically)

1. ARIA

   Aria is a braille notetaker with speech output designed for use by persons who are blind or have low vision. This computerized organizer is designed with word processing, mathematical and communicating capabilities. The user can construct full-fledged documents, transfer files, drive a modem or use a statistical calculator. With DOS interface, this device can run external software. It can be upgraded; the system runs on 1 Megabyte of RAM and 2 Megabytes of Flash ROM (contains the Aria software). It also includes an Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus available on the memory card. Additional features include a clock with reminder alarms, a diary and calendar, and a telephone directory. POWER: Battery operated - in use, battery will last 8 hours - rechargeable overnight.

2. BRAILLEMASTER BRAILLE PUBLISHING SOFTWARE

   BrailleMaster Braille Publishing Software is a Braille software package with Braille translation programs and text editors designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. With BrailleMaster, the user can translate text to braille and send it either directly to a Braille embosser or printer or to an interim braille file; edit a file, including a braille file; print or emboss Braille from a Braille file; view the completed braille on screen; customize formatting and controls in a Braille embosser or printer; customize Braille rules or develop new Braille codes for text translation in many languages; and develop advanced Braille applications, such as math and music Braille code translators. The BrailleMaster package includes a Windows version of the Braille translator as well as two DOS versions: a screen-based, menu-driven version which also contains a text editor, and a command-line based version which is suitable for batch jobs and for use with screen readers. The bridge between the user and BrailleMaster's translators is the Louis code. Louis is an easy-to-use symbolic language invented by Robotron and named for Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system of raised dot writing. The set of rules the user selects tells BrailleMaster how to translate the text into Braille. Users can construct or modify the Braille rules themselves. The Louis rules are contained in a text file which can be easily edited and immediately verified using BrailleMaster's in-built rule verification facility. COMPATIBILITY: For use with IBM and compatible computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: The Windows version of the BrailleMaster Braille translation program runs in Windows 95/98/NT/2000.

3. C2 TALKING COMPASS

   The C2 Talking Compass is a hand-held compass with speech output designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. The C2 speaks the four major compass points and four interim points (northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest). The user orients the compass in the desired direction, then presses a button to hear the direction. The standard version comes pre-installed with English and Spanish. The custom version can be chosen with two languages from these: Arabic, Czech, Danish, English, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish. New languages and personalized voices can be added. The C2 includes a wrist strap, which is designed to give the user instant access to the device while retaining freedom of hand movement. There is a three-position switch along the side of the compass. The center position is the "off" position, while the other two positions correspond to the two languages installed in the device. POWER: Uses two 12-volt (A23, MN21 or GP23A) batteries (not included). DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1 x 2 x 3 inches. WEIGHT: 2.2 ounces.

4. COLUMBUS TALKING COMPASS

   The Columbus Talking Compass is a hand-held orientation device with digitized speech output designed for persons with low vision or blindness. The four cardinal points (North, South, East, and West) and the interim points (NE, NW, SE, and SW) are spoken in one of two languages. The user orients the compass in the required direction and queries the device by pressing a button. The language is selected by sliding a small switch on the side of the unit. POWER: 2 internal size N 1.5-volt batteries. DIMENSIONS: 100 x 50 x 30 millimeters. WEIGHT: 95 grams.

5. GALILEO

   The Galileo is a voice output reading machine designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This self-contained reading machine enables the user to place a page on the scanner and press the start button to have the page scanned and read aloud in a high quality voice. The machine can read a variety of text formats and includes a one gigabyte hard drive to enable documents to be stored and retrieved. The machine can be connected to a personal computer for additional storage capacity. WARRANTY: One year.

6. PRONTO READING MACHINE

   The Pronto Reading Machine is a stand-alone voice output reading machine designed for use by persons who are blind or have low vision. The Pronto is similar to the manufacturer's Galileo Reading Machine (see separate entry), but without built-in storage facilities or a computer interface. Some of the Galileo's parameter command settings have also been eliminated, resulting in simplicity of use. Placing the text on the glass and pressing the start button is all that is required. There are only two commands (start and stop), three voice settings (volume, speed and pitch), and text navigation cursor controls designed to be easy to remember. In appearance, the Pronto is designed to be equally suitable for a home or office environment. Its reading speed is up to 2 pages per minute and it can recognize a variety of fonts, including mixed fonts from six to 32 points in size, with automatic differentiation of text and graphics, recognition of columns, and automatic settings for page orientation, brightness, contrast, and paper size. It can read documents up to 8.5 x 14.5 inches in size, including A4, A5, B5, C5, Letter, Legal, Foolscap, US Government, Executive, Quarto, Half, DL Envelope, COM 10 Envelope, and Monarch Envelope sizes. The output is highly intelligible synthesized speech in a choice of English, French, German, or Spanish (only one language can be installed). The Pronto includes a standard 3.5 millimeter mono headphone jack. POWER: Uses 100-250 volts with automatic sensing. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 6.6 x 16.3 x 22 inches.

7. ROBOTRON RAINBOW

   The Robotron Rainbow is an optical character recognition device designed to convert any type of text into spoken words for persons with low vision. Operating through seven internal processors designed for a specific task, this portable electronic device is intended to achieve high accuracy and speed; it can scan a page within 10 seconds and font sizes range from 6 - 72 point. The system utilizes DECtalk (Digital Equipment Corporation) synthetic speech engineered to be understood by users who have never used a computer voice before; this speech component features an integrated pronunciation dictionary designed for correct verbal usage; adjustable speaking rates from 180 wpm - 350 wpm; an inflection control to give natural intonation for reading; and speech volume, pitch, punctuation and stress controls. A mode key allows the user to set a variety of special parameters, and cursor keys enable the user to shift through the text. This system also empowers the user to transfer the coverted text to a computer in a choice of major word processor formats, or to a peripheral device such as a Braille printer; graphic images may also be generated, using image compression formats. In addition, the user is able to reprogram the device's Flash ROM memory through the ability to upgrade the internal software at any time in order to stay on track with future innovations in OCR (optical character recognition) technology. COMPATIBILITY: Eureka A4, IBM PC or Apple Macintosh. CAPACITY: Maximum document size - 8.57 x 14 inches. DIMENSIONS: 21 x 13.3 x 5 inches. WEIGHT: 18 pounds.

8. ROBOTRON TEXT READER 320

   The Robotron Text Reader 320 is a voice output reading machine designed to convert any type of text into spoken words for persons who are blind or have low vision. Operating like a photocopier, this portable, electronic device consists of six processors designed to read text with high accuracy and speed; it reads a page in 10 seconds; and font size extends from 6 - 72 point. The device reads either through a pair of headphones or a speaker. A mode key allows the user to set a variety of special parameters, and cursor keys enable the user to shift through the text. This system also empowers the user to transfer the coverted text to a computer through a choice of major word processor formats, or to a peripheral device such as a Braille printer; graphic images may also be generated, using image compression formats. In addition, the user is able to reprogram the device's Flash ROM memory through the ability to upgrade the internal software at any time in order to stay on track with future innovations in OCR (optical character recognition) technology. COMPATIBILITY: Eureka A4, IBM PC or Apple Macintosh. CAPACITY: Maximum document size - 8.57 x 14 inches. DIMENSIONS: 21 x 13.3 x 5 inches. WEIGHT: 18 pounds.

See Robotron Group/Sensory Tools Division products that are no longer available.