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The amplifier unit of the VSD-1 contains a replaceable 9V battery, light detecting diode, amplifier and control circuitry. The fiber optic cable gives the VSD-1 exceptional performance in detecting light from small lamps or light emitting diodes (L.E.D.'s).
When the VSD-1 is used to aid in operating multi-button telephones or communication consoles, the end of the fiber-optic cable is scanned over the visual indicators to detect and audibly report the indicator status. The status of button functions are displayed visually by a lamp being on, off, blinking, winking, flashing, etc. The VSD-1 mimics the lamp status with a tone. Visual signals, as they relate to button functions, are taught to the visually impaired.
When visual signal sources and buttons are identifiable by touch, the use of the light probe cable is very simple. When visual signal sources and buttons are hidden, as is the case on many digital or hybrid telephones and consoles used with Merlin CS, System 75 and 25, or System 85 communication systems, touch aids must be added to the surface of the telephone sets. The "touch sense" aids are quite simple and are customized by the user in application.
The visual indicator and pressure sensitive button areas are first covered by a sheet of optically clear, flexible vinyl sheet material. The raised button DTMF dial buttons are not to be covered.
A durable "Weather Seal" type tape is used to secure the vinyl sheet to the telephone set. The vinyl sheet must be smooth, and reasonably tight. The vinyl sheet must be secured to the upper and lower side of the telephone set.
The front surface is then equipped with adhesive backed foam tape to act as a guide for finding the L.E.D.'s with the light probe. The foam tape is applied so as to cover one-half of the face of L.E.D.'s. Notches are cut into the edge of the foam tape to uncover the L.E.D.'s. The probe is placed in the notches to "read" the L.E.D. signals.
The pressure sensitive button areas on the telephones are easily located when adhesive backed, vinyl rubber buttons are applied over the pressure sensitive areas. The button size should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter.
Both dome shaped and flat topped buttons can be mixed to distinguished button functions or to allow identification of numbering sequence changes. A good example of number sequences that need identification are buttons of a Direct Station Selection (DSS) field.
The transparent vinyl sheet cover allows unimpaired people to use the designation labels on the set in a normal manner. The vinyl sheet material also allows replacing worn guide material and buttons without damaging the membrane switch assembly that forms the face of the telephone set.
During the training phase, Braille "Tape-Writer" labels can be used to aid in identifying important keys and indicators. The labels can be dismissed once the user has memorized the "keyboard".
| 1ea. | Earphone |
| 1ea. | 9v battery |
| 1ea. | 9vdc power supply: wall plug-in style, 115vac input, 9vdc output. |
| 16ea. | bumpers dome style, clear. |
| 12ea. | bumpers flat style, black. |
| 1ea. | vinyl sheet clear, 16" x 16". |
| 1 roll | tape clear polyethylene. |
| 1ea. | foam strip 3/8"wide x 3/16"thick x 17’long. |
Braille "Tape-Writer" and tape can be purchased by using PEC code 94799 for the Tape-Writer equipped with three rolls of tape. Extra tape can be ordered using PEC code 94800.
