Don't know how many EASI readers are Japanese,
but I know that many on this list are interested
in internationalization developments. Enjoy.
John
July 5, 2006
For Immediate Release
Tiger Braille Now Available in Japan
Corvallis, Oregon, July 5, 2006 ViewPlus
Technologies announced today that people who work
with Braille can now translate and print Japanese
Braille using the advanced technology of the
Powered by Tiger embosser series. A special
partnership with the Japanese company EXTRA
resulted in TSSE-the best Japanese translation
software in a Microsoft Office environment. EXTRA
offers the Japanese translation engine while
ViewPlus provides their well-known Tiger Braille printers to Japan.
ViewPlus Braille embossers Powered by Tiger are
well known for their high-resolution graphics and
Windows printer driver technology. ViewPlus
printers are the only embossers that can print
Braille and graphics exactly as they are seen on
the screen. The special patented hardware
technology was first developed in the United
States at Oregon State University through a grant
with the National Science Foundation. The project
was founded by Dr. John Gardner, a blind
physicist who wanted to provide the advanced
technology developed for people with visual
impairments. Recognizing the need for people to
have the latest advancements in Braille and
tactile graphics, Tiger technology was introduced
to the US market ten years ago.
"We are celebrating our tenth year of Tiger and I
can see no better way to continue the ViewPlus
tradition of providing the best products to
consumers than to introduce TSSE to the Japanese
public" states Dr. Gardner. "The partnership with
EXTRA allows ViewPlus to take the power of Tiger
technology to the citizens of Japan."
EXTRA, a Japanese company founded by Professor
Jun Ishikawa, has set the precedent for Braille
translation in Japan. EXTRA became well known
when Professor Ishikawa localized JAWS, a screen
reader for Windows, to the Japanese language. He
also created a Windows translation engine for
Japanese Braille. The engine will be used with
the TSSE software and the ViewPlus embosser
series for Japanese Braille and tactile graphics.
EXTRA saw the opportunity to provide our
customers with the next generation of Braille
creation" comments Ishikawa. "Together TSSE uses
our reliable translation engine in the Windows
environment to create the best Japanese Braille
translation in familiar programs like Microsoft
Word and Excel with the Tiger embosser series.
TSSE provides an easy and efficient way to create
Braille and tactile graphics that anyone can use.
TSSE is based on the current TSS software that is
being shipped in most major languages around the
globe. The software allows a user to convert text
to Braille entirely within a Microsoft
environment. Original text is placed above or on
top of the Braille lines so a non-Braille reader
can understand the same document. The new Braille
and ink embossers from ViewPlus allow the
original text and Braille to be printed with
tactile diagrams, like maps or charts, in
different tactile levels according to the colors found in the document.
ViewPlus and EXTRAfs partnership combines the
most reliable Japanese Braille translation with
the most advanced Braille embossers. The unique
characteristics of both companies mean better
Braille translation in a familiar Microsoft
environment. ViewPlus embossers Powered by Tiger
take the Braille and graphics and turn them into
high-resolution graphics with different heights
of dots according to the colors on the screen.
TSSE can be used with any of the six embosser
options available through ViewPlus, including the
newest Braille and ink solutions. Emprint, the
full-color embosser with HP Inkjet technology
inside, prints color ink, graphics and tactile embossing in one pass.
TSSE is available through EXTRA in Japan. They
can be contacted at EXTRA Corporation Central
Hills 101, 44-15 Yada Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi,
Shizuoka-ken 422-8002 JAPAN. They can be emailed
at [log in to unmask] and reached online at URL: http://www.extra.co.jp/
ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. is a private firm
that develops and manufactures hardware and
software for people with sensory disabilities,
including people who are blind, people who have
low vision and those who are learning disabled.
For more information please visit the ViewPlus
website, www.viewplus.com, email, [log in to unmask], or call 541.754.4002.
John A. Gardner
Professor and Director, Science Access Project
Department of Physics
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
tel: (541) 737 3278
FAX: (541) 737 1683
SAP URL: http://dots.physics.orst.edu/
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