There is a lot of software that give out an audible output of what is a computer monitor screen for the blind. There seems to be no reference to a tactile output pad that reproduces text in braille as well as graphics as raised dots. The output 'screen' can be a pad lying on the table with a matrix of equally spaced pins, which are at surface level and rise above the surface on activation The technology exists (rather outmoded) as dot matrix printers. Enhancements can be thought...

There are many references in various electronic journals, design, or D-I-Y magazines to devices, which deliver water to plants based on monitoring the dryness of the surrounding soil. All of them are electronic circuits, which require power for monitoring and power for the valve that delivers the water. The power has to be low voltage and available at the plant being watered. The idea proposed now is to develop a non-electrical direct acting automatic irrigator, which can be...

Certain people have a cardiac condition, which can lead to what is called 'sudden death'. If they are administered a proper sequence of electrical pulses to their heart through electrodes they survive. Research is currently on in US to provide some kind of tele-medical help to those diagnosed as susceptible to such episodes. They carry a computer and modem as well as a device that monitors their heart rhythm. Whenever an abnormality is detected, the computer alerts the individual, who...

Idea: To make a light weight portable oxygen generator. With the current alarming levels of Suspended Particulate Matter in air, there has been a corresponding increase in people with respiratory distress. A large number of portable oxygen devices are available in the market. These are either compressed gas cylinders, or chemical based generators. Some require an electric supply for use. A few years back Hitachi came out with a membrane that can go on the grill of a window Air...

Prof. Victor Papanek talked in his book 'Design for the Real World', about how more than a ton of metal is used to move a 150 pound human from place to place. Many of the National Labs in USA are working on developing self-contained suits for use by the National Security people for use in all kinds of emergencies. Most of a car is designed to provide a micro-environment to the occupant. The idea proposed is: Can a simplified version of the special protection suit be used...

A condition called Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) was foud among some immune deficient persons, who received bone marrow transplants. Later this condition came to light among certain patients, who were immune incompetent and who were transfused with blood products, which had immune competent cells. GVHD is not very common. But when it does happen it is often fatal. There seems to be no cure for this. Only prevention. Prevention is by using irradiated blood products. Haemo-dialysis is...

Many accidents occur with high speed mixies and blenders. It may be possible to make a blender based on ultrasound on the lines of the tissue disintegrators used in biology research.

Polaroid Land use an ultrasonic auto focussing system. They also sell this alone as an experimental kit. If two of these can be used on the whitcane used by the blind or on a helmet that the blind can wear, it should be possible to produce a stereo sound 'Image' of the surrounding. A far away object can produce a lower volume signal while a nearer one produces a higher volume sound. A larger object can produce a lower (Bass) note while a smaller object can produce a higher pitched...