James C. Bliss
Encyclopedia
James C. Bliss is an American electrical engineer and entrepreneur best known for his pioneering role in developing technological aids
for visually impaired people.
in 1956 and began working at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in Menlo Park, California
, while enrolled in graduate school at Stanford University
. He received his M.S.E.E. from Stanford (1958) and his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(1961). He returned to SRI where he became head of the Bio-Information Systems Group. He continued his dissertation work in tactile communication and also lectured in EE at Stanford, where he met John Linvill, who had conceived a machine that would allow his blind daughter, Candy, to read ordinary print by translating the letter images into vibrations. In 1962 Bliss and Linvill began a multi-year development effort at Stanford and SRI culminating in a successful prototype called the "Optacon
"in 1969.
in 1970. Bliss left his position of associate professor at Stanford and became president of TSI, which position he held from the company's beginning until 1992. Under his leadership the company developed, manufactured, and sold many innovative electronics communications products for blind and visually impaired people. In 1994 he founded JBliss Imaging Systems, which provided easy-to-use equipment for scanning and reading aloud printed materials. In 2005 Bliss retired.
.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
for visually impaired people.
Technical research
Jim Bliss received his B.S.E.E. degree from Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1956 and began working at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. It is bordered by San Francisco Bay on the north and east; East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Stanford to the south; Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City...
, while enrolled in graduate school at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. He received his M.S.E.E. from Stanford (1958) and his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(1961). He returned to SRI where he became head of the Bio-Information Systems Group. He continued his dissertation work in tactile communication and also lectured in EE at Stanford, where he met John Linvill, who had conceived a machine that would allow his blind daughter, Candy, to read ordinary print by translating the letter images into vibrations. In 1962 Bliss and Linvill began a multi-year development effort at Stanford and SRI culminating in a successful prototype called the "Optacon
Optacon
The Optacon is an electromechanical device that enables blind people to read printed material that has not been transcribed into Braille.- Description :...
"in 1969.
Business development
To commercialize the Optacon, Bliss and Linvill founded Telesensory Systems, Inc.Telesensory Systems
Telesensory Systems, Inc. was an American corporation that invented, designed, manufactured, and distributed technological aids for blind and low vision persons...
in 1970. Bliss left his position of associate professor at Stanford and became president of TSI, which position he held from the company's beginning until 1992. Under his leadership the company developed, manufactured, and sold many innovative electronics communications products for blind and visually impaired people. In 1994 he founded JBliss Imaging Systems, which provided easy-to-use equipment for scanning and reading aloud printed materials. In 2005 Bliss retired.
Other
James C. Bliss has published more than a dozen technical papers. In 2007 he received the Migel Medal Award of the American Foundation for the BlindAmerican Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind is an American non-profit organization that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and...
.