Contest #3 - What’s In the Case
Aug 28th, 2008 by Alex
There’s something undeniably cool about a MacGuffin in a case, like in Ronin or Pulp Fiction. It’s not just about the plot device itself, though. My fascination extends to case-mounted hardware too, including all manner of tactical weapons — HK’s MP5-in-a-suitcase being a choice and rarely found example — and communications gear. Needless to say when I found this little guy during an office cleaning I was pretty stoked.
![Mystery Device [1/8]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2797158029_2eb34a56d2.jpg)
This is a case, serial number 102. Within is a mystery device. There’s only one problem. There’s no model number or documentation. From my own inspection I’m somewhat certain of what it is, but I’m curious to see if some collective knowledge can better identify its origins or purpose.
There are eight photos of the device on my Flickr page, without tags or comments. To goal being to identify the components and determine what the device is, I invite anyone to leave comments or notes on any/all of the Flickr pages to assist with identification. Even though discovery is fun without incentive, I figured I’d make a contest out of it.
On September 15th I will select a winner at random. The more you contribute, the more of a chance you’ll have. If you leave a comment on this post, you’re in once. If you leave a comment here and three notes on Flickr, you’re in four times. If you link back from your blog, I’ll count that too.
I’ll buy the winner a drink. A beer, cocktail or perhaps a cup of coffee from Evelyn’s. If you’re out of the area, we’ll figure something out.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
It looks like that funky thing they used back in the day to administer hearing tests. “Raise your hand when you hear the beep.” Um, yeah I raised my hand whenever and nobody seemed to notice I’m almost deaf in one ear.
Clearly the “device” was a pile of FAIL. Or maybe the guy behind the device…
Since there appears to be only 1 port to connect peripherals to (not counting the modem) I would guess it to be a two-way communication device for the blind.
The braille definitely is the biggest clue IMO. Image #4 appears to be where one would place their finger and the pins would come up to create a braille character. The ANS/ORIG switch determines whether the modem is in call or answer mode. The TEST/OPERATE is just that, most likely allows for the testing of the mechanical portion of the unit by echoing what characters are typed on the keyboard. UPTIME, perhaps a timeout or how long the pins “stay up” to represent the braille character. I believe the three white buttons on each left/right side of the unit represent the three pins on each side of the unit that creates a braille character.
This is my best guess at the current time.
Wow, that is an interesting piece of technology.
So, what do we have? A 300 baud modem with an acoustic coupler.
Various switches and connectors labeled on the console. They are written in both english and in old-school DYMO braille. So the device is designed to be operated by both sighted and blind people. But definitley adapted for use by the blind.
Picture 5 has a switch for Operate/Test modes. The second switch in the picture is for Ans/Orig mode. We can guess that the device could be used for both originating calls and answering calls.
The grouping of the white keys in picture 2 confused me for a little while, but I recognize now that they could be a braille input device. (Perkins) Braille typewriters have a 3-1-3 grouping to produce the six dots that make up a character. The middle character is used to advance the printer head. That doesn’t explain the leftover rectangular button in picture 4, but when you look towards modern devices used for braille input, the modern Perkins-style keyboard consists of 4-1-4 key groupings.
So, lets start guessing. The keyboard port takes what appears to be a 15 pin DSub connector. Not particularly helpful. Unless, of course, you were working in diagnotics, and were not trained in braille. On the other hand, the keyboard attachment could be used as an external braille device. (Refreshable braille display)
Taking a guess, I would say that the device is a relatively early Braille TTY device. Normally, blind people can pick up the phone and call anyone. That doesn’t work if you can’t speak or hear. So, my guess is that the device is designed to be used as a communication device for someone who is both deaf and blind.
A google image search for Telesensory TeleBraille TTY showed what this device possibly evolved into.
As to the history of the device, the use of the Novation modem puts us in the late 70’s/early 80’s range. source
Without looking at anything but the case I’d say it’s a pool stick case. Because after all you have so much time to play pool with all of your other activies.
No no wait. Wait! It’s actually a flute case. It may have belonged to your sister. I mean I can’t believe it would actually belong to you because…well…I picture you more the trumpet player. Hmm…wait. Not the trumpet player. Actually a bass man. Yes…a bass man.
Oh gosh what was I thinking? I mean actually how I could have thought it held a MUSICAL instrument is beyond words. Unbelievable. After all you are the sound man! Hmmm…it must be the “little black box” of sound.
[...] but DJ was selected — through a few rounds of random sequencing — as the winner of the What’s in the Case? contest. Best bets based on components and research are that the device in the case is an early [...]