JBliss Low Vision Systems

Overview

Jim Bliss started JBliss Imaging Systems in 1994, with its founding product, VIP - Versatile Image Processing (tm) system that married current vision research, optical character recognition, closed circuit television technology, and synthetic speech, to create an easy-to-use scan and read system for users with vision loss or learning disabilities. More than 10 million people in the United States suffer from serious visual impairments that cannot be corrected with surgery or glasses. Many of these individuals have vision loss because of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. VIP is an innovative product to improve the quality of life for people with low visoin and helps them maintain their independence.

VIP doesn't just magnify text, it electronically processes scanned text and graphics in full color, automatically converts digitized letter images into customized formats that suit each user's particular vision needs. VIP also included e-mail, internet, calculator and word processing functions in an intuitive, easy to use, integrated software that has improved the quality of life for people with low vision and helped them maintain their independence. A computer with VIP can also be connected to a CCTV to provide split screen viewing and editing functions.

Dr. Bliss has a long history of innovation in access technology for the visually impaired, beginning with the co-invention of the first reading device for the blind, the Optacon, and a series of products that were "firsts" for blind, deaf-blind and low vision persons, including, but not limited to the VersaBraille dedicated braille computer, and the TeleBraille phone communication device for the deaf-blind.

In 2001, through an NSF grant, JBliss Imaging Systems introduced the PnC product line to update and further simplify e-mail, internet and word processing options that were originally included in VIP - with a simple "pick and click" user interface. The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Palo Alto, CA Veteran's Administration facility assisted in evaluating the software. JBliss Imaging also introduced Web LV, which provides spoken and enlarged internet and e-mail access in a small control unit that connects to the user's TV and a phone or network connection.

In 2005, Dr. Bliss retired from JBliss Imaging and licensed the JBliss software to a new corporation, JBliss Low Vision Systems, headed by Judy Adams, Ph.D. Judy worked with at Jim's first company, Telesensory, for 24 years, first as an Optacon teacher and then as Manger of Training, Customer Service, Technical Support and Technical Services, and for JBliss Imaging since 2001.

We've kept JBliss in the company name to honor Jim Bliss's contributions to the field of access technology, and we're continuing the tradition of innovation and service to the visually impaired associated with his career. In March of 2005, we introduced Web LV +, which adds a version of VIP to Web LV, allowing the user not only to do e-mail and internet through their TV, but also to scan and read printed materials and enlarge scanned photos, charts and graphs, etc.

We continue to dedicate our efforts to improving access to print and web-based materials for the visually impaired at an affordable price, and in an easy-to-use format.