Intel Meets Adaptive Technology: The Intel Reader

Intel Reader Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYB24njwBW8

Intel Reader Main Page: http://www.intel.com/healthcare/reader/index.htm# (if that doesn't work, go to www.reader.intel.com).

HumanWare Direct Link to Intel Reader: http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness/intel_reader/_details/id_1...




This is too wonderful for words. Even if I won't personally use it, I always enjoy hearing about new innovations for the community of people who have reading disabilities.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Intel
• Reader
• DAISY
• MP3
• Voice
• Print
• OCR
• Scanning
• Vision
• Blindness
• Aid

[4BetaMale2]

How many voices come with the reader? Can you get more voices if you don't like the default voices? Thanks

[rml695]

@4BetaMale2 Just male & female & I don't remember the name of the chosen speech engine.

[zkrisher]

This is one case where I've been able to cobble the technology together from existing off the shelf products.

I already own a PC and a Laptop with ZoomText Magnifier/Reader on them I also own a digital camera. All it took was also getting Omnipage to give me the ability to hear entire books I needed for school.

I also got a flatbed scanner for more accurate (flat and straight)pictures of the text.

If you have a Laptop the system can be mobile.

Another option is the KNFB reader for Symbian.

[rml695]

It should be noted that Symbian phones are non-existent in the states, almost, and really only reside on AT&T or T-Mobile. As far as a flat bed scanner? Imagine carting that to class with you - especially if you have a 10 minute walk across campus from one class to another, and then another 15 minute walk back to your dorm after class. I see the Reader as an advantage in spur of the moment "oops I forgot to blow up your worksheet" situations.

[rml695]

This is also cheaper or roughly the same as the KNFB Reader package, and if you have low vision, I don't like the idea of using such a tiny screen (the screen on the Intel Reader is 4.3" with a 16x9 aspect ratio).

[bluetech7753]

That looks very intresting I would like a portable video magnifire myself but they not cheap. nice video.

[VideoGuyNC]

GREAT video. I had not heard of this device. This is an AMAZING little piece of tech. I like the fact that it can convert the OCR text into speech (ON-THE-FLY) and output it to an audio file. I want one of these readers. I also find it incredible that Intel has found a way to market this to multiple adaptive tech markets. Amazing times we are living in.

[jls1114]

this is the same idea has the jurtwell reader and i think that might be better then the intel reader though but gd for intel

[zkrisher]

They had a piece on the IntelReader on serotalk about a month ago:

Tech Chat 41 Assembling a Portable Computer, Screen Reader and Reading Solution for Under $1,000

This will not of course get you the kind of instant results the IntelReader will.

But as a student or employee, if you already own an accessible laptop, it won't take a huge investment to add OCR capability.

[zkrisher]

Yes the KNFB is not cheep, and even on Symbian it only works on 2 or 3 phones. But it's very portable as all you need is to have your phone with you.

[zkrisher]

For portable use there are portable scanners, but I'd recommend using a digital camera. this is of course considering that you are in the habit of taking your Laptop with you.

My solution isn't perfect and doesn't get instant results, but the only extra investment it took was getting an OCR application.

[zkrisher]

One fact about CCTVs that is rarely mentioned is that for many users they are only good for spot reading.

Many people get nausea and headaches when they try to read long texts with a CCTV.

They are also slow especially when you can speed up playback.

OCR is a great way for dealing with large volumes of text that is not yet available in electronic form.

For spot reading perhaps a Digital Magnifier is better.

But as you stated, as a student being able to copy text is important.