Thanks Jeff, that's really kind of you to say so. I believe S and S is
marketing it now.
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
jackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Check out my website: www.thebrownsplace.info
Read my EyeWrite blog: www.thebrownsplace.info/?page_id=136
Follow me on Twitter: @thebrownsplace
Skype: thejackmate
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
jeff flint
Sent: 26 September 2016 11:08
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Gadget which reads text and recognises faces
thanks for this, Jackie's clarity is stunning.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Farley (Redacted sender "john_farley" for DMARC)"
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "access uk" <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2016 9:52 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Gadget which reads text and recognises faces
Hello Jeff,
Here is an extract from the RNIB Access-it magazine from August which has
a
review of the device from Jackie Brown:
+++An overview of Orcam.
Jackie Brown.
I would like to thank Orcam's Trudie Strauss for taking the time to
visit Northern Ireland to demonstrate Orcam to my husband and me.
++What is Orcam?
Orcam is essentially a small camera that is mounted on the right side
of a pair of ordinary glasses. A cable attached to the mount goes to a
small box at the other end which is about the size of a glasses case.
It has a few tactile buttons on it for controlling the unit. When you
hold a book or other item in front of you, press a button on the
control box to take a picture, or learn to point with your finger at
the object that can also activate the camera. With good quality voice
synthesis, you can hear what is being read out to you via an earpiece.
++What can you do with it?
This portable device can be taken and used anywhere with no need for
an internet, Wi-Fi or computer connection. It is completely
self-contained, meaning you can snap pictures of documents,
newspapers, magazines, packaging, electronic notices, and anything
else that you want to read. Upgrades and enhancements are sent on an
S D card so you can update the unit yourself.
There are two versions: a read-only unit does just that, converting
what it sees into text using O C R (optical character recognition).
The other version not only offers the O C R function, but also uses
face recognition technology, and can identify products.
++What did we try?
We tried lots of items using the Orcam Trudie brought with her. These
included some food packaging and tins, C D covers and booklets,
glossy brochures, Talking Book C D's, and a paperback book. It
definitely helps if you have some limited vision where you can see
there is text, and can point at it for Orcam to snap and read. A good
way to practise is putting your finger to your nose, then moving it
away from you towards the document you want to read. Orcam is trained
to look for your fingernail, and activates the shutter once it sees
this. And if you find that method too clumsy, you can press a button
on the control box instead. You can mount the camera on your own
glasses, or buy a pair from Orcam if you don't normally wear them.
The machine has a fairly small memory, but you can store approximately
100 faces that you may name. Faces you include must be within a
certain radius of you for Orcam to recognise them from your library.
And you can store 150 products too, for example, frozen meals or tins
that you use regularly.
++Who is it for?
Orcam is for anyone who has difficulty reading print. Even those with
physical dexterity issues, or who have dyslexia, find Orcam of great
value. Using it as a totally blind person takes practice, which is why
an Orcam purchase includes two hours of comprehensive training and a
30-day money back guarantee. Your trainer delivers Orcam to you upon
purchase, and ensures you know how to handle the device, and that you
have specific items labelled if that is your purpose for using it.
++Who is Orcam not for?
If you are an experienced O C R user, and manage with a flatbed
scanner and computer software, you may find Orcam limited in its
functionality. You may, for example, decide that a phone app like
K-N F B Reader does the job.
++Future developments.
The Orcam company, based in Israel, is working on lots of improvements
to enhance the user experience. Among future developments in the
pipeline are colour recognition and the ability to have more control
over the O C R software.
++Conclusion and pricing.
I would probably be in the camp where Orcam does not offer me anything
in addition to the tools I already use. But that is not to say I
wouldn't recommend it. For lots of people who dislike computers, and
only want something simple and portable to operate, then Orcam is very
definitely a winner. It is lightweight and simple to use, and support
is fantastic.
For a free demonstration, contact Orcam on 0800 358 5323, or visit
www.orcam.com
Finally, the price. Orcam is not cheap! The O C R-only version costs
œ1,600, while the full version with facial and product recognition
included is œ2,200. Remember that whichever version you opt for,
thorough training is provided to ensure you get the most from the
product.
n
Regards, John
Tel: +44 (0) 1442 259243
Mob: +44 (0) 7815 056076
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