[accessbangla] Fw: [blindCity] Intel debuts text reader for theblind

From: "Vashkar bhattacharjee" <vashkar79@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <accessbangla@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:32:50 -0800
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:55 PM
Subject: [blindCity] Intel debuts text reader for theblind


  
Intel debuts text reader for the blind
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10394236-93.html
Intel is doing its part to help people with sight or reading
disabilities enjoy the written word.
The company announced on Tuesday the debut of the Intel Reader, a
handheld text-to-speech device that can read any printed text aloud to
those who are blind or have difficulties seeing or reading.
The Atom-powered device uses a high-resolution camera to capture images
of any printed text, which it then converts into digital format to read
out loud. The Reader can be used as a standalone device to snap pictures
of text. But paired with Intel's Portable Capture Station, which can
hold the Reader in place, the device can grab huge amounts of text, such
as an entire book, according to Intel.
"We are proud to offer the Intel Reader as a tool for people who have
trouble reading standard print so they can more easily access the
information many of us take for granted every day, such as reading a job
offer letter or even the menu at a restaurant," said Louis Burns, vice
president and general manager of Intel's Digital Health Group, in a
statement.
A check at some of the retailers selling the Intel Reader revealed its
base price to be $1,499, with the Portable Capture Station an additional
$399.
Weighing one pound, the Reader is the size of a paperback book. The
tactile buttons and voice-operated menus that control the device have
been designed so sightless people can use it, Intel said. Individuals
with poor vision can also zoom in or out of the display and increase the
font size of its text.
The 5-megapixel, autofocus camera can snap a picture of text anywhere
from 4 inches to 1.1 yards. The content itself is stored on a 4GB
solid-state drive, which Intel says can hold up to 600 processed pages
(images and text) or 500,000 text-only pages.
Users of the device can create MP3 versions of printed text to be played
on computers and music players. Certain audio books can also be loaded
from computers directly onto the Reader.
The idea for the Reader sprang from Ben Foss, an Intel researcher who
learned in elementary school that he suffered from dyslexia. As an
adult, he continued to face challenges reading, unable to find many of
his favorite books and journals in audio format.
"As someone who is part of this dyslexic community, I am thrilled to be
able to help level the playing field for people who, like me, do not
have easy access to the printed word," said Foss in a statement. "The
Intel Reader is a tool that can help give people with dyslexia,
low-vision, blindness, or other reading-based disabilities access to the
resources they need to participate and be successful in school, work and
life."
Intel said that the Reader has been endorsed by the International
Dyslexia Association as an important advance in assistive technology.
The company is working with organizations such as Lighthouse
International, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and the
National Federation of the Blind to reach out to people who have trouble
reading printed text.
The device will be available in the U.S. through select resellers,
including CTL, Don Johnston Incorporated, GTSI, Howard Technology
Solutions, and HumanWare.
Like other tech companies, Intel has ventured into the health care
market with new products and services. In 2007, the company launched the
Motion C5, a device to help hospitals better monitor and measure patient
data. Earlier this year, Intel and GE announced a new alliance to
develop health care technologies for seniors.

www.accessible-devices.com

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[accessbangla] Fw: [blindCity] Intel debuts text reader for theblind

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