I've rephrased the questions a bit and inserted the answers from the developer below.
Q. Do we need to be hooked to the Internet to use the code database? A. Yes.Q. Is there a way that we can download the database so when/if we lose internet connection we can still use this part of the app?
A. Not at this point and probably not ever. Explanation: This is not a good idea because our UPC database is big.a. At 7.2 million records (and growing at a rate of a quarter million records per week), the entire UPC database is very large and soon will be too large
to go on the phone. People will be angry if we use up all their storage.b. Because the database is central, it is current all the time; if it were distributed, it would not be. c. Worse yet it would eat up people's data plans in no time at all 7.2 million * 500 bytes per record = 3.6 MB per week (plus about 10% transmission
overhead) for every person who has the product.d. Because of the transmission volumes, we would have to charge a monthly fee or something to cover our costs.
In practice, people don't need the whole database, they just need the individual records that relate to the item they are scanning. And there are a ton of records that they will NEVER need because these are products that are sold in other parts of the world and that you will never come across like cheese-flavoried
Vegemite (at least, not unless you visit Australia)I would expect that an iPhone user would have signal all the time and if they have signal, they will have Internet connectivity, so I don't anticipate that there would generally be a problem getting a connection. that is, if they are in areas covered by their basic service carrier.
Is this assumption inaccurate? Davey Hulse, , Marketing Leader www.digit-eyes.com----- Original Message ----- From: "Justin Thornton" <drummer060891@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 3:56 AMSubject: [macvoiceover] Re: iphone: Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired
I have an interesting questionwhen scanning a barcode do we have to be connected to the internet to get the result at all ties is there some way we can download the data bass maybe as a weekly update or something
especially for those who do not have internet that often? thanks!! just a thought!! On Jun 24, 2010, at 12:51 PM, Chad Rohr wrote:
Hello, I just bought the digit eyes product and I had one quick question.I scanned a barcode on a can of soup and it made the noise like it recognized it but now all its doing is making a clicking noise every few seconds or so.I was curious if that was the program searching or what? Thank you Chad ----- Original Message ----- From: "George B" <gbmagoo@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:14 AMSubject: [macvoiceover] Re: iphone: Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually ImpairedThey are what is on the package if that company chooses to list it along with the name and nutriants of the product attached to that bar code.-----Original Message----- From: macvoiceover-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:macvoiceover- bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of william lomas Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 09:13 To: macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [macvoiceover] Re: iphone: Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired how accurate our cooking instructions for example if they are on the net? On Jun 24, 2010, at 4:59 PM, <Davey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Quick background note: Before we put thousands of hours into this product we looked at the wide range of UPC, EAN, and ISBN reading apps. Look ups were slow, unreliable and limited due to the app needing to go to dozens if not hundreds of sites to try to find the code. As of last check, we had consolidated over 7.1 million codes in our database. We've given special attention to getting the hard ones such as the wine industry, private small manufacturers and non-U.S. manufacturers with outlets in Australia, Asia,etc. > > We also had 40 or so blind iPhone users beta test the app over the course of a month in I think either 4 or 5 generations. Several of them compared this app to those available for free or cheap. The only reviewer who found that our wasn't superior was a fellow with a dedicated computer-based scanner with an investment cost much higher than the iPhone/Digit-Eyes combo. > > And, this product's capacity was why I stepped off the curb as a technology avoider and bought my iPhone. > > We're working on PodCast and YouTube demos this very instant. ETA on them is unknown but hopefully before we arrive at the NFB and ACB conventions in early July. > > Davey Hulse, marketing Leader > Digit-Eyes > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "william lomas" <lomaswilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 8:12 AM > Subject: [macvoiceover] Re: iphone: Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired > > > when we scan the barcode on say, a box of food, it goes on to the internet i believe and can grab cooking instructions etc > that's what I have found out > > > On Jun 24, 2010, at 4:10 PM, Buddy Brannan wrote: > >> Uh. What? >> -- >> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA >> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY >> >> >> >> On Jun 24, 2010, at 11:02 AM, william lomas wrote: >> >>> we don't need labels as when found barcode can get instructions if food off internet >>> >>> On Jun 24, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Buddy Brannan wrote: >>> >>>> Yes it is. >>>> http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/digit-eyes-audio-scanner- labeler/id376424490?mt=8 >>>> -- >>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA >>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Jun 24, 2010, at 9:37 AM, Joepaholski wrote: >>>> >>>>> Not in AppStore yet >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 24, 2010, at 4:09 AM, David Poehlman <david.poehlman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Digit-Eyes Audio Labeling System Advances Independence For Visually Impaired. >>>>>> >>>>>> DIGIT-EYES AUDIO LABELING SYSTEM ADVANCES INDEPENDENCE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED >>>>>> >>>>>> Digital Miracles, LLC, is pleased to announce a major advancement in assistive >>>>>> technology for people who are blind and visually impaired. The Digit-Eyes Audio >>>>>> Labeling System has been approved for sale on the Apple Apps Store. As of June >>>>>> 23rd, the millions of people worldwide with substantial vision loss can begin >>>>>> downloading the iPhone application to recognize and label the important items in >>>>>> their lives. >>>>>> >>>>>> Reasonably priced at $29.99, the Digit-Eyes phone app is a powerful tool that >>>>>> fits into any budget and life- style, turning challenging tasks into easy, safe >>>>>> activities. The Digit-Eyes system gives users a simple way to make custom labels >>>>>> for everyday items and it identifies packaged goods-joining advanced software >>>>>> with the iPhone, the Internet, home computers, printers, and inexpensive >>>>>> off-the-shelf labels. People of almost any visual ability can now put groceries >>>>>> away and grab the right prescription bottle independently. >>>>>> >>>>>> "This is the most exciting product I've worked on," says Nancy Miracle, >>>>>> president of Digital Miracles and software engineer with 40 years experience. >>>>>> "The limited functions and high cost of existing assistive devices just seemed >>>>>> wrong, so our objective was to develop a product that performed better than any >>>>>> comparable technology and offer it at about 10% of the price. Combining the need >>>>>> for identification with a natural, powerful and robust tool like the iPhone made >>>>>> the project irresistible." >>>>>> >>>>>> With Digit-Eyes, users can print custom text labels or record audio labels that >>>>>> they make by scanning specially coded labels and speaking into their phones. >>>>>> They attach the labels to household items, and the messages are played back >>>>>> whenever the codes are rescanned with their iPhones. This Digit- Eyes app can >>>>>> also scan manufacturer codes (UPC, EAN, ISBN) and say what's inside the package >>>>>> after checking the vast Digit-Eyes product database. Each iPhone stores over >>>>>> five hundred hours of information and can be used just about anywhere. >>>>>> >>>>>> "This product is amazing! By labeling leftovers with their contents and date >>>>>> refrigerated, I can determine if my dinner will be edible or not. Next, I'll be >>>>>> labeling my jungle of AC adapters so I'll never again have to guess what they >>>>>> all go to. The ease of use and flexibility of the process make it an invaluable >>>>>> tool!" >>>>>> Randy Builder, Seattle, Washington. >>>>>> >>>>>> The first public display of Digit-Eyes is at the National Federation of the >>>>>> Blind convention in Dallas, Texas, July 4 - 7, booth B113. The exhibit then >>>>>> moves to the American Council of the Blind convention July 10 - 15 in Phoenix, >>>>>> Arizona, booth #41. Attendees can experience the use and capability of the >>>>>> system with hands-on demonstrations. Details, explanations, and examples will be >>>>>> available at both conventions, or immediately on-line at www.DIGIT-EYES.com. >>>>>> >>>>>> Digital Miracles, LLC, the parent company of Digit-Eyes, is a Texas-based >>>>>> corporation that develops customized software solutions. The Digit-Eyes Audio >>>>>> Labeling System was created by a team of engineers, software designers and >>>>>> members of the visually impaired community. >>>>>> >>>>>> Source URL: >>>>>> http://www.lioncourt.com/2010/06/23/digit-eyes-audio-labeling- system-advances-independence-for-visually-impaired/ >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >>>>>>> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >>>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >>>>>>> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web >>>>>>> interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >>>>>> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >>>>>> >>>>>> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>>> >>>>>> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >>>>>> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>> with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web >>>>>> interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>>> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >>>>> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >>>>> >>>>> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>> >>>>> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >>>>> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web >>>>> interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>>> >>> >>>> >>>> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >>>> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >>>> >>>> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >>>> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>> >>>> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >>>> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web >>>> interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>>> >> >>> >>> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >>> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >>> >>> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >>> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>> >>> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >>> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web >>> interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >>> > >> >> Click on the link below to go to our homepage. >> http://www.icanworkthisthing.com >> >> Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below. >> //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover >> >> Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to >> macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> with 'subscribe' in the Subject 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