One handed Optacon
- From: "Paul Rozario" <pekak62@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 16:46:55 +1000
Swe-tech was developing its C-pen as a portable scanning device you used
one-handed to scan over text - much like the Optacon camera. Oringinally
the idea was to have a voice output for real time language translation.
very exciting as it could be adapted to ocr with a voice output. This was
the intention of swe-tech - Cate did speak with the reps in Australia. But
alas it looks like the logistics and the state of the art have defeated this
very noble idea at this time. The swe-tech pen is now no more than a
portable scanner which will then download scanned material to your PC. Yes
it still is a pen size but alas this is all it does - scan for later
reference.
The state of the art does not allow the miniaturisation of the scanning
device and the LSI which would have the OCR software AND voice output
hardwired/hard coded. maybe in a hundred years time the c-pen as originally
envisoned will be realised.
As the spouse of a committed optacon user, I can see the need for smaller,
quieter machines, with a wireless camera, and maybe even with a voice
output. But when you are reading at 100-120 words a minute (which Cate does
regulalry) - the voice would sound like the Chipmunks on speed.
The tactile array, although tiring, is probably still the way to go, as the
finger can be trained to recognise words/phrases much like sited people read
(so Cate tells me).
So a new optacon - could be lighter - using robust plastics. LSI would mean
a smaller unit with lower power consumption too. Newer batteries such as
Li-ion and polymer batteries will also mean smaller and fewer problems with
the frequency of battery replacement.
Wi-fi/bluetooth technology will mean a wireless camera too (albeit at a
price - the camera too will need a battery - that could bre recharged whence
it on the cradle).
my 2 cents worth to a very necessary debate.
Paul Rozario
Melbourne
Australia
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