USES OF THE OPTACON
The contributors to this list are from persons who have used, or are
currently using the Optacon in daily life, and are regular contributors to
the Optacon mailing list.
Developers on this list envision a next generation device, that will, along
with current OCR technology, further enhance the quality of life for blind
persons, enabling the blind to live the life they want with greater
independence. The new tactile device may be smaller, less expensive, could
possibly have the ability to store data downloaded from the computer, and
also allow the user to read the actual computer screen, as a sighted person
would. Approximately three times the amount of tactuators may fit into the
display, allowing the user to view a sharper, crisper raised image of what
the camera is scanning. For more information, go to
//www.freelists.org/archive/optacon-l/ ;
For now, below is a list of some of the most common tasks performed by the
user of an Optacon, and are tasks that current OCR technology has difficulty
in performing.
1. Ability to read printed material with less than sharp contrasts or
intricate color schemes and shading difficult for current apps and cameras
to decipher. This could include "hollow" letters.
2. Ability to read print in non-standard layout, such as in a curved line
of a post-office date stamp or on a CD or DVD.
3. Ability to read cursive.
4. Ability to read round items such as bottles and cans.
5. Accurate reading of graphs, charts, tables, data sheets with
coordinates, flow charts, and schematics.
6. Ability to read embedded text among images, or graphical print..
7. Ability to view font styles for the purpose of creating attractive
layouts that can also be checked for proofing.
8. Ability to read label and tags with print too small for an app and
camera, or otherwise positioned in spots where a camera cannot reach, such
as labels on power supplies and price tags, or other stickers.
9. As with braille, the ability to skim a print book for the proper page
number, skim down a printed page to find the right paragraph, or down a
column of items to find the desired item.
10. Ability to view document arrangement and placement on a page.
11. Ability to quickly make sure ink and toner cartridges have not run out,
by making sure documents are printing.
12. Ability to Read text on colored paper, in shaded boxes, and on red HICF
forms that current scanning software cannot handle.
13. Ability to read computer screens when screen reader has gone silent, or
is not available.
14. Ability to read many appliance displays, and text on a tv screen, and
for the fun of it, detect movement on the screen.
15. An accessory can allow the blind person to use the computer mouse.
16. An accessory is also available for those who still use a typewriter, in
order to fill out printed hard-copy forms.
17. Ability to read dials and gauges.
18. Faster than a camera for spot reading, such as checking mail, sorting
brochures, page numbers, etc.
19. Ability to locate signature or date line so it can be marked and filled
out without sighted assistance.
20. Checking ink date stamps that an app and camera cannot handle.
21. Ability to read buttons and dials on a newly-acquired device, enabling
the blind person to familiarize themselves to that device without sighted
assistance.
22. Ability to read controls on home appliances for marking without sighted
assistance.
23. Ability to read musical scores for proofing, and the accompanying
words, without use of specialized software or sighted assistance.
24. Ability to Read mathematical drawings and symbols, where the layout has
a particular meaning, such as in multi-line expressions.
25. Ability to recognize logos and icons.
26. Ability to read some engraved text on textiles, such as plastics and
metals.
27. Ability to read a cell phone screen, should speech go silent.
28. The ability to recognize and distinguish features in a picture.
29. Ability to read foreign language characters, such as Japanese,
Chinese, or Cyrillic characters.
30. Ability to identify paper currency.
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www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
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