Reading machine

Reading systems, often called reading devices or readers are used by blind and visually impaired people highly to have it read printed text. The to-read documents are scanned, processed by a text recognition software and then reproduced by the speech output. In this way, in addition to books and magazines also bank statements, invoices and other documents can be read.

Reading systems are available as open or closed systems. Closed reading systems contain all the components from the scanner to the speech output. They are mainly used in the private sector and are often tailored to the needs of older people.

Common to modern work is the use of open reading systems that are installed on a personal computer. Printed texts can not only be read and stored, they can also be further processed.

Reading systems for different usage situations

Closed Systems

For users who do not need a computer for their work, ranging from closed reading systems. Some devices allow you to store and manage the scanned texts.

The components

Closed systems contain common flatbed scanner, such as Epson and Canon, can be placed on the individual sheets. For some reading systems, the scanner is not integrated, but is next to it. This facilitates the exchange, but requires more space. To identify the scanned characters a so-called OCR software is being used. Although in reading systems usually standard products are integrated, the accuracy of text recognition from device to device is quite different. Closed systems are usually equipped with a particularly articulate, " human " voice output.

Operation

For many users of closed systems, the ease of use of the device is crucial. Usually, a special keyboard is integrated with a few buttons, which is similar to use as a tape recorder. For users with fine motor problems large buttons are available in a special, tactile well with distinctive shapes. However, this simplified keyboards are not sufficient to perform more complex tasks, such as managing a document archive. Usually accompanied a voice output to the user through all the processes and steps.

Open systems

At workplaces open reading systems are usually used. By connecting to the PC, the scanned documents can be stored and processed with conventional word processors. It is controlled via the computer keyboard.

The components

Open systems consist of the components PC, scanner, text recognition software and speech output. Earns you a coordinated system, the provider ensures the compatibility of the individual components. However, the components can be assembled individually. Then you should make yourself knowledgeable, what ingredients can be combined.

Text -recognition software

For the detection of the scanned characters the OCR software is responsible. The user can choose between a commercial and a specially developed software for the blind:

• Commercial Software: If you have installed on the PC screen reader and voice output, can with a commercial OCR software, such as FineReader or OmniPage to work. However, its user interface is not set up to meet the needs of blind users. The operation more difficult.

• Specially developed for blind users, scanning software: This software includes not only the text recognition and speech output. It reads not only the scanned text, but also informs the user during the scanning process of the individual working steps. In addition to the comfortable user interface has its own library management, in which the documents can be stored, and often its own simple word processing.