[Reader-users] KNFB Reader and the Deaf-Blind

Tue Nov 21 14:23:36 CST 2006

Hi Pete, 

	No the KNFB reader does not suppotrt an interface to Braille devices
at this time. Also you had asked earlier about DBS in Texas purchasing the
reader. So far it has not made their approved products list. I am working on
this. I do believe that if someone needs the device for a specific reason it
will get purchased. 

Tommy

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:18 PM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: [Reader-users] KNFB Reader and the Deaf-Blind

Hello Jim and listers,

    Another question I have is whether or not the reader can be interfaced
with a device such as the Packmate, the Braillenote, or other Braille
displays to permit deaf-blind persons to use this device. I heard that it
didn't at the time of launch and would appreciate an update on this
situation. Best wishes to everyone for a happy Thanksgiving.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gashel, James" <JGashel at nfb.org>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] knfb reader hardware

Hi Kevin and all:

Levels of advancement have certainly been discussed.  At this point we
are very much focused on making the Reader as responsive to reading
needs as we can make it.  All of our development effort is going in that
direction.  Other things that are not central to that mission are
possible but not as priorities.  I am pretty sure many more functions
will emerge as this technology develops further in the next few years.
Remember that the product was only launched five months ago, so we have
a lot to do to support this initial role-out.  Our "to-do" list is very
long, and I thank you very much for adding to it.  Your hopes are
definitely being heard.  I was only trying to explain the constraints we
are under in doing lots of things all at once.  Our first priority is
the reader functions, which we will continue to develop with as much
talent as we can muster.

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:44 AM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] knfb reader hardware

Could we have a simple mode and an advanced mode. Not everyone needs
things simple. I often feel keeping things as simple as possible in the
end just hold us back. Because th pda is already a full pda why not make
it usable to those who would like to use it, it wouldn't make th ereader
any less a reader.
Kevin

Gashel, James wrote:
> Hi Kevin and all:
>
> Thank you for your comments and suggestions about expanding
> functionality of the Reader.  Although the camera and PDA we use in
> the Reader are separate, off the shelf components, each of these
> components was chosen because of its unique qualities to perform the
> functions of this particular product.  They were not chosen because of

> their excellent qualities as either a digital camera or a PDA or for
> any other reason whatsoever.  The goal we set out to achieve from the
> very beginning was to create a reading device and develop it to
> perform as many reading functions as possible.
>
> As you probably know, we conducted an extensive beta test prior to
> releasing the Reader for sale.  The question of enabling certain PDA
> functions was definitely discussed by participants across the country.
> Nothing is cast in stone on this, but the prevailing view has been
> that we should remain true to the original mission of creating and
> developing the reading machine, rather than devoting development
> effort to expand functionality of this device to do things already
> achievable by other technology.
>
> While it is certainly true that we are using a digital camera as part
> of the Reader, we are not using the camera to perform the typical
> function of taking pictures of objects.  In fact, we are using the
> camera in its remote mode and not in its normal picture taking mode.
> Likewise, we are only using the PDA to perform the function of a
> computer needed to run the software for the Reader.  We are not using
> the PDA as a PDA.  Your comments about a combination product are
> helpful, but this explains our current thinking.
>
> Also, we are sensitive to the concerns of some that this product needs

> to be as simple and straight forward as it possibly can be.  Adding
> new features and functionality is definitely desireable, but this will

> also add more complexity.  For example, we are presently working on
> changes to add new features, but these are aimed at reading different
> kinds of printed things which the Reader does not now read.  This
> responds to the prevailing demand and our mission to continue to
> develop this product as a reader first, rather than letting our focus
> drift into creating a multifunctional information device.
>
> Thanks, J. G.
>
> ******************************************
>
> James Gashel
> Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives NATIONAL FEDERATION OF
> THE BLIND 1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, Maryland  21230
> Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227
> Fax:  (410) 685-5653
> Email:  jgashel at nfb.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 9:13 PM
> To: reader-users at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Reader-users] knfb reader hardware
>
> Someone wrote on this list they talked to tech support about what the
> reader was made of, wonder what they learned. Here's what I learned,
> and I have the newer version of the hardware. The camera is a canon
> powershot sd20. It sells for about $250 has auto focus but no zoom, 5
> mega-pixels.
> The pda for th ereader is the loox 560n from Fujitsu-siemens, a very
> nice pocket pc. The pcocessor runs at 624mhz which is the fastest
> processor for a pocket pc to date. The ppc also has built-in gps, too
> bad we can't use it. They picked this model because out of all the
> pocket pcs only those by Fujitsu have usb host, all the rest only have

> usb client. The other interesting thing is Fujitsu doesn't even sell
> any of their pocket pc line in north America, you can only buy them in

> Europe and Asia.
>   The ppc sells for about $700. I would love if the knfb reader could
> co-exist with a screen reader like mobile speak pocket, so you could
> both use the pda, and use th ereader even if that decision was made
> during a soft reset.
> Kevin
> _______________________________________________
> Reader-users mailing list
> Reader-users at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
> _______________________________________________
> Reader-users mailing list
> Reader-users at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
_______________________________________________
Reader-users mailing list
Reader-users at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
_______________________________________________
Reader-users mailing list
Reader-users at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users

_______________________________________________
Reader-users mailing list
Reader-users at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users