[Reader-users] knfb reader hardware

[Peter Donahue]

Hello Kevin and listers,

    I believe that bar codes are stamped on the top or bottom of cans
insuring that the entire surface is flat instead of round. Does anyone know
if when these codes are read by a barcode reader if one just gets the
product name, or can you also access preparation and use directions, and
whatever else is normally included on the can label?

 Another possible feature for a future version of the reader is the ability
to read microchips implanted in your pet. Like the dog scale LCD this could
have applications for one who works in an animal care facility where these
chips must be read regularly, or who travels internationally with a guide
dog to countries where microchip implantation is required for the dog to
enter the state or country.Australia, Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore,
and the United Kingdom are examples of such countries. All documentation you
bring with you must contain the dog's microchip number which must be read by
animal clearance personnel when you arrive in these places. Not all chip
readers can read all microchips use throughout the World. Some countries
such as the UK tell you that if there is any possibility that your dog's
microchip cannot be read by their readers you must bring your own so they
can scan the chip to check the number against the paperwork you present them
to be sure it matches so your dog can be cleared for entry in to these
countries. These readers cost several hundred dollars. Perhaps a way can be
found to add the ability to read barcodes and microchips to the reader to
permit this information to be obtained independently by a blind person.

    How about the possibility of blind people being employed as animal
clearance personnel or in animal shelters and in livestock facilities where
microchips must be read regularly. If these capabilities were added to the
reader the same device could be used to obtain the dog's microchip number,
and allow the blind ACO to check the dog owner's paperwork against it or to
independently obtain information to keep an animals records up to date. It
sounds like some of these development costs would be worth it if we could
end up both adding new functionallity to the reader, and creating new
employment opportunities for blind people. Could an add-in, or modular
approach be explored to allow one to add specific capabilities to the reader
when needed to keep the machine simple to use, and to keep costs down? This
is just more food for thought. Now to make that stuffing and to bake that
pie.

Peter Donahue



 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Jones" <kevin at kevinrj.net>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 7:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] knfb reader hardware


the problem with reading cans is they are round, your normal camera lens
can only see about 15% of a round object with the diemeter of a normal can.

Kathy Davis wrote:
> Dear Susie,
>
> I couldn't agree with you more!  If the reader can be adapted to read the
> labels on cans and on frozen foods that would be a huge step forward.
>
> Kathy Davis
>
> _______________________________________________
> Reader-users mailing list
> Reader-users at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
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