[Reader-users] A family of readers?

[Loren Wakefield]

I still wish there was a device that could read the dates on products.  As a 
vendor, it is a problem that I deal with on a daily basis, and sighted help 
is not always available.

Having said this, being able to read material in the hotel room, or finding 
a book and wanting to know what it is, or a myriad of other on-the-spot 
demands and curiosities that the reader handles is really a cool and awesome 
thing.  I also am looking forward to see what other advances come with this 
and other great innovations come out of the Jernigan Institue.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list" 
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 10:13 AM
Subject: [Reader-users] A family of readers?


>
> Good morning everyone,
>
>    I've been reading the messages concerning desired features of the KNFB
> Reader and the concern that the machine should be as simple to use as
> possible. While I appreciate the idea that simplicity should be the name 
> of
> the game there are those with specialized living and work situations who
> need particular types of print to be read on a regular basis. I understand
> that the objective was not to invent a Swiss Army Knife but to create a
> portable reader that is easy to use and low maintenance. Perhaps
> consideration could be given to introducing a, "Family" of KNFB Readers 
> for
> use in specific situations. For example a machine with a built-in Braille
> Display for the deaf-blind although being able to interface the reader 
> with
> a PC or a portable notetaker makes more sence. Perhaps a, "Delux" model
> could be developed that includes a bar code reader for labels on cans, or
> the ability to read digital read-outs.
>
>    We heard that in the future one will be able to enter a room and take a
> picture and know where objects and people are in the room. This could be a
> useful feature to some, but others would consider it an unnecessary add-on
> that will only jack up the price and the amount of required tech support
> needed to keep the unit working. Perhaps several units could be offered to
> satisfy a wide variety of needs. For those just wanting a reader the 
> current
> unit should suffice, but for those wanting the ability to read print from
> specialized devices and such a unit should be made available to meet those
> needs. This is similar to what NLS, and a number of the technology vendors
> have done with CC TVS and digital playback devices. Anyway just my two
> cents. Now I'm back up a tree to finish stringing our Christmas Lights.
>
> Peter Donahyue who won't need a KNFB Reader to tell him the colors of the
> bulbs in the light strings.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Reader-users mailing list
> Reader-users at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
>