[Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

[Gashel, James]

Hi Kim:

One thought is that you may be tilting the Reader slightly.  You achieve
best results if the reader is held level over the target.  It doesn't
matter too much if the reader is oriented at an angle, but tilt, having
one side higher or lower than the other, will affect the quality.  

One way to determine if you are tilting is to have someone observe your
alignment.  Listening for the value given before the text reading begins
is another.  The value I am refering to is the camera orientation
relative to the page.  You can only hear this value by taking the
picture and listening to the result.  If the camera orientation relative
to the page is consistently a high number, like 10 degrees or more, this
would be an indication to me that your pictures are not lined up very
well.  The high number can be produced by the reader being level but
rotated relative to the page, or it will result from the reader being
rotated slightly and tilted.  In the first instance, the quality is
often not impaired too much as a result of level rotation.  Both tilt
and rotation will seriously diminish the quality.  You should practice
taking pictures quite a bit with the goal of getting the orientation
value down to a very low number.  Zero, when you are shooting at an 8
and a half by 11 sheet of paper is perfect.  You should work to get the
orientation value consistently as low as you can get it.  If you do
this, I am confident you will notice an improved result.  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kim Morrow
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:49 AM
To: 'Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list'
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Cindy,

I've tried all of these suggestions, including checking to make sure the
camera view is on and the resolution is set to high--but still with
inconsistent results. There must be something else in this equation I'm
not quite getting just yet.

Kimberly


-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Handel
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:58 AM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Kimberly,

I think Jan's comments about fussing too much with the placement of the
reader are correct.  If you hold the reader above the page, about 16
inches,

as the manual suggests, and don't worry a whole lot about the placement
(just try to hold it pretty much center), you should get a good picture.

Also, be sure that the settings have the camera flash always on, and
resolution high.  Some people have found it helpful to place the camera
flat

on the page and then lift straight up to the 16 inch height, and then
snap the picture.You shouldn't have to worry, much about your
surroundings when taking a picture.

Cindy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim Morrow" <morrowmediakc at yahoo.com>
To: <reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 3:20 AM
Subject: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions


            A few days ago, I had the honor and privilege of receiving a
KNFB Reader as a gift. Since that time, I have logged in quite a number
of
hours reading the manuals cover to cover and experimenting with the
device.
While the KNFB Reader appears to be a marvelous tool, I am experiencing
challenges in taking consistently effective pictures of material that
would
render the material legible. I'm quite confident that such is the case
with
many a new KNFB Reader user, expecially those who, like me, are totally
blind from birth and have thus not experienced the opportunity to learn
about conditions that make for optimal picture-taking environments.



Here is the greatest challenge I am currently experiencing: No matter
how
clear the text I am attempting to scan may be, I am discovering that
there
is little consistency in how the scan will turn out. I have attempted to
always orient myself from the same portion of the page, e.g. always from
the
upper righthand or lefthand corner or always from the middle), with very
mixed results ranging from an almost perfect scan to totally illegible.
I
have attempted to cover one side of a text-filled book (containing no
pictures), with a white sheet of typing paper, so that I am sure the
correct
side of a page is read. I have asked sighted friends to assist me in
minimizing glare and to assist in the location of optimal scanning
environments e.g. surrounding surfaces that are not too dark,
Etc.)-still
with extremely mixed results.



My question, then: What are some rules of the road not listed in the
manuals
that might make the scanning experience for a first-time user more
consistent and effective? My expectations for the capabilities of this
device are much higher than what I have thus far been able to achieve,
since
I am attempting to scan texts with no pictures with very standard print.
If
I were attempting to scan CD covers or cereal boxes, I believe my
expectations for excellence would be quite out of line.



Are there any consistent guidelines I can follow beyond those listed in
the
manual in terms of taking effective pictures of material?



Sincerely,



Kimberly Morrow



morrowmediakc at yahoo.com






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