[Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Thu Nov 30 13:06:49 CST 2006

Even though I never used it, I have a memory of a feature that would let the
user take several shots and then play them as a continuous document.  Was it
in the "document reader" mode, taking many files in succession and then
reading the whole folder as a continuous unit?  I did read a small book a
page at a time, light reading, but it worked.
Tom Bickford

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chad F Allen" <cfallen at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list'"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

> I think that a batch mode would be a fine thing. I don't really understand
> the argument that the KNFB Reader should not work for reading a book. If
it
> can read mail, menus, and other loose-leaf paper, why can't it read a
book?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
> Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:31 PM
> To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
> Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
>
> I at least want the option. I designed a table with glass on top and a
> camera mount in the base. It has lights on it so you don't need a flash.
> I've been scanning books with a digital camera and then transfering the
> images to my pc for omnipage for 2 years. Even if you're in public and
> you have a 10 page document i'd much rather have scan batch than not. It
> would be so easy to put in. The user should decide if they want to use
> the option I'd rather be disapointed in something I could try than wish
> I could try it.
> Kevin
>
> David Andrews wrote:
> > I personally don't see the need, or at least little need for a batch
> > mode.  This device is not intended to be used to read long documents
> > like books, and I think people who do will be disappointed.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 06:44 PM 11/28/2006, you wrote:
> >> it's so basic though, you're already almost separating them when you
> >> change the camera battery.
> >> James was saying they're working on the next update.
> >> Something we reall yneed is a batch mode. If the knfb reader is ever to
> >> be efficient in scanning multi-page documents, we really need a scan in
> >> batch mode, every ocr program has it.
> >> I would also like to see a more automated way to update the units.
> >> Having to send the sd card back to the dealer is very time costly and
> >> inconvenient for many I would think? I'm sure some kind of registration
> >> could be figured out.
> >> hey I'll be hoping for the batch mode first; but wonder what some of
the
> >> rest of you think.
> >> Kevin
> >>
> >> Mike Freeman wrote:
> >>> I'd bet that would void the warranty.
> >>>
> >>> Mike
> >>>
> >>> On Tue, 28 Nov 2006, Kim Morrow wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> The thing is--if you're really sure of what you're doing,  then
> >> removing the
> >>>> camera and the PDA into separate entities is fine. . . but you
> >> have to have
> >>>> a fair amount of confidence that you can keep the unit functioning.
The
> >>>> manual doesn't recommend doing this. Then again--if you can do
> >> it with great
> >>>> results, more power to you!
> >>>>
> >>>> Kimberly
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
> >>>> [mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 6:43 AM
> >>>> To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
> >>>>
> >>>> ye I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a family that rich either.
> >>>> The reason why you would want to use a  tripod, to use the reader on
a
> >>>> large say 100 page or more document. The problem is because of the
pda
> >>>> attached, it won't fit on a tripod.
> >>>> I actually have a special cable made so i can remove the camera from
> the
> >>>> case and connect the cable between the camera and the reader case so
> >>>> that I can use tripods. Cable is new so I haven't played too much
yet.
> >>>> Kevin
> >>>>
> >>>> Lewis, Graham wrote:
> >>>>> [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
> >>>>> Wow you have rich and or generous friends!  Please introduce me to
> them!
> >>>>>
> >>>>> When it was working, I was getting quite amazing resultseven at
angles
> of
> >>>> around 10 to 12 percent off the virtical.  It struggles with low text
> to
> >>>> backgprund contrast such as grey text or coloured text on colured
> >>>> backgprunds but then a desktop scanner would too.
> >>>>> I did notice that the camera seems to have a screw nounting on the
> bottom
> >>>> which might be useful as the device could be attached to the bottom
on
> a
> >>>> camera tripod.  Not sure why I would do that rather than use my
dektop
> >>>> scanner but just a thought.
> >>>>> Graham Lewis
> >>>>> Centre for Academic Practice
> >>>>> University of Warwick
> >>>>> University House
> >>>>> Kirby Corner Road
> >>>>> Coventry CV4 8UW
> >>>>> UK
> >>>>> Email: mailto:graham.lewis at warwick.ac.uk graham.lewis at warwick.ac.uk
> >>>>> Tel.: (+44) (0) 24 765 72737
> >>>>> Mobile: 07703100401
> >>>>> Fax.: (+44) (0) 24 765 72736
> >>>>> Blog: http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/glewis/
> >>>> http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/glewis/
> >>>>> From:
> >>>>> reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org on behalf of Kim Morrow
> >>>>> Sent:
> >>>>> Tue 28/11/2006 08:20
> >>>>> To:
> >>>>> reader-users at nfbnet.org
> >>>>> 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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