Devices

Electronic Reading Devices

An electronic reading system is comprised of two main parts: input and output. The input component is made up of an image scanner and optical character recognition (OCR) software. Output is mainly auditory but may also be tactual, enhanced visual or some combination of these modalities.

The image scanner, OCR software and output system can be purchased as separate components to be used on or linked to a PC or as an integrated stand-alone system.

There have been considerable advances in optical character recognition in recent years, and the trend is likely to continue; the accuracy and functionality of devices is improving.

This section does not cover closed circuit television reading aids since they are described in a separate section.

Table comparing products and prices

American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue, PO Box 6085, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, USA.
Tel: +1 502 895 2405
Fax: +1 502 899 2274
Email: info@aph.org
Web: www.aph.org/

Book Wizard Reader
Software that lets you read Digital Talking Books. Supports all Digital Talking Book formats including Daisy 2 books and Daisy 3 books. Requires: 300 MHz PC compatible computer running at least Windows® 98 or Windows 2000 or later. 96 MB RAM. 20 MB disk space for software and an additional 700 MB for high-quality speech. Internet Explorer® 4.01 or later. Sound card and speakers and a CD-ROM drive.
Ref: D-03531-00
Price: $49.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

BAUM Retec AG
Schloss Langenzell, D-69257 Wiesenbach, Germany.
Tel: +49 6223 49090
Fax: + 49 6223 490999
Email: info@baum.de
Web: www.baum.de

POET Compact
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The Poet Compact Reading Machine is a voice output stand alone reading machine consisting of a flat-bed scanner and a Pentium computer configured with a text recognition program, all contained in an elegant case with a few keys on the front. Besides the on-off switch, there are only five keys and two rotary knobs, which are large and have tactile markings. The menu is spoken. The machine automatically recognizes the orientation of documents placed on the scanner glass, scans the document, converts the picture into natural sounding spoken language, and reads it aloud. It can read at slow, normal, or fast speeds without change in pitch. This reading machine also supports Braille output. The built-in hard disk has sufficient memory capacity to save more than 500,000 pages. Saved documents are named by speaking into an integrated microphone.
Length: 490mm Width: 325mm Height: 85mm
Weight: 6.7kg
Last updated: 19/12/2007

Dolphin Computer Access Ltd
Technology House, Blackpole Estate West, Worcester WR3 8TJ, UK.
Tel: +44 1905 754 577 ext 235
Fax: +44 1905 754 559
Email: info@dolphinuk.co.uk
Web: www.YourDolphin.com

Cicero Text Reader Software
Cicero effectively takes a computer and scanner and turns them into a reading machine. Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and can then be translated into speech, braille or simply held as a text document which can be adjusted, saved, edited and printed out. Cicero starts talking automatically as soon as the page scan is complete. It is fast, accurate, and easy to use and includes context sensitive help. Start and stop speech instantly with a key press, or browse through a document using the cursor keys. For those with low vision, Cicero allows the user to view their document on screen in large print. User can also choose high contrast colours and select their preferred font. Cicero also supports refreshable braille displays, so that the user can scan their printed correspondence and read it directly in braille. Scanned text can also be exported directly to a braille translation program for the production of embossed Braille documents. Minimum system requirements: Windows 98, NT v 4.0 (SP 6), 2000, XP; Microsoft Internet Explorer v5 or later; Intel P2 400 Mhz equivalent or higher; 50MB free hard disk space, 128 MB Memory or higher; PCI or AGP graphics card (Windows Hardware Compatibility List approved); Sound Blaster compatible sound card; Twain compatible scanner.
Price: £346.62 inc. VAT
Last updated: 19/12/2007

EasyReader
The arrival of Digital talking books mean people with visual and print impairments can enjoy a multimedia learning environment. Through a combination of text, audio and images, learning can be immensely enriched. Key benefits include: Enjoy Digital talking books on your PC, without the need for a special hardware player. View the text, highlighted as it reads aloud, a useful tool when learning to read. Alter the colours, fonts, text size and layout of the book to suit you. Mouse or keyboard operation with the option to announce button functions. Attractive user interface with compact tool bar option. Plays various talking books; DAISY, Niso, eBooks and Bookshare books.
Price: £30.00 (includes full product and 1 user licence)
Last updated: 31/05/2007

Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North, St Petersburg, Florida 33716 1805, USA.
Tel: +1 727 803 8000
Fax: +1 727 803 8001
Email: info@freedomscientific.com
Web: www.freedomscientific.com

OPENBook 7.0
OpenBook™ allows you to convert printed documents or graphic based text into an electronic text format using optical character recognition and speech. OpenBook's tools allow you to customize how the document appears on the screen, while other features provide portability. OpenBook provides the flexibility to use either of the two leading text to speech software synthesizers: RealSpeak and ViaVoice. RealSpeak features a natural, human-sounding voice that can help enhance your reading experience. ViaVoice provides practical and efficient speech for editing or skimming documents. OpenBook also supports most hardware speech synthesizers. Other new features in OpenBook include a fax utility, copy function, and online book search.
Price: $995.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

SARA
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The SARA™ (Scanning and Reading Appliance) is an easy-to-use solution for reading a wide variety of printed material including books, mail, newspapers and magazines. SARA uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to scan text and then read it aloud in crisp, clear speech in a variety of voices and languages. SARA automatically stores and remembers the contents of hundreds of thousands of scanned pages and can be used right out of the box, with no training or experience. The low vision user also can attach the SARA to a computer monitor, providing colorful, large print access to complement speech. This feature even allows the low vision user to change the print type style, color, size, and spacing to fit individual needs. SARA now plays the audio elements of DAISY formatted Digital Talking Books, and comes with a starter library of popular classic literature.
Price: $2795.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

HumanWare
11 Mary Muller Drive, PO Box 3044, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 3 384 4555
Fax: +64 3 384 4933
Email: nz.info@humanware.com
Web: www.humanware.com

ClassMate Reader
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This portable digital audio book player helps students increase their reading speed, comprehension and vocabulary. The ClassMate reads aloud and simultaneously displays and highlights text on its full color screen. Its interface can be configured to the user’s specific needs. It also includes study tools to enhance learning such as bookmarks, recording, highlighting function and a speaking dictionary. With built-in text-to-speech, it works with e-text or NIMAS files. Its full-colour screen can be configured to change font type, text size, colour, line spacing, etc. The user can adjust text scrolling speed and move text to view above or below the passage read. Other features include: Synchronized text and audio; Text or Voice Notes: allows to take personal notes within the text to complement comprehension; Speaking Dictionary: instant access to more than 25,000 words. Provides spelling, pronunciation and meaning; Create personalized tests in text format to accommodate students during exam periods; Plays DAISY 2.x, DAISY NISO, MP3, NIMAS, Txt, HTML, XML; Playback through stereo headphones or built-in speaker; Connectable to external thumb drives-USB drives; USB 2.0 port to connect to PC as Windows USB drive; Replaceable rechargeable battery (7 hours playtime); Built-in battery charger - can be played while recharging and built-in stand - for hands-free listening.
Length: 154mm Width: 89mm Depth: 24mm
Weight: 0.3kg
Price: $439.00 (U.S. only). Available internationally from early 2008.
Last updated: 08/01/2008

ScannaR
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A flat bed scanner that will scan any document and read it back in seconds. It does not need to be connected to a PC as it has its own hard drive with room for up to 500,000 pages. To add filenames to saved documents use the built-in microphone. Speed and volume of speech controlled by an easy to use dial. Choose from a variety of languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish. Includes BrailleNote and VoiceNote direct connect.
Length: 483mm Width: 330mm
Weight: 6.8kg
Price: £1695.00
Last updated: 18/10/2007

JBliss Low Vision Systems
PO Box 7382, Menlo Park, California 94026, USA.
Tel: +1 650 940 4115 (888 452 5477 Toll free USA)
Fax: +1 650 903 4136
Email: info@jbliss.com
Web: www.jbliss.com

ezVIP
ezVIP software is adjustable for optimal viewing with your specific visual impairment. Once configured, ezVIP operation is performed with four large buttons on a trackball mouse. The interface quickly enables you to learn to read and listen to printed documents, magazines, and books with less effort and more efficiency. ezVIP scans and automatically converts text into the type font, letter size, letter spacing, colors, format, and presentation that suits your low vision needs. Reading views include: Word Wrap fills the screen with text; RSVP displays one word at a time; Marquee smoothly scrolls a single line across the screen; Image View shows you the original page and a magnified line of text scrolling beneath it; Page View is an enlarged image of the page; Hear the text spoken in any of nine different voices. The speech (available only in Word Wrap and RSVP Views) may be turned on or off at will. Magnify images (colour pictures, handwriting, etc.) and store them in an album for future viewing.
Price: $195.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

VIP
VIP software offers all the features of ezVip plus: Read Books on CD (an electronic library of over 600 books have been stored and indexed on a single CD). Scanning as many pages as desired before viewing allows you to read them later at your convenience. Pages can always be bookmarked for easy retrieval. Templates customize scanned areas on a page. For example, only display the portions of interest of recurrent transaction or billing summaries.
Price: $295.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc.
15 Walnut Street, Suite 200, Wellesley hills, Massachusetts 02481 , USA.
Tel: +1 877 547 1500
Web: www.knfbreader.com

K-NFB Reader
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This personal reader is a handheld device that scans print and reads it back. Combining a digital camera with a personal data assistant housed in a custom-designed case, the Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blind Reader puts character recognition software together with text-to-speech conversion technology, all in the palm of your hand. Hold the Reader’s camera over print - a restaurant menu, directions, or a memo from your boss - and snap a picture. In seconds the contents of the printed document are reported back in clear synthetic speech. Scan, read, and discard pages; store them for later reading; or transfer to a computer or Braille-aware PDA. The Reader also has a headphone jack. Camera resolution is 5.0 Mega Pixels, 1 GB SD card, 6 hours battery life and operates on Windows Mobile 5.0.
Length: 139mm Width: 76mm Height: 57mm
Weight: 0.36kg
Last updated: 21/08/2007

Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc
14 Crosby Drive, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1402, USA.
Tel: +1 781 276 0600; 800 894 5374 (USA and Canada only)
Fax: +1 781 276 0650
Email: info@kurzweiledu.com
Web: www.kurzweiledu.com

Kurzweil 1000
Kurzweil 1000 software that makes printed or electronic text readily available to people who are blind or visually impaired. It combines accessibility, communication and productivity tools to ease and enhance their reading, writing and learning experience. The software speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified to suit individual preferences. In addition, it provides users with document creation and editing as well as study skills capabilities for note taking, summarizing and outlining text. Kurzweil 1000 delivers quick access to a wealth of information including online books, magazines and encyclopedias so users can pursue any reading interests. They can also take their reading wherever they go by sending files to Braille note takers and embossers as well as portable devices such as DAISY and MP3 audio players.
Price: $995.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is reading, writing and learning software for struggling students. Addresses language and literacy difficulties including learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. Kurzweil 3000 uses a multi-sensory approach presenting printed or electronic text on the computer screen with added visual and audible enhancements. The product incorporates a host of features including powerful decoding, study skills, and test taking tools designed to adapt to each individual's learning style and to promote active learning. Available for Macintosh and Windows.
Price: $395.00 - $2695.00
Last updated: 20/12/2007

Micro Marvellous
8 Ovens Street, Box Hill North, Victoria 3129, Australia.
Tel: +61 3 9890 9383
Fax: +61 3 9897 1768
Email: gaethjo@micromarvellous.com.au
Web: www.micromarvellous.com.au

Display Reader
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Enables access to displays on selected equipment without direct connection. Consists of a camera which acquires an image of the display. The numbers on the image are then recognised using a microprocessor, and spoken. Examples of compatible equipment: MediSense SofTact blood glucose meter, Baxter HomeChoice Pro Peritoneal Dialysis Unit.
Price: from A$1750.00, contact manufacturer.
Last updated: 20/12/2007

Neovision s.r.o.
Barrandova 409, 143 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic.
Tel: +420 225 273 650
Fax: +420 225 273 680
Email: neovision@neovision.cz
Web: www.neovision.cz

OBR (Optical Braille Recognition) 3.7
OBR is a Windows software that allows the user to "read" single and double sided Braille document at a standard scanner. The retrieved information can be used in all types of Windows applications. Two sides of a Braille-sheet can be processed in a single scan. Pressing the SCAN icon, starts the process of scanning. After less than thirty seconds the information is presented on the screen. Continue to scan the next page or start to use the information. The Braille information in a small letter or a complete Braille book can be retrieved into computer form in the same way. The OBR application is available in two versions - Standard and Extended. The difference is in size of the supported scanner bed. The Standard version only scans A4 and the Extended version scans A3 and larger. Requires: Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, XP, and a compatible scanner or embosser.
Ref: OBR
Price: €895.00 (OBR 3.7 Standard version)

Ref: A3 Pack
Price: €295.00 (A3 scanning Extension Pack)

Ref: OBR Extended
Price: €1,095.00 (OBR 3.7 Extended version)
Last updated: 20/12/2007

Optelec Tieman Group
Breslau 4, 2993 LT Barendrecht, The Netherlands.
Tel: +31 88 678 3444
Fax: +31 88 678 3400
Email: info@optelec.nl
Web: www.optelec.com

CleaReader
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Easy to use reading machine with an adjustable cover so that thick books can be scanned and read. At least 200,000 A4 pages can be stored. Options include: saving files to an MP3 player or memory stick, and identify everyday items using the 'label and scan' feature. Features English language, other languages available on request: French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish, Danish.
Depth: 370mm Width: 430mm Height: 90mm
Weight: 5.6kg
Price: £1,695.00
Last updated: 08/01/2008

Portset Systems Ltd
Shield House, Brook Street, Bishops Waltham, Southampton SO32 1AX, UK.
Tel: +44 1489 893919
Fax: +44 1489 893320
Email: admin@portset.co.uk
Web: www.portset.co.uk

Portset Reader
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Compact, table model personal document reader with a 12-key keypad. Features include: British English speech incorporating both a male and female voice; read line by line, word by word or spell; documents that are read can be saved in the internal store or saved to a diskette; integral loudspeaker and headphone supplied; manual volume control; voiced information that guides the user through all the functions and controls.
Length: 470mm Width: 260mm Height: 120mm
Weight: 6kg
Price: £1,499.00 excluding VAT & delivery
Last updated: 08/01/2008

Portset Scan and Read Software
The Portset Scan and Read application is completely independent of any screen reader. Provides all commands and instructions as well as document reading with it's own voice. There is the added advantage of a large font display with highlighting during speaking to assist partially sighted users. The user can control the colours of both the foreground text and the display background. Page orientation is not important as the software will automatically adjust the scanned image for the correct reading. Navigation of the document is easy and provides for spoken sentences, words or the spelling of words. Document saving and retrieval is incorporated using a time and date stamp together with the first words of he scanned document. Saving and retrieval can be either to or from the system hard drive or to a floppy disk. The voice speed can be changed to suit inividual users. A quick fast read feature allows for fast forwarding through the document.
Price: £225.00 excluding VAT & delivery
Last updated: 10/01/2008

Robotron Group
15 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, Victoria 3166, Australia.
Tel: +61 3 9568 2568
Fax: +61 3 9568 1377
Email: support@robogroup.com
Web: www.robogroup.com

Excalibur Reading Machine
Stand-alone reading machine suitable for home, study or work environment. Features include: scanning resolution of 600dpi; scanning speed of typically 13 seconds per page; recognition throughput of up to 400 characters per second; reading speed up to 3 pages per minute; optical character recognition - multifont, mixed fonts, 6 to 32 points; automatic differentiation - text and graphics, columns; automatic settings - page orientation, brightness, contrast, paper size; glass scanning area of 370mm x 216mm; language options - English, French, German and Spanish (multiple languages can be installed); internal storage of up to 10,000 document pages; USB port.
Length: 457mm Width: 356mm Height: 91mm
Weight: 3.7kg
Price: US$2,999.00
Last updated: 10/01/2008

Simon Reading Machine
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Stand-alone reading machine suitable for home, study or work environment. Features include: scanning resolution of 600dpi; scanning speed of typically 13 seconds per page; recognition throughput of up to 400 characters per second; reading speed up to 3 pages per minute; optical character recognition - multifont, mixed fonts, 6 to 32 points; automatic differentiation - text and graphics, columns; automatic settings - page orientation, brightness, contrast, paper size; max document size - legal 370mm x 216mm; language options - English, French, German and Spanish (only one language can be installed).
Length: 457mm Width: 356mm Height: 91mm
Weight: 3.7kg
Price: US$2,299.95
Last updated:10/01/2008

Sensotec NV
Gistelsteenweg 112, B-8490 Varsenare, Belgium.
Tel: +32 50 39 49 49
Fax: +32 50 39 49 46
Email: info@sensotec.be
Web: www.sensotec.be

Reporter BASIC
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Basic user level high speed reading machine allows user to convert text to speech. Press 1 button to activate. The Reporter automatically detects paper size and text layout. Reads in 8 languages. Full functionality: move forward and backwards in the text, spell words out, ask the time and date, adapt the read and scan settings. Read and store texts on USB memory stick, floppy or hard disks. Listen to Daisy Books, CDs and MP3s.
Length: 530mm Width: 285mm Height: 120mm
Weight: 8kg
Last updated: 10/01/2008

Software Express Limited
The Old Bakery, 5 Station Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham DH7 7PX, United Kingdom .
Tel: +44 845 22 55 005
Fax: +44 191 373 44 22
Email: sales@SoftwareExpress.co.uk
Web: www.softwareexpress.co.uk

Guide Software
Guide is an all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind or partially sighted. It has been specifically designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-learn. Guide has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the text on every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own in-built screen magnifier, so you can enlarge the text on every screen, whether you are writing a letter or surfing the Internet. It also turns your computer into an easy-to-use Reading Machine. Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and then both spoken out and magnified on the screen. Guide is available as a CD to be loaded onto an existing computer, or as a complete computer package, all setup and ready to be used. Guide offers many great features, which are all integrated within one package, so that there is no need to switch between different programmes to complete each task. These features include: Write letters and documents; Spell-Checker; Dictionary and thesaurus; Magnify handwriting, diagrams or pictures; Print or edit photos from your digital camera; Send and receive emails; Surf the Internet; Addresses and contacts; Calendar and reminders and playing CDs and MP3s.
Price: £395.00
Last updated: 10/01/2008

Telesensory Corp
(InSiPhil (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.)
71 Bukit Batok Crescent, #05-10, Prestige Centre, 658071, Singapore.
Tel: +65 63 16 5370
Fax: +65 63 16 5373
Email: info@insiphil.com
Web: www.telesensory.com

Ovation
With the Ovation, you can accurately and easily scan and store text of any kind and convert it to adjustable audio-output. The sleek light-weight design and professional carrying case make it easy to transport, so you can access information in a variety of settings. The flatbed-scanner accommodates newspapers, books, magazines and more. The Ovation has many sophisticated yet easy-to-use features to access the information you want without wasting time: Adjustable volume, speed and voice tone make audio playback truly personal. Easily move through your document by page, paragraph or sentence. Store "chapters" of up to 20 pages each with a name you give it in your own voice. Language: English.
Length: 490mm Width: 325mm Height: 85mm
Weight: 6.7kg
Ref: #XA1
Price: $2895.00 (for U.S. only)
Last updated: 10/01/2008

VisionAid
Bridge Lodge, Spalding Common, Spalding, South Lincs PE11 3AU, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 1775 711 977
Fax: +44 1775 769 043
Email: info@visionaid.co.uk
Web: www.visionaid.co.uk

ReadAnywhere
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Being no larger or heavier than a 17" laptop computer, and running off rechargable batteries that will give approxiamtely 5 hours of usage, the ReadAnywhere is a portable reading device. The ReadAnywhere uses the latest AT&T Natural voices for the highest quality speech available with intonation. Comes with four high quality 16khz voices, Mike and Crystal (American accent) plus two voices with English accents, Audrey and Charles. Additional voices and languages are available. Features: No sub menus, big help button, automatic orientation (documents can be placed any way round), copy documents to CD, listen to music CDs, unbeatable accuracy (uses the latest optical character recognition (OCR) engine). Includes deluxe carry case and two pairs of headphones.
Length: 388mm Width: 265mm Height: 61mm
Weight: 3.8kg
Price: £2995.00
Last updated: 10/01/2008

ReadEasy
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ReadEasy is a portable reading device. Using the latest AT&T Natural voices for the highest quality speech available with intonation. Comes with four high quality 16khz voices, Mike and Crystal (American accent) plus two voices with English accents, Audrey and Charles. Additional voices and languages are available. Features: big help button, automatic orientation (documents can be placed any way round), has an intuitive file management system to allow saving and loading of documents. When a document is saved, a sound file is recorded with the document using the built in microphone that allows the user to identify it. When loading a file, the user cycles through a list of the saved files and as they do, the sound file that has been recorded for that file is played back allowing it to be identified. Unbeatable accuracy (uses the latest optical character recognition (OCR) engine). Available in a variety of 6 colours.
Length: 510mm Width: 255mm Height: 130mm
Weight: 7.4kg
Price: £1595.00
Last updated: 10/01/2008

WizCom Technologies Ltd.
234 Littleton Road, Ste. 1B, Westford, MA 01886, USA.
Tel: +1 978-727-0026
Fax: +1 978-727-0032
Email: usa.info@wizcomtech.com
Web: www.wizcomtech.com

QuickLink Pen Elite
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The QuickLink-Pen Elite allows the user to collect notes electronically from any printed text. Features include: Reads notes aloud. Beams to Smartphones, as well as to PDAs and PCs. Includes English dictionary definitions. USB connection to PC. Scan and Store up to 1,000 pages of text in English (additional scanning languages - German, Swedish, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French are supplied on CD ROM for optional installation). Transfer stored text to PDAs (PalmOS and WinCE), Smartphones (PalmOS and Windows Mobile 2003) or PCs via IRDA Infra red connection. Transfer stored notes to PCs via USB connection (and automatically create MS Word documents). Read aloud the scanned notes using the text to speech function, either through the built-in speaker or headphones.Allow real time scanning directly via the USB connection into any Windows based application, with the scanned text appearing at the cursor point. Requires 2 x AAA batteries. System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP or NT; CD ROM drive (for Desktop and optional applications installation) and available USB or IRDA port.
Length: 163mm Width: 38mm Height: 23mm
Weight: 0.09kg
Price: $169.95
Last updated: 10/01/2008