from the the-moving-finger-reads,-and-having-read,-moves-on dept.
A new device has been created that attaches to a finger and will read out the text that is being pointed at (for example, menus, newspapers).
The so-called FingerReader, a prototype produced by a 3-D printer, fits like a ring on the user's finger, equipped with a small camera that scans text. A synthesized voice reads words aloud, quickly translating books, restaurant menus and other needed materials for daily living, especially away from home or office.
Reading is as easy as pointing the finger at text. Special software tracks the finger movement, identifies words and processes the information. The device has vibration motors that alert readers when they stray from the script, said Roy Shilkrot, who is developing the device at the MIT Media Lab.
For Jerry Berrier, 62, who was born blind, the promise of the FingerReader is its portability and offer of real-time functionality at school, a doctor's office and restaurants. "When I go to the doctor's office, there may be forms that I [want to] read before I sign them," Berrier said. He said there are other optical character recognition devices on the market for those with vision impairments, but none that he knows of that will read in real time.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by kaszz on Thursday July 10 2014, @12:12AM
Does it use the pictured laptop for OCR processing power or is it self hosted? And in particular how much CPU power does a thing like this need?
This thing should been possible once a bit more powerful 32-bit single die SoC became affordable.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Popeidol on Thursday July 10 2014, @01:33AM
I can't answer your question exactly, but here's a comparison:
Similar assistive tech could be installed on symbian phones. It'd take a photo of whatever you wanted to read, and use local OCR to work out what text was there. From memory, a Nokia n85 would take about two seconds to process an image from its 5mp camera. The n85 had a 369 MHz ARM 11.
It's not stated in the article but since this is designed to be used at short range for smaller blocks of text, they could get away with a much lower resolution image. Combined with a faster processor (or maybe offloading a lot of the work onto dedicated chips/an fpga), they should be able to get a really good refresh rate using local processing.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 10 2014, @02:33AM
I wouldn't be surprised if they tether it to a smartphone. Maybe even wireless through bluetooth. Blind people are one the greatest beneficiaries of smartphone tech. It seems intuitively false, but is true. [nytimes.com]
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Thursday July 10 2014, @03:20AM
So circa 73.8 clock cycles per pixel.
So for VGA one needs 73.8 * 300000 = 22 MHz processor. And for given a powerful ARM offering like 175 MHz one would be able to process 2,4 megapixel/second. It most likely is something like 1 megapixel sensor and ~100 MHz microcontroller (MCU). For 12 years ago they had a cost of like 4x (90 USD). So that it took this long to make a such essential device, still makes me wonder.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by opinionated_science on Thursday July 10 2014, @04:05PM
i think it might be due to the small target market. I have looked for "accessible" tech for relatives, and I can tell you it is surprising how undeveloped most of them are.
This device, actually may have a great use. Go to a foreign country and read the menus.....!
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday July 10 2014, @02:32AM
The equiv of "1 MIT vibrating finger".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Thursday July 10 2014, @03:24AM
I guess the upgrade will allow special bioreadings of tissue like "she's near now" .. "really near!" ;)
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday July 10 2014, @03:35AM
You want more puns? There should be at least one involving new meanings for " firm-ware upgrade", I'll let their discovery as an exercise for the readers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 3, Funny) by Tork on Thursday July 10 2014, @12:45AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 10 2014, @01:06AM
This adds a whole new meaning to "I'm giving your stuff the finger".
-- gewg_
(Score: 4, Funny) by c0lo on Thursday July 10 2014, @02:29AM
Alternative form showing an even higher consideration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford