Bryan, share your note, seriously. I think if people express an interest for using an external scanner, they may implement it. I really think it makes sense for the reasons I stated. Of course I encourage anyone to contact them because that is the one way they really get the message from users. On Jul 8, 2010, at 11:10 PM, Bryan Smart wrote:
> Yes; I'd be happy if they allowed us to use a Bluetooth laser scanner. Even > though a separate device would be required for the higher quality scans, > there are small scanners available. Beyond that, the important fact is that > the CPU portion (the iPhone), is very mobile. We can, today, use a computer > with a scanner to identify objects. Carrying a computer around the house > isn't handy. Carrying an iPhone to do the processing, though, isn't that > difficult. So, for me, there would still be value. > > I suggest that they retain the functionality with the built-in camera, but > allow Bluetooth scanning for those that can purchase a scanner. > > I'm not sure that I'm going to pursue a refund, but I'd encourage others to > withhold their money until the scanning quality has been addressed. If you > just buy the program as-is, they have little incentive to improve it. > > Bryan > > -----Original Message----- > From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Howell > Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 8:31 PM > To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > Subject: Re: A warning about Digit-Eyes > > Bryan, > > I have used this application successfully with several types of packages. I > have found cans to be particularly tricky. I can tell you that my greatest > success seem to be starting out with my 3GS against the item, and once I > started the scan, slowly back the phone away from the item. Again, this > worked for me on several items. I have not run all over the house grabbing > everything with a barcode, so I can't say that I have encountered every > possible packaging type and this refers to shiny packaging, different color > combinations, etc. I don't even know for sure if these are factors. I agree > it would be nice if an external laser barcode reader could be used because > this would seriously speed up the process of scanning items in a store etc. I > put that suggestion out there and not sure if it will be considered or not. I > realize carrying such a device does defeat some of the purpose perhaps, but > it does allow for additional opportunities, such as someone who maintains > inventory etc. Perhaps you have and if not, share your experiences and > suggestion. > On Jul 8, 2010, at 6:03 PM, Bryan Smart wrote: > >> I'm writing to share my experiences with Digit-Eyes. >> >> I tried it on my iPhone 4, with several bar codes, and it didn't recognize >> even one of them. I don't mean that the code was located, but not >> recognized. I mean that the code was not even detected as being in the >> image. I'd tap the scan button, and the constant clicking would begin to let >> me know that scanning was in progress. I was scanning in a brightly lit >> room, and the screen curtain was not on. Rotating the containers in front of >> the iPhone camera, with it held about a foot away from them, produced no >> results. I had a sighted friend deliberately place the bar code in view, >> something that I would have not been able to do on my own, and it wasn't >> recognized, either. We just kept trying different angles, and rotating, but >> all we got was more clicking from the Digit-Eyes scanner. >> >> I had some experience with creating a system like this several years ago. At >> that time, CCD cameras were not as accurate. Even so, for best results, we >> determined that a 3D laser scanner would be required in order for bar codes >> to be detected in the way that a blind person is likely to present them to >> the scanner: at angles, in shadow, etc. This is the technique used by other >> commercial systems like the ID Mate. I was lead to understand that this >> wasn't a concern with Digit-Eyes, due to the higher quality camera in the >> iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. However, based on my results, I'd say that this >> isn't so. >> >> Perhaps Digit-Eyes works better with dedicated labels, but, if I were >> to make dedicated labels, I'd just create Braille labels. I realize >> that everyone doesn't read Braille, and so audio labels still might be >> of use to some people. However, the advertised function of being able >> to read bar codes seems to not work, or else, it might work, but >> requires a level of alignment precision that I've not been able to >> achieve. I'm usually quite capable when it comes to reasoning through >> these types of situations, so my conclusion is that I've either >> overlooked something profound, or else the level of alignment that is >> required for a good scan is grater than most blind people will >> independently obtain without assistance. If you need assistance, you >> might as well ask the sighted person what is on the label. *shrug* >> >> I'd like to hear the experiences of others. However, I can't personally >> suggest that anyone spend the $30 that is charged for this app if they >> expect to use it as a bar code scanner. >> >> Bryan >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
