Sunday, June 25, 2006

AdvantEdge Reader and Scanner: Text to Speech in a Portable Format


AdvantEdge Reader is an assistive technology system that allows print from documents, books, and magazines to be accessed using text to speech. The system was developed by The Assistive Technology Center in Sacramento, California. The developer is Robert Leblond who has had the mission for the past two decades to develop computer technology to benefit individuals who are blind or have reading disabilities such as dyslexia. He has developed an integrated and portable scanner and text reader.

AdvantEdge Reader” combines adaptive technologies to create the pocket scanner and reader. This system could prove to be the next step for independence for student to achieve more independence and mobility. Instead of having to go to the computer lab or resource room to use table top scanners and desktop computers that currently have OCR and text-to-speech software programs, the student can stay in the classroom and scan and read materials as needed.

Leblond was a pioneer in the field of Braille transcription using scanners and faxes in the 1980’s. The AdvantEdge system combines current reading technology for easier, more portable use. The operation is fast and simple and involves inserting the material to be read into a portable scanner. The sheet is recognized and converted to text with OCR application and a text reader application automatically reads the material using current high quality speech with AT&T Natural Voices™ .

The AdvantEdge system used and modified the existing Visioneer strobe scanner, which is a tiny, portable scanner. The modified strobe scanner was installed onto a hand held computer called SmallTalk and a recognition program and hardware driver were added to complete the package. The screen reading software used “Window Eyes”, by GW Micro. Leblond’s philosophy for the creation of the system was to take existing technology and combine and tweak to improve it. This has been a successful approach as opposed to competitors who are attempting to design systems from the ground up.

Along with being the first portable scan and read system, the AdvantEdge Reader is also a full Windows XP computer. It has a docking cable that gives it desktop computer capabilities. The docking cable connects to an external monitor, printer, network, keyboard, firewire devices, and other external features. The Reader also includes Bluetooth and Wireless LAN technology.

Product Specifications of the AdvantEdge system include:

  • SmallTalk dimensions--The Small-Talk Ultra is 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, and 0.9 inches thin, and weighs a mere 14 ounces.
  • Strobe Scanner--The Strobe Scanner is 1.5 by 2 by 11 inches and weighs 11 ounces.

The impact of this technology for students with vision and reading disabilities is major. The current cost of $3000 for one system is high and beyond the reach for many individuals and school districts, however the price will come down along with new development of systems that are smaller, faster and easier to use.

35 comments:

  1. Need a address or phone number in order to find out more about this Machine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What i don't realize is in reality how you're no longer really a lot more
    neatly-preferred than you may be right now. You're very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably in the case of this matter, produced me personally believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren't fascinated except it is something to do with Girl gaga!
    Your personal stuffs outstanding. Always take care of it
    up!

    Have a look at my web page; Art::Photography

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Ie.

    I'm not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I'd post
    to let you know. The design and style look great though!
    Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks

    Also visit my web site: Fotografia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!

    Look into my web-site ... Fotografia

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I
    clicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... well I'm not
    writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!


    Also visit my site :: Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very good blog post. I absolutely appreciate this website.
    Stick with it!

    Here is my web site Fotografia subna

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful, what a weblog it is! This website provides useful data
    to us, keep it up.

    Feel free to surf to my web site; Fotografia subna

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe
    guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My website
    covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we
    could greatly benefit from each other. If you're interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

    Feel free to visit my web site ... lifetouch photography

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a very
    easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to
    come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Great work!

    my web-site - Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heya i'm for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out much. I hope to present one thing again and aid others such as you helped me.

    Visit my web-site ... Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very good blog post. I absolutely love this website. Stick with it!


    my page :: Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  12. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally,
    it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about,
    why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to
    read?

    Feel free to surf to my website :: Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's awesome to go to see this web page and reading the views of all friends concerning this post, while I am also eager of getting knowledge.

    Also visit my weblog - Fotografia

    ReplyDelete
  14. Currently it seems like Wordpress is the top blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?


    my web-site wedding dress box

    ReplyDelete
  15. My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .
    net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using WordPress on
    various websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform.
    I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content
    into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!


    my web blog :: Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  16. Superb, what a weblog it is! This web site gives useful information to us,
    keep it up.

    Here is my web blog ... Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good way of describing, and fastidious article to obtain facts on the topic of
    my presentation subject, which i am going to convey in academy.


    Also visit my web site: Fotografia subna

    ReplyDelete
  18. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing
    this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now ;)

    Review my webpage best photojournalism blogs

    ReplyDelete
  19. Peculiar article, exactly what I was looking for.

    Here is my page ... wedding photographers near me

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey there, You have done a great job. I'll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am sure they'll be benefited from this site.


    Here is my homepage Art:Photography

    ReplyDelete
  21. I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!



    Also visit my web site what is photojournalistic wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for finally talking about > "AdvantEdge Reader and Scanner: Text to Speech in a Portable Format" < Liked it!

    Feel free to visit my web blog Photography

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you're just too fantastic.
    I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating
    and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you
    still care for to keep it smart. I can't wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great website.

    Review my homepage ... Photography

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am really grateful to the owner of this site who has shared this fantastic post
    at here.

    Also visit my web site ... Http://urbansuccesscenter.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
    penning this write-up and the rest of the website is also really good.


    my blog - wedding Photography

    ReplyDelete
  26. Please let me know if you're looking for a author for your weblog. You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd really like to write some material for your blog
    in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested.
    Cheers!

    My web-site ... Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  27. You could certainly see your expertise within the work you write.

    The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.

    Always follow your heart.

    Also visit my web site; Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  28. Awesome article.

    my page; Fotografia

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this information for my mission.

    my site :: wedding photographer guildford

    ReplyDelete
  30. I always used to study post in news papers but now as I
    am a user of net thus from now I am using net for content, thanks
    to web.

    Here is my blog; Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  31. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon
    your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your
    blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.


    My web blog; Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  32. Touche. Great arguments. Keep up the great spirit.


    my web-site ... Wedding photography

    ReplyDelete
  33. Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this amazing site needs far more attention.
    I'll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the info!

    my blog ... wedding photography reportage

    ReplyDelete
  34. I was able to find good info from your blog posts.

    Here is my homepage: Art:Photography

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

    My web site: http://mightytrinity.com/node/172161

    ReplyDelete