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TALKING BARCODES: THREE DIFFERENT HAND-HELD DEVICES FOR THE BLIND PERSON

Antonio PARRENO
Pedro J. MAGALLON
Emilio J. VIZUETE

Dept. Investigacion
Lab. Tecnologias de la Discapacidad
HOSPITAL RAMON Y CAJAL
28034 MADRID SPAIN

Tel:34-1-3368466 FAX:34-1-3369016
E-mail: antonio.parreno@hrc.es

Web Posted on: December 12, 1997


1. AUDIOSCANNER

The widely used barcode system is a simple and efficient means for identification. Nevertheless it is not appropriate for conveying a large amount of information because its codes take up a space that is several times that of the corresponding conventional writing. This situation has changed lately with the bidimensional barcodes designed to contain a large text in a small space. The PDF code, for instance, uses very short bars and so the rows can be stacked one on top of the other, so that more than 80 levels can be attained. The resulting block, called a symbol, is read with only one scan and can represent from a few to more than 1000 characters.

By means of a decoder, the scanner converts the light pulses produced by the bars into alphanumeric digital text, which is sent to its serial port. In normal scanner operation, this output enters a computer to be processed, but for the purpose of giving information to the blind person, the scanner output is connected to the input of a self-standing voice synthesizer.

LASER AUDIOSCANNER

SCANNER. A Symbol LS4800 has been employed in this prototype. Upon the action of a trigger, it scans the symbol horizontally at 280 Hz. and vertically at 12,5 Hz. The scanning ceases when the code is recognized. It has serial output and several possible configurations.

VOICE SYNTHESIZER. It is a Spanish Ciberveu model CIBER232, serial input, battery-powered, 12K buffer. It has unlimited vocabulary, several configuration options, variable tone and speed, speaker incorporated and option of earphones.

ENSEMBLE. The synthesizer has been installed on top of the scanner under a hard plastic cover. A rechargeable battery supplies power to both elements.

CCD AUDIOSCANNER

In some applications, symbols of more than a thousand characters are used and the time to read them aloud, might be more than a minute. Therefore, it may be useful to be able to pause, repeat a sentence or read the text sentence by sentence. For this reason a microcontroller has been incorporated into the design of this prototype.

SCANNER. A Symbol PDF 120, CCD type, 8 cm. wide has been employed. The CCD system seems to be very suitable for use by blind persons since it permits contact with the paper.

SYNTHESIZER. The Dolphin's Juno as been used in its bilingual Spanish-English version. It has serial output and the usual features corresponding to self-standing devices.

MICROCONTROLLER. A Motorola M68HC11 8 bit microcontroller acts as interface between scanner and synthesizer and handles the commands "Pause", "Reverse" etc. coming from the corresponding keys.

ENSEMBLE. As in the laser prototype, the synthesizer has been installed in a box on top of the scanner together with the microcontroller.

CRADLE. For this prototype a frame with rollers has been built to place the scanner and facilitate scanning for the blind person when necessary. The sheet of paper to be scanned is placed on a plate with a lateral edge forming a vertical flank to position the sheet and guide scanner displacement.

PDF CODE

To produce the symbols of this code, it is only necessary to use a computer with the appropriate program. The resulting codes can be printed by an ink-jet or laser printer.

APLICATIONS

  • A conventional letter or document can include a PDF code version in the same sheet. A word processor could do it, and so that the letter could be read by a blind person, by means of an Audioscanner.
  • In any publication, a barcode could be included to give information, abstracts or contents.
  • PDF barcodes could be used in Mail-order catalogues to reach blind customers.
  • Since the use of PDF code is spreading, it is possible that Banks, Telephone Companies, Big Stores, etc. will add this code in their correspondence with blind clients.
  • The names of medicines could be recognized by using PDF code.

2. FINDER SCANNER

A normal barcode system, besides a scanner-decoder, requires a memory for saving data, some kind of typing to enter names and a synthesizer to show them. For domestic uses and a limited number of items, all those functions can be accomplished by this simple device.

To identify an object with a barcode label, the user sticks it onto the object. Then, he scans it with the "Finder" and pronounces the object's name. From then on, each time the "Finder" scans this object its name is played back.

This is accomplished by the use of a microcontroller and an ISD chip that has the capability of voice storage and play back. When the label is scanned for the first time its decodified number (the number itself is unimportant) is stored in a register of the controller memory. This register is associated with an address of the ISD memory enabled to store the pronounced name. The next time the label is scanned, the microprocesor identifies its number and activates the corresponding memory address containing the object's name. This name is then pronounced by the "Finder".

SCANNER. A UBI's CCD scanner has been used in the prototype and its output is connected to the microcontroller. The improvement of the labels, by putting on them two protruding drops, to aid in their recognition, permits the use of a wand instead of a scanner. It results in a smaller and cheaper device.

INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICE. This chip allows the direct storage of analog signal like the sounds received by the device's microphone. The signal is played back through an amplifier and speaker.

MICROCONTROLLER. A Motorola M68HC11 chip has been programmed to control the device's operation and to store barcode numbers.

FUNCTIONS. A key allows to delete an item from memory, and pushing another one, the device recites the complete list of items stored.

APLICATIONS. It is useful for the blind person to label consumer goods (as those in a refrigerator), disk, books, medicines etc.


3. TALKDATA TERMINAL

The idea of connecting a voice synthesizer to a portable data terminal is not a new one. It would become a useful device at self-service stores because, when aimed at an article's barcode, the blind person can hear the article's name and its price. Some problems related to the difficulties in finding the article's barcode localization have to be yet solved.

DATA TERMINAL.The available hand-held data terminals could be used to implement this device by attaching the synthesizer to it, and programming the computer. Nevertheless the computer included in the data terminals is not necessary as such and adds to the price. For this reason, a terminal without computer such as the one used in the Symbol's Portable Shopping System, a Batch Scanner, is a very appropriate choice for the purpose.

VOICE SYNTHESIZER. Both synthesizers used in the previously described devices, have the possibility of being incorporated into this one.

The device would be made available to customers by means of an identification barcode or mag stripe card.


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Symbol Technologies S.A., Spain, for excellent technical support and Organizacion Nacional de Ciegos Espanoles for its efficient collaboration. The project has been supported by Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria (NE 94/0528 and 96/0761).