Focusing the camera would be one big challenge when OCR'ing external
objects. Some might find it fully possible with the stuff they need it for,
others wil find it more hazzle than beneficial. And, if you are reading
plain numbers, it might be easier performed, than what would be the case
with a text/graphics combination.
The biggest problem I see, in doing things like this, is to get a camera
with high enough resolution. Most webcams on the market, might be more like
1.3 megapixels, and that is way too little to have a thorough scan, that
will result in a reliable OCR. From what I am told, you would need a
resolution more like 5 megapixels or above. And, there would be such
equipment around, and within an affordable price range as well, I'd guess.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Hudson" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 3:35 AM
Subject: Re: Dream App, OCR for digital displays
Oops, hit send before I finished. You can use the s&c wizard to take still
shots, but there is a problem with that: focus. You won't know if your
shot is lined up well enough to get a clear picture of the item in
question. That is the main problem I have with all these items like the
KNFB Reader and similar devices. You won't know if you are focused well
enough to the item to OCR it until you hit the button to begin
recognition, get garbled text, move your camera and try again. Big waste,
and you paid 2 grand for this? So you have to keep moving and adjusting
and moving and adjusting and for what? Sometimes items just aren't capable
of being OCR'd, and you won't know that, so you keep trying until you just
give up and ask a sighty for aid. No, I don't see the value in OCR apps or
cameras.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Hudson" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: Dream App, OCR for digital displays
You can use the scanner and picture wizard to take still shots with your
webcam.
----- Original Message -----
From: "M and L Dorn" <[email protected]>
To: "Post to GW-Info List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 7:14 PM
Subject: Dream App, OCR for digital displays
I'd love to have an OCR app that could take a picture of a digital
display, such as the time left on the microwave or washer or dryer, and
read it to me. If it could go beyond numbers, it would be handy for so
many digital displays. How about the VCR, yup I still have one, or the
DVD player or satellite TV receiver? How about the numbers on the
radio, electric blanket control, caller ID display? I know there are
some of these items that can be bought that talk, but some of the stuff
we already have doesn't talk. It could be an all purpose thing. Of
course, you'd need a way to get the camera to the device, but maybe with
a phone or even the web cam on a laptop. Since Skype is going to
provide access to the video aspect of their service so that GW can add
it to GW Connect, I'm going to need a web cam anyway. Do any of these
cameras take still photos as stand alone cameras already that might be
able to be then taken to the computer for the app?
TTFN,
Marilyn
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender
only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is
related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to
[email protected] so the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can
manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender
only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is
related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to
[email protected] so the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can
manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only.
If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to
GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so
the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage
your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
