LiveReader the Digital Revolution for Video Magnification
Published: Jun 20, 2007Tagarno presented the LiveReader, the first digital video magnifier with computer inputs and output and text-to-speech support. Click on the touch screen and control the CCTV system. Scan images or use the live option on this video magnifying device.
The LiveReader has three separate modes that can be enabled by the press of an icon on the touch-screen depending on the user’s needs at that time.
The picture mode utilizes a built-in high resolution digital camera. When instructed, the LiveReader takes a picture of what is underneath it. This picture is then sent to the systems optical character recognition software (OCR) where the image is recognized and readied for the LiveReader’s next ability – speech output. With the OCR command finished, the LiveReader will begin to read your document to you out loud while simultaneously displaying the captured image on screen and following the text on screen as it speaks.
Live mode is the second mode and the LiveReader operates then in a similar way to a conventional CCTV magnifier. A video camera is used to project the image onto the sharp TFT monitor. The user can then move the document around underneath the camera to pan around. All the standard CCTV functions are available.
The last mode is a computer mode where the LiveReader is controlled through a computer, where it is possible to switch out of LiveReader mode and use the computer as normal. All screen reading and magnification software can be used as they would on any other PC when not in LiveReader mode.
The LiveReader is not for sale in the US. The price of the Tagarno LiveReader is in the UK just over $13,500 USD and that makes it an expensive competitor to the Humanware myReader.
Source: VisionAid Technologies UK
