Not sure the camera really does the OCR function. That's probably software after the photo is taken. That said, KNFB runs in the Nokia N82 which has a 5 megapixel camera while the iPhone 3GS is just 3 megapixels. Not sure how much the megapixels mater but for OCR more is probably better. If you figure even a relatively low res flatbed scanner will do 300 dpi, that means an 8x10 image will be 2400x3000 pixels or 7.2 megapixels so the Nokia is already a compromise. None of this has to do with the OCR software being able to run on the iPhone CPU. The OCR software isn't going to do a very good job if the quality of the image it has to work with is low.
CB Rich Ring wrote: > The camera on the iPhone is not powerful enough to do O/CR. > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Ryan Dour <mailto:[email protected]> > *To:* MacVisionaries <mailto:[email protected]> > *Sent:* Friday, October 09, 2009 3:49 PM > *Subject:* iPhone like KNFB? > > Hello, > > What apps could be added to an iPhone at this point to provide > similar functionality to a KNFB phone? The key featuresthat could > help are: > > * OCR of documents, signs, product boxes, etc. > * Talking pedestrian directions such as "You are approaching the > corner of North Michigan Avenue and East Heron." When you get to > the corner, "Turn right." and in a few more feet "Continue to the > next corner, St. Claire and E Heron." > * Color detection, providing reasonably good color matching or > description. > * Barcode reader with the ability to detect the barcode anywhere > in the picture frame, not just across a red line on the screen > that makes use difficult when you're only sure of the general > location of the code. Ability to pair with external BlueTooth > barcode scanner as an alternative could be sweet. > * Talking compass, something very similar to the built-in feature, > but with names of directions quickly spoken. > > Here's the great part, some of the apps exist, but don't offer > full functionality. > > * A Voice Compass - Literally a talking compass with great > accuracy. It even cuts itself off if you turn it really fast, > listen to the directions in an audio blur if you so choose. > * Around Me - Great for POI, but that's where the fun ends. Also, > great for getting phone numbers to places quickly. > * Maps - Great for finding out where you are, and general > directions. However, no warnings about distance as you move. > > I've found apps that offer functionality beyond the typical > blindness offerings that make life just sweet. For me, local apps > can be fantastic: > > * CTA Tracker - Easily the most accessible CTA tracking app. If > you live in Chicago, this app provides complete details of busses > at your local bus stops. Find a bus, wait for it to pull up and > announce itself, then track your way to your destination with time > estimates. Simply awesome for commuting. If you leave the VO > cursor on the next stop in the list, and turn Auto Lock off, VO > will announce the stop the bus is approaching once a minute. Turn > on your iPod, and let VO be the Dj telling you where you're at as > you travel without having to keep one ear open for the bus PA system. > * Chipotle - Order some yummy food while you're on your way home. > You can put together your order, choose toppings, sides, and a > drink. You can then place a note on the order to let the great > staff know you're blind, and to look out for ya when you get > there. It has been a really amazing experience using this app. My > reason, sometimes the restaurant is so loud that the staff start > simply pointing at the toppings and looking for feedback from the > customer. When you try and explain that you're blind, they don't > speak up enough, or it really throws them off and they start > missing toppings. Using this app, you get exactly what you wanted > without the confusion of the Chipotle assembly line. Even better, > your credit card never comes out of your wallet. > * > * > *I've got many other apps, but these are some that I've used in > the last few days. They provide me with tools that enrich my life. > There are others out there I know I'm missing, as the app store is > the hottest most crowded marketplace for software I've ever seen. > If anyone else has ideas for apps that make the iPhone > specifically a brilliant tool for a blind user, please let us all > know. Beyond the Twitter and Facebook apps we all love, I'm > looking for apps that help enhance real life activities happening > in the real world.* > * > * > *Thanks,* > *Ryan Dour* > * > * > * > * > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
