Hi
Sitting next to my ConoScan N67OU, I wondered how close to the binding
of a page I could scan, if the scanner were placed on a box allowing
half of the book to hang down the side of the scanner(this would
overcome the obvious difficulty of trying to lay an open book flat on
the scanner and having to sit on it so that the text close to the spine
of the book can be recognised).
I didn't place the scanner on a box but placed a ruler across the
machine and 'scanned' it. The scanner will read to within 22mm of the
edge of the scanner. This is fine for a few texts but, unfortunately,
many have margins as small as 12mm - so the scanner would miss a lot of
text. Oh well - back to sitting on the scanner.
Seriously: the CanoScan is a lightweight machine that does scan close
to the edge. I wonder if there are any that scan closer still.
Regards
Peter Hill
Andrew Hodgson wrote:
> Hi,
>
> The best advise I can give you on this is to try and get out to
> see the equipment running - get demos, go to drop in days etc.
> This is the best way of getting the equipment you want and can use.
>
> I will explain the equipment I have:
>
> For reading books, I have some sight and can see a CCTV, but find
> a reader is the best option. This is mainly because after a while
> my eyes get very tired, and reading becomes very painful. I also
> have a Kurzweil reading system, which is the Kurzweil 1000
> package. This consists of an Epson scanner (which is important as
> the scanner has to be fast in order to process information
> quickly), and the software that runs on the pc.
>
> I have found that while this works with sheets very well, books
> are difficult for a few reasons:-
> 1. The flatbed scanner is not usually big enough to take the book
> on the scanner surface;
> 2. It is difficult to find specific pages and to find specific
> chapters in the book; indexes do not scan well because of their
> tabular layout.
>
> As for screen readers, I use Jaws for Windows, which I moved to
> using after using a cheaper alternative for a considerable time.
> I would say that this is one of the best screen readers,
> especially when using it on the Internet.
>
> Sight and sound sell all these - their website is
> www.sightandsound.co.uk.
>
> Don't hesitate to get back if you need more help.
>
> Andrew.
>
>
>>From: "Toseland, Evelyn" <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:47:32 +0000
>>
>
>>Dear all,
>>Does anyone have information on Book Scanners for a blind (with very limited vision)
>>researcher?
>>Most of his data comes in book form because of the nature of the subject; he has just
>>discovered screen reading software makes his reading ten times faster and much easier and would
>>like to be able to import documents in Word or text format. We have looked on the Net and all
>>we found were huge, very expensive flat beds with what appear to be overhead cameras. A CCTV
>>system a flatbed book reader system was also suggestedand has been suggested but as he is
>>limited for space may not be ideal.
>>Also recommendations for good screen readers other than JAWS, which will work with Windows (NT
>>ot 2000) - he's using a free and not very good one at present.
>>Many thanks.
>>Evelyn Toseland
>>
>><>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
>>Do while Project<>Completed
>> if impossible = true then
>> rethink(approach)
>> set impossible = false
>> end if
>>loop
>><>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
>>
>>Evelyn Toseland
>>Webmaster
>>Faculty of Applied Sciences
>>University of the West of England
>>Email: [log in to unmask]
>>
>
> --
> Andrew Hodgson | Bromyard | Herefordshire | UK.
> Email: <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>
>
>
--
01527 500324
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