And don't we all wish there was a maths scanning package that would say import into Scientific NoteBook.
As regards Braille, there is a formal maths braille code laid down by the Braille Authority of the U.K. (BAUK) It can either be manually typed on a braillewriter, or direct into a braille software program. You can also import Scinetific NoteBook files into at least one braille translation package to achieve maths braille.
George Bell
Techno-Vision Systems Ltd
-----Original Message-----
From: Iain Hood [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 October 2003 17:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Scanning Maths Formulae
It depends what format the student wants at the end point, Penny. If enlarged text is the hope, photocopying would be better. If Braille is what is trying to be achieved, I think you'll have to convert the formulae into words (there is an RNIB guide, or a mathematician could articulate the formulae) then these words could be Brailled (or put in electronic format).
As Bernard says, perhaps the scanner gonks have invented a formula-reading programme, but I haven't heard of it.
Iain
On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 16:44:17 +0100 Bernard Doherty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Penny
>
> I've looked into this problem several times and there doesn't seem to
> be any workable, commercially available solution. OCR Scanning
> software seems to read line by line, complex equations and formulae
> use several lines simultaneously, hence the failure. One method is to
> use something like Omnipage and set the equations as a figure or
> illustration rather than text characters. In reality, this is how
> Equation 3 in Word or Mathtype work. This will succeed up to a point,
> but it increases the time it takes to scan material, it can't be made
> automatic and, if successful, the equation can't be managed by any of
> the standard speech engines. I know there have been a number of
> research projects into developing IT tools for blind and partially
> sighted maths students, but none of them seem to have produced
> deliverables (as they say in project-application speak). I would be
> really glad to hear that I've missed some common piece of software or
> of other ways of working, especially methods that students can manage
> independently.
>
> Regards, Bernard
>
> On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 15:18:25 +0100 Penny Roper
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> ----------------------
> Bernard Doherty
> Student Adviser
> ACCESS Centre
> Anglia Polytechnic University
>
> Tel: 01223 363271 x2534
> Fax: 01223 417730
> Minicom: 01223 576155
> [log in to unmask]
----------------------
Iain Hood
Senior Student Adviser, Learning Support
[log in to unmask]
Student Support Services
Anglia Polytechnic University
East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT
01223 363271 ex 2316
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