Objective
The objectives of the project are:
1. The development of a device able to read a bar code and to transcript this into audible speech
2. The adaptation of existing bar codes carriers and the printing techniques:
- to reach 1500 characters in a label of a size around 1,3% of a page (for example the label will not exceed 10 cm2 on a paper A4 format),
- to easily locate the bar code by either a tactile or smart chip location module.
3. The development of a portable device integrating:
- A speech synthesis unit (already developed by T&I) with its power supplier unit
- Modification from a 5V to a 3,3 V technology,
- Availability in 6 languages: French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, English, and German
- Miniaturisation of the printed circuit
- A bar code reader (chosen from existing ones) but optimised to reach a reading speed of less than 5s.
4. Spreading of the coding technique and the associated reader to enable blinds and visually impaired to have access to a wide range of information.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Talking Bar Codes will use standard bar coding technologies and develop a solution to code the information of a document into two dimensional bar code and to print the bar code on the document. A handheld bar code scanner will be developed to transcribe the bar code information into audible speech: existing text-to-speech technology and bar code reading technology will be integrated into a low-cost and easy-to-use handheld device. The solution will support six European languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish). The project will spread the use of both the new coding technique and the reader.
MILESTONES
The coding technique to convert the information of a document into a two dimensional bar code symbol: 10cm for packaging.
The requirements and the printing solution for seamless integration of the two dimensional bar code symbol into the production of documents.
The handheld talking bar code scanner able to read the symbol and to convert it into high intelligible speech.
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
THN - Thematic network contractsCoordinator
9850 NEVELE
Belgium