AN OPEN BOOK     

Record 3 of 80.

--- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 12/2002) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- An Open Book is a stand-alone optical character recognition device that scans and reads any typeset and typewritten material and converts it to synthetic speech. It is designed to enable persons who are blind or have low vision to read mail, bills, magazines, newspapers, and books. People with learning or cognitive disabilities, or who are unable to read conventional printed materials for any reason, can also benefit. The device is designed for easy use by people who have little or no personal computer skills. An Open Book has automatic page orientation, has a peak reading speed of 350 characters per second (standard)/385 cps (deluxe), and better than 99.9 percent accuracy depending on print quality of scanned documents. A special feature allows quick, immediate items like recipes, bills, or correspondence to be scanned and read in less than a minute. The reader has a choice of 4 male, 4 female, and 1 child voice, and a variety of speeds. The unit can be used with headphones for privacy. Two models, a standard and deluxe edition, are available. The Standard Edition ($4995) will save and store between five and ten thousand pages, 25 to 50 normal size books. The Deluxe Edition ($5995) stores twice the number of books and is able to scan and read a single sheet in half the time. An Open Book Version 2.0 upgrade ($100 for users who purchased their systems prior to 09/93; free for more recent purchasers) provides 30 percent improved recognition accuracy, and supports the WordScan Plus, Version 2.0 OCR engine with Adaptive Recognition Technology (ART) from Calera Recognition Systems. This upgrade will support refreshable Braille displays as well as speech synthesizers. An Open Book is comprised of a scanner, speech synthesizer, and a detachable 17 key keypad with enhanced tactile bars and keyed connector. The standard scanner is a Hewlett Packard ScanJet IIp; the HP ScanJet IIc is available as an option. It uses WordScan Plus software, and a DECtalk speech synthesizer. COMPATIBILITY: For use on IBM PC/AT compatible and laptop computers with Microsoft DOS version 5.0 and Windows version 3.1. The version 2.0 upgrade will support braille displays including the Alva Braille models ABT40 and ABT80; Auidodata model AudioBox; Baum model DM80; EHG model BlistaEHG Braille Window; Papenmeier models Braillex-IB80 and Braillex-IB80 cr; Telesensory models Brat, Navigator, and Versabraille II; Teiman model Portabraille 1X40 and 2X40. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 8 megabytes of RAM are recommended, but not required, to run the version 2.0 upgrade. POWER: 200 watts, switchable worldwide 115/230VAC, 50/60 Hz. DIMENSIONS: 10.7 x 7.5 x 16.7 inches. WEIGHT: 18 pounds. WARRANTY: 30 day money back guarantee; 1-year warranty.

Notes: WordScan is a product of Calera Recognition Systems. ** DECtalk is a trademarked product of Digital Equipment Corporation. ** Local dealers provide free demonstrations. Call the Arkenstone toll free number for more information.

Price: Contact manufacturer.

This product record was updated on April 24, 2003.

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Record 3 of 80.