U.3.keys are often called smart keys because they can hold software programmmes and settings, as well as data files.
Since software remains on the U.3. key and is not downloaded to a P.C., a user get an open access to any computer. Above all, it ensures privacy. The host computer remains completely unaltered and the user has the full assurance that no personal information will be left behind.
The Braille notebook could make life much easier for visually impaired people in Thailand. The Braille notebook consists of a portable computer on which visually impaired users can key in information in Braille. The information can then be printed either in Braille or in text format.
The Magnetic Time Company has launched MT1, a software that can make mobile phones speak aloud. It has been developed specifically for visually-impaired users. For a nominal cost of 23 pounds (Rupees 1,840 approximately) the software can be installed onto a Personal Digital Assistant, mobile phones or mp3 players.
MT1 is compatible with email programmes and operating systems Windows 2000 and XP. However, while it can read emails aloud, including 'from,' 'to' and 'subject' lines, it is unable to read symbols or web addresses.
With large, clearly visible buttons displayed on the screen, visually impaired people can quickly and easily navigate the ‘LiveReader’ menus using the touch monitor. When the user puts a document to be read or edited under an integrated digital camera, the system scans and processes the text within seconds and reads the words.
Intelligent Bus Information System, (I.B.I.S.) should go a long way in ensuring travel is easier for visually impaired persons. At present, 12 bus stops across the Strathclyde region have been installed with the system.
The three-month pilot will allow vision-impaired bus passengers to use Brailled buttons to listen to the information.
Visually impaired people often have to take the help of escorts or a passer-by while travelling, but all that may change. A new navigational device Tormes System has been developed, which promises unprecedented travel autonomy to visually impaired people.
The Tormes System consists of a small Sonobraille computer (with a Braille keyboard and voice synthesiser) teamed with several navigation technologies to give a high degree of positioning accuracy. It is easy to carry as it weighs less then a kilogram.
Visually impaired Elizabeth Goldring is a senior fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (M.I.T.) (U.S.), Centre for Advanced Visual Studies. Her ‘Seeing machine’ allows people with limited vision to see faces of friends, read or study the layouts of buildings they intend to visit.
Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University (C.M.U.) are developing affordable scanning systems to give blind people greater independence in daily activities, such as cooking, grocery shopping or riding a bus.
"The single biggest thing to a blind person is to have independence, to never have to ask a sighted person for assistance," said project leader Priya Narasimhan, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. Narasimhan's venture is called ‘Trinetra’, a Sanskrit word referring to the powerful third eye of the Hindu god,’Shiva’.
‘Talk 64’, the first-of-its kind talking software will make playing the game of chess for visually impaired players much easier and simpler.
Talk 64 has a distinct audio feature. It will keep players informed about all the moves in the game and will also interact with the player continuously. Another interesting feature attached to the speech module of the software is its synthesizer. With the help of the synthesizer the voice (male or female), rate and volume of speech can be regulated.
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