Oct 05
Applications
TELLMATE
Tell – because it tells and gives the user the required information.
Mate – because it is a constant companion to the user.
( From B C – a Visually Impaired Person )
| Public Environment | Individual Environment | |
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The TellMate SCANNER mode
1) IDENTIFICATION and DIFFERENTIATION
TellMate is specifically designed to allow Visually Impaired persons and the Elderly ( V I ) to Identify and Differentiate ( I & D ) items and objects on their own as much as possible. This implies that everything and anything can be I & D by the user. But for practical reasons, especially when the device is new to user, it is recommended to start with essential items or objects.
Here are some examples of implementations that are currently done or being proposed.
Personal or individual environment. I & D of :
1.1) Documents, working files, printed materials (books, magazines).
1.2) CDs, cassettes tapes.
1.3) Various types of cards in a wallet or name cards.
1.4) Eye drop bottles that the user must I & D on the types and expiry dates.
1.5) A row of switches on the wall or any physically same dimension/shape objects.
1.6) Apparel and personal wears ( note : special labels needed for laundry environment).
1.7) Food and drink packages, on kitchen shelf or in the refrigerator.
Public environment:
1.8) Restaurants providing V I friendly menu so that the V I can understand what is on menu and place order on their own.
1.9) Public or private libraries providing reading materials with information of title, synopsis and about author for V I to I & D required reading materials.
2) EDUCATION and LEARNING
Personal or individual environment.
2.1) Learning a new procedure that requires a series of tasks to be carried out in sequential order.
2.2) Revision of teaching materials that are prepared in TellMate system.
2.3) Learning by “ concept forming ” of a new object, shape, etc.. by way of touch sensing and listening to explanations at the same time.
Public environment:
2.4) For an inclusive educational system in mainstream or private schools, educational materials for the V I, TellMate system can be used to complement the use of braille teaching materials. These digital version of the materials are certainly faster and cheaper to produce and edit.
3) SIMPLE MOBILITY GUIDE
Personal or individual environment.
3.1) Visiting another VI friend’s home, and being guided on how to move about in the home.
Public environment:
3.2) In high rise housing, labels placed on each floor ( e.g., just next to lift button ) for V I to ascertain that they have come off the lift to the correct floor. The information accessed here can also include directions – like turn left for units 1 to 10, right for units 11 to 20.
3.3) In private hostel where VI are accommodated, mobility guidance along corridors and I&D of each room. This is also application to commercial lodging provider when they cater to the needs of VI.
And here is a challenge for the politician
TellMate system can be configured to allow individual V I person to cast their vote in general election in total privacy – just like their sighted citizens, without having to disclose their choice to another person.