Nighttime Vision Test for the Visually Impaired

Nighttime Vision Test for the Visually Impaired

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Testing the OrCam in Low-Light Restaurant Situations
3. Live Stream Q&A Announcement
4. Previous Concerns About OrCam in Low-Light Situations
5. Recreating Low-Light Conditions in the Studio
6. Introduction to the OrCam MyEye 2.0
7. Triggering OCR on the OrCam Device
8. Testing OCR Functionality in Low-Light
9. Using Point Gesture for OCR
10. Using the Tap Gesture for OCR
11. Exploring Additional Gestures on the OrCam
12. Use of Tap and Swipe Gestures
13. Barcode Scanning Functionality on the OrCam
14. Testing Barcode Recognition
15. Color Identification Feature on the OrCam
16. Demonstrating Color Identification
17. Conclusion
18. Live Stream Q&A Reminder

Article

Testing the OrCam in Low-Light Restaurant Situations

In this article, we will Delve into the performance of the OrCam device in low-light restaurant settings. Many individuals have been curious about how well the OrCam performs in dimly lit environments, particularly when it comes to reading menus. While it may not always be feasible to test the device in actual restaurants, we can attempt to recreate similar conditions in a controlled studio setting to get an idea of its capabilities.

But before we jump into the details, I wanted to take a moment to announce that I will be hosting a live stream Q&A session on Friday, November 16th. I invite You to leave your questions and topics of interest in the comments section below. Whether you have inquiries about specific assistive technology devices, or if you simply want to know more about me or my family life, feel free to ask away. This livestream will provide an opportunity for us to engage in Meaningful conversations and address any queries you may have.

Back to the topic at HAND, there have been questions raised regarding the OrCam's ability to function in low-light scenarios, specifically in restaurants while reading menus. While my previous videos were unable to showcase this directly due to various constraints, we will endeavor to recreate the experience as accurately as possible in the studio. So, let's dim the lights and embark on this Journey of testing the OrCam's performance in a low-light restaurant setting.

To establish a realistic environment, we have turned off several lights and set up mood lighting with simulated candlelight. I have prepared a printed menu, inserted it into a plastic sleeve to simulate lamination, and positioned it about 12 inches away at eye level. The OrCam device I will be using for this demonstration is the OrCam MyEye 2.0, the wireless system that was recently released. I am grateful to OrCam for providing me with this device for testing purposes, although I regret that I can't keep it as it has proven to be quite remarkable.

Now, let's talk about how we can trigger the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the OrCam. There are three main ways to do this: finger pointing, smart OCR, and tapping the touchpad. The finger pointing method involves pointing at the document, removing your finger, and allowing the device to register the position. The smart OCR option allows you to point at a specific section of text and have the OrCam Read only that area. Lastly, tapping the touchpad on the side of the OrCam triggers the camera to take a picture, activating the OCR functionality.

In our low-light setting, we may encounter challenges with the finger pointing method due to low visibility. If the ambient light is insufficient for the device to detect my finger, the OrCam won't be able to register it. However, the touchpad offers an alternative solution. By simply tapping the side of the OrCam, the device takes a picture and proceeds to read the text. This feature comes in handy when visibility is limited, as it was in our restaurant simulation.

With the basic gesture of pointing, I attempted to see if the OrCam could read anything on the menu. Initially, in the dim lighting, the device struggled to detect my finger. Thankfully, the alternative method of tapping the touchpad worked seamlessly. After taking a picture of the menu, the OrCam successfully read the appetizers section and smoothly transitioned to the main meals. It was a relief to witness the device performing as intended, even in these challenging lighting conditions.

Now that we have explored the restaurant Scenario, let's turn the lights back on and delve into other features of the OrCam. Aside from OCR, the OrCam offers tap and swipe gestures on the side of the device, providing additional functionalities. For instance, a swipe left or right adjusts the volume, while a tap triggers the camera to take a picture and begin reading a document. Double tapping pauses the reading, indicated by an auditory beep, and double tapping again resumes the reading. Swiping forward skips ahead, while swiping back navigates to previous sections. Another tap on the side of the OrCam stops the reading altogether.

In my previous video, I inadvertently omitted showcasing the barcode scanning functionality of the OrCam, an oversight for which I apologize. To rectify this, I will now demonstrate the device's capability to recognize barcodes. As it is currently flu season, there are various medicine bottles lying around the house. By bringing one of these medicine bottles into the device's view, the OrCam Instantly recognizes the barcode and reads the Relevant information.

However, it's important to acknowledge that not every attempt may be successful. During my testing, the OrCam did not recognize all the barcodes, indicating that there may be limitations in barcode recognition. It's worth noting that one of the bottles I tried was generic Kroger medicine, while the other was Tylenol. Despite the expectation that Tylenol, being a commonly recognized brand, would be identified, the device struggled to recognize its barcode. While the barcode scanning feature is convenient in many situations, users should be aware that it may not always yield the desired results.

Another noteworthy feature of the OrCam is its color identification capability. By employing the same gesture used for OCR, pointing at a blank area, the OrCam attempts to identify the color of that specific spot. To illustrate this, I have a book of colored craft paper. Performing the gesture on the different colors, such as gray, red, brown, and yellow, the OrCam accurately identifies the corresponding colors. However, it's important to mention that accuracy can vary, and my own Perception of colors may differ due to my visual impairment. Nonetheless, this color identification feature can be useful for those who struggle with color recognition.

In conclusion, our test of the OrCam in a low-light restaurant setting revealed its impressive performance when reading menus. Despite the challenges posed by dim lighting, the device was able to read different sections of the menu accurately. The alternative method of tapping the touchpad proved invaluable when finger pointing was hindered by low visibility. Additionally, we explored other features of the OrCam, including barcode scanning and color identification, which exhibited varying levels of success. These additional functionalities add to the versatility of the device, making it a valuable tool for individuals with visual impairments.

Thank you for joining me in this journey of testing the OrCam in low-light conditions. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming live stream Q&A session on Friday, November 16th. Leave your questions and topics of interest in the comments section below, and let's have a meaningful dialogue. Stay tuned for more videos where we explore the world of assistive technology and how it enhances the lives of individuals with visual impairments.

Highlights

• Testing the OrCam in low-light restaurant situations
• Announcing a live stream Q&A session
• Recreating low-light conditions in the studio
• Exploring various OrCam functionalities
• Challenges and successes with OCR in low light
• Demonstrating barcode scanning and color identification on the OrCam

FAQ

Q: Can the OrCam read menus in dimly lit restaurants? A: Our test in a simulated low-light restaurant setting showed that the OrCam was able to read different sections of the menu accurately, although finger pointing for OCR may be hindered by low visibility. The alternative method of tapping the touchpad proved useful in such situations.

Q: Does the OrCam have barcode scanning functionality? A: Yes, the OrCam is equipped with barcode scanning capabilities. However, it's worth noting that not all barcodes may be recognized by the device, as our testing revealed some limitations in barcode recognition.

Q: Can the OrCam identify colors? A: Yes, the OrCam has a color identification feature. By pointing at a blank area, the device attempts to identify the color of that spot. However, it's essential to recognize that perceived colors may vary, especially for individuals with visual impairments.