The PEARL is a brand new assistive technology device from Freedom Scientific designed to take pictures of text faster than a flatbed scanner. Here are some of its features:
Portability: Designed to fold to 14”x 3”x 2 1/8”, the PEARL fits in a small carrying case and is lightweight. This device would take up much less room in a backpack than a flatbed scanner, and would also be lighter on the neck and shoulders.
Scanning Speed: Developers at Freedom Scientific demonstrated this device to our team this past summer. PEARL captured the image of a page in a novel and OpenBook started reading it all within three seconds. Freedom explains that speed will vary depending upon the processor of the computer you are using.
Automatic Page Capture: Set the PEARL to automatic page capture and it will sense the motion of your hand as you turn pages, therefore keeping you from clicking your mouse or keyboard and allowing you to scan faster. You can also set up OpenBook to read one page as you scan several.
Video Magnifier Feature: The PEARL can use its camera to project an image on to your computer screen so that you may magnify text or images for easier viewing.
Computer requirements include OpenBook 9 or above and a USB 2.0 Connection. For more information about PEARL or OpenBook, visit www.freedomscientific.com and click on “Products.” The PEARL has been added to the INDATA loan library – for more information, visit www.eastersealstech.com and click on “Equipment Loan Library.
Question: How many mega pixel is camera in Pearl scanner?
Thank you. Kevin
According to the folks at Freedom Scientific, the Pearl scanner is five mega pixels. Thanks for your question!
Does one have to use Open book software to make it scan and read?
Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, Pearl and Openbook are designed to work together. There are other OCR options, but these two are made to work together.