The Freedom Reader

As a “thanks” to the men who were instrumental in the success of the Freedom Reader I assembled three devices for them and included an Information Manual. The following is an excerpt from that manual.

INTRODUCTION

     The Freedom Reader is a low vision device designed to increase the Blind Communities access to printed media. The concept originated in 1987 as a simple daydream and evolved slowly over a number of years as my knowledge level of the requirements increased. A few years ago I enlisted the help of my brother Mark and the two of us assembled the first version of the device. This first version used the BS2p40 module from Parallax, a PAK6A math coprocessor from Al Williams (as a keyboard driver), the Emic TTS module from Grand Idea Studios, and the same PS900 CCD Barcode scanner included in your kit. At that time we struggled with the small RAM memory of the various Parallax microcontroller modules and, at one point, even added a RamPack B. My brother Mark managed to get the device operable enough to demonstrate the concept and the success was enough to keep us moving forward.

    As we perceived it, there were three major obstacles to our success; the small RAM memory, the lack of a REAL keyboard driver chip or program, and the limited functionality of the WTS701 TTS IC from WINBOND.  The resolution to all these problems began in Gateway Electronics during a chance encounter with Jerry Rutherford of Rutherford Robotics. While purchasing a RamPack B for the FR1, Jerry joined the discussion between myself and the proprietor and began singing the praises of BASCOM, Mark Alberts, and the AVR. Soon thereafter, I purchased my first BASCOM license and the Educational Development Board from MCS Electronics. Family issues forced my brother and I to delay further work on the device and, during a visit to a local bookstore, I happened across a book by Tom Petruzzelis called STAMP 2: COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL where I discovered the ATKBD keyboard driver chip available from Steven Elliot. This keyboard driver was a major find for my brother and I. Although BASCOM is capable to emulating a PS2 keyboard within its list of available commands, this was beyond our level of programming competency and we ultimately found that “off-loading” all of the coding for the keyboard was a blessing. Still, even with these discoveries, we continued to struggle with the limitations of the WINBOND TTS IC. This TTS IC had a very poor differential digital audio output that I was never able to improve. Also, the small internal buffer greatly limited the amount of ASCII data that could be sent at any one time, as during and after a TTS conversion, no data could be sent to the IC. This fact resulted in large pauses between the very small amounts of low volume speech being produced by the IC. This problem, I am happy to say, has been solved by the V-Stamp from Randy Calrstrom of RC Systems, as can be seen on the demonstration videos.

  It should be noted and can be seen that the V-Stamp has MANY more capabilities than used in this current version (FR4). As a result of my understanding of this fact, I left access to additional PORTS on the 644P that can be used to “alter” operating modes via the AVR firmware. Future versions may allow access to the V-Stamps analog input lines as desired.

 

FREEDOM READER WORD PROCESSOR

      The Freedom Reader Word Processor is a Windows based software utility written solely by Mark Kahrhoff as a means to demonstrate the FR concept and , what I refer to as a “Blind – Sighted,” interface. In other words, we propose that such a software utility could be used by sighted family members as a way to send postal communications to blind family members. In my humble opinion, I see the software utility as the real breakthrough of the Freedom Reader concept. It is precisely this type of software that reinforces how much a standardized Blind barcode format can help the visually impaired.  The experts reading this simple description can certainly appreciate how low-cost and small the translator hardware could become in the right hands. If so, then they can imagine, as we have, how paperback books and texts could be produced at low cost to accompany the device, replacing the expense of printing in Braille. The Word Processor can also be used to print descriptive Avery (or similar) adhesive backed labels the can be attached to household products and items for identification by the Blind. It is our hope that this utility will be available on our website www.FreedomReader.net as an online Text-to-Barcode converter that can be used freely for these purposes.

 

THE DREAM

      We have dreamed of other variations of the device. We considered the fact that many blind individuals may not wish to “listen” to the FR voice data and instead may prefer, while scanning, to have a small handheld Braille translator (one digit under each fingertip) incorporated in the palm of the device INSTEAD OF the TTS module. We have discussed many ways to construct the hardware portion of this version but, as of yet, have not pursued construction. My brother is currently working on a UPC database that we hope to offer on our website in the future as most experts who have seen the device see it primarily as a product ID device. Many experts have said that it is doubtful publishers will ever go to a standardized barcode format for the Blind. In my opinion, the use of adhesive labels printed and attached to products eliminates the need for a large internal database and simplifies the operation of the device. Also, an attached printed label allows the blind individual to “feel” the perimeter of the label to know where to scan the product.

OFFERINGS AND INSIGHTS

       This documentation was originally prepared for Mark Kahrhoff, Mark Alberts, and Steven Elliot but, now is available to everyone. I can say that my brother and I have learned a great deal through the “hills and valleys” of the devices development and, as I have said before, the speed of our progress was based on our evolving skill level and the discovery and availability of the requisite hardware and tools.

     I can say that if I was to venture a guess, Steven would put all the requirements in a PIC and Mark in an AVR. I consider you both experts and appreciate all your help over the course of the development of the device. Also, as I said before, the hardware is simple and straightforward and all I had to do was, “put Tab A into Slot B!”

THE PROGRAMMER

   Due to the fact that most of our programming is done on a laptop computer, my brother Mark and I both use the EMBUD USB-ISP programmer shown on www.mcselec.com (Marks website). This is one of just two programmers I know of that support Mark’s BASCOM compiler. I have printed a page from Mark’s website that details the functionality and pinout of the header for the programmer. It should be noted that the drivers for the programmer are contained in the BASCOM-AVR compiler. My brother and I both have a registered BASCOM license.

    The Atmel website contains many free software tools for developing the AVR 8 bit RISC microcontrollers (i.e. AVR Studio 4). There are also many open source development tools that allow the AVR’s to be programmed in C (i.e. WinAVR). These development tools are detailed in the tutorials section of www.AVRFreaks.net

THE PS900

     The PS900 CCD Barcode Scanner included in the kit comes with a configuration manual that is included at the end of your binder. Most of the scanners defaults (shown in BOLD print) are correct but, some do have to be changed and others were modified based on my preference, feel free to experiment as you see fit. I configured your scanners as follows:

Scan the following:

 

Start Configuration (page 10)

Continuous/Auto Power On (page 12)

None (page 17)

Off (page 55)

End Configuration (page 10)

Save Parameters (page 10)

Basically you have to make sure that the scanner does not send a CR and LF under section 4.3 Output Characters Parameters section on page 17 of the configuration manual. The rest is just my personal preference based on what I think would be the easiest for a blind person!!

 

OTHER STUFF

(What follows gives information based on what was included in the printed version of the FR information manual that was supplied to the three men who were instrumental in the success of the device. Later, a copy of this document was forward to RC Systems and Nard Awater of AVRFreaks.net)

   It should be noted that I “lay” most of my traces by hand (in the PCB design software) directly from the datasheet. I am not a fan of the presentations of most of the schematic software suites available, but realize it is a necessity in this circumstance. Therefore, as unorthodox as it appears, I tried to layout the schematic to represent the PCB hoping this would help Mark and Steve locate various pins for test and modification. The transparencies are a fairly accurate representation of the TOP and BOTTOM copper layer (with just a few exceptions for clarity). I have also included a VIEWMATE printout of the various layers for reference of relative placement for decoupling capacitors and resistors. The boards were left in there raw form for access and simplicity and the enclosed speaker can be upgraded as the on-board amplifier is capable of 1 watt.

Thanks for your help guys and, as your schedule permits, I welcome any suggestions you may wish to offer.

 

Sincerely,

John Kahrhoff

 

NOTE: The PS900 Barcode Scanner detailed in the text is no longer available. I spent a great deal of money in the search for an acceptable replacement and was able to find a suitable PS2 CCD wedge-connected scanner from eBay.

I felt the PS900 was a great value and was disappointed to find the device was no longer available. It should be understood that PS2 scanners are becoming obsolete as they are being replaced by USB connected scanners. Implementing the use of a USB connected device requires additional circuitry and has not yet been implemented in the Freedom Reader.