The Document Scan add-on allows you to scan the printed page. This means that the computer can look at the page, and then read back the page to you. The scanning process is not error free however. This is because the computer scans the page by literally taking a picture of the entire page. The page is then deciphered into text, and then the computer can read the page back to you. Because the text is being deciphered from a picture, errors can and will crop up from time to time. These errors are not usually enough to make listening to the page unintelligible though. In order for the computer to carry out this function, the computer must have a specialized hardware device attached. This device is called a scanner. Serotek offers a scanner along with the Document Scan add-on, but if you already have a scanner, you can probably use it with no difficulties.
Scanning pages allows you to do many tasks that would normally require a sighted individual. For example, you can read your own postal mail, such as letters, bills, magazines, and the like. If you need to scan in books, this is also possible. Note, Document Scan cannot recognize handwriting.
Launching Document Scan for the first time
Document Scan is the product that Serotek provides as the interface between you, the computer, and the scanner. When you are at the SA Mobile Desktop, and select "Document Scan", the Document Scan add-on must be copied, or downloaded to your computer. You will get a message indicating this. If you wait a few minutes, you will be told that the installation is complete. At this point, just tap Escape, and you will be placed back on the SA Mobile Desktop. Just re-enter Document Scan, and you can begin reading those bills!
Scanning For the First Time
When you open Document Scan, you will have:
- Scan New Document
- Browse Documents.
When you choose the scan new document option, you will be reminded that you should place the paper face down (print side down flat against the glass of the scanner (. When you get tired of this message, just check the "don't show me this message again, check box, and activate the continue button. If you have not used your scanner before, or have not used your scanner in several minutes, you may need to wait 1 minute before the scanner warms up. Document Scan will repeatedly play the warbling sound while this process is underway. If you listen carefully, you will hear the scanner begin to move under the page. If no text can be recognized, you will be notified of this, and be presented with a "retry" button.
When you successfully scan a page of text, Document Scan will automatically begin reading the processed textual information to you. At this point, you can edit corrections to the scanned information if you wish. Tip, you may wish to spell check each page as you scan it. This may not be helpful if the scanned page has numerous errors. If you want to scan another page into the document, choose "Scan next page". Important, when the new page of text is processed and read, the prior text is not available until you save the document. If you dislike the scanned results, you can activate the, "Scan this page again" button. When you wish to store your scanned document for later retrieval, choose the, "Save document" button. You will be asked for the name of the set of pages. Just type in a name and tap enter. Note, you cannot scan pages to a saved document. If you wish to loose all pages to a document, and start scanning a fresh new document choose the, "Start over" button.
Browsing Scanned Documents
When you browse your scanned documents, by choosing the, "Browse Documents" button, you will be presented with a listing of all your save documents. Just choose the document you want to read. You can then delete, or email it by activating the appropriate buttons.
Because Document Scan uses the HomeServer, you will always have access to your documents from a U3 smart drive or Passkey or via the web interface. You can even scan pages using a U3 smart drive or PassKey!