Barrier-Free Communication System Using Paper Print, 2nd Report －Spread of the Paper Print Contents with two dimensional symbol SP-CODE－

Abstract

In Japan, there has recently been an increasing interest in health, home care and welfare, as we enter into a society occupied by more and more elderly people and a smaller number of younger citizens. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare designated an instrument for blind people and elderly people as a "daily life tool" in April 2003. This instrument translates information printed on paper to voice reading. Our company developed this instrument, called "SPEECHIO, " as well as the new software that converts text to two-dimensional symbol named "SP-CODE." The SPEECHIO reads SP-CODE and changes text into voice reading automatically. We believe this new barrier-free communication system will greatly help blind people and old-aged people who have difficulties in reading small prints. Continuously from 1st report, I describe the spread of the paper print contents with two-dimensional SP-CODE.