[Electronics-talk] Identifying Groceries

[Peter Russillo]

Hello, my 2 cents' worth:  There's the Quantum Scanner from AT Guys for 
$149, to use with the free software Bar Code Finder from BC Scan; just plug 
the scanner into the USB port on the 'puter and go into Bar Code Finder with 
alt-ctrl-b, then wave the item in front of the scanner.  I use this quite 
well, it works well.  HTH

Peter
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Barbour" <jbar at barcore.com>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Identifying Groceries


> In general, there are 3 ways to do this kind of thing.
>
> * A true laser barcode scanner such as the ID Mate
>
> * A smartphone app that finds barcodes and uses a data connection to look 
> the code up in a database
>
> * A smartphone app that takes a picture of items and then sends the 
> picture to workers who can identify the item.
>
> The laser barcode scanner will be the easiest to use, will also be the
> most expenive option, and may have a limited amount of products it
> knows about.  That's because you have to update its database of
> barcodes, usually only once a year or so.
>
> An app that can take a picture of an item and then ask someone else
> what that item is will be considerably cheaper, but will need a data
> connection to send the picture over.  Taptap See is one such app for
> the iPHone.  The biggest challenge here will be learning how to get a
> clear picture of what you want identified.  Also, pictures use quite a
> bit of data.
>
> An app that can take a picture of a barcode and then look it up on the
> internet is a final option.  Digit-eyes is an example of this type of
> app.  It uses a video camera which you move over the item to identify
> the barcode.  However, it takes quite a bit of practice to get the
> barcode oriented and focused.
>
> I hope this helps lay out the options.
>
> Take Care,
>
> Jim
>
> On Sun, Aug 04, 2013 at 11:00:52AM -0700, Sarah Clark wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I have an ID Mate, which I love. It is a stand alone device that I can 
>> wave over the bar code of a grocery item and it scans the bar code and 
>> tells me what that item is. I have a friend who wants something that does 
>> the same thing, but the ID Mate costs $1,200, and she would prefer not to 
>> pay that much. I am wondering what other devices are out there that work 
>> the same way (by scanning the bar code). Please share anything you are 
>> aware of -- iPhone apps as well as stand alone devices.
>> Thanks,
>> Sarah
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