Abstract: The invention deals with an aid device for reading a printed text, comprising a data acquisition peripheral with a camera and a communication interface, said peripheral being movable by a user on a printed text to frame a portion of text, a processing unit, communication means between the peripheral and the processing unit, and a vocal reproduction device. The processing unit is programmed to acquire a sequence of images framed by the camera, to detect when the user has stopped on the text, to recognize at least one word which the user intends reading, and to reproduce the sound of said at least one word by means of vocal synthesis by means of the vocal reproduction device.

Abstract: The invention deals with an aid device for reading a printed text, comprising a data acquisition peripheral with a camera and a communication interface, said peripheral being movable by a user on a printed text to frame a portion of text, a processing unit, communication means between the peripheral and the processing unit, and a vocal reproduction device. The processing unit is programmed to acquire a sequence of images framed by the camera, to detect when the user has stopped on the text, to recognise at least one word which the user intends reading, and to reproduce the sound of said at least one word by means of vocal synthesis by means of the vocal reproduction device.

Abstract: An improved surface characteristic measurement system for measuring a characteristic of a surface comprising a processor, a light source for providing a light beam on the surface to be measured, a position sensing device for sensing a position of a diffused light diffused by the surface, and a photodiode for sensing intensity of a reflected light reflected by the surface. The position sensing device, which may be a PIN diode, provides a position signal to the processor indicative of position of the diffused light while the photodiode provides a reflected light intensity signal to the processor indicative of reflected light intensity. The processor determines the surface characteristic based at least one of the position signal and the reflected light intensity signal.