Xerox Corp’s Peabody, Massachusetts-based Xerox Imaging Systems has launched BookWise, the world’s first personal computer-based tutoring system to incorporate Intelligent Character Recognition technology: the system is claimed to enable dyslexic and other learning-disabled users to learn to read, can also be used as an instructional tool for adult literacy programmes, remedial reading classes, English as a second language coures, and rehabilitation programs for people that have suffered a stroke or head injury; it scans books or typeset materials, converts the text to computerised speech and reads aloud to the student at an adjustable rate in words, sentences, or phrases; the complete turnkey system consists of the Intelligent Character Recognition software, scanner, co-processor board, interface cable, and a DECtalk card with an external speaker; the software uses artificial intelligence to recognise characters and shapes on pages and can learn new characters, read virtually any typestyle and recognise eight languages; the software alone is $1,000, with the DECtalk board it’s $2,000, a complete system is $8,300; it is shipping in the US.
