The web page will anyway provide only local information so it will not be a heavy page, just some light pages providing information. The text to speech is converted in the receiving device.
Yes that is a kind of lite weight thing and is quite phisible.
The Wireless Access Point ( WAP ) nowadays costs Rs. 2K approx. It is a built-in web server with an 802.11 network interface for broadcast. A WAP does not require a license to operate. The built-in web pages can be replaced with the web pages of the locality. The RF power output will be further reduced to allow a 5 to 10 feet range only. So the overall power consumption is only a few watts.
Yes roni, that is what I ment by looking at the cost effective solutions. I am not claiming here that this is the perfect solution. it may or may not be. but this is the kind of work expected from the team. if we explore around we get a lot of cost effective solution for every thing. and your way of looking at the cost aspect is really appreciable.
The use of a standard 802.11 interface will allow any wireless device of that standard to operate as the receiver, depending on the user's purchasing power. Any handheld device can suffice. A special low cost version can be developed by using the Simputer type technology. It was meant to be a hand held computer with a wireless network interface and cost approx. 5K to 10K rupees. Our version need not have any graphics or modem and would simply download and play the web pages into a headphone, with a keyboard.
yes, the thing is that most blind people get funding for such things from else where. and by the way the solution being worked here is pritty cost effective or can be made so.
There are faceless Chinese companies that make the hardware like WAPs for branded companies and such manufacturers can provide the hardware in volume, once the prototypes are made. This will further bring down costs. We get more freedom to load our webpage inside the WAP.
the biggest thing is that go in the faceless market and you get all such things and such companies can be contacted. again I am saying on the basis of such similar projects that cost wont be a big matter. what ever solution is worked out, cost will be certainly worked out and here we are talking about mass purchase as roni rightly said. and plz don't depends on one vender. there are so many companies manufacturing what is needed. so keep the ideas flowing. and let all experience people exploere the possibilities and adjust the fundings. Krishnakant.