ScanVox is a simple and free software which, associated with a scanner, makes it possible to read the printed documents, by scanning them then by browsing their contents thanks to a speech synthesis.
At any time, it is possible to navigate in the text, pause and then resume reading.
For people who do not have a personal computer, the ScanBox, also associated with a scanner, offers the same functions.
ScanVox is aimed in particular at people who are blind, visually impaired or dyslexic.
INSTALLATION
ScanVox comes in 3 versions :
• ScanVox, application available on the Microsoft Windows Store.
This version requires a computer running Windows 10 or 11, with speakers or headphones, and a scanner compatible with WIA, that is to say also compatible with Windows 10 or 11. All updates are automated.
If your scanner is not detected by ScanVox but works correctly with other applications, you are using a driver not recognized by Microsoft Windows Store applications. To correct this, unplug your scanner's USB plug, then from the Start menu, choose the Settings option. Choose Bluetooth and devices in Windows 11 or Devices in Windows 10, then Printers and scanners, then the name of your scanner, and finally the button Delete. You can then reconnect your scanner's USB port to allow Windows to automatically reinstall the appropriate driver.
ScanVox is available in 11 languages : French, English, German, Danish, Spanish, Finnish, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish.
• ScanVox +, application downloadable from our site.
This version will not change anymore because it is intended for older devices. It requires a computer running Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, with speakers or headphones, and a TWAIN or WIA compatible scanner, which is the case with most scanners.
During installation, if you get a message from Microsoft Defender, click on More information and then on the Run anyway button.
ScanVox + is available in 11 languages (see above).
• ScanBox (new in 2022), mini-computer under Linux including the ScanVox software. Price : 59€90.
The ScanBox is a small electronic box equipped with 3 tactile buttons, replacing the arrow keys on a keyboard, and connected to your scanner using a USB cable, as for a conventional PC.
The ScanBox requires speakers or headphones with 3.5mm JACK plug, and a SANE compatible scanner.
To check the compatibility of your scanner, choose its brand and model from the lists below. You will then see compatible displayed if your scanner is SANE compatible, or incompatible if it is not. If your scanner is not listed, there is no compatibility data.
Maker :
Model :
Result : compatible
The ScanBox is available in 5 languages : French, English, German, Spanish, Italian.
To find out more, click on this link...
GUIDE
ScanVox & ScanVox +
At startup, the application welcomes you.
You can then operate the application simply, using the 4 arrow keys on your keyboard.
The Up and Down arrows are used to select a feature, the Left and Right arrows are used to choose one of the options for the selected feature.
After selecting a feature, without any action on your part within 3 seconds, the application informs you of the options available for this feature.
You will find in the table below a summary of the commands offered by the application :
|
OPTION (left arrow) |
FUNCTIONALITY |
OPTION (right arrow) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↑ | ||||
| previous file |
← | file | → | next file |
| delete backup |
← | backup | → | create a backup |
| cancel scanning |
← | scanning | → | start scanning |
| pause | ← | reading | → | start or resume reading |
| start of document |
← | document | → | end of document |
| previous paragraph |
← | paragraph | → | next paragraph |
| previous sentence |
← | sentence | → | next sentence |
| previous line |
← | line | → | next line |
| previous word |
← | word | → | next word |
| previous character |
← | character | → | next character |
| decrease volume |
← | volume * | → | increase volume |
| decrease speed |
← | speed * | → | increase speed |
| previous voice |
← | voice * | → | next voice |
| ↓ | ||||
| * not available in ScanVox + |
||||
ScanBox
At startup, the software welcomes you.
On the ScanBox, the buttons at each end allow you to select a feature, and the button in the middle to launch the selected feature.
Below is a summary of the features offered by the software :
| FUNCTIONALITY |
|---|
| ↑ |
| exit |
| start or cancel scanning |
| reading or pause |
| start of document |
| end of document |
| previous paragraph |
| next paragraph |
| previous sentence |
| next sentence |
| previous line |
| next line |
| previous word |
| next word |
| previous character |
| next character |
| decrease volume |
| increase volume |
| ↓ |
Very important : never unplug the ScanBox before turning it off using the Exit menu. Otherwise, you risk damaging the microSD card.
Note
• You can scan several pages in succession. The system alerts you as soon as it has finished scanning and analyzing a page so you can reposition your document on the scanner to start scanning a new page.
• At any time, you can cancel a scan in progress by pressing the Left arrow on the keyboard or the center button on the ScanBox.
• You can place a document on the scanner by inverting it : the system will automatically reposition it in the correct direction.
• As your scanner is detected automatically, if you have more than one device of this type, connect only the one you want.
• If ScanVox or ScanVox + does not find a compatible scanner, while your scanner works well with other applications, you are probably using the generic Windows driver, which is therefore not optimized for your scanner. Download the appropriate driver for your device from the manufacturer's website then install it on your PC.
• Multifunction scanners (printer-scanners, from € 30) are ideal and are often cheaper than simple scanners (from € 60), as they are the best-selling products!
CONTACT
For any information, you can contact us by email : contact@scanvox.org
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NEWSLETTER
Many thanks to everyone for making ScanVox the most used free document reader in the world !
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