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From: levy@ttrdc.UUCP (Daniel R. Levy)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Re: UPC Scanners
Message-ID: <679@ttrdc.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 11-Jan-86 21:08:35 EST
Article-I.D.: ttrdc.679
Posted: Sat Jan 11 21:08:35 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 14-Jan-86 05:24:24 EST
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Organization: AT&T, Computer Systems Division, Skokie, IL
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>[flames about scanners with voice synthesizer output]

I guess it depends on the quality of the device and individual preferences,
too.  One of the local Jewel supermarkets has these at the checkouts and it
is pretty good, the voice pleasant and distinct (there are a few bugs still,
like it will say "Change: 1 cents" :-).  A Dominick's I have visited does not
have voice, but does have a very visible readout which flashes the name of the
item as well as its price; this is nice too.  I think the voice units were
called "POSItalkers" but I could remember wrong.  I think this extra info
provided to the customer is a saving grace for scanners too, especially if the
name of the item also shows up on the sales receipt (you couldn't very well
expect a manual checker to type this stuff out with any efficiency).

Maybe there could be a button at the checkout that the customer could push
to optionally make the scanner talk?  Maybe some people would be reluctant
to do this because they would be embarrassed to cast doubt on the cashier,
but it would be a way of controlling it according to individual preferences.
Perhaps also the sound output could be directed by a horn or other means
narrowly toward the customer standing near the register, so that others
waiting in line need not suffer :-).
--
 -------------------------------    Disclaimer:  The views contained herein are
|       dan levy | yvel nad      |  my own and are not at all those of my em-
|         an engihacker @        |  ployer or the administrator of any computer
| at&t computer systems division |  upon which I may hack.
|        skokie, illinois        |
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