How does See4Me work? (some things are for PC-Version)
An image selected by a blind User is sent to a sighted volunteer helper (called NetEye here) via the internet. Both parties can then communicate using speech or chat. A local network (intranet or LAN) can be used where a direct internet connection is not desirable – e.g. because of security requirements in companies or institutions. NetEyes must in this case be recruited amongst the User’s colleagues on the same intranet.

What can be “viewed” by the blind Users via See4Me?
Examples are: 1) objects captured by a web-camera like labeled bottles, cans, dress-items; 2) pages or cards with handwriting or pictures which no OCR-software can read or evaluate; 3) screenshots from the User’s PC with much graphic information, i.e. from a web site or a document file... all 2D- or 3D-objects in the home- or work-environment of which the (blind) User needs “a borrowed view”. 3G cell phones featuring cameras will even allow to get help via See4Me “on the move” practically anywhere!

Which technology is used by See4Me?
NetEyes log in to a server via the internet automatically when starting there See4Me-software client. This idles in the background and is only activated on request from the server. When a User starts a See4Me request, he or she is automatically connected to one of the NetEyes available online – either randomly or from the User’s “buddy list”. After a specific User and NetEye are connected, the traffic (images, speech or chat) does not go through the server, but directly between the two parties. This is why such an architecture is called “Pear-to-Pear” (P2P).
See4Me – Q & A cont’d

Do the Users need any equipment or know-how?
A PC with network connection plus hard-/software to make it accessible, like a Braille display or so-called screen-reader software using synthetic speech or large print on a big screen is needed . Many blind people also own OCR-based readers with a PC and a scanner. Some of those are upgradable to work with See4Me, too. In future, 3G cell phones will also be usable as very easy-to-use “mobile See4Me-eyes”. Users do not have to be internet- or PC-buffs!

Who can be a NetEye?
Any sighted person who is habitually online for a few hours per week and who does not mind being interrupted by brief contacts to (blind) Users now and then. Of course, they should also be communicative and like to help other people.

Is See4Me free of charge?
YES! We are a German non-profit organisation trying to pay the monthly fees for our server(s) from DONATIONS which we hope to recieve from enthusiastic supporters and satisfied users. We want to find partners or organisations to help with the project and will be grateful for their time and effort.

Who is involved?
The original idea and the software development came from J. Frank, himself visually impaired and until 2004 owner and CEO of FRANK AUDIODATA, a leading German company with a long and successful track-record in the field of aids for blind and visually impaired people. A non-profit organization (KlickBlick PLUS e.V.) was founded by him and other leading players in the field of blindness in 2001 in Frankfurt / Germany with the main mission of supporting further development and creating an international base in collaboration with partners from the blindness-field, IT-industry, sponsors etc.

Please contact us if you are interested in further information or any form of co-operation!

FRANK PROJECTS – See4Me, P.O.-Box 1224 D-68794 Oberhausen-Rhsn. / GERMANY Phone: +49-7254 77 68 433 (of course in English!) Email: contact@see4me.com

Click4Big - With APP: Smartphone instead of PC on left side