|
Pharma-See
Pharma-See from Digit-Eyes is a unique software app for the
iPhone, iPod and iPad that enables people who have problems
reading to identify prescription containers by using QR codes.
This includes people who are blind or low-vision, people who are
dyslexic and those who have lost the ability to read through
stroke or injury as well as people who simply are not literate.
Digit-Eyes uses QR codes to enable people to
record pharmaceutical label information on their iPhones, iPads or iPods and to play
it back on demand (“audio labels”) or to read QR code labels
that contain text (“text labels”) with any smartphone.
The Digit-Eyes technology for recognizing QR codes,
recording and storing audio information and playing audio on the
iOS devices has been in the market since 2010 and is stable and
well proven. The scanner is omni-directional: it does not
require the unsighted customer to orient the bar code in any
particular fashion, only to have all of the QR code within the “view”
of the camera.
The product is well-known and has been well accepted by the
blind community.
The Digit-Eyes software speaks any one of ten languages:
English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish,
Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
|
Pharma-See Text Labels
- Text labels are phone-readable QR (‘quick response)
codes that contain encoded alphabetic and numeric text
content. A code 1.5 x 1.5 inches in size can hold 400
characters of prescription date that is voiced aloud to the
customer;
- This solution is appropriate for pharmacies that can
integrate QRcode generation into their pharmaceutical labeling process (such
as mail order pharmacies);
- Text labels should be created during the process where
presecription labels are printed for the medicine bottle;
- Labels should be placed in currently-unused space on the
presecription container. Codes should not be placed
on the prescription container lid because lids can be mislaid or interchanged.
- QR code preserption labels can be printed on standard 2-inch round label
stock;
- A 2-inch round label can contain about 400 characters of
text. This should be the same or similar text as the
visually-readable prescription labels.
- The text content of the QR code prescrption label is voiced when the phone is passed over the
code.
- Readable by any camera-equipped device that reads QR code:
- Android phones and tablets
- Nokia phones
- iPhone, iPad
Pharma-See Audio Labels
Recordable labels are special QR
code labels that contains a code that triggers a recording
process in an app on the iPhone, iPad or iPod;
- A special preprinted QR-code prescription label containing a recording
trigger code is affixed to the prescription container. Codes
should not be placed on the lid because lids can be mislaid
or interchanged;
- The customer can obtain a free copy of the app and install
it on their iPhone, iPad or iPod from the Apple app store;
- The customer at the pharmacy brings up the app on their
preferred device and scans the code. The device displays and
(if the customer is using VoiceOver, speaks) the term “record”
in the language the customer uses on their phone;
- When the pharmacist is ready to inform the customer about
their prescription, they touch “record” and read the information
into the mobile device. The customer listens to the instructions and asks
any questions and receives answers;
- At home, the customer locates the QR code label by touch, scans it with their mobile device
and hears the pharmacist’s instructions and the answers to
any questions they may have asked;
- Audio labels require no software integration with the
pharmacy software system: The pharmacy has no connection or
integration into their software system at all.
- Custom-branded versions of the Pharma-See recording app for QR-coded pharmacentical labels
are provided under standard licensing from Digit-Eyes;
- The functionality is also available as a licensed library
that can be integrated into the pharmacy’s own iPhone, iPod or iPad app.
Benefits
- Affordable: The QR code labeling solution requires no investment on
the part of the customer beyond the normal cost for their
phone, iPod or iPad;
- Simple: Digit-Eyes Pharma-See QR code app is natively
designed for “eyes-free” use, it is very simple and is
intuitive to use;
- Available: The phone is likely to be where the
customer is;
- Accessible: The accessibility of the Apple products
– iPhone, iPod and iPad -- is without parallel; many
unsighted customers are already familiar with the features
of the phone and won’t require training or support to use the QR code pharmaceutical labels;
- Sustainable: The iPhone, iPod and iPad are
desirable and popular devices, as are other mobile phones.
Unlike conventional special-purpose AT hardware, customers
are unlikely to “forget” their phone or to abandon its
use;
- Reliable: Phones are robust; it is unlikely to fail
and leave customers unable access their prescription
information;
- Replaceable: If the phone is lost, any audio for the QR code pharmaceutical label
recordings are restored from the user’s iTunes account
backup when the replacement device is activated; no backup is
required for text labels;
- Short Training Curve: The Digit-Eyes system is
simple and intuitive, no time-consuming training required
for busy Pharmacist Teams;
- Cost-Effective and easy to implement: The pharmacy
has no expense for the customer’s hardware and assumes no
responsibility for maintaining or replacing it;
- No investment in equipment for the pharmacy;
- Minimal training for the pharmacy;
- When using QR code audio labels, the cost to the pharmacy is minimal. This includes the development of
an app customized for pharmacy chain with unlimited free
downloads for customers.
- An unlimited number of the proprietary Digit-Eyes QR-code
labels can be printed by the pharmacy at no charge or
pre-printed labels can be purchased at a minimal cost;
- The Digit-Eyes Pharma-See toolkit for developers is
available for integration into the pharmacy’s own app.
Licensing terms vary with volume;
- No extra SKU pill bottles for the pharmacy to purchase
and inventory.
- Personal: The customer has a positive and personal
interaction with their pharmacy: one that they are reminded
of each time that they take their medication;
- Risk-Free: at no time do the pharmacy’s employees
incur the liability of handling the customer’s equipment;
|
|
|