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AbstractA Polish SME has worked out an innovative audio guide. The guide makes possible to provide commentaries to the listener in different languages and at varying levels of complexity and can be adapted to suit the interests of the individual user or a more general audience. The company is looking for a partner in tourism branch. Its task will be further development of the guide and especially adaptation to specific needs.DetailsA Polish SME has worked out an innovative audio guide.The system was originally developed for museums. It is meant to support the museum visiting process by providing an individual electronic guide. The system automatically responds to the exhibition item within its range, not requiring the visitor to enter the code that identifies that particular exhibit. The device recognizes the exhibit and automatically begins the narration accompanying that exhibit. At the same time, the text of the commentary is shown on the display (this feature can be used e.g. by the hearing-impaired). The level and scope of information provided is tailored to visitors’ knowledge and interests. The system uses active and passive object identification methods based on RFID identifiers. RFID is a system of object control operating on the basis of radio waves, where data (e.g. numeric identifier) is read and recorded by special electronic systems attached to the tracked object. Information is communicated in the form of audio narration and audio text displayed on the LCD screen, making it the best choice for visitors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Another technology offered by EC Sybiltech is its person, animal and car location system. For positioning, the system uses GPS locations and locations set by the triangulation algorithm of GSM transmitters. The system has been designed and developed for a general audience. It is easy to use and is characterized by low operating costs. Innovative Aspects: - The system uses active RFID markers and is a completely wireless Solutions with low setup and maintenance costs. - The system is adapted for use both indoors and outdoors. - Easy access to commentaries - One device can hold different language versions and commentaries on exhibits at different levels of complexity and addressing different age groups. - Improved retention of information - The process of communicating the information can be enhanced by including a musical setting. - Self-activation - The guide detects an exhibit within its range and automatically turns on the commentary for that exhibit. This is the electronic equivalent of traditional guided tours, but with the system the exhibit area is adapted to the users’ particular interests. - Special function for the deaf or hard-of-hearing - The guide has a color LCD screen, which simultaneously plays the audio and displays the commentary as text on the screen. -Noninvasiveness – the system is a wireless system and is fully mobile. The active RFID markers can be easily moved around the exhibit area and, depending on the needs and arrangement preferences for the exhibit, changes to the exhibit identification can be made without having to disturb the historical structures of the museum. - New and innovative approach to audio commentaries - The guide relies on state-of-the-art, energy-efficient active RFID markers. - Low set-up and maintenance costs – the system doesn’t require any changes in the existing descriptions of the exhibits to function correctly and doesn’t need a special numerical code for a given description. The set-up costs are lower than for comparable audio-guides available on the market today.
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