A quick reader’s note:
This is the first post where I have used AI to generate image descriptions. I have tested a 100% automated workflow such that I give a script the images I have taken. The script gets descriptions from an ai model, does the necessary processing and uploads the images to a draft post on this blog.
Once again all the image descriptions and captions are ai generated.
My experiences however are my own and will remain that way.
Sacheta and I went for a vacation to the Wildflower Hall just above Simla.
The resort is beautiful and the service is top notch. It is not pet friendly which is a massive plus.
One of the things I almost tried was archery. I was using the vOICe and was able to make out the tiny patch of darkness which was the target that had been setup on the range. That was step one accomplished. I did not go further because I was not wearing my prosthesis with me (My left palm is partly formed) therefore drawing back the bow while holding the arrow to the string would have been tricky. The bow was large and I suspect had to be placed on the ground while shooting.
The highlight of the trip was the forest trail walk. This is where the service stands out. We had two members of staff who came with us to ensure our safety and comfort.
We started the walk at about 14:30 IST.
The day was clear and we had an unobstructed view. The first thing I was able to identify were steps. We had to climb them to reach the forest.
The light levels varied but I was able to see various features of the landscape such as the trees, some rocks on the trail etc. One crucial bit of input I received was when the trees were narrowing or when we had a broader path. That extra second of warning helped me adjust how I walked and made for a smoother heicking experience.
There is a point on the trail where you can see the Wildflower resort. We stopped there and took many photographs. I saw the resort with blobs of brightness that were its windows. Moreover, we also saw the hazy Himalayas. Do not expect to see a mountain. We were quite far from the peeks so what I saw were hard hazy blobs.
The return trip was equally interesting since I was trying to determine if I could see the steps we had to descend. I was able to do so and found their texture fascinating as they went downwards into the distance.
In terms of animals, we did not encounter any. There was only bird song. It was quiet in the forest. At the point where we saw the resort, we could here the dull roar of traffic on the highway but that was all.
This image captures a serene outdoor setting, possibly on a hill or mountain. The photograph features two tall pines standing prominently in the center of the frame. They are tall and slender with green needles and brown bark, suggesting they are mature specimens. Surrounding these pines is a lush forest with various coniferous trees, all showing signs of healthy growth. The sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled light on the ground below, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and natural beauty. The sky above is mostly clear, indicating fair weather conditions at the time the photo was taken. In the background, you can see a hazy view of a town or city, suggesting that this forest is located near a populated area.A mountainous landscape with tall coniferous trees under a clear blue sky. There is a mix of green and brown hues in the foliage, suggesting various stages of growth. The ground appears to be lush and verdant, indicative of a healthy forest ecosystem. The foreground features a wooden bench partially obscured by a tree trunk. Further back, a steep incline with more trees can be seen leading up to a clearing. The perspective suggests the viewer is standing on higher ground looking down towards this landscape.The image depicts a scenic mountain landscape viewed from a vantage point on top of a hill. In the foreground, there is a stone structure partially obscured by foliage. The middle ground features a cluster of evergreen trees on the left and a view of a valley with mountains in the distance under a blue sky. There are no texts visible in the image.The image presents a breathtaking view from an elevated vantage point overlooking a forested valley and mountain range. A multitude of green pine trees fills the middle ground, standing tall against the clear blue sky that stretches out in the background. The contrast between the lush greenery and the expansive sky creates a visually striking scene. In the lower right corner, there’s a watermark or text label, but the exact content is not legible due to the resolution of the image.A photograph capturing a serene mountain landscape with dense forests of tall pine trees reaching towards the clear blue sky. The photo appears to be taken from a hilltop or elevated position, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding nature. The forested areas display a mix of greens and browns, suggesting a variety of tree species and seasons. In the foreground, there is a noticeable presence of green bushes, adding depth to the image. The background features a clear blue sky with no visible clouds, indicating good weather conditions at the time the photo was taken. There are no texts or distinguishable man-made objects in sight. The overall mood of the photograph is tranquil and naturalistic.The image presents a serene scene from a hilltop vantage point overlooking a wooded area. Dominating the foreground is a group of coniferous trees with a mix of dark and lighter green hues, indicating varying levels of foliage. Their slender trunks are tightly packed together, creating an almost impenetrable forest canopy below. The view extends to a valley with more trees visible in the distance. The sky above is clear blue, devoid of clouds, suggesting it might be late morning or midday. There’s no discernible text within the image."This image depicts a serene outdoor setting with tall trees lining a pathway that leads towards a mountain range in the background under a clear blue sky. The ground beneath the trees is covered with fallen leaves and small rocks. The photo captures the natural beauty of the landscape, inviting the viewer to imagine themselves on a peaceful hike through the woods."The image displays a natural setting featuring a forested landscape with tall evergreen trees and a clear sky. In the foreground, two prominent pine trees dominate the view, their green needles contrasting against the blue of the sky. Further back, other trees are visible, including one that appears to be slightly leaning. A wide clearing is present between these trees, leading up to a dense area of undergrowth and brush. The ground is covered in patches of vegetation, with some areas appearing dry. No text is visible on the image. The photograph has a vertical orientation and captures the scene from a low angle, which emphasizes the depth and height of the forest.The image shows a lush green forest scene with dense vegetation and towering trees. In the foreground, there’s a thicket of bushes and shrubbery partially obscuring the viewer’s perspective. Behind this layer, a multitude of taller trees rise up to meet a blue sky, hinting at a clear day. The forest appears to be well-maintained with no signs of litter or human disturbance visible in the frame. The scene is bathed in natural light that highlights the vibrant green hues of the foliage and contrasts beautifully with the azure sky. There are no texts or distinguishable landmarks visible in this view, suggesting a secluded or less-traveled location. The photograph captures a sense of tranquility and wilderness, offering a serene escape from urban life.This image captures a serene scene in a forested area. The main focus is on two tall trees, standing prominently in the foreground. These trees are surrounded by a lush expanse of trees and shrubbery, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. In the distance, there’s an expansive view of a cityscape, with buildings that appear to be residential houses. The sky above is overcast, casting a soft light on the scene. There are no visible texts in the image. The composition suggests a harmonious blend of nature and urban life.A tranquil forest scene with tall trees that dominate the landscape. The ground appears to be covered in green vegetation. There are no clear indications of a human presence or any man-made structures visible in this image. The overall color palette is dominated by shades of green and brown, suggesting a natural environment. The lighting suggests it could be either early morning or late afternoon, with a soft, diffused light illuminating the scene. The texture of the forest floor can be described as soft, indicating a carpet of leaves or grass. There is no visible text in the image to provide additional context.A forest scene with tall pine trees under a clear blue sky. The sunlight filters through the foliage and casts shadows on the ground. In the foreground, there’s a dense growth of shrubbery and small plants that partially obscure the view towards the back of the image. The photograph is taken from a low angle looking up towards the trees, creating a perspective that draws the eye upward through the layers of vegetation.In the image, a tranquil forest scene unfolds with a dense cover of green trees under a clear blue sky. The dominant feature in the foreground is a large bush adorned with small white flowers, creating a serene and natural environment. Further back, a winding road can be seen, hinting at a journey through the woodland. A lone bench is also visible amidst the verdant landscape, offering a place for rest and reflection in this peaceful setting. The composition of the image places emphasis on the natural elements, creating a harmonious balance between the man-made path and the untouched forest surroundings.The image depicts a tranquil outdoor scene featuring a cluster of tall trees with dark green foliage. These trees are densely packed together, forming a dense canopy over the area. The ground is covered in patches of grass and rocky terrain. The sky appears clear, suggesting it might be daytime. There is no visible text in the image to provide additional context or information about the location or any particular significance of the scene. The photographic style suggests a natural setting, possibly a park or forest, with an emphasis on capturing the lush greenery and serene atmosphere.The image features a majestic view of nature, with towering pine trees in the foreground that cast long shadows on the ground beneath them. These trees, tall and green, are densely packed together. Behind the trees, there is an open field leading up to a distant mountain range under a clear blue sky. The perspective of the photo provides depth, as it looks towards the horizon where the trees fade into the distance due to their size and the curvature of the earth. The lighting in the image suggests either early morning or late afternoon, with the sun at an angle, casting soft, diffused light over the scene, enhancing the colors and textures. There is a noticeable texture contrast between the smooth, dense foliage of the pine trees and the rougher terrain that can be seen under their shade. The overall mood of the image is serene and peaceful.A tranquil scene unfolds in this image, depicting a serene wooded landscape under a clear blue sky. The photo presents a panoramic view of a grove of tall trees with lush green leaves, standing prominently in the foreground. These trees appear to be pines, their needles a vibrant shade of green that contrasts beautifully against the azure backdrop.
In the mid-ground, additional trees can be seen, adding depth to the scene. Beyond the forested area, there’s an open valley leading to a mountain range, which stretches across the horizon. The mountains are a mix of greenery and rocky terrain, providing a sense of vastness to the scene.
The composition of the photo is well-balanced, with the grove of trees centrally located in the frame, creating a harmonious blend of natural elements. The lighting in the photo suggests it’s daytime with bright sunlight illuminating the scene, casting soft shadows and highlighting the textures of the foliage.
There is no visible text within the image that can be discerned. The overall mood of the photo is one of peacefulness and natural beauty, capturing the essence of a quiet day in a forested area near a mountain range.The image captures a serene forest scene. Dominating the frame is an open canopy of pine trees, their long needles pointing upwards, creating a natural tunnel. Peeking through this verdant archway, one can glimpse a tranquil valley dotted with buildings and hills under a clear blue sky. The light filtering through the leaves casts dappled patterns on the mossy ground below, enhancing the sense of depth in the image.The image captures a serene scene in a forested area with tall pine trees. The photo seems to be taken from a higher vantage point, overlooking a valley or clearing where the trees are spaced out. In the foreground, there’s a dense stand of coniferous trees with their long needles and robust branches that dominate the lower part of the image. The lighting suggests it could be late afternoon, as the sun casts soft shadows and creates a warm tone throughout the scene. The sky is visible in the top right corner, hinting at the vastness of the outdoor setting. There’s no readable text present in the image.This image captures a serene scene in nature. A tall forest stands in the foreground, with trees and branches creating a dense canopy. The middle ground reveals a mountain valley bathed in sunlight. In the background, a blue sky dotted with clouds stretches across the horizon, meeting the treeline where the trees are green and lush. The composition of the image is balanced, with elements of both the forest and the mountain valley. There’s no text visible in this picture. The lighting suggests it’s daytime with ample sunlight illuminating the scene.The image presents a natural landscape featuring a rocky hillside covered in sparse vegetation. A dirt path cuts through the greenery on the right side of the frame, suggesting a hiking trail. There are few visible plants along this path, and the vegetation varies from small bushes to patches of grass. The terrain is uneven with rocks scattered across the slope, creating an impression of ruggedness. In the foreground, there is a mix of brown leaves and dry grass, indicating either autumn or the aftermath of a dry season. The overall mood of the scene is one of tranquility and solitude. The lighting appears to be natural, casting shadows on the rocky surface, and suggesting that the photo was taken during daylight hours with ample sunlight illuminating the scene.The image presents a scene in nature featuring a rocky outcrop on which moss and some vegetation are growing. The rock appears to be part of an old retaining wall made of stones. There’s a patch of green grass at the base of the hill, providing a contrast to the surrounding rocks. The lighting suggests it could be either early morning or late afternoon due to the warm tones present in the image. In the foreground, there are dry leaves scattered around, indicating that the photo might have been taken during autumn or winter. The photograph has been captured from a distance, allowing for the entirety of the scene to be visible, and it does not contain any discernible text.This image depicts a serene outdoor scene with a focus on nature and architecture. In the foreground, there’s a well-trodden dirt path leading to a stone building that features prominently in the middle ground. The building has a large window and is surrounded by lush greenery, including grass and a few trees. The background reveals a hilly landscape with rock formations and patches of vegetation, suggesting a forested area. The sky is overcast, creating a soft diffuse lighting that enhances the natural colors in the image. There are no texts visible in this photograph.This image appears to be a screenshot from an Instagram post. The main focus of the photo is a forested area with trees and a hill in the background. There’s also a wooden fence or barrier visible in the foreground on the left side. The lighting suggests it could be daytime, as there are no strong artificial light sources visible. The composition of the image places the viewer at the bottom center, looking up towards the top right, giving an upward perspective. There is text present in the image; however, due to the resolution and angle, it’s difficult to read the text clearly.The image shows a serene landscape scene at sunset. In the foreground, there is a lush lawn with a tree covered in green leaves on the right side. The grass appears well-maintained and healthy. A single white object is visible near the bottom left corner of the frame.
In the middle ground, a line of pine trees rises. Their trunks are dark and slender, contrasting with the lighter needles of their branches. The sunset casts a warm glow on the scene, creating an atmospheric effect that fills the sky with soft colors ranging from orange to pink hues.
In the background, a hill covered in dense foliage can be seen under the fading sunlight. The lighting suggests that the photo was taken during the evening or early night when the sun is low on the horizon. There are no texts visible in the image. The overall mood of the photo is tranquil and calming, typical of nature photography aimed at capturing beautiful moments of dusk.The image depicts a tranquil scene of a forested landscape at sunset or sunrise, characterized by the warm glow of the setting sun or rising sun through the gaps in the trees. The sky appears to be overcast with no visible clouds. The light casts a soft, diffused illumination on the scene. The photo is taken from a high vantage point, looking down on the forest. There are no texts or distinguishable man-made objects that can be confidently described in this image."A captivating sunset scene featuring a tranquil landscape at dusk. The sky is painted with the warm hues of a setting sun, casting a golden glow over the forested area and distant hills. The trees, standing tall against the backdrop of the fading light, create a serene atmosphere. The lighting highlights their silhouettes, adding depth to the scene. In the foreground, there’s a grassy hillside that slopes gently downward towards the viewer. The perspective from an elevated position offers a panoramic view of this beautiful landscape."
Those of you who have read the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanigan or The King’s Ranger Series by A.C. Cobble will know the importance of staying still and observing movement.
The basic idea is that you stay still and watch your surroundings. The thing you are tracking will eventually move which is when you notice it and take whatever action you have to.
I have wanted to try this with the vOICe which I did today while eating lunch at the Select City Walk mall. Sacheta and I were seated on a bench and I had the vOICe running. I was using my Vuzix M4000 monocular device and watching the scene in front of us.
I could sense how it changed as people moved about and once I managed to sense a slow moving open buss for children. It was like a train. I could hear it but it was fun to see it as well.
This skill also comes in handy while standing in a queue or even in an isle in a shop. I spend about 3 to 4 frames building a mental map of what is in front of me. That means that the soundscapes have panned about 4 times. I then watch for changes. Focus on far objects that is the background. Is something coming nearer? Is the cluster of things reducing? A reduction of things and more space usually means that people have moved out of that area and I am free to move. If a cluster of objects comes closer, it may be time to find another location or just move a little backwards since people want to cross.
I do need to keep revising my mental map. A cluster of people may be sitting or standing for a while which means they become a part of the scene. This is context dependent.
As with most things, this skill comes with practice and it is a good idea to think about what you want to do and then start implementing with the vOICe.
You do have change detection mode in the vOICe that does this automatically but the thing to note with that feature is that it will trigger if you move your head so it stick to the default settings, be persistent and keep practicing until watching for changes becomes second nature.
I was walking around in the gated community where I live. Checkout this interesting image I took. It primarily shows different buildings. I was on the upper deck of a swimmingpool area where there was a pond and was surrounded by buildings.
This layer’s soundscape is distinct and is potentially handy to know when you are looking at a wall having multiple breaks which could mean multiple buildings. Also see the pond and hut. Layers of a building with a pond and a hut
Video conferences have proliferated especially after COVID. These days, you are expected to be on camera. This applies even if you are blind and are dealing with sighted people.
I do not have a problem with this per se since it represents equality in a way. Ensuring your face is centered is easy enough with a variety of AI tools available. The Jaws for windows screen reader has this feature built-in while NVDA has an add-on that does the same thing. I believe there also was a standalone program that did this.
However, none of these programs tell you how you are looking. Yes, you can use the plethora of AI apps to check this using your smart phone but remember the context. You are seated on your chair and need to see the picture in that situation.
The vOICe makes this extremely easy. It will talk to your webcam and you will be able to hear the soundscapes. This will give you an idea of how you look and what else is there in the scene. In addition, to simplify matters, activate the skin filter which will only sound the exposed parts of your skin like your face assuming it is centered correctly. Try making unusual expressions and hear the soundscapes change. That way, you can determine how you are positioned.
This is independent of any AI model and there is no need to send your image to the cloud. Everything is local and your look is yours.
I had to receive my cousin at the airport. Her flight was landing at 23:45 IST. I have always been concerned about the reaction of security personnel to my video glasses. This time, I was not going inside the terminal building therefore, decided to wear my Vuzix M400 device and take a chance.
I need not have worried. No one gave me a second look or if they did, that look did not translate into any conversation or interfearance
The airport was well lit and I was able to sense people moving ahead of me. Sometimes, I saw patches of relative darkness followed by patches of light and then some kind of object like a railing or a sign. This meant that people had clustered around said obstacle and then moved away.
The OCR feature came in handy in reading the various signs.
One thing to remember at least at terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, is that the gate numbers are written above the gates therefore you need to raise your head to look at them unless you are tall. It is also possible to tilt the lens of the Vuzix device upwards but that did not help as much as I expected it to.
There were also times that partial signs were read. In such a case, pan your head until you get something recognizable in focus. You may also need to venture closer to the sign. It is better to frame the sign in the center of your view and then move closer.
Do watch out for people and other moving obstacles like trolleys while moving.
After reading the above pages, you may well ask, what is the point of the vOICe specially when your phone can do as good a job of text reading?
For one thing, you will need your phone to coordinate with the person and to make phone calls. who you are picking.
In addition, the visual context changes almost constantly in such an environment and in case you are moved by the crowd, you will need a mechanism to reestablish visual context. This is where an immersive setup comes in handy.
In this case, I was able to see the sign of a money exchange and was able to tell my cousin where I was standing. I did have sighted assistance with me and there were multiple money exchanges so we eventually landed up also referencing an ATM which did the trick. The sign for the ATM was harder to read probably because it was in a smaller font or may be because I was a little further from it.
So, what about those Ray-ban smart glasses? They could have helped here but as of this writing, I would need to keep queering them constantly to account for the changing context. Their things around feature would have been useful but I do not know if they would have read text that was on the objects that were all around me without sending a lot of questions to the bot. I would also not have identified the changes in landscapes as we moved between the parking and the airport terminal.
I do plan to use the vOICe inside the airport next but will see when I get the opportunity to do that.
My father died on 17 August in hospital. I am not going to elaborate on my emotions in this post.
I wanted to experience every minute of his last physical journey. He was placed on a stretcher which was probably made of bamboo. I rode with his body in the hearse. ‘
I do have my organic memories of that ride but wanted something tangible.
Thanks to Dr. Meijer and the vOICe, I was able to see his body and the flowers that it had been draped with as we drove to the crematoria.
I now have a physical and audio / visual memory of him.
Moreover, if I want to see a photograph, I have the ability to do so.
Once again, I am grateful to Dr., Meijer’s design decision that allows the vOICe to run on virtually any modern device. I did not have my video glasses with me, all I had was my iPhone 13 mini. However, in a matter of a minute, by entering the URL to the vOICe web app, I had sight.
My father was excited about AI and what it meant for me. I am placing a soundscape of the body and am placing an unedited description generated by ChatGPT above the audio element.
The image shows a close-up of a person who appears to be in a medical setting. The individual has a tanned complexion with visible signs of aging and is resting with their eyes closed. They are wrapped in white medical fabric, similar to gauze or a thin blanket, which envelops most of their head and neck area. There is a blue pad or cloth near the top of their head, possibly a part of a hospital bed or medical equipment.
The person has a white, cotton-like material inserted into their nostrils, commonly used to stop bleeding or to keep the nostrils clear. There are a few small red marks, possibly bruise or minor wound, on the visible side of their face. Their expression is relaxed, suggesting they are unconscious or sleeping.
The image’s surroundings are out of focus and not clearly defined, emphasizing the person and their immediate condition. The color palette consists mainly of blues, whites, and skin tones.
There is no visible text in the image providing additional details or context. The user interface from an image viewer is visible, showing options for editing and information, including the file name “IMG_1921.HEIC” and the file size of “1.9 MB”. The zoom level in the viewer
Reader’s Note
The image in the soundscape is without any of the screen elements mentioned in the above description. I had opened the image in the windows 11 photo viewer and had used the ai content describer plugin to get a description of the image from ChatGPT.
The Chandrayaan- 3’s landing on the moon is old news. Many of us rushed to the television to watch the live feed from ISRO.
Like most Indians, it was a proud moment for me given that landing on the south pole of the moon had not been accomplished before.
I wanted to watch a clean video and did try watching the one on youtube.
Subsequently, ISRO which I was able to watch thanks to The vOICe.
I was able to sense the change in the image as the lander got closer and closer to the lunar surface.
For best results, do the following.
Launch the vOICe for windows first.
Activate client window sonification with ctrl+f9.
Apply 4-fold zoom with f4.
Turn off high contrast if you want to. (Thanks to Dr. Meijer for this tip.)
Load the video and switch to full screen view.
Enjoy the extremely short video. Note the change in perspective as the lander gets closer.
