EyeNote App Identifies Paper Money

The new technology I’m featuring today isn’t exactly new because it’s a couple years old which is old in tech years. But the technology is fascinatingly good and very useful. The technology I’m talking about is the EyeNote app for the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. This app is able to identify paper money and audibly say what the denomination is. Developed by the  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, this app can be extremely useful and even vital to people who are blind or visually impaired.

All The Same
In the U.S. every denomination of paper money is the same size, shape, and texture. There are some other countries that have money notes in different sizes which can be easier to differentiate. Or even with the new Canadian notes, Braille on the surface. When at the bank a customer can have the denominations folded in different ways to have them identified. However this is a little inconvenient and we’re not always at a bank.

Say Cheese
Which is why EyeNote is a handy app. Along with Apple’s VoiceOver, the app is very accessible. After activating the app it will let you know when it’s ready. Then the user holds a bill in front of the device’s camera. Only a portion of the bill needs to be seen by the camera, side and orientation doesn’t matter. The user then touches the screen to take a picture. If everything works, then the app audibly says what the denomination is and what side. Easy as that.

Conclusion
EyeNote is free on iTunes and I downloaded it to give it a try. The app is amazing and works great. Holding the bills steady and at a certain distance from the camera helps. A few minutes of practice and you’ll get the hang of it. For more information on EyeNote visit www.EyeNote.gov or it’s iTunes page.