Device for reading a printed code and for converting this code into an audio signal

A carrier containing information which is suitable for visual perception, such as a text or a picture. By suitable positioning, a code also present on the carrier linked thereto. This code is visible to the user, but cannot be read directly. A device for reading the code having a scanner which can be moved into the area of the code by hand. The code is optically read, synchronization signals being obtained from the code itself. The information read is stored in an intermediate memory. The intermediate memory is subsequently read under the control of a clock. This data can either directly activate an acoustic generator for producing a sound signal, or can address an object memory which in its turn supplies data for controlling the acoustic generator. A sound signal is thus linked to the picture or the text. A device of this kind may form part of an educational system.