MOBILE APPLICATION FOR CONTROLLING A COMPUTER SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer system comprising a hardware processor and physical system memory, wherein the computer system also comprises at least one physical storage medium with a first software application stored therein in the form of computer-supported instructions, which, when executed, enable the computer system to control an electronically controlled apparatus by carrying out a sequence of steps. This should allow for a reduction in the cost and the complexity of producing systems of this type, as well as a related computer program product with computer-executable instructions stored therein. This should simplify the controlling of an electronic apparatus. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the sequence of steps includes the following: a. reading system setting values of the apparatus, which can be parameterised by a user of the apparatus, and which are designed to influence parameters of at least one optical or acoustic output device of the apparatus; b. determining an assessment factor for each system setting value; c. determining a weighted total value from all the assessment factors; d. comparing the weighted total value with a predefinable threshold value; and e. executing a second software application, that is stored in the storage medium of the computer system and designed for executing a special function, if the threshold value is exceeded.

Description

[0001] Mobile application for controlling a computer system

[0002] The invention relates to a computer system with a hardware processor and physical system memory, wherein the computer system further comprises at least one physical storage medium with a first software application stored thereon in the form of computer-aided instructions which, when executed, cause the computer system to control an electronically controlled device by performing a sequence of steps, and a related computer program product with computer-executable instructions stored thereon.

[0003] Computer systems are controlled by functionalities embedded in software applications. For the purposes of this invention, a computer system is understood to be, in particular, a mobile computer system such as a smartphone or tablet computer, in which the terminal device integrates not only the physical components required for connectivity but also the components necessary for realizing the essential computer functions (such as memory, processor, etc.). For the purposes of this invention, a functionality is understood to be a defined action performed by the computer system, which can be activated by a user of the computer system using an input device belonging to the computer system.For example, it is known to transition a computer system from a first idle state (so-called "standby" state) to a second active state by pressing a defined key on an input device of the computer system. This involves actively monitoring the keys of the input device and initiating a state change of the computer system from the idle state to the active state as soon as a state change is detected at such a key. Similarly, it is known to activate functionalities of the computer system by means of a rapid shaking of the input device by its user during a defined period of time.

[0004] For the operation of a computer system, it is essential that there is a clear correlation between a user action detected by the computer system's sensors and the functionality to be executed by the computer system. However, the vast array of possible functionalities is contrasted by only a comparatively limited number of simple actions that users can perform intuitively. Consequently, certain functionalities, particularly those not relevant to a limited group of computer system users, can only be activated by making specific adjustments to the input device. For example, numerous software applications designed for use by visually impaired or blind users can only be activated by tapping a symbol displayed on the graphical user interface of smartphones.This is extremely difficult for people with visual impairments. Activating the application via speech recognition is also cumbersome, as it requires the user to actively know a specific keyword that clearly identifies the application. Furthermore, speech recognition is often faulty and unreliable, especially in noisy environments.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a generic computer system with a hardware processor and physical system memory, which simplifies the control of an electronic device.

[0006] According to the invention, this is achieved by the sequence provided for controlling the electronic device comprising the following steps:

[0007] a. Reading out system settings values ​​of the device that can be parameterized by a user of the device and are designed to influence parameters of at least one optical or acoustic output device of the device,

[0008] b. Determining a rating factor for each system setting value, c. Determining a weighted overall value from all rating factors,

[0009] d. Comparing the weighted total value with a predefinable threshold value, e. Executing a second software application stored on the computer system's storage medium and configured to perform a special function when the threshold value is exceeded.

[0010] In the context of this invention, a special functionality is understood to be a functionality which, unlike a standard functionality, has practical relevance only for a limited group of users of the computer system. Such special functionalities within the meaning of the invention are, for example, functions that are highly relevant for users with physical disabilities, but not for users without physical disabilities. This could, for example, be a program for visual pattern recognition using a camera belonging to the computer system or device.

[0011] The invention enables a defined user group to have quick and easy access to such special functionality, while ensuring continued, uninterrupted access to standard functionality for other users not belonging to this defined user group. To this end, the invention provides for reading user-configurable system settings of the device, the weighted result of which serves as a threshold for activating a second software application configured to execute the special functionality. If the weighted result of the read system settings remains below the threshold, this second software application is not activated, and the device continues to execute a standard functionality. In the context of this invention, the term "threshold" is therefore synonymous with "limit value."

[0012] The activation of the second special functionality can also be linked to a further requirement in the form of a defined movement pattern performed by the user with the device, or a defined position assumed by the device after such a movement. In this way, special functionalities tailored to the specific needs of hearing- or visually-impaired users can be easily initiated, depending on the parameterization of the device's optical or acoustic output device, as soon as the user performs a defined movement pattern with the device or moves the device into a defined spatial position. With regard to the inventive concept, it is irrelevant whether (in chronological order) the defined spatial position or position is the first requirement.The invention encompasses both embodiments, whether the defined movement pattern is observed first, and only then is it checked for a threshold exceedance of the overall evaluation factor value (or whether this occurs in reverse chronological order).

[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive basic concept, the parameterizable system settings include the scaling of font sizes or contrast values ​​of the device's optical output device. This represents a parameterization typical for use by visually impaired people and is therefore particularly well suited as a selection criterion for the inventive method of activating a second special functionality adapted to the needs of visually impaired people instead of a first standard functionality not adapted to these needs.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the configurable system settings can also include the activation of audio descriptors for describing visual image content via the device's acoustic output device. This represents a parameterization typical for use by severely visually impaired or blind people and is therefore particularly well suited as a selection criterion for the inventive method of activating a second special functionality adapted to the needs of visually impaired people instead of a first standard functionality not adapted to these needs.

[0015] The special functionality is particularly advantageous for executing a second software application designed for pattern recognition using a camera assigned to the computer system. Such a camera-based pattern recognition program enables visually impaired users to recognize objects in their immediate surroundings that they cannot perceive with their own senses due to their visual impairment.

[0016] For example, a computer system implemented in the form of a smartphone can be configured to initiate pattern recognition specifically adapted to the needs of blind users using the smartphone's integrated camera, based on a characteristic movement pattern that a blind user can easily perform manually. This requires no further user interaction or settings on the smartphone. A typical movement pattern could be characterized, for instance, by rapidly shaking the smartphone around a defined axis for a specific period of time, or by slowly moving the smartphone to a defined spatial position. For users without visual impairments, such pattern recognition is generally of no practical use.Therefore, in the invention, for such user groups, the activation of the special functionality is suppressed despite the execution of the specific movement pattern or the movement of the smartphone into the defined spatial position, provided that the parameterization of system setting values ​​does not exceed a defined threshold in a manner typical for this user group.

[0017] The invention also comprises, in terms of the device, a computer program product with computer-executable instructions stored therein, which, when executed, cause a computer system to implement a method for controlling an electronically controlled device by performing a sequence of steps using a software application, wherein the sequence comprises the following steps:

[0018] a. Reading out system settings values ​​of the device that can be parameterized by a user of the device and are designed to influence parameters of at least one optical or acoustic output device of the device,

[0019] b. Determining a rating factor for each system setting value, c. Determining a weighted overall value from all rating factors,

[0020] d. Comparing the weighted total value with a predefinable threshold value,

[0021] e. Execution of a second software application stored on the computer system's storage medium and configured to perform a special function when the threshold is exceeded. The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. It shows:

[0022] Figure 1 schematic flowchart of the process according to the invention.

[0023] Using the computer system according to the invention, which, according to the embodiment described here, is implemented as a smartphone, a blind user can start or activate an application running on the computer system or smartphone in a particularly simple manner. This application performs machine image recognition by evaluating the video images captured by a smartphone camera and provides speech output of the machine-recognized image content. The smartphone is configured to recognize a movement pattern performed by the user with the smartphone (step 1). This can be achieved, for example, by the user shaking the switched-on smartphone around a defined longitudinal axis of the device for a defined period of time, or alternatively, by moving the smartphone into a defined spatial position.Using the sensors integrated into the smartphone, in particular proximity, position, and acceleration sensors, this change in position or spatial orientation is registered and checked for conformity with a predefined movement pattern or predefined position and orientation. In this context, many typical movement or position change patterns are conceivable, which can be clearly identified by the sensors built into a smartphone. For example, in this inventive step 1, a first evaluation of the proximity signal could detect the smartphone's position close to the user's body (i.e., the output signal of the proximity sensor or the sensor-determined proximity value falls below a predefined threshold), and this position could then be verified or validated by subsequent evaluation of the position sensors.

[0024] Upon positive detection of a match to the movement pattern, the smartphone is configured to read user-configurable system settings (step 2), which are stored in internal device memory. These settings indicate the activation of audio descriptors for describing the visual content of the smartphone's camera images via its acoustic output device (i.e., speaker). Furthermore, the smartphone is configured to determine a positive rating factor and store it in a buffer, provided these system settings indicate such activation. The smartphone is also configured to read further system settings related to the scaling of font sizes or contrast values ​​of the smartphone's monitor, which are likewise evaluated with rating factors. The larger the scaling, or...The higher the contrast values ​​are set, the higher the determined rating factor. Furthermore, the smartphone according to the invention is configured to determine a weighted overall value from the individual rating factors in a third step (3) and to compare this value with a defined threshold (4) in a fourth step (4). Thus, a check is performed to see whether the weighted overall value of the rating factors determined in step (3) exceeds the threshold. The smartphone according to the invention is configured to start a second software application when the threshold is exceeded. This second software application is configured to execute a second special functionality tailored to the needs of a blind user. In this way, the standard functionality provided for execution in the first software application, which is intended for non-blind users, is replaced by the execution of the special functionality.In a final step (6), the second software application is exited after the special functionality has been executed. If the threshold is not met, the second software application is not started; the smartphone is then configured to execute an alternative step (7), according to which the functionality provided in the first software application for non-blind users is executed. Thus, access to the special functionality tailored to the needs of blind people is triggered by a simple, manually performed movement of the smartphone.A smartphone according to the invention is configured to create a differentiation criterion by reading system setting values ​​and their weights, based on which either a first standard functionality intended for non-blind users or a second special functionality intended for blind users is activated, without requiring any special setting or user interaction. Alternatively to the sequence shown in this exemplary embodiment, a smartphone according to the invention could also be configured to check the orientation sensors according to step (1) only after reading the parameterization or system setting values ​​according to steps (2) to (4).This would mean that a smartphone according to the invention is configured to first determine the total value of the evaluation factors of the individual system setting values ​​and check it against a threshold value, and then to check the proximity sensor and the orientation sensors for the presence of a defined spatial orientation. Crucially for the invention, the smartphone is only configured to execute a software application with user-specific special functionality after checking and evaluating the orientation sensors and parameter or system setting values.

[0025] Reference symbol list

[0026] 1. Sensory detection of the smartphone's spatial position

[0027] 2. Reading system parameters

[0028] 3. Determination of weighted total value

[0029] 4. Comparison of total value against threshold value

[0030] 5. Starting the second software application

[0031] 6. Execution of the second special functionality

[0032] 7. Execution of the first standard functionality

Claims

Patent claims 1. Computer system with a hardware processor and physical system memory, wherein the computer system further comprises at least one physical storage medium with a first software application stored thereon in the form of computer-aided instructions which, when executed, cause the computer system to control an electronically controlled device by performing a sequence of steps, characterized in that the sequence comprises the following steps: a. Reading out system setting values ​​of the device that can be parameterized by a user of the device and which are configured to influence parameters of at least one optical or acoustic output device of the device, b. Determining a rating factor for each system setting value, c. Determining a weighted overall value from all rating factors, d. Comparing the weighted total value with a predefined threshold value, e. Execution of a second software application stored on the computer system's storage medium and configured to perform a special function when the threshold is exceeded.

2. Computer system according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameterizable system setting values ​​include the scaling of font sizes or contrast values ​​of the optical output device of the device.

3. Computer system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the parameterizable system setting values ​​include the activation of audio descriptors for describing optical image content via the acoustic output device of the device.

4. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the special functionality is configured to execute a second software application set up for pattern recognition by means of a camera assigned to the computer system.

5. Computer program product with computer-executable instructions stored therein which, when executed, cause a computer system to implement a method for controlling an electronically controlled device by performing a sequence of steps using a software application, wherein the sequence comprises the following steps: a. Reading out system settings of the device that can be parameterized by a user of the device and are designed to influence parameters of at least one optical or acoustic output device of the device, b. Determining a rating factor for each system setting value, c. Determining a weighted overall value from all rating factors, d. Comparing the weighted total value with a predefined threshold value, e. Execution of a second software application stored on the computer system's storage medium and configured to perform a special function when the threshold is exceeded.