Assistive GUI Preserving Document Layout via Dynamic Font Width Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistive technologies for improving readability of on-screen text for users with dyslexia or reading disabilities often compromise document layout by replacing fonts, leading to unacceptable changes in page structure and formatting, particularly in critical documents like government records or contracts.
Innovation Solution
An assistive graphical user interface (GUI) that calculates the on-screen width ratio of text using both standard and assistive fonts, allowing for expanded page width to maintain original formatting while enhancing readability, without persisting assistive font changes in the document, thus preserving the original layout and formatting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fonts are replaced with assistive fonts to improve readability, then readability for users with dyslexia is improved, but document layout is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the document rendering process into two independent layers: the visual display layer (which uses assistive fonts for readability) and the data storage layer (which preserves original fonts and layout). This allows the document to be displayed with improved readability while maintaining the original layout structure in the stored document.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary rendering mechanism that temporarily applies assistive fonts during display without permanently modifying the document. The intermediary layer calculates font width ratios and adjusts spacing dynamically, allowing assistive fonts to be used for display while the original document structure remains intact for storage.
2Ease of operation
If assistive fonts are used to improve word identification, then reading difficulty is reduced, but text layout changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of font width by calculating the ratio between assistive font width and original font width. This parameter change is applied dynamically during display to maintain proper text layout, allowing improved word identification while compensating for layout changes through proportional spacing adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If font substitution is performed to enhance readability, then on-screen text becomes easier to read, but page structure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic font rendering where assistive fonts are applied only during the display phase. The rendering engine dynamically adjusts text spacing and line positioning based on the font width ratio, allowing the page structure to adapt visually for readability while the underlying document structure remains stable and unchanged.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are described herein for providing an assistive graphical user interface for preserving document layout while improving readability, such as for persons with dyslexia or another type of reading disability. A document including one or more lines of text can be edited in first and second editing modes. When a request is received to edit the document in the second editing mode, the width of the lines when displayed using a non-assistive font is computed. The width of the lines when displayed using an assistive font, such as a font configured for use by persons with dyslexia, is also computed. A ratio between the width of the lines when displayed using the non-assistive font and the width of the lines when displayed using the assistive font is also computed. The width of the page is then expanded based upon the ratio and the lines are displayed using the assistive font.