Audible Indicator for Audio Description Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face difficulties in efficiently finding audio-described visual media due to the lack of clear indicators, requiring them to manually search through options, which is time-consuming and hinders their enjoyment and planning of media consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the availability of audio description for visual media items and provide an audible indication distinct from the audio description, allowing visually impaired users to quickly identify if an item contains audio description, thereby facilitating easier selection and planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visually impaired individuals manually search through visual media options to find audio description, then they can identify audio-described content, but the process is time-consuming and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audible indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between the audio description track and the visually impaired user. This indicator (distinct sound signal) serves as a mediator that directly communicates audio description availability without requiring visual text or symbols, thereby eliminating the need for manual searching through multiple channels while providing precise identification of audio-described content.
2Loss of information
If text descriptions or visual symbols are used to indicate audio description availability, then information about audio description can be conveyed, but visually impaired individuals cannot access this information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual/mechanical information delivery system (text descriptions and visual symbols on screens) with an acoustic system. Instead of using visual carriers of information that are inaccessible to blind users, the invention substitutes an audible indicator system that directly communicates audio description availability through sound, making the information accessible to visually impaired individuals without requiring them to interpret visual elements they cannot perceive.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visually impaired individuals cannot plan ahead for future viewing of audio-described content, then they have flexibility in viewing choices, but their media consumption efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by providing audible indicators of audio description availability for future programming. Visually impaired users can hear ahead which programs will have audio description, allowing them to plan their viewing schedule in advance. This maintains flexibility in viewing choices while dramatically improving media consumption efficiency, as users can proactively schedule audio-described content rather than reactively searching through channels during viewing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided to notify a visually impaired visual media consumer of the availability of audio description for items of visual media via one or more audible indications. Further, a catalog of items of visual media can be sorted or arranged such that items of visual media having audio description may be selected or inquired about in a quicker and more convenient manner.