Audio Description Soundtrack Quality Cues for Accessible Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio description content identification methods are inconsistent, inaccessible, and lack quality assurance, disrupting user experience and immersion, particularly for blind and low vision users.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an audio indicator, such as specific tones or sounds, to identify the availability and quality level of audio description soundtracks within media content, ensuring recognition by users, including those with visual impairments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual logos are used to identify audio description content, then identification clarity is improved, but accessibility deteriorates for blind and low vision users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual identification mechanisms (logos, text overlays) with acoustic mechanisms (distinctive tones, sound effects) to identify audio description content. This substitution allows blind and low vision users to perceive the identification information through hearing rather than sight, directly resolving the accessibility barrier while maintaining clear identification.
2Ease of operation
If audio description content is not clearly identified, then user immersion is preserved, but user awareness of content availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces preliminary acoustic indicators (distinctive tones or sound effects) that signal the availability of audio description content before the actual content begins. This preliminary action occurs at strategic moments (such as before the audio description track starts or during natural pauses in the media content), allowing users to become aware of content availability without interrupting the overall viewing experience or immersion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio description quality is not standardized, then production flexibility is maintained, but content reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different acoustic indicator characteristics to different quality levels of audio description content. Each quality tier (e.g., basic, enhanced, premium) has its own distinctive tonal pattern, sound effect, or acoustic signature. This allows the system to maintain production flexibility by accommodating various quality levels while ensuring content reliability through consistent, recognizable quality indicators that help users identify and select desired content tiers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are described. The method includes receiving audio soundtracks including an audio soundtrack representing an audible form of written text and/or an audible description of a visual element, determining a quality level of that audio soundtrack, and modifying that audio soundtrack to include an indication of the quality level based on the determination. The apparatus includes a memory circuit that stores audio soundtracks including an audio soundtrack representing an audible form of written text and/or an audible description of a visual element. The apparatus further includes an audio processing circuit coupled to the memory circuit, the audio processing circuit configured to retrieve the set of audio soundtracks, determine a quality level of the audio soundtrack representing an audible form of written text, and modify that audio soundtrack to include an indication of the quality level based on the determination.