Text-to-Speech Network Address Pronunciation via Domain Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen readers poorly pronounce network addresses, such as email addresses and SIP URIs, either mispronouncing them or spelling them out character by character, which is tedious and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method for facilitating text-to-speech conversion of domain names in network addresses by determining the pronunciation of top-level and other domains using a predetermined set of top-level domains and a dictionary to identify recognized words, allowing for whole-word pronunciation of usernames and domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional screen readers spell out network addresses character by character, then pronunciation accuracy is improved, but listening efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address into distinct components (username, domain name, top-level domain, TLD) and applies different pronunciation rules to each segment. This allows the system to pronounce recognizable parts as whole words while handling unfamiliar parts character-by-character, balancing accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies character-by-character pronunciation only to portions of the address that cannot be recognized as valid words or domain components, rather than applying it to the entire address. This partial application maintains accuracy where needed while improving efficiency where possible.
2Productivity
If conventional screen readers pronounce domain names using correspondence tables, then pronunciation speed is improved, but pronunciation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the domain name into the second-level domain (SLD) and top-level domain (TLD), applying different processing methods to each. The SLD is searched for recognized words with fallback to character-by-character pronunciation, while the TLD uses a predetermined set for accurate pronunciation, combining speed and accuracy for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by searching for recognized words in the SLD before final pronunciation determination. This preliminary search allows the system to identify pronounceable components early, improving both speed and accuracy of the final output.
3Ease of operation
If screen readers determine pronunciation of other level domains by searching for recognized words, then pronunciation naturalness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the domain name processing into distinct stages: TLD identification using a predetermined set, SLD word searching using a dictionary, and combination of results. This segmentation manages complexity by handling each segment with appropriate methods rather than applying a single complex algorithm to the entire address.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a universal dictionary-based word search approach that can handle both common English words and proper nouns in the SLD. This universal method improves naturalness while keeping processing manageable by relying on established linguistic resources rather than custom complex algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a username, a first or last name of a user associated with the usemame may be retrieved, and a pronunciation of the usemame may be determined based at least in part on whether the name forms at least part of the usemame. To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a domain name having a top level domain and at least one other level domain, a pronunciation for the top level domain may be determined based at least in part upon whether the top level domain is one of a predetermined set of top level domains. Each other level domain may be searched for one or more recognized words therewithin, and a pronunciation of the other level domain may be determined based at least in part on an outcome of the search. The usemame and domain name may form part of a network address such as an email address, URL or URI.