Operation Sound Guide Apparatus Base Position Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with impaired vision face difficulties in navigating electronic program guides with numerous items, as existing sound assistance methods only help recognize layers or positions, not specific menu items, and fail to indicate returning to a base position effectively.
Innovation Solution
An operation sound guide apparatus that generates distinct sounds when the cursor returns to its initial position, using a storage section to compare base and current information, and a control section to output specific sounds for cursor movements, improving user recognition of the base position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sound information is used to assist users with impaired vision in navigating electronic program guides, then users can receive audio feedback about menu items, but users cannot recognize specific menu items or their positions on the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic analogs of visual changes by using different sound tones and patterns to represent different menu item positions and states. Specifically, it uses distinct sound tones for different layers and special sound patterns when the cursor returns to the initial position, enabling users to mentally map sounds to screen positions similar to how visual users use color and position cues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time audio information about cursor position and menu item selection status. The system continuously monitors cursor movement and provides sound feedback about the current layer and whether the cursor has returned to the initial position, allowing users to adjust their navigation based on this feedback
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of menu items and layers on the operation screen is increased to provide comprehensive functions, then the electronic program guide becomes more feature-rich, but users with impaired vision find it more difficult to navigate and locate items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex navigation space into distinct layers and identifies a base position within each layer. By providing audio feedback that indicates both the current layer and whether the cursor has returned to the base position, the system breaks down the overwhelming navigation task into manageable segments that users can navigate systematically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes the initial position as a reference point before navigation begins. The system stores this base position information and uses it to provide feedback during navigation, allowing users to orient themselves relative to a known starting point before attempting to locate specific menu items
3Loss of information
If existing sound guidance methods indicate only the current layer or position, then users can recognize their general location, but users cannot determine if they have returned to the base position or how to efficiently navigate back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements specific feedback about the relationship between current cursor position and the stored base position. When the cursor returns to the initial position, the system provides distinct sound feedback, enabling users to recognize they have completed a navigation cycle and can efficiently return to the base position without unnecessary movements
Data Source
AI summary
Information about a base position at which a cursor operation has been started is stored in a storage section (212). When an operation of moving the cursor is accepted from a remote controller (217), the information about the base position of the cursor is acquired from the storage section (212), and is compared with information about the position to which the cursor has been moved, whereby it is determined that the cursor has returned to the base position. In this case, an operation sound generation section (216) acquires an operation sound different from the normal one from an operation sound ROM (215), and a sound signal superimposing section (207) superimposes the different operation sound onto a sound signal which is to be outputted from a speaker (211). Thus, a user can easily recognize that the cursor has returned to the base position.