Operating System Accessibility Mode for Real-Time Interface Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of computing devices may face accessibility issues due to language barriers when interacting with software applications, as user-interface items are often displayed in languages unfamiliar to them, hindering their ability to understand functionality and use the applications effectively.
Innovation Solution
The operating system switches to an accessibility mode that translates user-interface text into a user-selected language in real-time, providing voice output for user-interface items, allowing users to interact with software applications without needing to switch between applications, thus minimizing disruption and enhancing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users interact with software applications in unfamiliar languages, then the applications can be used by a broader audience, but accessibility and usability deteriorate due to language barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer between the user and the software application interface. The operating system acts as a mediator that intercepts user-interface items, translates their text content into the user's preferred language, and presents the translated version. This intermediary translation mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling broad language support while maintaining high accessibility through real-time translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual translation mechanisms with automated machine translation integrated into the operating system. Instead of requiring users to manually switch between language versions of applications or use separate translation tools, the system automatically translates user-interface items in real-time, substituting mechanical manual translation with automated computational translation.
2Ease of operation
If users manually translate user-interface text, then language barriers can be overcome, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary translation actions automatically in the background before the user needs to interact with the interface. The operating system proactively translates user-interface items as they are rendered, so the translation is already complete when the user views the interface. This eliminates the need for users to manually translate and reduces time loss by making translation implicit and automatic.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation system serves itself by automatically detecting user-interface items that need translation and processing them without user intervention. The operating system monitors its own output and self-translates user-interface elements, eliminating the need for users to perform manual translation actions and reducing their time investment.
3Ease of operation
If the operating system translates all user-interface text, then accessibility is improved, but processing complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by translating only the specific user-interface items that are currently visible and relevant to the user, rather than translating everything. The system identifies and translates only the necessary portions of the interface at any given time, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high accessibility for the active interface elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the translation process into discrete units by translating individual user-interface items rather than entire applications or interfaces at once. Each user-interface item is processed independently, allowing the system to manage complexity through incremental translation of small, manageable segments rather than attempting to translate everything simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for enhancement of device accessibility are described. In an example, an operating system configured to be executed on a device, may be configured to support a plurality of software applications and to support a plurality of modes of operation of the device. A given software application may include a user-interface comprising a user-interface item having a text in a first language. The operating system may be configured to receive a selection of the user-interface item of the given software application. Based on the operating system being in an accessibility mode common to the plurality of software applications, the operating system may be configured to determine a translation of the text into a second language; and a voice output corresponding to a spoken utterance of the translation of the text. The operating system further may be configured to provide, by the device, the voice output.