Output Device Control for Data Visualization Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical representations of data provide limited value to visually impaired users and those without immediate access to the display, as audio descriptions often fail to convey a comprehensive understanding of the content, leaving users to construct mental images from inadequate audio recitations.
Innovation Solution
A computing device extracts features from data points in objects like charts or graphs, assigns marker elements to interesting data points, and uses a mapping structure to assign output indicators such as vibrations or audio signals to these elements, allowing users to navigate and understand data trends through haptic or audio feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If audio descriptions recite displayed content, then visually impaired users can access information, but the descriptions are inadequate for providing full understanding of the content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data visualization into discrete data points with associated features, allowing the system to process and describe individual elements rather than attempting to recite the entire graph. Each data point is analyzed for features like trends, outliers, and patterns, enabling more meaningful and accurate descriptions that convey understanding rather than just raw data recitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the visual data and the audio output. This intermediary analyzes the graphical data, extracts meaningful features, and translates them into descriptive audio representations. The intermediary converts complex visual patterns into simplified audio descriptions that convey the essence of the data relationships, bridging the gap between raw visual information and meaningful audio communication.
2Loss of information
If graphical representations provide detailed data access, then users gain in-depth understanding, but visually impaired users cannot access the visual information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the visual mechanical system with an audio-based system. Instead of requiring users to visually process graphical representations, the system extracts data features and presents them through audio output. This substitution maintains the detailed data analysis capabilities while eliminating the visual access requirement, allowing users to access the same level of data detail through auditory channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output parameter from visual to audio domain. The system analyzes visual parameters (graphical representations) and converts them into audio parameters (sound waves, frequencies, patterns). This parameter transformation enables the same information to be conveyed in a different sensory modality, making the data accessible to users who cannot visually process the graphical representations.
3Loss of information
If audio descriptions recite data points, then users can access the data, but users must construct mental pictures from inadequate audio recitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the data visualization before generating audio descriptions. The system pre-processes the graphical data to identify trends, patterns, relationships, and key features. This preliminary action prepares the information in advance, transforming raw visual data into pre-processed descriptive representations that can be directly conveyed through audio, eliminating the need for users to construct mental images from basic recitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously analyzes the data features and adjusts the audio descriptions to better represent the underlying data relationships. The system monitors the complexity of the data and adapts the level of detail and type of description accordingly, providing enriched audio representations that reduce cognitive load by directly conveying meaningful patterns rather than requiring users to infer them from simple recitations.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for controlling an output device are provided. For example, features are extracted from data points of an object. A set of data points are identified from the data points based upon the set of data points having features corresponding to target features. Marker elements are assigned to the set of data points. A mapping structure is used to assign output indicators to the marker elements. The output device is controlled to provide output indicators assigned to marker elements as the marker elements become a current focus of the user navigation.