Output Format Apparatus for Adaptive Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communications devices do not adequately support signed conversations, particularly for the deaf community, as they are often not mobile and lack the ability to facilitate communication with a range of devices and users, preferring American Sign Language (ASL) over written text.
Innovation Solution
A communications system with an output format apparatus that detects and adapts to the preferred output form of each recipient, converting information into signed, textual, or audio formats using translation services, enabling simultaneous multi-form output to accommodate individual preferences and device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video phones are used to support signed conversations, then signed communication capability is improved, but mobility and device versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a text-to-sign-language translation service as an intermediary between the communications device and the deaf user. This service converts text messages into sign language videos, enabling standard mobile devices to communicate with deaf users without requiring specialized video phone hardware. The intermediary translates between different communication modalities, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables standard mobile phones to perform multiple communication functions by integrating text-to-sign-language translation capability. Instead of requiring separate dedicated devices for different communication modes, the system allows a single mobile device to handle both text communication and sign language communication through the translation service, achieving multi-functionality and improving device versatility.
2Device complexity
If text messaging is used for communication, then device simplicity is maintained, but communication effectiveness for deaf users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The text-to-sign-language translation service acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple text messaging and effective communication with deaf users. It receives text messages from the simple messaging system and translates them into sign language videos, maintaining the simplicity of the original device while enhancing communication effectiveness for deaf users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the output parameter of the communication message from text format to sign language video format. By transforming the message representation rather than changing the device architecture, the system maintains device simplicity while adapting the communication output to match the recipient's preferences and capabilities.
3Device complexity
If output format is fixed to text, then processing simplicity is maintained, but user preference adaptation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic output format adaptation where the system automatically adjusts the message format based on the recipient's preferences. Instead of fixed text output, the system dynamically selects between text and sign language video formats depending on whether the recipient is deaf or hearing, thereby adapting to user preferences while maintaining relatively simple processing through automated detection and translation services.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling the output format of information is provided. The apparatus includes a communications unit configured to receive information intended for at least one recipient. The apparatus also includes a selection unit, which is configured to automatically detect, based on the at least one recipient, an externally-specified indication of a preferred form of output selected from amongst a plurality of available forms of output. The selection unit causes the information to be outputted in the preferred form of output. A method and a computer program product are also provided for controlling the output format of information.