Proxy Server Text-to-Speech Streaming for Web Accessibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing audio data from web pages to visually impaired users are delayed due to buffering and streaming issues, and require screen reader software installation, which can slow down processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A network device, such as a proxy server, receives a request for a webpage with a text portion, identifies and embeds a link for audio data, generates audio using a text-to-speech converter, and streams preliminary advertising audio data while generating the actual audio data, reducing waiting time and eliminating the need for screen reader software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If text-to-speech conversion is performed on the user terminal after receiving web page text, then audio data can be provided to visually impaired users, but processing efficiency is slowed down and terminal resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The text-to-speech conversion function is extracted from the user terminal and relocated to a remote server. The terminal only needs to request and receive audio data, while the heavy processing burden of text conversion is offloaded to the server, thus maintaining accessibility while preserving terminal processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote server acts as an intermediary between the web page content and the user terminal. The server receives the web page, performs text-to-speech conversion, and delivers the converted audio data to the terminal, thereby enabling accessibility functions without burdening the terminal's processing resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio data is generated and transmitted to the user terminal, then visually impaired users can access web content, but buffering and streaming delays cause waiting time for users
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and buffers audio data in advance before the user actually needs to play it. By anticipating the user's listening needs and preparing the audio content beforehand, the system eliminates waiting time and enables immediate playback when the user requests the content.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio data transmission is made continuous and uninterrupted through efficient buffering and streaming mechanisms. The server maintains a continuous flow of audio data to the terminal, ensuring that playback can proceed without delays or interruptions, thus reducing the overall time users wait for content delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If screen reader software is installed on the terminal to convert text to audio, then text accessibility is improved, but the terminal software complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex text-to-speech conversion software is extracted from the terminal system and relocated to a remote server. Users no longer need to install or manage screen reader software on their terminals; the conversion capability is provided as a remote service, thus maintaining accessibility while reducing terminal software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server automatically performs text-to-speech conversion without requiring the user terminal to have specialized software installed. The server handles the conversion process independently and delivers the audio output, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for complex terminal-side software installations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method of and apparatus for receiving a request from a communication device for access to a webpage comprising a text portion; receiving from a first content provider server the webpage comprising the I text portion; identifying the text portion; embedding into the webpage a link for providing audio data corresponding to the text portion; transmitting the webpage embedded with the link to the communication device; receiving from the communication device a request for audio data corresponding to the text portion; generating audio data corresponding to the text portion using a text to speech convertor; transmitting the audio data to said communication device; wherein during the step of transforming the text portion into audio data a preliminary audio data content, is provided to the communication device so that the preliminary audio data content can be played on the communication device while the audio data corresponding to the text portion is being generated and streamed to the communication device.