Screen Reader Speech Verbosity Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current screen readers provide constant and unvariable speech output for graphic user interface controls, which can be distracting and inefficient, as they do not differentiate between how the user navigates to a control, leading to unnecessary information exposure.
Innovation Solution
A screen reader software that adjusts speech output verbosity based on how the user sets focus on a graphic user interface control, using event messaging to differentiate between tab keystrokes, mouse navigation, and specific keystroke combinations, thereby providing more verbose descriptions when needed and less verbose or silent outputs when the user is likely aware of the control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If screen readers provide constant speech output for all controls, then information completeness is improved, but user distraction and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making speech output characteristics (verbosity level) dependent on the specific navigation method used to access each control. Different regions of the control space (accessed via keyboard vs. mouse) receive different levels of speech description, allowing information completeness where needed while reducing distraction where unnecessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making speech output verbosity dynamic and adaptive based on real-time detection of navigation events. The system continuously monitors how users interact with controls and adjusts speech characteristics on-the-fly, transitioning between verbose and concise output based on the detected navigation pattern rather than using a static approach.
2Loss of information
If screen readers provide verbose speech output for all controls, then context understanding is improved, but speech distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different speech verbosity levels for different controls based on their access method. Controls accessed via keyboard navigation receive verbose speech output with full context, while controls accessed via mouse receive minimal or no speech output, localizing the information provision to where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts speech verbosity in response to detected navigation events. When a keyboard navigation event is detected, the system transitions to verbose speech mode; when a mouse navigation event is detected, it transitions to minimal speech mode. This dynamic adaptation reduces harmful speech distraction while maintaining necessary context understanding.
3Productivity
If screen readers differentiate speech output by navigation method, then information efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing navigation methods into distinct categories (keyboard-based vs. mouse-based) and assigning different speech verbosity rules to each segment. The system monitors for specific navigation event types and applies corresponding speech output rules, creating a segmented approach that improves information efficiency while keeping the complexity management tractable through clear categorization.
Data Source
AI summary
The amount of speech output to a blind or low-vision user using a screen reader application is automatically adjusted based on how the user navigates to a control in a graphic user interface. Navigation by mouse presumes the user has greater knowledge of the identity of the control than navigation by tab keystroke which is more indicative of a user searching for a control. In addition, accelerator keystrokes indicate a higher level of specificity to set focus on a control and thus less verbosity is required to sufficiently inform the screen reader user.