Tiered Voice Feedback for Electronic Device Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in providing accessible feedback to users, particularly in power-saving, dark environments, or for visually impaired users, as existing systems struggle to effectively offer voice feedback for multiple menus or display modules.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is designed to provide selective voice feedback based on tiers associated with displayed options, using a processor and display to determine the text and order of voice feedback for elements, with audio files generated using a text-to-speech engine or received from a host device, ensuring efficient power usage and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a menu is displayed on the electronic device display to allow users to access operations, then users can access additional features, but power consumption increases and accessibility is reduced for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display-based menu system with an audio-based menu system. The audio menu provides the same functionality of accessing device operations but through auditory feedback instead of visual display, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adaptability for users to access additional features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces audio feedback as an intermediary between the user and the device operations. Instead of directly displaying visual menus, the system uses audio output to convey menu options and status, serving as a mediator that reduces the need for display activation and improves accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If a display menu is used to present options, then users can select operations, but the system becomes inaccessible in dark environments without backlighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the visual display mechanism with an audio feedback mechanism for presenting menu options. This replacement eliminates the dependency on display backlighting, allowing users to access and select operations in dark environments through auditory cues alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic audio feedback that adapts to user interactions with the menu. The audio system provides real-time feedback about menu options, current selection state, and available operations, enabling ease of operation in dark environments through adaptive auditory information delivery.
3Ease of operation
If visual display menus are provided for user interaction, then operations can be selected, but accessibility for blind or visually impaired users is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display-based interaction system with an audio-based interaction system. This substitution provides full accessibility for blind and visually impaired users by delivering menu options, selection status, and operation confirmations through audio output, maintaining ease of operation across all user types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface system that serves multiple user needs through audio feedback. The same audio menu system provides functionality for both visually impaired users and situations where visual display is impractical, enhancing adaptability while maintaining ease of operation for all users.
4Loss of information
If multiple menus or display modules are simultaneously displayed, then more information is available, but the system cannot determine the correct objects or order for voice feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information presentation into hierarchical audio tiers. Instead of attempting to convey all menu and module information simultaneously, the system divides feedback into primary and secondary tiers, presenting information in an organized sequence that reduces determination complexity while maintaining comprehensive information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different audio feedback characteristics to different information elements based on their importance and context. By assigning varied audio properties to different menu levels and module types, the system enables clear differentiation and simplifies the determination of feedback order while preserving all necessary information.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention is directed to providing voice feedback to a user of an electronic device. Because each electronic device display may include several speakable elements (i.e., elements for which voice feedback is provided), the elements may be ordered. To do so, the electronic device may associate a tier with the display of each speakable element. The electronic device may then provide voice feedback for displayed speakable elements based on the associated tier. To reduce the complexity in designing the voice feedback system, the voice feedback features may be integrated in a Model View Controller (MVC) design used for displaying content to a user. For example, the model and view of the MVC design may include additional variables associated with speakable properties. The electronic device may receive audio files for each speakable element using any suitable approach, including for example by providing a host device with a list of speakable elements and directing a text to speech engine of the host device to generate and provide the audio files.