Text-to-Speech Network Address Pronunciation via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen readers poorly pronounce network addresses, such as email addresses, by either mispronouncing them as 'sss-jones at work dot us' or spelling them out character by character, which is tedious and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method for facilitating text-to-speech conversion of network addresses involves retrieving user names and determining pronunciations based on whether they form part of the username, and for domain names, searching for recognized words within the domains to determine appropriate pronunciations, with top-level domains and subdomains being pronounced as whole words or individually depending on predefined sets and thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional screen readers pronounce network addresses character by character, then accuracy of pronunciation is improved, but efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address into distinct components (username, domain name, top-level domain) and applies different pronunciation rules to each segment. The username is pronounced as individual characters, while the domain name and top-level domain are pronounced as whole words when recognizable, creating a hybrid approach that balances accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic pronunciation selection based on whether the domain name or top-level domain matches recognized words. The system adapts its pronunciation strategy in real-time: using character-by-character pronunciation for unrecognized segments and whole-word pronunciation for recognized segments, optimizing both accuracy and efficiency based on context.
2Productivity
If conventional screen readers pronounce network addresses as whole words, then efficiency is improved, but pronunciation accuracy and conventionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pronunciation qualities to different parts of the network address. The username portion maintains character-by-character pronunciation for accuracy, while the domain name and top-level domain portions use whole-word pronunciation when recognizable for efficiency, creating localized optimization throughout the address.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pronunciation parameter dynamically based on the segment type and recognizability. For each segment, the system evaluates whether to apply character-level pronunciation parameters or whole-word pronunciation parameters, switching between these states based on matching against recognized word databases.
3Measurement precision
If screen readers use complex pronunciation logic for network addresses, then pronunciation quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex task of network address pronunciation into manageable segments (username, domain name, top-level domain), each handled by relatively simple pronunciation rules. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high pronunciation quality through targeted application of appropriate rules to each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary recognition layer that checks whether domain name segments match recognized words before applying whole-word pronunciation. This intermediary step simplifies the decision-making process by providing clear criteria for when to use which pronunciation rule, reducing system complexity while improving pronunciation quality.
Data Source
AI summary
To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a username, a first or last name of a user associated with the username may be retrieved, and a pronunciation of the username may be determined based at least in part on whether the name forms at least part of the username. To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a domain name having a top level domain and at least one other level domain, a pronunciation for the top level domain may be determined based at least in part upon whether the top level domain is one of a predetermined set of top level domains. Each other level domain may be searched for one or more recognized words therewithin, and a pronunciation of the other level domain may be determined based at least in part on an outcome of the search. The username and domain name may form part of a network address such as an email address, URL or URI.