Television Audio Descriptor Mode Feedback for Visually Impaired Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired users face difficulty in determining whether the audio descriptor mode is selected in television systems, as existing indications may not be immediately apparent or recognizable.
Innovation Solution
A television apparatus provides additional, non-visual indications such as audible tones or vibrations when the audio descriptor mode is selected or deselected, allowing visually impaired users to discern mode changes without relying on visual cues, while maintaining normal operation for non-visually impaired users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional non-visual indications are provided for audio descriptor mode selection, then accessibility for visually impaired users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The television apparatus provides multiple types of feedback (visual, audible, tactile) through existing components to serve both visually impaired and non-visually impaired users. The same system handles both modes of indication without requiring separate dedicated systems, thus improving accessibility while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of providing multiple feedback types. It selectively activates appropriate indications based on user needs and mode state, shielding the user from system complexity while delivering clear, accessible feedback through the most suitable channel.
2Ease of operation
If audible indications are provided for mode selection, then accessibility is improved, but normal operation for non-visually impaired users may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
Different types of indications are provided for different user needs and situations. Audible indications are selectively activated only when needed (e.g., when audio descriptor mode is selected or when user preference indicates), while visual indications remain the default for normal operation. This localized application of different feedback qualities prevents disturbance to non-visually impaired users while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The indication system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the operational mode and user preferences. The controller adjusts which feedback channels are active in real-time, switching between visual, audible, and tactile indications as appropriate for the current context, thus avoiding unnecessary disturbance while maintaining accessibility when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A television apparatus (20) including a display (22) and an audio transducer (24,28) for reproducing video and audio component parts of a television signal. A processor (40) is provided for separating from the television signal an audio descriptor component part for providing an audio description of a corresponding video component part of the television signal. A controller (46) selectively controls the television apparatus to operate in one of an audio descriptor mode in which an audio descriptor component part is reproduced by the audio transducer (24,28) at the same time as the display (22) reproduces the respective corresponding video component part and a standard mode in which the audio descriptor component part is not reproduced. A user operable interface (30,50,48) is provided for selectively selecting between the standard mode and the audio descriptor mode. The controller (46) is configured to drive the display (42) to provide a mode image (52) providing an indication of the selective mode. It is additionally configured to cause the television apparatus to provide, for a visually impaired user, an additional indication whenever the audio descriptor mode is selected and an additional indication whenever the audio descriptor mode is deselected.