User Interface Narrator Repurposes Data Retrieval Events

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users with impaired vision face difficulties interacting with software applications due to the lack of accessible graphical user interfaces, as existing technologies do not effectively vocalize user interface items outside of input control focus.

Innovation Solution

Repurposing data retrieval events to alert a narration control within the operating system, allowing user interface items not under input control focus to be vocalized, using a narration control to convert text into audio format for users, even when they are not receiving input focus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the narration control only vocalizes user interface items under input control focus, then the system maintains simple operation logic, but users with impaired vision cannot access user interface items that are not currently focused

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility for sight-impaired usersVSAvoidNarration control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The narration control is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to narrate focused items while also narrating unfocused items in response to data retrieval events. This multi-functionality allows the same control to serve both traditional and accessibility purposes without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects data retrieval events and triggers narration of unfocused items without requiring manual user intervention. The narration control monitors system events and autonomously decides when to narrate based on the occurrence of data retrieval events, making the accessibility feature self-activating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If the system narrates all user interface items continuously, then users with impaired vision can access all information, but the system generates excessive audio output and becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInformation accessibilityVSAvoidSystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous narration, the system uses periodic action triggered by data retrieval events. The narration control remains idle until a data retrieval event occurs, then activates to narrate the relevant unfocused item, and returns to idle state. This event-driven periodic action reduces unnecessary audio output while ensuring information is conveyed when changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The narration is applied selectively rather than uniformly across all user interface items. Only specific unfocused items that are associated with data retrieval events are narrated, while other items remain silent. This localized application of narration reduces overall audio output while maintaining accessibility for relevant information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10268446B2Narration of unfocused user interface controls using data retrieval event

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a user interface narrator may repurpose a data retrieval event 232 to narrate user interface items 304 not under input control focus 306. The user interface narrator may use a narration control 212 of an operating system 210 to vocalize a user interface 222. The user interface narrator may execute an application task outside of an input control focus 306. The user interface narrator may receive a repurposed data retrieval event 232 for an application binary interface 230 of the operating system 210 to alert a narration control 212 of a task event for the application task.