Web Document Audio Conversion for Reading List Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often encounter overwhelming amounts of information on the web and lack the time to read appealing articles and documents, as current methods only allow for adding content to a reading list without ensuring visual consumption.
Innovation Solution
Combining web browser and audio player functionality to enable users to convert textual web documents into audio format, allowing them to create playlists and listen to them with the convenience of an audio player, while synchronizing browsing states across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users add articles to a reading list for later viewing, then the articles are organized for future consumption, but users still lack the time to read them visually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the consumption parameter from visual reading to audio listening. The system converts web document text into audio format through text-to-speech synthesis, allowing users to consume content through a different sensory modality (auditory instead of visual), thereby resolving the time constraint for visual reading while maintaining content consumption effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of visual reading with an automated audio playback system. Instead of requiring users to manually read each article, the system automatically converts and plays back the content through audio, substituting the reading process with an automated audio delivery mechanism that does not require visual attention
2Loss of information
If users compile a reading list of web documents, then the content is organized for consumption, but the complexity of managing and accessing this content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reading list system multi-functional by integrating both organization and automated audio consumption capabilities. The same playlist infrastructure used for organizing documents is also used for automated audio playback, allowing the system to serve multiple purposes (organization, storage, and consumption) through a unified interface, thereby reducing the perceived complexity for users
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically converting web documents to audio format and playing them back without requiring manual user intervention. Once documents are added to the playlist, the system autonomously handles the conversion and playback processes, eliminating the need for users to manually manage each conversion step and reducing the operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to combining web browser and audio player functionality for the organization and consumption of web documents. Specifically, the invention identifies a set of web documents via a web browser, extracts content from the web documents, and adds the set of web documents to a playlist. In this way, users can build a playlist of web documents and utilize the functionality and convenience of an audio player and listen to the content of the playlist.