Web Page Hot Key Assignment for Assistive Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Visually impaired and blind individuals face inefficiencies when navigating web pages due to the need to repeatedly press keys to access specific elements, creating barriers in interacting with web content.

Innovation Solution

Assigning hot keys to each user interface element on a web page, which are then sent to an assistive tool for reading, allowing users to quickly access elements by inputting corresponding keys, thereby simulating mouse actions or tab hits to interact with the page.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional keyboard navigation is used to access web page elements, then web page accessibility is maintained, but navigation efficiency and time consumption are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-assigns hot keys to user interface elements before navigation occurs. This preliminary assignment allows users to directly access specific elements by pressing predetermined key combinations, eliminating the need for sequential keyboard navigation through multiple elements to reach the target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If hot keys are assigned to each user interface element, then navigation speed is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hot key assignment system serves multiple functions: it provides direct element access, maintains compatibility with existing assistive technologies, and works across different web page structures. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive benefits beyond simple navigation acceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If hot keys are introduced for direct element access, then ease of operation is improved, but compatibility with existing assistive tools may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of element accessVSAvoidcompatibility with assistive tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the web page elements. It captures hot key inputs, translates them into appropriate actions, and coordinates with existing assistive tools to execute the desired operations. This intermediary approach maintains compatibility while enabling direct access functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11403362B1Interaction on a web page

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, systems, computer program products for accessing web pages interactively are disclosed. According to the method, a web page comprising a plurality of user interface elements is accessed. Then information comprising identifications of the plurality of user interface elements and hot keys corresponding to the plurality of user interface elements is obtained. And then the information is sent to an assistive tool for being read out. In response to a hot key corresponding to a user interface element being input, an action corresponding to the user interface element is executed.