Wireless Kiosk Accessibility via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient method for visually impaired individuals to interact with and access vending kiosks and other communicatively wired technologies, as conventional software and wireless specifications are often complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A universally accessible system and method that enables blind and visually impaired users to interact with wireless-enabled kiosks using voice and simplified graphical user interface (GUI) controlled mobile devices, allowing them to perform transactions such as renting, vending, and returning products by wirelessly communicating commands and receiving feedback through voice, visual, or mechanical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional graphical user interfaces are used in kiosks, then visual information can be displayed clearly, but visually impaired users cannot access the services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the visually impaired user and the kiosk system. The mobile device captures visual information from the kiosk display, processes it, and converts it into accessible formats (audio feedback, haptic feedback, or simplified text) that can be perceived by visually impaired users. This intermediary solution allows the kiosk to maintain its visual display capabilities while providing accessible interfaces to users with visual disabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex wireless communication protocols are implemented, then communication functionality is enhanced, but system complexity and difficulty of use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device automatically performs wireless discovery, connection establishment, and data exchange with the kiosk without requiring the user to manually configure communication settings or understand protocol details. The system handles authentication, pairing, and communication management autonomously, presenting a simplified interface to the user while maintaining robust wireless communication capabilities in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, and methods for kiosk accessibility via a mobile device. In some embodiments, a wireless mobile device has input features such as voice-control and GUI-based buttons that assist visually impaired people to send wireless messages for accessing features of a kiosk. The kiosk is equipped with wireless communication hardware and or software to receive messages from the mobile device for performing various kiosk-related operations, such a renting, vending, and or returning a product.