System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel

Details System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel

1997-02-28

1997-12-16

MacDonald, Allen R.

395 284, G01L 300

Patent

active

056994869

ABSTRACT:
A system for speaking structured files such as computerized help files thereby reducing the amount of on-screen clutter and allowing an operator to receive help while simultaneously viewing the screen generated by a computer application program. In response to commands to process such files, a help engine is instantiated and, in accordance with parameters set by the operator, is set to give spoken help and/or visual help. When giving spoken help, hypertext links to other topics in the structured file are detected and stored, and in response to operator commands, the help engine jumps to those other topics and begins speaking the jumped-to topic. Likewise, as the help file is spoken, the hierarchical structure, if any, of topics in the file is detected and stored and in response to operator commands the help engine jumps to specified topics. Preferably, as the hypertext links and the hierarchical structure are spoken, they are spoken with aural cues such as a voice that is different from the voice used for the remainder of the topic. When other topics are jumped to, those other topics may be spoken in the same voice or in the different voice so as to assist the operator in navigation through the file.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4397635 (1983-08-01), Samuels
patent: 5204947 (1993-04-01), Bernstein et al.
patent: 5297249 (1994-03-01), Bernstein et al.
patent: 5408659 (1995-04-01), Cavendish et al.
Microsoft Professional Toolkit for Visual Basic-Help Compiler Guide .COPYRGT.1992, pp. 1-71.
P. Bonner, "Windows Help Becomes Development Tool", PC Week, vol. 10, No. 6, Feb. 15, 1993, pp. S28.
R. Burk, "Automatic Help Topic Printing", Windows-DOS Developer's Journal, vol. 4, No. 3, Mar. 1993, pp. 73-79.
E.M.-Y. Wang, et al., "A Usability Evaluation Of Text And Speech Redundant Help Messages On A Reader Interface", Human-Computer Interaction: software & Hardware Interfaces (HIC International '93) vol. 2, Aug. 8-13, 1993, pp. 724-729.
"Help System For Computer Users-Presents Message Explaining Function Of Key In Response To Pressing That Key When In Help Mode", Anonymous, Research Disclosure, RD263002, Mar. 10, 1986.
"Method For Associating Help With Host Application Functions", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 37, No. 4A, pp. 669-670, Apr. 1994.
"`?`: A Context-Sensitive Help System Based On Hypertext", W. Lee, 24th ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference, 1987, pp. 429-435.
"Auditory Versus Visual Presentation Of Help Messages", P.A. Savage, et al., Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 35th Annual Meeting, vol. 1, pp. 244-248, Sep. 6, 1991.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized hel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-215498