Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Synthesis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-02-27
Hudspeth, David R. (Department: 2741)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Synthesis
C704S258000, C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195640
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to audio readers, and more particularly to audio readers which allow the user's reading to dictate the speed and position at which the content is converted to audio.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many people learn information and concepts which are presented in auditory form, visually, or audio-visually. For example, information and concepts can be presented via written text, displays on a computer screen, and spoken words from an audio cassette. One such technology which exists is text to speech. Text to speech technology converts text inputted to a computer into speech. The user may then listen to the text instead, or in addition, to reading it. Such technology is helpful to visually impaired persons. An example of this technology is VIA VOICE, developed by International Business Machines Corporation. If the user wishes to simultaneously read and listen to the text, he may do so. However, with conventional text to speech technology, the text to speech system controls the speed and the position of what is read. Though the speed of the audio can be adjusted by users, it is a uniform setting. Likewise, the flow of the text converted to audio is linear and sequential from the top of the page to the bottom of the page. There is no way for users to control the audio reader according to their own reading of the text. The user may wish to read slower when difficult concepts are being portrayed or if the user is particularly interested in the portrayed information. The user may wish to read faster when familiar concepts are being portrayed or when the user wishes to only scan the information. The user may also wish to jump to different portions of the text, such as from the top of the page to the bottom of the page. But the user is not able to read in this manner with conventional text to speech methods. Thus, with the conventional text to speech technology, there is no ability to allow the user's reading to dictate the speed and position at which the text is converted to speech. The conventional method is thus inflexible and has utility limited to the simple speaking of text.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method for allowing a user's reading to dictate the speed and position at which content is converted to audio in an audio reader. The method should be flexible and have a range of utilities. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for allowing a user's reading to dictate the speed and position at which content is converted to audio in an audio reader. The method includes determining a position of a user's eye gaze, identifying a content displayed at the position of the user's eye gaze, determining an audio corresponding to the content, and outputting the audio. The method of the present invention allows the user's reading to drive the text to speech conversion, resulting in the computer reading what the user is currently reading. The user may then read text at a variable rate and at different positions, with the text to speech conversion following the user. The method of the present invention may be used to help raise users' literacy levels, to help users learn to read faster, to help boost reading comprehension, to help users scan documents, and to provide feedback for positioning and control. The present invention is thus flexible and has a range of utilities.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3704345 (1972-11-01), Coker et al.
patent: 5731805 (1998-03-01), Tognazzini et al.
patent: 5777614 (1998-07-01), Ando et al.
patent: 5886683 (1999-03-01), Tognazzini et al.
patent: 5898423 (1999-04-01), Tognazzini et al.
“Eye Controlled Media: Present and Future State,” Arne John Glenstrup and Theo Engell-Nielsen 1995 University of Copenhagen.
Burleson Winslow Scott
Mullaly John Martin
Abebe Daniel
Hudspeth David R.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Leeuwen Leslie Van
Sawyer Law Group LLP
LandOfFree
Audio reader does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Audio reader, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Audio reader will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2614052