A screen reader application traverses each node in a document object model (DOM) for the text stylization. Properties for foreground color, background color, font type, font size and font stylization are algorithmically reduced to an identifier. Each node in the DOM with the same identifier has the same text stylization. Unique and infrequent text stylizations by a webpage author signal a point of interest. The screen reader application locates and navigates to that node in the DOM on behalf or in response to the end user. Points of interest are further identified by a number of additional factors. A first includes percentage of text of having the text stylization versus total text in the DOM. A second includes excluding candidate point of interest nodes having more than 250 characters. Others include imposing minimum font sizes and text contrast ratios to qualify as a point of interest.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 16/13 - File access structures, e.g. distributed indices
G06F 16/957 - Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
G06F 16/958 - Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
Disclosed are overload protection pins (“OP Pins”) for use in a Braille display. Each OP Pin in the display is placed above an associated actuator pin, which allows the OP Pins to be selectively driven upwardly or downwardly. This, in turn, allows the OP Pins to be selectively positioned to generate Braille characters that can be sensed by a BLV user. However, when excessive forces are encountered (defined as forces beyond the standard sensing pressures applied by BLV users) the OP Pins yield and are retracted to a position beneath the upper surface of the Braille display. This serves both to protect both the OP Pins and the underlying actuator mechanisms. Once the excessive force is removed, the OP Pin recovers to its original height.
The invention is a system designed to improve accessibility for low vision users through a Braille display. The system includes a Braille display, a split line feature, a processor, and an information source. The Braille display can present a predetermined number of different characters. The split line feature, integrated within the display or managed by software, divides the display into two distinct regions. The processor independently controls the content displayed in each region. The information source provides at least two different sets of data to the processor, which are sent to the two distinct regions simultaneously. The processor manages the regions transparently and interprets keyboard inputs based on the context. The system also includes a focus-setting mechanism, allowing users to manipulate content placement within the regions. The processor can also simulate a two-line display when a user engages a dialog for multiline views while using a single-line display.
A screen reader application traverses each node in a document object model (DOM) for the text stylization. Properties for foreground color, background color, font type, font size and font stylization are algorithmically reduced to an identifier. Each node in the DOM with the same identifier has the same text stylization. Unique and infrequent text stylizations by a webpage author signal a point of interest. The screen reader application locates and navigates to that node in the DOM on behalf or in response to the end user. Points of interest are further identified by a number of additional factors. A first includes percentage of text of having the text stylization versus total text in the DOM. A second includes excluding candidate point of interest nodes having more than 250 characters. Others include imposing minimum font sizes and text contrast ratios to qualify as a point of interest.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 16/13 - File access structures, e.g. distributed indices
G06F 16/957 - Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
G06F 16/958 - Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
A system and method of digitally monitoring actions of a user on a computing device and providing real-time suggestions to aid the user's task performance. The digital nudging software may perform a range of subtasks successfully. The subtasks may include loading and processing the structured representation of an application to build the graph, identifying the starting point (“Point A”) and the end point (“Point B”) of the path of the user, and conveying a notification of the faster paths in a user-friendly format.
G06F 3/0489 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
G06F 3/04895 - Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
6.
Dynamic partitioning of a refreshable braille display based on presence of ancillary alphanumeric content
A method of automatically partitioning a refreshable braille display based on presence of pertinent ancillary alphanumeric content. In an unpartitioned configuration, every braille cell of the refreshable braille display is used to output the primary alphanumeric content. When the refreshable braille display outputs a segment of the primary alphanumeric content having associated ancillary alphanumeric content, such as a footnote or a comment, the braille display is automatically partitioned into a first partition and a second partition. The braille cells of the first partition are allocated for outputting the primary alphanumeric content, while the braille cells of the second partition are allocated for outputting the ancillary alphanumeric content.
A method of enabling a user of a computing device to provide input via a viewport displayed on a display monitor. The viewport is displayed over a first region of the graphic user interface (GUI), and a second region of the GUI is displayed within the viewport. When the user positions the system pointing indicium at the first region of the graphic user interface, the system pointing indicium is placed into the second GUI region, while a separate viewpoint pointing indicium is displayed over the viewport. When a user provides an input, the input is applied at the current position coordinates of the system pointing indicium.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software feature using artificial intelligence for providing text descriptions of images and graphics, sold as an integral component of downloadable and recorded software for enhancing video-screen displays for low-vision users
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software feature for orienting a user's face in a camera view used in online video communications, sold as an integral component of downloadable and recorded software for enhancing video-screen displays for low-vision users
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software feature for displaying refreshable braille independently using two different halves on a single line braille display, sold as an integral component of downloadable and recorded software for enhancing video-screen displays for low-vision users
Disclosed is a Braille display with protection against the ingress of contaminants. In one embodiment, contaminant protection is provided by a flexible film that is secured beneath the Braille dots of the display. This film both secures the dots and prevents contaminants from coming into contact with pin actuators within the display housing. In another embodiment, ingress protection is provided by air pressure supplied to a plenum located at the base of the dot pins.
A screen reader application traverses each node in a document object model (DOM) for the text stylization. Properties for foreground color, background color, font type, font size and font stylization are algorithmically reduced to an identifier. Each node in the DOM with the same identifier has the same text stylization. Unique and infrequent text stylizations by a webpage author signal a point of interest. The screen reader application locates and navigates to that node in the DOM on behalf or in response to the end user. Points of interest are further identified by a number of additional factors. A first includes percentage of text of having the text stylization versus total text in the DOM. A second includes excluding candidate point of interest nodes having more than 250 characters. Others include imposing minimum font sizes and text contrast ratios to qualify as a point of interest.
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for combating light sensitivity, or photophobia, for people with low vision. Both the apparatus and method filter particular wavelengths of light associated with photophobia. This filtering is achieved while maintaining a luminance that is acceptable to the user and that maintains contrast. The apparatus of the disclosure is a mechanical filter that can be applied over an electronic screen. The method utilizes software and a filtering module associated with either the CPU or GPU of a computer. The filtering module processes a video signal by eliminating certain targeted wavelengths of light.
G09G 3/20 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix
G09G 5/36 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the display of individual graphic patterns using a bit-mapped memory
15.
Screen reader language switching for user interface
Accessibility for vision impaired users is improved with a novel screen reader system. A user interface control of a first application that switches a language applied to text displayed on the first application is identified to a second application. The second application stores an identifier for the user interface control and a value representative of the language selected by the user interface control to a data structure. The second application then listens for user control events occurring on the first application such as focus, click and selection events. When the second application detects the user interface control switching languages the second application changes the default screen reader language to the language of the visual text of the first application. Thus, the text-to-speech output of the visual text is read with the correct speech inflection and pronunciation of the selected language.
G06F 9/451 - Execution arrangements for user interfaces
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G10L 13/08 - Text analysis or generation of parameters for speech synthesis out of text, e.g. grapheme to phoneme translation, prosody generation or stress or intonation determination
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
A system and method of automatically adjusting an optimal color orientation displayed on a computing device, particularly for users experiencing light sensitivity when interacting with the computing device. The system and method automatically query whether an application includes native color inversion settings, such that operating system and/or application settings need not be continuously toggled between active and inactive states. Accordingly, the display of the computing device is automatically optimized, such that either the operating system's color inversion settings are selected (in the absence of an application's native color inversion settings), or the application's color inversion settings are selected with the operating system's settings being automatically deactivated.
G09G 5/02 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the way in which colour is displayed
G06F 40/117 - TaggingMarking up Designating a blockSetting of attributes
G09G 5/04 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the way in which colour is displayed using circuits for interfacing with colour displays
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
17.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING PHOTOPHOBIA IN ELECTRONIC SCREENS
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for combating light sensitivity, or photophobia, for people with low vision. Both the apparatus and method filter particular wavelengths of light associated with photophobia. This filtering is achieved while maintaining a luminance that is acceptable to the user and that maintains contrast. The apparatus of the disclosure is a mechanical filter that can be applied over an electronic screen. The method utilizes software and a filtering module associated with either the CPU or GPU of a computer. The filtering module processes a video signal by eliminating certain targeted wavelengths of light.
G02C 7/10 - Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the darkSunglasses
H04N 9/64 - Circuits for processing colour signals
A61B 3/06 - Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient for testing light sensitivity, e.g. adaptationSubjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient for testing colour vision
A high efficiency method of processing images to provide perceptual high-contrast output. Pixel intensities are calculated by a weighted combination of a fixed number of static bounding rectangle sizes. This is more performant than incrementally growing the bounding rectangle size and performing expensive analysis on resultant histograms. To mitigate image artifacts and noise, blurring and down-sampling are applied to the image prior to processing.
G06V 10/22 - Image preprocessing by selection of a specific region containing or referencing a patternLocating or processing of specific regions to guide the detection or recognition
G06T 7/90 - Determination of colour characteristics
G06T 3/40 - Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
Disclosed is a tablet with an improved Braille display. The Braille display employs a pin array that allows for the selective use of either six or eight pin cells. This is accomplished by turning off or on a pin pair adjacent to each cell. The spacing of the pins also allows capacitive sensors to be located adjacent to each Braille cell. These sensors are used to determine the location of the user's finger upon the display. The pin spacing further allows geometric shapes to be generated in additional to text.
A method of automatically partitioning a refreshable braille display based on presence of pertinent ancillary alphanumeric content. In an unpartitioned configuration, every braille cell of the refreshable braille display is used to output the primary alphanumeric content. When the refreshable braille display outputs a segment of the primary alphanumeric content having associated ancillary alphanumeric content, such as a footnote or a comment, the braille display is automatically partitioned into a first partition and a second partition. The braille cells of the first partition are allocated for outputting the primary alphanumeric content, while the braille cells of the second partition are allocated for outputting the ancillary alphanumeric content.
A screen magnification software feature that listens to internal messages within an operating system and automatically detects an input control coming into focus and sets a primary magnified viewport on that input control. As an end user interacts with the input control the software further listens for operating system messaging indicating a change in an output region responsive to the interaction with the input control. Upon detecting this output region change, a secondary magnified viewport is displays simultaneously with the primary magnified viewport on a graphic user interface, the focus staying within the primary magnified viewport. The end user has magnified views of both the control she is interacting with (e.g., a virtual calculator keypad of buttons) in the primary viewport and the output region (e.g., a text box showing the calculated result) in the secondary viewport.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G06F 3/0489 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
22.
Dynamic auto-advance feature for refreshable braille displays
A method of dynamically establishing an auto-advance interval of a refreshable braille display. The method involves the step of establishing a default auto-advance value, during which a full line of braille characters remains displayed on the braille display prior to being replaced by the next line. The method further involves determining whether a current line of braille characters ends with a blank cell or a used cell and calculating the current auto-advance interval based on the number of used cells in the current line. The next line of braille characters is output after the current auto-advance interval has lapsed.
Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.
A method of selectively modifying output of a computer screen. An application hosts an electronic document having a background, alphanumerical characters, and one or more images. A modification tool performs a first modification step in which the modification tool modifies color and/or brightness of all content displayed on the computer screen. The invention identifies and analyzes images within that content to determine whether each image is a real-world image, such as a photograph. A second modification step, which is opposite to the first modification step, is applied to each real-world image, thereby reversing initial modification and returning the image to original, unmodified form. The computer screen outputs the modified electronic document having a modified background and modified text, but outputs the real-world image in its original, unmodified form.
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G09G 5/02 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the way in which colour is displayed
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
Disclosed is a braille display that is impact resistant and that employs a modular construction. The impact resistance is achieved, in part, by molded and resilient end caps. Each end cap includes a centrally positioned slit that functions in absorbing lateral impacts to the display. The impact resistance is further achieved by an over molded housing that is positioned about an associated USB connector. The modularity of the display is achieved by way of a subassembly that is releasably secured within the interior of a main housing. The subassembly, in turn, includes a series of cell compartments that are arranged in groups. Each group of cell compartments is controlled by an individual shift register. This allows a grouping cell compartments to be removed and replaced as needed without disturbing the remaining cell components.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer software used to enhance video screen display and user's documentation sold together therewith intended for computer users with low vision, blindness, and learning disabilities.
A screen magnification software feature that listens to internal messages within an operating system and automatically detects an input control coming into focus and sets a primary magnified view port on that input control. As an end user interacts with the input control the software further listens for operating system messaging indicating a change in an output region responsive to the interaction with the input control. Upon detecting this output region change, a secondary magnified view port is displays simultaneously with the primary magnified view port on a graphic user interface, the focus staying within the primary magnified view port. The end user has magnified views of both the control she is interacting with (e.g., a virtual calculator keypad of buttons) in the primary view port and the output region (e.g., a text box showing the calculated result) in the secondary view port.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology information in the field of assistive technology products for people with low vision, the visually impaired, and the blind, namely, technology information on video magnifiers, scanning and reading solutions and screen reading software via an on-line website
39.
Method of navigating an extended computer desktop on multiple display devices
Mechanisms to allow a user to flexibly display visual content on multiple display devices connected to a computer. Each of the multiple displays may be configured to display a portion of visual content from a computer desktop or from an external content source. Each portion of visual content to be outputted may first be enhanced, such as via magnification, before being displayed on one of the multiple display devices. The user may be provided with a first control that enables the user to adjust a portion of visual content displayed on a first display device independently of a portion of visual content displayed on a second display device. A second control may also be provided that enables the user to adjust the portion of visual content displayed on the second display device independently of the portion of visual content displayed on the first display device.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G09G 3/20 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix
Disclosed is a magnification device with multiple orientations. This allows a blind or low vision user to select the best orientation for the task being performed. The device includes both opened and closed orientations. It is further configurable into document reading, near object inspection, far object inspection, and self inspection modes. The camera of the device can be manipulated by the user depending upon which of these orientations is selected. Furthermore, the camera automatically adjusts itself into one of two pre-set configurations whenever the device is opened or closed.
A method of dynamically establishing an auto-advance interval of a refreshable braille display. The method involves the step of establishing a default auto-advance value, during which a full line of braille characters remains displayed on the braille display prior to being replaced by the next line. The method further involves determining whether a current line of braille characters ends with a blank cell or a used cell and calculating the current auto-advance interval based on the number of used cells in the current line. The next line of braille characters is output after the current auto-advance interval has lapsed.
A method of locking magnified screen views including the steps of magnifying a portion of a graphic user interface on a first monitor to establish a first magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, magnifying a portion of the graphic user interface on a second monitor to establish a second magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, whereby the graphic user interface of the first monitor is extended in the direction of the second monitor, responsive to an end-user selectable setting, restricting pointer indicia movement to an area defined by the boundaries of each view that are not between first and second monitor, and responsive to pointer indicia moving from first monitor towards second monitor displaying pointer indicia within second magnified view responsive to pointer indicia crossing the boundary of first magnified view in the direction of second monitor.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
Embodiments of the invention relate to devices that can be worn on the body and used to take images of written text and convert that text to an auditory or other signal to aid visually impaired individuals. A method for enabling a user having a visual impairment to understand written text material is provided. The method includes capturing an image containing text or symbols via an image capture module of a first device and communicating the captured image to a second device via a wireless communication medium. The method also includes identifying the text or symbols within the captured image via an image processing module of the second device and converting, via an audio conversion module of the second device, the identified text to audio for playback. The method further includes playing the audio received from the second device for the user.
Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.
A computer program for rendering a magnified graphic user interface (GUI) establishes an initial magnification level for the graphic user interface and the pointing indicia. The GUI and the pointing indicia are magnified in synchronization until the magnification convergence point is reached. At magnification levels above the convergence point, magnification of the GUI and the pointing indicia becomes decoupled, and only GUI is magnified while the pointing indicia remain at the convergence magnification level. If the GUI magnification level falls below the convergence point, the magnification of GUI and the pointing indicia is recoupled and magnification becomes synchronized. Floor and ceiling magnification values for the pointing indicia may also be established.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera with both storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration, the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camera is designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in the deployed configuration. When deployed, a housing and camera arm are positioned in a cantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camera housing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to the camera arm and is positioned over the object upon the camera being placed into a deployed configuration.
Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Portable magnifier in the nature of a magnifying camera for use in connection with a computer monitor for low-vision users and for use by production and warehouse personnel to produce an enlarged image of an object for inspection purposes.
Disclosed is a video magnifier. In particular, the disclosure relates to a desktop video magnifier that is design to be portable. The magnifier includes a high definition camera that is mounted upon a flexible arm. The camera arm swivels and pivots to allow the user to properly position the camera over the object to be viewed. The device is supported by a stand and a base. The stand includes a handle with a trough. The flexible arm is dimensioned to be received within the trough with the device in the collapsed configuration.
Some described embodiments relate to techniques for editing markup elements of a markup language document to emphasize a portion of the visible content elements of the markup language document. The techniques may be implemented in any suitable manner, including via scripting language code (e.g., JavaScript) that is incorporated into the markup language document but is not preconfigured with information regarding the markup language document or any other markup language document. The scripting language code may perform the editing automatically, and based on an automatic analysis of markup elements of the markup language document. Some embodiments may include determining the portion of the markup language document to be emphasized by identifying content of interest to a user, including by determining a set of related content through analyzing a structure of markup elements of the markup language document and/or layout of visible content elements of the markup language document.
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 17/22 - Manipulating or registering by use of codes, e.g. in sequence of text characters
G06F 16/80 - Information retrievalDatabase structures thereforFile system structures therefor of semi-structured data, e.g. markup language structured data such as SGML, XML or HTML
G06F 16/2457 - Query processing with adaptation to user needs
Some described embodiments relate to techniques for editing markup elements of a markup language document to emphasize a portion of the visible content elements of the markup language document. The techniques may be implemented in any suitable manner, including via scripting language code (e.g., JavaScript) that is incorporated into the markup language document but is not preconfigured with information regarding the markup language document or any other markup language document. The scripting language code may perform the editing automatically, and based on an automatic analysis of markup elements of the markup language document. Some embodiments may include determining the portion of the markup language document to be emphasized by identifying content of interest to a user, including by determining a set of related content through analyzing a structure of markup elements of the markup language document and/or layout of visible content elements of the markup language document.
Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
Embodiments of techniques for moving visible content elements of at least one markup language document within a display area in response to user input moving a cursor of a pointing device. Visible content elements of the markup language document may be moved in a display area based at least in part on an amount by which a content area that includes the visible content elements extends outside of the display area. For example, a panning facility may determine an amount by which to shift visible content elements in the display area based at least in part on an amount by which a content area that includes the visible content elements extends beyond the display area. The panning facility may move the visible content elements by instructing a viewing application to scroll the visible content elements within the display area.
Techniques for programmatically magnifying one or more visible content elements of at least one markup language document, so as to increase the display size of those visible content elements. A magnification facility may be configured to apply multiple different zoom techniques. The magnification facility may be configured to evaluate the markup language document(s) at a time that the document(s) are being processed for display to select which of the multiple different zoom techniques may be applied at a time to increase a display size of visible content elements relative to a default display size for those elements. The magnification facility may be incorporated within the markup language document(s) and executed by a viewing application that processes markup language documents. For example, the markup language document(s) may form a web page and the magnification facility may be implemented as scripting language code incorporated into the document(s) of the web page.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Industrial device consisting of high-magnification visual inspection stations comprising high resolution, auto focus equipment designed to enlarge capture images and permit measurements of the following manufactured goods and parts, plastics, molded and machines parts and consumer and industrial electronics; gemological device consisting of a high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for categorizing gems; forensics device consisting of high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for evidence inspection and finger print analysis; medical device consisting of high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for medical training purposes in operating rooms and medical research. Medical device consisting of high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for wound care, dermatology and health monitoring of patients.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Industrial inspection devices in the nature of high-magnification visual inspection stations comprising high resolution, auto focus equipment designed to enlarge and capture images and permit measurements of manufactured goods and parts, plastics, molded and machines parts and consumer and industrial electronic; High-magnification visual inspection stations comprising gemological inspection devices consisting of a high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for categorizing gems and forensics inspection devices consisting of high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for evidence inspection and finger print analysis; High-magnification visual inspection stations comprising high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for medical training purposes in operating rooms and medical research
(2) Medical device consisting of high resolution, auto focus digital photography camera equipment used for capturing and cataloging high definition images for wound care, dermatology, and for medical training purposes in operating rooms, health monitoring of patients, and medical research
Screen magnification software on a touchscreen device detects when a low-vision user reaches the boundary of a magnified viewport. If additional canvas or menus lay on the other side of the boundary the present invention enables the low-vision user to maintain the same exploration gesture on the touchscreen while causing the underlying canvas to scroll into view in the direction of the gesture. This invention enables the low-vision user to navigate about the entire underlying canvas of a touchscreen graphic user interface with a single, intuitive touchscreen gesture even under magnification.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
A method of locking magnified screen views including the steps of magnifying a portion of a graphic user interface on a first monitor to establish a first magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, magnifying a portion of the graphic user interface on a second monitor to establish a second magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, whereby the graphic user interface of the first monitor is extended in the direction of the second monitor, responsive to an end-user selectable setting, restricting pointer indicia movement to an area defined by the boundaries of each view that are not between first and second monitor, and responsive to pointer indicia moving from first monitor towards second monitor displaying pointer indicia within second magnified view responsive to pointer indicia crossing the boundary of first magnified view in the direction of second monitor.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
The amount of speech output to a blind or low-vision user using a screen reader application is automatically adjusted based on how the user navigates to a control in a graphic user interface. Navigation by mouse presumes the user has greater knowledge of the identity of the control than navigation by tab keystroke which is more indicative of a user searching for a control. In addition, accelerator keystrokes indicate a higher level of specificity to set focus on a control and thus less verbosity is required to sufficiently inform the screen reader user.
G10L 13/00 - Speech synthesisText to speech systems
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0489 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
A screen reader application for visually impaired users suppresses unwanted content that is output by Braille or text-to-speech. The invention accesses, but does not modify, the document object model of the web page and enumerates web page elements for the end user to either hide or skip to. The end user selections are saved as rules which may be applied according to various levels of scope include web page specific, site specific or web-wide. A screen magnification application for visually impaired users automatically sets the visual focus and magnification level on a web page element according to end-user selection.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
A method of rendering customized pointing indicia including the steps of monitoring application program interface messaging and intercepting a call for a unique system pointer identifier. A stored collection of predefined vector shapes is accessed, from which a predefined vector shape is selected correlated to the current system pointer identifier. The stroke and fill attributes are set for the vector shapes. A sequence of rasterized frames of vector shapes having different attributes are created and displayed to produce animated pointing indicia effect. The customized vector shape is rasterized and displayed to an end user operating a computer. Customization, animation, and magnification of pointing indicia are performed responsive to user input, which may be a touchscreen event, body movement, hand gesture, mouse event, or a key stroke.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
Screen magnification software on a touchscreen device detects when a low-vision user reaches the boundary of a magnified viewport. If additional canvas or menus lay on the other side of the boundary the present invention enables the low-vision user to maintain the same exploration gesture on the touchscreen while causing the underlying canvas to scroll into view in the direction of the gesture. This invention enables the low-vision user to navigate about the entire underlying canvas of a touchscreen graphic user interface with a single, intuitive touchscreen gesture even under magnification.
The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G09B 5/12 - Electrically-operated educational appliances providing for individual presentation of information to a plurality of student stations different stations being capable of presenting different information simultaneously
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G09B 5/02 - Electrically-operated educational appliances with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
64.
Executing secondary actions with respect to onscreen objects
In a computer system receiving input from a user via at least a keyboard and a pointing device, in which input via the pointing device causes corresponding movement of a pointing image on a display screen of the computer system, user input may be received via the pointing device to point the pointing image at an onscreen object on the display screen. In response to the user activating a key on the keyboard while the pointing image is pointing at the onscreen object, a secondary action with respect to the onscreen object may be executed.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G09G 5/37 - Details of the operation on graphic patterns
G09G 5/373 - Details of the operation on graphic patterns for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 9/44 - Arrangements for executing specific programs
65.
Selecting techniques for enhancing visual accessibility based on health of display
In a computer system having a display screen configured to display visual content, a plurality of techniques may be identified to be considered for enhancing visual accessibility of a particular collection of visual content to be displayed to an end user on the display screen. For each technique, an algorithm may be applied to compute one or more measures of health of the display of the particular collection of visual content resulting from applying the respective technique to enhance the visual accessibility of the particular collection of visual content. Based at least in part on the computed measures of health, one or more best techniques may be selected and applied to enhance the visual accessibility of the particular collection of visual content. The enhanced particular collection of visual content may be displayed to the end user on the display screen.
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
G09G 5/37 - Details of the operation on graphic patterns
G09G 5/373 - Details of the operation on graphic patterns for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 9/44 - Arrangements for executing specific programs
The amount of speech output to a blind or low-vision user using a screen reader application is automatically adjusted based on how the user navigates to a control in a graphic user interface. Navigation by mouse presumes the user has greater knowledge of the identity of the control than navigation by tab keystroke which is more indicative of a user searching for a control. In addition, accelerator keystrokes indicate a higher level of specificity to set focus on a control and thus less verbosity is required to sufficiently inform the screen reader user.
G10L 21/06 - Transformation of speech into a non-audible representation, e.g. speech visualisation or speech processing for tactile aids
G10L 25/00 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups
G10L 13/00 - Speech synthesisText to speech systems
G10L 13/08 - Text analysis or generation of parameters for speech synthesis out of text, e.g. grapheme to phoneme translation, prosody generation or stress or intonation determination
The amount of speech output to a blind or low-vision user using a screen reader application is automatically adjusted based on how the user navigates to a control in a graphic user interface. Navigation by mouse presumes the user has greater knowledge of the identity of the control than navigation by tab keystroke which is more indicative of a user searching for a control. In addition, accelerator keystrokes indicate a higher level of specificity to set focus on a control and thus less verbosity is required to sufficiently inform the screen reader user.
The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G06K 9/34 - Segmentation of touching or overlapping patterns in the image field
G06K 9/36 - Image preprocessing, i.e. processing the image information without deciding about the identity of the image
G06K 9/54 - Combinations of preprocessing functions
G06K 9/60 - Combination of image acquisition and preprocessing functions
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 9/475 - Colour synchronisation for mutually locking different synchronisation sources
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
A screen reader application for visually impaired users suppresses unwanted content that is output by Braille or text-to-speech. The invention accesses, but does not modify, the document object model of the web page and enumerates web page elements for the end user to either hide or skip to. The end user selections are saved as rules which may be applied according to various levels of scope include web page specific, site specific or web-wide. A screen magnification application for visually impaired users automatically sets the visual focus and magnification level on a web page element according to end-user selection.
A screen reader application for visually impaired users suppresses unwanted content that is output by Braille or text-to-speech. The invention accesses, but does not modify, the document object model of the web page and enumerates web page elements for the end user to either hide or skip to. The end user selections are saved as rules which may be applied according to various levels of scope include web page specific, site specific or web-wide. A screen magnification application for visually impaired users automatically sets the visual focus and magnification level on a web page element according to end-user selection.
A method of rendering customized pointing indicia including the steps of monitoring application program interface messaging and intercepting a call for a unique system pointer identifier. A stored collection of predefined vector shapes is accessed, from which a predefined vector shape is selected correlated to the current system pointer identifier. The stroke and fill attributes are set for the vector shapes. A sequence of rasterized frames of vector shapes having different attributes are created and displayed to produce animated pointing indicia effect. The customized vector shape is rasterized and displayed to an end user operating a computer. Customization, animation, and magnification of pointing indicia are performed responsive to user input, which may be a touchscreen event, body movement, hand gesture, mouse event, or a key stroke.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
73.
BRAILLE DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING SAME
Disclosed is a Braille display device. The device supports an array of individual Braille cells with corresponding tactile pins. The pins can be selectively lifted by way of reeds to generate Braille characters that can be felt by the user. The Braille characters can correspond to visible characters, such as characters on a computer screen. The display is refreshable to allow for the sequential display of lines, paragraphs, or pages. In accordance with the disclosure, the Braille cells are constructed in a manner that minimizes manufacturing costs and that also permits the size of the display to be greatly reduced.
A computer program for rendering a magnified graphic user interface (GUI) establishes an initial magnification level for the graphic user interface and the pointing indicia. The GUI and the pointing indicia are magnified in synchronization until the magnification convergence point is reached. At magnification levels above the convergence point, magnification of the GUI and the pointing indicia becomes decoupled, and only GUI is magnified while the pointing indicia remain at the convergence magnification level. If the GUI magnification level falls below the convergence point, the magnification of GUI and the pointing indicia is recoupled and magnification becomes synchronized. Floor and ceiling magnification values for the pointing indicia may also be established.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Providing assistive technologies as a software as a service (SaaS) featuring software that converts and enlarges electronic images and text to assist individuals to better see what is on their computer screens and that permits the converted content to be read aloud, and that can be seamlessly integrated with any website.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
Computer software; computer hardware; software applications; electronic and digital files stored on transportable media or online; downloadable electronic publications; downloadable instructional and informational material; information storage systems for processing text; documents, information, video, sound, text and other media or multi-media, all being electronically recorded or downloadable from the Internet, extranets or other communications networks; screensavers and flash drives. Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software; design and enhancement of computer software and computer systems; support, maintenance and technical assistance in connection with software and applications; research, design and development of computer systems and other applications; software design, consulting, maintenance and support services; provision of information relating to computer and communications software, hardware and to middleware; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting of computer hardware and software problems; design, development, writing, testing, installing, maintaining and updating of computer software; technical helpline services for software applications; operation of internet websites from which users may download computer software, source code and other technological information and materials; advisory and consultancy services, all relating to the aforesaid services. Licensing of technology, source code, computer software and other intellectual property; advisory and consultancy services, all relating to the aforesaid services.
A document navigation tool that automatically navigates a document based on previous input from the user. The document navigation tool is utilized each time a page loads. The method recognizes user behavior on pages using patterns, which are based on four criterion: location, frequency, consistency, and scope. If the user has visited the page previously and has established a pattern, the method automatically focuses on the portion of the page indicated by the pattern, e.g. the location on a web page of the link clicked by the user in the user's last three visits to the page. If the user has not visited the page previously, the method logs the events that occur during this visit to the page.
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 11/34 - Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation
Disclosed is a magnification device for use by blind and/or low vision individuals. The device includes an X-Y table upon which an item to be magnified can be placed. A stationary camera arm and a pivotal monitor arm are oriented over the X-Y table. The monitor arm includes a video monitor pivotally mounted at its distal end. The camera arm also includes two laterally disposed lighting arms. A series of controls are provided along a lower edge of the monitor via a mounting bracket.
A method of locking magnified screen views including the steps of magnifying a portion of a graphic user interface on a first monitor to establish a first magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, magnifying a portion of the graphic user interface on a second monitor to establish a second magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, whereby the graphic user interface of the first monitor is extended in the direction of the second monitor, responsive to an end-user selectable setting, restricting pointer indicia movement to an area defined by the boundaries of each view that are not between first and second monitor, and responsive to pointer indicia moving from first monitor towards second monitor displaying pointer indicia within second magnified view responsive to pointer indicia crossing the boundary of first magnified view in the direction of second monitor.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
Disclosed is a magnification device for use by blind and/or low vision individuals. The device includes an X-Y table upon which an item to be magnified can be placed. A stationary camera arm and a pivotal monitor arm are oriented over the X-Y table. The monitor arm includes a video monitor pivotally mounted at its distal end. The camera arm also includes two laterally disposed lighting arms. A series of controls are provided along a lower edge of the monitor via a mounting bracket.
A method of magnifying text across a computer operating system platform, the method including the steps of loading a background text viewer process on a computer operating system, the background text viewer process having access to internal operating system messaging relating to text sent to a graphics display driver for presentation to an end-user on a GUI, drawing a text viewer on a portion of the GUI whereby the text viewer and a third party application that displays text are shown on the GUI concurrently, intercepting text originating from the third party application and sent to the graphics display driver, the interception performed by the background text viewer process, selecting a substring of intercepted text associated with an end-user focus on the third party application and displaying the substring on the text viewer according to end-user defined settings.
A method of magnifying text across a computer operating system platform, the method including the steps of loading a background text viewer process on a computer operating system, the background text viewer process having access to internal operating system messaging relating to text sent to a graphics display driver for presentation to an end-user on a GUI, drawing a text viewer on a portion of the GUI whereby the text viewer and a third party application that displays text are shown on the GUI concurrently, intercepting text originating from the third party application and sent to the graphics display driver, the interception performed by the background text viewer process, selecting a substring of intercepted text associated with an end-user focus on the third party application and displaying the substring on the text viewer according to end-user defined settings.
Methods and apparatus for displaying closed-captioning content on a display device. In response to determining that closed-captioning is desired, a display area of the display device is partitioned into non-overlapping portions. A first portion of the display area is configured to display the closed-captioning content and a second portion of the display area is configured to display a computer desktop. The closed-captioning content may be transformed by replacing at least some text in the closed-captioning content with at least one symbol based, at least in part, on a context of the at least some text in the closed-captioning content.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
84.
Displaying a user interface in a dedicated display area
Some embodiments are directed to techniques for displaying a user interface of an application program on a display device. The display device may be partitioned into two portions, such that the user interface and a computer desktop are displayed in separate portions of the display. As a result, the user interface does not overlap or obscure any portion of the displayed desktop.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
Mechanisms to allow a user to flexibly display visual content on multiple display devices connected to a computer. Each of the multiple displays may be configured to display a portion of visual content from a computer desktop or from an external content source. Each portion of visual content to be outputted may first be enhanced, such as via magnification, before being displayed on one of the multiple display devices. The user may be provided with a first control that enables the user to adjust a portion of visual content displayed on a first display device independently of a portion of visual content displayed on a second display device. A second control may also be provided that enables the user to adjust the portion of visual content displayed on the second display device independently of the portion of visual content displayed on the first display device.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G09G 3/20 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix
The technology is directed to bi-directional text contraction and expansion. In some embodiments, a defined field is determined based on a focus location and the focus location is associated with a location of the defined field in a user interface. Expanded text associated with the defined field is determined, and the expanded text is contracted based on a first context of at least one part of the expanded text. Modified contracted text is received, and the modified contracted text is associated with the defined field.
A method of rendering magnified pointing indicia including the steps of monitoring application program interface messaging and intercepting a call for a unique system pointer identifier. A stored collection of predefined vector shapes is accessed and from that a predefined vector shape from the collection is selected which is correlated to the current system pointer identifier. A convergence point may be established for maximum pointing indicia magnification in addition to a user-selectable desktop magnification level. The vector shape is scaled in synchronization with the desktop magnification level up to the convergence point whereby the vector shape is no longer scaled up once the convergence point is reached. The scaled vector shape is rasterized and displayed to an end user operating a computer.
A computer program for rendering a magnified graphic user interface (GUI) establishes a first magnification level for the graphic user interface and a second magnification level for a pointer. It displays the magnified GUI at the first magnification level and monitors application program interface messaging for a call for a system pointer identifier. It intercepts this call and scales the pointing indicia not to the magnification level of the GUI, but to the second magnification level for the pointer. The pointer is then displayed to an end user of the computer system at a magnification level that is different from the magnification level of the GUI. Thus, the invention provides for independent magnification of the graphic user interface from the mouse cursor or caret.
A method of rendering magnified pointing indicia including the steps of monitoring application program interface messaging and intercepting a call for a unique system pointer identifier. A stored collection of predefined vector shapes is accessed and from that a predefined vector shape from the collection is selected which is correlated to the current system pointer identifier. A convergence point may be established for maximum pointing indicia magnification in addition to a user-selectable desktop magnification level. The vector shape is scaled in synchronization with the desktop magnification level up to the convergence point whereby the vector shape is no longer scaled up once the convergence point is reached. The scaled vector shape is rasterized and displayed to an end user operating a computer.
Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
A document navigation tool that automatically navigates a document based on previous input from the user. The document navigation tool is utilized each time a page loads. The method recognizes user behavior on pages using patterns, which are based on four criterion: location, frequency, consistency, and scope. If the user has visited the page previously and has established a pattern, the method automatically focuses on the portion of the page indicated by the pattern, e.g. the location on a web page of the link clicked by the user in the user's last three visits to the page. If the user has not visited the page previously, the method logs the events that occur during this visit to the page.
A document navigation tool that automatically navigates a document based on previous input from the user. The document navigation tool is utilized each time a page loads. The method recognizes user behavior on pages using patterns, which are based on four criterion: location, frequency, consistency, and scope. If the user has visited the page previously and has established a pattern, the method automatically focuses on the portion of the page indicated by the pattern, e.g. the location on a web page of the link clicked by the user in the user's last three visits to the page. If the user has not visited the page previously, the method logs the events that occur during this visit to the page.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
Systems and methods for imaging objects are provided. An imaging device includes a sensor to provide an image of an object. The sensor can have a sensor exposure time and a sensor gain and the image includes a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames that can depict at least a portion of the object. The imaging device includes a motion detector to determine whether there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames of the plurality of frames. The imaging device also includes a controller. The controller can set the sensor exposure time to a first value in response to a determination by the motion detector that there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames. The controller can also set the sensor exposure time to a second value in response to a determination that there is no movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames. The controller can also adjust the sensor exposure time, the sensor gain, or both to maintain a luminance value of the plurality of frames at a target luminance value.
The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.
Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations. At least four distinct viewing configurations are provided: a reading mode wherein the camera rests flatly upon the viewed object; a writing mode wherein the camera rests at an angle upon the viewed object; a hand-held mode wherein the user holds the camera relative to a distant object; and an inspection mode wherein the user holds the viewed object relative to the camera. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations. At least four distinct viewing configurations are provided: a reading mode wherein the camera rests flatly upon the viewed object; a writing mode wherein the camera rests at an angle upon the viewed object; a hand-held mode wherein the user holds the camera relative to a distant object; and an inspection mode wherein the user holds the viewed object relative to the camera. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
Synchronizing a visible document and a virtual document so that selection of text in the virtual document results in highlighting of equivalent content in the visible document
Disclosed is a system and method for synchronizing virtual and physical documents. The system can be used in conjunction with screen reading software for synchronizing the screen reader's virtual representation of a component to components that are visually displayed to a sighted user.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
