Method of improving reading of a text

• US 20040253568A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bonnie S. Shaver-Troup
• Original Assignee: Bonnie S. Shaver-Troup
• Inventors: Shaver-Troup, Bonnie S.
• Application Number:
  US10/462,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20040253568A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/178
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/00 Teaching reading teaching lip-reading G09B21/00

Abstract

A method for improving reading of a text comprises receiving an individual reader profile; selecting, based on the profile, a set of text formatting criteria from stored sets of text formatting criteria; receiving a first text; and reformatting the first text, based on the selected text formatting criteria, to result in creating a second text, wherein the reformatting includes expanding spacing of characters within words of the first text. Reformatting may include expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by an amount selected from about 2 points to about 7 points; changing a font size of the first text to a font size selected from about 14 points to about 30 points; changing line spacing; changing character scaling; and changing a font type of the first text to a sans serif font. A reader experiences improved reading of the second text as compared to the first text.

Claims

1. A method of improving reading of a text, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving an individual reader profile;

selecting, based on the individual reader profile, a set of text formatting criteria from among a plurality of stored sets of text formatting criteria;

receiving a first text;

reformatting the first text, based on the selected set of text formatting criteria, to result in creating and storing a second text, wherein the reformatting includes expanding spacing of characters within words of the first text.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the individual profile comprises a grade level value and a reading speed value.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value selected from a range of about 2 points expansion to about 7 points expansion.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value and a font size value.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, and a font size value selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, and a line spacing value.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value selected from a range of about 100% to about 150%.

10. A method as recited in any of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies a sans-serif font.

11. A method as recited in any of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies Avant Garde font.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a character spacing value specified in the text formatting criteria.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount selected from a range of about 2 points to about 7 points.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises the steps of expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, and changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises the steps of expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, and changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points.

16. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises the steps of expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size, and changing a line spacing of the first text to a specified line spacing.

17. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reformatting step comprises the steps of expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size, changing a line spacing of the first text to a specified line spacing, and changing a character scale of the first text to a specified character scale.

18. A method as recited in any of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the reformatting step further comprises changing a font type of the first text to a sans-serif font.

19. A method as recited in any of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the reformatting step further comprises changing a font type of the first text to Avant Garde font.

23. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in any one of claims 1-22.

43. A computer system for improving reading of a text, comprising:

one or more processors;

a computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in any one of claims 1-22.

63. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, and a line spacing value specifying double spacing.

20. A method of improving reading of a text, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving an individual profile of a reader;

selecting, based on the individual reader profile, a set of text formatting criteria from among a plurality of stored sets of text formatting criteria;

receiving a first text;

reformatting the first text, based on the selected set of text formatting criteria, to result in creating and storing a second text, including;

expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount selected from a range of about 2 points to about 7 points;

changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points;

changing a font type of the first text to a sans serif font; and

providing the second text to the reader for reading, wherein the reader experiences improved reading of the second text as compared to the first text.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the individual profile comprises a grade level value and a reading speed value.

22. A method as recited in any of claims 20 or 21, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value.

64. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein reformatting the first text further comprises the step of changing a character scale value of the first text by a specified amount selected from a range of about 100% to about 150%.

65. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein reformatting the first text further comprises the step of changing a line scale value of the first text to double spacing.

66. A method as recited in any of claims 20 or 21, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a font type value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value.

24. A computer system for improving reading of a text, comprising:

means for receiving an individual reader profile;

means for selecting, based on the individual reader profile, a set of text formatting criteria from among a plurality of stored sets of text formatting criteria;

means for receiving a first text; and

means for reformatting the first text, based on the selected set of text formatting criteria, to result in creating and storing a second text, wherein the reformatting includes expanding spacing of characters within words of the first text.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the individual profile comprises a grade level value and a reading speed value.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value selected from a range of about 2 points expansion to about 7 points expansion.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value and a font size value.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, and a font size value selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, and a line spacing value.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value selected from a range of about 100% to about 150%.

33. An apparatus as recited in any of claims 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, or 32, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies a sans-serif font.

34. An apparatus as recited in any of claims 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, or 32, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies Avant Garde font.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a character spacing value specified in the text formatting criteria.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount selected from a range of about 2 points to about 7 points.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises the means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, and changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, and means for changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, means for changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size, and means for changing a line spacing of the first text to a specified line spacing.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the reformatting means comprises means for expanding a character spacing characteristic of the first text by a specified amount, means for changing a font size of the first text to a specified font size, means for changing a line spacing of the first text to a specified line spacing, and means for changing a character scale of the first text to a specified character scale.

41. An apparatus as recited in any of claims 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40, wherein the reformatting means further comprises means for changing a font type of the first text to a sans-serif font.

42. An apparatus as recited in any of claims 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40, wherein the reformatting step further comprises changing a font type of the first text to Avant Garde font.

44. A written text having improved readability as compared to a source text, comprising a plurality of text characters that are formatted according to a set of text formatting criteria, wherein the reformatting includes expanding spacing of characters within words of the first text.

45. A text as recited in claim 44, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value selected from a range of about 2 points expansion to about 7 points expansion.

46. A text as recited in claim 44, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, and a font size value selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points.

47. A text as recited in claim 44, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria comprises a character spacing value, a font size value, a line spacing value, and a character scale value selected from a range of about 100% to about 150%.

48. A text as recited in any of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies a sans-serif font.

49. A text as recited in any of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein each of the sets of text formatting criteria further comprises a font type value that specifies Avant Garde font.

50. A written text as recited in any of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein the written text is within a book or other printed paper document.

51. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value selected from a range of about 2 points expansion to about 7 points expansion, having a font size value selected from a range of about 14 points to about 30 points, and having a character scale value selected from a range of about 100% to about 150%.

52. A text as recited in claim 51, wherein the text characters are in a sans-serif font.

53. A text as recited in claim 51, wherein the text characters are in Avant Garde font.

54. A written text as recited in any of claims 51, 52, or 53, wherein the written text is within a book or other printed paper document.

55. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 6.2 points expansion, a font size of 26 points, a character scale value of 150%, and a sans serif font.

61. A written text as recited in any of claims 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60, wherein the sans serif font is Avant Garde font.

62. A written text as recited in any of claims 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60, wherein the written text is within a book or other printed paper document.

56. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 5.0 points expansion, a font size of 24 points, a character scale value of 145%, and a sans serif font.

57. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 4.5 points expansion, a font size of 22 points, a character scale value of 140%, and a sans serif font.

58. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 4.0 points expansion, a font size of 20 points, a character scale value of 135%, and a sans serif font.

59. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 3.5 points expansion, a font size of 18 points, a character scale value of 125%, and a sans serif font.

60. A written text comprising a plurality of text characters having a character spacing value of 2.5 points expansion, a font size of 16 points, a character scale value of 100%, and a sans serif font.