System and method for making an electronic handheld device more accessible to a disabled person

• US 20060189278A1
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Scott, Sherryl Lee Lorraine
• Application Number:
  US11/063,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189278A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.300
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/02 Methods for producing synthetic speech; Speech synthesisers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72475 specially adapted for disabled users

Abstract

An electronic handheld device is described having an options module for providing a user with at least one option in the handheld device, each option associated with an enabling mode of operation of the handheld device. The device also includes an enabling module for implementing, in response to a particular option being selected by a user, an associated enabling mode of operation. Each enabling mode of operation makes the handheld device more accessible to a person having a corresponding disability.

Claims

1. A method for making an electronic handheld device more accessible to a disabled person, the method comprising:

providing a user with at least one option in the handheld device, each option associated with an enabling mode of operation of the handheld device; and

in response to the user selecting a particular option, the handheld device operating in the associated enabling mode of operation, wherein each enabling mode of operation makes the handheld device more accessible to a person having a corresponding disability.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising before the step of providing, preloading into the handheld device software containing instructions for operating in the enabling modes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing includes providing a menu of general disability categories.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the general disability categories include at least one of a visual disability category, a physical disability category and a hearing disability category.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the general disability categories include a “

create new”

category, which a user may select to create a user defined disability category.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing a user further includes:

in response to the user selecting a particular general disability category, providing a submenu of degree of disability categories.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of providing a submenu includes providing submenu information in a format that allows a user having a disability, which corresponds to the general disability category, to ascertain the information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein operating in the associated enabling mode includes enlarging visual information shown on a display of the handheld device to allow a person who is visually disabled to better see the visual information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein operating in the associated enabling mode includes providing on a display visual information possessing at least one of higher contrast and larger font size to allow a person who is visually disabled to better see the visual information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating in the associated enabling mode includes producing sounds that help a visually disabled person operate the handheld device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein producing sounds includes translating at least one of keystrokes and menu selections into speech output.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating includes using a touch screen to allow a person who is physically disabled to operate the handheld device.

13. An electronic handheld device comprising

an options module for providing a user with at least one option in the handheld device, each option associated with an enabling mode of operation of the handheld device;

and

an enabling module for implementing, in response to a particular option being selected by a user, an associated enabling mode of operation, wherein each enabling mode of operation makes the handheld device more accessible to a person having a corresponding disability.

14. The handheld device of claim 13, further comprising a storage medium for storing controller instructions corresponding to the associated enabling mode of operation, said instructions, when executed, causing the handheld device to operate in the associated enabling mode of operation.

15. The handheld device of claim 13, wherein the options module includes a general menu module for providing a menu of general disability categories.

16. The handheld device of claim 15, wherein the general disability categories include at least one of a visual disability category, a physical disability category and a hearing disability category.

17. The handheld device of claim 15, wherein the options module includes a submenu degree module for providing a submenu of degree of disability categories to indicate the degree of disability within a general disability category.

18. The handheld device of claim 13, further comprising a display, wherein, in the associated enabling mode, the enabling module provides enlarged visual information on the display to allow a person who is visually disabled to better see the visual information.

19. The handheld device of claim 13, further comprising at least one speaker, wherein, in the associated enabling mode, the enabling module produces sounds via the speaker that help a visually disabled person operate the handheld device.

20. The handheld device of claim 19, wherein the enabling module translates at least one of keystrokes and menu selections into speech output.

21. The handheld device of claim 13, further comprising at least one speaker, wherein, in the associated enabling mode, the enabling module produces sound, via the speaker, of higher volume to help a hearing impaired person.