VISUAL ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20150189071A1
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sorenson Ip Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sorenson Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: MAXWELL, Conrad Arlo, SHIELDS, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72481 for visually impaired users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/045 using recorded signals, e.g. speech
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5108 Secretarial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

Visual assistance systems and related methods are disclosed. A visual assistance system includes a visual assistance service configured to receive and display images from a user device on an electronic display for a live assistant. The visual assistance service is also configured to transmit assistant audio from the live assistant conveying information derived by the live assistant'"'"'s review of the images. A visual assistance system comprises a user device configured to capture and transmit the images to the visual assistance service. The user device is also configured to receive the assistant audio from the visual assistance service, and reproduce the assistant audio to a user of the user device. The user is registered with the visual assistance service as having at least a minimum level of visual disability. A method of operating the visual assistance system includes receiving the images from, and transmitting the assistant audio to the user device.

Claims

1. A visual assistance system, comprising:

a visual assistance service comprising a database identifying a plurality of user devices that are registered with the visual assistance service as being associated with a plurality of users having at least a minimum level of visual disability, the visual assistance service configured to;

receive a call from a user device of the plurality of user devices;

receive and display one or more images from the user device on an electronic display for a live assistant; and

transmit assistant audio to the user device, the assistant audio comprising the live assistant'"'"'s speech conveying information derived by the live assistant'"'"'s review of the one or more images.

2. The visual assistance system of claim 1, wherein the one or more images from the user device comprise at least one of one or more video images and one or more still images taken of an environment proximate to the user device.

3. The visual assistance system of claim 1, wherein the visual assistance service is further configured to receive sensor data from the user device, and wherein the sensor data comprises at least one data selected from the list consisting of global positioning system (GPS) data, motion sensor data, ultrasonic proximity sensor data, and accelerometer data from the user device.

4. The visual assistance system of claim 3, wherein the electronic display is configured to display information relating to the one or more sensor signals for the live assistant.

5. The visual assistance system of claim 1, wherein the visual assistance service is further configured as a call routing service for the user device.

6. A method of operating a visual assistance system, comprising:

receiving a call from a user device being registered with a visual assistance service as being associated with a user having at least a minimum level of visual disability;

receiving one or more images from the user device at the visual assistance service during the call;

displaying the one or more images for a live assistant on an electronic display at the visual assistance service; and

transmitting assistant audio comprising speech descriptive of the one or more images from the live assistant to the user device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving one or more sensor signals comprising sensor data from the user device; and

displaying the sensor data on the electronic display for the live assistant.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting assistant audio comprising speech descriptive of the one or more images comprises speech directed to navigational directions from the live assistant to the user device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising routing a call from the user device to a third party indicated by the user of the user device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the minimum level of visual disability is legal blindness.

11. A visual assistance system, comprising:

a user device configured to;

initiate communications with a visual assistance service from a user that is registered with the visual assistance service as having at least a minimum level of visual disability;

capture one or more images;

transmit the one or more images to the visual assistance service;

receive assistant audio descriptive of the one or more images from a live assistant at the visual assistance service; and

reproduce the assistant audio as audible sound to the user of the user device.

12. The visual assistance system of claim 11, wherein the user device comprises:

a control circuit;

a camera operably coupled to the control circuit and configured to capture the one or more images;

a communication element operably coupled to the control circuit and configured to transmit the one or more images to the visual assistance service, and receive the assistant audio from the visual assistance service; and

an audio output device configured to convert the assistant audio to audible sound to be heard by the user.

13. The visual assistance system of claim 11, wherein the user device comprises one or more sensors selected from the list consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) device, a motion detector, an ultrasonic proximity sensor, and an accelerometer.

14. The visual assistance system of claim 13, wherein the user device is configured to provide audible indications configured for indicating sensor data from the one or more sensors.

15. The visual assistance system of claim 11, wherein the user device comprises a standalone device.

16. The visual assistance system of claim 11, wherein the user device comprises a mobile communication device and one or more separate devices configured to communicate with the mobile communication device.

17. The visual assistance system of claim 16, wherein the one or more separate devices comprise one or more devices selected from the list consisting of an earphone, a pair of glasses, a watch, and a mobility cane.

18. The visual assistance system of claim 11, wherein the one or more images comprise video images, still images, or a combination thereof.

19. The visual assistance system of claim 11, further comprising a user input device, wherein the user device is configured to initiate communication with the visual assistance service responsive to a user input detected with the user input device.

20. The visual assistance system of claim 19, wherein the user input device comprises a textured call button.