Applying translucent filters according to visual disability needs in a network environment

• US 6,876,369 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Schwerdtfeger, Richard Scott, Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DETWILER, BRIAN J
• Application Number:
  US10/054,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 345744-747, 345/760, 345/764, 345/765, 345/768, 345/781, 345/865
• US Class Current: 715/768
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/10 Mixing of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of an operation, e.g. adding, on the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

A method, system and program for selectively applying translucent filters to graphical images according to visual disability needs are provided. An image is received at a receiver communicatively connected via a network to an image server and connected to a display device for output of the image. A translucent style is specified for a particular user at the receiver. A translucent filter overlay is applied over the image according to the translucent style for output to the display device, such that the image output to the display device is adjusted to specifically accommodate for a visual disability of the particular user.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an image at a receiver communicatively connected via a network to an image server and connected to a display device for output of said image;

receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user at said receiver according to a type of visual disability;

applying a translucent filter overlay over said image according to said translucent style for output to said display device, such that said output to said display device is adjusted to specifically accommodate for a visual disability of said particular user; and

wherein the step of receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user further comprises receiving said translucent style as input from one of a remote server system communicatively connected to said receiver via said network or a personal storage device detectable by said receiver.

2. The method for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

specifying a style sheet utilized for controlling application of said translucent filter from said translucent style specified for said particular user.

3. The method for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying said translucent filter to a total image area for said display device.

4. The method for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

means for receiving said translucent style as input from a remote server system communicatively connected to said receiver via said network.

5. The method for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 1, said step of receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user at said receiver, further comprising the step of:

receiving said translucent style specified for said particular user by a visual specialist.

6. A system for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability, said system comprising:

a receiver communicatively connected via a network to an image server for receiving an image and connected to a display device for output of said image;

means for receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user at said receiver according to a type of visual disability;

means for applying a translucent filter overlay over said image according to said translucent style for output to said display device, such that said output to said display device is adjusted to specifically accommodate for a visual disability of said particular user; and

wherein the means for receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user further comprises means for receiving said translucent style as input from one of a remote server system communicatively connected to said receiver via said network or a personal storage device detectable by said receiver.

7. The system for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 6, said system further comprising:

means for specifying a style sheet utilized for controlling application of said translucent filter from said translucent style specified for said particular user.

8. The system for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 6, said system further comprising:

applying said translucent filter to a portion of said total image area, wherein said portion of said total image area is specified by said translucent style.

9. The system for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 6, said system further comprising:

means for applying said translucent filter to a portion of said total image area, wherein said portion of said total image area is specified by said translucent style.

10. The system for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 6, said means for receiving a translucent style specified for a particular user at said receiver, further comprising:

means for receiving said translucent style specified for said particular user by a visual specialist.

11. A program for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling receipt of an image at a receiver communicatively connected via a network to an image server for receiving an image and connected to a display device for output of said image;

means for enabling receipt of a translucent style specified for a particular user at said receiver according to a type of visual disability;

means for controlling application of a translucent filter overlay over said image according to said translucent style for output to said display device, such that said output to said display device is adjusted to specifically accommodate for a visual disability of said particular user; and

wherein the means for enabling receipt of said translucent style specified for a particular user further comprises means for receiving said translucent style as input from one of a remote server system communicatively connected to said receiver via said network or a personal storage device detectable by said receiver.

12. The program for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 11, said program further comprising:

means for enabling specification of a style sheet utilized for controlling application of said translucent filter from said translucent style specified for said particular user.

13. The program for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 11, said program further comprising:

means for controlling application of said translucent filter to a total image area for said display device.

14. The program for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 11, said program further comprising:

means for controlling application of said translucent filter to a portion of said total image area, wherein said portion of said total image area is specified by said translucent style.

15. The program for adjusting graphical displays to accommodate for a visual disability according to claim 11, said program further comprising:

means for enabling receipt of said translucent style specified for said particular user by a visual specialist.