ACTIVATION OF A SCREEN READING PROGRAM

• US 20140215410A1
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: FLEIZACH, Christopher, SEYMOUR, Eric T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,146,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback

Abstract

Systems and processes for activating a screen reading program are disclosed. One process can include receiving a request to activate the screen reading program and prompting the user to perform an action to confirm the request. The action can include a making swiping gesture, shaking the device, covering a proximity sensor, tapping a display, or the like. In some examples, the confirming action must be received within a time limit or the input can be ignored. In response to receipt of the confirmation (e.g., within the time limit), the screen reading program can be activated. The time limit can be identified using audible notifications at the start and end of the time limit. In another example, a device can detect an event associated with a request to activate a screen reading program. The event can be detected at any time to cause the device to activate the screen reading program.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, from a user, a request to activate a screen reading program on a device;

prompting the user to confirm the request to activate the screen reading program; and

activating the screen reading program in response to receiving a confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to activate the screen reading program comprises the user activating a virtual switch displayed on a display of the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein prompting the user to confirm the request comprises causing a display of an interface comprising instructions to confirm the request by performing an action.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises a swiping gesture across a screen of the device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises a shaking of the device.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises covering a proximity sensor of the device a threshold number of times.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for:

receiving a request to activate a screen reading program on a device;

prompting the user to confirm the request to activate the screen reading program within a threshold length of time;

generating a first audible notification;

generating a second audible notification after the threshold length of time; and

activating the screen reading program in response to receiving a confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program within the threshold length of time.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the threshold length of time is 5 seconds.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the confirmation comprises an output from an accelerometer representative of a shaking of the device.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the confirmation comprises an output from a proximity sensor representative of covering and uncovering of the proximity sensor.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the confirmation comprises an output from a touch sensor representative of a swiping motion across the touch sensor.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the confirmation comprises an output from a touch sensor representative of one or more taps on a display of the device.

13. A method comprising:

detecting a physical manipulation of a device for a threshold length of time; and

activating a screen reading program in response to the detection of the physical manipulation.

14. The method of claim 13, where the threshold length of time is at least 3 seconds.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the physical manipulation is a shaking of the device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting the physical manipulation comprises detecting, by an accelerometer, a force exceeding a threshold amount in alternating directions.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting the physical manipulation occurs independent of a menu being displayed by the device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting the physical manipulation occurs independent of a program or application being executed.

19. A system comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for;

receiving a request to activate a screen reading program on a device;

prompting the user to confirm the request to activate the screen reading program within a threshold length of time; and

activating the screen reading program in response to receiving a confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program within the threshold length of time; and

a processor for executing the computer instructions.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an accelerometer, wherein receiving confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program comprises detecting, by the accelerometer, a shaking of the device.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising a touch sensor, wherein receiving confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program comprises detecting, by the touch sensor, a swiping motion across the touch sensor.

22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a touch sensor, wherein receiving confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program comprises detecting, by the touch sensor, one or more taps on or near the touch sensor.

23. The system of claim 19, further comprising a proximity sensor, wherein receiving confirmation of the request to activate the screen reading program comprises detecting, by the proximity sensor, covering and uncovering of the proximity sensor.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium further comprises computer instructions for:

generating an audible notification during the threshold length of time.