Method and apparatus for website navigation by the visually impaired

• US 7,653,544 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AudioEye, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AudioEye, Inc.
• Inventors: Bradley, Nathan T., Ide, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chawan; Vijay B
• Application Number:
  US10/637,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,363 Days
• Field of Search: 704/260, 704/235, 704/277, 704/271, 704/270, 704/270.1, 704/275, 707/104.1, 707/513, 709/203, 709/219, 709/231, 709/217, 715/500.1, 715/733, 715/513
• US Class Current: 704/270.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML

Abstract

The present invention is a server-side method and apparatus that enables visually-impaired users to navigate websites and hear high-quality streaming audio of narration and descriptions of each website. The system involves creating an audible website corresponding to an original website by utilizing voice talent to read and describe web content and create audio files for each section within an original website, then assigning a hierarchy and navigation system based on the original website design. To implement the system, a small program is installed on the home page of an original website which plays a tone upon a user'"'"'s visit indicating that the website is accessible with the present invention. Upon hearing the tone, a user presses a key on the keyboard to exit the original website and enter the audible website. Audible narration is played through the user'"'"'s computer, reading text and describing non-text information. The narration includes menus for navigating the site which have a hierarchy substantially similar to that of the original website. Users navigate the website menus and move from website to website by making keystroke commands.

Claims

1. A method for accessing and navigating a computer network without visual clues, the method comprising:

a) creating one or more audio files from the text and non-text content of one or more original files on the computer network prior to a user requesting such audio files, the audio files having a navigation hierarchy substantially similar to that of the original files;

b) playing a sound through an audio interface upon opening one of the original files indicating that the content of the original files is accessible audibly;

c) requesting and opening the audio files;

d) playing the audio files through the audio interface; and

e) navigating the audio files using a keystroke navigation system.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the original files comprise an original website and the audio files comprise an audible website.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the keystroke navigation system is toneless.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

a) the original files comprise an original website and the audio files comprise an audible website; and

b) the keystroke navigation system is toneless.

5. A method for accessing and navigating a computer network without visual clues, the method comprising:

a) creating an audible website prior to a user requesting access to such audible website by;

i. reading aloud in audible speech text that is visible on one or more files of an original website;

ii. describing aloud in audible speech content other than text on one or more files of an original website;

iii. recording the speech;

iv. recording other sounds on one or more files of an original website;

v. creating one or more audio files from the recordings of speech and sounds,

vi. assigning a hierarchy and navigation system to the audio files based on the original website design;

b) playing a sound upon a user'"'"'s visit to the original website indicating that the original website is accessible audibly;

c) exiting the original website and entering the audible website;

d) playing the audible website through an audio interface; and

e) navigating the audible website using a keystroke navigation system.

6. A method for accessing audio files comprising:

a) playing a sound through an audio interface upon a user'"'"'s visit to an original file indicating that the original file is accessible audibly;

b) pressing a key to exit the original file and enter an audio file;

c) playing the audio file through the audio interface.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising navigating through the audible website using a keystroke navigation system.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the key pressed to exit the original file and enter an audio file is numbered “

1”

.

9. The method according to claim 6 wherein the original file comprises an original website and the audio file comprises an audible website.

10. The method according to claim 6 wherein:

a) the original file comprises an original website and the audio file comprises an audible website; and

b) the method further comprises navigating through the audible website using a keystroke navigation system.

11. A device for accessing an audible website comprising:

a) a computer network having an original website;

b) a program on the original website which plays a sound through an audio interface upon a user'"'"'s visit to the original website indicating that the original website is accessible audibly;

c) a key which, when pressed, causes the user to exit the original website and enter an audible website residing on the computer network.

12. The device according to claim 11 further comprising:

a) a keystroke navigation system used to navigate the audible website.

13. The device according to claim 11 wherein the key is numbered “

1”

.

14. A keystroke navigation device comprising:

a) at least ten keys marked 0-9;

b) at least four arrow keys, one of the four marked with up, down, left, and right arrows respectively; and

c) a spacebar,

d) a home key; and

e) a left bracket key and a right bracket key.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein:

i. the keys numbered 1 though 9 select associated menu options;

ii. the key numbered 0 selects help;

iii. the up arrow selects forward navigation;

iv. the down arrow selects backward navigation;

v. the right arrow key selects the next menu option;

vi. the left arrow key selects the previous menu option;

vii. the spacebar repeats the audio track;

viii. the home key selects the main menu;

ix. the right bracket key increases the volume of the audible website;

x. the left bracket key decreases the volume of the audible website.

16. A method for navigating an audible website comprising pressing one or more keys of a toneless keystroke navigation system.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the audible website further comprises an audio track, a plurality of menu options, and a homepage;

and the keystroke navigation system further comprises;

a) at least ten keys marked 0-9;

b) at least four keys marked with up, down, left, and right arrows; and

c) a spacebar;

d) a home key;

a) a left and right bracket key;

wherein;

pressing the keys numbered 1 though 9 select associated menu options;

pressing the key numbered 0 selects help;

pressing the up arrow selects forward navigation;

pressing the down arrow selects backward navigation;

pressing the right arrow key selects the next menu option;

pressing the left arrow key selects the previous menu option;

pressing the spacebar repeats the audio track;

pressing the home key selects the main menu;

pressing the right bracket key increases the volume of the audible website;

pressing the left bracket key decreases the volume of the audible website.

18. A method for creating an audible website comprising:

a) before the audible website is requested;

i. reading text that is visible on one or more files of an original website, wherein the reading is done in audible speech by a live human; and

ii. describing web content other than text on one or more files of an original website, wherein the describing is done in audible speech by a live human;

b) recording the speech;

c) recording other sounds on one or more files of an original website;

d) creating one or more audio files from the recordings of speech and sounds,

e) assigning a hierarchy and navigation system to the audio files based on the original website design.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising:

a) playing a sound through an audio interface upon a user'"'"'s visit to an original website indicating that the original website is accessible audibly;

b) pressing a key to exit the original website and entering the audible website;

c) playing the audible website through the audio interface.

20. The method according to claim 18 further comprising navigating through the audible website using a keystroke navigation system.

21. An apparatus for accessing and navigating a computer network without visual clues, the apparatus comprising:

a) a data input device comprising at least;

i. a spacebar that repeats an audio track when pressed;

ii. a right bracket key that increases the volume of the audio track when pressed; and

iii. a left bracket key that decreases the volume of the audio track when pressed;

b) audio files created according to the method;

i. reading aloud in audible speech text that is visible on one or more flies of an original website;

ii. describing aloud in audible speech web content other than text on one or more files of an original website;

iii. recording the speech;

iv. recording other sounds on one or more files of an original website;

v. creating one or more audio files from the recordings of speech and sounds,

vi. assigning a hierarchy and navigation system to the audio files based on the original website design, wherein the audio files reside on the computer network;

c) an audio interface;

d) wherein the audio files are played at the audio interface in response to data input on the data input device.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the data input device is a keyboard.