U.S. patent application number 14/055366 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for system and method for communicating audio files.
This patent application is currently assigned to AudioEye, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is AudioEye, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nathaniel T. BRADLEY, David IDE.
Application Number | 20140047337 14/055366 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34116693 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140047337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BRADLEY; Nathaniel T. ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING AUDIO FILES
Abstract
A system and method for organizing one or more audio files. One
or more original files are converted into the one or more audio
files. The one or more original files are associated with the one
or more audio files. The one or more audio files are accessed in
response to a request to access the one or more audio files. The
one or more audio files are communicated through an audio interface
in response to a request to access the one or more audio files.
Inventors: |
BRADLEY; Nathaniel T.;
(Tuscon, AZ) ; IDE; David; (Scottsdale,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AudioEye, Inc. |
Tucson |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AudioEye, Inc.
Tucson
AZ
|
Family ID: |
34116693 |
Appl. No.: |
14/055366 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13545417 |
Jul 10, 2012 |
8589169 |
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14055366 |
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|
13214347 |
Aug 22, 2011 |
8296150 |
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13545417 |
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12637512 |
Dec 14, 2009 |
8046229 |
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13214347 |
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10637970 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
7653544 |
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12637512 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/716 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/01 20130101;
H04M 3/4938 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/716 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1. A method for communicating one or more audio files, the method
comprising: converting one or more original files into the one or
more audio files; associating the one or more original files with
the one or more audio files; accessing the one or more audio files
in response to a request to access the one or more audio files; and
communicating the one or more audio files through an audio
interface in response to the request to access the one or more
audio files.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: indicating that the
one or more audio files are associated with the one or more
original files.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: converting text,
images, sound, and rich media content of the one or more original
files into the one or more audio files.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more original files
include a hierarchy, and wherein the hierarchy is applied to the
one or more audio files.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein a user generates the request in
response to receiving audible navigation clues associated with the
one or more audio files.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more audio files are
communicated through a network to the audio interface of a
computing device.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing keystroke
navigation for navigating the one or more audio files associated
with the one or more original files.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein a plurality of commands for
navigating the one or more audio files utilizing keystroke
navigation are associated with a plurality of keys of a computing
device.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more original files
are converted prior to a request for the one or more audio
files.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more original files
form an original website, and wherein the one or more audio files
form an audible website
11. A server for communicating audio content, the server
comprising: the server is in communication with a network, the
server hosts an original website, the server includes a program
operable to: convert one or more original files of one the original
website into the one or more audio files; associate the one or more
original files with the one or more audio files; communicate the
one or more audio files through an audio interface in response to a
request to access the one or more audio files.
12. The server of claim 11, wherein the program is further operable
to: indicate that the one or more original files are available as
the one or more audio files.
13. The server of claim 11, wherein the program is further operable
to: convert visual and non-visual content from the one or more
original files into the one or more audio files.
14. The server of claim 11, wherein the program is further operable
to: communicate audible navigation clues indicating how to navigate
the one or more audio files utilizing keystroke navigation.
15. The server of claim 11, wherein the one or more audio files are
created prior to the request for the one or more audio files.
16. The server of claim 11, wherein the program is further operable
to: hierarchically organize the one or more audio files associated
with the one or more original files of the original website.
17. A system for communicating audio content, the system
comprising: a server in communication with a computer of a user
through a network, and wherein the server is configured to (a)
convert one or more original files into one or more audio files,
(b) associate the one or more original files with the one or more
audio files, (c) indicate that the one or more original files are
available as the audio files; and (d) communicate the audio files
to the computer in response to a selection from a user to access
the audio files.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the audio files are
communicated to an audio interface of the computer for playback to
the user, wherein keystroke navigation is utilized to navigate the
one or more audio files utilizing the selection.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more original files
include a hierarchy, wherein the hierarchy is applied to the one or
more audio files, wherein the one or more original files are
associated with an original website, and wherein the one or more
audio files are associated with an audio website and are converted
prior to a user requesting the one or more audio files.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein the user navigates the one or
more audio files hierarchically associated with the one or more
original files utilizing keystroke navigation, and wherein a
plurality of commands for navigating the one or more audio files
utilizing the keystroke navigation are associated with a plurality
of user inputs.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/545,417 filed on Jul. 10, 2012 entitled
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AUDIO FILES which is a Continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/214,347 now U.S. Pat. No.
8,296,150, filed on Aug. 22, 2011 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
AUDIO CONTENT NAVIGATION which is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/637,512, filed Dec. 14, 2009, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,046,229, issued Oct. 25, 2011, which is a Continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/637,970, filed Aug. 8, 2003,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,544, issued Jan. 26, 2010, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/399,892, filed
Jul. 31, 2002. The entire contents of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to data processing for the
purpose of navigating a computer network. More particularly, this
invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating audible
websites and enabling visually-impaired users to access and
navigate them by keystroke.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Websites and many other computer files are created with the
assumption that those who are using the files can see the file
content on a computer monitor. Because websites are developed with
the assumption that users can see, the sites do not convey much
content audibly, nor do the sites convey navigation architecture,
such as menus and navigation bars, audibly. The result is that
visually-impaired users have difficulty using such websites.
[0004] Prior art systems have been developed to help
visually-impaired users use websites, but these systems often
require software and hardware to be installed at the user's
computer. Many of these systems simply use screen reading
technology alone or in combination with print magnifying software
applications. The systems have shown to be costly, unwieldy, and
inconvenient. Furthermore, because such technology is installed on
the user's computer, visually-impaired users cannot effectively use
conventional computer files anywhere except at their own computers.
As a consequence, websites and other computer files are often
inaccessible to visually-impaired user anywhere except at home.
[0005] Several prior art systems have been developed to overcome
this problem by enabling visually-impaired users to access some
computer information using any touchtone telephone. In essence, a
caller accesses a special computer by telephone. The computer has
access to computer files that contain audio components, which can
be played back though the telephone to the user. For example, a
text file that has been translated by synthetic speech software
into an audio file can be played back to the user over the
telephone. Some systems access audio files that have already been
translated; some translate text-to-speech on the fly upon the
user's command. To control which files are played, the user presses
the keys on the touchtone keypad to send a sound that instructs the
computer which audio file to play.
[0006] Unfortunately, these systems also have drawbacks. Large
files or those having multiple nesting layers turn the system into
a giant automated voice response system, which is difficult to
navigate and often very frustrating. Typically only text is played
back to the user. Graphics, music, images and navigation systems
like those on a website are not. Furthermore, the metallic voice of
the computer-generated speech does not convey meaning with
inflection like a human does, and is tedious to listen to,
especially for significant volumes of information.
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a
method and apparatus to translate computer files which have
previously been created for the sighted user, particularly
websites, into audio files. It is a further object to create audio
files that reflect the entirety of the original file, incorporating
non-text content such as graphics, music, images and navigation
systems like those on a website. It is another object of this
invention to provide a method and apparatus to access audio files
using any conventional computer system, particularly one connected
to the Internet, by locating the audio files on a central computer
such as a server. It is another object of this invention to provide
a keystroke navigation system to navigate audio files.
SUMMARY
[0008] One embodiment provides a system and method for
communicating one or more audio files. One or more original files
may be converted into the one or more audio files. The one or more
original files may be associated with the one or more audio files.
The one or more audio files may be accessed in response to a
request to access the one or more audio files. The one or more
audio files may be communicated through an audio interface in
response to a request to access the one or more audio files.
[0009] Another embodiment provides a server for communicating audio
content. The server is in communication with a network. The server
may host an original website. The server may include a program
operable to convert one or more original files of one or more of
the number of original websites into the one or more audio files,
associate the one or more original files with the one or more audio
files, and communicate the one or more audio files through an audio
interface in response to a request to access the one or more audio
files.
[0010] Yet another embodiment provides a system for communicating
an audio website. The system may include a server in communication
with the computer of a user through a network. The server may be
configured to (a) convert the one or more original files of the
original website into audio files, (b) associate the one or more
original files with the one or more audio files, (c) indicate that
the one or more original files are available as the audio files;
and (d) communicate the audio files to the computer in response to
a selection from a user to access the audio files.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates the Internet.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer network.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a home page of an original website.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates the hierarchy of pages in a website.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the keyboard navigation system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention involves creating audio files from
files created originally for sighted users. Files created
originally for primarily sighted-users are referred to herein as
original files. An organized collection of original files is
referred to herein as an original website. The invention further
involves assigning a hierarchy and navigation system to the audio
files based on the original website design; accessing the audio
files; and navigating the audio files.
[0017] Audio files for the present invention are created by
converting text, images, sound and other rich media content of the
original files into audio files through a site analysis process. A
live human reads the text of the original file and the speech is
recorded. The human also describes non-text file content and file
navigation options aloud and this speech is recorded. Non-speech
content, such as music or sound effects, is also recorded, and
these various audio components are placed into one or more files.
Any type of content--be it FLASH, HTML, XML, .NET, JAVA, or
streaming video--can be described audibly in words, music or other
sounds, and can be incorporated into the audio files. A hierarchy
is assigned to each audio file based on the original computer file
design such that when the audio file is played back through an
audio interface, sound is given forth. The user hears substantially
all of the content of the file and can navigate within the file by
responding to the audible navigation clues.
[0018] The audio files are accessed via a user's computer. To
implement the system, a small program is installed in an original
file which will play an audible tone or other sound upon opening
the file, thereby indicating that the file is accessible with the
present invention. Upon hearing the sound, the user indicates to
the computer to open the associated audio file. The content of the
audio file is played though an audio interface, which may be
incorporated into the user's computer or a standalone device.
[0019] The user navigates the audio files using a keystroke
navigation system. Unlike the touchtone telephone systems which
require an audio input device, the present system utilized toneless
navigation.
[0020] One advantage of the present invention over prior art is
that no specialized software or hardware needs to be installed on
the user's computer because the audio files are installed on remote
computers and accessed over a network. This type of application is
commonly referred to as a server-side application, to differentiate
it over a client-side, or user, application. The preferred
embodiment of the present invention is applied to original web
pages hosted on remote computers of a global computer network,
namely the Internet. FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of users'
computers, indicated as user, . . . user.sub.x, communicate with
each other through remote computers networked together to form the
Internet. Typically, users connect to the Internet via an Internet
service provider, abbreviated in FIG. 1 as ISP. However, the
present invention may also be used for smaller computer networks,
such as local area or wide area networks. FIG. 2 illustrates such a
network, where a plurality of users' computers, 21, 22, 23 and 24
communicate through a server 25. In this example, each users'
computers has a standalone audio interface 26 to play audio files.
Alternatively, the audio interface could be incorporated into the
users' computers.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, an original website is
converted to an audible website. Each file, or page, of the
original website is converted to a separate audio file, or audio
page. The collection of associated audio files resides on a remote
computer or server, and creates the audible website. For example,
FIG. 3 illustrates the home page 30 of an original website. A live
human reads aloud the text content 31 of the home page 30 and the
speech is recorded into an audio file. The human says aloud the
menu options 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 which are "LOG IN", "PRODUCTS",
"SHOWCASE", "WHAT'S NEW", and "ABOUT US", respectively, that are
visible on the original website. This speech is also recorded.
[0022] In a similar fashion, a live human reads aloud the text
content and menu options of other files in the original website and
the speech is recorded into audio files. In this example, key 1 is
assigned to menu option 32, LOG IN; key 2 is assigned to menu
option 33, PRODUCTS; key 3 is assigned to menu option 34, SHOWCASE;
key 4 is assigned to menu option 35, WHAT'S NEW; key 5 is assigned
to menu option 36, ABOUT US. Other visual components of the
original website may also be described in speech, such as images or
colors of the website, and recorded into one or more audio files.
Non-visual components may also be recorded into the audio files,
such as music or sound effects.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a hierarchy of the original files which form
the original website 40. Menu option 32 will lead to the user to
file 42, which in turn leads to the files 42, . . . .sub.v. Menu
option 33 will lead to the user to file 43, which in turn leads to
the files 43, . . . .sub.iii. Menu option 34 will lead to the user
to file 44, which in turn leads to the files 44 . . . .sub.iv and
etcetera in similar fashion for all the original files of the
original website. The collection of audio files will follow a
hierarchy substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 4 to form an
audible website which is described audibly in its entirety.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment, a small software 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 his keyboard, preferably the "1" key, and enters the audible
website. The original website may close or remain open. After
pressing the "1" key, the user navigates the audible website using
keystroke command system. Audible narration is played through an
audio interface at the user's computer, playing text and menus and
indicating which keystrokes to press to listen to the other audio
web files with in the audible website. Users can navigate website
menus, fast forward and rewind content, and move from website to
website without visual clues.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the device for instructing the
computer which audio file to access is a keyboard having at least
eighteen keys. The keys include ten numbered menu-option keys, four
directional arrow keys, a space bar, a home key, and two keys for
volume adjustment. The volume keys may be left and right bracket
keys. See FIG. 5. Preferably the navigation system is standard
across all participating websites and the keys function as
follows:
[0026] the keys numbered 1 though 9 select associated menu options
51;
[0027] the key numbered 0 selects help 52;
[0028] the up arrow selects forward navigation 53;
[0029] the down arrow selects backward navigation 54;
[0030] the right arrow key selects the next menu option 55;
[0031] the left arrow key selects the previous menu option 56;
[0032] the spacebar repeats the audio track 57;
[0033] the home key selects the main menu 58;
[0034] the right bracket key increases the volume of the audible
website 59;
[0035] the left bracket key decreases the volume of the audible
website 60.
[0036] The keys may be arranged in clusters as shown in FIG. 5.,
using a standard numeric 10-key pad layout, or use alternative
layouts such as a typewriter keyboard layout or numeric telephone
keypad layout. Other types of devices may be used to instruct
computer navigation. For example, for users who are not dexterous,
a chin switch or a sip-and-puff tube can be used in place of a
keyboard to navigate the audible websites.
[0037] While there has been illustrated and described what is at
present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made and equivalents may
be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *