US 2018/0293985 A1 · SIMPLE AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSE OPERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

A simple affirmative response operating system is disclosed for selecting a data item from a list of options using a unique affirmative action. Text-based labels in a listing of content are converted to speech using an embedded text-to-speech engine and an audio output of a first converted label is provided. A listening state is entered into for a predefined pause time to await receipt of the simple affirmative action. If the simple affirmative action is performed during the predefined pause time, an associated content item is selected for output. If the simple affirmative action is not performed during the predefined pause time, an audio output of a next converted label in the list is provided. This protocol may be used to control a variety of computing devices safely and efficiently while a user is distracted or disabled from using traditional input methods.

A system, comprising:

a processor;
a sensor coupled to the processor;
an electronic sensory presentation device;
and
non-transitory memory storing:
an identification of a single, unique, system-wide, and context-independent affirmative action for use in modifying system parameters, selecting options, and selecting items of content;
system parameters, wherein each system parameter is associated with an identifier from a sequence of system parameter identifiers;
options, wherein each option is part of a list of possible commands or navigation options, and wherein each option is associated with an identifier from a sequence of option identifiers;
and
instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
store the items of content, wherein each item of content comprises a webpage, a book, an article, a text-based communication, an event stored in a calendar system, an audio file, or a video file, and is not one of the options or the system parameters;
store a sequence of identifiers of content, wherein each identifier of the sequence of identifiers of content is associated with an item of content;
enter a first list-pause cycle comprising:
a list-pause that comprises:
outputting, via the sensory presentation device, an identifier from the sequence of identifiers of content;
and
pausing a predetermined length of time;
repeating the list-pause, each repetition of the list-pause outputting a different next identifier from the sequence of identifiers of content, until determining, via input from the sensor, that the affirmative action has been performed during the pause of a most recent list-pause;
and
responsive to determining that the affirmative action has been performed during the pause of the most recent list-pause, outputting, via the sensory presentation device, an item of content associated with the identifier output during that most recent list-pause;
enter a second list-pause cycle comprising:
a list-pause comprising:
outputting, via the sensory presentation device, an identifier from the sequence of option identifiers;
and
pausing a predetermined length of time;
repeating the list-pause, each repetition of the list-pause outputting a different next identifier from the sequence of option identifiers, until determining, via input from the sensor, that the single unique affirmative action has been performed during the pause of a most recent list-pause;
and
responsive to determining that the affirmative action has been performed during the pause of the most recent list-pause, either navigating to an application mode or performing a command based on the option associated with the identifier output during that list-pause;
and
enter a third list-pause cycle comprising:
a list-pause comprising:
outputting, via the sensory presentation device, an identifier from the sequence of system parameter identifiers;
and
pausing a predetermined length of time;
repeating the list-pause, each repetition of the list-pause outputting a different next identifier from the sequence of system parameter identifiers, until determining, via input from the sensor, that the single unique affirmative action has been performed during the pause of a most recent list-pause;
and
responsive to determining that the affirmative action has been performed during the pause of the most recent list-pause, modifying the system parameter associated with the identifier output during that list-pause.

34 more elements

Simple affirmative response operating system

Life of this patent

Simple affirmative response operating system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18