System for speaking hypertext documents such as computerized help files
US5699486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/453
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for speaking structured files such as computerized help files thereby reducing the amount of on-screen clutter and allowing an operator to receive help while simultaneously viewing the screen generated by a computer application program. In response to commands to process such files, a help engine is instantiated and, in accordance with parameters set by the operator, is set to give spoken help and/or visual help. When giving spoken help, hypertext links to other topics in the structured file are detected and stored, and in response to operator commands, the help engine jumps to those other topics and begins speaking the jumped-to topic. Likewise, as the help file is spoken, the hierarchical structure, if any, of topics in the file is detected and stored and in response to operator commands the help engine jumps to specified topics. Preferably, as the hypertext links and the hierarchical structure are spoken, they are spoken with aural cues such as a voice that is different from the voice used for the remainder of the topic. When other topics are jumped to, those other topics may be spoken in the same voice or in the different voice so as to assist the operator in navigatio…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.