System and method for making an electronic handheld device more accessible to a disabled person
View Patent ↗An electronic handheld device is described having an options module for providing a user with at least one option in the handheld device, each option associated with an enabling mode of operation of the handheld device. The device also includes an enabling module for implementing, in response to a particular option being selected by a user, an associated enabling mode of operation. Each enabling mode of operation makes the handheld device more accessible to a person having a corresponding disability.
1. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:
providing a blind option in which at least one of keystrokes and menu selections are translated into speech output, the blind option provided in an accessibility options menu comprising a plurality of accessibility options in a user interface of the electronic device;
receiving an input identifying a selected accessibility option from the accessibility options menu;
implementing an enabling mode of operation in response to receiving the input, wherein the input identifies the blind option; and, thereafter:
displaying text including a contact name on a display of the electronic device; and
when an input associated with the text, is received at the electronic device, producing the speech output comprising the contact name and one or more selectable options relating to a mode of communication, the one or more selectable options comprising one or more of a call option, an email option, a Short-Message Service (SMS) option, and an Instant Message (IM) option.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input associated with the text is a rolling input over the text on the display.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input associated with the text is a keystroke.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input associated with the text is a selection.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input associated with the text is a touch input.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the speech output comprises the contact name and the one or more selectable options output audibly at a speaker of the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the speech output further comprises one or more of a delete option, a ringtone option, and an information option.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the speech output is associated with the one or more of a delete option, a ringtone option, and an information option for the contact name.
9. An electronic device, comprising:
a display;
a speaker;
a processor interactive with the display and the speaker, and configured to:
provide a blind option in which at least one of keystrokes and menu selections are translated into speech output, the blind option provided in an accessibility options menu comprising a plurality of accessibility options in a user interface of the electronic device;
receive an input identifying a selected accessibility option from the accessibility options menu;
implement an enabling mode of operation in response to receiving the input, wherein the input identifies the voice blind option;
and, in thereafter:
display text including a contact name on the display of the electronic device; and
when an input associated with the text, is received at the electronic device, produce the speech output comprising the contact name and one or more selectable options relating to a mode of communication, the one or more selectable options comprising one or more of a call option, an email option, a Short-Message Service (SMS) option, and an Instant Message (IM) option.
10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the display is a touch screen.
11. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the input associated with the text is a rolling input over the text on the display.
12. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the input associated with the text is a keystroke.
13. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the input associated with the text is a selection.
14. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the input associated with the text is a touch input.
15. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the speech output comprises the contact name and the one or more selectable options output audibly at the speaker of the electronic device.
16. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the speech output further comprises one or more of a delete option, a ringtone option, and an information option.
17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the speech output is associated with the one or more of a delete option, a ringtone option, and an information option for the contact name.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program is for:
providing a blind option in which at least one of keystrokes and menu selections are translated into speech output, the blind option provided in an accessibility options menu comprising a plurality of accessibility options in a user interface of the electronic device;
receiving an input identifying a selected accessibility option from the accessibility options menu;
implementing an enabling mode of operation in response to receiving the input, wherein the input identifies the blind option; and, thereafter:
displaying text including a contact name on a display of the electronic device; and
when an input associated with the text, is received at the electronic device, producing the speech output comprising the contact name and one or more selectable options relating to a mode of communication, the one or more selectable options comprising one or more of a call option, an email option, a Short-Message Service (SMS) option, and an Instant Message (IM) option.