System and Method for Audible Web Site Navigation

Abstract

Systems and methods for an audio-based content management, navigation and retrieval system are provided. The system translates and organizes content, for example text, Podcasts, RSS, pictures, video, into audio output, and provides intelligent access to the content for use on the internet, mobile phones, MP3 devices, or other digital devices. A user may listen to and navigate content by listening to streaming audio and performing simple keystroke or audio commands from an Internet enabled or other digital device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of methods and systems consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 illustrates the Internet;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary computer network;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary home page of an original website;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary hierarchy of pages in a website;

FIG. 5 illustrates a keyboard navigation arrangement consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an interaction among components of one embodiment consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for converting an XML feed to speech consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for human-enabled conversion of a web site to speech consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for converting a published web site to speech consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for providing an audio description of a web-based photo consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for converting published interactive forms to speech consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for indexing podcasts consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary media player consistent with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a computer system that can be configured to perform methods consistent with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for generating audio content from web-based content, comprising the steps of: receiving a path for web-based content;acquiring the web-based content in the form of an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) file;extracting text content from the XML file; andconverting the text to an audio file.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of extracting text content includes accessing a scraping logic for removing code from the XML file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the web-based content includes accessing a syndicated feed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the web-based content includes accessing the web-based content according to a predetermined schedule.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of converting the text to an audio file includes computerized text recognition and automatic conversion to speech.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a audible menu for the web-based content based on the XML file.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes: delivering the audio file to a content delivery network; andassociating the audio file with the path of the web-based content.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further includes: receiving a request for the web-based content from a user;determining the location of a corresponding audio file based on the path of the web-based content; anddelivering the audio file to the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying a menu of syndicated feeds for which there is associated audio content.

10. The method of claim 1, further including: uploading a description of a web-based photograph;converting the description to an audio file; andassociating the audio file with the photograph.

11. A computer-readable medium storing computer executable instructions for performing a method of generating audio content from web-based content, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a path for web-based content;acquiring the web-based content in the form of an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) file;extracting text content from the XML file; andconverting the text to an audio file.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of extracting text content includes accessing a scraping logic for removing code from the XML file.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of acquiring the web-based content includes accessing a syndicated feed.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of acquiring the web-based content includes accessing the web-based content according to a predetermined schedule.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of converting the text to an audio file includes computerized text recognition and automatic conversion to speech.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a audible menu for the web-based content based on the XML file.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further includes: delivering the audio file to a content delivery network; andassociating the audio file with the path of the web-based content.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further includes: receiving a request for the web-based content from a user;determining the location of a corresponding audio file based on the path of the web-based content; anddelivering the audio file to the user.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the displaying a menu of syndicated feeds for which there is associated audio content.

20. A data processing system for generating audio content from web-based content, comprising: a memory storing a computer program that receives a path for web-based content,acquires the web-based content in the form of an extensible Markup Language (XML) file, extracts text content from the XML file, and converts the text to an audio file; anda processor for executing the computer program.

20. The data processing system of claim 19, wherein the data processing system is a memory-constrained device.