Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device for text to speech conversion and particularly to a ring for text to speech conversion.
Description of Related Art
[002] Visual impairment, spanning from partial blindness to complete loss of vision, poses a substantial hurdle for those affected in their everyday routines. A pivotal facet of this struggle pertains to the restricted availability of printed materials, encompassing books, articles, and digital content.
[003] Traditional methods of accessing written information for the visually impaired primarily involve Braille, which requires specialized training and materials. Additionally, audio-based solutions often employ pre-recorded audiobooks, limiting the availability of real-time content.
[004] The present situation concerning reading for individuals with visual impairments primarily relies on Braille, a tactile writing system comprising dots representing alphabet letters. However, this method poses limitations, as not all books are available in Braille, thereby restricting the accessible library for visually impaired individuals to a finite number of titles. Existing technologies in the market face challenges in terms of focusing, accuracy, mobility, and efficiency. Additionally, prevalent systems exhibit drawbacks such as the absence of auto-focus, restricted mobility due to tethered operation, feedback discrepancies, occurrence of ghost text phenomenon, suboptimal speech engine quality, problematic audio cues, and limited wireless functionality. These issues underscore the need for an innovative solution to revolutionize the reading experience for the visually impaired, addressing these critical shortcomings and significantly enhancing accessibility and usability.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced ring for text to speech conversion for a that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a ring for text to speech conversion. The ring comprising: a video capturing unit adapted to capture a video of a text in front of a pointed finger of a visually impaired user with the ring, wherein the video capturing unit is adapted to continue capturing the video with the text when the visually impaired user navigates the pointed finger over the text. The ring further comprising: a controller unit connected to the video capturing unit, characterised in that the controller unit is configured to extract and recognize the text captured in the video. The ring further comprising: a sound unit connected to the controller unit, and adapted to announce the text recognized in the captured video.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for conversion from text to speech for visually impaired. The method comprising steps of: capturing a video of a text using a video capturing unit by pointing and navigating a finger of the user in front of the text; extracting and recognizing the text captured in the video; and announcing the text recognized in the captured video using a sound unit.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a ring for text to speech conversion for a visually impaired user.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a ring for text to speech conversion for a visually impaired user that is user friendly and cost effective.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a ring for text to speech conversion for a visually impaired user, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for conversion from text to speech for a visually impaired user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0018] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a ring 100 for text to speech conversion, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ring 100 may be adapted to be worn on a finger of a visually impaired user.
[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, the ring 100 may comprise a video capturing unit 102, a button 104, a controller unit 106, a sound unit 108, and a battery 110.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the video capturing unit 102 may be adapted to capture a video of a text. The text in front of a pointed finger of the visually impaired user with the ring 100 may be captured in the video, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the visually impaired user may further navigate the pointed finger in a forward direction with the ring 100, to continue capturing the video with an entire snippet or portion of text.
[0022] The video of the text may be captured upon pressing of the button 104 by the user, in another embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the button 104 may be placed on the ring 100 within a reachable proximity of fingers of the user. The button 104 may be engraved with braille script for guiding the visually impaired user, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the video capturing unit 102 may be a high-resolution mini video camera. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the video capturing unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the button 104 may be an electronic button such as, but not limited to, a push button, a selector button, a limit button, a proximity button, a pressure button, a speed button, a temperature button, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the electronic button that may be used as the button 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit 106 may be connected to the video capturing unit 102. The controller unit 106 may be configured to extract and recognize the text captured in the video, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit 106 may be extract and recognize the text captured in the video by performing an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the text captured in the video, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] The controller unit 106 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the ring 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit 106 may be an Arduino IDE. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller unit 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 108 may be connected to the controller unit 106. The sound unit 108 may be adapted to announce the text recognized in the captured video, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sound unit 108 may be, but not limited to, an earphone, a headphone, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 108 may be a speaker. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound unit 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 110 may be adapted to supply operational power to the controller unit 106. The battery 110 may be rechargeable, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for conversion from text to speech for the visually impaired user using the ring 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] At step 202, the ring 100 may capture the video of the text using the video capturing unit 102 by pointing and navigating the finger of the visually impaired user in front of the text.
[0030] At step 204, the ring 100 may extract and recognize the text in the captured video.
[0031] At step 206, the ring 100 may announce the text recognized in the capture video using the sound unit 108.
[0032] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0033] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any rings or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A ring (100) for text to speech conversion, the ring (100) comprising:
a video capturing unit (102) adapted to capture a video of a text in front of a pointed finger of a user with the ring (100), wherein the video capturing unit (102) is adapted to continue capturing the video with the text when the user navigates the pointed finger over the text;
a controller unit (106) connected to the video capturing unit (102), characterised in that the controller unit (106) is configured to extract and recognize the text captured in the video; and
a sound unit (108) connected to the controller unit (106), and adapted to announce the text recognized in the captured video, wherein the sound unit (108) is a speaker.
2. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the video capturing unit (102) is a high-resolution mini video camera.
3. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller unit (106) is an Arduino IDE.
4. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller unit (106) utilises an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract and recognize the text captured in the video.
5. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring (100) is adapted to be worn on the finger of the user.
6. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the button (104) is engraved with braille script to guide the user.
7. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a battery (110) to supply operational power to the controller unit (106).
8. The ring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (110) is rechargeable.
9. A method for conversion from text to speech using a ring (100), the method characterised by steps of:
capturing a video of a text using a video capturing unit (102) by pointing and navigating a finger of the user in front of the text;
extracting and recognizing the text captured in the video; and
announcing the text recognized in the captured video using a sound unit (108).
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the video capturing unit (102) is a high-resolution mini video camera.
Date: December 05, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)