FR3139229A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUDIO RESTITUTION OF TEXTS HAVING A PREDEFINED FORMAT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for restoring a personalized text, edited from a model text having a predefined format and comprising at least one predetermined field called a label, intended to be replaced by at least one personal data of 'an user. The editing method comprises the following steps: obtaining the at least one personal data of the user; replacing in the model text the at least one label by the at least one personal data of the user, for obtaining custom text; constructing a URL corresponding to a computer query including the custom text or a locator for the custom text; generation of a barcode corresponding to the URL; sending the barcode to a printing system capable of integrating the barcode into a printable document, capable of being sent to the user. The barcode can be scanned by a terminal of the user, which triggers the sending of the computer request to an audio synthesis system, configured to execute a reading process comprising the following steps: reception from a terminal of a user of a computer request including an identifier of the audio synthesis system, a list of actions to be performed by the audio synthesis system, including the synthesis of personalized audio content corresponding to the personalized text and the personalized text or a locator personalized text; synthesis of audio content corresponding to the personalized text; and transmitting the audio content to the user's terminal.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUDIO RESTITUTION OF TEXTS HAVING A PREDEFINED FORMAT

The invention relates to a method and a system for audio reproduction of personalized texts, in order to facilitate the understanding of the content of the text by visually impaired people.

More specifically, the invention concerns the audio restitution, using voice synthesis techniques, of a personalized text, generated from a model text having a predefined format, and the personal data of a user.

Document US10276065B2 describes a method and a system allowing a visually impaired person to access a personalized selection of a part of a physical document, an electronic copy of which is identified and located. The electronic copy of the physical document is an exact replica of the physical document. A selected portion of the physical document is identified and in response, data relating to the selected portion of the physical document is presented visually or in audio form to a visually impaired person, through a multimedia system accessible to the user.

The text rendered in audio format is user-customized text, in the sense that the selection is made by or for a user. However, this type of personalization does not contain any personal data of the user.

There is therefore a need to offer a solution allowing personalized text to be edited and rendered in audio format based on a user's personal data.

To this end, the invention proposes a method and a system for audio restitution of texts having a predefined format. The method comprises two complementary processes, an editing process and a reading process, executed respectively by an editing system and an audio synthesis system.

The invention firstly relates to a method for editing a personalized text, from a model text having a predefined format and comprising at least one predetermined field called a label, intended to be replaced by at least one personal data of a user, called recipient user. The method comprises: a step of obtaining at least one piece of personal data from the recipient user; a step of replacing in the model text the at least one label with at least one personal data of the recipient user, to obtain the personalized text; a step of constructing a universal resource locator corresponding to a computer request comprising an identifier of an audio synthesis system, capable of generating audio content from text content, a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system audio synthesis, comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content corresponding to the personalized text, and the personalized text or a locator of the personalized text; a step of generating a barcode corresponding to the universal resource locator; a step of sending the barcode to a printing system capable of integrating the barcode into a printable document. The printable document may be sent in paper format to the recipient user and/or in computer format to the recipient user's computer equipment.

The different particular embodiments mentioned below can be added independently or in combination with each other, to the aforementioned stages of the editing process.

In a particular embodiment, the editing method comprises a preliminary step of configuring the editing system, comprising a sub-step of defining the at least one model text; and a sub-step of determining an identifier and a location of the at least one label in the model text.

In a preferred embodiment, the personalized text can be supplemented by at least one pre-finished text. In this case, the step of configuring the editing system includes a sub-step of identifying the at least one predefined text, by an associated computer tag; and the construction step comprises a sub-step of completing the computer request with at least one computer tag selected from the computer tags associated respectively with the predefined texts.

The invention also relates to a computer recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for implementing an editing method as described above when said program is executed by a computer.

The present invention also relates to a system for editing a personalized text, from a model text having a predefined format and comprising at least one predetermined field called a label, intended to be replaced by at least one personal data of a so-called recipient user, the editing system comprising: means for obtaining at least one personal data of the recipient user; means of replacing in the model text the at least one label with at least one personal data of the recipient user, to obtain a personalized text; means for constructing a universal resource locator corresponding to a computer request comprising an identifier of an audio synthesis system, capable of generating audio content from text content, a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system audio synthesis, comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content corresponding to the personalized text, and the personalized text or a locator of the personalized text; means for generating a barcode corresponding to the universal resource locator; means for sending the barcode to a printing system capable of integrating the barcode into a printable document.

The invention also proposes a method for reading a personalized text, executed by an audio synthesis system capable of generating audio content from the text content, the reading method comprising: a step of receiving from a terminal of a user said recipient, of a computer request comprising an identifier of the audio synthesis system, a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system, comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content corresponding to the personalized text, and the custom text or a custom text locator; a step of synthesizing the audio content corresponding to the personalized text; and a transmission step to the terminal of the user receiving the audio content.

The different particular embodiments mentioned below can be added independently or in combination with each other, to the stages of the reading process.

In one embodiment, the playback method comprises a prior step of configuring the audio synthesis system comprising: a sub-step of recording at least one predefined audio content corresponding to a predefined text, identified by a computer tag; and a sub-step of associating the computer tag with the at least one recorded predefined audio content.

In a particular embodiment, the received IT request further comprises at least one IT tag and the synthesis step includes a sub-step of adding to the audio content, predefined audio content associated with the received IT tag.

The invention also relates to a computer recording medium on which a computer program is recorded comprising instructions for implementing a reading method as described above when said program is executed by a computer.

The present invention also relates to a system for audio synthesis of a personalized text comprising: means for receiving from a terminal of a user said recipient, a computer request comprising an identifier of the audio synthesis system, a list of actions to be performed by the audio synthesis system, comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content corresponding to the personalized text, the personalized text or a locator of the personalized text; means for synthesizing the audio content corresponding to the personalized text; and means of transmission to the terminal of the recipient user of the synthesized audio content.

The present invention also relates to a system for audio restitution of a personalized text, the audio reproduction system comprising an editing system and an audio synthesis system as described above.

• la illustre un texte modèle selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre un texte personnalisé obtenu à partir du texte modèle de la , et un localisateur universel de ressources comprenant ce texte personnalisé, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre le localisateur universel de ressources de la et un code-barres obtenu à partir de ce localisateur, selon le premier mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre un texte prédéfini et une balise informatique associée selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre un localisateur universel de ressources comprenant une balise informatique selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre les étapes d’un procédé d’édition selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre les étapes d’un procédé de lecture selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention ;
• la illustre les étapes du procédé d’édition et du procédé de lecture lors d’une configuration coordonnée entre ces procédés, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l’invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given without limitation, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• there illustrates a model text according to one embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates a personalized text obtained from the template text of the , and a universal resource locator comprising this personalized text, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates the universal resource locator of the and a barcode obtained from this locator, according to the first embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates a predefined text and an associated computer tag according to an embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates a universal resource locator comprising a computer beacon according to one embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates the steps of an editing method according to one embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates the steps of a reading method according to one embodiment of the invention;
• there illustrates the steps of the editing method and the reading method during a coordinated configuration between these methods, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the case of management or transaction letters, described by way of example in the remainder of this document. The personalized texts published according to this embodiment of the invention can be included, in a specific form explained subsequently, in a letter on conventional paper which will be sent to the recipient user, or in a letter sent in electronic form and intended to be displayed on computer equipment.

Such letters include one or more parts of text common to all letters sent, and a part specific to each recipient user. The part or parts of text common to all letters of a certain type, for example a monthly invoice from a telephone operator, can be written in advance, and saved in one or more text files during a configuration phase of the system.

One or more personal data of the recipient user, for example name, first name, address, specific subscription, date of issue of the invoice, telephone number, etc. must complete the letter containing the personalized text.

In the case of a visually impaired recipient user, reading a letter presenting only text obviously poses a problem, which the invention proposes to solve, by supplementing the text mail with a bar code readable by computer equipment , for example a smartphone or tablet of the recipient user, or any other terminal capable of reading the barcode. Reading the barcode triggers the sending of audio content corresponding to the personalized text, to the terminal of the recipient user, as will be explained later.

The method includes two complementary processes: a process for editing personalized text and a process for reading this text. For implementation, an editing system W and an audio synthesis system R cooperate with each other and with the terminal of the recipient user.

We will first describe an embodiment of the editing process, with reference to the . To obtain a personalized text T1, specific to a specific recipient user, a model text T0 is first defined during a prior configuration step W000 of the editing system W.

The T0 model text includes the text parts common to all personalized texts and specific fields, intended to be replaced by personal data D1, D2, Dn of the recipient user. These fields are identified by labels E1, E2, En, and their locations in the model text T0 are determined as illustrated in .

During a definition sub-step W010, the common parts of text are written, illustrated in with simple, gray text. During a sub-determination step W020 the labels E1, E2, En and their respective locations in the model text T0 are determined, as illustrated in by <bold text between angle brackets> .

The configuration step W000 of the publishing system W is preferably executed on the site of the organization in charge of publishing letters, in order to avoid the transit of data outside the publishing system, and improve thus the security of the audio restitution system.

From this model text T0, the personalized text T1 is written. The personal data D1, D2, Dn, of the recipient user are obtained during an obtaining step W100. Typically, this personal data is stored in a subscriber database of the publisher and/or a sender of the mail, and obtained by a classic database query request. Alternatively, data can be stored in stored data structures or files, and obtained by reading into memory.

Then, the labels E1, E2, En, are replaced by the corresponding personal data D1, D2, Dn, during a replacement step W200.

The personalized T1 text thus obtained, illustrated in , is integrated into a computer request, in a classic format, for example an API Rest request. The request is addressed to an audio synthesis service, hosted by an audio synthesis system R capable of generating audio content from text content.

The request contains an identifier of the audio synthesis system R, a list of actions to be executed by this audio synthesis system R and, depending on the embodiments, the personalized text T1 or a locator of this personalized text T1.

The list of actions includes at least the synthesis of personalized audio content A1 corresponding to the personalized text T1, by the audio synthesis system R.

Other optional actions can be performed, for example storing A1 audio content for a predetermined period on a dedicated server, securing access to A1 audio content by presenting an access code called a “token”. , automatic saving to a user calendar, sharing T1 personalized text by email or SMS, saving T1 personalized text and/or A1 audio content to a digital safe, etc.

Then a construction step W300 of a universal resource locator URL1 corresponding to the computer request is executed, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

A QRC1 barcode corresponding to the universal resource locator URL1 is subsequently generated during a W400 generation step.

In a first embodiment, the URL1 encoded by the QRC1 barcode includes the personalized text in full, and the QRC1 barcode is of a static, two-dimensional type, as illustrated in .

This format has the advantage of being able to encode the personalized T1 text entirely, as well as all the information necessary to carry out the actions to be carried out. Consequently, no indirection towards external resources is necessary, which increases the security of exchanges and the protection of users' personal data.

Preferably, the QRC1 barcode complies with the ISO/IEC 18004:2015 standard.

In a second embodiment, the request contains a locator of the personalized text T1. In this case the barcode requires a smaller capacity format, and therefore ease of reading and decoding, but an indirection towards the resource indicated by the personalized text locator T1 is necessary to access this text. In this embodiment, the QRC1 barcode is of the dynamic type.

Once the QRC1 bar code has been generated, whatever its type, it is sent during a sending step W400 to a printing system P, capable of integrating it into a printable document I1, capable of being sent in paper format to the recipient user and/or in computer format to computer equipment of the recipient user.

The information contained in the printable document I1 may be substantially the same as that of the personalized text T1, but the presentation may be different, adapted to the requirements of a text readable by a user.

In the personalized text T1, the presentation of information can be structured in a different way, to facilitate understanding when listening, for example by presenting first the most important information for the visually impaired recipient user.

The printing system P can be a generator of printable files, for example pdf type files. The printable document I1 is preferably arranged so as to present the QRC1 bar code always at the same location, in order to facilitate its reading by the terminal of a visually impaired recipient user. The printable document I1 can be presented on a computer screen and/or printed on paper and sent by conventional postal mail.

In the case of conventional letters, printed on paper, the envelope containing this letter may include characteristics that are tactilely identifiable by a visually impaired user, for example printed Braille dots, raised streaks on part of the envelope, or a texture particular of the envelope.

Once the mail has been delivered, any recipient, visually impaired or not, can scan the unique QR code previously created. In the particular case of a visually impaired recipient user, the tactilely identifiable characteristic indicates the accessibility of the text in audio format.

As already mentioned, the QRC1 barcode in a letter always has the same location, thus facilitating the positioning of the terminal of a visually impaired user, in order to scan this code.

Reading the QRC1 barcode triggers the sending, by the user's terminal, of the computer request contained in the universal locator URL1 encoded by the QRC1 barcode, to the audio synthesis system R.

We will now describe with reference to the , the personalized text reading process T1, executed by this audio synthesis system R.

The computer request sent by the terminal of the recipient user is received by the audio synthesis system R during a reception step R100.

This request includes the identifier of the audio synthesis system R, and a list of actions to be executed by this system, including at least the synthesis of personalized audio content A1 corresponding to personalized text T1.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the request further includes the personalized text T1. The audio synthesis system R therefore has all the elements to synthesize the audio content A1 corresponding to the personalized text T1, during a synthesis step R200. This first embodiment does not require additional data exchange with external computer equipment, thus reinforcing the security of the system and the protection of users' personal data.

In the second embodiment, the query includes a personalized text locator T1, which allows audio synthesis of personalized texts having a larger size, because the information encoded by the barcode must not contain the entire text , but only its locator. In this second embodiment, the reading method includes an additional step of recovering the personalized text T1, in accordance with the locator received in the request. Then the synthesis step R200 is executed in a manner similar to the first embodiment.

Once the audio content A1 has been synthesized according to one of the two embodiments, it is transmitted directly or indirectly to the terminal of the recipient user.

This transmission can therefore be carried out directly in response to the terminal from which the request was received, or via a web server capable of storing the audio content and redirecting the user's terminal to a generic web page integrating A1 audio content.

In the first embodiment, the barcode is of static type, it must therefore have sufficient encoding capacity to be able to contain the personalized text T1 entirely, in the format of the URL1, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 .

The maximum number of characters that can be encoded depends on the barcode version. For example, in the case of a two-dimensional barcode, the use of version 13 is recommended, for the sake of visibility, limiting the number of alphanumeric characters to 619.

This number of characters may be sufficient to encode management or transaction letters, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. But in the case of letters including long parts, such as “general conditions of sale”, this maximum number of characters represents a significant limitation. It should be noted that these parts are not subject to customization, and they constitute predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm.

A preferred embodiment of the invention proposes a solution for the audio restitution of personalized texts which can be supplemented by one or more predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm, even in the case of static barcodes, thanks to a coordinated configuration of the W editing and R audio synthesis systems, illustrated in .

In the editing process, the configuration step W000 includes an identification sub-step W030 of the predefined text(s) TP1, TP2, TPm by computer tags B1, B2, Bm, as illustrated in . These computer tags are intended to automatically trigger the execution of specific actions, when received by the R audio synthesis system.

The reading method comprises a prior configuration step R000 of the audio synthesis system R, comprising a recording sub-step R010 of one or more predefined audio contents AP1, AP2, APm, each corresponding to the vocal synthesis of a predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm, identified by the computer tags B1, B2, Bm. Each computer tag B1, B2, Bm is then associated with the audio content AP1, AP2, APm corresponding to the predefined text TP1, TP2, TPm identified by this same computer tag. This operation takes place during an association sub-step R030.

Thus the computer tags B1, B2, Bm are associated in the editing system W with the predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm, and in the audio synthesis system R with the audio contents AP1, AP2, APm corresponding to these texts. This double association of computer tags is illustrated in by the transmission of the predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm and the associated tags B1, B2, Bm, from the editing system W to the audio synthesis system R. Alternatively, a separate entity can send the predefined texts TP1, TP2, TPm and the associated computer tags B1, B2, Bm, to the two aforementioned systems.

When editing the personalized text TP1, the editing system W executes a sub-step specific to this type of text. Thus, the construction step W330 of the universal resource locator URL1', comprises a sub-step W330 of completing the computer request by at least one computer tag selected from the associated computer tags B1, B2, Bm, as illustrated in .

The reception of a request comprising one or more computer tags B1, B2, Bm, by the audio synthesis system R, automatically triggers the execution of an addition sub-step R250 of the predefined audio content AP1, AP2, APm , associated with the computer tag B1, B2, Bm, with the synthesized audio content A1, as illustrated in . The audio content A1 thus supplemented by the predefined audio content is then transmitted to the terminal of the recipient user, as previously described.

The examples described above illustrate the application of the invention to management or transaction letters, but it is also applicable to any type of text having a predefined format, for example meeting reports, minutes , team activity reports. These texts can be supplemented by personalized data in the broad sense, for example the first and last names of participants in a meeting, the achievements of each member of a team, the date the text was published.

Claims (11)

Method for editing a personalized text (T1), from a model text (T0) having a predefined format and comprising at least one predetermined field called label (E1, E2, En), intended to be replaced by at least one personal data (D1, D2, Dn) of a so-called recipient user, the method being executed by an editing system (W) and comprising:

• a step of obtaining (W100) the at least one personal data (D1, D2, Dn) of the recipient user;
• a step of replacing (W200) in the model text (T0) of the at least one label (E1, E2, En) by the at least one personal data (D1, D2, Dn) of the recipient user, for get custom text (T1);
• a step of constructing (W300) a universal resource locator (URL1, URL1') corresponding to a computer request comprising
  • an identifier of an audio synthesis system (R), capable of generating audio content from text content;
  • a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system (R), comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); And
  • custom text (T1) or a custom text locator (T1);
• a step of generating (W400) a barcode (QRC1) corresponding to the universal resource locator (URL1);
• a step of sending (W500) the bar code (QRC1) to a printing system (P) capable of integrating the bar code (QRC1) into a printable document (I1).

Editing method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step of configuring the editing system (W000) comprising:

• a sub-step of defining (W010) the at least one model text (T0); and
• a sub-step of determining (W020) an identifier and a location of the at least one label in the at least one model text (T0).

Editing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one personalized text (T1) is capable of being supplemented by at least one predefined text (TP1, TP2, TPm), and in that

• the step of configuring the editing system (W000) comprises a sub-step of identifying (W030) the at least one predefined text (TP1, TP2, TPm), by an associated computer tag (B1, B2, Bm); And
• the construction step (W300) comprises a sub-step (W330) of completing the computer request by at least one computer tag selected from the associated computer tags (B1,B2,Bm).

Computer recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for implementing an editing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 when said program is executed by a computer. System for editing (W) a personalized text (T1), from a model text (T0) having a predefined format and comprising at least one predetermined field called label (E1, E2, En), intended to be replaced by at least one personal data (D1, D2, Dn) of a so-called recipient user, the editing system (W) comprising:

• means for obtaining at least one piece of personal data (D1, D2, Dn) from the recipient user;
• means of replacing in the model text (T0) the at least one label (E1, E2, En) with the at least one personal data (D1, D2, Dn) of the recipient user, to obtain a text personalized (T1);
• means for constructing a universal resource locator (URL1, URL1') corresponding to a computer request comprising
  • an identifier of an audio synthesis system (R), capable of generating audio content from text content;
  • a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system (R), comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); And
  • custom text (T1) a custom text locator (T1);

• means for generating a barcode (QRC1) corresponding to the universal resource locator (URL1);
• means for sending the bar code (QRC1) to a printing system (P) capable of integrating the bar code (QRC1) into a printable document (I1).

Method for reading a personalized text (T1), executed by an audio synthesis system (R) capable of generating audio content from text content, the reading method comprising:

• a step of receiving (R100) from a terminal of a recipient user, a computer request comprising
  • an identifier of the audio synthesis system (R);
  • a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system (R), comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); And
  • custom text (T1) or a custom text locator (T1);
• a step of synthesizing (R200) the audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); and

• a transmission step (R300) to the terminal of the user receiving the audio content (A1).

Reading method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step of configuration (R000) of the audio synthesis system (R) comprising:

• a recording sub-step (R010) of at least one predefined audio content (AP1, AP2, APm) corresponding to a predefined text (TP1, TP2, TPm) identified by a computer tag (B1, B2, Bm); And
• a sub-step of association (R030) of the computer tag (B1,B2,Bm) with the at least one predefined audio content (AP1, AP2,APm).

Reading method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the computer request further comprises at least one computer tag (B1, B2, Bm) and in that the synthesis step (R200) comprises an addition sub-step (R250) to the audio content (A1), predefined audio content (AP1, AP2, APm) associated with the computer tag (B1,B2, Bm). Computer recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for implementing a reading method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 when said program is executed by a computer. Audio synthesis system (R) of a personalized text (T1) including:

• means for receiving, from a terminal of a recipient user, a computer request
• including
  • an identifier of the audio synthesis system (R);
  • a list of actions to be executed by the audio synthesis system (R), comprising at least the synthesis of personalized audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); And
  • custom text (T1) or a custom text locator (T1);

• means for synthesizing the audio content (A1) corresponding to the personalized text (T1); And
• means of transmission to the terminal of the user receiving the audio content (A1).

Audio restitution system (WR) of a personalized text (TP1), the audio reproduction system (WR) comprising an editing system (W) according to claim 5 and an audio synthesis system (R) according to claim 10 .