IL282978B - Reading aid system and method - Google Patents

Description

282978/ READING AID SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1"

[001] The present invention relates to reading aids, in particular for people learning a foreign language and with reading deficiencies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2"

[002] Reading is a basic key to learning and for this reason many techniques have been devised to help people learn to read better. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"

[003] Students with learning disabilities are typically not exposed to reading entire books. Due to the great effort involved in reading, such students commonly refrain from reading books. Fluency reading exercises that are performed with them, usually via passages of text, do not allow the students to experience the pleasure of reading (entire) books and do not accumulate sufficient reading hours to mater reading. Accumulation of numerous reading hours contributes to linguistic richness and expansion of world knowledge. "Echo Reading" allows the learner to experience the experience of reading an entire age-appropriate book more easily and with great accuracy. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"

[004] It is believed that the following publications represent the relevant technology in the field: US 9,679,496; US 8,634,759; US 10,210,769; US 2006/069558; http://img1.tapuz.co.il (Galit Basok, Merkaz Koren); US 2009/023120; US 2020/320,898; US 4,895,519; and US 4,708,657.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 282978/ id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5"

[005] The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing aid in reading. The system and method may be particularly helpful for people with learning challenges and for those learning a new language. id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6"

[006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a reading aid system. The system includes (a) a computer, configured to connect to a text storage means; (b) a computer screen; (c) a headset operably connected to the computer; (d) a user interface device, operably connected to the computer; and e) a microphone, operably connected to the computer. The computer is configured to control audio features of text selected from the text storage means so as to vocalize a section of text, to pause at the end of the section of text to allow time for a user to vocally repeat that section of text, and to send the repeated vocalization to the headset of the user simultaneously to the repeated vocalization. id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7"

[007] The system further includes a speech analysis and editing module configured to perform any or all of the following: (a) analyze the intonation and/or breathing of the narrator; (b) synchronize and edit to provide automatic synchronization between the narrator’s reading, and the highlighting (or any such emphasis, e.g., underlining) of the words; and (c) edit a sentence to convert long sentences to shorter sentences, and ensure the shorter sentences are synchronous in the text and the narration (or vice versa – to combine sentences and ensure synchronization with between the speech and the text). id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8"

[008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of aiding a person in their reading. The method includes (a) accessing a text storage means; (b) choosing recorded text; (c) analyzing speech and editing text for performing any or all of the following: (i) analyzing the intonation and/or breathing of the narrator; (ii) synchronizing and editing to provide automatic synchronization between the narrator’s reading and the highlighting of the words; and (iii) editing a sentence to convert long sentences to shorter sentences, and synchronizing the shorter sentences in the text with the narration, or vice versa, combining sentences and synchronizing between the speech and the text; (d) 12 May 2012 May 2022 282978/ initiating an audio reading of the recorded text; (e) pausing of the reading of the recorded text to allow repeating of the just read text by the user; (f) providing audio of that repeating, to the user, simultaneously as the user repeats the text; (g) determining that the user has completed repeating of the text; and (h) resuming audio reading of text. id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9"

[009] The reading aid system and method are designed to develop reading fluency among children and adults with learning disabilities and among speakers of a second language. id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"

[010] The system and method are designed to improve reading proficiency, which is the ability to read text quickly, fluently, with ease and automatically, so that little attention is paid to decoding the meaning of the text. Such reading allows attention resources to be diverted in favor of the main purpose of reading, which is comprehension. id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11"

[011] The system and method are also designed to improve reading fluency, which is a developmental skill that begins with the completion of a reading acquisition process, typically at the end of first grade, and continues throughout the elementary school years, until the mastery of reading is achieved. id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12"

[012] The reader training process may be multilingual . The user is typically associated with a learning organization/center. The training itself may be done on the user's computer (with software compatible with Windows or iPad). Training data may be synchronized with the system, which can be situated in the cloud. id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13"

[013] The reading aid system is an active system configured to learn the reading capabilities and level of the user and adapts itself to the user’s reading pace (with the help of language analysis tools), and can allow the adjustment of font type and size to the user's needs. 282978/ id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[014] The system is preferably cloud-based / Internet based and allows practice in any environment that is convenient for the user, preferably under the supervision of a therapist with expertise in learning disabilities. id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"

[015] Reading exercises can be recorded and stored in the cloud for the benefit of review by the therapist. The system can be configured to allow for periodic follow-up and analysis for each user. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"

[016] A personal profile of the user can be built by the user, under the supervision of the therapist, and adjustment of the level of practice can be changed, depending on progress. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[017] The system can be configured to allow a choice of books from a library, according to individual reading level and preferences, for example using text to speech technology. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[018] The system can be configured to communicate with the user by writing or in a conversational manner. The selection of a book, its presentation, the instructions and comments of the system may be written and spoken at the same time. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"

[019] The reading/training process may be interactive and dynamic. The user uses a computer or iPad and headphones during a reading practice session. id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20"

[020] An announcer/narrator reads a sentence or part of a sentence, depending on the user’s level. The user listens to the audio reading with headphones. The system shows the sentence just read in an adapted font on the screen (one sentence at a time) and each word read by the announcer may be illuminated or highlighted on the screen in turn (immersive reading). id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21"

[021] After a portion (e.g. phrase or sentence) of the text is read, the audio recording is paused. The user then repeats the portion/sentence just read and hears that repetition simultaneously in the headphones. 282978/ id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22"

[022] The system waits for the user to complete the reading (repetition) and only then proceeds to read the next words/sentence. The end of the training may be accompanied by the collection of information and the user’s opinions about the training. This data may be stored for the therapist's analysis. id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23"

[023] The system may used to reward and encouragement tools. At the end of reading an entire book, a certificate of appreciation may be issued to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[024] The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"

[025] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a reading aid system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"

[026] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of aiding a person in their reading in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"

[027] Fig. 3 is a schematic of another exemplary reading aid system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"

[028] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of producing a reading aid in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"

[029] Figs. 5-6 show exemplary screen tools useful in the system and for the method, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"

[030] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same 12 May 2022 282978/ or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and similar parts.

Claims (28)

282978/ CLAIMS

1. A reading aid system comprising: a computer configured to connect to a text storage means; a computer screen; a headset operably connected to the computer; a user interface device operably connected to the computer; and a microphone operably connected to the computer, wherein the computer is configured to control audio features of text selected from the text storage means so as to vocalize a section of text, to pause at the end of the section of text to allow time for a user to vocally repeat that section of text, and to send the repeated vocalization to the headset of the user simultaneously to the repeated vocalization; and wherein the computer comprises a speech analysis and editing module configured to perform any or all of the following: (a) analyze the intonation and/or breathing of the narrator; (b) synchronize and edit to provide automatic synchronization between the narrator’s reading, and the highlighting of the words; and (c) edit a sentence to convert long sentences to shorter sentences, and synchronize the shorter sentences in the text and the narration, or vice versa, combine sentences and synchronization between the speech and the text.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the text storage means is an Internet web site.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the text storage means is a USB flash drive.

4. The system of claim 1, configured to be allow for a reader training process that is multilingual. 12 May 2022 282978/

5. The system of claim 1, configured to be compatible with the user's computer or tablet computer.

6. The system of claim 1, configured so that training data may be synchronized with the system, and which can be situated in a communication network.

7. The system of claim 1, configured to be cloud-based.

8. The system of claim 1, configured to allow reading exercises to be recorded and stored in a communication network so as to allow review by a therapist.

9. The system of claim 1, configured to allow for periodic follow-up and analysis for each user.

10. The system of claim 1, configured to allow the user to build a personal profile.

11. The system of claim 1, configured to allow the user to adjust of a level of practice.

12. The system of claim 1, configured to allow a choice of books from a library, according to individual reading level and preferences.

13. The system of claim 1, configured to communicate with the user by writing or in a conversational manner.

14. The system of claim 1, configured so that the text that was read is displayed in an adapted font on the screen, one sentence at a time.

15. The system of claim 14, configured so that the text is illuminated or highlighted on the screen while being read.

16. The system of claim 1, configured to recognize when the user has finished repeating the text and only then proceeds to read subsequent text. 282978/

17. A method of aiding a user in reading, the method comprising (a) accessing a text storage means; (b) choosing recorded text; (c) analyzing speech and editing text for performing any or all of the following: (i) analyzing the intonation and/or breathing of the narrator; (ii) synchronizing and editing to provide automatic synchronization between the narrator’s reading and the highlighting of the words; and (iii) editing a sentence to convert long sentences to shorter sentences, and synchronizing the shorter sentences in the text with the narration, or vice versa, combining sentences and synchronizing between the speech and the text; (d) initiating an audio reading of the recorded text; (e) pausing of the reading of the recorded text to allow repeating of the just read text by the user; (f) providing audio of that repeating, to a headset of the user, simultaneously as the user repeats the text; (g) determining that the user has completed repeating of the text; and (h) resuming audio reading of text.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein accessing a text storage means comprises accessing a USB flash drive

19. The method of claim 17, wherein accessing a text storage means comprises accessing a communication network.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising recording and storing reading exercises in a communication network so as to allow review by a therapist. 12 May 2022 282978/

21. The method of claim 17, comprising analyzing the progress of the user.

22. The method of claim 17, comprising building a personal profile.

23. The method of claim 17, comprising adjusting a reading level based on the user’s progress.

24. The method of claim 17, comprising choosing books from a library, according to individual reading level and preferences.

25. The method of claim 17, comprising communicating with the user by writing or in a conversational manner.

26. The method of claim 17, comprising displaying text in an adapted font on a screen, one sentence at a time.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising illuminating or highlighting the text on the screen while being read.

28. The method of claim 18, comprising recognizing when the user has finished repeating the text and only then proceeding to read subsequent text.