JPH10326178A - Information processor and program storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a person having difficulty in sight to easily access presentation information concerning an information processor for receiving and displaying the presentation information. SOLUTION: This device is provided with an extracting means 13 for analyzing presentation information when receiving the presentation information, extracting character and symbol information contained in the presentation information except for format information and extracting information having the address of the destination to link contained in that information, display means 14 for displaying presentation information on a screen while using the analyzed result at the extracting means 13 when receiving the presentation information and further for displaying the list of character and symbol information, which has the addresses of the destinations to link, extracted by the extracting means 13 on the screen, and voice output means 15 for outputting the character and symbol information extracted by the extracting means 13 after converting it to audio signals when receiving presentation information and further for outputting the list of that character and symbol information in voice when issuing a voice output request to the list of character and symbol information, which has the addresses of the destinations to link, displayed by the display means 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for receiving and displaying bulletin information in a prescribed format transmitted via a network, and a program used to realize the information processing apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that enables a visually impaired person to easily access bulletin information, and a program storage medium that stores a program used to realize the information processing apparatus.

[0002] Information processing apparatuses connected to networks such as the Internet and intranets are becoming widespread.
In such an information processing apparatus, a process of acquiring bulletin information from a server connected to a network and displaying the bulletin information on a display screen is performed. It is necessary to build a configuration that allows easy access.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the Internet WWW (World
In order to access a homepage on the Wide Web and browse the posted information, dedicated WWW browser software is required.

However, most of these WWW browsers adopt a GUI (graphical interface) -based display and operation form, so that it is impossible for a person who cannot effectively use the visual sense to access the WWW browser. , Access has become extremely difficult.

[0005] From now on, for visually impaired persons, by combining a browser operating on a text basis and voice output software for voice output of characters displayed on a screen,
The method of accessing bulletin information is adopted. Specifically, the following three methods are used to access the WWW homepage. (1) Using a text-based browser (a) Using a text browser on UNIX Connect to a UNIX server using TELNET from a personal computer, and operate the text browser for WWW in line mode to display the text. Character strings to be read out using voice output software.

(B) Method of using MS-DOS text browser Using a personal computer text browser, TCP-IP
Connect to the Internet according to the procedure, and read out the displayed character string using voice output software in the line mode. (2) Using the WWW access function of personal computer communication Connect to a personal computer communication host that provides a text-based homepage display service, and read out the displayed character string using voice output software.

[0007]

However, as in the prior art, using a text browser, the auditory W
If the method of enabling acquisition of WW page information is adopted, there is a problem that the user has to operate two independent software, a text browser and voice output software.

[0008] That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the user instructs a text browser to a URL (Uniform Resource L) which is an address of a WWW page on a network.
ocator) and issue a data display request,
When a WWW page is displayed on a screen using a text browser, there is a problem in that a voice output request for the WWW page displayed on this screen must be issued to voice output software. .

Also, as in the prior art, a method is adopted in which connection to a personal computer communication host providing a text-based homepage display service enables acquisition of WWW page information by hearing. However, there is a problem that such a personal computer must be connected to a communication host.

Further, in the prior art, since only the displayed character string is output by voice, the link destination address to another WWW page set in the content of the WWW page is not displayed on the screen, but is output by voice. Therefore, according to the related art, there is a problem that a visually impaired person cannot know when a link destination address to another WWW page is set from the content of the WWW page. .

In addition, since the prior art employs a configuration in which a WWW page is displayed on a screen using a text browser that does not have a function of enlarging characters, a notice displayed on the screen for a person with low vision or an elderly person. There was also a problem that information was difficult to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a configuration in which bulletin information in a prescribed format transmitted via a network is received and displayed. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new information processing device that allows the user to easily access the bulletin information, and to provide a new program storage medium that stores a program used to realize the information processing device.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows the principle configuration of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing apparatus equipped with the present invention, which receives and displays bulletin information in a prescribed format transmitted via a network 2.

The information processing apparatus 1 includes a display means 10 composed of a liquid crystal or the like, a speaker means 11 composed of a speaker or the like, and an input means 12 composed of a keyboard or the like.
, Extraction means 13, display means 14, storage means 15
, Audio output means 16, issuing means 17, setting means 1
8 is provided.

The extracting means 13 analyzes the bulletin information, extracts character / symbol information excluding the format information included in the bulletin information, and extracts a character having link destination address information included in the bulletin information, according to the analysis result. Character information which is an identifier of information (image data or the like) having link destination address information other than the character information included in the notice information is extracted.

The display means 14 displays the bulletin information on the display means 10 by using the analysis result of the extraction means 13 or displays a list of character / symbol information relating to the information having the link destination address information to be extracted by the extraction means 13. Display means 1
0 or a list of address information (represented by a character symbol) specified by a request for providing bulletin information is displayed on the display means 10.

The storage means 15 stores information to be displayed by the display means 14. The audio output unit 16 converts the character / symbol information excluding the format information included in the bulletin information into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal to the speaker unit 11 or the character / symbol information relating to information having link destination address information included in the bulletin information Is converted to an audio signal and the speaker means 1
1 or a list of address information specified in the request for providing the bulletin information is converted into a voice signal,
Output to

When a specific character / symbol information is selected from a list of character / symbol information relating to information having link destination address information displayed by the display means 14, the issuing means 17 outputs the character / symbol information. A request to provide notice information is issued by designating the link destination address information.

The setting means 18 sets the display size of the character / symbol information displayed on the display means 10. Here, the information posting function of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is specifically realized by a program, which is stored on a floppy disk or the like, or stored on a disk such as a server, The present invention is realized by installing them in the information processing apparatus 1 and operating them on the memory.

In the information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention configured as described above, upon receiving the bulletin information, the extracting means 13 analyzes the bulletin information and removes the format information included in the bulletin information according to the analysis result. Extract character symbol information.

The display means 14 receives the analysis result of the extracting means 13 and displays the notice information composed of characters, symbols and images on the display means 10 using the analysis result, thereby receiving the notice information. At that time, the notice information is displayed on the display means 10. At this time, the display unit 14 is provided with a setting unit 18 for the sake of convenience for people with low vision.
May be enlarged and displayed on the display means 10 in accordance with the display size set by the user.

On the other hand, the audio output means 16 is
Is received, the character / symbol information is converted into a voice signal and output to the speaker means 11, so that when the bulletin information is received, the bulletin information is output as voice.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention
Then, when the bulletin information is sent from the network, the bulletin information is displayed on a display screen, and in cooperation with the bulletin information, the character / symbol information included in the bulletin information is automatically output as voice. When the bulletin information is sent, the user can listen to the bulletin information displayed on the display screen without performing any operation.

When employing this configuration, the audio output means 16
When a voice output request for the bulletin information displayed by the display means 14 is issued, a voice output request is issued by outputting the bulletin information by voice or by designating a display position of the bulletin information displayed by the display means 14. In some cases, the bulletin information displayed at the display position may be output as audio.

Thus, the user can listen to the bulletin information displayed on the display screen at any time, and can also listen to necessary places of the bulletin information displayed on the display screen.

When this configuration is adopted, the extraction means 1
3 extracts character / symbol information having link destination address information included in the bulletin information, and, when the bulletin information includes information having link destination address information other than the character / symbol information, a character / symbol serving as an identifier of the information. The information is extracted, and in response to the extraction result, the display unit 14 displays a list of the extracted character / symbol information on the display unit 10. At this time, the display unit 14 enlarges the list of character and symbol information according to the display size set by the setting unit 18 for the sake of convenience for people with low vision.
0 may be displayed.

Then, the audio output means 16 is connected to the display means 1.
When a voice output request for the list of character / symbol information to be displayed is issued, the list of character / symbol information is output as voice or the display position of the list of character / symbol information to be displayed on the display unit 14 is designated. When a voice output request is issued, the character / symbol information displayed at the display position is voice-outputted.

As a result, the user can listen to the information having the link destination address information included in the sent bulletin information. Further, when adopting this configuration, when the specific character / symbol information is selected from the list of character / symbol information displayed by the display means 14, the issuing unit 17 sets the link destination address information of the character / symbol information. Is issued and a request for provision of bulletin information is issued.

As a result, the user can access the information linked to the posted notice information without relying on the visual sense. When adopting this configuration, the display unit 14 displays a list of the address information specified by the input unit 12 and the issuing unit 17 in the provision request of the posted information on the display unit 10. At this time, the display unit 14 may enlarge the list of the address information and display it on the display unit 10 in accordance with the display size set by the setting unit 18 for the convenience of people with low vision.

Then, the sound output means 16 is connected to the display means 1.
When a voice output request for the list of address information to be displayed is issued, the list of address information is output as voice, or the display position of the list of address information to be displayed on the display means 14 is designated and the voice output request is issued. Is issued, the address information displayed at the display position is output as voice.

As a result, the user can hear the address information specified by the request for providing the bulletin information so far. In addition, when adopting this configuration, when the input operation is executed, the audio output unit 16 outputs the audio signal of the content corresponding to the input operation to the speaker unit 11 so that the input operation is executed. When
The content corresponding to the input operation is output as voice.

Thus, the user can understand the content of the input operation and the content of the operation to be input next without depending on the visual sense. As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the user can access the bulletin information transmitted via the network 2 without depending on the visual sense. Thus, by using the information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention, a visually impaired person can easily access the bulletin information transmitted via the network 2.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 including the present invention.

The information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is connected to a server 3 via the Internet 2a, receives and displays an HTML document (WWW page) provided by the server 3, and has a hardware configuration. Specifically, CPU2
0, ROM 21, RAM 22, communication adapter 23
, A disk 24, a display 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, and a speaker 28.

On the other hand, in terms of the program configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, a general-purpose WWW browser 30 prepared for accessing an HTML document provided by the server 3 and a general-purpose WWW browser 30 prepared for realizing the present invention are provided. The visually impaired person assistance program 31 and the visually impaired person assistance program 31 are prepared for use in the form of a subroutine, and when a code or a code string is given, a sound signal corresponding to the code or a code string is generated and output to the speaker 28. By doing so, a speech synthesis library 32 for outputting the content indicated by the given code or code sequence is provided.

Here, the WWW browser 30, the visually impaired person support program 31, and the speech synthesis library 32 are stored in a floppy disk or the like, or stored in a disk such as a server, and installed in the information processing apparatus 1 from them. It will work on memory.

The HTML document provided by the server 3 is
It contains format information and link information to other pages, in addition to a character string, a symbol string, and image data as a text.
The format information and link information are “<” and “>”
And the link information is “<a
href ...>".

FIG. 4 shows an example of an HTML document.
In the HTML document shown in this figure, the character string “general” is linked to the HTML document of the URL “front.html”, and the character string “politics” is the URL “polit.html”.
L, the character string "economic" links to the URL HTML document "econm.html", the character string "sports" links to the HTML document "sport.html", "Index030903.gif
. "Indicates that the image data is linked to the HTML document of the URL" sport.html ".

Hereinafter, information that links to another page (for example, “total”) will be referred to as a link item. In addition,
In the HTML document of FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, display positions, image data, and the like are omitted.

FIGS. 5 to 16 show one embodiment of the processing flow executed by the visually impaired person support program 31. FIG. Next, the present invention will be described in detail according to these processing flows.

When there is an activation request, the visually impaired person support program 31 first activates the WWW browser 30 in step 1 and then displays the main screen in step 2 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. Open and wait for user input operation.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the main screen established at this time. As shown in the figure, the main screen includes a URL input area 40 serving as a URL input area, a link selection list 41 serving as a display area for link items of an HTML document sent from the server 3, and a History list 42 serving as a display area of the history information of the issued URL
A page load button 50 for issuing a request to load an HTML document, a load stop button 51 for instructing to stop loading the HTML document, and a sound output ON / OFF button for setting either a sound output mode or a sound non-output mode. 52, a history item reading button 53 for instructing the reading of the URL displayed in the history list 42, a link item reading button 54 for instructing the reading of the link item displayed in the link selection list 41, and an enlargement described later. An enlarged display button 55 for instructing display of a screen, a display size setting button 56 for instructing setting of a character size of characters and symbols to be displayed on a display screen, and an end button 57 for instructing termination of processing are provided.

When the main screen is displayed, the user operates the audio output ON / OFF button 52 (keyboard 2).
6 can also be operated), the visually impaired person support program 31 first enters a voice output mode in which a voice is output at the present time in step 1 as shown in the processing flow of FIG. It is determined whether the setting is made or whether the mode is set to the non-speech output mode in which no sound is output. In the initial state, for example, the audio non-output mode is set.

When it is determined according to the determination processing in step 1 that the current mode is set to the non-speech output mode, the process proceeds to step 2 and the "speech synthesis library 32" The voice output mode is set so as to output voice guidance in the subsequent processing while outputting voice guidance "I will do it."

Here, the output of the voice guidance is, specifically, by notifying the voice synthesis library 32 of the code information of the character string "set the voice output mode".
This is done by giving an instruction to output the sound of the code information. Upon receiving this instruction, the speech synthesis library 32
Generates an audio signal “set to audio output mode” according to the notified code information and outputs it to the speaker 27 to output a voice “set to audio output mode”. Will be.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1 that the audio output mode is currently set, the process proceeds to step 3 where the speech synthesis library 32 is used.
While outputting the voice guidance of "set to the non-speech output mode", the mode is set to the non-speech output mode in which no voice output is performed in the subsequent processing.

As described above, when the user operates the audio output ON / OFF button 52 while the main screen is displayed, the visually impaired person support program 31 sets the audio output mode by then. Sometimes, the mode is changed to the non-speech output mode in which no voice output is performed, and if it is desired to set the non-speech output mode until then, the mode is changed to the voice output mode in which the voice output is performed.

In the following description, it is assumed that the audio output mode is set for convenience. Further, when the user operates the display size setting button 56 (operation with the keyboard 26 is also possible) while displaying the main screen, the visually impaired person support program 31 First, in step 1, a character size setting screen as shown in FIG. 18 displaying five character sizes while outputting voice guidance of "set up enlarged display" using the voice synthesis library 32. (Having a setting button 60 / end button 61) is displayed.

Subsequently, in step 2, when the cursor (not shown) is moved to one of the five character sizes displayed on the character size setting screen by operating the keyboard 26 or the mouse 27, the cursor is associated with the character size of the destination. By notifying the code information to the speech synthesis library 32, for example, a speech “3 size” is output,
While performing the processing, the setting button 60 (keyboard 2
6 can be operated), the voice "set the character size" is output using the voice synthesis library 32, and the character size indicated by the cursor is used in the subsequent display processing. Finally, when the end button 61 (operable with the keyboard 26) is operated, the voice guidance “Return to the main screen” is output using the voice synthesis library 32, and then This is done by returning to the main screen.
The display size can also be set by inputting a number from the keyboard 26.

As described above, when the user operates the display size setting button 55 while the main screen is displayed, the visually impaired person support program 31 communicates with the user using the character size setting screen shown in FIG. By interacting,
The character size used for enlarged display of characters and symbols is set.

The user sets the audio output mode / non-audio output mode and sets the character size of the enlarged display, and then presses the tab key of the keyboard 26 to obtain the HTML document provided by the server 3. To move the cursor to the URL input area 40 of the main screen.

From now on, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the user moves the cursor to the URL input area 40 while the main screen is displayed, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. To output voice guidance "Please enter a URL."

In response to the voice guidance, the user inputs a URL into the URL input area 40 using the keyboard 36. Then, in step 2, as shown in FIG. The character or symbol to be pointed is enlarged and displayed in the URL input area 40 in accordance with the character size set on the character size setting screen, and an operation such as "A, B, C" is performed using the speech synthesis library 32. While reading out the characters and symbols pointed to by the key to be read one by one, those characters and symbols are input, and finally, the page load button 50 (keyboard 26
Is operated as an enter key on the keyboard 26), and the URL is confirmed by reading the input characters and symbols from the beginning using the speech synthesis library 32.

Subsequently, in step 3, the user waits for the user to operate the page load button 50 (the enter key of the keyboard 26) again. When the page load button 50 is operated, the speech synthesis library 32 is used. "W
The input URL is transmitted to the WWW browser 30 while outputting the voice guidance "Loading the WWW page."

Upon receiving the URL from the visually impaired person support program 31 in this way, the WWW browser 30
By transmitting the URL to the server 3, an HTML document indicated by the URL is obtained.

From now on, the visually impaired person support program 31
Then, in step 4, the WWW browser 30 sends H
Obtain a TML document and store it on the disk. Subsequently, in step 5, by analyzing the acquired HTML document, characters and symbols other than the format information included in the HTML document are extracted, image data is extracted, and the extracted characters, symbols and image data are included. Extract what will be the link item from.

As described above, in the HTML document, “<
Since the link item is expressed using the tag “a href...>”, the link item can be extracted by extracting characters, symbols, and image data having this tag. For example, when the HTML document shown in FIG.
Or `` politics '' or `` economy '' or `` sports '' or `` index030903.
gif "will be extracted as a link item.

Here, a character string called alt (which describes the contents of the image data) may be assigned to the image data.
Instead of extracting a file name such as “30903.gif” as a link item, it is preferable to extract a character string such as “soccer” registered as alt as a link item.

Subsequently, in step 6, the extracted link items are listed and stored in the memory area of the disk 34 prepared in association with the link selection list 41. Subsequently, in step 7, the issued URL is stored in a memory area of the disk 34 prepared in association with the history list 42.

Subsequently, in step 8, the obtained HTML document is displayed on the WWW page display screen (displaying the HTML document in the display area 70) as shown in FIG. 20, using the analysis result of step 5. The WWW page display screen is effective when the audio non-output mode is set, and is basically the same as the display screen of an HTML document used in the related art. .

Here, the display processing of the WWW page display screen is entrusted to the WWW browser 30 in the prior art, but in the present invention, the display of the acquired HTML document and the audio output of the HTML document are linked. In order to realize an enlarged display function of characters and symbols that the WWW browser 30 does not have, the visually impaired person support program 31 is executed.

When the WWW page display screen is displayed in step 8, when the audio output mode is set,
Immediately, the process proceeds to step 9, where an enlarged display screen as shown in FIG. 21 is opened, and the acquired HTML document is enlarged and displayed in accordance with the character size set on the character size setting screen. By notifying the speech synthesis library 32 of code information of characters and symbols other than the format information possessed, the HTML document is output as speech. It should be noted that the image data of the HTML document can be configured to be enlarged and displayed according to the character size, or can be configured not to be enlarged and displayed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 21, the enlarged display screen has a first display area 80 for displaying an HTML document and a second display area 81 for displaying one line portion of the HTML document being output as voice. And a stop button 90 for instructing to stop audio output
A play button 91 for instructing audio output of a portion indicated by the cursor, a pause button 92 for instructing temporary suspension of audio output, and a setting button 9 for instructing display of an audio setting screen.
3, an audio output ON / OFF button 94 having the same function as the audio output ON / OFF button 52 on the main screen,
A display size setting button 95 having the same function as the display size setting button 56 on the main screen, and an end button 96 for instructing the end of the processing are provided.

Subsequently, in step 10, when an input operation of the user is waited, and it is determined that the input operation is an operation of a specific key (for example, F12 key) of the keyboard 26, the process proceeds to step 11, and the main routine is executed. After returning to the screen, it waits for the next input operation, and when it is determined that the operation is the operation of the button of the enlarged display screen, the process proceeds to step 12, the process of instructing the button is performed, and wait.

As described above, when the user inputs a URL while the main screen is being displayed, the visually impaired person support program 31 uses the WWW browser 30 to acquire an HTML document indicated by the URL. Then, while extracting the link items of the HTML document, the acquired HTML document is enlarged and displayed by using an enlarged display screen as shown in FIG. 21, and the acquired HTML document is called by calling the speech synthesis library 32. They read the document aloud.

According to this processing, the visually impaired person
, The contents of the HLML document indicated by the URL can be heard. When the visually impaired person support program 31 returns to the main screen by ending the enlarged display of the HTML document and the audio output on the enlarged display screen as shown in FIG. 21, the program is transferred to the disk 34 in step 6 of the processing flow of FIG. The stored link items (listed) are read out, and the link selection list 4 on the main screen is read out.
In addition to the display of the URL, the history information of the URL stored in the disk 34 in step 7 of the processing flow of FIG. 8 is read and displayed on the history list 42 of the main screen.

That is, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the enlarged display and the audio output of the HTML document acquired from the WWW browser 30 are completed and the display returns to the main screen,
As shown in FIG. 22, the link items of the HTML document are listed and displayed in a link selection list 41, and the history information of the URLs issued so far is displayed in a history list 42.

At this time, according to the character size set on the character size setting screen, the link items displayed in the link selection list 41 are enlarged and displayed, and the URL history information displayed in the history list 42 is enlarged and displayed. Therefore, unlike the main screen shown in FIG. 23 that is displayed when the enlargement of the character size is not set, the link items and the URL history are stored for the visually impaired, such as those with low vision or the elderly. The information becomes easy to see.

Next, a process executed when the user operates the link item reading button 54, the history list reading button 53, or the enlarged display button 54 when the main screen is displayed. explain.

When the user operates the link item read-out button 54 (the operation using the keyboard 26 is also possible) while the main screen is displayed, the visually impaired person support program 31 performs processing as shown in the processing flow of FIG. First, in step 1, using the speech synthesis library 32, a speech guidance of "speak the contents of the link list" is output.

Subsequently, in step 2, the link items displayed in the link selection list 41 and the list numbers of the link items are read out using the speech synthesis library 32 in the order of the list numbers. To explain with the example of the main screen shown in FIG. 22, "No. 1, general", "No. 2, politics",
"No. 3, economy", "No. 4, sports", "No. 5, index0"
30903.gif ".

When hearing the reading of the link item, the user such as the visually impaired selects a list number using the keys of the keyboard 26. When selected, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 10, first, in step 1, the URL of the link item indicated by the selected list number is specified by referring to the analysis result of the HLML document. .

Subsequently, in step 2, the specified UR
By notifying L to the WWW browser 30, processing is performed to acquire the HTML document indicated by the link item.

According to the processing of the processing flow of FIGS. 9 and 10, the visually impaired can hear the link item of the acquired HLML document,
The HTML document indicated by the link item can be acquired without depending on the visual sense.

In addition, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the main screen is displayed, the user can read the history item reading button 53 (operation by the keyboard 26 is also possible).
11, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 11, first, in step 1, the voice guidance “Read the contents of the history list” is output using the voice synthesis library 32.

Subsequently, in step 2, the UR displayed on the history list 42 using the speech synthesis library 32.
The history information of L is read out in order from the top. This figure 1
According to the processing of the first processing flow, the visually impaired can hear the history information of the URL issued so far.

On the main screen, the user operates the tab key of the keyboard 26 to move the cursor to the link selection list 41 / history list 42 / URL input area 4
In addition to being able to move to an arbitrary area within 0, the user can move the cursor up and down in the area of the link selection list 41 and the history list 42 by operating the up and down keys of the keyboard 26. It has become.

From now on, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the user operates the tab key on the keyboard 26 while the main screen is displayed, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. (Moving to the head position of the area), and in the subsequent step 2, the data displayed in the moving destination area is output as voice using the voice synthesis library 32.

When the main screen is displayed,
When the user operates the up and down keys on the keyboard 26,
When the position of the cursor in the area of the link selection list 41 or the history list 42 is changed, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 13, first, in step 1, the line position to which the cursor is moved is detected. In step 2, the data displayed at the destination line position is output as voice using the voice synthesis library 32.

According to the processing flow of FIGS. 12 and 13, the visually impaired person can change the link item displayed in the link selection list 41 or the URL displayed in the history list 42.
History information can be freely heard.

Further, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the user operates the enlarged display button 55 (operation with the keyboard 26 is also possible) while the main screen is displayed, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG.
In step 1, the voice guidance “Enlarged display” is output using the voice synthesis library 32.

Subsequently, in step 2, the enlarged display screen shown in FIG. 21 is displayed, and the HTML document obtained in the previous processing is enlarged and displayed in the first display area 80, and the H
By notifying the speech synthesis library 32 of code information of characters and symbols other than the format information possessed by the TML document, the HTML document is output as speech.

According to the processing flow of FIG. 14, a visually impaired person can listen to the acquired HTML document at any time. Further, in the enlarged display screen, as described above, the second display area 81 for displaying one line portion of the HTML document being output as voice is prepared. As shown in FIG. 21, the second display area 81 is provided with up / down keys.
7 can also be operated) to change the row position that is the target of audio output. from now on,
When the user operates the keyboard 26 to operate the up / down keys in the second display area 81 while the enlarged display screen is displayed, the visually impaired person support program 31
As shown in the processing flow of FIG.
Then, the line position at which the cursor is moved is detected, and in the following step 2, the HTML document portion indicated by the line position at which the cursor is moved is specified from the HTML documents displayed in the first display area 80, and the subsequent step is performed. In step 3, the specified HTML document portion is output as voice using the voice synthesis library 32.

As described above, on the enlarged display screen, a reproduction button 91 (operable with the keyboard 26) for instructing audio output of a portion pointed by the cursor is prepared.

From now on, the visually impaired person support program 31
When the user operates the play button 91 while the enlarged display screen is displayed, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 16, the HTML document portion displayed at the line position using the speech synthesis library 32 is displayed. Is output as voice.

According to the processing flow shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the visually impaired person can display HTML displayed on the enlarged display screen.
You can listen to documents freely. Finally, the setting button 9 of the enlarged display screen shown in FIG.
The process performed when 3 (operation with the keyboard 26 is also possible) is operated will be described.

The setting button 93 is provided for setting parameters required for the voice output of the voice synthesis library 32. When the setting button 93 is operated, the visually impaired person support program 31 It instructs the speech synthesis library 32 to display a parameter setting screen required for speech output.

In response to this instruction, the speech synthesis library 3
2 establishes a parameter setting screen as shown in FIG. 24, and according to this, the tempo speed, the magnitude of the tempo change, the pitch height, the presence or absence of emphasis of the high frequency range, the accent strength and , Set the voice quality by setting the volume. In addition to this, voice types such as male voice or female voice are set, what kind of symbol is used to read, whether digits are digit reading or stick reading etc. That is, the user sets a proper reading or a method of reading a word that is not registered in the dictionary of the speech synthesis library 32. According to this setting, it becomes possible to realize a sound output in a form desired by the user.

[0089]

As described above, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when bulletin information is sent from a network, the bulletin information is displayed on a display screen, and the bulletin information is linked to the bulletin information. Since a configuration is adopted in which the included character information is automatically output by voice, a user such as a visually impaired user can use the notice displayed on the display screen without performing any operation when the notice information is sent. Be able to hear information.

Furthermore, at this time, since the character / symbol information of the bulletin information is enlarged and displayed, a user such as a low-vision person can easily read the bulletin information displayed on the display screen.

Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention extracts character / symbol information having a link destination included in the bulletin information, a file name of image data having a link destination, and the like, and displays a list thereof on a display screen. In addition, since a configuration is adopted in which the information linked to the bulletin information can be accessed by using a list of those, and the information linked to the bulletin information can be accessed. Be easily accessible.

Further, at this time, since a configuration is adopted in which a list of character symbol information having a link destination is enlarged and displayed, a user such as a low-vision person can easily input character symbol information having a link destination displayed on the display screen. Will be able to read.

Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention employs a configuration in which a list of address information issued so far in response to a request for providing bulletin information is displayed on a display screen, and the list is output as audio. A user such as a disabled person can easily check the address information of the posted information issued so far.

Further, at this time, since a configuration is adopted in which the list of address information is enlarged and displayed, a user such as a low-vision person can easily read the list of address information displayed on the display screen.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which, when an input operation is performed by the user, a content corresponding to the input operation is output as a voice. The content of the operation and the content of the operation to be input next can be understood.

With the advancement of multimedia technology, it is expected that the exchange of visual information will become more active in the future. Under these circumstances, it is expected that people with visual impairment and those who have reduced vision due to aging will have more and more handicap in accessing information. The information processing apparatus of the present invention provides means that can supplement such a situation. In addition, the information processing apparatus of the present invention which enables visual information to be confirmed by hearing can be expected to be widely used by ordinary people, for example, by accessing a car terminal or the Internet by telephone. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a program configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an HTML document.

FIG. 5 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 6 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 7 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 8 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 9 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 10 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 11 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 12 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 13 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 14 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 15 is a processing flow executed by the visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 16 is a processing flow executed by a visually impaired person support program.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen for audio output.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Network 10 Display means 11 Speaker means 12 Input means 13 Extraction means 14 Display means 15 Storage means 16 Audio output means 17 Issuance means 18 Setting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FIG06F 15/40 370A 15/403 360Z

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for receiving bulletin information in a prescribed format transmitted via a network, wherein the bulletin information is analyzed when the bulletin information is received, and the bulletin information is analyzed in accordance with a result of the analysis. Extraction means for extracting character symbol information excluding format information included in the bulletin information, and display means for displaying the bulletin information on a display screen by using the analysis result of the extraction means when receiving the bulletin information, When receiving the bulletin information, the character information extracted by the extracting means is converted into a voice signal and output, thereby outputting voice of the bulletin information. apparatus. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio output means performs processing so that when the audio output request for the information displayed by the display means is issued, the information is output as audio. An information processing apparatus characterized by the following. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound output means specifies a display position of the bulletin information displayed by the display means and issues a sound output request when the sound output request is issued. An information processing apparatus characterized by processing to output displayed bulletin information by voice. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extracting means extracts character / symbol information having link destination address information and information having link destination address information other than the character / symbol information in bulletin information. Is included, the character / symbol information as an identifier of the information is extracted, the display means displays a list of the character / symbol information extracted by the extraction means on a display screen, and the voice output means displays the list on the display means. An information processing apparatus characterized in that when a voice output request for the list of character / symbol information is issued, the list of character / symbol information is output as voice. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the voice output means designates a display position of a list of character / symbol information to be displayed on the display means and issues a voice output request when the voice output request is issued. An information processing apparatus characterized by processing to output voice and character information displayed on a computer. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when specific character / symbol information is selected from a list of character / symbol information displayed by the display means, a link of the character / symbol information is selected. An information processing apparatus comprising: issuing means for issuing a request for providing bulletin information by designating destination address information. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a list of address information specified by the provision request of the bulletin information on a display screen, and the voice output means displays the list on the display means. An information processing apparatus characterized in that when an audio output request for the list of address information is issued, the list of address information is output as audio. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the voice output means specifies a display position of a list of address information displayed by the display means and issues a voice output request when the voice output request is issued. An information processing apparatus, characterized in that the displayed address information is processed to be output as voice. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio output means performs processing such that when an input operation is performed, an audio signal having contents associated with the input operation is output. An information processing apparatus characterized by the following. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: setting means for setting a display size of character / symbol information displayed on a display screen, wherein the display means sets the display size according to the display size set by the setting means. An information processing apparatus characterized in that processing is performed such that character symbol information displayed on a display screen is enlarged and displayed. 11. A program storage medium for storing a program used for realizing an information processing apparatus for receiving bulletin information in a prescribed format transmitted via a network, the program storage medium being used when receiving bulletin information. An extraction process for analyzing the bulletin information and extracting character / symbol information excluding format information included in the bulletin information according to the analysis result; and using the analysis result of the extraction process when the bulletin information is received. A display process for displaying the bulletin information on a display screen, and when receiving the bulletin information, converting the character information extracted by the extraction process into a voice signal and outputting the voice signal, thereby outputting the bulletin information as a voice. And a program for causing a computer to execute a sound output process.