Abstract:
An electronically accessible server that on demand provisions program elements to be locally controlled by a subscriber&#39;s device. Upon termination of work session the server deactivates all provisioned elements and the subscriber becomes free to reinitiate program elements to be controlled by the same or another computer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non provisional application claims the benefit and is a continuation of the non provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/430,859 that has a filing date of May 10, 2006, but claims the benefit of the provisional patent application of Ser. No. 60/681,350, filed 2005 May 16 by the present inventor. Each application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to the field of computer software systems and, more particularly, to an internet system providing a service to subscribers in which a server delivers as requested text-to-speech capabilities to the subscriber&#39;s computer. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    Advances in computer technology have generated exceptional software systems providing fast text-to-speech algorithms that faithfully synthesize audio renditions of text materials suited to the requirements of many people. Programs such as the Kurzweil Reading system (6199042), the web based WYNN Wizard and TextAloud are examples of these programs. The teaching environment, in particular, could profit by widespread use of this technology. People learn best using multiple sensory inputs and these systems not only present the text as a visual stimulus but present the audio rendition as an additional stimulus. This combination strongly focuses the reader&#39;s attention on the material and can provide a much steadier reading and comprehension rate. The current programs are installed on stand-alone computer systems connected to a peripheral reader or scanner device and are not conveniently portable between computers or computer systems. The current programs have a high up-front cost. Except for some installed individual reading stations and a few individual computer readers, the technology has not proliferated in teaching situations as it could have been expected to because of the cost of licensing and installing reading programs on the different computers used by a student in the classroom, in the library or at his home. Neither is there a convenient method of coordinating or organizing teaching or training group projects or interactive projects with such individual based systems. Because of these impediments, the text-to-speech technology has made no impact in teaching, neither for the disabled or dyslexic student nor for the mainstream student or trainee in spite of the fact that computers, both desk and laptops, are ubiquitous in and around the classroom. 
         [0008]    3. Objects and Advantages 
         [0009]    The disadvantages and problems associated with current techniques have been substantially reduced or eliminated by the Internet Accessed Text-To-Speech Reading Assistant. 
         [0010]    In view of the above, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows an Internet accessed server that distributes or downloads text-to-speech program elements to a subscriber&#39;s computer and conditionally activates the programs upon a subscriber&#39;s request. This feature provides ready entree to the useful capabilities of text-to-speech programs for all subscribers with Internet access. The text-to-speech program algorithms are downloaded and, through subscriber control, locally process the text-to-speech session. The programs are customized to the operating system of the computer on which the subscriber logged onto the server. This feature provides complete portability of the text-to-speech capability independent of the location of the subscriber (e.g. classroom, library, home, away from home) or of the type of computer system (e.g. Mac, PC, etc.) on which the subscriber is working. 
         [0011]    The Reading Assistant is advantageous in that upon session completion, the text-to-speech program is deactivated on the computer platform used by the subscriber. The text and position at which the text-to-speech is terminated is recorded as a bookmark by the server and the subscriber is logged off the system. This insures that only one computer is activated at any given time by a single subscriber. In the case where the computer is not registered by a subscriber or a subscriber group, the program elements are also de-installed from the computer at the end of the session. This feature insures that the text-to-speech software does not clutter the memory facilities of unregistered computers. Because the program elements remain installed on registered computers, only program activation has to be accomplished in any subsequent sessions saving time and bandwidth. Because of current high speed internet connections, the additional time required to reinstall program elements on non-registered computers presents only a slight increase in access time. 
         [0012]    The Reading Assistant is advantageous in that the subscriber, whose status is off, can subsequently request another text-to-speech session through the Internet system server on the same or any other computer platform and resume with the last partially read text or with new material as desired. The use of the system is completely portable with regard to place and computer. For groups of subscribers (e.g. a classroom of students, a class of trainees, etc) prescribed reading material (i.e. teacher&#39;s lesson plan) can be stored on the server and be available to student at the most convenient computer available. Student reading progress could also be available to the teacher. All aids to the understanding of the material, Dictionaries, Thesaurus and even translation into other languages can be available to act on subscriber highlighted words in the text. Other features will also be available allowing participant to notate specific sections of the reading material for future reference, to take notes on the reading material and have available a spell and grammar checker to aid in this process. The service cost for the Reading Assistant is based on a per subscriber fee and not on a per computer license fee and because subscriber activation times are likely to be much less than 100%, software license fee can be shared. 
         [0013]    Other aspects and advantages of the Reading Assistant will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    In accordance with the present invention an internet system provides a service to subscribers in which a server delivers as requested text-to-speech capabilities to a subscribes computer. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0015]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a network system, including a server, the Internet connection and at least one subscriber interface according to an embodiment of the present invention 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a subscriber interface; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates the variety of program plug-in modules; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the flow chart of activities within the server during subscriber log-in; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates the flow chart of activities within the server in response to a subscriber text material request; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates the flow chart of activities within the server in response to a subscriber work session extension request; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates the flow chart of activities within the server in response to a subscriber Log-Off request; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates the flow chart of activities within the server in response to a subscriber request for teacher options. 
       
    
    
       [0024]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 100 
                 subscriber interface 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 computer 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 display 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 text scanner 
               
               
                   
                 125 
                 text reader 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 speaker 
               
               
                   
                 135 
                 headphones 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 internet access 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 printer 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 internet 
               
               
                   
                 300 
                 server 
               
               
                   
                 310 
                 agent 
               
               
                   
                 311-334 
                 program logic elements 
               
               
                   
                 350 
                 home page 
               
               
                   
                 351-359 
                 home page sections 
               
               
                   
                 360 
                 subscriber data file 
               
               
                   
                 370 
                 plug-in module file 
               
               
                   
                 370A-370G 
                 plug-in modules 
               
               
                   
                 380 
                 e-text library 
               
               
                   
                 390 
                 lesson library 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred Embodiment FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3   
       [0025]    The preferred embodiment of the Reading Assistant is best understood with reference to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings.  FIG. 1  details the connectivity of the server  300  and the subscriber interfaces  1 OOA, . . . ,  1 OON via the internet  200 . 
         [0026]    The server  300  supports all active subscribers, validating each subscriber and logging the subscriber on and off the system, provisioning each subscriber&#39;s computer with compatible text-to-speech software, activating the software for a predetermined work period, and providing requested text or lessons. 
         [0027]    The internet  200  provides bidirectional communication between the subscribers  1 OOA, . . . ,  1 OON and the server  300 . The internet  200  provides adequate capacity, as those versed in the art can appreciate, to support thousands of active subscribers. 
         [0028]    The server  300  includes an agent  310 , a home page  350 , subscriber data file  360 , plug-in module file  370 , E-text library  380 , and lesson library  390 . The agent  310  is the software that coordinates all required server functions. The home page  350  facilitates all communications between the subscriber and agent through which log-in is initiated, requests for e-text material or stored lessons are submitted, and work sessions are terminated. Subscriber data file  360 , includes all necessary subscriber identification for validation purposes, a list of subscriber registered computers, current subscriber status whether on or off line, and bookmarks for previously requested materials. Plug-in module file  370  includes all text-to-speech plug-in program modules that can be down-loaded and have versions that are compatible with the full array of computers used by the subscriber population enabling all text-to-speech activities on any of these computers, E-text library  380  contains classic books or textbooks in digital format that can be requested by subscribers. Subscriber text-to-speech activities are not limited to these materials; they form only one source of text materials. Any e-text materials, e-mails, web generated text materials, word processor reports, books from other on-line sources, and any scanned materials can serve as a source for the Reading Assistant. The lessons library  390  contains downloadable lesson materials for specific subscriber groups (school classes, training groups) which can be accessed only by members of that particular group. 
         [0029]    A more detailed description of a subscriber interface  100  is continued with reference to  FIG. 2 . The heart of the subscriber system is a general purpose computer  110 . The computer can use any of the standard operating systems including Windows XP, Windows 98, MacOS X, Linex, etc. Other essential features include a display  115 , internet access  140  which includes a browser, and a speaker  130 , and/or headphones  135 . Other useful accessories include a text scanner  120  or a text reader  125  and a printer  150 . Together, these elements provide the capability of accessing the Reading Assistant server and storing and running the text-to-speech program elements. Further, the audio rendition of text can be heard through the speaker or headphones while the text is displayed and audio portion highlighted on the display. Local sources of text can be scanned or read and hard copies of any of the text can be printed. It should be understood that the programs, processes, methods described herein are but an exemplary implementation of the present invention and are not related, or limited to any particular computer, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various types of general purpose computing machines or devices may be used with programs constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein. 
         [0030]    The composition of the plug-in module file  370  is detailed with reference to  FIG. 3 . The plug-in module file consists of at least seven program module types. Optical Character Recognition  370 A, Dynamic Text and Highlight Display  370 B, Text-to-Speech  370 C, Speaker Selection  370 D, Dictionary  370 E, Thesaurus  370 F, Language Translator  370 G. Each module type consists of distinct programs appropriately configured for the various subscriber operating systems. Each module facilitates a distinct feature of the Reading Assistant. The Optical Character Recognition  370 A interprets scanned or reader data in terms of textual characters. The Dynamic Text and Highlight Display  370 B formats the text material for display and provides a dynamic word highlighter that follows the progress of the audio rendition of the text The Text-to-Speech module  370 C provides the conversion of the text to its audio rendition. Speaker Selection  370 D provides option for choosing characteristics of the speech. The Dictionary  370 E, Thesaurus  370 F, and Language Translator  370 G provide additional tool for understanding of the meaning of the text and performing the recognized features of these tools but, integrated into the display and speech module to. allow the subscriber the ability to point to words and both see and hear further information about the word. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the programs can be grouped in other equivalent ways to provide equivalent processing capabilities. 
       OPERATION 
     Preferred Embodiment-FIGS.  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8   
       [0031]    The operation of the Reading Assistant is embodied in the actions of the agent  310 . The specific actions of the agent  310  to a subscriber request to log-on to the Reading Assistant are accomplished according to the flow chart detailed in  FIG. 4 . The request submitted through a section of the home page  351  is read by  310 . In the preferred embodiment the subscriber password would be contained on a flash memory device and changed after each completed interaction with the server for enhanced security. The program logic element  311  validates the request using data in the subscriber data file  360 , including all subscriber identification and password and the subscriber&#39;s current server status. The request is rejected if the subscriber&#39;s identification cannot be validated and/or the subscriber&#39;s status indicates he is logged onto another computer and report  352  is sent. If the request is deemed valid, logic  312  examines the computer and if unregistered, logic  314  downloads and temporarily installs modules  370 A- 370 G from file  370  on the computer for the duration of a work session. If the subscriber is using a registered computer, logic  313  checks for all plug-ins and logic  315  installs any that are not on the computer. Logic  316  then activates all plug-ins for the time of one work session. A work session is established as one hour. Logic  317  changes the status of the subscriber to active in the file  360 . The subscriber&#39;s status is an electronic token; if the subscriber is inactive on the server, the subscriber holds the token; if the subscriber is active on the server the server holds the token, preventing the subscriber from logging into the server from another computer. These procedures insure that a subscriber is at most using a single computer system at any time. The set activation time insures that even in the event a machin is left unattended, the programs will automatically deactivate and on unregistered computers will de-install and the subscriber&#39;s status will revert to inactive at the expiration of a work session or, in terms of the token, the subscriber&#39;s token is returned at the expiration of a work session. 
         [0032]    Actions of agent  310  are continued with reference to  FIG. 5 . A subscriber request for text material is accomplished according to the flow chart detailed in  FIG. 5 . The request. submitted via the home page form  353  is read by agent  310 . Logic  318  finds verifies subscriber and computer and if invalid, sends rejection  354 . Logic  319  finds any stored bookmarks for the material and forwards them through logic  320 . The material is retrieved from e-text library  380  or lesson library  390  by logic  321  and downloaded to the subscriber&#39;s computer by logic  322 . A wide selection of classic reading material, both books and textbooks, are available from the Reading Assistant site and these are stored with both the text and imbedded speech relieving much of the computer processing necessary at the subscriber&#39;s computer. All record of reading progress is available within the stored bookmarks as well as progress on lessons. 
         [0033]    Actions of agent  310  are continued with reference to  FIG. 6 . As noted in reference to  FIG. 4 ; plug-ins are activated for one work session. As the end of the session nears, notice is automatically given of the approaching end of the work session and the subscriber can request an activation extension. An activation extension request is acted upon as detailed in the flow chart in  FIG. 6 . The activation extension is submitted via the home page  355  and read by the agent  310 . The subscriber identification and password are compared by logic  323  to the stored combination in the file  360 . Unless the request corresponds to the recorded combination, the request is rejected and indicated through the report  356 . If the request is accepted, logic  324  activates the plug-ins for an additional work session. This process also retards the process of de-installing the program elements on non-registered computers for an additional work session. Logic  325  then updates the subscriber status in the file  360  as active for an additional time period of one work session. In term of the token, the subscribers token is retained for another work session. This process insures that the subscriber can work with the reading assistant as long as desired yet, even when the subscriber does riot properly log off the system, the system will deactivate all plug-in modules, cease operation after the expiration of the work session and sign the subscriber off the system or equivalently, return the subscriber&#39;s token. 
         [0034]    Actions of agent  310  are continued with reference to  FIG. 7 . A subscriber log-off request is acted upon as detailed in the flow chart in  FIG. 7 . The log-off request is submitted via the home page  357 . Logic  326  records in the file  360  reading progress achieved on any subscriber requested text materials and lessons during the work session. Logic  377  deactivates plug-in modules on subscriber registered computers and de-installs plug-in modules on non-registered computers. The subscriber status is updated by logic  328  to inactive in the file  360  or, in terms of tokens, the token is returned to the subscriber. 
         [0035]    Actions of agent  310  are continued with reference to  FIG. 8 . A subscriber request for teacher options is acted upon as detailed in the flow chart in  FIG. 8 . The teacher option request is submitted via the home page  358 . Logic  329  validates the request with data in the file  360 . If the request is rejected, notice  359  is sent to subscriber, A request to install lessons is processed by logic  330  and updated lesson material is uploaded from the teacher&#39;s computer by logic  331  and stored in file  390 . Logic  332  processes requests for student progress review and logic  333  retrieves data from file  360  and downloads the material to the teacher&#39;s computer. Logic  334  allows for future request options. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0036]    From the description above, a number of advantages of my Reading Assistant become evident:
       (a) A subscriber can access the program from any computer running any of the current operating systems that has interne access.   (b) All text-to-speech programs features are immediately available, to the subscriber, upon his surrendering his token, from any computer and at any time.   (c) The service provides a one subscriber fee for service instead of the conventional one computer license fee for each computer provisioned.   (d) A wide variety of e-books, textbooks and lesson materials are available with synchronized renditions of text and audio versions of the material.   (e) Printed material, web based textual material, e-mail and computer documents can all be processed by the text-to-speech program.   (f) Each subscriber can choose a preferred reading rate and the system stores bookmarks for any book or lesson material that records the subscriber&#39;s reading progress in the material.   (g) Groups such as a class or a training group can all have access to teacher supplied assignments of reading materials and feedback to the teacher of the students&#39; progress can be provided.       
 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0044]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the Reading Assistant provisions and activates text-to-speech programs in any subscriber utilized computer. These programs provide the subscriber with the capabilities of the text-to-speech program and local control of the program on any computer that proves convenient. Furthermore, the Reading Assistant has the additional advantage in that
       It is organized to cater to the requirements of groups including school classes or training groups because all subscribers interact at the initiation and completion of each reading session with the server via the internet. Subscribers can be associated with groups and gain access to lesson materials specifically organized for a particular group.   A teacher can develop a class lesson plan and execute it by providing the reading material through the server. The teacher can also monitor class progress by monitoring the statistics collected by the server.       
 
         [0047]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. 
         [0048]    Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.