Reading phone text one word at a time

Iria · Jul 13, 2005, 06:52 PM

SAN JOSE, Calif.--For those who have squinted to read text on their cell phones, Stanford University researchers think they have hit upon a better way: Do it one word at a time.

The technique, known as Rapid Serial Visual Presentation, or RSVP, makes up for the tiny screens on mobile phones by presenting just one word at a time in the center of the screen for a fraction of a second before moving on to the next word. As a result, each word is far easier to read than is the case with standard presentations, in which a sentence or two of much smaller type scroll across the screen at a time.

In a demo version of the software, dubbed BuddyBuzz, the user gets to decide how fast the text scrolls. At its fastest, the words fly far faster than a reader can sound them out. But those who learn to read words without pronouncing them in their heads can actually read as many as 1,000 words a minute, making it potentially far faster than traditional methods of scrolling.

The system, though, is also attuned to syntax. It displays proper names for a longer period of time than prepositions and creates a natural pause for commas and periods. Between stories, it pauses: a time gap the company may one day fill with advertising.
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Read More / Source: News.com

Jul 13, 2005, 06:52 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Reading phone text one word at a time SAN JOSE, Calif.--For those who have squinted to read text on their cell phones, Stanford University researchers think they have hit upon a better way: Do it one word at a time. The technique, known as Rapid Serial Visual Presentation, or RSVP, makes up for the tiny screens on mobile phones by presenting just one word at a time in the center of the screen for a fraction of a second before moving on to the next word. As a result, each word is far easier to read than is the case with standard presentations, in which a sentence or two of much smaller type scroll across the screen at a time. In a demo version of the software, dubbed BuddyBuzz, the user gets to decide how fast the text scrolls. At its fastest, the words fly far faster than a reader can sound them out. But those who learn to read words without pronouncing them in their heads can actually read as many as 1,000 words a minute, making it potentially far faster than traditional methods of scrolling. The system, though, is also attuned to syntax. It displays proper names for a longer period of time than prepositions and creates a natural pause for commas and periods. Between stories, it pauses: a time gap the company may one day fill with advertising. __________ Read More / Source: News.com