User-guided ASR Arbitration via Multi-module Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems are limited by their inability to connect with a wide range of subject matter domains via a single system, leading to recognition errors and communication breakdowns.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes multiple automatic speech recognition modules, conversation modules, and an input-output ASR controller to receive spoken utterances, convert them into recognized speech results, collect ratings, and generate arbitration recommendations for user-guided selection, allowing for affinity status assignment and efficient processing of subsequent speech recognition turns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single ASR system is used, then the system complexity is low, but the ability to connect to wide range of subject matter domains is limited leading to recognition errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to connect to subject matter domainsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple specialized ASR modules, each trained for specific subject matter domains. Instead of one general ASR system, the patent segments the recognition function across multiple domain-specific modules that can be selectively activated based on the conversation context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ASR controller provides a universal interface that can work with multiple different ASR modules across various domains. The controller manages multiple specialized modules through a single unified control mechanism, allowing the system to handle diverse domains while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ASR modules are used, then the coverage of subject matter domains improves, but the processor load and bandwidth increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedomain coverageVSAvoidprocessor load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects which ASR modules to activate based on the current conversation context and domain requirements. Rather than running all modules continuously, the controller adjusts the active module set in real-time, reducing processor load while maintaining comprehensive domain coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ASR controller automatically manages the selection and coordination of multiple ASR modules without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates which modules are active based on contextual cues, reducing the need for continuous high-level processing while maintaining domain adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple ASR modules process speech simultaneously, then the recognition accuracy across domains improves, but the system response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

ASR modules are pre-configured and trained for specific domains before runtime. The controller pre-establishes which modules are relevant for given contexts, so when speech is received, the system can immediately activate the appropriate pre-prepared modules rather than initializing or selecting them in real-time, reducing response time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3444813B1User-guided arbitration of speech processing results
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3444813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3444813B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3444813B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic speech recognition (ASR) system includes at least one processor and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor cause the system to receive a spoken utterance and convert the spoken utterance into a plurality of recognized speech results through a plurality of automatic speech recognition modules; collect ratings for the recognized speech results by processing the recognized speech results through a plurality of conversation modules; determine that at least two of the collected ratings are equivalent and generate an arbitration recommendation indicating recognized speech results with equivalent collected ratings; and process the arbitration recommendation through one or more of the plurality of conversation modules for selection by one of the one or more of the plurality of conversation modules, wherein the one of the one or more of the plurality of conversation modules is adapted to allow user selection amongst the recognized speech results indicated by the arbitration recommendation. Related methods and computer-readable media are also disclosed.