Audio Interface Unit for Hands-Free Network Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication devices require users to visually and manually interact, diverting attention from other tasks, and there is a need for an audio interface that can deliver network services with minimal eye and hand involvement.

Innovation Solution

An audio interface unit that uses a data communications bus and logic to determine based on spoken sounds whether to present audio data, allowing users to interact with network services through audio input and output without visual or manual intervention, enabling hands-free and eyes-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual display and physical keys are used for user interaction, then service functionality is provided, but user attention is diverted from other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction convenienceVSAvoiduser attention diversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical interaction (physical keys and visual display) with acoustic interaction (voice commands and audio output). The voice-activated interface allows users to interact with network services through spoken commands rather than manually pressing keys or visually navigating displays, thereby maintaining service functionality while eliminating the need for visual attention and manual dexterity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hands-free operation is implemented, then user safety and productivity are improved, but interaction precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidinteraction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the device provides audio confirmation of received commands and processed information. This allows users to verify that their voice inputs were correctly interpreted and that the system is responding as intended, thereby maintaining interaction precision without requiring visual verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If audio interface unit is made wearable, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearable convenienceVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions (microphone for voice input, speaker for audio output, wireless communication transceiver, and processing logic) into a single integrated audio interface unit. This consolidation enables the device to be worn as a portable accessory while managing the complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8321228B2Audio interface unit for supporting network services

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 WSOU INVESTMENTS LLC

AI summary

Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit include determining, based on spoken sounds of a user of an apparatus received at a microphone of the apparatus, whether to present audio data received from a different apparatus. If it is determined to present the received audio data, then presentation of the received audio data at a speaker of the apparatus is initiated. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a data communications bus; and logic encoded in one or more tangible media configured to performs the above steps. In some embodiments, the apparatus does not include a visual display and does not include a keypad of multiple buttons.