Automated Note Taking via Audio Phrase Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual note-taking during online collaborative computing sessions is inconvenient and often results in incomplete or inaccurate notes, as attendees must manually record and distribute notes after the meeting.

Innovation Solution

A computer process monitors an audio stream for predefined action-inducing phrases, recording and generating reports containing session segments, which can be dynamically transmitted to participants, allowing for automated and accurate note-taking and action item assignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual note-taking is used during online collaborative sessions, then attendees can record notes, but the process is inconvenient and results in incomplete or inaccurate notes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of notesVSAvoidconvenience of note-taking
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors audio streams and generates notes without requiring manual intervention from attendees. The computer process autonomously detects action-inducing phrases, records relevant segments, and distributes reports, allowing the note-taking function to serve itself rather than relying on human operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of note-taking is replaced with an automated computer-based system that monitors audio streams, processes speech content, and generates structured reports. This substitution eliminates manual writing and distribution while improving accuracy through systematic audio analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual note-taking and distribution is used, then attendees can share notes, but it consumes additional time and creates inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of note distributionVSAvoidtime for note distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs note-taking and report generation during the session itself, preparing the notes in advance rather than requiring post-session compilation and distribution. This preliminary action eliminates the time loss associated with delayed note sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The computer process acts as an intermediary that automatically captures, processes, and distributes notes through the existing communication infrastructure. This intermediary function streamlines the distribution process by handling all intermediate steps automatically, reducing both time loss and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If automated audio monitoring and recording is implemented, then accurate and complete notes are captured, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of action itemsVSAvoidcomplexity of automated system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential and most reliable portion of the audio stream for processing - specifically segments containing action-inducing phrases. By focusing on extracting only relevant portions rather than processing entire audio streams, the system achieves high reliability while managing complexity through selective processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The computer process performs multiple functions within a single integrated system: monitoring audio streams, detecting action-inducing phrases, recording relevant segments, generating structured reports, and distributing notes. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, achieving high reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2494455B1Automated and enhanced note taking for online collaborative computing sessions
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
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  • EP2494455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, during participation in an online collaborative computing session, a computer process associated with the session may monitor an audio stream of the session for a predefined action-inducing phrase. In response to the phrase, a subsequent segment of the session is recorded, such that a report may be generated containing any recorded segments of the session (e.g., and dynamically sent to participants of the session).