Avatar Acoustic Signal Modulation for Group Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive avatar communication systems face challenges such as limited flexibility in communication, difficulty in simultaneous communication among large groups, and poor intelligibility due to the need for manual text input and character limits in chat systems, leading to reduced participation and information leakage.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that uses a server and client architecture to manage acoustic signals based on avatar position data, allowing flexible communication and realistic sound propagation, enabling participants to communicate without manual text input and improving group communication by adjusting volume and range based on virtual space conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If text chat is used for communication, then communication can take place between participants, but the communication participant cannot act during text input and typing speed is much slower than speaking speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication convenienceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical text input system with an acoustic communication system. Voice commands and speech recognition technology substitute for manual keyboard typing, allowing participants to communicate naturally through speech while maintaining the ability to interact with the virtual environment simultaneously.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables participants to communicate autonomously through voice-based avatar control. The avatar automatically responds to voice commands and performs actions based on spoken instructions, eliminating the need for manual text input and allowing simultaneous communication and interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If character limit is imposed in chat to provide better overview, then message overview is improved, but all content cannot be displayed and information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage overviewVSAvoidmessage content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the text-based chat system with an acoustic communication system. Voice messages and speech transmission eliminate character limits entirely, allowing participants to convey complete thoughts and information through natural speech without artificial truncation or summarization.

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

3Quantity of substance

If number of communication participants per group is increased, then group communication capacity is improved, but comprehensibility decreases and simultaneous communication becomes hardly feasible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of participantsVSAvoidcommunication comprehensibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large group of participants into multiple voice channels or spatial zones within the virtual environment. Each channel or zone maintains a manageable number of simultaneous speakers, allowing clear communication while supporting a large total participant count across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial dimensionality to communication by positioning avatars in a three-dimensional virtual space. Participants are distributed across different spatial locations, and acoustic signals propagate realistically through this space, allowing the system to scale to large numbers of participants while maintaining comprehensibility through spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Loss of information

If manual text input is required for communication, then communication can take place, but participants cannot act during text input and interaction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidinteraction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual text input with voice-based acoustic communication. Speech recognition and voice command systems enable participants to communicate and control their avatars simultaneously through natural speech, eliminating the need to choose between communication and interaction.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3038319B1Communication system for an interactive avatar communication
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3038319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3038319B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3038319B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication system (100, 300, 400) for interactive avatar communication, comprising: a communication server (101) configured to execute server software for emulating interactive avatar communication; and a plurality of communication clients (102a, 102b, 102c) configured to each execute client software for emulating interactive avatar communication, wherein each communication client (102a, 102b, 102c) has a first communication software and is configured to establish a first communication connection (104a, 104b, 104c) to the communication server (101) for communication with the communication server (101), wherein each communication client (102a, 102b, 102c) further comprises a second communication software and is configured towith the second communication software to establish a second communication connection (105) to at least one other communication client (102b) of the plurality of communication clients for communication with the at least one other communication client (102b), and wherein each communication client (102a, 102b, 102c) is designed to receive acoustic signals (111a, 111b) of a communication participant (103a, 103b) of the interactive avatar communication using the respective communication client (102a, 102b, 102c) and to modify the received acoustic signals (111a, 111b) based on position data of an avatar (106a, 106b) of the interactive avatar communication, wherein the avatar (106a, 106b) is assigned to the communication participant (103a, 103b) and is managed by the server software of the interactive avatar communication on the communication server (101) is emulated.,