Broadcast Audio Identifier for Automatic Data Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio information presented in real-time broadcasts, such as radio or television, is difficult for listeners to capture and utilize due to the inability to pause or slow the content, requiring manual note-taking which is inconvenient and often impractical, especially when engaged in activities like driving.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that automatically recognize and store URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, and keywords from broadcast audio signals, allowing direct access to external network devices for further information retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual note-taking is used to capture audio information, then information can be recorded, but it requires carrying recording tools and manual effort which is inconvenient and impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation captureVSAvoidmanual note-taking

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic identification and storage of information from audio broadcasts without requiring user intervention. The device captures URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, and keywords automatically, eliminating the need for manual note-taking while ensuring information is preserved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual note-taking with an automated electronic system. Speech recognition and data extraction algorithms automatically identify and store information from audio signals, substituting human manual operations with automated computational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If information is presented in real-time audio broadcasts, then information delivery is immediate, but listeners cannot pause or slow the content making it difficult to capture and utilize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidinformation capture

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and storage of information from the audio broadcast as it plays. By automatically capturing URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, and keywords during the broadcast, the system prepares the information for later access without requiring the listener to pause or replay the content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates a digital copy of the information presented in the audio broadcast. Instead of requiring the listener to mentally retain or manually transcribe information, the system automatically extracts and stores a copy of the data, making it accessible later without needing to replay the original audio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If listeners manually record and then access information from broadcasts, then information can be utilized, but multiple steps are required including dialing numbers or entering URLs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation utilizationVSAvoidaccess steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the information capture, storage, and access functions into a single integrated system. The device automatically identifies information from the broadcast, stores it in an accessible format, and can directly access external network devices using the captured information, merging multiple separate operations into one automated process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between the audio broadcast and the information access process. Instead of requiring the user to manually dial numbers or enter URLs, the device automatically uses the captured information to access external network devices, eliminating the manual intermediate steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If no contact information is provided in the broadcast, then advertising content can be creative, but listeners must manually search for additional information using search engines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising contentVSAvoidinformation search

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the information search function that would otherwise require manual user action. When keywords or identifiers are extracted from the broadcast, the device autonomously searches for and retrieves additional information, eliminating the need for listeners to manually use search engines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual process of using search engines with an automated electronic search system. The device uses the extracted keywords and identifiers to automatically query databases and search networks, substituting human manual searching with automated computational search processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8639514B2Method and apparatus for accessing information identified from a broadcast audio signal

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method and device for accessing information identified from a broadcast audio signal receives a broadcast audio signal from a receiver such as a radio or television. Identifiers such as telephone numbers, URLs, e-mail addresses, and keywords are recognized and stored for immediate or later use by a user. An external network device identified by a recognized identifier is accessed based on user selection of a recognized identifier.