Central Server Ad Hoc Group Formation via Voice Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for exchanging content between ad hoc user groups, such as mobile devices, are cumbersome and require manual selection of recipient addresses, and existing solutions either rely on special connections or are limited to identifying only two devices at a time.

Innovation Solution

A central server with voice input capabilities uses automatic speech recognition to identify and assign mobile devices within close proximity, forming ad hoc user groups and facilitating content exchange through voice commands, without the need for additional software on the devices, enabling rapid and secure identification and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual selection of recipient addresses is used for content exchange, then content can be exchanged between users, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent exchange efficiencyVSAvoidtime for address selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies ad hoc user groups and assigns group identifiers without requiring manual address selection. The server performs self-service by monitoring communication links, determining user relationships, and forming user groups autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually input recipient addresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server pre-establishes user group relationships by monitoring communication patterns and call contents before actual content exchange occurs. This preliminary formation of user groups based on observed communication behavior allows rapid content distribution without real-time address selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If special cable, radio or infrared connections are used for data exchange, then content can be exchanged between devices, but the connections often do not work across devices and require special setup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidconnection setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The server provides a universal platform that handles content exchange between any mobile radio terminals regardless of device type. By centralizing the group formation and content distribution functionality on the server, the system achieves multi-device compatibility without requiring device-specific connections or special cables.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary between mobile devices, receiving content from one device and distributing it to others in the user group. This mediator approach eliminates the need for direct device-to-device connections, allowing content exchange across different device types through the standardized server interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If existing group message systems are used, then user groups can be formed for message exchange, but additional software on end devices is required and only two devices can be identified at a time by collision methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic group formationVSAvoidsoftware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server serves as a central intermediary that performs all group formation and identification operations. By moving the group management functionality from individual devices to the server, the system eliminates the need for additional software on end devices while enabling automatic formation of groups with any number of participants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from device-centric group formation to server-centric group management. By changing the dimension of control from individual devices to a centralized server, the system can handle arbitrary numbers of users in a group without requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination or additional device software.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2337382B1Method and device for forming ad-hoc user groups of individual mobile phone users
Publication Date: 2012.02.08 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2337382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2337382B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves establishing a connection of all mobile terminals to a central server for the members (1,2) of the ad-hoc user group (3,4), and inputting a language message in all mobile terminals by the phonetic input unit for initiating the user group to transfer the language message to the gateway server (5) in the direct local proximity. An independent claim is also included for a server for determining an ad-hoc user group.