Communication Device Image Analysis for Alert Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication devices lack the ability to differentiate between missed and ignored communications, leading to unnecessary alerts and increased user effort in reviewing missed communications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of image analysis technology in communication devices to determine if a user is present and able to perceive alerts, allowing the device to differentiate between missed and ignored communications by capturing images of the area around the device and analyzing them for user presence and activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image analysis technology is implemented to differentiate between missed and ignored communications, then the accuracy of communication status identification is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication status identification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device integrates multiple functions including image capture, image analysis, and communication status determination into a single device. The image capture device can be used for both security monitoring and detecting user presence, while the processor performs both general processing and specific image analysis to determine communication status, reducing the need for separate specialized components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the device's own resources (image capture device and processor) to determine communication status without requiring external assistance. The device captures images of itself or its surroundings, analyzes them autonomously, and uses this information to distinguish between missed and ignored communications independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the device captures and analyzes images to determine user presence, then the accuracy of distinguishing missed vs. ignored communications is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser presence detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous image capture and analysis, the system performs these operations periodically or only when needed (e.g., when a communication is received). The image capture device activates at specific intervals or triggered by communication events, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining accurate user presence detection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device captures images at predetermined times or intervals before actually needing to determine communication status. By having images ready in advance or capturing them at optimized moments, the system reduces the frequency of energy-intensive image capture and processing operations while ensuring accurate user presence information is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the device provides separate handling for missed and ignored communications, then the user experience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidcommunication handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication handling is segmented into distinct categories (missed communications and ignored communications) with separate processing logic for each. This allows the device to apply different alerting strategies and user interface behaviors for each type, improving user experience by providing more relevant and less redundant information, while the segmentation itself manages complexity through clear categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality levels or handling approaches are applied to different types of communications based on their status. Missed communications receive one type of alerting and display treatment, while ignored communications receive different treatment. This localized differentiation improves user experience by tailoring the response to the specific situation without requiring a complete overhaul of the communication handling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9384382B1Image analysis and communication device control technology
Publication Date: 2016.07.05 UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Techniques are described for controlling communication devices using image analysis. For instance, when a communication is received by a communication device, the communication device outputs an alert to notify users of the received communication and accesses one or more images of an area proximate to the communication device. The one or more images cover an area proximate to the communication device at a time during which the communication device is outputting the alert. The communication device analyzes the one or more images to determine whether a user is present in the one or more images and in a position to perceive the received communication. The communication device handles at least one aspect of the received communication based on the determination of whether a user is in a position to perceive the received communication.