Mobile Text-to-Audio Conversion for Infotainment Playback

Solution Overview

Problem

Current car infotainment systems face challenges in providing seamless, cost-effective remote access and reading of text messages, emails, and news on mobile devices while driving, due to proprietary interface protocols and the need for additional hardware and software solutions, which can be cumbersome and unsafe for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A method that connects to content providers' IP addresses to download and convert text messages into audio files, storing them as standard music files on mobile devices, allowing selection and playback through car infotainment systems without requiring additional hardware, using existing mobile devices and infotainment systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary interface protocols and additional hardware are used to enable remote access to text messages on mobile devices, then text message access functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext message access functionalityVSAvoidhardware and software complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device's music player serve multiple functions by enabling it to play both standard music files and text message audio files using the same interface and controls. The music player becomes a universal audio playback device that handles different types of audio content without requiring separate hardware or software pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates audio file copies of text messages that are stored in standard audio formats compatible with existing music players. By converting text messages into audio files that mimic standard music files, the system enables text message playback through existing music player infrastructure without requiring proprietary access protocols or additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary interface protocols and additional hardware are used to enable remote access to text messages on mobile devices, then text message access functionality is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext message access functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device's music player serve multiple functions by enabling it to play both standard music files and text message audio files using the same interface and controls. The music player becomes a universal audio playback device that handles different types of audio content without requiring separate hardware or software pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates audio file copies of text messages that are stored in standard audio formats compatible with existing music players. By converting text messages into audio files that mimic standard music files, the system enables text message playback through existing music player infrastructure without requiring proprietary access protocols or additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If text messages are displayed as text on infotainment systems, then information is provided, but driver distraction and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with an auditory playback mechanism. Instead of requiring drivers to visually read text messages on infotainment screens, the system converts text messages into audio files that are played through the vehicle's audio system, substituting visual information delivery with auditory information delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information delivery from visual to auditory. By converting text messages into audio format and playing them through the music player system, the delivery modality changes from sight-based to hearing-based, allowing drivers to receive information without visual distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10523807B2Method for converting character text messages to audio files with respective titles determined using the text message word attributes for their selection and reading aloud with mobile devices

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 CERENCE OPERATING CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for selecting and downloading content from a content provider which is accessible via an IP/DNS/URL address to a mobile device, the content being any text information data, for converting the text information data to at least one audio message and for storing the at least one audio message as at least one audio file on the mobile device, wherein the at least one audio file is playable and discernable as a music file. Said method implemented on a mobile phone enables controlling and playing the audio messages as music files by determining a title associated with the audio message using word underline and size attributes of the text, for user selection on the mobile's graphical user interface, for instance also in a car environment with a car kit enabling a control and a selection of one or more of said at least one audio files for playing from the mobile phone.