Pronunciation Interface for IVR Audio Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems struggle with proper names and places whose pronunciations do not follow predictable rules, leading to faulty audio files that are unrecognizable, making them harder to use and less engaging, especially in international contexts.
Innovation Solution
A pronunciation interface is provided that allows users to edit and set the pronunciation of text strings, breaking them down into parts and offering alternatives, enabling users to select preferred pronunciations and stress patterns, which are then used to generate improved audio files that can be generalized across contexts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fully automated IVR systems are used to generate audio files, then system complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but pronunciation accuracy deteriorates leading to unrecognizable audio output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the word into multiple parts (e.g., syllables or phonemes) and presents alternatives for each part separately. This allows users to precisely control the pronunciation of each segment while maintaining an automated interface. The segmentation enables detailed pronunciation control without requiring full manual audio editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface between the automated system and the user. This interface presents pronunciation alternatives and collects user preferences, acting as a mediator that translates user input into improved audio output. The intermediary maintains automation benefits while incorporating human judgment for accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If pronunciation alternatives are provided for each part of a word, then pronunciation precision is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the word into manageable parts and providing alternatives for each part separately, the interface becomes less overwhelming. Users can focus on selecting pronunciations for individual segments rather than choosing from all possible combinations at once, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides more pronunciation alternatives than strictly necessary (excessive action), allowing users to select from comprehensive options. This approach ensures precision by offering all possible correct pronunciations, while the structured presentation prevents interface complexity from becoming unmanageable.
3Manufacturing precision
If user input is collected for pronunciation preferences, then linguistic quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects pronunciation preferences in advance during interface interaction, storing them for future use. This preliminary action allows the pronunciation data to be captured before actual audio generation, so that subsequent audio files can be generated quickly using the pre-collected preferences without repeated user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where user pronunciation selections are captured and used to improve future audio generations. The feedback mechanism learns from user inputs and applies the preferences systematically, reducing processing time for subsequent operations while maintaining high linguistic quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Pronunciation generation may be provided. First, a pronunciation interface may be provided. The pronunciation interface may be configured to display a word and a plurality of alternatives corresponding to a one of a plurality of parts of the word. The plurality of parts may comprise phonemes or syllables of the word. Next, pronunciation data may be received through the pronunciation interface. The pronunciation data may indicate one of the plurality of alternatives. Then a pronunciation of the word may be generated based upon the received pronunciation data. The pronunciation may correspond to the indicated one of the plurality of alternatives. In addition, the pronunciation data may indicate which one of the plurality of parts of the word is stressed. This stress indication may be received in response to a user sliding a user selectable element to indicate which one of the plurality of parts of the word is stressed.