Silent Voice Communication via Pre-recorded Snippet Menus
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a method to enable two-way voice communication between a user and a remote party where the user cannot speak aloud, such as in meetings or libraries, without disrupting others, as existing systems like Text-to-Speech are too time-consuming for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and process using a communication device with a user interface and display to select pre-recorded voice snippets from hierarchical menus to respond to a remote party, allowing users to communicate without speaking, with options for manual activation, automatic initiation, and the ability to record personal voice snippets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Text-to-Speech systems are used to enable silent communication, then users can communicate without speaking, but the system becomes too time-consuming for mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-records multiple voice snippets corresponding to different menu selections before actual use. When a user needs to communicate silently, they simply select from pre-prepared menus rather than generating speech in real-time, thus eliminating the time-consuming text-to-speech conversion process while enabling immediate communication responses
2Ease of operation
If a user answers a call by moving to another location or telling the caller they will call back, then the user can speak privately, but people around are disturbed by the action
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (pre-recorded voice snippets selected via menu) between the user and the caller. This allows the user to remain in place without moving or making audible responses, while still conveying information to the caller through the playback of pre-recorded messages, thus eliminating disturbance to surrounding people
3Speed
If pre-recorded voice snippets are stored in the communication device memory, then response transmission is fast, but device memory capacity is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the voice storage into two parts: frequently used voice snippets are stored locally in the communication device memory for fast access, while less frequently used snippets can be stored remotely on a server or cloud storage. The system intelligently loads only necessary snippets into local memory, thus achieving fast response transmission while minimizing local memory consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A system and process for enabling a communication device having computing capability, a user interface and display, to conduct two-way voice communications between a user and a remote party over a communication link in such a manner that the remote party speaks but the user does not, is presented. In general, a series of menus listing potential responses is displayed on the display of the communication device. In addition, there are a plurality of backchanneling responses provided that the user can select. These responses are employed by the user to communicate with the remote party, rather than speaking. This is accomplished by the user selecting one of the available responses. Once a selection has been made, a pre-recorded voice snippet corresponding to the selected response is accessed. The accessed voice snippet is then played back and transmitted to the remote party over the communication link.