Source Audio Identifiers for Digital Communication Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack a method to effectively personalize and identify digital communications and calls, relying solely on visual displays or generic ringing tones, which can be distracting and do not provide immediate information about the sender's identity or communication type.
Innovation Solution
Implementing source audio identifiers, which are customizable audio files that can be sent with digital communications and calls, allowing recipients to authorize and play unique sounds that identify the sender and characterize the communication, enabling auditory recognition of incoming messages or calls without requiring visual attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If generic ringing tones are used for all incoming calls, then the system is simple to implement, but the recipient cannot identify the caller's identity or communication type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different ringing tones for different callers or communication types. Each caller or communication category can have a customized audio identifier, enabling the recipient to distinguish between different sources through auditory cues while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the audio parameter (ringing tone characteristics) based on the caller identity or communication type. By varying parameters such as frequency, rhythm, and sound pattern according to the sender's characteristics, the system provides identity information through auditory differentiation without requiring complex visual interfaces.
2Loss of information
If visual displays are used to show communication information, then detailed information can be presented, but the recipient must divert attention from their primary task
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes visual display mechanisms with acoustic signaling mechanisms. Instead of requiring the recipient to look at a screen to identify communication sources, the system uses auditory identifiers that can be perceived without visual attention, allowing the recipient to maintain focus on their primary task while still accessing communication information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds an auditory dimension to communication notification, complementing the visual dimension. By providing information through sound waves rather than relying solely on visual displays, the system enables multi-channel information delivery that reduces the burden on the recipient's attentional resources.
3Loss of information
If the same ringing tone is used for all communications, then the system is easy to operate, but it creates distraction and does not provide immediate information about the sender
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate auditory feedback about the sender's identity or communication type through customized ringing tones. This feedback mechanism allows the recipient to quickly identify the source of the communication and prioritize their response accordingly, improving productivity without requiring complex user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of the sender or communication type through distinctive ringing tones before the recipient needs to read or process the actual message content. This preliminary auditory signaling enables the recipient to prepare for appropriate response actions in advance, improving communication management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Enabling a recipient to control presentation of an audio identifier informing the recipient of an arrival of a digital communication from a sender in a communication session includes receiving a digital communication from a sender directed to a recipient. A sender-designated first audio identifier or sender-related information that identifies the sender to the recipient is accessed upon arrival of the digital communication. The first audio identifier or sender-related information is presented to the recipient contemporaneous with receipt of the digital communication. The recipient is able to specify, upon presentation of the first audio identifier or sender-related information, whether to enable subsequent presentation of the first audio identifier prior to or concurrent with receipt of a future digital communication from the sender.