Speech Recognition Device Pairing for Remote Notification Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems fail to effectively convey information between two people present at different locations using speech recognition devices.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising a pair of speech recognition devices that can communicate with each other, where one device recognizes speech, generates notification information, and the other device outputs this information as speech at specific timings, including vehicle-related contexts and schedule-based outputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If speech recognition devices are used at different locations, then communication between distant individuals is enabled, but information conveyance effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capability between distant locationsVSAvoidinformation conveyance effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a notification information generation unit that acts as an intermediary, converting recognized speech into notification information that is transmitted to the other speech recognition device. This mediator ensures accurate information conveyance between distant locations by structuring the communication flow through recognized speech, notification generation, and targeted output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If notification speech is output continuously, then information is conveyed promptly, but user convenience deteriorates due to inappropriate timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation conveyance speedVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timing control through a speech output control unit that adjusts notification speech output based on contextual conditions such as vehicle occupancy status and scheduled timing. This dynamic adaptation ensures information is conveyed promptly when appropriate while avoiding disruptions during unsuitable moments, balancing speed with user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring schedule information in advance and using it to determine optimal notification timing. The speech output control unit references pre-acquired schedule data to decide when notification speech should be output, ensuring information is conveyed at convenient moments rather than continuously or randomly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If speech recognition devices communicate directly, then system complexity is reduced, but communication effectiveness between different contexts (vehicle/home) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidcommunication effectiveness across contexts

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling speech recognition devices to operate effectively in different contexts (vehicle and home environments). The notification information generation and speech output control units allow the same device type to adapt to various usage scenarios, maintaining communication effectiveness across diverse contexts without requiring fundamentally different system architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11011167B2Communication system, communication method, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A communication system includes a pair of speech recognition devices that are capable of communicating with each other, each of the speech recognition devices including a speech input section into which speech is input, a speech recognition section that recognizes speech input to the speech input section, and a speech output section that outputs speech. The communication system also includes an information generation section that generates notification information corresponding to speech recognized by the speech recognition section in one speech recognition device from out of the pair of speech recognition devices, and a speech output control section that performs control to output notification speech corresponding to the notification information at a specific timing from the speech output section of the other speech recognition device from out of the pair of speech recognition devices.