Spoken Caller ID via Text-to-Speech in Headsets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing caller identification systems primarily rely on displaying caller information on screens, which can be inconvenient for users who need to manage calls while moving or have their devices in inaccessible locations, as they require visual attention to determine the caller's identity.

Innovation Solution

A spoken caller identification system that uses a mobile communication device with a headset, converting caller information into synthesized speech signals for immediate auditory notification, allowing users to identify callers without visual reference, utilizing a text-to-speech conversion process and stored name or number associations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If caller information is displayed on a screen, then the caller's identity can be visually identified, but the user requires visual attention and cannot operate hands-free

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidcaller identification accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the visual display mechanism (screen) with an auditory output mechanism (speaker/headset). The text-to-speech conversion system converts caller identification data into spoken words, allowing users to identify callers through sound rather than sight. This substitution enables hands-free operation while maintaining full accessibility to caller information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is carried in a pocket or held away from the user, then mobility is improved, but visual access to caller information becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcaller identification visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes visual information delivery with auditory information delivery. By converting caller identification text into speech through the text-to-speech system and outputting it through the speaker or headset, the system allows the device to be positioned anywhere (in pocket, held at distance, or hands-free) while the user can still identify the caller through sound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If text-to-speech conversion is implemented, then auditory caller identification is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaller identification accessibilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the existing text-to-speech functionality that is already present in modern mobile devices for other purposes (such as notifications, messages, or voice assistants) and applies it to caller identification. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide auditory caller ID without adding dedicated hardware, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If caller name is spoken instead of displayed, then hands-free identification is possible, but the information delivery time is delayed until after the call is answered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidcaller identification timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by converting and playing the caller identification speech before the user answers the call. The system detects the incoming call, retrieves the caller's name, converts it to speech, and plays it through the headset or speaker while the phone is still ringing. This allows the user to identify the caller and decide whether to answer before actually connecting the call, eliminating the time delay present in traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to determine the caller's identity audibly before answering, enhancing convenience and safety by allowing hands-free operation, especially in situations like driving or carrying the device in a pocket, without needing to visually access the screen.

Implementation Method 1

a text-to-speech unit generates speech signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectText-to-speech conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10057413B2System and method for spoken caller identification in a cellular telephone headset

Publication Date: 2018.08.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The subject disclosure describes monitoring when a headset is in communication with a mobile communication device, detecting the headset, comparing a name of a caller and a telephone number of the caller against a list of names and telephone numbers previously stored in a memory, determining that the name of the caller or the telephone number of the caller matches one of the names and telephone numbers in the list, determining that the one of the names and telephone numbers is associated with a pre-recorded message that the user previously recorded and stored in the memory, retrieving the pre-recorded message, and performing a text-to-speech conversion on the name and telephone number of the caller to generate a synthesized speech signal spoken text message and sending the synthesized speech signal and the pre-recorded message to the headset. Other embodiments are disclosed.