Text-to-Speech Interface for Silent Voice Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held communication devices do not adequately serve individuals who are speech-challenged or situations where voice communication would be disruptive, as they lack the ability to convert text inputs into speech or provide pre-recorded responses for voice calls.
Innovation Solution
A computerized communication device with a display screen and software that allows users to select and convert text to audio signals using pre-recorded voice files or text-to-speech applications, enabling silent voice communication by rendering selected text as speech during calls, and also converts incoming audio to text for speech-challenged individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users speak directly into the device during voice calls, then communication is natural and efficient, but it causes disturbance to others in quiet environments like movie theatres or meetings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces text-to-speech software as an intermediary between the user and the voice call. Instead of the user's voice directly entering the call, the user types text which is then converted to speech by the software, acting as a mediator that eliminates the harmful effect of direct voice output while preserving the communication function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physiological act of speaking with an electronic text-to-speech conversion system. The user interacts through keyboard input rather than vocalization, substituting a physical speech mechanism with an electronic synthesis mechanism that can be controlled without producing audible speech from the device
2Productivity
If voice calls are used for communication, then real-time interaction is achieved, but speech-challenged individuals cannot use this communication method
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the voice communication device universal by adding text-to-speech functionality that serves both speech-challenged users and situations requiring silent operation. The same device and software can serve multiple user groups and use cases, transforming a speech-centric tool into a multi-functional communication platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional voice-call workflow by allowing text input to generate speech output rather than requiring speech input. This reversal of the normal communication flow (from speaking to listening) enables speech-challenged individuals to participate in voice calls by typing their responses which are then synthesized into speech
3Adaptability or versatility
If text-to-speech software is added to convert text to speech, then speech-challenged users can make voice calls, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the text-to-speech conversion functionality directly into the existing voice call software of the communication device. Rather than adding a separate standalone application, the text-to-speech capability is integrated into the call handling system, combining multiple functions (calling, text input, speech synthesis) into a unified workflow that reduces operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A computerized communication device has a display screen, a mechanism for a user to select words or phrases displayed on the display screen, and software executing from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a function for providing audio signal output in a connected voice-telephone call from the text words or phrases selected by a user.