Text-to-Speech Injection for Silent Phone Answering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling incoming phone calls when it is inappropriate to talk, such as in noisy environments or during meetings, result in loss of voice call benefits and require time-consuming text messaging, lacking immediacy and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that enables a phone to enter 'message mode' using a dedicated key, allowing rapid text input, with text-to-speech conversion and voice message injection to simulate conversation, using a microphone, keyboard, earphone, and text-to-speech translation technology to synthesize text messages into speech, maintaining a voice conversation without speaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the recipient uses text messaging to answer the call, then the recipient can maintain confidentiality and avoid speaking, but the immediacy and benefits of voice conversation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a text-to-speech conversion system as an intermediary that transforms text messages into spoken words. The recipient types messages which are then automatically converted and transmitted as voice signals to the caller, maintaining the privacy benefit of not speaking while restoring the immediacy of voice conversation through automated speech synthesis.
2Measurement precision
If the recipient types a complete message before sending, then the message can be transmitted accurately, but the conversation flow and immediacy are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary text-to-speech conversion as the recipient types, preparing the speech output in advance. This allows the message to be transmitted immediately upon completion of typing without requiring the recipient to proofread or revise the complete message first, thus maintaining accuracy while improving conversation speed.
3Ease of operation
If the recipient answers the call in a noisy environment, then the call can be answered, but the recipient cannot be heard clearly by the caller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical act of speaking with an electronic text-to-speech system. Instead of the recipient's voice being captured by the microphone (which would be overwhelmed by ambient noise), the system converts typed text into synthesized speech signals that are transmitted to the caller, ensuring clear audio transmission regardless of environmental noise levels.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the recipient exits the phone call to send an SMS, then the message can be sent, but the voice conversation benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the SMS messaging function with the voice call function by implementing text-to-speech conversion during an active call. The recipient can type messages during the call that are automatically converted to speech and transmitted to the caller, combining the privacy benefit of text input with the continuity of voice conversation, eliminating the need to exit the call to send messages.
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 quick and effective communication by allowing users to respond to calls without speaking, maintaining conversation flow and immediacy, while overcoming the limitations of traditional text messaging in noisy or inappropriate situations.
Implementation Method 1
a text-to-speech injection apparatus comprising a text-to-speech translation apparatus and a database of words for synthesizing the text message into a speech message
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1a; 1b) is described for answering a phone call when a recipient of the phone call decides that it is inappropriate to talk, the apparatus (1a; 1b) comprising control means, in particular a key (3a; 3b), for sending a dedicated command, opening a voice conversation with a caller, putting the apparatus (1a; 1b) in a message mode and so answering the phone call; a microphone (5a; 5b) that is muted after sending the dedicated command for the whole period during which the apparatus (1a; 1b) is kept in the message mode; the control means, in particular a keyboard (4a; 4b), are adapted to type a text message by the recipient of the apparatus (1a; 1b); an earphone device (7a; 7b) for listening to the caller; a text-to-speech injection apparatus (20) comprising a text-to-speech translation apparatus (11) and a database (13) of words for synthesizing the text message into a speech message and transmitting the speech message to the caller during the voice conversation; and a voice message injection module (9) for sending an alert voice message to the caller, the alert voice message saying that the recipient is not talking, but is substituted by the text-to-speech injection apparatus (20).