Touchscreen DTMF Generation via Speech Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices with touchscreens lack an efficient method to generate dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands during interactions with automated attendants, requiring users to manually navigate menus, leading to inconvenience and potential missed options.
Innovation Solution
Implementing speech recognition to translate spoken prompts from automated attendants into DTMF commands, with options displayed on the touchscreen for selection, allowing users to generate DTMF commands without needing to manually input numeric keys, and optionally obtaining menu structures via data connection or using touch input to activate commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual numeric keypad is displayed on the touchscreen during a telephone call, then users can navigate automated attendant menus, but users must lower the device from their ear to view the touchscreen, causing time loss and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates DTMF commands based on spoken prompts from automated attendants without requiring users to manually navigate menus. The speech recognition system transcribes spoken words into corresponding DTMF tones, allowing the device to serve itself by converting voice input directly into navigation commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen navigation system with an acoustic field-based system. Instead of requiring physical touch input on a visual display, the system uses speech recognition to convert acoustic signals (spoken prompts) directly into DTMF commands, eliminating the need for visual inspection and manual selection.
2Productivity
If users manually navigate menus on a touchscreen, then they can control the interaction, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming compared to direct keypad input
Solution Approach 1:
The speech recognition system acts as an intermediary between the user's spoken prompts and the automated attendant's menu system. It translates acoustic signals into DTMF commands, serving as a bridge that simplifies the interaction without requiring direct manual navigation through complex onscreen menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the input parameter from visual-tactile (touchscreen navigation) to acoustic (spoken prompts). By detecting spoken words and converting them to DTMF tones, the system transforms the interaction mode, making it faster and simpler while maintaining compatibility with automated attendant systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no numeric keypad is provided on touchscreen devices, then the device design is simplified, but users cannot efficiently interact with automated attendants without additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen display serves multiple functions: it displays visual information, detects touch input, and now also processes speech recognition to generate DTMF commands. This multi-functionality allows the single touchscreen interface to handle various interaction modes, making the device universally compatible with both manual navigation and automated attendant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The speech recognition system functions as an intermediary layer that enables compatibility between touchscreen devices and automated attendant systems. It translates spoken prompts into DTMF commands, bridging the gap between the lack of a physical keypad and the requirement for DTMF input in automated attendant interactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and mobile communication device for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a mobile communication device having a touchscreen are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a mobile communication device having a touchscreen, comprising: detecting an automated attendant during a telephone call; activating speech recognition in respect of incoming voice data during the telephone call in response to detecting an automated attendant; translating spoken prompts in the incoming voice data into respective DTMF commands; displaying a menu having selectable menu options corresponding to the DTMF commands In a graphical user interface on the touchscreen; receiving input selecting one of the menu options; receiving input via the touchscreen activating a selected one of the menu options; and generating a DTMF command in accordance with the activated menu option.