Toy Device Voice Control via Speech Profile Modification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toy devices do not facilitate interaction between local and remote users, limiting the ability for remote users to engage with the toy device or its user.

Innovation Solution

A system that receives and modifies speech data based on a toy device profile, allowing remote users to control the voice of the toy device, which is then outputted through a speaker, enabling interactive gameplay and communication between remote participants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If speech data is modified based on a toy device profile to create the illusion of the toy talking back, then interactive experience is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive experienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary processing layer that receives speech data, modifies it based on the toy device profile, and outputs the modified speech. This intermediary approach allows the complex voice modification functionality to be isolated from both the toy device and the remote computing device, enhancing interactivity without requiring either end device to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or direct communication systems with a digital signal processing approach. Speech data is captured, modified through digital processing based on toy profiles, and transmitted electronically. This substitution enables sophisticated voice customization without adding physical complexity to the toy device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users interact through the toy device, then social interaction is enabled, but communication clarity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocial interaction capabilityVSAvoidcommunication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning unique voice profiles to different toy devices and users. Each speech modification is tailored to the specific local context of which user is speaking and which toy device is receiving the input. This ensures that even in multi-user scenarios, each participant's voice remains distinct and identifiable, maintaining communication clarity while enabling social interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where speech data from remote users is modified and returned to the local user through the toy device, creating a conversational loop. This feedback structure maintains clarity by ensuring that each participant receives distinct, profile-modified speech from others, allowing them to distinguish between different speakers in the interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10065124B2Interacting with a remote participant through control of the voice of a toy device

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

Systems, methods and articles of manufacture to perform an operation comprising receiving speech data via a network, modifying the speech data based on a profile associated with a toy device, wherein the modified speech data represents a voice of the toy device, and outputting the modified speech data via a speaker.