Voice-Augmented Caller ID for Informed Call Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telephony systems do not provide the recipient with information about the caller's identity, emotional state, or characteristics during the call setup phase, limiting the recipient's ability to make informed decisions about answering the call.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows the caller to input a voice or audio clip, which is transmitted to the recipient's device during the ringing phase, played as an alias for the ringtone or interleaved with it, providing additional information about the caller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional caller ID systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the information provided to the recipient is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple information channels (visual caller ID, audio voice message, and emotional state detection) into a unified caller identification system. The voice message contains both identity information and emotional state data, merging what were previously separate communication functions into a single integrated system that provides comprehensive caller information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary voice message system that acts as a mediator between the caller and recipient during the ringing phase. This voice message intermediary carries encoded information about the caller's identity and emotional state, enabling information transfer without requiring direct system-to-system complexity.
2Loss of information
If voice messages are transmitted during the ringing phase, then the recipient gains better caller recognition, but the call setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by transmitting the voice message containing caller identification and emotional state information during the ringing phase, before the actual call connection is established. This allows the recipient to make an informed decision about whether to answer the call based on pre-delivered information about the caller's identity and emotional state.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice message is transmitted in a periodic manner during the ringing phase, allowing the information to be delivered in structured intervals that provide comprehensive caller information without excessively extending the call setup time. The periodic transmission ensures information delivery while maintaining time efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If emotional state analysis is added to caller ID, then the communication quality improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a voice message system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: conveying caller identity, transmitting emotional state information, and providing decision-making support for the recipient. This multi-functional approach enhances communication quality without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by analyzing variations in voice characteristics (pitch, tone, tempo) to determine the caller's emotional state. By transforming voice parameters into emotional state information, the system achieves enhanced communication quality through relatively simple signal processing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device and method can include one or more processors operatively coupled to memory and an audible output device, where the one or more processors initiates a call from a calling party that includes an audio clip associated with the call.