Out-of-band voice communication channel switching for game consoles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Game consoles typically require users to pause or exit games to access media features and online services, limiting their utilization during gameplay.

Innovation Solution

Implementing out-of-band voice communication through a voice recognition engine that allows users to issue voice commands via a headset or audio input/output device without interrupting gameplay, enabling access to media features and online services using voice commands while maintaining control of the game console.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users access media features and online services during gameplay through traditional interfaces, then service accessibility is improved, but gameplay continuity deteriorates due to required pausing or exiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidgameplay continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control inputs (buttons, keyboards) with voice-based acoustic input. Users issue voice commands through a headset or audio input device to access media features and online services without using manual controls, thereby maintaining gameplay continuity while enabling service accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a voice recognition engine as an intermediary between the user and the game console services. This intermediary processes voice commands and translates them into appropriate service actions, allowing users to access features without directly interacting with the game interface or pausing gameplay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If users maintain focus on gameplay controls, then gameplay performance is improved, but access to console features deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay performanceVSAvoidfeature access

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical controls are replaced with voice-based acoustic input. Users can access console features by speaking commands rather than manipulating physical controls, maintaining their focus on gameplay while enabling easy access to features through natural voice interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If voice recognition is implemented during gameplay, then service accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to communication channel switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidcommunication channel management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically switches the audio communication channel between the game program and the voice recognition engine based on detected user intent. A button press or keyboard input triggers a temporary switch to voice recognition mode, allowing service access, then automatically returns to the game program, managing complexity through structured periodic transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8177643B2Out-of-band voice communication with interactive voice response services during gameplay

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

While executing a game program, a game console determines that a user wishes to issue a voice command through a headset or other audio input/output device connected to the console. The game console switches the communication channel for the audio input/output device from the game program to a voice recognition engine without interrupting the execution of the game program on the console. The voice command is then forwarded from the audio input/output device to the voice recognition engine.