Voice-Enabled UI Framework Using Speech Engine and NLP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computer applications lack voice-enabled interactions, limiting users to traditional input methods like keyboards and mice, which can hinder usability and accessibility, especially in scenarios requiring hands-free operation.

Innovation Solution

A voice-enabled user interface framework that integrates a speech engine, natural language processor, and command executor, allowing users to interact with applications using voice commands by processing speech input into text queries and executing actions on UI control elements, providing a keyboard-less and mouse-less interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional input methods (keyboard and mouse) are used for UI interaction, then the interface is simple to implement, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users requiring hands-free operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboard and mouse) with a voice-based acoustic input system. The speech engine captures vocal commands, converts them to text, and processes them through natural language understanding to trigger UI actions, eliminating the need for physical mechanical input devices and enabling hands-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces several intermediary components between the user's voice and the UI control system: a speech engine that converts speech to text, a natural language processor that interprets the text, and a command router that directs commands to appropriate UI elements. These intermediaries translate natural language into system-executable commands while maintaining a relatively simple underlying architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If voice-enabled interaction is added to the application framework, then the ease of operation improves for hands-free scenarios, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction method diversityVSAvoidframework structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal voice interaction framework that can be integrated into various application types and UI paradigms. The speech engine and natural language processor serve multiple functions: capturing input, converting speech to text, interpreting intent, and routing commands to different UI elements across diverse application contexts, making the system adaptable to various scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the voice interaction system into distinct modular segments: a speech engine for audio processing, a natural language processor for text interpretation, a command router for decision-making, and UI controllers for execution. This segmentation allows each component to be developed, tested, and maintained independently while working together through well-defined interfaces, managing complexity through modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If speech processing and natural language processing are implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the loss of time increases due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice command executionVSAvoidcommand processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and caching speech recognition models, natural language understanding rules, and UI element mappings before actual interaction occurs. The system prepares speech-to-text conversion capabilities, intent recognition patterns, and command routing tables in advance, reducing the processing time required during actual voice command execution by having these computational resources pre-loaded and optimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10936288B2Voice-enabled user interface framework
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 SAP SE
  • US10936288B2 patent drawing
  • US10936288B2 patent drawing
  • US10936288B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system includes a memory and a semiconductor-based processor coupled to form logic circuits. The logic circuits generate a voice-enabled user interface (UI) framework for a computer application. The voice-enabled UI framework includes a base controller coupled to a model of the computer application and one or more views that form respective voice-enabled UIs of the computer application. Each view includes a respective speech listener configured to receive speech input. The base controller includes a speech engine, a natural language processor, and a command executor. The voice-enabled UI framework further includes one or more view-specific controller extensions extending the base controller to control the one or more respective views that form the respective voice-enabled UIs of the computer application.