Voice Interface for Social Networking Profile Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Social networking services face challenges in providing an efficient user interface for accessing member profiles on mobile devices, particularly due to limited screen size and the difficulty of data input on touch-screen interfaces, which can be cumbersome and inaccessible for individuals with visual impairments, especially when users need to quickly review information on the go.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a voice-activated user interface that allows users to interact with social networking services using natural language spoken commands, enabling them to request and receive information about member profiles, including summaries, connections, and annotations, through a voice-user interface that disambiguates names using contextual information and social graph data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a full desktop computer interface is used on mobile devices, then comprehensive profile information can be displayed, but the user interface becomes difficult to operate and inaccessible for visually impaired individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile information completenessVSAvoidmobile interface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interaction process into distinct phases: voice command input phase and information presentation phase. The voice interface separates data input from data display, allowing comprehensive profile information to be retrieved and presented through audio output while keeping the mobile interface simple and accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical interaction (touch screen typing, scrolling, and navigation) with acoustic interaction (voice commands and audio output). This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual operations on mobile devices while maintaining access to comprehensive profile information through spoken responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If touch-screen interfaces are used for data input, then mobile devices can be operated without physical buttons, but data input becomes burdensome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile device compatibilityVSAvoiddata input simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical data input methods (typing, scrolling, and selecting on touch screens) with acoustic data input (voice commands). This allows users to input complex queries and retrieve comprehensive profile information through natural speech rather than cumbersome touch interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice interface serves multiple functions: it handles data input, processes complex queries, retrieves information, and presents results through audio output. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate input methods while maintaining mobile device compatibility and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If users need to review member profiles quickly while on the move, then accessibility is improved, but the complexity of operating the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile access speedVSAvoidinterface operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by processing and retrieving comprehensive profile information in response to a single voice command, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through multiple screens and sections. The information is prepared and presented through audio output, allowing quick access while moving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation through profile pages with acoustic interaction. Users can quickly retrieve and review comprehensive profile information through voice commands and audio responses, significantly reducing the time and complexity involved in accessing profile data while on the move.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10078489B2Voice interface to a social networking service

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A machine may be configured to generate and provide, for example, a voice-user interface to a social networking service. The voice-user interface may enable a member of the social networking service to access member profile information for other members of the social networking service. Using the voice-user interface, a first member of the social networking service can speak a natural language command or request to receive an aural response that includes information regarding a second member of the social networking service. In this manner, the first member can request and receive specific member profile information of a second member. In another aspect, the first member can record audio notes to be assigned to his or her own member profile or assigned to a member profile of the second member. The first member may subsequently use the voice-user interface to have such audio notes played back when desired.