Real-Time Voice Message Effects for Non-Verbal Cue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems lack efficient methods to convey non-verbal cues in voice messages, leading to misinterpretation and resource-intensive post-processing, and often require specialized hardware, making them inefficient and inaccessible to a wide range of users.
Innovation Solution
A messaging application applies voice modification effects in real-time while recording a voice message, allowing users to select effects and associate visual cues, reducing resource consumption and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If voice messages are sent without modification effects, then resource usage is low and system complexity is simple, but non-verbal cues cannot be conveyed leading to misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies voice modification effects in real-time during the recording process rather than as post-processing. The messaging application continuously modifies the speech input as it is being recorded, applying selected effects (e.g., robot voice, deep voice, high-pitch voice) to the audio stream before it is finalized. This preliminary action prevents information loss by embedding non-verbal cues directly into the voice message during creation, eliminating the need for complex post-processing systems.
2Loss of information
If post-processing is used to add voice effects, then non-verbal cues can be conveyed, but resource consumption increases and processing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs voice modification during the recording phase rather than after recording completes. As the user speaks into the microphone, the selected voice effect is applied in real-time to the incoming audio stream. This means the modified audio is already prepared when recording stops, eliminating the need for resource-intensive post-processing operations and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice modification process operates continuously throughout the recording duration. Instead of processing discrete audio segments after recording, the system maintains a continuous real-time modification stream that processes audio as it arrives from the microphone. This continuous action optimizes resource utilization by keeping the processing pipeline constantly engaged at efficient levels rather than requiring intensive batch processing afterward.
3Reliability
If specialized hardware is required for voice effects, then voice quality can be improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized hardware voice processing systems with software-based voice modification effects running on standard messaging applications. Instead of requiring dedicated voice effect hardware, the system uses software algorithms to apply various voice effects (robot, deep, high-pitch, etc.) to the audio stream. This substitution maintains voice quality through sophisticated software processing while dramatically improving accessibility, allowing any user with a standard smartphone to access voice modification capabilities without specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging application serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication platform and a voice effect processing system. The same application that sends and receives messages also handles voice recording, real-time modification, and effect application. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized hardware devices, making the technology universally accessible through existing smartphones and tablets that users already possess.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for generating voice notes. In one embodiment, a messaging application implemented on a first participant computing device, receives a request to send a voice message to a second participant computing device in a communication session. In response to receiving the request, the messaging application selects a voice modification effect. The messaging application receives input to begin recording the voice message. While the voice message is being recorded, the messaging application receives speech input, modifies the speech input based on the voice modification effect in real time, and. continuously updates an audio file with the modified speech input. In response to receiving input to terminate recording the voice message, the messaging application provides a first option to playback the audio file and a second option to send the audio file as the voice message to the second participant computing device.