Smartphone Voice Search Interface for Text Region Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional content search methods on smartphones require significant user interaction, including keypad input, which can be inconvenient for users with larger fingers and hinder accurate and efficient searching.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow users to search for content without keypad input by receiving predefined user inputs, extracting words from a text region, creating search conditions, and displaying search results, enabling users to set search conditions and view results with minimal physical movement and interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users input text through keypad on smartphone, then search function can be used, but user convenience deteriorates due to difficulty in accurately touching each alphabet and number

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical keypad input system with a voice recognition system. Users speak their search queries naturally without needing to physically touch small keypad buttons, thereby maintaining input accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation. The voice-based interface eliminates the precision requirement for finger placement on small keys.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces voice recognition technology as an intermediary between the user and the search function. Instead of direct keypad interaction, the user's speech is captured and converted into text through the voice recognition system, which then processes the search query. This intermediary layer removes the physical constraint of keypad precision while preserving accurate input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users convert Korean and English characters several times for text input, then text can be entered, but user convenience deteriorates due to multiple conversion steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput simplicityVSAvoidinput time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the multi-step character conversion process with direct voice input. Users speak their search queries in their preferred language without needing to manually convert between Korean and English characters. The voice recognition system automatically handles the input, eliminating both the complexity and time consumption of character conversion.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The voice recognition system performs the character conversion and text generation action beforehand, before the user needs to submit the search query. By capturing the user's speech and automatically converting it to the appropriate text format, the system eliminates the need for users to perform conversion steps during the input process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If users click search button and move to search screen to enter text, then search can be performed, but user convenience deteriorates due to multiple screen transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the search button function and the text input function into a single interaction. By enabling voice recognition directly on the main screen, users can perform both the action of initiating search and providing search text simultaneously through speech, eliminating the need for separate screen transitions and sequential操作步骤.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main screen is given multi-functionality by integrating voice recognition capability directly into it. Instead of requiring users to navigate to a dedicated search screen for text input, the main screen can now also accept and process voice-based search queries, reducing the number of required screen transitions and simplifying the overall search workflow.

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

Data Source

PatentUS12174866B2Method and apparatus for searching contents
Publication Date: 2024.12.24 SAMSUNG SDS CO LTD
  • US12174866B2 patent drawing
  • US12174866B2 patent drawing
  • US12174866B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for searching a content includes receiving a predefined user input with respect to a text region; extracting, in response to the predefined user input, at least one word from the text region; creating a search condition based on the extracted at least one word; and displaying a list of contents searched based on the created search condition.