Grammar-Based Voice Search for Multi-Function Device Workflow Retrieval
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large office settings, multi-function devices (MFDs) face difficulties in navigating thousands of user-created workflows due to the inability to remember workflow names and the lack of visibility into associated settings or operational parameters, leading to inefficient workflow retrieval.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a grammar-based voice search method that processes voice inputs into normalized terms, allowing users to search for workflows by name or features, and displaying matching results in a sorted order based on frequency, user association, and department, thereby simplifying the workflow selection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users create multiple workflows with custom settings and operational parameters, then workflow functionality and versatility are improved, but workflow navigation and retrieval become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual navigation through workflow menus with voice-based search functionality. Users can speak natural language queries to search for workflows, and the system processes these voice inputs to retrieve and display matching workflows, eliminating the need to manually browse through numerous workflows in the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voice processing system as an intermediary between the user and the workflow database. This intermediary captures voice inputs, processes them through grammar-based parsing, and returns relevant workflow results, thereby simplifying the interaction between users and the large number of available workflows.
2Productivity
If the MFD stores thousands of workflows from hundreds of users, then system capability and user coverage are improved, but search and retrieval efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional manual searching methods with voice-activated search. Users can quickly speak their search intent, and the system processes the voice input to rapidly retrieve relevant workflows from the database, significantly reducing the time required to find specific workflows compared to manual browsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of voice inputs by converting them into normalized search terms before querying the workflow database. This preliminary action of voice-to-text conversion and term normalization enables faster and more accurate retrieval of workflows, reducing overall search time.
3Measurement precision
If workflows are stored with unique user-provided names, then workflow identification precision is improved, but user memory requirements and interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for users to remember workflow names and navigate complex interface hierarchies with voice-based search. Users can speak natural language descriptions of what they're looking for, and the system translates these into precise search queries that retrieve the correct workflows, eliminating the need for users to recall exact workflow names or understand interface structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed. For example, the method executed by a processor of a multi-function device (MFD) includes receiving a grammar-based voice search for a workflow, processing the grammar-based voice search into normalized terms associated with the MFD, searching for workflows that match the normalized terms from the grammar-based voice search, and displaying matching workflows in a sorted order on a user interface of the MFD.