Voice Server Integrating Printed Publications With Network Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for accessing Internet information are limited by the need for computer expertise and hardware, and existing telephony-based solutions, like IVR systems, do not easily integrate with printed publications to provide complementary digital information.

Innovation Solution

A voice server connected to a network that uses a publication link table to associate printed publication items with network addresses, allowing users to access digital information via voice commands or DTMF tones through a telephone, enabling the retrieval of digital content related to printed materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users access Internet information via personal computers, then information accessibility is improved, but user expertise requirements and hardware dependencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidhardware and software requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a voice server as an intermediary between the telephone network and the Internet. The voice server receives voice commands from users via telephones, translates them into appropriate requests, and retrieves information from the Internet. This intermediary system allows users to access Internet information through simple voice commands without needing personal computers or specialized hardware, thus resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction required by traditional computer interfaces (keyboard typing, mouse clicking) with voice-based acoustic interaction. Users speak natural language commands to access information, eliminating the need for physical computer hardware and complex software interfaces. This substitution of mechanical interaction with acoustic interaction reduces the expertise and hardware requirements while maintaining or improving information accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless Internet access is provided via cellular telephones, then mobility is improved, but input capability and display quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility and connectivityVSAvoidinput and display usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the limited mechanical input methods (small virtual keyboards) and poor display capabilities of cellular phones with voice-based acoustic input and synthesized speech output. Users can input information by speaking naturally, and receive information through audible responses, bypassing the constraints of small screens and difficult-to-use keypads. This maintains the mobility advantage while dramatically improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice server acts as an intermediary that handles all complex information processing and presentation tasks, allowing the mobile phone to function as a simple voice input/output device. The phone's limited display and input capabilities are bypassed by using voice for both input commands and output information delivery, resolving the contradiction between mobility and usability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If IVR systems are used for telephone-based information access, then automation is improved, but integration with printed publications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated information retrievalVSAvoidintegration with printed materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the IVR system's functionality to serve multiple purposes: it not only handles traditional telephone information retrieval but also integrates with printed publications by recognizing printed text through optical scanning and providing related digital information. This multi-functional system maintains the automation benefits of IVR while adding the capability to work with printed materials, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7864929B2Method and systems for accessing data from a network via telephone, using printed publication

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 CERENCE OPERATING CO

AI summary

A method and systems to access information related to items printed on publications by voice commands generated by a user through a telephone. To access additional information, the user dials on a telephone the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service identifier and the publication identifier. A publication link table is associated to the publication identifier and provides a list of the item names on the selected publication. The IVR recognizes the name of the item pronounced by the user and determines the address associated to this name. The proxy server accesses the information located at this address and forwards it to the IVR wherein it is converted by a text-to-speech for the user's telephone.