Voice Communication via Text Relay Under Low-Bandwidth Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice communication over communication networks, such as VoIP, suffers from unsatisfactory quality due to low bandwidth, making it difficult for recipients to understand speakers, especially in fluctuating network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that converts input speech into text and transmits it over the network, where it is then converted back into an output speech utterance simulating the speaker's voice, using text-to-speech algorithms or trained artificial intelligence models, ensuring seamless communication even in low bandwidth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voice communication is transmitted over IP networks with low bandwidth, then network connectivity is maintained, but the quality of conversation becomes unsatisfactory and understanding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the speaker's voice through text-to-speech synthesis. The system converts the speaker's speech to text, transmits the text, and then synthesizes a new speech output that replicates the original speaker's voice characteristics. This copying approach allows high-quality voice communication over low-bandwidth networks because only text needs to be transmitted, not the actual audio data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces text as an intermediary medium between the speaker and recipient. Instead of directly transmitting voice over the network, the system converts voice to text, transmits the text, and then converts it back to speech. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by allowing reliable information transmission (text) over low-bandwidth networks while maintaining high-quality voice output through synthesis.
2Quantity of substance
If speech is converted to text and transmitted over the network, then bandwidth requirements are reduced, but the complexity of the communication system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data representation from audio waveforms to text. By converting speech to text for transmission and then synthesizing speech from text, the system dramatically reduces the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted over the network. This parameter change resolves the bandwidth-complexity tradeoff by using text (which requires minimal bandwidth) instead of audio data.
3Loss of information
If text-to-speech conversion simulates the speaker's voice, then communication quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and analyzing the speaker's voice characteristics before transmission. The system extracts voiceprint data and stores it for later use in synthesis. This preliminary processing allows the text-to-speech system to quickly generate accurate voice simulations during communication, reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining high voice quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a method, a computer program, and a system for voice communication between a speaker and a recipient over a communication network. The invention is further related to apparatus for use such a system and a vehicle comprising such apparatus. In a first step, an input speech utterance is received (S1) from the speaker. Optionally, a bandwidth of a connection to the communication network is evaluated (S2) at the side of the speaker. The input speech utterance is then converted (S3) to text. At least the text is transmitted (S4) over the communication network. In case of a sufficiently large bandwidth, the input speech utterance may be transmitted (S4) as voice and as text. The transmitted text is converted (S5) into an output speech utterance that simulates a voice of the speaker. Finally, the output speech utterance is provided (S6) to the recipient.