Voice-Based User Attribute Estimation for Automatic Input Mode Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses do not effectively set input or output modes based on user attributes, requiring user name and password input for optimization, which can be inconvenient, especially if users forget their credentials.

Innovation Solution

An input/output apparatus that automatically estimates user attributes using estimation units, setting input or output modes accordingly, eliminating the need for user authentication through name and password input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user name and password input is required to optimize information processing apparatus for individual user, then user environment can be customized, but user convenience deteriorates due to pre-registration requirement and potential login failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser environment customizationVSAvoidlogin process convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically estimates user attributes and configures the environment without requiring user authentication or manual input. The apparatus serves itself by detecting user presence and autonomously setting appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for users to remember credentials or complete login procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures multiple user environments in advance and automatically selects the appropriate one based on detected user attributes. By preparing environment profiles beforehand and using automatic recognition, the system avoids the need for real-time authentication while still providing customized settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automatic user attribute estimation is implemented, then user convenience is improved by eliminating authentication requirements, but device complexity increases due to additional estimation and setting units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication-free accessVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The estimation unit and setting unit are designed to handle multiple user attributes and environment configurations through a unified architecture. Rather than implementing separate systems for each function, the patent creates multi-functional components that can estimate various attributes (age, gender, etc.) and adjust multiple parameters (display, audio, etc.) simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If input mode and output mode are controlled based on automatically estimated user attribute, then user convenience is substantially improved, but measurement precision requirement increases for accurate attribute estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic mode settingVSAvoiduser attribute estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system estimates user attributes by analyzing changes in various parameters such as voice characteristics, input patterns, or device interaction behaviors. By monitoring multiple parameters and their variations over time, the system can accurately determine user attributes without requiring high-precision single-point measurements, thus balancing estimation accuracy with system feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10771845B2Information processing apparatus and method for estimating attribute of a user based on a voice input

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus that obtains information of a voice input of at least one user and estimates an attribute of the user based on the information of the voice input. The information processing apparatus further controls a display apparatus to display a layout image for the information of the voice input based on the estimated attribute of the user.