Voicemail Action Extraction via Digital Assistant Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voicemail systems are cumbersome for users to extract and act on information contained in voicemail messages, requiring multiple inefficient steps to respond to requests such as sending files or making calls.
Innovation Solution
A method using a digital assistant on a mobile device to convert voicemail messages to text, extract actionable parameters, and prompt the user to automatically perform tasks like calling or emailing based on the message content, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional voicemail systems are used, then users can receive and store voice messages, but users must manually extract and act on information requiring multiple inefficient steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically extracts actionable information from voicemail messages and performs tasks without requiring manual user intervention. The digital assistant listens to the voicemail, identifies actions and parameters, and executes them autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring the user to manually process each message.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of listening, noting down, and executing voicemail actions with an automated digital assistant system. The manual mechanical steps of writing down information and manually dialing or emailing are substituted by speech recognition and automated task execution systems.
2Productivity
If manual processing of voicemail is used, then users can respond to requests, but the process requires multiple steps including listening, opening applications, locating contact information, and sending messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate steps (listening to voicemail, extracting information, opening email application, attaching files, sending messages) into a single integrated automated process. The digital assistant combines these discrete operations into one unified workflow that executes automatically upon receiving the voicemail message.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the voicemail message to extract actionable information and parameters before the user needs to respond. The digital assistant identifies the required actions and gathers necessary parameters in advance, preparing everything needed for immediate execution without requiring the user to manually search for contact information or open applications.
3Extent of automation
If automated processing is implemented, then user effort and time are reduced, but the system must automatically extract actions and parameters from voice messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital assistant as an intermediary between the voicemail message and the execution system. This intermediary component translates spoken language into structured actionable information, bridging the gap between unstructured voice messages and the automated systems that execute tasks. The digital assistant mediates by interpreting natural language and converting it into executable commands with extracted parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a recorded voicemail is first converted from speech to text, and a proposed action to be performed by the user is extracted from the voice message. For example, in the voicemail “this is John, call me at 650.987.0987 at 9 am tomorrow,” the action is to call John. At least one action parameter for undertaking the action is determined. For example, the action parameters may include the 650.987.0987 telephone number and the 9 am time the following morning, The at least one action parameter may be extracted from the voicemail message or it may be determined by other means, e.g., from a user's contact book. Finally, the user is presented with a prompt to facilitate undertaking the action using the at least one the parameter. For example, the user may be given the option to set a reminder to call John the following morning at 9 am.