Acoustic Electrical Switch Voice Control Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intercom systems face issues with high installation costs due to dedicated wiring and limited range and interference problems with wireless systems, making them outdated and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An acoustically responsive electrical light switch that integrates a microphone to detect sound pressure waves and convert them into electrical signals, allowing voice control through existing electrical wiring without additional wiring, using a network interface to transmit signals wirelessly or via power lines, ensuring continuous power supply and robust installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated wiring is used for intercom systems, then communication reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into existing electrical infrastructure. The electrical wiring system serves dual purposes: traditional electrical power distribution and intercom communication transmission. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated wiring while maintaining reliable communication, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the intercom communication system with the existing electrical wiring system. By combining these two separate systems into one infrastructure, the patent achieves reliable communication without the complexity of installing additional dedicated wiring, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Device complexity
If wireless transmission is used for intercom systems, then installation complexity is reduced, but communication range and interference performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing electrical wiring as an intermediary medium for communication transmission. Instead of relying on traditional wireless transmission that suffers from range and interference limitations, the system modulates communication signals onto the electrical wiring infrastructure, achieving both easy installation and reliable long-range communication without the drawbacks of conventional wireless systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic transducer is integrated into electrical switch, then voice control functionality is added, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrical switch multi-functional by integrating an acoustic transducer. The device now serves both as a traditional electrical switch and as a voice-activated control device. This allows the addition of voice control functionality while leveraging the existing switch infrastructure, thereby managing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables voice-controlled home or business automation with enhanced digital experience, reducing installation costs and maintaining familiar switch actuator functionality, while providing a wide range and minimizing interference.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic transducer integrated with the electrical switch that converts sound pressure waves into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switch responds to acoustic inputs. A microphone integrated into the electrical switch generates electrical signals in response to the acoustic inputs. A network interface integrated into the electrical switch provides addressable communication with controllers, computers, and other networked devices. The electrical switch may thus be installed or retrofitted into the electrical wiring of all homes and businesses. Users may thus speak voice commands, which are received by the electrical switch and sent for voice control of appliances and other automation tasks.