Ambient Voice And Gesture Control With Tiered Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for consumer electronics, such as those using 'always on' sensors, suffer from low fidelity due to ambient noise and require constant battery replacement due to high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a first, lower-fidelity sensor for initial command detection and a second, higher-fidelity sensor for confirmation, where the second sensor is activated only when needed to conserve battery power, allowing for more sophisticated voice and gesture recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-fidelity sensors are used for better command performance, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to constant battery replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand performanceVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the sensing function across multiple devices with different capabilities. A first device with higher available power performs initial signal detection, while a second device with lower available power performs detailed command processing only when activated by the first device, dividing the energy burden and precision requirements across segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first detection device performs preliminary signal detection and activation determination before the second detection device engages. This preliminary action filters out non-command signals, ensuring the second device only activates when genuinely needed, thus conserving battery power while maintaining high-fidelity processing when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If 'always on' sensors are used to receive commands, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand reception availabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic activation where the second detection device transitions between active and dormant states based on real-time conditions. The device remains operationally available through the first device's continuous monitoring but consumes minimal power by staying dormant until activation signals are received

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The first detection device serves the second device by performing preliminary detection and activation management. This self-service arrangement allows the second device to maintain ease of operation without continuously consuming power, as the first device handles the continuous monitoring function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If low-fidelity sensors are used to conserve power, then use of energy is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ambient noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first detection device acts as an intermediary between the environment and the second detection device. It filters and pre-processes signals, passing only potential commands to the second device, thereby protecting the low-power device from ambient noise while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250308377A1Methods and systems for ambient system control

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Provided are methods and systems for ambient system control, comprising multiple detection devices with varying levels of detection capability. The methods and systems contemplate the use of both voice and gesture commands, as well as other inputs, for system control.