Compact Home Assistant Audio Cover for Voice and Touch Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for compact voice-activated electronic devices with multiple user interface options that can perform reliably in smart home environments, particularly those without display screens, and require audible responses for user interactions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of voice-activated electronic devices with touch sensors and a controlled sound path, incorporating capacitive touch sensors and an acoustically porous cover to enhance user interaction and sound delivery, allowing for eyes-free and hands-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the electronic device is designed with a compact form factor and simple structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but user interface reliability and functionality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiduser interface reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple user interface functions (microphone for voice input, speaker for audible output, touch sensors for tactile input, LED indicators for visual feedback) into a single integrated housing structure. This merging allows the device to provide diverse interface options without requiring separate devices, maintaining reliability while controlling complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses acoustic components (microphone, speaker), incorporates touch sensors for input, and includes LED indicators for output. This multi-functionality ensures reliable user interaction through multiple modalities while avoiding the need for additional separate components that would increase cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the electronic device lacks a display screen, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but user interaction capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiduser interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the visual display interface (mechanical/optical system) with alternative interaction modalities: voice recognition (acoustic system), touch sensors (electrical/capacitive system), and LED indicators (optical signaling system). This substitution maintains user interaction capability while avoiding the complexity and cost of a full display screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interaction parameters from visual (display screen) to acoustic (voice commands), tactile (touch sensors), and simple optical signaling (LED indicators). This parameter change enables effective user interaction in contexts where visual displays are impractical, such as when users have visual impairments or need hands-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the speaker system generates sound of sufficient clarity and volume, then audible response effectiveness is improved, but device size and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudible response effectivenessVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an acoustically porous cover made from thin, flexible material that allows sound waves to pass through effectively. This porous structure enables a compact speaker system to generate sufficient audible output by optimizing sound transmission through the cover material, rather than requiring a large speaker enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustically porous cover material is specifically designed to transmit sound waves while maintaining a thin profile. The porous structure allows acoustic energy to pass through efficiently, enabling effective audible responses from a compact speaker system without increasing device volume significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 reliable and efficient voice-activated functions with multiple interface options, ensuring effective audible responses and touch event detection, thereby improving user interaction in smart home environments.

Implementation Method 1

The sensing portion is configured to detect a touch on a corresponding area of the exterior surface of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an acoustically porous cover to enhance user interaction and sound delivery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transmission through porous material: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS11886654B2Compact home assistant device

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Various arrangements of electronic devices, such as assistant devices, are detailed herein. Such a device can include a housing and a microphone. A microphone aperture can be defined by the housing that directs sound from outside the housing to the microphone. A cover, which can be fabric, can be attached with the outside of the housing. An adhesive ring on the housing around the microphone aperture can be used to attach the cover to the housing.