Audio Device Grouping for Synchronized Voice Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building automation environments require customized, expert setup and maintenance due to component-specific communications protocols, data storage formats, and hardware, making them inaccessible to average users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that designates device sets of audio-enabled devices for shared functionality, allowing voice commands to control and synchronize audio content across multiple devices, regardless of their specific configurations, using speech recognition and distributed computing to analyze and execute commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional building automation environments use component-specific communications protocols and custom hardware, then system functionality and control precision are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can communicate with multiple types of components through a single interface. The controller is designed to handle different communications protocols and data formats internally, presenting a unified configuration interface to users. This allows the system to maintain component-specific functionality while simplifying the user-facing configuration to a standard template approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a standardized communication interface between the controller and various building components. This intermediary handles protocol translation and data format conversion, allowing the controller to work with diverse components without requiring custom configuration for each component type, thus reducing configuration complexity while maintaining system functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional building automation environments use customized setup procedures, then manufacturing precision and system reliability are improved, but ease of operation and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-configured communication templates and predefined data formats that are prepared in advance. These templates include common communication protocols and data structures that can be directly applied during system setup, eliminating the need for custom configuration work. This preliminary preparation maintains system reliability through proven configurations while making setup accessible to non-expert users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based configuration where system behavior is controlled through standardized parameters rather than custom code or complex settings. By changing parameters within a standardized framework, the system can adapt to different components and scenarios while maintaining consistent reliability and allowing users with basic technical knowledge to perform setup and maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If traditional automation environments require expert configuration, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template copying mechanisms where pre-validated configuration templates can be copied and applied to similar components. These templates encapsulate expert-level configuration knowledge and precision settings, allowing users to replicate proven configurations without needing to understand the underlying complex parameters, thus maintaining control precision while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where the system automatically detects components, selects appropriate configuration templates, and applies settings without requiring expert intervention. The system can autonomously adjust parameters based on component characteristics while maintaining precision through built-in validation rules and expert-system-based decision logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for grouping multiple computing devices into a device set to enable shared audio functionality, or other types of shared functionality, between the devices in the device set. The devices may provide audio output, audio input, or both audio output and input. The devices may discover each other via transmitted radio signals, and the devices may be organized into one or more device sets based on location, supported functions, or other criteria. A voice command received at one device in the device set may be employed to control operations of other device(s) in the device set. Shared audio functionality between devices in a device set may also enable synchronized audio output through using multiple devices in the device set.