Context-Aware Home Automation Toggle Using Voice and Position
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current home automation systems require complex interfaces and extensive training for users to control various devices, lacking simplicity and aesthetic appeal, making them difficult to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
A contextual home automation device that utilizes natural language phrases and physical toggles, combined with environmental sensors, to determine the current context and control home automation subsystems, providing a user-friendly interface that adapts based on context and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional physical buttons or app interfaces are used to control home automation, then device control functionality is achieved, but user interface complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button interfaces and digital app interfaces with a voice-based natural language processing system. Users can control home automation devices by speaking casual phrases like 'turn on the lights' or 'make the coffee', eliminating the need to learn complex button sequences or navigate sophisticated app menus. This substitution of mechanical/digital interaction with acoustic/natural language interaction directly resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control methods are provided for home automation, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal natural language processing interface that can control multiple types of home automation devices (lights, coffee makers, thermostats, entertainment systems) through a single unified voice command system. Instead of providing separate control mechanisms for each device type, the system uses one versatile natural language interface that adapts to control any connected device, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If detailed app interfaces are used to control home automation devices, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The natural language processing system automatically interprets the intent and context of user speech to determine the appropriate level of control precision needed. For example, when a user says 'turn on the lights in the living room', the system self-determines which specific lights to control and at what brightness level based on contextual understanding, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through detailed precision controls while still achieving precise device control.
Data Source
AI summary
A first input associated with an audio input from within a physical environment and an indication that a manual input device has been moved to a first operative position of the manual input device is received. The first input is mapped to a building automation control context. A controlled subsystem is caused to be operated in a manner associated with the first operative position and the building automation control context.