IoT Control Using Non-Speech Sound to Predict User Actions

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Solution Overview

Problem

IoT devices lack cognitive intelligence to perform functions without manual or voice inputs, leading to potential hazardous outcomes when users are absent or distracted, as they cannot adjust settings automatically to prevent issues like food burning on smart hobs or interruptions during activities.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a computing system to identify current user activities, detect non-speech sounds, predict responsive user actions, and automatically adjust IoT device settings based on predicted actions, minimizing impacts on ongoing activities by correlating user actions with detected sounds and machine-learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IoT devices operate based on pre-defined voice commands, then device control functionality is provided, but cognitive intelligence and autonomous operation capability are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecognitive intelligenceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables IoT devices to autonomously monitor user activities through sensors, predict user intentions using machine learning models, and automatically adjust device settings without requiring manual voice commands or manual intervention, making the system self-regulating and cognitively intelligent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring user activities and predicting future user intentions before the user actually issues a command, allowing the device to proactively adjust settings in anticipation of user needs rather than reactively responding to commands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If IoT devices require manual inputs or voice commands for every function, then device operation is controlled, but user convenience and continuous operation without interruption are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiduser intervention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for continuous manual input by enabling IoT devices to autonomously monitor their operational state, predict user intentions, and self-adjust settings, freeing the user from the burden of constantly issuing commands and allowing uninterrupted operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor user activities and device states, machine learning models predict user intentions based on this feedback, and the system automatically adjusts settings accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically without user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If IoT devices cannot detect user absence or distraction, then simple operation is maintained, but hazardous outcomes such as food burning or unsafe conditions cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser state detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user absence or distraction by continuously monitoring user activities through sensors and predicting user intentions before hazardous conditions occur, allowing preventive action to be taken before safety issues arise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual monitoring and mechanical control with automated sensor-based detection and machine learning-based prediction, using intelligent algorithms to detect user states and predict hazards without requiring physical user presence or manual safety checks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If IoT devices operate without predicting user actions, then device simplicity is maintained, but autonomous adjustment and prevention of hazardous outcomes are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables IoT devices to autonomously predict user actions and automatically adjust settings without manual intervention, achieving high程度的 automation where the device serves itself by monitoring, predicting, and self-regulating based on learned user patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary prediction of user actions using machine learning models trained on user activity data, allowing the device to anticipate user intentions and proactively adjust settings before the user actually needs them, achieving autonomous operation through predictive capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230251611A1Methods and systems for controlling internet of things devices by predicting next user action

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and a system for controlling at least one Internet of Things (IoT) device is described. The method includes identifying a current user activity associated with each of the at least one IoT device, detecting a non-speech sound during the identified current user activity, predicting a user action based on the detected non-speech sound, wherein the predicted user action impacts the current user activity, and automatically adjusting an operational setting of the at least one IoT device to minimize the impact on the current user activity, based on initiation of the predicted user action.