Multi-User Voice Control for Endoscopic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice control systems in endoscopic imaging systems do not allow multiple users to control devices simultaneously without interference, posing a risk of speech interference between users, such as a physician and an assistant, which can complicate procedures and endanger patients.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user voice control system with two input channels, an automatic speech recognizer, and a selector that prioritizes speech recognition to ensure only the higher-priority user's commands are recognized, minimizing speech data clipping and omission during priority switching, using an audio module with buffering to maintain seamless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-user voice control system is used, then speech recognition accuracy is maintained, but multiple users cannot control devices concurrently without interference
Solution Approach 1:
The audio input is segmented into multiple channels, each associated with a specific user. The system divides the speech recognition task by channel, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple users' speech without cross-interference. Each channel maintains independent speech data streams that are processed separately according to user priority levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A channel selector acts as an intermediary between multiple audio input channels and the speech recognition engine. This mediator component receives speech from multiple users, applies priority-based filtering, and selectively passes only the highest-priority user's speech data to the recognizer, preventing speech interference while maintaining system reliability.
2Productivity
If speech from multiple users is allowed simultaneously, then workload distribution is improved, but speech interference between users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts which user's speech is processed based on real-time priority levels and speech activity detection. When multiple users speak simultaneously, the system automatically switches between channels according to predefined priority rules, enabling flexible workload distribution while dynamically eliminating speech interference through adaptive channel selection.
3Reliability
If priority-based channel selection is implemented, then speech interference is reduced, but complexity of the voice control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Priority levels for different users are predetermined and configured in advance. The channel selector is pre-programmed with priority rules that determine which user's speech takes precedence during simultaneous speech events. This preliminary configuration simplifies real-time operation, as the system automatically applies predefined rules without requiring complex real-time decision-making logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-user voice control system for use in endoscopic imaging system includes a first input channel, a second input channel, an automatic speech recognizer (ASR), a control unit, and a selector. The first input channel receives speech of a first user, and the second input channel receives speech of a second user. The ASR recognizes speech received on the first channel and recognizes speech received on the second channel. The control unit enables the voice control system to control a device in the endoscopic imaging system in response to recognized speech. The selector selectively determines whether recognized speech associated with the first channel or recognized speech associated with the second channel is used to control the device, by applying a selection priority to the first and second channels.