Multi-Utterance Voice Control With Status-Based Output Timing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice-based information systems struggle to notify users of electrical appliances at appropriate timings, particularly in shared environments where multiple users may be present, leading to potential miscommunication or unnecessary notifications.

Innovation Solution

A voice control method and server apparatus that judge and control the timing of voice output by multiple utterance objects, ensuring appropriate notification by determining whether each object is currently outputting voice and adjusting the timing of voice output accordingly, based on user ownership and device operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple utterance objects output voice simultaneously, then information can be notified to users more comprehensively, but it becomes difficult for users to hear and understand the information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation notification efficiencyVSAvoiduser ability to hear information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary judgment on whether each utterance object is currently outputting voice before issuing new voice output instructions. This advance check prevents simultaneous voice output by multiple objects, ensuring that users can clearly hear the information being conveyed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If voice output timing is not controlled, then all utterance objects can notify users simultaneously, but it leads to unnecessary notifications and miscommunication in multi-user environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification coverageVSAvoidcommunication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where utterance objects report their voice output status to the server. The server uses this feedback information to intelligently determine appropriate timing for each utterance object to output voice, preventing unnecessary notifications and ensuring accurate communication in multi-user environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The voice output timing for each utterance object is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions, including whether other objects are currently outputting voice and the specific user context. This dynamic control ensures reliable and appropriate notifications without rigid simultaneous output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12462799B2Voice control method, server apparatus, and utterance object

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A voice control method according to the present disclosure includes: judging, for each of a plurality of utterance objects capable of outputting voice, whether the utterance object is outputting voice; and based on a result of the judging, causing one or more of the plurality of utterance objects to output voice at one of a timing of immediately outputting voice and a timing of outputting voice after an end of outputting voice by an utterance object which is outputting voice among the plurality of utterance objects.