Optical Voice Activation for Hands-Free Kitchen Appliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic appliances, particularly kitchen appliances, require manual activation of voice recognition devices using key operations, which is inconvenient when users have dirty or sticky hands, and often necessitate a separate mobile device for voice control.
Innovation Solution
The appliance incorporates an optical detection device with sensors and an evaluation unit to activate voice recognition using optical signals, allowing activation without physical contact and enabling directional detection to ensure accurate command recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual key operation is required for activation, then device complexity remains simple, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical key operation with an optical detection system that senses user presence and gaze direction. This substitution adds automated detection capabilities but eliminates the need for manual activation, providing hands-free operation while managing complexity through integrated sensing and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system serves multiple functions: detecting user presence, determining gaze direction, and triggering voice recognition activation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing overall device complexity while enabling hands-free operation.
2Ease of operation
If optical detection device is added for automatic activation, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs multiple functions including user presence detection, gaze direction analysis, and voice recognition triggering. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent manages complexity while achieving automatic activation and improved ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection device acts as an intermediary between the user and the voice recognition system. It detects user intent through gaze direction and presence, then triggers the appropriate response, mediating the interaction and simplifying the overall system architecture despite adding detection capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If voice recognition is the only control method, then ease of operation improves for hands-free control, but reliability deteriorates due to potential misrecognition
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system serves as an intermediary that verifies user intent before triggering voice recognition. By confirming the user is present and facing the appliance, it reduces the likelihood of misrecognition from unintended commands, thereby improving reliability while maintaining hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by detecting gaze direction and user presence, confirming that the user intends to issue a command before activating voice recognition. This feedback mechanism reduces errors by ensuring the voice input is intentional, improving reliability while maintaining ease of hands-free control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a convenient and hands-free activation of voice recognition, reducing errors and eliminating the need for a separate device, enabling seamless voice control for operating the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The optical detection device exhibits at least one optical sensor (12) for detecting optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically operated domestic appliance, in particular a kitchen appliance, includes a voice recognition device, which voice recognition device is designed to compare voice signals of a user with known control commands for operating the domestic appliance, and includes an activation device for activating the voice recognition device. The activation device has an optical detection device, wherein the activation device is designed to activate the voice recognition device in dependence on information captured by the optical detection device. A method operates the domestic appliance.