Portable Microphone Control for Glove-Free Laboratory Workflows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory systems face inefficiencies in controlling complex devices due to the need for manual input with standard keyboards, which is cumbersome with protective gloves and can lead to contamination, and existing voice recognition systems are not designed for technical language used in laboratories.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory system with a portable device and control software that enables voice-based control of laboratory devices and software modules, using a voice-to-text conversion system combined with an assignment table to correct technical language inputs, allowing users to operate devices without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard keyboard and mouse interface is used to control laboratory devices, then device control functionality is provided, but operation becomes cumbersome and contamination risk increases when wearing protective gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) with a voice-based acoustic input system. The microphone captures voice commands which are converted to text and processed by the control software, eliminating the need for physical contact with control interfaces while maintaining full device control functionality.
2Productivity
If standard keyboard interface is used, then device control is possible, but workflow speed decreases and incorrect input increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voice-to-text conversion system replaces manual keyboard typing with spoken commands. This eliminates typing errors, eliminates the need to take off gloves for input, and allows continuous workflow without interruption, thereby improving both speed and accuracy of device control.
3Ease of operation
If voice recognition system is used, then hands-free operation is enabled, but technical language recognition in laboratory context is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts the voice recognition parameters by implementing a custom vocabulary and speech-to-text conversion model trained on laboratory-specific technical terminology. This allows accurate recognition of chemical names, equipment terms, and procedural language while maintaining hands-free operation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a laboratory system including at least one laboratory device which is designed to analyse and/or synthesise a chemical substance; at least one laboratory software module which is designed to process data obtained from the at least one laboratory device; a data processing device with control software that provides an interface for operating the at least one laboratory device and/or the at least one laboratory software module; and a portable device with a microphone, wherein the device is connected interoperably to the control software via a network, wherein the device is designed, in interoperation with the control software, to allow a user to operate the at least one laboratory device and/or the at least one laboratory software module without manual intervention, by speaking into the microphone.