Rail Vehicle Voice Control With Parameter Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual input of control parameters for rail vehicles is time-consuming and prone to errors, necessitating a more efficient and accurate method for data entry.

Innovation Solution

Implementing voice control for rail vehicles, where control parameters are entered via voice input, with a dual memory system for parameter storage and user confirmation to ensure accuracy, allowing parameters to be corrected and confirmed before use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual input methods (keyboard, softkeys, buttons) are used to enter control parameters, then the rail vehicle can be controlled, but the input time is excessive and error rates are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput timeVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input methods (keyboard, softkeys, buttons) with voice-based acoustic input. The driver speaks commands that are captured by a microphone and processed by speech recognition software, eliminating the need for manual typing or button pressing. This substitution dramatically reduces input time and eliminates errors associated with manual entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the input modality parameter from manual (physical interaction with interface elements) to vocal (acoustic signal input). By transforming the input method from mechanical interaction to acoustic recognition, the system achieves faster and more accurate parameter entry without the limitations of manual interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If voice control is implemented for entering control parameters, then input time is reduced and error rates decrease, but system complexity increases due to dual memory areas and confirmation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput timeVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the memory system into two distinct areas: a first memory area for temporary storage of voice-input parameters and a second memory area for confirmed parameters. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complex safety checks and confirmation protocols while keeping the voice recognition and parameter processing functions separate and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display device serves as an intermediary between the voice recognition system and the control system. It presents the extracted parameters to the driver for confirmation, allowing the driver to verify and correct parameters before they are executed. This intermediary layer adds safety and reduces errors without requiring complex changes to the core voice recognition technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If voice messages are recorded and processed automatically, then input efficiency increases, but the risk of incorrect parameter extraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata entry speedVSAvoidparameter extraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display device shows the extracted control parameters to the driver for verification. The driver can see what parameters were captured from the voice input and can correct any errors before confirmation. This feedback loop ensures high accuracy in parameter extraction while maintaining fast voice-based input speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary extraction and display of parameters before final confirmation and execution. By showing the parameters to the driver in advance (in the first memory area) and only transferring them to the second memory area after confirmation, the system allows for error correction before the parameters are committed, ensuring high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3781452B1Method and device for controlling a rail vehicle by means of voice message
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3781452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3781452B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a rail vehicle (301), comprising the following steps: recording (101) a voice message of an user of the rail vehicle (301), comprising a control parameter for controlling the rail vehicle, extracting (103) the control parameter from the recorded voice message, displaying (105) the extracted control parameter, controlling (107) the rail vehicle (301) on the basis of the extracted control parameter only upon detection of a release command of the user that the extracted control parameter may be used for controlling the rail vehicle (301). The invention further relates to a corresponding device (201), to a corresponding rail vehicle (301) and to a computer program.