Set-Top Box HDMI Status Detection for Voice Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Set-top boxes without loudspeakers cannot provide user feedback for voice recognition functions, limiting their functionality in performing voice commands effectively.
Innovation Solution
The set-top box uses the connected television set to provide visual or sound feedback by verifying its power status and HDMI source status, employing protocols like CEC, HPD, and HDCP, and issuing commands via remote control infrared codes to ensure the television is on and the set-top box is the active HDMI source, enabling voice recognition functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a set-top box does not include a loudspeaker, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the ability to provide user feedback for voice recognition function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the television set as an intermediary device to provide user feedback. The set-top box communicates with the television set through HDMI connection, and the television set's loudspeaker is utilized to output voice feedback to the user, thus resolving the contradiction by leveraging an external device's capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The television set serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display device for video content and the feedback device for voice recognition. By utilizing the television set's existing loudspeaker and display capabilities, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding a dedicated loudspeaker to the set-top box.
2Reliability
If the set-top box verifies television power status and HDMI source status before voice recognition, then the reliability of voice recognition function is improved, but the detection time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box performs preliminary detection of the television's power status and HDMI source status before initiating the voice recognition function. This preliminary action ensures that the television is ready to provide feedback, improving reliability while minimizing delay by checking conditions only when voice recognition is requested.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing HDMI connection and CEC protocol capabilities to automatically detect and verify the television's status without requiring additional sensors or complex detection hardware. The set-top box leverages the HDMI interface's inherent abilities to determine power and source status efficiently.
3Measurement precision
If the set-top box uses CEC protocol and multiple signal verification methods, then the accuracy of detecting television status is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HDMI interface is utilized for multiple purposes: video/audio transmission, power status detection, source status verification, and feedback delivery. The CEC protocol, originally designed for consumer electronic control, is leveraged to detect television power and source status, demonstrating multi-functionality that improves detection accuracy without adding dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the set-top box sends test audio signals through the HDMI connection and receives echo signals from the television's loudspeaker. By analyzing the echo, the system verifies that the television is powered on and properly connected, improving detection accuracy through active feedback rather than passive sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
A detection method, performed prior to applying a voice recognition function to a voice signal uttered by a user and picked up by a set-top box, includes the steps of: verifying that the television set is switched on, and if not, producing a first command for switching the television set on; verifying that the set-top box is an active HDMI source of the television set, and if not, producing a second command for causing the set-top box to become the active HDMI source of the television set; while the television set is switched on and the set-top box is the active HDMI source of the television set, producing a request to start the voice recognition function.