Sound Interface Device Bypassing Acoustic Dampers for Secure Voice Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sound controlled devices, such as voice controlled assistance devices, face challenges including complex and prone-to-failure sound command protocols, security and privacy concerns, and interference between multiple devices in shared environments, leading to user frustration and reduced sales.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a sound interface device with a soundwave damper and processor to receive and convert audio signals into soundwaves that bypass the damper, allowing for customized and secure communication with voice controlled devices, reducing the sound receiving environment and preventing unintended activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a soundwave damper is used to reduce sound receiving capability and prevent unintended activations, then security and privacy are improved, but the device cannot receive legitimate voice commands
Solution Approach 1:
A sound interface device acts as an intermediary between the user and the voice-controlled device. The sound interface device receives voice commands through its own microphone (not blocked by the damper), processes them, and generates appropriate soundwaves that bypass the damper to communicate with the voice-controlled device. This mediator approach allows the damper to remain in place for security while still enabling legitimate communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the sound reception function into two parts: the sound interface device handles receiving sound commands through its microphone, while the voice-controlled device handles executing commands. This segmentation allows the damper to protect the voice-controlled device's microphone while the sound interface device's microphone remains exposed for receiving commands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voice controlled devices share a common environment, then service variety is improved, but device interference and confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound interface device serves as a personal intermediary for each voice-controlled device, creating isolated communication channels. Each sound interface device is configured to work with a specific voice-controlled device, translating user commands into the specific protocol required by that device. This prevents interference between multiple devices sharing the same environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sound interface device is customized with local quality specific to its paired voice-controlled device, including device-specific sound signatures, command protocols, and activation phrases. This customization ensures that commands intended for one device do not accidentally activate another device, even when multiple devices operate in the same environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex voice command protocol is used to provide comprehensive control, then functionality is improved, but user effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound interface device performs self-service by automatically learning and storing the unique sound signature and command protocol of each voice-controlled device. It autonomously configures itself to communicate effectively with the target device, eliminating the need for users to manually learn complex protocols or perform setup procedures. The device handles protocol translation and command optimization automatically.
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
Enhances control and security by allowing precise and efficient communication with voice controlled devices, reducing user effort and minimizing interference and unintended activations, while ensuring privacy and security.
Implementation Method 1
a soundwave damper to reduce a sound receiving capability of the voice controlled device
Implementation Method 2
generates with the speaker a soundwave carrying a voice command
Implementation Method 3
a microphone to receive the sound command and convert the sound command into an audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method, a device, a system and/or a manufacture of enhanced control, customization, and/or security of a sound controlled device such as a voice controlled assistance device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a signal input, a speaker, and a soundwave damper to dampen a sound receiving capability of a sound controlled device. The sound controlled device initiates a responsive action to a sound command received on a microphone, and may be a voice controlled assistance device. Upon receiving a command signal the apparatus utilizes a processor and a memory to determine an association between the command signal and an audio file storing the sound command and converts the audio file into an audio signal. The speaker is utilized to bypass the soundwave damper such that the sound command is received at the microphone of the sound controlled device, initiating the responsive action as a result of the command signal.