Speech Control Lighting Fine-Tuning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice control systems for smart home appliances cannot interpret relative or subjective voice commands, such as 'a bit more' or 'a bit less,' which are common in natural speech, and lack intuitive fine-tuning capabilities for lighting settings.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to transition from a first light state to a second state and then fine-tune it using speech commands by interpreting relative directions and adjustments based on the difference between the two states, using a speech recognition system to map subjective inputs to specific adjustments in lighting parameters like intensity or color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing voice control systems use absolute command interpretation, then system simplicity is maintained, but ability to understand natural speech is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to understand natural speechVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a reference state before processing relative commands. The reference state is stored and used as a baseline for interpreting subsequent relative adjustments, allowing the system to handle natural speech without complex real-time contextual analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates relative speech commands into absolute control values. This intermediary layer uses the reference state to mediate between the user's relative description and the system's absolute parameter requirements, simplifying both user interaction and system processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If voice control systems accept only precise parameters, then control accuracy is maintained, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of fine-tuning lightingVSAvoidparameter specification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system accepts partial parameter specifications from users, requiring only the direction of change rather than complete re-specification of all parameters. This allows users to make incremental adjustments without providing exhaustive parameter details, improving ease of operation while maintaining sufficient precision through the reference state comparison

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the system requires complete re-specification of parameters, then control precision is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of lighting adjustmentVSAvoidtime to adjust lighting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reference state is established in advance and stored for quick retrieval during adjustment operations. This preliminary action eliminates the need to re-specify parameters from scratch, significantly reducing the time required for lighting adjustments while maintaining control precision through systematic parameter updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3656188B1Speech control
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3656188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3656188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of controlling illumination emitted by one or more illumination sources of a lighting system, the method comprising automatically performing operations of: receiving from a speech recognition system a first input indicative of a first speech command; in response to the first input, controlling the lighting system to transition from a first state comprising a first value of a parameter of the illumination to a second state comprising a second value of the parameter; receiving from the speech recognition system a second input indicative of a second speech command, the second input indicating that the second speech command specifies a further change in the parameter; mapping the second input to an adjustment defined at least in part based on the first and second values of the parameter; and controlling the lighting system to transition from the second state to a further adjusted state by adjusting the parameter.