Speech Control Mediator for Cross-Manufacturer IoT Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses without speech recognition capabilities cannot be controlled through speech recognition systems, especially when they are not connected to the same network as a controlling device, due to interoperability issues between devices from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus equipped with a processor and multiple communicators (first and second) that determines the connectivity of external devices and transmits control signals via appropriate communication methods, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared, to control devices with or without network connectivity, using speech recognition results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network connection is established between electronic apparatuses from the same manufacturer, then speech recognition control works within the manufacturer's ecosystem, but control of external electronic apparatuses from different manufacturers is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator device (electronic apparatus with speech recognition function) that acts as an intermediary between the user and external electronic apparatuses. This mediator captures speech input, processes it through speech recognition, and transmits control signals to external devices without requiring them to be part of the same network ecosystem, thus enabling cross-manufacturer control while maintaining stable network connections only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both speech recognition and control signal transmission. It can operate in multiple modes: recognizing speech directly, transmitting control signals through network when external devices are connectable, and providing guidance when they are not. This universal design allows a single device to handle various control scenarios across different manufacturer ecosystems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If speech recognition function is integrated into each electronic apparatus, then each device can be controlled independently, but devices without speech recognition function cannot be controlled through speech
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the electronic apparatus with speech recognition capability as a mediator that bridges the gap between users and electronic apparatuses lacking speech recognition functions. The mediator captures speech input, processes it through speech recognition algorithms, and translates it into appropriate control signals, thereby enabling speech control for external devices without requiring them to have built-in speech recognition capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The speech recognition function is extracted from individual electronic apparatuses and centralized in a dedicated mediator device. This extraction allows the speech recognition capability to be shared across multiple external devices, reducing the need for each device to have its own speech recognition system, thus lowering overall system complexity while maintaining broad speech control availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communicators are added to support both network and non-network communication, then control of external devices becomes possible regardless of network connectivity, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic apparatus incorporates multiple communicators with distinct functions: one for network-based communication and another for direct signal transmission. This multi-functional communication architecture allows the device to adaptively select the appropriate communication method based on whether the external electronic apparatus is network-connectable, thereby achieving communication flexibility without requiring complex decision-making logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication functionality is segmented into separate communicators, each optimized for a specific communication method (network-based or direct). This segmentation allows each communicator to be simpler in design while the system as a whole achieves versatile communication capability. The processor manages these segmented communicators by selecting the appropriate one based on network connectivity status.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first communicator, a second communicator; and a processor configured to determine whether or not an external electronic apparatus outputting input speech is connectable to a network connectable through the first communicator, based on the input speech, and to transmit a signal for controlling the external electronic apparatus to the external electronic apparatus through the first communicator or the second communicator depending on whether or not the external electronic apparatus is connectable to the network.