Vehicle Voice Assistant Connection Performance Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle voice recognition systems face inefficiencies when disconnected from external resources, leading to suboptimal performance and user dissatisfaction, particularly in situations where the system fails to respond accurately to user requests.

Innovation Solution

A method that includes a voice recognition module capable of executing voice recognition on both on-board and remote computers, communicating via a wireless connection, which receives data on connection performance indicators such as bandwidth, latency, and error rate, and displays corresponding graphic objects or messages to inform users of the recognition performance, allowing users to defer requests until the system is in a more efficient connected mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If voice recognition is performed using only onboard resources, then service continuity is ensured, but natural language processing capacity and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidvoice recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The voice recognition system is segmented into two parts: onboard voice recognition module for basic continuous service, and remote server for enhanced processing capacity. This segmentation allows the system to maintain service continuity locally while achieving higher accuracy through remote resources when available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication interface acts as an intermediary between the onboard voice recognition module and remote servers. This intermediary enables the system to switch between autonomous operation and cloud-assisted operation, resolving the contradiction between service continuity and processing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system operates in offline mode with onboard resources only, then service continuity is maintained, but voice recognition performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidvoice recognition efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its operational mode based on connection status. When connected, it leverages remote server resources for high-efficiency processing; when disconnected, it seamlessly transitions to onboard-only operation, maintaining service availability while adjusting performance expectations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (processing location, resource allocation) based on wireless connection status. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between reliability and productivity depending on available resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system provides accurate responses in connected mode, then user satisfaction improves, but user confusion increases when performance varies between modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse accuracyVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback through icons and messages that indicate the current operational mode and expected performance level. This feedback mechanism manages user expectations by transparently communicating whether the system is operating in high-accuracy connected mode or limited offline mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Different visual indicators (icons, colors) are used to represent different operational states. This visual coding system helps users quickly understand the current system capability without requiring technical knowledge of the underlying architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3877974B1Method and device for assistance with the use of a voice assistant in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3877974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3877974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assisting with the use of a voice assistant comprising a voice recognition module suitable for performing a voice recognition function on at least one onboard computer (12) of the vehicle or on at least one remote computer (14), the module being suitable for communicating with the at least one remote computer (14) through a wireless connection (15) so as to transmit a signal to it that represents words to be recognized, characterized in that it comprises steps of: Receiving data related to the wireless connection (15), - Determining a performance indicator using data related to the wireless connection (15), - Determining a graphic object or a message associated with the determined performance level, - Displaying the graphic object or the determined message.