Voice-Activated Finder Device for Hands-Free Item Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT devices are complex and difficult for the elderly and young to use for finding misplaced items, and they lack a simple, portable, and affordable solution for both indoor and outdoor tracking and communication needs.
Innovation Solution
A miniature, portable, voice-activated device that converts sound pressure into a digital signal to locate items acoustically or using a radio beacon, with a digital signal processor recognizing voice commands to initiate a location display, and can be attached to various objects or carried as a keychain, operating for months on a single charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices are used for finding misplaced items, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases making them difficult for elderly and young users to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through voice commands. Users simply speak natural language requests like 'Where are my keys?' without needing to navigate complex interfaces or configure settings. The automated response system handles the entire tracking and location process, making it accessible to elderly and young users who lack digital experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (button pressing, menu navigation, configuration) with acoustic field interaction through voice commands. This substitution eliminates the need for users to physically manipulate device controls, transforming the interaction paradigm from mechanical to acoustic, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive tracking systems are implemented, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple tracking devices with unique identifiers and establishing the tracking network in advance. Once set up, users can immediately query item locations without additional configuration steps. The system proactively monitors and maintains device connectivity, eliminating the need for users to perform setup actions at the time of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central hub or smartphone application as an intermediary that manages the complexity of tracking multiple devices. This intermediary handles device registration, network coordination, and location calculation, allowing individual tracking devices to remain simple while achieving comprehensive tracking precision through centralized management.
3Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is added to activate tracking, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by having tracking devices broadcast their location and status information at regular intervals rather than continuously. Voice commands trigger on-demand queries to these periodic broadcasts. This approach allows the system to maintain hands-free operation capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous transmission or listening modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining the tracking system in a low-power standby state where devices periodically update their status. When a voice command is issued, the system continuously processes the request and provides immediate response. This ensures the useful tracking function remains available and responsive while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
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
Enables easy, hands-free item location and simple communication without setup, suitable for diverse users, including those with limited technical expertise, and provides a cost-effective solution for tracking essential items and emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric microphone configured to supply an electrical pulse when stimulated by a vocalization
Data Source
AI summary
A finder device typically attachable to a personal object, the device having utility in finding the object when lost or missing. The beacon recognizes a structured verbal code from a speaker and actuates a signal response effective in locating the object, even when out of sight. The response can take the form of a sound or other display to draw the user's attention to its location and may optionally be supplemented by a radio emission. A simple “finder” typically recognizes only one inquiry, such as “find keys”, or at most two inquiries, such as “find keys” and “find me” (where “find me” is directed at an object selected by a user”) and responds by actuating an audio, visual or tactile display. By providing a kit having multiple finders that each have one purpose selected from “find keys”, “find wallet”, “find phone”, and so forth, a user can attach each finder to the corresponding object and quickly find the object when needed by speaking the code phrase. Advanced wireless radiotag finder-trackers may also be used for finding and tracking objects in a local environment or in any wider area. A radiotag finder-tracker can allow the user to program a signature phrase to be spoken or a radio signal that will actuate the beacon to make an audio, visual or tactile display as an aid in locating the object. In a basic mode, the notification function is simplified, requiring only a simple verbal command; and in more advanced modes, either verbal or radio commands may be given and advantageously supplement each other. In yet another embodiment, a “Help Me” command can be sent via the devices to an internet administrative site where the help request is processed and help is dispatched.