Voice-Activated Washing Machine Mode Switching for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with voice recognition capabilities face challenges in power management, leading to increased power consumption and user inconvenience, especially when transitioning between power saving, standby, and operation modes.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine system that utilizes multiple processors to identify whether a control word is executable in a standby mode, and if not, switches to an operation mode to execute the command, while maintaining the voice recognition module in a state that prevents power saving mode to ensure user voice recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voice recognition module is kept in normal operation state to recognize user voice in power saving mode, then voice recognition capability is maintained, but power consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into multiple operational modes (power saving mode, standby mode, operation mode) with different power consumption levels. The voice recognition module operates differently in each mode: fully active in operation mode, partially active in standby mode, and inactive in power saving mode, thus segmenting its operational states to balance between reliability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational state of the voice recognition module is made dynamic rather than static. It transitions between different operational states (normal operation, standby, power saving) based on user interaction and system requirements, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual needs while maintaining voice recognition capability when necessary.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the washing machine enters power saving mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience is decreased as voice commands cannot be recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by transitioning to standby mode before full operation mode when a wake-up word is detected. This intermediate state allows the system to prepare for voice commands without immediately consuming full power, thus balancing energy efficiency with user convenience by having the system ready to respond when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Standby mode acts as an intermediary state between power saving mode and full operation mode. It provides a middle ground where the system is partially active enough to recognize wake-up words and transition to operation mode, but not fully active enough to consume maximum power continuously, thus mediating between energy conservation and user convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the washing machine switches between power saving mode and operation mode frequently to handle voice commands, then voice control flexibility is improved, but system complexity and power management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing a structured sequence of mode transitions (power saving → standby → operation) triggered by specific conditions like wake-up word detection. This periodic pattern of state changes provides flexible voice control while managing complexity through predictable, rule-based transitions rather than ad-hoc mode switching.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine. The present washing machine comprises: a voice inputter; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: when a user voice is input via the voice inputter in a power saving mode of the washing machine, switch the washing machine to a standby mode on the basis of wake-up words included in the user voice; maintain the standby mode of the washing machine or switch the washing machine to an operation mode on the basis of control words included in the user voice; and execute operations corresponding to the control words in the standby mode or operation mode.