Voice-Controlled Appliance Confirmation via Displayed Character Strings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling household appliances via voice input lack assurance that the operator is within sight of the appliance, potentially leading to unintentional activation of other devices due to proximity sensors or requiring additional manual confirmation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize voice input to control household appliances by generating and displaying a character string for confirmation, ensuring the operator is within sight, without the need for additional manual confirmation or sensor activation, using a sequence that can be randomly or pseudo-randomly generated to prevent unintended control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice input control is implemented without additional confirmation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential unintentional activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays a character string on the appliance screen that corresponds to the voice command, providing visual feedback to the operator. The operator must then speak the displayed character string for confirmation, creating a feedback loop that ensures intentional activation while maintaining voice-only control.
Solution Approach 2:
Before executing the voice command, the system performs a preliminary action by displaying the character string on the screen. This preliminary step requires the operator to verify and confirm the command by speaking the displayed string, preventing unintentional activation while keeping hands-free operation.
2Reliability
If proximity sensor is used for security option, then reliability is improved by ensuring operator visibility, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/proximity sensor-based security option with an acoustic voice recognition system. Instead of using sensors to detect operator presence, the system uses voice commands and visual display confirmation to ensure intentional operation, eliminating the need for additional sensor devices.
3Reliability
If manual confirmation button is used, then reliability is improved by confirming operator intent, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring hand usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button confirmation with an acoustic voice confirmation system. The operator speaks the displayed character string instead of pressing a button, maintaining reliable confirmation of intent while keeping both hands free for other tasks.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a function of a household appliance. The method comprises a reading step, a determining step, an output step, a receiving step, and a provision step. In the reading step, an acoustic input signal (130) is read, representing a command spoken by an operator to control the function of the household appliance (200). In the determining step, an identification string (135) is determined using the input signal (130) to confirm the command. In the output step, a display signal (140) is output to an interface (145) of a display device (150) of the household appliance. The display signal (140) is configured to cause the identification string (135) to be displayed by the display device (150).In the receive step, an acoustic confirmation signal (155) is received, representing an identification string (135) spoken by the operator. In the provide step, a control signal (160) is provided to control the function of the household appliance (200) if the spoken identification string received in the receive step corresponds to the identification string (135) determined in the determine step.