Voice Assistant Environmental Sensor Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals using indoor air quality control devices lack feedback on the resultant indoor air quality, making it difficult to ensure a safer indoor living environment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilizes voice-activated assistants and environmental sensors to detect and report environmental parameters such as indoor air quality, smoke, and carbon monoxide levels by receiving requests from users, detecting their location, and conveying this information through audible or visual means on connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If environmental sensors are deployed to monitor indoor air quality, then measurement precision of environmental parameters is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and voice assistant integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines environmental sensing capabilities with voice assistant functionality into an integrated system. The voice assistant device incorporates environmental sensors directly, merging monitoring and interaction functions into a single unit, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity through consolidation rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The voice assistant device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a voice-activated assistant and an environmental monitoring station. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide comprehensive services (voice commands, information queries, and environmental monitoring) through a single device, addressing the need for precise environmental measurement without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Loss of information
If real-time environmental monitoring is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation and data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic environmental monitoring rather than truly continuous monitoring. Sensors take measurements at scheduled intervals, and the voice assistant can trigger additional measurements on-demand when users query environmental conditions. This periodic approach reduces energy consumption compared to constant monitoring while still providing timely environmental information feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time environmental feedback through voice responses and mobile app notifications when environmental conditions change or exceed thresholds. This feedback mechanism informs users about indoor air quality, temperature, and other parameters without requiring constant active monitoring, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining information availability
3Adaptability or versatility
If location detection is added to provide localized environmental data, then adaptability of the system is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional location sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's mobile device as an intermediary for location detection. Instead of embedding complex location sensors directly in the voice assistant, the mobile device's existing GPS and wireless capabilities serve as the location detection mechanism. The voice assistant receives location information from the mobile device and uses it to determine which environmental sensor data to retrieve and present, thereby achieving localized adaptability without significantly increasing the voice assistant's own complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring and reporting an environmental parameter, the method including receiving a request for the environmental parameter from a first individual using a voice activated assistant device; detecting a location of the first individual, the location including a room that the first individual is located in; detecting the environmental parameter using an environmental sensor nearest to the first individual; and conveying the environmental parameter to the first individual.