Voice Assistant Intercom Engine Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional intercom systems require costly and labor-intensive hard-wiring for end-to-end communication between intercom stations, which is not feasible for networked voice assistant devices in households or dwellings.
Innovation Solution
Enabling intercom communication between networked voice assistant devices using wireless voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) channels, allowing voice assistant devices to establish broadcast channels or targeted communication sessions without the need for in-home wiring, utilizing an intercom engine with components like environment detectors, command information extractors, and device map engines to manage communication requests and locate household members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intercom systems use hard-wiring for end-to-end communication, then communication reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wiring system with a network-based communication system. Voice assistant devices communicate through existing network infrastructure (WiFi, Ethernet) rather than requiring dedicated intercom wiring. The intercom engine processes voice commands and routes communications through network protocols, eliminating the need for physical intercom cables while maintaining reliable communication between devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables voice assistant devices to serve multiple functions: they act as both smart home control centers and intercom stations. The same device that controls lights and thermostats also handles intercom communications. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated intercom hardware and wiring infrastructure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hard-wiring is used for intercom communication, then communication stability is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical wiring installation with network-based communication setup. Devices connect to the existing home network through standard WiFi or Ethernet interfaces, which can be configured in minutes rather than requiring hours of electrical wiring work. The network infrastructure already provides stable connectivity, eliminating the need for new physical pathways.
3Ease of manufacture
If voice assistant devices use wireless network communication, then ease of installation is improved, but communication bandwidth may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication strategies where the system adapts transmission methods based on requirements. For bandwidth-intensive tasks like high-quality audio streaming, the system can switch to wired Ethernet connections. For lighter intercom communications, wireless WiFi suffices. This dynamic adaptation optimizes bandwidth usage while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to enable voice assistant device communication. An example apparatus includes an environment detector to receive a voice communication request associated with a target household member, the voice communication request to occur at an originating voice assistant device, a device map engine to query a location database to determine a match between one of a plurality of destination voice assistant devices and the target household member, a member discovery engine to transmit a location request to candidate ones of the plurality of destination voice assistant devices when the location database does not include a matching one of the plurality of destination voice assistant devices, and identify a voice signature of the target household member in response to the location request, the voice signature detected at one of the candidate ones of the plurality of destination voice assistant devices, and a broadcast engine to enable a communication session between the one of the candidate ones of the plurality of destination voice assistant devices and the originating voice assistant device.