Voice Command Audio Sync Across Device Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building automation environments require customized setup and maintenance due to compatibility issues with different communications protocols, data storage formats, and hardware components, making them complex for average users to manage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that designates device sets for shared audio functionality among audio-enabled devices, allowing voice commands to control and synchronize audio content across multiple devices, regardless of their specific configurations, using speech recognition and distributed computing for instruction processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional building automation environments use different communications protocols and custom hardware components for each component, then each component can be controlled independently, but the system requires customized setup and maintenance that is complex for average users to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by introducing a standardized gateway device that can communicate with multiple different protocols and components through a single interface. The gateway serves multiple functions: protocol translation, device discovery, and centralized control, eliminating the need for separate customization for each component type.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the control system and various building components. It mediates communication by translating between different protocols, allowing components with different communications protocols to work together without requiring custom setup for each component.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized computing device controls multiple building components with different protocols and formats, then all components can be managed from one location, but the configuration must be specific to the particular environment and its components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes by dynamically adjusting communication parameters and configuration settings based on the detected environment. The gateway automatically adapts its configuration when discovering new devices, changing protocol parameters, and reconfiguring itself without requiring manual environment-specific setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway implements self-service by automatically discovering devices in the environment, detecting their protocols and capabilities, and configuring itself accordingly. This eliminates the need for manual environment-specific configuration while maintaining centralized control.
3Reliability
If traditional automation environments use environment-specific wiring and custom hardware components, then the system can be optimized for particular applications, but expert setup and maintenance is required that is beyond the capability of the average end user
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that shields users from complexity. It handles protocol translation and device-specific configurations internally, allowing average users to control optimized systems without needing expert knowledge of wiring or custom hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical wiring and hardware customization with software-based protocol translation and virtualization. The gateway uses software to simulate and translate between different protocols, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration and expert hardware knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
Audio content may be played on multiple audio-enabled devices via a voice command issued by a user. The voice command is received at a first audio-enabled device and processed, via speech recognition, to identify the audio content to be played and the target devices on which the audio content is to be played. In addition, the voice command can also indicate the time periods associated with the audio playback to provide synchronized playback. Device set information can be used to determine if the first audio-enabled device shares audio functionality with the target devices. If shared functionality is confirmed, one or more commands are sent to the respective target devices to instruct the corresponding playback of the audio content.