Voice Bridge for Smart Home Cross-Brand Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home devices face compatibility issues across different brands, requiring a solution for independent control of endpoint devices without reliance on specific personal assistant devices like Siri or Alexa.
Innovation Solution
A voice-orchestrated infrastructure system with a centralized hub that uses Wi-Fi networking to communicate with microphones and speakers embedded in rooms, allowing voice control of various devices like lights, thermostats, and appliances, independent of the service provider, utilizing a bridge device with MEMS microphones and ESP32 chip for voice recognition and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smart home devices use different personal assistant devices (Siri/Alexa/Nest) for control, then voice control functionality is provided, but compatibility issues arise across different brands and service providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge device as an intermediary between voice assistant services and smart home endpoint devices. The bridge includes a voice processor that receives voice commands from any personal assistant device (Siri, Alexa, Nest) and translates them into standardized control signals that can be executed by various endpoint devices regardless of their original service provider ecosystem. This mediator approach enables cross-brand compatibility without requiring each device to directly integrate with multiple voice assistants.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple voice assistant services simultaneously. It includes a service provider interface that can communicate with different personal assistant devices and a device interface that can control various types of endpoint devices (lights, thermostats, locks, appliances). This multi-functional design allows a single bridge to replace the need for multiple service-specific control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized hub system is implemented for unified control, then independence from personal assistant devices is achieved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the smart home control system into three distinct functional components: (1) voice processor in the bridge that handles voice recognition and command interpretation, (2) service provider interface that manages communication with personal assistant devices, and (3) device interface that controls endpoint devices. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall architecture by distributing functionality across modular elements rather than requiring a monolithic centralized hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device incorporates self-service capabilities through its integrated voice processor that can independently recognize and interpret voice commands without requiring external processing from personal assistant devices. The bridge autonomously translates voice commands into device-specific control signals and manages the communication protocol conversions, reducing dependency on external service providers while maintaining unified control.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an LED light with a replaceable module that is connected to an intelligent network. The replaceable module includes a driver element, communication element, and power storage such as a battery. The driver element has circuitry, such as printed circuit boards, which is uniform for mating with any connection component to provide electrical connection. The communication/control element includes communication with a voice orchestrated infrastructure and to Z-link capable systems, via a wireless network. The replaceable module fits inside the opening of a housing which includes a mount for electrical connection to standard electrical outlet. Zone control LED lighting is also provided which is likewise connected to the network for voice control.