Voice Activated Camera With Keyword Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for remote photography, such as timers and remote controls, are inflexible and costly, and voice-activated systems are unreliable in noisy environments, failing to provide a convenient and effective way to take photographs without physical contact with the camera.

Innovation Solution

An image capture device equipped with a user input mechanism, a speech processing unit, and a keyword detection system that allows users to activate the shutter by speaking a predetermined keyword, with optional two-keyword verification to reduce erroneous detections, enabling remote photography without additional hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a timer is used for remote photograph taking, then the user can take photographs without physical contact with the camera, but the system becomes inflexible and requires the user to return to the camera to reset the timer for multiple shots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote photograph takingVSAvoidflexibility for multiple shots

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically resets the timer and returns to the listening state after each photograph is taken, eliminating the need for user intervention. The camera serves itself by automatically preparing for the next remote photograph without requiring the user to return to the camera controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by automatically cycling through the photograph sequence. After capturing an image, the system immediately prepares for the next shot by resetting the timer and returning to the keyword listening state, enabling continuous remote photographing without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of operation

If a remote control is provided for remote photograph taking, then the user can take photographs without relying on a timer, but the overall cost of the camera increases and the user must carry additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote photograph takingVSAvoidadditional remote control hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speech recognition system serves multiple functions: it acts as both the activation mechanism for remote photographing and the replacement for a traditional remote control. The microphone and processing unit are integrated into the camera, providing universal remote operation capability without requiring separate control devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the remote control functionality with the camera body by integrating the speech recognition system directly into the camera. The microphone, speech processing unit, and control logic are merged into a single device, eliminating the need for a separate remote control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If speech activation is used for remote photograph taking, then no remote control is required, but the system becomes unreliable in noisy situations where the keyword may not be detected or may be falsely detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice activationVSAvoidkeyword detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires the user to speak the keyword more than once to trigger a photograph. This excessive action requirement ensures that a single instance of noise or false detection does not accidentally trigger the shutter, while still allowing the legitimate user to easily trigger it by speaking the keyword twice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by providing an audible indication when a keyword is detected and the camera is ready to take a photograph. This feedback mechanism allows the user to verify that the system correctly interpreted their speech and is ready to capture the image, reducing false triggers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If a fixed timer period is used for remote photographs, then the camera can be set to take photographs automatically, but the user must wait for the predetermined period regardless of readiness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic photograph takingVSAvoiduser readiness timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the fixed timer with a dynamic, user-controlled timing mechanism. The user can adjust the delay period according to their needs, and the system adapts by waiting for the customized duration before capturing the photograph, allowing flexibility in timing while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7525575B2Voice activated image capture device and method

Publication Date: 2009.04.28 CANON EURPOPA NV

AI summary

An image capture device is described having a remote photograph mode in which images can be captured without physical contact with the device. The device is activated by the user speaking a keyword. The image capturing device is arranged so that after being initialized in the remote capture mode of operation, it enters a standby state for a period of time in which it is unresponsive to utterances and, after a period of time sets itself into a listening state in which it can capture images in response to detecting spoken keywords.