Voice-Configured Universal Remote Control for Appliance Code Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal remote controls require manual input of appliance codes or brand information for setup, which is cumbersome and prone to errors, and lack efficient methods for customizing key functions based on user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A voice-activated system and method for configuring a controlling device that uses speech recognition to identify appliance brands and models from a library of codesets, allowing for automatic code selection and customization of key functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input of appliance codes or brand information is used for setup, then the controlling device can be configured to command appliances, but the setup process becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual input system with a voice recognition system. The microphone captures spoken appliance identifiers, and the speech-to-text conversion automatically populates the device database, eliminating the need for manual typing or code entry while reducing setup time and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration by automatically processing voice input to identify appliances and retrieve appropriate command codes. The controlling device autonomously completes the setup process without requiring user interaction with physical keyboards or code book lookup, thereby simplifying operation and reducing setup time.
2Reliability
If manual data entry is required for appliance identification, then accurate device configuration can be achieved, but user convenience is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Manual data entry is replaced with voice-based input and automatic speech-to-text conversion. The system captures spoken appliance identifiers through the microphone, processes them through speech recognition algorithms, and automatically matches them to the correct devices in the database, maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The speech-to-text conversion system acts as an intermediary between the user's voice input and the device configuration system. This intermediary automatically transcribes spoken identifiers, validates them against the appliance database, and retrieves the appropriate command codes, ensuring configuration accuracy without requiring manual data entry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If preprogrammed codes are used in the controlling device, then various appliance functions can be commanded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling device incorporates a universal database structure that can store and manage command codes for multiple appliance types and brands within a single device. The system uses a standardized interface for storing appliance identifiers and their associated command codes, enabling one device to control various appliances without requiring separate remote controls for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing comprehensive appliance identifier databases and command code sets within the controlling device. During setup, the voice-recognized appliance identifier is matched against this pre-stored database, and the corresponding command codes are automatically retrieved and configured, eliminating the need for real-time code generation or external lookup.
Data Source
AI summary
A speech recognition engine is provided voice data indicative of at least a brand of a target appliance. The speech recognition engine uses the voice data indicative of at least a brand of the target appliance to identify within a library of codesets at least one codeset that is cross-referenced to the brand of the target appliance. The at least one codeset so identified is then caused to be provisioned to the controlling device for use in commanding functional operations of the target appliance.