Voice Control Hub for Multi-Device Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current speech recognition services can only process user inputs to execute simple tasks or control individual electronic devices, making it difficult to manage complex tasks or control multiple electronic apparatuses simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a touch screen, microphone, communication circuit, and processor that transmits user inputs to an external server to manage and coordinate the states of multiple external electronic devices, allowing for the execution of complex tasks across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If speech recognition service processes only simple user inputs, then processing simplicity is maintained, but task complexity and multi-device control capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask processing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user terminal and multiple external electronic devices. The server receives user inputs, determines execution sequences for multiple devices, and coordinates their operations. This mediator approach enables complex multi-device control without increasing the complexity of individual devices, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If speech recognition service controls only individual devices, then device control precision is maintained, but multi-device coordination capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-device control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary actions by determining the execution sequence of multiple external electronic devices before actual execution. It analyzes user inputs, identifies required devices, establishes their operation sequence, and prepares coordination instructions. This preliminary planning ensures that when devices execute commands, they do so in the correct sequence, maintaining control accuracy while enabling multi-device versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If speech recognition service processes restricted user inputs, then processing speed is maintained, but user interface flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface flexibilityVSAvoidinput processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the processing workflow into distinct phases: user input reception at the terminal, server-side analysis and sequence determination, and device execution. This segmentation allows the terminal to quickly capture user input without performing complex analysis, while the server handles the time-consuming sequence determination. The division of labor maintains fast user interface response while enabling flexible processing of complex multi-device control requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3635533B1Electronic apparatus for processing user utterance for controlling an external electronic apparatus and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3635533B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635533B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635533B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a touch screen display disposed inside the housing and exposed through a first portion of the housing, a microphone disposed inside the housing and exposed through a second portion of the housing, a communication circuit disposed inside the housing, a processor disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the touch screen display, the microphone, and the communication circuit, and a memory disposed in the housing and electrically connected with the processor.