Voice-Controlled Building Management System with AI Speech Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional building management systems, including fire alarm, security, and automation systems, lack interactive capabilities, making them less efficient for user interaction and emergency response, as they primarily rely on manual controls and limited communication methods.

Innovation Solution

Integration of speech and voice recognition technologies into building management systems, enabling devices to detect and process occupant speech for command execution and emergency situation detection, with AI subsystems for control and information services, and communication through both wired and wireless networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional manual controls and limited communication methods are used in building management systems, then system reliability is maintained through simple architecture, but user interaction efficiency and system responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical controls with voice-based acoustic controls. Users can issue commands through speech rather than physically interacting with panels or switches. The system incorporates microphones and speech recognition software to convert acoustic signals into control actions, eliminating the need for manual operation of traditional interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces speech recognition software and natural language processing intermediaries between the user and the building management system. These intermediaries translate spoken commands into system-readable instructions, enabling more efficient user interaction without requiring direct manipulation of system controls or complex interface navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If speech and voice recognition technologies are integrated into building management systems, then user interaction and system responsiveness are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the system with speech recognition capabilities, natural language processing rules, and predefined command templates during system installation and setup. Common building management tasks are pre-mapped to voice commands, allowing the system to respond immediately to user speech without requiring real-time complex decision-making or extensive processing during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If audio transducers are added to installed devices for speech detection, then emergency situation detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing audio transducers that serve multiple functions: normal operational speech commands for building system control and emergency situation detection. The same microphone and speech recognition infrastructure used for routine voice commands also detects emergency cries, alarms, or unusual acoustic patterns, eliminating the need for separate dedicated emergency detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If natural language processing and AI subsystems are implemented, then command execution accuracy and emergency response are improved, but processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand recognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by using selective speech processing strategies. The natural language processing system activates at different levels of intensity based on the situation: routine commands receive standard processing, while emergency-related keywords or phrases trigger enhanced processing with higher accuracy models. This approach maintains high recognition accuracy when needed while reducing processing energy consumption during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10558917B2Artificial intelligence and natural language processing based building and fire systems management system

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A system and method for detecting speech from occupants in a building management system is disclosed. Building management systems include fire alarm systems, building automation systems and security systems, in examples. Installed devices deployed within the building include audio transducers that detect speech from the occupants, and a management system panel processes the information from the installed devices and processes the detected speech from the occupants. In a fire alarm system, in one example, the fire alarm panel processes the detected speech from fire sensor devices and alarm notification devices as the installed devices. The fire alarm panel and/or its installed devices can identify commands from the detected speech for controlling and testing the fire alarm management system. In embodiments, Artificial Intelligence (AI) subsystems can be further added to the building management systems for control and information services.