Voice-Controlled Device Docking for Multi-Appliance Command Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen and bathroom devices lack integrated communication and data sharing capabilities, limiting their ability to provide personalized services based on user-specific data and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system of intelligent kitchen and bathroom devices connected through a home hub communication device, allowing them to share data and provide customized services to users via voice commands, including appliances like smart mirrors, showers, toilets, and faucets, which can adjust settings and functions based on user identification and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If kitchen and bathroom devices operate independently without integrated communication, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but data sharing capabilities are limited and personalized services cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary layer that connects kitchen and bathroom devices. This mediator enables data sharing between devices without requiring direct complex point-to-point connections, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardized communication protocols and intermediate communication infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices collect and process user-specific data locally, then personalized services can be provided, but loss of information increases due to data silos
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network provides universal data sharing capabilities that allow user-specific data collected by one device to be accessed and utilized by multiple other devices. This multi-functional data exchange infrastructure enables personalized services across different device types while preventing information loss through centralized data availability.
3Productivity
If standardized data exchange protocols are implemented across all devices, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to standardization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct layers: local device processing, communication network transmission, and data exchange protocols. This segmentation allows standardized protocols to be implemented at the network layer without requiring complex standardization throughout the entire device architecture, thus improving communication efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A voice controlled device comprising: a housing; a dock configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances; a coupling mechanism configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances; a microphone configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance, wherein a command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.