Voice-Controlled Smart Home Interface for Multi-Device Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart-home devices from different manufacturers, operating on various cloud-based server systems, pose challenges for unified control due to varying capabilities and communication protocols, making it difficult for a single controller device to effectively manage multiple devices with a single input.
Innovation Solution
A smart-home controller device that communicates with cloud-based host server systems and allows for grouping of devices by location or function, enabling a single input to control multiple devices, and uses voice-based commands to generate a custom interface for controlling common functions across devices, regardless of their manufacturer or server system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single controller device attempts to control multiple smart-home devices from different manufacturers with varying capabilities and cloud-based server systems, then the versatility and adaptability of the control system is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server system that acts as an intermediary between the controller device and multiple smart-home devices from different manufacturers. The server handles device discovery, capability matching, and command routing, allowing the controller to manage diverse devices without direct complexity. The server translates between different device protocols and the controller's interface, resolving the contradiction by centralizing complexity in the cloud rather than in the controller device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller device is designed with a universal interface that can discover and control multiple types of smart-home devices through a standardized method. The system performs multiple functions including device discovery, capability analysis, interface generation, and command execution through a single unified application. This universality allows one controller to manage diverse devices without requiring device-specific applications or complex configuration by the user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single controller device attempts to control multiple smart-home devices from different manufacturers with varying capabilities and cloud-based server systems, then the versatility and adaptability of the control system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the difficulty of managing diverse devices
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is dynamically generated based on the capabilities and characteristics of the targeted devices. When a user selects multiple devices, the system automatically creates a customized control interface that presents only the common functions applicable to all selected devices. This dynamic adaptation allows users to easily control multiple diverse devices through a simplified interface that adjusts to the specific combination of devices being controlled, rather than presenting a static complex menu structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs device discovery, capability analysis, and interface generation without requiring user configuration or technical knowledge. When a user selects devices to control, the system autonomously identifies their common functions and generates an appropriate control interface. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually configure device parameters or understand technical differences between devices from different manufacturers.
3Ease of operation
If the system generates a custom interface based on vocal input to control common functions across multiple devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision and accuracy of device control may deteriorate due to voice recognition limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by presenting the interpreted vocal command and the resulting control actions to the user for confirmation. After processing the voice input, the system displays the identified common functions and the devices that will be affected, allowing the user to review and correct the interpretation if necessary. This feedback loop ensures that even if initial voice recognition has ambiguities, the user can verify and adjust the command before execution, maintaining both ease of operation and precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various arrangements for using captured voice to generate a custom interface controller are presented. A vocal recording from a user may be captured in which a spoken command and multiple smart-home devices are indicated. One or more common functions that map to the multiple smart-home devices may be determined. A custom interface controller may be generated that controls the one or more common functions of each smart-home device of the multiple smart-home devices.