Voice Device Naming for Multi-Room Control and Role Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for interacting with computing devices through voice commands lack the ability to efficiently assign and manage functional identifiers such as names or roles, leading to suboptimal device control and functionality customization.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to associate functional identifiers with devices via voice commands, using a remote service for speech recognition and management, enabling enhanced device control and functionality based on predefined phrases and qualifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical or touch interfaces are used for device control, then device functionality can be accessed, but user interaction efficiency and ease of use deteriorate when devices are numerous or located in different rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interfaces (keyboards, mice, touch screens) with voice-based acoustic interaction. Users can control devices by speaking natural language commands, eliminating the need to physically navigate through device lists or menus. The voice command system processes acoustic signals to identify and control target devices, providing a more intuitive and efficient interaction method especially when devices are distributed throughout a home environment.
2Ease of operation
If voice commands are used for device interaction, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to efficiently assign and manage functional identifiers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating functional identifiers (names and roles) for devices before users need to interact with them. When a device is added to the network, the system proactively creates a default identifier and presents it to the user for confirmation or modification. This eliminates the need for users to manually create identifiers from scratch, significantly improving the efficiency of device management while maintaining voice-based interaction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically register themselves with the voice control system and generate their own functional identifiers. Devices can self-provision by announcing their presence and receiving automatically assigned names and roles, reducing the burden on users to manually configure each device. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while improving productivity in device management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices are connected throughout the home, then functionality and connectivity improve, but the complexity of identifying and controlling specific devices worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary voice command processing system that acts as a mediator between users and multiple connected devices. Instead of users directly interacting with individual devices, voice commands are transmitted to a central processing system that interprets the intent, identifies the target device based on contextual clues in the command, and routes the appropriate control signal. This intermediary layer simplifies device identification and control even as the number of connected devices increases throughout the home.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in voice commands to differentiate between devices. By analyzing specific parameters in the acoustic signal such as directionality, volume, and timing, the system can determine which device the user intends to control. Additionally, the system changes the parameter of device identifiers from technical addresses to natural language names, making device identification more intuitive and easier to operate as connectivity expands.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for naming devices via voice commands are described herein. For instance, a user may issue a voice command to a voice-controlled device stating, “you are the kitchen device”. Thereafter, the device may respond to voice commands directed, by name, to this device. For instance, the user may issue a voice command requesting to “play music on my kitchen device”. Given that the user has configured the device to respond to this name, the device may respond to the command by outputting the requested music.