Voice Interface System for Drilling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling systems face complexity due to vast data volumes and numerous commands, making existing user interfaces cumbersome and inefficient for data entry and operation control.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a voice-based interface system using natural language processing (NLP) that monitors voice inputs during a training phase, associates them with manual inputs, and executes instructions during the operational phase, improving data entry, logging, and operation control by passively extracting relevant data from conversations and sensor readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional keyboard/mouse user interface is used for drilling system control, then the system can process vast data volumes and execute numerous commands, but the interface becomes cumbersome and inefficient for data entry and operation control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata entry efficiencyVSAvoidinterface usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard/mouse input system with a voice-based interface system. The voice interface captures spoken commands, processes them through natural language interpretation, and executes corresponding drilling operations. This substitution eliminates the need for manual keyboard typing and mouse navigation, significantly improving data entry efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through natural speech.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice interface system serves multiple functions: it captures voice commands, performs natural language processing, identifies intended operations, executes drilling commands, and logs activities. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for command input, data entry, and activity logging into a single unified interface, improving both productivity and usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If voice interface system is implemented using natural language processing, then data entry and operation control become faster and more efficient, but the system complexity increases due to training requirements and processing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation control speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary training before operational use. During the training phase, the voice interface system learns to associate specific voice commands with drilling operations by monitoring both voice inputs and corresponding manual inputs. This pre-training establishes a knowledge base that enables rapid command execution during operational phases, improving operation control speed while the training complexity is separated from the operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The voice interface system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors the results of voice command execution and uses this information to improve future command recognition and execution. The system tracks activity logs and refines its natural language processing based on actual usage patterns, allowing the complexity to be managed through iterative improvement rather than static system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If manual inputs are required for data entry and command execution, then the system maintains simplicity in interface design, but the time required for data logging and operation control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata logging timeVSAvoidautomatic data entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The voice interface system enables self-service data entry where the system automatically captures, processes, and logs data based on voice commands without requiring manual intervention for each data entry task. The system autonomously transcribes spoken commands, identifies the intended operations, executes the commands, and records the activities in logs, eliminating the time-consuming manual data entry process while maintaining appropriate levels of automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12020700B2Voice aware drilling control and reporting system
Publication Date: 2024.06.25 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP
  • US12020700B2 patent drawing
  • US12020700B2 patent drawing
  • US12020700B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for providing a voice interface system comprising: monitoring a first voice input during a training phase; monitoring manual inputs to a system during the monitoring the first voice input; storing training information associating the first voice input with the manual inputs; receiving a second voice input during an operational or runtime phase after the associating; identifying an instruction corresponding to the second voice input based on the training information; and executing the identified instruction.