Voice-Guided Facility Component Control Using Location Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large facilities like commercial buildings, warehouses, or refineries, commissioning, maintenance, testing, and inspection of HVAC and other components are time-consuming and difficult due to the need for manual navigation and identification of specific components by technicians.
Innovation Solution
A voice control system using a computing device with a processor and automatic speech recognition engine that determines location context information to associate voice commands with specific facility components, allowing for quicker and more accurate control of HVAC and other systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual navigation and identification of components is used, then technicians can perform commissioning and maintenance tasks, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult in large facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical navigation and visual identification with an automated voice-based system. The speech recognition engine automatically identifies components and provides navigation instructions, substituting the manual mechanical process of walking through facilities and visually locating equipment with an automated acoustic field-based system that guides technicians remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voice command interface and speech recognition engine as an intermediary between the technician and the facility components. This intermediary system translates voice commands into automated actions, including component identification, location determination, and navigation guidance, eliminating the need for direct manual interaction with each component.
2Ease of operation
If technicians physically visit each component location, then they can perform inspection and maintenance, but the complexity of navigation in large facilities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical navigation through large facilities with automated voice-guided navigation. The system determines the user's location, identifies the path to target components, and provides step-by-step directional instructions through the acoustic field, eliminating the need for technicians to mentally map and physically navigate complex facility layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the navigation system to serve itself by automatically determining user location, calculating optimal paths, and providing guidance without requiring external assistance. The system autonomously manages the entire navigation process from location tracking to directional instruction delivery.
3Ease of operation
If traditional computing devices are carried throughout the facility, then technicians can access component information, but the portability and ease of use are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical burden of carrying and operating traditional computing devices with an acoustic field-based information delivery system. Information about components, including operational status and maintenance requirements, is transmitted through voice commands and acoustic signals, eliminating the need for technicians to physically carry and interact with heavy computing equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for voice control of components of a facility are described herein. One computing device apparatus includes a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a voice command or voice query from a user, determine location context information associated with the computing device, and determine which component or components of the facility are associated with the voice command or voice query based, at least in part, on the location context information associated with the computing device.