Virtual Assistant Home Control for Multi-Device Voice Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and controlling a large number of remotely controlled home electronic devices becomes increasingly difficult due to the need to remember and select unique identifiers from lengthy lists within conventional software applications, and the requirement to use different software applications for devices from various manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A virtual assistant system that utilizes natural language processing to allow users to control electronic devices through voice commands, with a client-server model that identifies devices and commands based on textual representations of user inputs, and manages access to device data to accommodate different manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional software applications with unique identifiers are used to control each device, then device control capability is provided, but user operation complexity increases significantly when managing 40-50 devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of manually selecting device identifiers from graphical interfaces with voice-based natural language processing. Users speak commands like 'turn on the lights in the living room' instead of navigating through lists of 40-50 device identifiers, substituting manual selection with speech recognition and NLP interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a natural language processing intermediary layer between the user and the device control system. This intermediary translates spoken language into device-specific commands, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with device identifiers or manufacturer-specific applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manufacturer-specific software applications are used to support devices from different manufacturers, then device compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal natural language processing interface that can control devices from any manufacturer through a single system. Instead of requiring separate applications for each manufacturer, the NLP system interprets user intent and translates it into appropriate device commands, making one system serve multiple functions across different device ecosystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple manufacturer-specific control applications into a single unified natural language processing interface. By combining the functionality of numerous separate applications into one system that processes natural language and routes commands appropriately, the patent reduces system complexity while maintaining broad device compatibility.
3Measurement precision
If detailed unique identifiers are assigned to each device for precise control, then device identification accuracy is improved, but time to locate and select the correct device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual searching and selecting process with voice-based natural language commands. Instead of spending time locating device identifiers in graphical interfaces, users simply speak the desired action and context (e.g., 'turn on the bedroom lights'), and the NLP system accurately identifies the target device through language interpretation rather than manual selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of device information and user context before the actual control action is needed. By pre-processing natural language input and matching it with device contexts in advance, the system prepares the correct device identification ready for immediate execution, eliminating the time-consuming search process.
Data Source
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AI summary
This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to control electronic devices. In one example process, a user can speak an input in natural language form to a user device to control one or more electronic devices. The user device can transmit the user speech to a server to be converted into a textual representation. The server can identify the one or more electronic devices and appropriate commands to be performed by the one or more electronic devices based on the textual representation. The identified one or more devices and commands to be performed can be transmitted back to the user device, which can forward the commands to the appropriate one or more electronic devices for execution. In response to receiving the commands, the one or more electronic devices can perform the commands and transmit their current states to the user device.