Multi-Device Voice Input Coordination via Confidence Factors

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a smart home environment with multiple devices capable of responding to voice inputs, it is challenging to ensure that the intended device processes the command correctly, leading to conflicts where multiple devices may interpret the same voice command differently.

Innovation Solution

Devices coordinate by determining the location and volume of the voice input, calculating a confidence factor, and sharing this information to identify the device with the lowest distance and highest confidence as the target to act on the command, with policies to resolve conflicts such as random selection or considering user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are deployed in a smart home environment to respond to user inputs, then device coverage and responsiveness are improved, but device conflicts and command misinterpretation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coverageVSAvoidcommand accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Devices share information about detected user inputs with each other, creating a feedback loop that allows the system to determine which device should respond. The first device determines whether a second device is capable of responding to the same user input, and this information is used to resolve which device becomes the target device for executing the command.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism where devices communicate capability information to each other. This intermediary information exchange allows the system to resolve conflicts without requiring complex user intervention, automatically determining which device should handle the command based on shared capability data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If devices independently process user inputs without coordination, then response speed is improved, but command interpretation conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Devices perform preliminary determination of their capability to respond to user inputs before actual command execution. The first device determines in advance whether a second device is capable of responding to the same user input, allowing for proactive conflict resolution rather than reactive coordination after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If devices share information to resolve conflicts, then command accuracy is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand accuracyVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential capability information needed for conflict resolution, rather than sharing all device data. Devices determine and share specifically whether they are capable of responding to the user input, which is the minimum necessary information to resolve conflicts without excessive communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10257363B2Coordinating input on multiple local devices

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at a first device, a user input; determining, at the first device, a second device is capable of responding to the user input; resolving, using a processor, a target device from among the first device and the second device; and executing, using the target device, a command in response to the user input. Other aspects are described and claimed.