Voice Lighting Controller Using Sound Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voice-controlled lighting systems struggle with accurately interpreting unclear or incomplete voice commands, leading to incorrect control of lighting devices.
Innovation Solution
A controller that uses a receiver and localization module to determine the user's location based on sound input from multiple microphones, allowing for precise control of associated light sources without requiring explicit room or area identification, and includes features like learning modes and user profile recognition for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice commands are used to control lighting devices, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when commands are unclear or incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sound localization technology as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the lighting control system. By using multiple microphones to determine the direction and distance of the sound source, the system creates a spatial intermediary that bridges the gap between ambiguous voice commands and specific lighting devices. This allows the system to automatically identify which lights the user intends to control based on their physical location relative to the light sources, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If explicit room or area identification is required in voice commands, then reliability of control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically determining the user's location and identifying the relevant lighting devices without requiring the user to explicitly specify room or area information. The sound localization module autonomously performs the task of identifying which lights are closest to the user, and the processor automatically selects the appropriate devices based on this spatial information. This eliminates the need for users to manually identify areas while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/linguistic system of explicitly naming rooms or areas with an acoustic spatial system. Instead of requiring users to verbally identify locations (mechanical/linguistic approach), the system uses sound propagation characteristics and microophone arrays to automatically determine spatial relationships. This substitution of the control mechanism maintains reliability through precise spatial identification while dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple microphones are used for sound input, then measurement precision of user location is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lighting control system into distinct functional modules: sound input modules (multiple microphones), sound localization module, and lighting control module. Each microphone acts as an independent segment that captures sound from specific directions, and the localization module processes signals from these segmented sources to determine user position. This modular segmentation enables precise location measurement while managing device complexity through organized functional decomposition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a more accurate and user-friendly voice-controlled lighting system by automatically determining the intended light sources based on user location and voice commands, reducing the need for explicit area or device identification and enabling personalized lighting control.
Implementation Method 1
determine a user location of the user relative to the plurality of microphones based on differences between the sound input received at different microphones of the plurality of microphones
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller 102, 202 for controlling a plurality of light sources is disclosed. The controller 102, 202 comprises a receiver 106, 206 configured to receive a sound input from a plurality of microphones, the sound input being a user input from a user, a localization module 108, 208 configured to determine a user location of the user relative to the plurality of microphones based on differences between the sound input received at different microphones of the plurality of microphones, and a processor 110, 210 configured to receive location information indicative of locations of the plurality of light sources, determine which one or more light sources of the plurality of light sources are associated with the user location based on the location information, and control the one or more light sources based on the sound input.