Orientation-Activated Voice Remote for Noise-Resistant Search Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote controllers are inefficient for typing search strings on an onscreen keyboard, making it difficult and frustrating, especially in complex television systems, and there is a need for a more intuitive method to input voice commands.
Innovation Solution
A remote controller with a built-in highly directional microphone that activates when tilted into an upright position, allowing voice searches by turning on the microphone and bringing up the search window on the TV's OSD, while minimizing background noise through directionality and noise cancellation technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional remote controller is used to type search strings on an onscreen keyboard, then the device can control television systems, but the operation becomes difficult and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard-typing system with a voice recognition system. The microphone captures voice commands, and the processor converts speech to text input, eliminating the need for manual keyboard navigation and significantly reducing input time while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice recognition technology as an intermediary between the user and the television system. Instead of directly typing on the onscreen keyboard, the user speaks commands that are captured by the microphone and processed into text, serving as a mediator that simplifies the input process.
2Ease of operation
If a microphone is added to the remote controller for voice input, then voice commands can be captured, but background noise from the room and TV interferes with voice recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a highly directional microphone with a supercardioid or cardioid polar pattern that concentrates sensitivity in a specific direction (toward the user's mouth) while rejecting sound from other directions. This directional characteristic creates a localized pickup pattern that isolates the user's voice from ambient background noise and TV audio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent turns the challenging acoustic environment (presence of TV and room noise) into an advantage by using noise cancellation technology and directional pickup patterns that specifically target and isolate the user's voice while automatically filtering out competing sounds, effectively converting the noisy environment into a selective listening scenario.
3Ease of operation
If the microphone is always active, then voice commands can be captured at any time, but battery life is reduced and false activations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic microphone activation based on remote controller orientation. The microphone is enabled only when the remote is detected in a vertical or near-vertical position (within a specified angle threshold), and disabled when held horizontally or at other angles. This dynamic switching based on spatial orientation reduces unnecessary power consumption and prevents false activations while maintaining voice command availability when needed.
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
This solution provides a user-friendly voice search capability that effectively screens out room noise and TV volume, enhancing the user experience by allowing voice commands to be easily executed, applicable not only to TVs but also to other devices with OSDs like DVD players and game systems.
Implementation Method 1
a position detector that detects a spatial orientation of the remote controller
Implementation Method 2
A remote controller with a built-in highly directional microphone that activates when tilted into an upright position
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operation of a remote controller consistent with certain implementations involves determining a spatial orientation of the remote controller based upon an output signal from a position detector; and setting a voice mode of operation of the remote controller as active or inactive based upon the spatial orientation of the remote controller as determined by the position detector, where the voice mode determines whether or not the remote controller will accept and process voice information from a microphone. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.