Voice Remote Control with Audio Input for Set-Top Box
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media control systems for set-top boxes are limited in their ability to efficiently and intuitively control devices using voice commands, particularly in environments where visual input is difficult or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A voice-enabled media presentation system that includes a remote-control device with both audio input and multiple keys, wirelessly communicating with a set-top box to perform speech recognition on user commands and control the device accordingly, allowing for dual interaction modalities of voice and keypad input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional remote control with only keypad is used, then device control is achieved, but user interaction efficiency deteriorates in low-light conditions and for novice users
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device is enhanced with both audio input capability and keypad functionality, allowing it to serve multiple interaction purposes. The set-top box system accepts both voice commands and traditional keypad inputs, providing universal control methods that adapt to different user needs and environmental conditions without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical keypad-only interaction system with a dual-mode system that incorporates acoustic/voice recognition. Users can replace physical button presses with voice commands, particularly beneficial in low-light conditions where visual feedback is limited, thereby improving ease of operation without completely abandoning the traditional mechanical interface.
2Productivity
If voice recognition is added to remote control, then user interaction improves, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial voice recognition by focusing on recognizing specific predefined commands rather than attempting to interpret all possible speech. This selective approach reduces processing time and computational requirements while still providing significant productivity benefits for common control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device serves as an intermediary that captures voice input and transmits it to the set-top box for recognition and processing. This distributed architecture allows the remote to handle audio acquisition while the set-top box performs the computationally intensive speech recognition, optimizing the overall processing workflow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual input modes (voice and keypad) are provided, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device integrates multiple input modalities (audio input device and keypad) into a single universal controller. This allows the device to adapt to different user preferences and environmental conditions, providing flexibility in control methods while consolidating functionality in one device rather than requiring multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between voice recognition mode and keypad input mode based on user activation. The audio input device is activated only when needed (e.g., when a voice activation button is pressed), allowing the system to remain in its simpler keypad-only state during normal operation and transition to voice mode only when required, thus managing complexity dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments facilitate voice control of a receiving device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, a voice enabled media presentation system (“VEMPS”) includes a receiving device and a remote-control device having an audio input device. The VEMPS is configured to obtain audio data via the audio input device, the audio data received from a user and representing a spoken command to control the receiving device. The VEMPS is further configured to determine the spoken command by performing speech recognition on the obtained audio data, and to control the receiving device based on the determined command. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.