Voice Actuated Universal Remote Control Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of setting up and configuring universal remote controls is often demanding and frustrating for users, as it requires accessing printed manuals, codes, and sometimes lacks availability of personal computers or internet access near the appliances.
Innovation Solution
A controlling device equipped with voice input capabilities, using speech recognition to identify appliances and associate command data, allowing users to provide spoken brand and model information for setup and configuration, with processing options on the device, a local PC, a set-top box, or a Web server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users follow traditional setup methods using printed manuals and codes, then appliance configuration can be achieved, but the process becomes demanding and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of reading printed manuals and manually entering codes with a voice-based acoustic system. Users speak natural language commands to configure the universal remote, eliminating the need to physically search through manuals or type codes, thereby simplifying the setup process and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a speech recognition system as an intermediary between the user and the appliance configuration process. This mediator translates spoken words into device commands, bridging the gap between natural user communication and the technical configuration requirements, making the setup process more intuitive and less time-consuming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If personal computers or internet access are required for setup, then comprehensive configuration options are available, but availability is limited when near appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the universal remote to perform self-configuration through voice commands without requiring external systems like personal computers or internet access. The device autonomously processes spoken instructions to identify and configure appliances, providing setup flexibility at the location of the appliances while eliminating complex system requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the speech recognition and processing capabilities directly into the universal remote device itself, removing the dependency on external personal computers or internet infrastructure. This extraction allows the device to function independently for setup purposes, enhancing location flexibility while reducing system complexity requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A speech recognition engine is provided voice data indicative of at least a brand of a target appliance. The speech recognition engine uses the voice data indicative of at least a brand of the target appliance to identify within a library of codesets at least one codeset that is cross-referenced to the brand of the target appliance. The at least one codeset so identified is then caused to be provisioned to the controlling device for use in commanding functional operations of the target appliance.