Voice-Controlled Sanitary Cell for Blind User Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
People with limited vision and blindness face challenges in orienting themselves within unfamiliar sanitary environments, and existing contactless technologies do not fully address the need for secure and intuitive operation of facilities without physical contact.
Innovation Solution
A public transport vehicle equipped with a sanitary cell featuring electrically or electronically actuated devices, microphones for voice signal detection, and a control unit that processes voice commands to operate these devices, along with loudspeakers for acoustic guidance, enabling voice-controlled operation and orientation without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touchless components like infrared sensors are used in sanitary areas, then hygiene is improved and ease of operation is enhanced, but the ability to feel for operating instructions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces voice commands as an intermediary between the user and the sanitary facility operations. Instead of direct tactile contact with buttons or sensors, users speak commands that are captured by microphones and processed by a control unit, which then actuates the desired functions. This mediator (voice recognition system) preserves the touchless hygiene benefit while providing alternative sensory feedback through audio responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical touch interfaces (buttons, switches, tactile sensors) with an acoustic field-based interface. Microphones capture voice signals and loudspeakers provide feedback, substituting the mechanical contact system with an acoustic communication system that maintains touchless operation while providing instructional guidance through sound rather than touch.
2Ease of operation
If Braille and raised pictograms are installed to help visually impaired users, then orientation is improved, but the solution becomes inaccessible to those who cannot read Braille
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal voice control system that serves multiple user groups simultaneously. The same voice recognition interface that helps visually impaired users navigate and operate facilities also assists non-disabled users who prefer touchless operation. The system adapts to different user needs without requiring separate infrastructure, making it versatile across different ability groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces tactile information systems (Braille, raised pictograms) with an acoustic information delivery system. Instead of relying on tactile or visual cues that exclude certain user groups, the system uses voice commands and audio feedback that are accessible to all users regardless of visual or tactile abilities, thereby increasing adaptability across different user populations.
3Ease of operation
If voice control systems are implemented in sanitary facilities, then ease of operation for visually impaired users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the voice control functionality into the existing sanitary facility control architecture, allowing the same control unit to handle both traditional operation modes and voice-activated commands. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic rather than adding separate dedicated systems, thereby managing complexity while providing enhanced accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voice recognition capabilities with the existing facility control system. The microphone, speech recognition module, and actuation logic are integrated into the current control infrastructure, combining multiple functions (voice input, signal processing, command interpretation, and device actuation) into a unified system that reduces overall complexity compared to separate standalone systems.
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 contactless and intuitive operation of sanitary facilities, enhancing usability for individuals with impaired vision by allowing voice-controlled activation of devices and acoustic guidance, ensuring secure and independent use of the sanitary cell.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microphone for capturing speech signals from a user and for converting this speech signal into a microphone signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a public transportation vehicle with a sanitary cell with at least one electrically or electronically actuatable device and at least one microphone for detecting speech signals of a user, wherein the vehicle has at least one control unit for processing microphone signals and for actuating the device on the basis of the microphone signals, and the control unit comprises a speech detection module which is suitably designed to analyze microphone signals and identify speech commands of the user. The invention additionally relates to a method for operating such a sanitary cell.