Voice-Based Smart Home Appliance Commissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in smart home appliance networking lies in efficiently adding new components to the infrastructure without requiring additional devices with displays and keypads, making it difficult for users without technical expertise to commission new devices, especially for those with visual impairments or disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method for commissioning smart home appliances using interactive voice operations, where the smart home system or appliance detects the need for commissioning and guides the user through configuration using voice recognition and voice output, potentially assisted by traditional input devices, eliminating the need for special software or devices with displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional commissioning methods using devices with display and keypad are used, then configuration can be performed, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keypads, displays, buttons) with voice-based acoustic interaction for commissioning smart home appliances. The control unit captures voice inputs, processes them through voice recognition, and executes corresponding configuration commands, thereby eliminating the need for additional commissioning devices with physical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voice recognition system as an intermediary between the user and the smart home appliance commissioning process. The control unit acts as a mediator that converts spoken commands into configuration parameters, bridging the gap between natural human communication and technical system configuration without requiring direct interaction with complex interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If additional commissioning devices are provided, then configuration capability is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the smart home appliance's own control unit to perform dual functions: both normal operation control and commissioning configuration. The existing control unit, speaker, and microphone are repurposed to handle voice-based commissioning, eliminating the need for separate commissioning devices and reducing the total number of components required in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the commissioning functionality into the appliance's existing control structure by integrating voice recognition processing within the control unit. The commissioning process is combined with the appliance's normal operation system, allowing a single device to serve both commissioning and operational functions without requiring additional hardware.
3Ease of operation
If voice-based commissioning is implemented, then accessibility for users with visual impairments is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the control unit continuously monitor and capture voice inputs during the commissioning process, and by pre-processing voice commands as they are received. The system is prepared to immediately execute configuration actions upon voice recognition, reducing delays and accelerating the overall commissioning time while maintaining voice-based accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control unit provides real-time voice or display confirmation of received commands and current configuration status. This immediate feedback loop allows users to verify that their voice inputs are being correctly interpreted and processed, enabling faster correction of misinterpretations and reducing overall commissioning time through efficient iterative interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for commissioning a smart home appliance, having the following features: detecting that the smart home appliance is due to be commissioned; configuring the smart home appliance in an interactive voice operation with a user of the smart home system; and adding the smart home appliance to the smart home system. The disclosure also provides a corresponding device, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding storage medium.