Wall-Mounted Voice Assistant With Relay Mic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voice assistant devices for home automation suffer from limited audio reception range and spatial/untidiness issues due to multiple installations, and are vulnerable to remote eavesdropping attempts.
Innovation Solution
A voice assistance device with a wall-mounted design, featuring a microprocessor, microphone, loudspeaker, and a two-color signaling LED with a relay-controlled connection for secure audio reception, allowing for physical disconnection of the microphone and enabling secure operation modes, along with a WLAN interface for internet connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple voice assistant devices are installed in the same dwelling to overcome limited audio reception range, then audio reception coverage is improved, but space occupation and untidiness due to power cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the voice assistant device with an existing wall-mounted electrical box, merging two functions (voice assistance and electrical distribution) into a single installation location. This eliminates the need for separate freestanding devices and their associated power cables, thereby improving audio reception coverage without increasing space occupation or visual clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal space occupation (freestanding devices on surfaces) to vertical wall-mounted integration (within electrical boxes). This dimensional change allows multiple devices to be installed without increasing floor or surface area usage, as each device utilizes the vertical wall space where electrical boxes are already positioned.
2Ease of operation
If software-based microphone muting is implemented to prevent eavesdropping, then ease of operation is improved, but security against remote hacking attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the microphone from the main circuit board and provides it with a separate physical connection through a relay. This separation allows the microphone to be physically disconnected from the processing circuitry, creating a hardware-level security mechanism that cannot be compromised by software hacking, while still allowing easy software-controlled muting for normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the relay-controlled physical disconnection mechanism before any hacking attempt occurs. The microphone connection is designed to be severable through relay control, so that security measures are already in place and can be activated instantly via software command, rather than requiring post-breach remediation.
3Productivity
If the microphone is permanently connected to the processing circuitry for continuous operation, then device functionality is improved, but vulnerability to remote eavesdropping attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the microphone connection through a relay that can switch between connected and disconnected states. The microphone is not permanently fixed but can be dynamically connected when voice assistance is needed and disconnected when security is prioritized, allowing the system to adapt its functionality based on security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay acts as an intermediary component between the microphone and the processing circuitry. It mediates the connection, allowing signal transmission when needed while providing a secure disconnection point that prevents direct access to the microphone by external hackers, thus enabling both functionality and security.
Data Source
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AI summary
A voice assistance device (10) for home automation applications comprises a microphone (18) which is connected to a first amplifier (19), a loudspeaker (20) which is connected to a second amplifier (22), a communications interface (24) for connection to a data communications network, a microprocessor (12) which is programmed to sample the audio signal of the microphone (18) and transmit it, through the communications interface (24), over the data communications network for subsequent processing, as well as to receive audio streams from the data communications network in digital format, convert them to analog format, and play them on the loudspeaker (20), and an electric power supply module (28). The device (10) is enclosed in a box-like fixture (32) which can be inserted and retained in a module-supporting frame (34) for wall-mounted electrical boxes (36), and is provided with a power supply terminal strip (M2) for the connection of the electric power supply module (28) to a domestic mains electricity supply.