Wireless Speaker Gesture Control During High-Volume Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio devices with voice operation functions struggle to recognize user commands when output volume is high, requiring users to manually operate the device for instructions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating both voice and motion command recognition systems, utilizing a camera to detect user gestures alongside voice commands, allowing remote operation even at high audio volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the audio output volume is increased, then the audio playback performance is improved, but the voice command recognition accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output volumeVSAvoidvoice command recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the command recognition function into two independent segments: voice command recognition and motion command recognition. Each segment uses its own dedicated sensor (microphone for voice, camera for motion), allowing them to operate independently without interference. This segmentation enables the system to maintain both high audio output volume and accurate command recognition by processing voice and motion commands through separate channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal command recognition system that can accept multiple types of commands (voice and motion) through a single integrated control unit. The control unit is designed to process both voice commands and motion commands, making the system adaptable to different user preferences and usage scenarios. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high audio output while preserving command recognition accuracy through alternative input methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If voice command recognition is used, then remote operation without physical contact is achieved, but operation reliability deteriorates when audio volume is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operation convenienceVSAvoidcommand recognition reliability at high volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces motion command recognition as an intermediary mechanism that complements voice command recognition. When the audio output volume is high and voice recognition becomes unreliable, the motion recognition system acts as an intermediary alternative, allowing users to control the audio device through gestures detected by the camera. This intermediary approach maintains remote operation convenience while improving reliability under high-volume conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the operational parameters of the command recognition system based on audio output volume. When the volume is high, the system switches from relying primarily on voice commands to accepting motion commands as well. This parameter change in the command acceptance criteria allows the system to adapt to varying audio volumes while maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If only voice command recognition is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to high-volume conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to high audio volume conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges voice command recognition and motion command recognition into a single integrated control system. Both recognition functions share common components such as the control unit, processing architecture, and command execution mechanisms. This merging approach increases adaptability to high-volume conditions by providing multiple input methods while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through shared infrastructure and unified control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12436730B2Audio device
Publication Date: 2025.10.07 D & M HOLDINGS INC
  • US12436730B2 patent drawing
  • US12436730B2 patent drawing
  • US12436730B2 patent drawing

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an audio device with which remote operation is possible without using a remote controller, even during audio output. [Solution] A wireless speaker 1 is provided with a speech command recognizing unit 17 which subjects a speech signal input into a microphone 11 to speech recognition processing to recognize an utterance of a listener, and detects a speech commands of the listener from the recognition result, and is additionally provided with; a motion command recognizing unit 18 which subjects a video signal captured by a camera 12 to motion recognition processing to recognize a gesture of the listener, and detects a motion command of the listener from the recognition result; and a main control unit 20 which implements various types of control of the wireless speaker 1 on the basis of the speech command recognized by the speech command recognizing unit 17 and the motion command recognized by the motion command recognizing unit 18.