Voice activated modular controller
First Claim
1. A wall-mounted modular controller comprising:
- a power unit configured to couple to a surface of a wall in an environment, the power unit comprising;
a terminal configured to couple to a power source; and
a first connector; and
a front unit configured to detachably couple to the power unit, the front unit comprising;
a second connector configured to couple to the first connector for power transfer;
a microphone array located closer to a first end of the front unit than a second end of the front unit, the second end being opposite to the first end;
at least one loudspeaker located closer to the second end than the first end;
a mechanical switch located between the microphone array and the at least one loudspeaker;
a wireless network interface;
one or more processors; and
one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising;
receiving, via the microphone array, an audio signal comprising a request for the wall-mounted modular controller to cause an external device in the environment to perform an action;
sending the audio signal to a remote computing device via the wireless network interface, the remote computing device being configured to perform speech processing to identify the external device and the action associated with the audio signal;
receiving, via the wireless network interface, a control signal corresponding to the action, the control signal comprising an identification of the external device; and
sending the control signal to the external device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular controller may be mounted in an opening, such as a standard single wide or double wide electrical junction box, in a wall or other surface. The modular controller may include a power module and a front module. The power module may be mounted in the opening of the surface, and may be configured to provide electrical power to the front module. The front module may be detachably coupleable to the power module. The front module may be configured to receive audio commands, gesture commands, and/or presence input corresponding to a desired action, and may cause the action to be performed by a device of the front module and/or an external device. The front module may include various devices (e.g., components) capable of providing various functionalities, and may be selected for coupling to a power module in a particular location based at least in part on the functionalities.
71 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A wall-mounted modular controller comprising:
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a power unit configured to couple to a surface of a wall in an environment, the power unit comprising; a terminal configured to couple to a power source; and a first connector; and a front unit configured to detachably couple to the power unit, the front unit comprising; a second connector configured to couple to the first connector for power transfer; a microphone array located closer to a first end of the front unit than a second end of the front unit, the second end being opposite to the first end; at least one loudspeaker located closer to the second end than the first end; a mechanical switch located between the microphone array and the at least one loudspeaker; a wireless network interface; one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising; receiving, via the microphone array, an audio signal comprising a request for the wall-mounted modular controller to cause an external device in the environment to perform an action; sending the audio signal to a remote computing device via the wireless network interface, the remote computing device being configured to perform speech processing to identify the external device and the action associated with the audio signal; receiving, via the wireless network interface, a control signal corresponding to the action, the control signal comprising an identification of the external device; and sending the control signal to the external device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device comprising:
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a power unit configured to couple to a surface in an environment and to couple to a power source, the power unit comprising; a first connector; and a first attachment mechanism; a wireless transceiver; and a front unit configured to detachably couple to the power unit, the front unit comprising; a second connector configured to couple to and receive power from the first connector; a second attachment mechanism configured to couple to the first attachment mechanism and engage the power unit and the front unit; a microphone array located closer to a top end of the front unit than a bottom end of the front unit, the microphone array configured to process an input comprising a command and to generate an audio signal comprising the command; at least one loudspeaker located closer to the bottom end of the front unit than the top end of the front unit, the at least one loudspeaker configured to output sound; and an interface configured to receive input, wherein at least a portion of the interface is located between the microphone array and the at least one loudspeaker. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a power unit; a wireless transceiver; a first front unit configured to detachably couple to the power unit, the first front unit comprising; a microphone array located closer to a top end of the first front unit than a bottom end of the first front unit; at least one loudspeaker located closer to the bottom end of the first front unit than the to end of the first front unit; and an interface located between the microphone array and the at least one loudspeaker, wherein the first front unit is configured to; detachably couple to the power unit; receive, using the microphone array, an input corresponding to a command; send, via the wireless transceiver, an audio signal comprising the command to a remote computing device configured to perform speech processing; receive information about an action and a device associated with the input; and send a control signal to the device, the control signal comprising an instruction to perform the action; and a second front unit positioned adjacent to the first front unit, the second front unit being separate from the first front unit and configured to detachably couple to the power unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification