METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AMBIENT SYSTEM COMTROL

• US 20140146644A1
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Chen, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,565,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/197
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/20 Speech recognition techniques specially adapted for robustness in adverse environments, e.g. in noise, of stress induced speech G10L21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/28 Constructional details of speech recognition systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/32 Multiple recognisers used in sequence or in parallel; Score combination systems therefor, e.g. voting systems

Abstract

Provided are methods and systems for ambient system control, comprising multiple detection devices with varying levels of detection capability. The methods and systems contemplate the use of both voice and gesture commands, as well as other inputs, for system control.

Claims

1. A method for ambient system control, comprising:

detecting a first signal from a source at a first detection device;

determining that the signal comprises a first command;

activating a second detection device proximate to the source, wherein the second detection device has less available power than the first detection device;

detecting a second signal from the source at the second detection device;

determining that the second signal comprises a second command; and

acting upon the second command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first detection device comprises a device configured for lower fidelity signal detection and processing relative to the second detection device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises an activation command.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first detection device is connected to a continuous power source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first detection device comprises a plurality of detection devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first signal comprises a first command comprises comparing the first signal to a set of activation commands.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein activating a second detection device proximate to the source comprises determining a device proximate to the source.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein activating a second detection device proximate to the source comprises causing the second detection device to exit a low power mode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein activating a second detection device proximate to the source comprises activating one or more of, a microphone, a motion sensor, or a camera in the second detection device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal comprises an action command.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second detection device is powered by battery power, solar power, wind power, intermittent power, shared power, or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second detection device comprises a plurality of devices.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second detection device is one or more of a remote control, a smartphone, a microphone, a camera, or a portable computer.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the second signal comprises a second command comprises analyzing the second signal at one or more of the first detection device, the second detection device, or a remote computing device.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein acting upon the second command comprises providing the second command to a target device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the second command to a target device comprises identifying a target device based one or more of the first or second command.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the target device comprises one or more of a TV, DVR, set top box, radio, thermostat, light source, security system, first detection device, or second detection device

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a first audio signal and the second signal comprises a second audio signal.

19. A method for ambient system control, comprising:

detecting a signal from a source at a first detection device;

determining that the signal comprises a command;

providing the signal to a second detection device;

translating, by the second detection device, the signal into a device instruction; and

providing the device instruction to a target device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the signal comprises one or more of an activation command and an action command.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the second detection device has less available power than the first detection device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first detection device comprises a device with lower fidelity relative to the second detection device.

23. A system for ambient system control, comprising:

a target device;

a first detection device, configured for receiving a command;

a second detection device, configured for remote activation and for receiving the command from the first device; and

a remote computing device, configured for,

receiving the command from the second detection device,

translating the command into a device instruction, and

providing the device instruction to the target device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the second detection device has less available power than the first detection device.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the first detection device comprises a device with lower fidelity relative to the second detection device.