This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to control electronic devices. In one example process, a user can speak an input in natural language form to a user device to control one or more electronic devices. The user device can transmit the user speech to a server to be converted into a textual representation. The server can identify the one or more electronic devices and appropriate commands to be performed by the one or more electronic devices based on the textual representation. The identified one or more devices and commands to be performed can be transmitted back to the user device, which can forward the commands to the appropriate one or more electronic devices for execution. In response to receiving the commands, the one or more electronic devices can perform the commands and transmit their current states to the user device.

Embodiments of this application disclose an intelligent electric appliance and a control method. The intelligent electric appliance includes: a first controller, where the first controller is configured to: receive a first instruction of a user, and convert the first instruction into a second instruction; and a second controller, where the second controller is connected to the first controller by using a communication interface. The first controller is further configured to send the second instruction to the second controller by using the communication interface, where the second controller is configured to control, based on the second instruction, the intelligent electric appliance to run. The first controller is configured to be independently upgraded when the intelligent electric appliance is connected to a network.

Apparatus and method for controlling and/or monitoring a technical installation for producing and/or processing metal, having an assistant program with at least one interface for connection to application programs, wherein the assistant program receives a request for an item of information relating to the installation from at least one requesting application program via the interface, wherein the assistant program can access a data model that provides a suggestion of which information can be provided by at least one further application program. The assistant program determining, based on the request and on the data model, which application program can provide the requested information, wherein the assistant program transmits the request to the at least one determined application program which can provide the requested information, wherein the assistant program receives a response from the determined application program, and wherein the assistant program outputs the received response to the requesting application program.

Disclosed is a method for managing an industrial production line, including at least one processing station and one monitoring station that is connected to the at least one processing station. The method includes: sending a radiofrequency signal from the monitoring station to a communication peripheral; then—sending a corresponding sound signal using the communication peripheral. The sound signal is dedicated to an operator to which the peripheral is assigned. The transmitted information is specific to the communication peripheral. Also disclosed is a corresponding device and facility.

A system and method are provided for facilitating hands free and precise movement, translation and repositioning of a movable mechanical apparatus, including an operating room lighting system, mounted to a mechanically-movable base component including, for example, an articulable or articulated robotic-type arm, according to user input pointing commands, including laser or other like pointing commands initiated by a user. The user provides hands free designation of a point of focus with a pointing device. A sensor associated with the movable mechanical apparatus automatically detects the designated point of focus and a processor determines and executes a scheme of movement for moving the movable mechanical apparatus from a current position to a position proximate to the designated point of focus. A collision avoidance scheme is also provided for safety and to alert the user as to the presence of any impediment in the determined scheme of movement.

This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to control electronic devices. In one example process, a user can speak an input in natural language form to a user device to control one or more electronic devices. The user device can transmit the user speech to a server to be converted into a textual representation. The server can identify the one or more electronic devices and appropriate commands to be performed by the one or more electronic devices based on the textual representation. The identified one or more devices and commands to be performed can be transmitted back to the user device, which can forward the commands to the appropriate one or more electronic devices for execution. In response to receiving the commands, the one or more electronic devices can perform the commands and transmit their current states to the user device.

The present disclosure discloses a method of controlling a plurality of electronic devices including steps of (a) collecting a voice by the plurality of electronic devices, (b) extracting a voice command based on information on the collected voice by each of the plurality of electronic devices, (c) determining one of the plurality of electronic devices collecting the voice as a master and the other of the plurality of electronic devices collecting the voice as a slave, (d) determining a target electronic device of the voice command through analyzing the voice command by the master, and (e) transmitting the voice command to the target electronic device by the master.

A method for detecting air-conditioning instructions, a control device and an air-conditioning system are provided. According to the method, first position information of a preset user relative to an indoor unit is acquired, second position information of the preset user relative to a line control device of the indoor unit according to the first position information is determined, and detection parameters of a voice module in the line control device according to the second position information is determined. The control device has a memory and a processor. The memory stores an air-conditioning instruction detection program. The program is executable by the processor to implement the method. The air-conditioning system has the control device.

A system includes a piece of equipment and an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) associated with a first worker. The PPE establishes a communications channel between the article of PPE and the piece of industrial equipment, receives status information from the piece of industrial equipment via the communications channel, notifies the worker via the PPE of the status information received from the piece of industrial equipment, receives a response from the worker via the PPE, and transmits to the piece of industrial equipment, via the communications channel and based on the response, commands that cause a change in operation of the piece of industrial equipment.

Provided is a method for using an intelligent industrial assistant. The method may include receiving package data comprising at least one dialogue template. A natural language input may be received from a user. At least a portion of the natural language input may be mapped to a first dialogue template of the at least one dialogue template. At least one command may be determined based on the first dialogue template. Command data associated with the at least one command may be communicated. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.