Voice Detection System and Method for Detecting and Processing Audio Commands

Abstract

The present invention relates to a voice detection system and method for detecting and processing audio commands. Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatuses for a voice detector. The voice detector may provide a microphone and an audio processor. The microphone may provide an active signal generator configured to generate an active signal. The active signal may indicate when the signal level of the detected audio is above or below a threshold level having a first state and a second state. The active signal may block activity at the microphone I / O interface and may block activity at the internal logic of the audio processor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a voice detection system and method for detecting and processing audio commands. Background Art

[0002] Many audio products have voice command functions to operate the products by voice. In conventional audio products, a microphone and an audio processor continuously listen for voices to detect commands. These products integrate an "always-on" voice detection system as part of the product. However, the "always-on" voice detection system continuously consumes power. These systems have continuous activity at the microphone I / O interface and continuous activity in the internal logic of the audio processor. A conventional audio processor needs to continuously listen for voices to detect commands, and it must continuously process voice data from the microphone, which consumes power. This power consumption shortens the battery life. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a voice detection system and method for detecting and processing audio commands.

[0004] Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatuses for a voice detector. The voice detector may provide a microphone and an audio processor. The microphone may provide an activation signal generator configured to generate an activation signal. The activation signal may indicate when the signal level of the detected audio is above or below a threshold level having a first state and a second state. The activation signal may block activity at the microphone I / O interface and may block activity in the internal logic of the audio processor.

[0005] The technical problem solved by the present invention is that conventional voice detection systems have continuous activity at the microphone I / O interface and continuous activity in the internal logic of the audio processor, which consumes power and shortens the battery life.

[0006] According to one aspect, a voice detection system includes: a microphone configured to: receive a voice command; compare the voice command with a threshold; and generate a signal, where the signal includes: a first state when the voice command is greater than the threshold; and a second state when the voice command is less than the threshold; and an audio processor coupled to the microphone, including: a sound data controller configured to: when the signal is in the first state, write data from the voice command to a memory; and when the signal is in the second state, block writing data from the voice command to the memory.

[0007] In one embodiment, the microphone includes: a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold; and a threshold comparator coupled to the threshold generator.

[0008] In one embodiment, the threshold generator can be reprogrammed by at least one of a user of the voice detection system and an external device connected to the audio processor.

[0009] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes: a command detector coupled to the memory and configured to generate a processed voice command corresponding to a voice command represented in the data stored in the memory.

[0010] In one embodiment, the microphone further includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the voice command into a digital voice command.

[0011] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes a clock controller configured to transmit an external clock signal to the microphone, wherein: the clock controller is active when the signal is in a first state and inactive when the signal is in a second state; and when the external clock signal is inactive, the external clock signal prevents the microphone from transmitting a voice command.

[0012] According to another aspect, a method for detecting and processing an audio command includes: generating an analog signal using a microphone in response to the audio command; generating a threshold; comparing the analog signal with the threshold; generating a digital signal based on the comparison of the analog signal and the threshold; transmitting the digital signal to the audio processor; and controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal, including: storing data representing the audio command in the memory according to the digital signal; and preventing the data representing the audio command from being stored in the memory according to the digital signal.

[0013] In one embodiment, controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal further includes: performing audio command detection using a signal processor according to the digital signal; and preventing audio command detection using a signal processor according to the digital signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, storing data in the memory according to the digital signal includes enabling a controller when the digital signal is "high"; and preventing the data from being stored in the memory according to the digital signal includes disabling the controller when the digital signal is "low".

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further includes generating an external clock signal based on: the digital signal; and an internal clock signal; and transmitting the external clock signal to the microphone, wherein the external clock signal controls the operation mode of the microphone.

[0016] The technical effect achieved by the present invention is to provide a system with voice command detection that selectively blocks activities at the microphone I / O interface and the internal logic of the audio processor, thereby conserving power and extending battery life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] When considered in conjunction with the following exemplary drawings, the present technology can be more fully understood with reference to the detailed description. In the following drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements and steps throughout the various figures.

[0018] Figure 1 An audio system according to various embodiments of the present technology is representatively shown;

[0019] Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram of an analog activation signal generator according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram showing exemplary activation signal generation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0021] Figure 4 is a simplified block diagram of a digital activation signal generator according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0022] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a microphone according to a first embodiment of the present technology;

[0023] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a microphone according to a second embodiment of the present technology;

[0024] Figure 7 is a diagram showing voice command signal modulation according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0025] Figure 8 is a signal diagram showing the relationship between microphone signals according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0026] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an audio processor according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0027] Figure 10 is a signal diagram showing the relationship between audio processor signals according to an exemplary application of the present technology;

[0028] Figure 11 is a block diagram of an audio system according to a first embodiment of the present technology;

[0029] Figure 12 is a block diagram of an audio system according to a second embodiment of the present technology;

[0030] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a clock generator according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0031] Figure 14 is a signal diagram showing various clock signals and activation signals according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0032] Figure 15 is a signal diagram showing the relationship between audio processor signals according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0033] Figure 16 is a block diagram of an alternative audio processor according to various embodiments of the present technology;

[0034] Figure 17 is a block diagram of an audio system according to a third embodiment of the present technology; and

[0035] Figure 18 is a block diagram of an audio system according to a fourth embodiment of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be implemented by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve various results. For example, the present technology may employ various sensors, memories, signal generators, comparators, amplifiers, signal converters, controllers, clocks, processors, filters, transistors, resistive elements, switching devices, etc. that can perform multiple functions. Additionally, the present technology may be implemented in conjunction with any number of electronic systems such as motor vehicles, aviation, "smart devices", portable devices, speakers, headphones, and consumer electronics, and the systems described are merely exemplary applications of the present technology.

[0037] A method and apparatus for a voice detector according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable electronic system. For example, and referring to Figure 1 , an exemplary audio system 100 may include a microphone 110, an audio processor 120, and an external device 130. According to an exemplary embodiment, the microphone 110 may be coupled to the audio processor 120 and the audio processor 120 may be coupled to the external device 130.

[0038] The microphone 110 can detect an original voice command from a user and generate a voice command signal in a consumer device that enables voice commands. Such consumer devices can include earbuds, headphones, mobile phones, televisions, TV remote controllers, smart speakers, tablets, and personal computers. The audio processor 120 can receive the voice command signal from the microphone 110 and generate a processed voice command corresponding to the original voice command detected by the microphone 110. The audio processor 120 can be embedded in the same voice-command-enabled user device as the microphone 110, or the audio processor can be within a separate voice-command-enabled consumer device.

[0039] In one example, a user can speak an original voice command to a mobile phone. The mobile phone can include an integrated circuit that includes both the microphone 110 and the audio processor 120.

[0040] In another example, a user can speak an original voice command to a mobile phone to “disable my WiFi at 10 am”. The mobile phone can include a microphone 110 and a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting the voice command signal to a personal computer. The personal computer can include a transceiver (not shown) for receiving the voice command signal and an audio processor 120. Then, the audio processor 120 can store and process the voice command signal and generate a system command to transmit a WiFi disable signal to the WiFi router at 10 am.

[0041] The audio processor 120 can also be coupled to an external device 130. The external device 130 can be integrated in a variety of electronic devices that perform various functions in accordance with the processed voice command received from the audio processor 120. Such electronic devices can include earbuds, headphones, speakers, personal computers, laptops, tablets, televisions, speakers, robotic devices, motor vehicles, aerospace vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, or satellites. The external device 130 can receive the processed voice command from the audio processor 120 and thus respond to the voice command.

[0042] In one example, a user can speak an original voice command to a smart TV remote controller to “play music from my heavy rock playlist”. The smart TV remote controller can include a microphone 110 and a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting the voice command signal to the smart TV. The smart TV can include an audio processor 120 and an external device 130. Then, the audio processor 120 can store and process the voice command signal and generate a system command to open an application and start playing music from a playlist titled “heavy rock” that is transmitted to the speakers.

[0043] In various embodiments, and now referring to Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 17 and Figure 18 , the microphone 110 converts acoustic energy into electrical energy. For example, the microphone 110 may include a sensor 210, an analog-to-digital converter 240, and an activation signal generator 225(A / B), such as a first activation signal generator 225(A) or a second activation signal generator 225(B).

[0044] In various embodiments, the sensor 210 may detect audio using any known audio sensing method and generate a corresponding audio signal. For example, the sensor 210 may include a diaphragm that vibrates in response to sound waves or a coil that changes a magnetic field in response to sound waves. The sensor 210 may sense an original voice command issued by a user and generate an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to the original voice command.

[0045] The analog-to-digital converter 240 may convert an analog signal into a digital signal using any known analog-to-digital conversion process. Such processes may include direct conversion, successive approximation conversion, flash comparison conversion, Wilkinson conversion, integral conversion, Δ-encoding conversion, pipelined conversion, Σ-Δ conversion, time-interleaved analog-to-digital conversion, etc. The input of the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to the output of the sensor 210. In some embodiments, the output of the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to an AND gate 250. In other embodiments, the output of the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to the AND gate 250 and the second activation signal generator 225(B). In other embodiments, the output of the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to a sound data write controller 730. In other embodiments, the output of the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to the sound data write controller 730 and the second activation signal generator 225(B). The analog-to-digital converter 240 may convert the analog voice command signal DATAr-a received from the sensor 210 into a digital voice command signal DATAr-d.

[0046] The activation signal generator 225(A / B) may include a threshold generator 220(A / B) (such as a first threshold generator 220(A) and a second threshold generator 220(B)), and a comparator 230(A / B) (such as a first comparator 230(A) and a second comparator 230(B)). According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 210 may be coupled to the analog-to-digital converter 240. In some embodiments, and referring to Figure 5 , the sensor 210 may be coupled to the first activation signal generator 225(A). In other embodiments, and referring to Figure 6 , the analog-to-digital converter 240 may be coupled to the second activation signal generator 225(B). In some embodiments, and referring to Figure 5and Figure 6 , the analog - to - digital converter 240 and the activation signal generator 225(A / B) can be coupled to the AND gate 250, and the AND gate 250 and the activation signal generator 225(A / B) can be coupled to the output of the microphone 110. In other embodiments, and referring to Figure 17 and Figure 18 , the analog - to - digital converter 240 and the activation signal generator 225(A / B) can be coupled to the output of the microphone 110 without being coupled to the AND gate 250.

[0047] In some embodiments, and referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 11 and Figure 17 , the first activation signal generator 225(A) can be configured to compare the analog voice command signal DATAr - a with the threshold signal THRESH in the analog domain. The first activation signal generator 225(A) can also be configured to generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE that has a first state indicating when the analog voice command signal DATAr - a is greater than the threshold signal THRESH and a second state indicating when the analog voice command signal DATAr - a is less than the threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage. In other embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage. In an embodiment where the first state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, the second state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the ACTIVE signal is coupled to the input of the AND gate 250, a digital inverter (not shown) can be coupled between the ACTIVE signal and the AND gate 250.

[0048] In other embodiments, and referring to Figure 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 12 and Figure 18, the second activation signal generator 225(B) can be configured to compare the digital voice command signal DATAr-d with the threshold signal THRESH in the digital domain. The second activation signal generator 225(B) can also be configured to generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE that has a first state indicating when the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is greater than the threshold signal THRESH and a second state indicating when the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is less than the threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage. In other embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage. In an embodiment where the first state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage and the second state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage and the ACTIVE signal is coupled to the input of the AND gate 250, a digital inverter (not shown) can be coupled between the ACTIVE signal and the AND gate 250.

[0049] In various embodiments, and now referring to Figure 2 , the first activation signal generator 225(A) can generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE that indicates when the audio detected by the microphone 110 is a voice command. The digital activation signal ACTIVE can achieve this by operating in a first state when the detected audio is a voice command and in a second state when there is a gap between words in the detected voice command or a gap between voice commands. In some embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage. In other embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage. In an embodiment where the first state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage and the second state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage and the ACTIVE signal is coupled to the input of the AND gate 250, a digital inverter (not shown) can be coupled between the ACTIVE signal and the AND gate 250.

[0050] In various embodiments, and referring to Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 11 and Figure 17, the first activation signal generator 225(A) may include a first threshold generator 220(A) coupled to a first comparator 230(A). The first threshold generator 220(A) may generate an analog signal. The first threshold generator 220(A) may generate a threshold signal THRESH by a signal generator or by loading a threshold signal from an analog memory (not shown). The first comparator 230(A) may compare two analog signals and generate a digital signal having a first state and a second state, where each state corresponds to the result of the comparison. The first comparator 230(A) may be configured to receive an analog voice command signal DATAr-a from the sensor 210 and a threshold signal THRESH from the first threshold generator 220(A). Then, the first comparator 230(A) may generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE that has a first state indicating when the voice command signal DATAr-a is greater than the threshold signal THRESH and a second state indicating when the analog voice command signal DATAr-a is less than the threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the first state may be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the second state may be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage. In other embodiments, the first state may be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, and the second state may be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage. In embodiments where the first state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage and the second state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage and the ACTIVE signal is coupled to an input of an AND gate 250, a digital inverter (not shown) may be coupled between the ACTIVE signal and the AND gate 250.

[0051] Now referring to Figure 3 , when the analog voice command signal DATAr-a becomes greater than an exemplary constant threshold signal THRESH, the digital activation signal ACTIVE may switch from a second state (e.g., low voltage) to a first state (e.g., high voltage). When the analog voice command signal DATAr-a becomes lower than the exemplary constant threshold signal THRESH, the digital activation signal ACTIVE may switch from the first state to the second state. In other embodiments, the first state of the digital activation signal ACTIVE may be a low voltage and the second state of the digital activation signal ACTIVE may be a high voltage.

[0052] Alternatively, the threshold signal THRESH may vary with respect to time, frequency, or both time and frequency. In various embodiments, the threshold signal THRESH may be configured once. In other embodiments, the hardware or software may reconfigure the first threshold generator 220(A) to generate a new threshold signal THRESH. For example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer, fabricator, or end user may use a software interface on a computer or mobile application to reconfigure the threshold signal THRESH. In other embodiments, the hardware may reconfigure the threshold signal THRESH in response to other system parameters or signals.

[0053] In some embodiments, and referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the activation signal generator 225(A / B) may transmit a digital activation signal ACTIVE to the sound data write controller 730 and the AND gate 250. In other embodiments, and referring to Figure 17 and Figure 18 , the activation signal generator 225(A / B) may transmit a digital activation signal to the sound data write controller 730 and the clock controller 720.

[0054] In various embodiments, and referring to Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 11 and Figure 17 , the first threshold generator 220(A) may include any known analog signal generator, such as a function generator, an arbitrary waveform generator, a radio frequency signal generator, and a microwave signal generator. In these embodiments, the analog signal generator may generate the threshold signal THRESH. In other embodiments, the first threshold generator 220(A) may include any known analog memory, such as a mechanically orbited carbon random access memory, a floating gate cell, a storage capacitor, a resistive random access memory, and a phase change memory. In this case, the analog memory may store and load the threshold signal THRESH. The first threshold generator 220(A) may be coupled to the first comparator 230(A). The first threshold generator 220(A) and the first comparator 230(A) may together form the first activation signal generator 225(A). The first activation signal generator 225(A) may be embedded in the microphone 110.

[0055] In various embodiments, the first comparator 230(A) may be configured to receive an analog voice command signal DATAr-a and a threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the first comparator 230(A) compares the signal levels of the analog voice command signal DATAr-a and the threshold signal THRESH, regardless of frequency. In other embodiments, the first comparator 230(A) may also be frequency-dependent, such that the first comparator 230(A) compares the signal levels of the analog voice command signal DATAr-a and the threshold signal THRESH, where these signal levels vary with frequency.

[0056] For example, in some embodiments, the threshold signal THRESH may be configured as a higher signal level at a specific frequency to effectively prevent an analog voice command DATAr-a corresponding to an original voice command made at an audio frequency that is too high or too low for the vocal cords of an average person from triggering a change in the state of the digital activation signal ACTIVE. In other embodiments, the threshold signal THRESH may be configured as a lower signal level at a specific frequency to effectively allow an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to an original voice command made at an audio frequency that is too high or too low for the vocal cords of an average person but that matches the audio frequency of a user with a naturally higher or lower pitch or a user with vocal cord dysfunction.

[0057] The sensor 210 output and the first threshold generator 220(A) output may be coupled to the first comparator 230(A) input. In some embodiments, the first comparator 230(A) output may be coupled to the sound data write controller 730 and the AND gate 250. In other embodiments, the first comparator 230 output may be coupled to the sound data write controller 730 and the clock controller 720.

[0058] In various embodiments, now referring to Figure 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 12 and Figure 18 ,the second activation signal generator 225(B) may include a second threshold generator 220(B) coupled to the second comparator 230(B) and operating in the digital domain. The second threshold generator 220(B) may generate a digital signal. The second threshold generator 220(B) may generate the threshold signal THRESH by a signal generator or by loading a signal from a digital memory (not shown).

[0059] The second comparator 230(B) can compare two digital signals and generate a digital signal having a first state and a second state, where each state corresponds to the result of the comparison. The second comparator 230(B) can be configured to receive a digital voice command signal DATAr-d from the analog-to-digital converter 240 and a threshold signal THRESH from the second threshold generator 220(B). Then, the second comparator 230(B) can generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE, which has a first state indicating when the digital voice command data DATAr-a is greater than the threshold signal THRESH and a second state indicating when the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is less than the threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage. In other embodiments, the first state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage, and the second state can be represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage. In an embodiment where the first state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a low voltage and the second state is represented by the digital activation signal ACTIVE being at a high voltage and the ACTIVE signal is coupled to an input of the AND gate 250, a digital inverter (not shown) can be coupled between the ACTIVE signal and the AND gate 250.

[0060] In various embodiments, the second threshold generator 220(B) can include any known digital signal generator, such as a function generator, a vector signal generator, and a digital pattern generator. In this case, the second threshold generator 220(B) can generate the threshold signal THRESH. In other embodiments, the second threshold generator 220(B) can include any known digital memory, such as flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, and cache memory. In this case, the digital memory can store and load the threshold signal THRESH.

[0061] In various embodiments, the second comparator 230(B) may be configured to receive a digital voice command signal DATAr-d and a threshold signal THRESH. In some embodiments, the second comparator 230(B) directly compares the signal levels of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d and the threshold signal THRESH. In other embodiments, the second comparator 230(B) may compare frequency-dependent raw voice commands. For example, the second comparator 230(B) may compare the signal levels of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d and the threshold signal THRESH, where the threshold signal THRESH varies with respect to the corresponding raw voice command frequency. The digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponds to a raw voice command and includes audio volume and audio frequency. The second comparator 230(B) may compare segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to different frequencies with segments of the threshold signal THRESH corresponding to matching frequencies.

[0062] In various embodiments, the threshold signal THRESH may be set to a higher signal level at segments corresponding to a specific frequency to effectively prevent a change in the state of the digital activation signal ACTIVE from being triggered by segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to raw voice commands made at audio frequencies that are too high or too low for the vocal cords of an average person. In other embodiments, the threshold signal THRESH may be configured to a lower signal level at segments corresponding to a specific frequency to effectively allow a change in the state of the digital activation signal ACTIVE to be triggered by segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to raw voice commands made at audio frequencies that are too high or too low for the vocal cords of an average person but that match the audio frequencies of users with naturally high or low pitches or with vocal cord dysfunctions.

[0063] In various embodiments, now referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the microphone 110 may further include an AND gate 250. The AND gate 250 may perform a logical AND between two digital signals. The analog-to-digital converter 240 and the activation signal generator 225(A / B) may both be coupled to the AND gate 250.

[0064] Now referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8, AND gate 250 can transform the digital voice command signal DATAr-d into a cleaned voice command signal DATAc by performing a logical AND between the digital voice command signal DATAr-d and the digital activation signal ACTIVE. The cleaned voice command signal DATAc and the digital activation signal ACTIVE can be generated at the output of microphone 110. The cleaned voice command signal DATAc can have low-power zero signals instead of higher-power signals in segments corresponding to the gaps between words in the voice command. Embodiments of the present technology can save power by transmitting low-power zero signals instead of segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the gaps between words.

[0065] In various embodiments, now referring to Figure 9 , the audio processor 120 can include a sound data write controller 730, a memory 740, and a command detector 750. The audio processor 120 can process the voice command signal to detect the original voice command corresponding to the voice command signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sound data write controller 730 can be coupled to the memory 740, and the memory 740 can be coupled to the command detector 750. The sound data write controller 730 can selectively allow data (corresponding to the voice command signal) to be written to the memory 740 and block the writing of data (corresponding to the voice command signal) to the memory 740. The memory 740 can store the data written by the sound data controller 730 and load the data to the command detector 750. The command detector 750 can perform digital signal processing functions on the data loaded from the memory 740 to detect the voice command (corresponding to the original voice command) detected by the sensor 210.

[0066] In some embodiments, now referring to Figure 16 , the audio processor 120 can further include an internal clock 710 and a clock controller 720. The output of the internal clock 710 can be coupled to the input of the clock controller 720. The clock controller 720 can also be coupled to the input of the microphone 110 and the output of the microphone 110.

[0067] In various embodiments, now referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10, the voice data writing controller 730 may be configured to write voice command data DATA into the memory 740. In an exemplary embodiment, the voice data writing controller 730 may receive the cleaned voice command signal DATAc and the digital activation signal ACTIVE from the output of the microphone 110. The voice data writing controller 730 may also be configured to write the voice command data DATA from the cleaned voice command signal DATAc into the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a first state, and to prevent the writing of the voice command data DATA into the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a second state. In other words, the voice data writing controller 730 operates according to the activation signal ACTIVE such that in one state (e.g., the first state), the activation signal ACTIVE activates the voice data writing controller 730, and in the remaining state (e.g., the second state), the activation signal ACTIVE keeps the voice writing controller 730 in a sleep mode.

[0068] The voice command data DATA written into the memory 740 may include segments corresponding to the words in the original voice command in the cleaned voice command signal DATAc, while segments corresponding to the gaps between the words in the original voice command in the cleaned voice command signal DATAc are prevented from being written into the voice command data DATA. Embodiments of the present technology may save power by stopping the activities in the internal logic of the audio processor 120 when storing, loading, or processing data corresponding to the gaps between words. In this way, the voice command data DATA written into the memory 740 is written continuously, without gaps between data segments.

[0069] In various embodiments, the memory 740 may include any suitable digital memory, such as flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, and cache memory, etc. The memory 740 may be configured to store the voice command data DATA written by the voice data writing controller 730. The memory 740 may also be configured to load the voice command data DATA to the command detector 750.

[0070] In various embodiments, the command detector 750 may be configured to implement any suitable process for voice activity detection and may include any known digital signal processor. The command detector 750 may be configured to retrieve from or otherwise receive voice command data DATA from the memory 740 and perform a voice activity detection process to determine what voice command (e.g., "play music") the voice command data DATA represents. The command detector 750 may also be configured to generate a processed voice command. In some embodiments, the command detector 750 may be configured to transmit the processed voice command to an external device 130. The external device 130 may be configured to respond based on the received processed voice command and perform a corresponding process.

[0071] In various embodiments, the AND gate 250 may generate cleaned voice command data DATAc. In other embodiments, the AND gate 250 and its function may be replaced by an external clock signal CLKo transmitted to the microphone 110.

[0072] In various embodiments, and referring to Figure 13 、 Figure 14 and Figure 16 In various embodiments, the internal clock 710 may be coupled to the clock controller 720. The internal clock 710 may generate an internal clock signal CLKi that alternates between a high voltage and a low voltage at a frequency determined by the device specifications. The internal clock 710 may alternate at any frequency that can be generated. The internal clock 710 may be configured to generate the internal clock signal CLKi and transmit the internal clock signal CLKi to the clock controller 720. The internal clock 710 may include any suitable circuitry and / or circuits for generating an electronic clock signal.

[0073] In various embodiments, the clock controller 720 may be coupled to the microphone 110 input and the microphone 110 output. The clock controller 720 may receive the internal clock signal CLKi and transmit an external clock signal CLKo that is selectively deactivated to a clock inactive state and reactivated to a clock active state. The clock controller 720 may be configured to receive the internal clock signal CLKi from the internal clock 710 and a digital activation signal ACTIVE from the microphone 110.

[0074] The clock controller 720 can also be configured to transform an internal clock signal CLKi into an external clock signal CLKo by deactivating the internal clock signal CLKi to a clock-inactive state when a digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a second state and reactivating the internal clock signal CLKi to a clock-active state when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a first state. The clock controller 720 can include any suitable circuitry for activating and deactivating the internal clock signal CLKi to generate the external clock signal CLKo.

[0075] In some embodiments, when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is high, and when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is low. The clock controller 720 can include a second AND gate (not shown) to perform a logical AND of the digital activation signal ACTIVE and the internal clock signal CLKi. In other embodiments, the digital activation signal ACTIVE can control a switch (not shown) that closes when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and opens when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state. In these other embodiments, when the switch is closed, the internal clock signal CLKi is in a clock-active state, and when the switch is open, the internal clock signal CLKi is in a clock-inactive state.

[0076] In various embodiments, the external clock signal CLKo can be transmitted from the clock controller 720 to the microphone 110. The microphone 110 can be configured to transmit a digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock-active state and to block the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock-inactive state.

[0077] Now refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16, the microphone 110 can transmit data from the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is in the clock active state (e.g., "high"), and leave a gap during the period when the external clock signal CLKo is in the clock inactive state (e.g., "low"). The actually transmitted data part from the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is represented by DATAt. DATAt only shows the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d that are blocked from being transmitted to the audio processor 120 and the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d that are actually transmitted to the audio processor 120 and can correspond to the cleaned voice command signal DATAc. Since the external clock signal CLKo allows the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is in the clock active state (e.g., "high") and blocks the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is in the clock inactive state (e.g., "low"), power can be saved by only transmitting the data corresponding to the words in the voice command rather than the data corresponding to the gaps between the words (e.g., signal noise data).

[0078] In various embodiments, the present technology can generate the digital activation signal ACTIVE in the analog domain or the digital domain, and can use the AND gate 250 to clean the digital voice command signal DATAr-d or can use the external clock signal CLKo to control the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d by the microphone 110.

[0079] In the first embodiment, now refer to Figure 11 , the microphone 110 can generate the digital activation signal ACTIVE in the analog domain using the first activation signal generator 225(A) and clean the digital voice command signal DATAr-d using the AND gate 250.

[0080] In the second embodiment, now refer to Figure 12 , the microphone 110 can generate the digital activation signal ACTIVE in the digital domain using the second activation signal generator 225(B) and clean the digital voice command signal DATAr-d using the AND gate 250.

[0081] In the third embodiment, now refer to Figure 17 , the microphone 110 can generate the digital activation signal ACTIVE in the analog domain using the first activation signal generator 225(A) and the external clock signal CLKo can control the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d by the microphone 110.

[0082] In some embodiments, when the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock deactivated state (e.g., "low"), the external clock signal CLKo may prevent the microphone 110 from transmitting the digital voice command signal DATAr-d. When the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock activated state (e.g., "high"), the external clock signal CLKo may enable the microphone 110 to transmit the digital voice command signal DATAr-d. The external clock signal CLKo may perform this microphone 110 transmission prevention and microphone 110 transmission enabling using various control devices within the microphone 110.

[0083] In some embodiments, the voice command signal DATAc cleared by the microphone 110 may pass through a buffer (not shown). In other embodiments, the digital voice command signal DATAr-d of the microphone 110 may pass through a buffer. When the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock activated state, the external clock signal CLKo may enable the buffer, and when the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock deactivated state, the external clock signal CLKo may disable the buffer. In other embodiments, the voice command signal DATAc cleared by the microphone 110 may pass through a switch (not shown). In other embodiments, the digital voice command signal DATAr-d of the microphone 110 may pass through a switch. When the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock deactivated state, the external clock signal CLKo may open the switch, and when the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock activated state, the external clock signal CLKo may close the switch.

[0084] In a fourth embodiment, now refer to Figure 18 , the microphone 110 may generate a digital activation signal ACTIVE in the digital domain using a second activation signal generator 225(B) and the external clock signal CLKo may control the microphone 110 transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d.

[0085] In operation, and refer to Figure 11 , the first threshold generator 220(A) and the first comparator 230(A) operate in the analog domain, and the AND gate 250 is used to clear the digital voice command signal DATAr-d before transmission to create the transmitted cleared voice command signal DATAc. The original voice command is detected by the sensor 210. Then, the sensor 210 generates an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to the original voice command.

[0086] A first threshold generator 220(A) generates a threshold signal THRESH in the analog domain. A first comparator 230(A) compares the threshold signal THRESH and an analog voice command signal DATAr-a in the analog domain and generates a digital activation signal ACTIVE. The digital activation signal ACTIVE can be in one of two states. The first state corresponds to the analog voice command signal DATAr-a being greater than the threshold signal THRESH. The second state corresponds to the analog voice command signal DATAr-a being less than the threshold signal THRESH. In various embodiments, when the analog voice command signal DATAr-a is equal to the threshold signal THRESH, the digital activation signal ACTIVE can be configured to be in the first state or the second state.

[0087] An analog-to-digital converter 240 converts the analog voice command signal DATAr-a into a digital voice command signal DATAr-d. An AND gate 250 performs a logical AND operation on the digital voice command signal DATAr-d and the digital activation signal ACTIVE to create a cleaned voice command signal DATAc, where segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to gaps between words in the original voice command are reduced to zero. The cleaned voice command signal DATAc is transmitted to a sound data write controller 730.

[0088] The sound data write controller 730 is configured to allow data to be written to a memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and to block data from being written to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state. When a segment of the cleaned voice command signal DATAc corresponding to a word in the original voice command is received, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and data is written to the memory 740. When a segment of the cleaned voice command signal DATAc corresponding to a gap between words in the original voice command is received (the AND gate 250 has cleared it), the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state and data writing to the memory 740 will be blocked, essentially waiting for the next word in the voice command to allow writing again.

[0089] In the case where the sound data write controller 730 only writes segments of the cleaned voice command signal DATAc corresponding to words in the original voice command, the memory 740 stores voice command data DATA. A command detector 750 processes the voice command data DATA to determine what command the one or more words stored in the memory 740 corresponding to the voice command DATA correspond to. Then, the command detector 750 can transmit the processed voice command to an external device 130. The processed voice command includes machine instructions for the external device 130 that correspond to the voice command issued by one or more words in the original voice command.

[0090] In an alternative operation, and referring to Figure 12 , the second threshold generator 220(B) and the second comparator 230(B) operate in the digital domain, and the AND gate 250 is used to clean up the digital voice command signal DATAr-d before transmission to create the transmitted cleaned voice command signal DATAc. The original voice command is detected by the sensor 210. Then, the sensor 210 generates an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to the original voice command.

[0091] The analog-to-digital converter 240 converts the analog voice command signal DATAr-a into a digital voice command signal DATAr-d. The second threshold generator 220(B) generates a threshold signal THRESH in the digital domain. The second comparator 230(B) compares the threshold signal THRESH and the digital voice command signal DATAr-d in the digital domain and generates a digital activation signal ACTIVE. The digital activation signal ACTIVE can be in one of two states. The first state corresponds to the digital voice command signal DATAr-d being greater than the threshold signal THRESH. The second state corresponds to the digital voice command signal DATAr-d being less than the threshold signal THRESH. When the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is equal to the threshold signal THRESH, various embodiments can configure the digital activation signal ACTIVE to be in the first state or the second state.

[0092] The AND gate 250 performs a logical AND operation on the digital voice command signal DATAr-d and the digital activation signal ACTIVE to create the cleaned voice command signal DATAc, where the section of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the gaps between the words in the original voice command is reduced to zero. The cleaned voice command signal DATAc is transmitted to the sound data write controller 730.

[0093] The sound data write controller 730 is configured to allow data to be written to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and to block data writing to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state. When a segment of the cleaned voice command signal DATAc corresponding to a word in the original voice command is received, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and data is written to the memory 740. When a segment of the cleaned voice command signal DATAc corresponding to the gap between words in the original voice command is received (the AND gate 250 has cleared it), the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state and data writing to the memory 740 will be blocked, essentially waiting for the next word in the voice command to allow writing again, as if the digital activation signal ACTIVE will be in the first state again.

[0094] In a case where the voice data writing controller 730 writes only segments corresponding to words in the original voice command of the sanitized voice command signal DATAc, the memory 740 stores the voice command data DATA. The command detector 750 processes the voice command data DATA to determine what command the one or more words of the voice command DATA stored in the memory 740 correspond to. Then, the command detector 750 may transmit the processed voice command to the external device 130. The processed voice command includes machine instructions for the external device 130, and these machine instructions correspond to the voice command issued by one or more words in the original voice command.

[0095] In yet another alternative operation, and referring to Figure 17 , the first threshold generator 220(A) and the first comparator 230(A) operate in the analog domain, and the external clock signal CLKo prevents the microphone 110 from transmitting segments corresponding to the gaps between words in the voice command. The original voice command is detected by the sensor 210. Then, the sensor 210 generates an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to the original voice command.

[0096] The first threshold generator 220(A) generates a threshold signal THRESH in the analog domain. The first comparator 230(A) compares the threshold signal THRESH and the analog voice command signal DATAr-a in the analog domain and generates a digital activation signal ACTIVE. The digital activation signal ACTIVE can be in one of two states. The first state corresponds to the analog voice command signal DATAr-a being greater than the threshold signal THRESH. The second state corresponds to the analog voice command signal DATAr-a being less than the threshold signal THRESH. When the analog voice command signal DATAr-a is equal to the threshold signal THRESH, various embodiments may configure the digital activation signal ACTIVE to be in the first state or the second state.

[0097] The internal clock 710 generates an internal clock signal CLKi. The clock controller 720 receives the internal clock signal CLKi and the digital activation signal ACTIVE. The clock controller 720 generates an external clock signal CLKo based on the internal clock signal CLKi and the digital activation signal ACTIVE. When the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a first state corresponding to a word in the original voice command, the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock active state. When the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a second state corresponding to a gap between words in the original voice command, the external clock signal CLKo is in a clock inactive state. The external clock signal CLKo remains in the clock inactive state until the digital activation signal ACTIVE is again in the first state, which reactivates CLKo to the clock active state. The external clock signal CLKo is transmitted to the microphone 110.

[0098] The analog-to-digital converter 240 converts the analog voice command signal DATAr-a into a digital voice command signal DATAr-d. The microphone 110 allows the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is active and blocks the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is inactive. Thus, the microphone 110 transmits only the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the words in the original voice command to the sound data write controller 730.

[0099] The sound data write controller 730 is configured to allow writing data to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state and to block writing data to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state. When receiving the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the words in the original voice command, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state, and the sound data write controller 730 writes the voice command data DATA to the memory 740. When the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the gaps between words in the original voice command occur, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state and will block writing data to the memory 740, essentially waiting for the next word in the voice command to allow writing again.

[0100] In a case where the voice data writing controller 730 writes only segments corresponding to words in the original voice command of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d, the memory 740 stores the voice command data DATA. The command detector 750 processes the voice command data DATA to determine what command the one or more words of the voice command DATA stored in the memory 740 correspond to. Then, the command detector 750 may transmit the processed voice command to the external device 130. The processed voice command includes machine instructions for the external device 130, and these machine instructions correspond to the voice command issued by one or more words in the original voice command.

[0101] In yet another alternative operation, and referring to Figure 18 , the second threshold generator 220(B) and the second comparator 230(B) operate in the digital domain, and the external clock signal CLKo prevents the microphone 110 from transmitting segments corresponding to the gaps between words in the voice command. The original voice command is detected by the sensor 210. Then, the sensor 210 generates an analog voice command signal DATAr-a corresponding to the original voice command.

[0102] The analog-to-digital converter 240 converts the analog voice command signal DATAr-a into a digital voice command signal DATAr-d. The second threshold generator 220(B) generates a threshold signal THRESH in the digital domain. The second comparator 230(B) compares the threshold signal THRESH and the digital voice command signal DATAr-d in the digital domain and generates a digital activation signal ACTIVE. The digital activation signal ACTIVE can be in one of two states. The first state corresponds to the digital voice command signal DATAr-d being greater than the threshold signal THRESH. The second state corresponds to the digital voice command signal DATAr-d being less than the threshold signal THRESH. When the digital voice command signal DATAr-d is equal to the threshold signal THRESH, various embodiments may configure the digital activation signal ACTIVE to be in the first state or the second state.

[0103] The internal clock 710 generates an internal clock signal CLKi. The clock controller 720 receives the internal clock signal CLKi and the digital activation signal ACTIVE. The clock controller 720 generates an external clock signal CLKo based on the internal clock signal CLKi and the digital activation signal ACTIVE. The external clock signal CLKo is activated when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a first state corresponding to a word in the original voice command. The external clock signal CLKo is deactivated when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in a second state corresponding to a gap between words in the original voice command. The external clock signal CLKo remains deactivated until the digital activation signal ACTIVE is again in the first state, which reactivates CLKo.

[0104] The microphone 110 allows the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is activated, and blocks the transmission of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d when the external clock signal CLKo is deactivated. Thus, the microphone 110 transmits only the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the words in the original voice command to the sound data write controller 730.

[0105] The sound data write controller 730 is configured to allow writing data to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state, and to block writing data to the memory 740 when the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state. When receiving the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the words in the original voice command, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the first state, and the sound data write controller 730 writes the voice command data DATA to the memory 740. When the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the gaps between words in the original voice command occur, the digital activation signal ACTIVE is in the second state and blocks writing data to the memory 740, substantially waiting for the next word in the voice command to allow writing again.

[0106] In the case where the sound data write controller 730 writes only the segments of the digital voice command signal DATAr-d corresponding to the words in the original voice command, the memory 740 stores the voice command data DATA. The command detector 750 processes the voice command data DATA to determine what command the one or more words of the voice command DATA stored in the memory 740 correspond to. Then, the command detector 750 may transmit the processed voice command to the external device 130. The processed voice command includes machine instructions for the external device 130, and these machine instructions correspond to the voice command issued by one or more words in the original voice command.

[0107] In the foregoing description, the technology has been described in connection with specific exemplary embodiments. The shown and described specific embodiments are used to illustrate the technology and its best mode, and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology in any other way. In fact, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the methods and systems may not be described in detail. Additionally, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or steps between the various elements. In an actual system, there may be multiple alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections.

[0108] The technology has been described in connection with specific exemplary embodiments. However, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the technology. The description and the drawings are considered in an exemplary rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the general embodiments described and their legal equivalents, rather than solely by the specific examples set forth above. For example, unless otherwise expressly stated, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment can be performed in any order and are not limited to the specific order provided in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and / or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment can be assembled in a variety of arrangements or otherwise operationally configured to produce substantially the same result as the technology, and are thus not limited to the specific configurations set forth in the specific examples.

[0109] The beneficial effects, other advantages, and problem solutions have been described above with respect to specific embodiments. However, any beneficial effect, advantage, problem solution, or any element that may cause any specific beneficial effect, advantage, or solution to occur or become more apparent should not be construed as a key, required, or necessary feature or component.

[0110] The term "comprising," "including," or any variant thereof is intended to refer to non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those listed elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and / or modifications of the foregoing structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may vary or be otherwise specially adapted to the particular environment, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operational requirements without departing from its general principles.

[0111] The technology has been described above in connection with exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the technology, as set forth in the following claims.

[0112] According to a first aspect, a voice detection system includes: a microphone configured to: receive a voice command; compare the voice command with a threshold; and generate a signal, where the signal includes: a first state when the voice command is greater than the threshold; and a second state when the voice command is less than the threshold; and an audio processor coupled to the microphone, including: a sound data controller configured to: write data from the voice command to a memory when the signal is in the first state; and prevent writing data from the voice command to the memory when the signal is in the second state.

[0113] In one embodiment, the microphone includes: a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold; and a threshold comparator coupled to the threshold generator.

[0114] In one embodiment, the threshold generator can be reprogrammed by at least one of a user of the voice detection system and an external device connected to the audio processor.

[0115] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes: a command detector coupled to the memory and configured to generate a processed voice command corresponding to the voice command represented in the data stored in the memory.

[0116] In one embodiment, the microphone further includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the voice command into a digital voice command.

[0117] In one embodiment, the microphone further includes an AND circuit configured to perform a logical AND of the digital voice command and the signal to convert the digital voice command into a cleaned digital voice command.

[0118] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes a clock controller configured to transmit an external clock signal to the microphone, where the clock controller is active when the signal is in the first state and inactive when the signal is in the second state.

[0119] In one embodiment, when the external clock signal is inactive, the external clock signal prevents the microphone from transmitting the voice command.

[0120] According to a second aspect, a method for detecting and processing an audio command includes: generating an analog signal using a microphone in response to the audio command; generating a threshold; comparing the analog signal with the threshold; generating a digital signal based on the comparison of the analog signal and the threshold; transmitting the digital signal to an audio processor; and controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal, including: storing data representing the audio command in a memory according to the digital signal; and preventing the data representing the audio command from being stored in the memory according to the digital signal.

[0121] In one embodiment, the digital signal includes at most a "high" signal value and a "low" signal value.

[0122] In one embodiment, controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal further includes: performing audio command detection using a signal processor according to the digital signal; and preventing audio command detection using a signal processor according to the digital signal.

[0123] In one embodiment, storing data in the memory according to the digital signal includes: enabling a controller when the digital signal is "high"; and preventing the data from being stored in the memory according to the digital signal includes disabling the controller when the digital signal is "low".

[0124] In one embodiment, the method further includes: generating an external clock signal based on: the digital signal; and an internal clock signal; and transmitting the external clock signal to the microphone, wherein the external clock signal controls the operation mode of the microphone.

[0125] According to a third aspect, an audio system includes: a digital microphone configured to receive a voice command, the digital microphone including: a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold; and a comparator coupled to the threshold generator and configured to: compare the voice command with the threshold; and transmit a digital signal that is in a first state when the analog voice command is greater than the threshold and in a second state when the analog voice command is less than the threshold; and an audio processor coupled to the microphone, the audio processor including: a write controller configured to: write data from the digital voice command to a memory when the digital signal is in the first state; and prevent the data from being written from the voice command to the memory when the digital signal is in the second state.

[0126] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes a digital signal processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate a processed voice command corresponding to the voice command.

[0127] In one embodiment, the audio system further includes an external device, wherein the external device is coupled to the audio processor and is configured to respond to the processed voice commands.

[0128] In one embodiment, the threshold can be reprogrammed by a user of the system.

[0129] In one embodiment, the digital signal includes at most a "high" signal value and a "low" signal value.

[0130] In one embodiment, the audio processor further includes a clock controller that is coupled to the microphone and is configured to: generate an external clock signal based on the digital signal and an internal clock signal; and control an operating mode of the microphone according to the external clock signal.

[0131] In one embodiment, the external clock signal is "high" only when both the digital signal and the internal clock signal are "high".

Claims

1. A voice detection system, characterized in that, Comprising: A microphone configured to: Receive a voice command; Compare the voice command with a threshold; Generate a signal, wherein the signal includes: A first state when the voice command is greater than the threshold; A second state when the voice command is less than the threshold and corresponds to the gap between words in the voice command; and Generate a cleaned voice command, wherein when the signal is in the first state, the cleaned voice command matches the voice command, and wherein when the signal is in the second state, the cleaned voice command is set to have a low-power zero signal; An audio processor coupled to the microphone, the audio processor comprising: A sound data controller configured to: Write data from the cleaned voice command to a memory when the signal is in the first state; and Prevent writing of data from the cleaned voice command to the memory when the signal is in the second state; and A clock controller coupled to the microphone and configured to: Generate an external clock signal based on the signal and an internal clock signal, and Control the operating mode of the microphone according to the external clock signal.

2. The voice detection system according to claim 1, wherein The microphone includes: A threshold generator configured to generate a threshold; and A threshold comparator coupled to the threshold generator.

3. The voice detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The threshold generator can be reprogrammed by at least one of a user of the voice detection system and an external device connected to the audio processor.

4. The voice detection system according to claim 1, wherein The audio processor further includes: A command detector coupled to the memory and configured to generate a processed voice command corresponding to the voice command represented in the data stored in the memory.

5. The voice detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that The microphone further includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the voice command into a digital voice command.

6. The voice detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that When the external clock signal is inactive, the external clock signal prevents the microphone from transmitting the voice command.

7. A method for detecting and processing audio commands, characterized in that, The method includes: Generating an analog signal using the microphone in response to the audio command; Generating a threshold; Comparing the analog signal with the threshold; Generating a digital signal based on the comparison of the analog signal and the threshold, wherein when the analog signal is greater than the threshold, the digital signal is set to be in a first state, and when the analog signal is less than the threshold, the digital signal is set to be in a second state; Generating a cleaned voice command from the analog signal, wherein when the digital signal is in the first state, the cleaned voice command matches the audio command, and wherein when the digital signal is in the second state, the cleaned voice command is set to have a low-power zero signal; Transmitting the digital signal and the cleaned voice command to the audio processor; and Controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal, including: When the digital signal is in a first state, store data representing the audio command from the sanitized voice command in a memory according to the digital signal; When the digital signal is in a second state, prevent data representing the audio command from the sanitized voice command from being stored in the memory; and Generate an external clock signal based on: the digital signal; and an internal clock signal; and Transmit the external clock signal to the microphone, where the external clock signal controls the operating mode of the microphone.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Controlling the operation of the audio processor based on the digital signal further includes: Performing audio command detection using a signal processor according to the digital signal; and Preventing audio command detection using the signal processor according to the digital signal.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Storing data in the memory according to the digital signal includes enabling a controller when the digital signal is in a first state; and Preventing data from being stored in the memory according to the digital signal includes disabling the controller when the digital signal is in a second state.

10. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that The first state includes a low signal value.

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