Audio Transducer Low-Power Secure Wakeup for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless devices, such as key fobs, face inefficiencies due to high power consumption from additional hardware resources used for security and authentication operations, which are not optimized for low-power devices like those with limited battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a passive transducer, such as a MEMS microphone, to receive an audio signal for determining when to wake up other components, like transceivers, reducing power consumption by using existing audio transducers for low-power wakeup operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional hardware resources are used for security and authentication operations, then security and authentication capabilities are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the audio transducer, already present in the wireless device, to perform the additional function of wakeup signal detection. By merging the security authentication hardware with the existing audio transducer capabilities, the system achieves secure wakeup operations without adding separate dedicated hardware, thus maintaining security while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio transducer is designed to serve multiple functions: primary audio processing and secondary wakeup signal detection. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware component to handle both audio operations and security-related wakeup detection, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware resources and reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If additional hardware resources are dedicated for wakeup operations, then wakeup reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wakeup signal detection function into the existing audio transducer and processor infrastructure. The audio transducer continues to operate as before for audio functions, while the existing processor analyzes both audio and wakeup signals, thereby achieving reliable wakeup operations without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing audio processor is designed to handle multiple signal types including both audio data and wakeup signals. This universal processing capability allows the system to detect and respond to wakeup signals using the same processing pipeline already in place for audio operations, avoiding the need for separate dedicated wakeup hardware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces overall power consumption and enhances the efficiency of wireless devices by minimizing the need for additional hardware resources during sleep modes, allowing for more effective low-power communication and secure ranging operations.
Implementation Method 1
Implementing a passive transducer, such as a MEMS microphone, to receive an audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices provide low-power wakeup operations for wireless devices. Methods include receiving an audio signal from a first wireless device at a second wireless device via an audio transducer, the audio signal including a plurality of encoded data values, and determining, using a processing device of the second wireless device, if the received audio signal includes a valid wakeup code. Methods also include transitioning a transceiver of the second wireless device from a sleep mode to a wake mode in response to determining that the audio signal includes a valid wakeup signal.