Voice Activation Circuit Using DSP Keyword Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices that process voice commands experience high power consumption due to continuous monitoring and processing of voice inputs, necessitating a need to reduce power consumption efficiently.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a digital signal processor (DSP) to detect and match voice keywords with stored keywords, activating a host processor only when a match is found, keeping it in a sleep state otherwise, and using intermittent active states to minimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the processing circuitry continuously monitors voice input to execute applications, then the responsiveness and reliability of voice command processing is improved, but the power consumption increases dramatically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice command processing reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing circuitry into two distinct parts: a voice recognition circuit that continuously monitors voice input with low power consumption, and a main processor that executes applications only when activated by the voice recognition circuit. This segmentation allows continuous monitoring without the high power cost of full processor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main processor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It remains in a low-power sleep state and is activated only periodically when the voice recognition circuit detects a matching keyword. This periodic activation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the host processor remains in sleep state to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but the system response time to execute applications may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidapplication execution delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The voice recognition circuit performs preliminary monitoring and keyword matching continuously in the background while the main processor sleeps. When a keyword is detected, the circuit immediately activates the processor, eliminating the need for the processor to wake up from sleep and search for commands, thus minimizing delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The voice recognition circuit acts as an intermediary between the microphone and the main processor. It pre-processes voice input, identifies keywords, and triggers processor activation only when necessary. This intermediary role ensures rapid response by keeping the processor ready to execute applications immediately upon activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4685790A1Device and method for activating with voice input

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

An information processing apparatus that detects a voice command via a microphone in order to activate the device and execute certain applications. The apparatus comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) and a host controller which are responsible for processing the voice commands. The DSP recognizes and processes voice commands intermittently while the host processor is in a sleep state, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the apparatus. Further, when the DSP is configured to recognize voice commands intended only to activate the device, a memory having a sufficiently lower storage capacity suffices.