Voice Recognition Activation via Gesture Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice input systems face challenges in determining when a user intends to provide voice input, leading to high false positives and negatives, and require inconvenient triggers like button presses or phrases, disrupting user tasks and causing power consumption issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses sensors to detect user actions, such as gestures or thoughts, to activate a voice response system, eliminating the need for repetitive triggers and allowing voice input processing without constant device activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a trigger is used to initiate voice recognition, then the system can determine when voice input is intended, but it causes high false positives and negatives and requires inconvenient user actions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice input detection accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical triggers (button presses, physical switches) with gesture-based activation. Sensors detect gestures in the environment to initiate voice recognition, eliminating the need for direct user contact with the device and providing a more natural, convenient activation method while maintaining reliable detection of intended voice input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If the device constantly monitors for voice input, then it can respond immediately, but it consumes excessive power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice input response timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring through gesture detection instead of continuous voice processing. The system periodically checks for activation gestures using sensors, and only activates full voice recognition when a gesture is detected. This periodic approach maintains quick response capability while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to constant monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If traditional triggers are required for voice input, then activation is controlled, but user tasks are disrupted and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation controlVSAvoiduser task efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gestures as an intermediary activation method between the user and the voice recognition system. Instead of requiring direct interaction with the device (buttons, switches), users can activate voice recognition through environmental gestures detected by sensors. This intermediary approach maintains reliable activation control while allowing users to initiate voice input without disrupting their current tasks or workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10831273B2User action activated voice recognition

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, from at least one sensor, data, wherein the data is based upon an action performed by a user; identifying, using a processor, the data as an activation cue; and activating, responsive to identifying the data as an activation cue, a voice response system. Other aspects are described and claimed.