Microphone Apparatus for Voice Recognition Power Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electronic devices face challenges in reducing power consumption due to limited battery space, which is exacerbated by the need for more powerful components, leading to increased power usage, especially in voice recognition systems.
Innovation Solution
A microphone apparatus incorporating a MEMS circuit, IC, and voice recognition circuit that detects sound characteristics and recognition information during sleep mode, triggering external circuit operations only when necessary, using an internal clock generator to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electronic device uses more powerful components to enhance functionality, then the device performance is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the electronic device to switch between different operational states (sleep mode and active mode). The processor can dynamically adjust its operating state based on whether wake words are detected, thereby optimizing the balance between performance and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring for wake words in sleep mode using low-power circuitry. This preliminary detection enables the device to prepare for activation before full power is required, allowing quick transition from sleep to active state when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the device remains in sleep mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the response time to user commands increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously performs preliminary monitoring for wake words using low-power circuitry even while in sleep mode. This preliminary action ensures that when a wake word is spoken, the device can immediately activate without delay, thus maintaining fast response time while conserving power during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wake word detection mechanism that operates in between the fully active and fully dormant states. This intermediary monitoring system uses minimal power to detect wake words, serving as a mediator that enables rapid transition from sleep to active mode without requiring continuous full-power operation.
3Measurement precision
If the processor continuously monitors audio signals, then the voice recognition accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of processing based on operational mode. In sleep mode, only simple wake word detection is performed using minimal power. When activated, the full voice recognition processing power is engaged. This dynamic adjustment maintains voice recognition accuracy when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing function is segmented into two distinct levels: wake word detection (performed continuously with minimal power) and full voice recognition processing (performed only when activated). This segmentation allows the system to maintain voice recognition capability while significantly reducing average power consumption by performing detailed analysis only when necessary.
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 unnecessary power consumption by preventing unnecessary wake-ups of power-intensive external circuits and lowering overall device power usage, while also reducing production costs and physical size.
Implementation Method 1
The MEMS circuit converts an audio signal received by the microphone apparatus into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone apparatus is provided. Whether an electronic signal converted from an audio signal is in compliance with a preset sound characteristic and a preset voice recognition information is determined. When the electronic signal is in compliance with the preset sound characteristic and the preset voice recognition information, an actuation control signal is outputted, so as to trigger an operation of an external circuit external to the microphone apparatus.