Networked Microphone Device Automatic State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networked microphone devices (NMDs) are always active, listening for wake words or phrases, which can be undesirable during private activities or when users are sleeping, leading to unwanted interruptions. Manually disabling microphones can be cumbersome, especially when multiple devices need to be managed.
Innovation Solution
NMDs can automatically disable or enable their microphones based on the state of reference devices, such as lights, media playback systems, or other sensors, using voice commands or network interfaces, allowing for seamless control without physical interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networked microphone devices are always active to listen for wake words, then voice control functionality is available, but unwanted interruptions occur during private activities or sleeping
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone device dynamically changes its operational state based on detected conditions. When sleep mode is detected (e.g., no motion for extended period), the device automatically disables the microphone to prevent interruptions. When awake conditions are detected, the microphone re-enables for voice control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions (motion detection, time of day, user-defined preferences) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust microphone status. This closed-loop control ensures the microphone responds appropriately to changing circumstances without requiring manual user intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users manually disable microphones to prevent interruptions, then privacy is protected, but the process becomes cumbersome especially when managing multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone device autonomously manages its own state based on detected conditions and user preferences. Instead of requiring users to manually control each device, the system self-adjusts by monitoring motion sensors, time of day, and other environmental factors to determine when microphone disablement is appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution provides unified control across multiple devices through a central application that manages microphone states system-wide. Users can set preferences once that apply across all devices, eliminating the need to individually control each microphone device while maintaining privacy protection throughout the entire system.
3Speed
If the microphone device continuously monitors for wake words, then voice commands are responsive, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sampling of the audio environment rather than continuous monitoring. The microphone is enabled only during active periods when voice commands are needed (detected through motion sensors or user preferences) and disabled during inactive periods (sleep mode, nighttime hours), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein include, while a microphone of a first networked microphone device is enabled, determining whether a first reference device is in a specific state, and in response to determining that the first reference device is in the specific state, disabling the microphone of the first networked microphone device. Some embodiments further include, while the microphone of the first networked microphone device is enabled, receiving a command to disable the microphone of the first networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or a network interface of the networked microphone device, and in response to receiving the command to disable the microphone of the networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or the network interface of the networked microphone device, disabling the microphone of the networked microphone device.