Parallel Microphone Activation in Voice Recognition Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses experience a loss of initial voice input due to the time consumed in processing audio signals through multiple software layers, leading to delayed microphone activation and subsequent voice recognition processing.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus generates a microphone activation signal and a voice recognition application signal in parallel, using a middleware to initiate microphone activation and voice recognition operations independently of the completion of the software hierarchy processing, thereby reducing input time and preventing signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio signal processing follows the traditional software hierarchy structure (kernel → device driver → middleware → application), then each layer can perform its designated function, but the processing time increases and initial voice input is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the application layer send the audio input request directly to the device driver before the traditional sequential processing completes. This allows the device driver to prepare and activate the microphone in advance, so that when the audio signal is actually input, the system is already ready to capture it immediately without delay through the entire software hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the audio input request transmission step from the traditional sequential software hierarchy processing path. Instead of waiting for kernel → device driver → middleware → application processing to complete before activating the microphone, the request is taken out and sent directly to the device driver, which then activates the microphone independently and in parallel with other processing steps.
2Ease of operation
If the microphone activation signal is transmitted only after the voice recognition application is fully loaded, then the application is ready to process the audio, but the initial voice input is lost during the loading period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by activating the microphone before the voice recognition application fully loads and is ready to process audio. The device driver receives the audio input request and activates the microphone in advance, ensuring that no initial voice input is lost during the application loading period. The audio data is captured and made available as soon as the application becomes ready.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the audio input capability throughout the entire application loading process. The microphone remains active and continuously capturing audio data from the moment the device driver receives the request, rather than being activated only after the application loads. This continuous action ensures no voice input is lost.
3Reliability
If the audio input request is processed sequentially through all software layers, then each layer can validate and process the signal properly, but the total processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device driver performs preliminary action by activating the microphone and preparing to receive audio data before the application layer fully processes the request. This allows the hardware to be ready and waiting, eliminating the sequential delay while maintaining the validation and processing capabilities of all software layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio input process into independent parallel operations: the device driver handles microphone activation and audio data reception independently, while the application layer handles voice recognition processing. This segmentation allows both operations to proceed simultaneously rather than sequentially, improving overall productivity while maintaining processing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus and a controlling method thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a communicator configured to communicate with an external apparatus including a microphone, a storage configured to store a voice recognition application and a middleware which relays the voice recognition application, and a processor configured to, in response to receiving an initiation signal from the external apparatus through the communicator, control the communicator to generate a microphone activation signal for activating the microphone using the middleware, transmit the generated microphone activation signal to the external apparatus, generate a voice recognition application signal for loading the voice recognition application, and initiate an operation of the voice recognition application.