Peripheral Wake-Up Controller for PC Voice Input Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Personal computers face a challenge in balancing power-saving sleep states with the need for 'always-on' functionality, as users desire immediate voice input capabilities for digital assistants without the lengthy wait for the PC to wake up from a deep sleep state, and current solutions inadequately address this competing interest.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor, microphone, and communication interface that uses a peripheral device communication protocol to transmit a wake-up command to a PC upon receiving a voice response cue, allowing the PC to quickly transition from a sleep state and process voice inputs via a peripheral device that buffers and transfers audio signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the PC enters a deep sleep state to conserve power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the time required to wake up and process voice input increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wake-up functionality into two separate components: a peripheral device that remains in a low-power state and a PC that can be quickly awakened. The peripheral device detects voice cues and triggers wake-up signals, separating the always-on detection function from the main processing function, thus resolving the contradiction between power saving and quick response.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral device acts as an intermediary between the user's voice input and the PC. It monitors for wake-up cues continuously in a low-power state and initiates the wake-up process when detected, serving as a mediator that enables quick response without requiring the main PC to remain fully powered on.
2Speed
If the PC remains fully powered on to enable immediate voice processing, then response time is reduced, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the voice processing functionality between the peripheral device (detection and trigger) and the PC (full processing). This allows the PC to remain in sleep mode while still enabling immediate voice input detection through the peripheral device, thus maintaining fast response without continuous full power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral device performs preliminary action by detecting wake-up voice cues and initiating the wake-up process before the PC needs to be fully operational. This preliminary detection capability ensures that when the user wants to use voice input, the system is already prepared to respond immediately.
3Loss of energy
If the PC enters sleep state to save power, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to provide always-on digital assistant functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the always-on functionality into the peripheral device (continuous monitoring in low-power state) and the PC (full processing capability). This segmentation allows the system to maintain always-on digital assistant functionality through the peripheral device's cue detection while the PC remains power-efficient in sleep mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral device serves as an intermediary that provides always-on detection capability without requiring the main PC to remain active. It continuously monitors for wake-up cues and triggers the PC only when necessary, thus maintaining adaptability and versatility for voice-activated functions while minimizing energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a first device includes at least one processor, a microphone accessible to the at least one processor, a communication interface accessible to the at least one processor, and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the at least one processor to await first voice input comprising a response cue and receive, from the microphone, the first voice input comprising the response cue. The instructions are also executable by the at least one processor to, responsive to receipt of the first voice input comprising the response cue, transmit a wake up command to a second device different from the first device. The wake up command is transmitted via the communication interface using a peripheral device communication protocol.