Proximity Voice Device Coordination for Lower Power and Secure Unlocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice-assisted devices consume excessive power due to constant listening for keywords, leading to unpredictable device activation and proximity-based unlocking solutions lack user intent verification.
Innovation Solution
A follower device with a transceiver and controller for establishing a wireless communication link with a leader device, enabling device attribute transmission and disabling unnecessary modules based on functional equivalence, and incorporating biometric authentication for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice-assisted devices continuously monitor keywords to enable voice control, then voice command responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple voice-assisted devices into a coordinated system where devices share keyword monitoring responsibilities. When one device detects a keyword, it activates other devices to respond, allowing the system to maintain voice command responsiveness while distributing the power consumption burden across multiple devices rather than requiring each device to continuously monitor alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic wake-up and response cycles where devices monitor keywords continuously but only fully activate when triggered by a detected keyword. This periodic activation pattern reduces average power consumption compared to continuous full operation, while maintaining responsive voice command handling when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices share the same keyword and monitor continuously, then voice command coverage is improved, but unpredictable device activation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where devices communicate their keyword detection status and activation state to each other. When a device detects a keyword, it provides feedback to other devices in the network, allowing them to coordinate their activation accordingly. This feedback system ensures predictable and controlled device activation while maintaining comprehensive voice command coverage across all devices.
3Ease of operation
If proximity-based unlocking uses simple wireless detection, then ease of use is improved, but user intent verification is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biometric authentication actions before allowing device unlocking. When a user approaches the device, the system first verifies their identity through biometric methods (fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice authentication) before enabling the unlocking function. This preliminary verification ensures reliable user intent confirmation while maintaining simple and intuitive unlocking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biometric authentication as an intermediary verification layer between proximity detection and device unlocking. Instead of directly linking proximity to unlocking, the system uses biometric verification as an intermediate step that confirms user intent. This intermediary mechanism maintains the simplicity of proximity-based triggering while adding reliable user intent verification through biometric validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A very short range wireless communication system and method is disclosed. The communication system includes a leader device and one or more follower devices. The leader device may establish a link only when the follower devices are in proximity. The leader device may determine that one or more follower devices each have a functional module with an equivalent functionality to a functional module in the leader device. The leader device may disable the functional modules in the follower devices. The functional module of the leader device in the system is used instead of the follower device functional modules which may reduce power in the system.