Voice Control Device PTT/Mute Control for Microphone Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice control devices face issues with unreliable wake word detection leading to accidental activation and privacy concerns, as well as the need for precise control over microphone usage for functions like push-to-talk (PTT).
Innovation Solution
A voice control device with a mute control and PTT control that allows the microphone to be turned off in a mute state and activated via a PTT control signal, enabling precise control over microphone usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microphone is always on to enable voice control functionality, then the device can respond to wake words and user commands, but privacy is compromised and accidental activation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring for wake words in a low-power state before fully activating the microphone and processing unit. This allows the device to prepare for voice commands without maintaining the microphone in a fully active state, thereby preventing accidental activation while preserving voice control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone operates dynamically between different states: dormant state (off), wake-word detection state (partially on), and active voice command state (fully on). This dynamic operation allows the system to balance between privacy/protection from accidental activation and the ability to respond to legitimate user commands.
2Ease of operation
If the microphone is continuously monitored for wake words, then the device can be activated by voice commands, but computing and battery resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The wake word detection process is segmented into two stages: a lightweight initial detection phase that consumes minimal computing and battery resources, and a full processing phase that activates only when a potential wake word is detected. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wake word functionality while significantly reducing overall resource consumption compared to continuous full-processing monitoring.
3Reliability
If the microphone is muted to prevent accidental activation, then privacy is improved and disruptive events are reduced, but the device cannot respond to legitimate voice commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the muted state is not absolute but can be temporarily overridden when specific conditions are met (such as detecting a push-to-talk signal or a confirmed wake word). This feedback loop allows the device to maintain privacy through muting while still responding to legitimate user commands when appropriate signals are received.
4Measurement precision
If wake word detection sensitivity is increased to ensure reliable activation, then more user commands can be detected, but false positive activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary wake word detection at a higher sensitivity threshold to catch potential commands, then validates these detections through a secondary confirmation process before full activation. This two-stage preliminary action approach allows the system to maintain high detection sensitivity while reducing false positives through additional verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a voice control device including a microphone, a mute control, and a push-to-talk (PTT) control. An example embodiment operates by: entering a mute state from an always-listening state when the device receives a mute control signal; entering a PTT state from the mute state when the device is in the mute state and receives a first PTT control signal; activating the microphone when the device is in the PTT state; and entering the mute state from the PTT state when the device is in the PTT state and receives a second PTT control signal.