Secondary Microphone for Voice Command Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speech recognition systems face challenges when a primary device is unable to capture spoken user inputs, such as during phone calls or when engaged in other audio tasks, leading to interruptions in voice command functionality.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a secondary device equipped with a microphone to capture spoken user inputs when the primary device is unavailable, using Bluetooth connections or other communication techniques to enable seamless audio data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary device is used for voice command detection, then the speech recognition functionality is available, but the device cannot capture audio when engaged in other audio tasks such as phone calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio capture function between multiple devices: a primary device (e.g., smartphone) and a secondary device (e.g., vehicle computing system). The primary device handles voice commands when available, while the secondary device takes over when the primary device is occupied with other audio tasks like phone calls. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in specific scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reliable voice command detection and adaptability to different audio tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a voice command detection device and as an audio capture device during phone calls or other audio tasks. By making the secondary device universal in its capabilities, the system ensures that voice command functionality remains available regardless of what audio task the primary device is performing, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Device complexity
If the primary device captures all audio inputs, then the system structure is simple, but voice command functionality is interrupted when the device is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (audio routing logic and device coordination protocol) that manages audio capture between the primary and secondary devices. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of coordinating multiple devices, allowing them to work together seamlessly. The intermediary absorbs the system complexity, enabling the overall structure to remain relatively simple while ensuring continuous voice command functionality through automatic device switching.
3Reliability
If a secondary device is added to capture audio when the primary device is unavailable, then voice command availability is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic device role assignment where the primary and secondary devices can switch roles based on availability and current audio tasks. The secondary device dynamically takes over audio capture when the primary device is occupied, and the primary device resumes when available. This dynamic behavior maintains high voice command availability while managing system complexity through flexible, context-aware device coordination rather than rigid fixed-role architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for capturing spoken user inputs while a device is prevented from capturing such spoken user inputs are described. When a first device becomes incapable of capturing spoken user inputs intended for a system, a second device, for capturing such spoken user inputs, may be identified. The second device may be identified based on the second device being connected to a same vehicle computing system as the first device. The second device may be enabled to capture spoken user inputs, intended for the system, until the first device is again able to capture such spoken user inputs.