Signaling Device for Voice-Controlled Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice-controlled devices lack an efficient method to indicate when a user is about to provide a voice command, leading to potential interference and incorrect speech recognition, especially in noisy environments or during voice communications.
Innovation Solution
A signaling device with an actuatable button sends a signal to the voice-controlled device to prepare for processing audio signals, allowing the device to focus on the user's voice command, mute or attenuate background noise, and authenticate user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the voice-controlled device continuously processes audio signals, then it can respond to voice commands promptly, but it increases susceptibility to noise interference and incorrect speech recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when the user is about to speak (through voice activity detection or other signaling mechanisms) and prepares the speech recognition engine in advance. This allows the device to switch from a low-power state to an active processing state quickly, maintaining fast response times while avoiding continuous processing that would increase noise susceptibility.
2Reliability
If the device processes all audio signals continuously, then no voice command is missed, but background noise and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and processes only the relevant audio segments containing potential voice commands, rather than continuously processing all audio signals. By using voice activity detection and signaling mechanisms, the device isolates the useful signal from background noise, processing only when necessary while ignoring periods of pure background noise.
3Loss of time
If the device remains in constant listening mode, then voice commands are captured immediately, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous processing, the system uses periodic sampling and event-triggered processing. The device monitors for signaling events (such as voice activity detection or explicit user initiation) and only activates full speech recognition processing when such events occur, creating a periodic or event-driven processing pattern rather than continuous operation.
4Speed
If the device processes audio without user initiation signal, then responsiveness is high, but false activations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the speech recognition process monitors its own confidence levels and processing results. When uncertainty is detected or when processing fails to produce a reliable result, the system can request additional input or clarify with the user, creating a feedback loop that reduces false activations while maintaining responsiveness through iterative refinement.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for indicating to a voice-controlled device that a user is going to provide a voice command to the device. In response to receiving such an indication, the device may prepare to process an audio signal based on sound captured by a microphone of the device for the purpose of identifying the voice command from the audio signal. For instance, a user may utilize a signaling device that includes a button that, when actuated, sends a signal that is received by the voice-controlled device. In response to receiving the signal, a microphone of the voice-controlled device may capture sound that is proximate to the voice-controlled device and may create an audio signal based on the sound. The voice-controlled device may then analyze the audio signal for a voice command of the user or may provide the audio signal to a remote service for identifying the command.