Trigger Sound Detection for Privacy and Battery Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous detection of ambient sounds by devices poses privacy risks and consumes significant battery life due to unnecessary generic speech recognition, as information is often transmitted to remote systems without user permission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that detects pre-defined trigger sounds within audio signals, allowing user interaction to confirm permission before transmitting related information to a remote server, thereby reducing power consumption and enhancing privacy by limiting data transmission to only what the user permits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous audio detection and generic speech recognition are implemented, then device functionality and responsiveness are improved, but battery life is significantly reduced and privacy risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing task into two distinct stages: (1) local trigger sound detection using simple audio analysis to identify predefined trigger words, and (2) remote server processing using complex speech recognition only when needed. This segmentation reduces energy consumption by avoiding continuous complex processing while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by detecting trigger sounds locally on the device before initiating remote processing. The device first filters audio signals for predefined trigger words using simple local analysis, then only transmits relevant segments to the server for comprehensive speech recognition, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If continuous audio analysis and automatic data transmission to remote servers are implemented, then speech recognition accuracy is improved, but user privacy is compromised and network bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the most critical information locally (trigger sound detection) before deciding whether to transmit data to the server. By taking out the essential trigger detection function to the local device, the system avoids transmitting unnecessary audio data, thereby protecting user privacy and reducing network bandwidth usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of local trigger sound detection that acts as a filter between the microphone and the remote server. This intermediary process determines whether audio segments warrant transmission to the server, mediating between the need for accurate speech recognition and the need to protect user privacy by limiting data transmission to only what is necessary.
3Speed
If generic speech recognition is performed continuously, then device responsiveness to speech commands is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary trigger sound detection locally rather than complete speech recognition. The device performs partial processing (trigger detection) continuously to maintain responsiveness, but avoids excessive action by not transmitting all audio data to the server, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided to facilitate continuous detection of words, names, phrases, or other sounds of interest and, responsive to such detection, provide a related user experience. The user experience can include providing links to media, web searches, translation services, journaling applications, or other resources based on detected ambient speech or other sounds. To preserve the privacy of those using and/or proximate to such systems, the system refrains from transmitting any information related to the detected sound unless the system receives permission from a user. Such permission can include the user interacting with a provided web search link, media link, or other user interface element.