Voice Agent Network Master Selection for Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice controlled devices often have limited range and coverage, especially in environments with obstacles, leading to difficulties in detecting and handling voice input when a user transitions between overlapping zones of multiple devices, resulting in data loss and increased processing and bandwidth loads.
Innovation Solution
A voice agent network is deployed with multiple devices, each equipped with an audio sensor, communication interface, and processor, where a master voice agent is selected based on signal strength to forward voice data, and hand-offs occur seamlessly as the user moves, ensuring only one device transmits voice data at a time, reducing processing and bandwidth loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple voice agents are deployed to extend coverage, then voice input detection range is improved, but processing load and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master voice agent as an intermediary that centralizes the voice data transmission function. Only the master voice agent forwards voice data to the voice data processing device, while other voice agents (slaves) refrain from forwarding. This intermediary role eliminates redundant transmissions and reduces overall network bandwidth consumption and processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voice data forwarding function into a single master voice agent, combining multiple potential data sources into one unified transmission channel. This consolidation reduces duplicate data transmissions across the network, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and processing requirements at the central server.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple voice agents detect voice input simultaneously, then coverage is improved, but data loss increases due to conflicting transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The master voice agent acts as an intermediary that selectively forwards voice data based on signal strength criteria. This intermediary function prevents data loss by ensuring that only the highest quality voice data (from the agent with strongest signal) is transmitted, avoiding conflicts and redundancy that could lead to information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having each voice agent evaluate its own signal strength and only the agent with the optimal local signal quality (strongest signal) is selected to forward data. This ensures that the highest quality voice data is captured and transmitted, preventing data loss while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If all voice agents transmit voice data continuously, then detection reliability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master voice agent serves as an intermediary that centralizes the transmission function. By having only the master agent forward voice data to the processing device, the system maintains reliable voice input detection while dramatically reducing network bandwidth consumption compared to all agents transmitting simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the voice data forwarding function from all voice agents and assigns it exclusively to the master voice agent. This extraction eliminates redundant transmissions from slave agents, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining detection reliability through the coordinated master-slave architecture.
4Device complexity
If voice agents operate independently without coordination, then device complexity is reduced, but voice data handling reliability deteriorates when users transition between zones
Solution Approach 1:
The master voice agent acts as an intermediary that coordinates data handling across the network. This single coordinating agent ensures reliable voice data handling during user transitions between zones while keeping individual agent complexity low, as each agent only needs to follow simple master/slave protocols rather than implementing complex independent decision-making logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes (signal strength measurements) to dynamically determine which agent becomes the master. This parameter-based selection mechanism provides reliable voice data handling during transitions while maintaining simple device operation, as agents automatically adjust their role based on changing signal conditions without complex programming.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples are disclosed for controlling voice input detection in a voice agent network including a plurality of voice agents. An example voice agent includes an audio sensor, a communication interface, a processor, and a memory device storing instructions executable by the processor to detect, via the audio sensor, audio data corresponding to a voice input, and responsive to determining that at least one other voice agent of a voice agent network is detecting audio data corresponding to the voice input determine a signal strength at which the audio data is detected, compare the signal strength to a reported signal strength from the at least one other voice agent, and selectively transmit one or more of an indication of the signal strength and the detected audio data based on comparing the signal strength to the reported signal strength from the at least one other voice agent.