Digital Voice Assistant Coordination for Single-Device Command Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a voice-driven computing environment with multiple digital assistant computing devices, interference and redundant processing occur due to multiple devices attempting to control the same network-connected devices, leading to unnecessary network bandwidth usage and processor utilization, and potential errors in command execution.

Innovation Solution

A system coordinates signal processing by designating one digital assistant computing device as a primary processor and another as a secondary, using signal quality checkers to determine device suitability and a centralized data processing system to manage command execution, reducing redundant processing and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple digital assistant computing devices are within discoverable range and attempt to process voice commands, then the system provides broader coverage and availability, but unnecessary network bandwidth usage and processor utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage and availabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth usage and processor utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the signal processing function by designating one device as primary and others as secondary. The primary device handles audio signal processing while secondary devices perform only basic audio detection and transmission, dividing the computational workload to reduce overall processor utilization and network bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The designated primary digital assistant computing device acts as an intermediary between the audio sensors and the network. It receives audio signals from its sensor, processes the voice commands, and then communicates with the network, preventing multiple devices from simultaneously transmitting processed commands and reducing network bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple digital assistant computing devices attempt to control the same network-connected devices, then the system provides redundancy and reliability, but interference between devices occurs and command execution errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand execution reliabilityVSAvoidinterference between devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by giving different functional roles to different devices based on their capability to process audio signals. The primary device with superior audio processing capability handles command generation, while secondary devices with limited processing capability handle only audio detection and transmission, eliminating interference from inadequate processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing all devices to independently process and generate commands (which causes interference), the system inverts the approach by having all devices transmit raw audio signals to a single designated processor that generates commands. This eliminates the harmful interference effect while maintaining the benefit of multiple devices detecting the audio signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If all digital assistant computing devices perform full signal processing, then each device can independently respond to commands, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent response capabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the primary digital assistant computing device universal by giving it multiple functions: audio signal reception, voice command processing, and command generation. This consolidated multi-functional approach eliminates the need for each device to independently perform all processing functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4191412B1Signal processing coordination among digital voice assistant computing devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 GOOGLE LLC

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AI summary

Coordinating signal processing among computing devices in a voice-driven computing environment is provided. A first and second digital assistant can detect an input audio signal, perform a signal quality check, and provide indications that the first and second digital assistants are operational to process the input audio signal. A system can select the first digital assistant for further processing. The system can receive, from the first digital assistant, data packets including a command. The system can generate, for a network connected device selected from a plurality of network connected devices, an action data structure based on the data packets, and transmit the action data structure to the selected network connected device.