Voice Assistant Activation by Physical Cues to Limit Listening Scope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voice command devices require explicit user activation methods such as pressing a button or uttering a wake word, which can be inconvenient and lead to unintended device activation due to shared wake words across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A voice user interface system that automatically activates an intelligent assistant based on physical interactions with the device, such as door closures or proximity, eliminating the need for explicit wake words and reducing unintended activations by adapting vocabulary and feedback based on activation type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is used to control devices, then hands-free operation is enabled, but accuracy deteriorates in noisy environments or with accent variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual feedback as an intermediary element between the user and the voice recognition system. The display device shows visual representations of the spoken command, allowing users to verify and correct recognition accuracy in real-time, thereby compensating for the imprecision of voice recognition in noisy environments or with accent variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If smart home systems integrate multiple functions, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control interface that handles multiple types of commands (voice, visual selection, confirmation) through a single system architecture. The display device serves multiple functions: showing visual feedback, allowing manual selection, providing confirmation options, and displaying system status, thereby managing complexity through multi-functional integration rather than separate specialized components.
3Reliability
If visual feedback is added to voice commands, then user confidence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display acts as an intermediary that bridges voice input and system response. It provides visual feedback about what the system understands, allowing users to confirm or correct interpretations before execution. This intermediary layer builds user confidence without requiring fundamental changes to the voice recognition core, thereby managing complexity through a modular approach.
4Measurement precision
If manual selection interface is provided, then accuracy is improved, but interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial manual intervention rather than requiring full manual selection for all commands. Users can intervene manually only when the visual feedback shows ambiguity or error, while accepting automated voice interpretation for clear, unambiguous commands. This partial action approach maintains accuracy when needed while minimizing interaction time for routine commands.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprising detecting an activation of an intelligent assistant on an electronic device, waking up the intelligent assistant from a sleep mode in response to the activation, and determining an amount of vocabulary the intelligent assistant acts upon during a listening mode based on a type of the activation.