Voice Detector Active Signal Generator Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio products with 'always-on' voice detection systems consume excessive power, shortening battery life due to continuous microphone and audio processor activity.
Innovation Solution
A voice detector system that uses an active signal generator to differentiate between voice commands and silence, reducing activity at the microphone I/O interface and audio processor's internal logic, thereby conserving power by only processing voice data when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an always-on voice detection system is implemented, then voice command detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on voice activity detection. The audio processor switches between active processing mode and low-power standby mode, making the system's power consumption adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection capability when needed while reducing power consumption during silence periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous processing, the system uses periodic voice activity detection to determine when full audio processing is necessary. The audio processor periodically checks for voice activity and only engages full processing when voice is detected, converting continuous power consumption into periodic, demand-driven operation.
2Measurement precision
If continuous audio processing is performed, then voice detection accuracy is maintained, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial processing by first conducting lightweight voice activity detection, and only engaging full audio processing when necessary. This partial action approach maintains detection accuracy for actual voice commands while avoiding the excessive power consumption of continuous full processing, thereby extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing function is segmented into two distinct stages: voice activity detection (VAD) and full audio processing. The VAD stage operates with lower power consumption to identify potential voice commands, while full processing is activated only when VAD detects voice activity. This segmentation allows the system to maintain accuracy while managing power consumption.
3Speed
If the audio processor remains active continuously, then response time to voice commands is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary voice activity detection continuously at low power, preparing for potential voice commands without committing to full processing. When voice activity is detected, the system is already primed and can transition quickly to full processing mode, maintaining fast response times while avoiding continuous high power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a voice detector. The voice detector may provide a microphone and an audio processor. The microphone may provide an active signal generator configured to generate an active signal. The active signal may indicate when the signal level of detected audio is above or below a threshold level with a first state and a second state. The active signal may prevent activity at the microphone I/O interface and may prevent activity at the audio processor's internal logic.