Information Handling Device Voice Input Proximity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital assistants lack the ability to differentiate between voice inputs from human users and non-human sources, leading to unwanted outputs and user annoyance.

Innovation Solution

An information handling device equipped with sensors such as thermal, audio, and image capture devices determines whether voice input is from a proximate human user, allowing it to provide responsive outputs only when the input is from a human source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the device processes all voice inputs regardless of source, then the device responds to all inputs, but unwanted outputs are generated from non-human sources causing user annoyance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice input responsivenessVSAvoidunwanted outputs from non-human sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces thermal sensors as an intermediary detection mechanism to distinguish between human and non-human voice sources. The thermal sensor detects body heat as a mediating factor to verify whether the voice input originates from a human user, thereby filtering out unwanted inputs from non-human sources before they trigger device responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the device uses sensors to determine proximate human users, then unwanted outputs from non-human sources are prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwanted outputs from non-human sourcesVSAvoidsensor integration and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or algorithmic voice analysis systems with simpler thermal sensing technology. Instead of using complex audio processing to analyze voice characteristics, the system uses thermal sensors to detect body heat, which is a simpler and more direct method for identifying human sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables devices to distinguish between human and non-human voice inputs, preventing unnecessary outputs and enhancing user experience by ignoring non-human sources.

Implementation Method 1

determine whether the voice input comprises voice input provided by a user proximate to the speech recognition device by utilizing at least one sensor associated with the speech recognition device, such as a thermal sensor, an audio capture device, an image capture device, or any suitable combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10847163B2Provide output reponsive to proximate user input

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, voice input; determining, using at least one sensor associated with the information handling device, whether the voice input comprises voice input provided proximate to the information handling device; and providing, based on determining that the voice input is provided proximate to the information handling device, output responsive to the voice input. Other aspects are described and claimed.