Application Processor Voice Trigger Interrupt During Audio Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices that utilize voice-based intelligent interfaces face challenges in activating these interfaces without tactile input, leading to increased power consumption due to continuous monitoring of audio channels for voice triggers.

Innovation Solution

An application processor with an integrated system bus, host processor, voice trigger system, and audio subsystem that performs voice trigger operations and echo cancellation during audio playback, reducing power consumption by enabling the voice trigger system to operate independently and only activating the host processor when a trigger event is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the audio subsystem continuously monitors the audio channel to detect voice triggers, then the voice-based intelligent interface can be activated without tactile input, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice trigger operationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The audio processing function is segmented into two independent parts: the audio subsystem that continuously monitors audio channels for voice triggers (low-power operation), and the host processor that handles higher-level processing only when needed. This segmentation allows the audio subsystem to operate independently with minimal power consumption while maintaining voice trigger capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The audio subsystem is designed to be self-sufficient in performing voice trigger detection and generating interrupt signals without requiring constant host processor involvement. The audio subsystem autonomously monitors audio channels, detects voice triggers, and generates interrupt signals to activate the host processor only when necessary, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If the host processor is activated continuously to handle voice trigger operations, then the response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The audio subsystem performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring audio channels and detecting voice triggers in advance, generating interrupt signals before the host processor needs to respond. This preliminary detection and signal generation ensures that when the host processor is activated, it can respond immediately to voice trigger events, maintaining fast response speed while avoiding continuous host processor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The audio subsystem acts as an intermediary between the audio channel and the host processor. It continuously monitors audio input, detects voice triggers, and generates interrupt signals to notify the host processor only when necessary. This intermediary role allows the host processor to remain in a low-power state while still achieving fast response to voice trigger events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the voice trigger system is integrated within the application processor, then the power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio subsystem and voice trigger system are merged into a single integrated unit within the application processor. This merging allows the audio subsystem to directly generate interrupt signals for voice trigger detection without requiring separate independent components, reducing power consumption through closer integration while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11256638B2Application processor supporting interrupt during audio playback, electronic device including the same and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An application processor includes a system bus, as well as a host processor, a voice trigger system, and an audio subsystem that are electrically connected to the system bus. The voice trigger system performs a voice trigger operation and issues a trigger event based on a trigger input signal that is provided through a trigger interface. The audio subsystem processes audio streams that are replayed or recorded through an audio interface, and receives an interrupt signal through the audio interface while an audio replay operation is performed through the audio interface.