Coordinator Device Managing Voice Trigger Responses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multiple electronic devices responding to a single spoken trigger phrase can overwhelm users with simultaneous outputs, leading to a sub-optimal user experience and wastage of processor and battery power.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where one electronic device samples audio input and sends stop instructions to nearby devices, preventing them from responding to audio input, ensuring only one device provides output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple devices respond to a single spoken trigger, then device responsiveness is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to interface overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice responsivenessVSAvoiduser interface overload

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinator device that acts as an intermediary between the trigger phrase and multiple electronic devices. When a trigger phrase is detected, the coordinator device sends stop instructions to other devices in the group, preventing them from responding. This mediator approach allows one device to respond while others remain silent, eliminating interface overload while preserving responsive behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices respond to a single spoken trigger, then system coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases due to redundant processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidprocessor and battery power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coordination function from individual devices and centralizes it in a coordinator device. Other devices in the system can remain in a low-power state, only activating when the coordinator device determines they should respond. This extraction approach maintains system coverage while eliminating redundant processing and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinator device performs preliminary action by analyzing the trigger phrase and determining which device should respond before other devices activate. By sending stop instructions in advance, the system prevents unnecessary processing and energy consumption in devices that will not respond, while maintaining the capability for multiple devices to potentially serve the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10930282B2Competing devices responding to voice triggers

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 APPLE INC

AI summary

At a first electronic device with a display and a microphone: sampling audio input using the first microphone; in accordance with the sampling of audio input using the first microphone, sending stop instructions to a second electronic device with a second microphone, the second electronic device external to the first electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is configured to respond to audio input received using the second microphone, and wherein the stop instructions instruct the second electronic device to forgo responding to audio input received using the second microphone, wherein responding to audio input received using the second microphone comprises providing perceptible output.