Abstract
Voice-activated devices continue to increase in popularity, availability, and functionality. To use a voice-activated device, a user will speak a particular keyword or hot word. In order to respond to a command at all times, the voice-activated device actively monitors the surrounding environment for the keyword or hot word using a microphone or other device, which means that the microphone of the voice-activated device hears all sound received while active. Although active monitoring may increase user interaction or satisfaction with the voice-activated device, audio monitoring may raise privacy concerns. To address these concerns, voice-activated devices can be equipped with a deep-sleep or suspended mode. Upon receiving a deep-sleep command, the voice-activated device can deactivate microphones or other devices capable of recording audio sound and disconnect itself from the Internet. To exit the deep-sleep or suspended mode, the voice-activated device may respond to a particular sound combination received by an audio transducer capable of receiving, but not recording, simple sound. Having received the exit deep-sleep sound combination, the voice-activated device can confirm that the user wants the voice-activated device to begin actively monitoring audio in the surrounding environment.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
N/A, "Sleep and Wake Commands for Voice-Activated Devices", Technical Disclosure Commons, (June 15, 2018)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/1250