Network device interaction by range
US12424220B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2024 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L2015/225
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Examples described herein relate to triggering voice assistant(s) on a network microphone device (NMD). An NMD is a networked computing device that typically includes an arrangement of microphones, such as a microphone array, that is configured to detect sound present in the NMD's environment. Once the voice assistant is triggered, the NMD may start recording voice input as a potential voice command. Within examples, the NMD may operate in a wakewordless mode if certain conditions are met. These conditions may involve detecting user proximity in one of multiple different ranges. For instance, an example NMD may monitor for user proximity in a first range from the playback device via at least one touch-sensitive sensor and/or user line-of-sight in a second range that is further from the playback device than the first range. When either user proximity or user line-of-sight is detected, the NMD may enables the wakewordless mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.