Systems and Methods for Continual Speech Recognition and Detection in Mobile Computing Devices

Abstract

The present application describes systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for continuous speech recognition for mobile computing devices. One embodiment includes determining whether a mobile computing device is receiving operating power from an external power source or a battery power source, and activating a trigger word detection subroutine in response to determining that the mobile computing device is receiving power from the external power source. In some embodiments, the trigger word detection subroutine operates continually while the mobile computing device is receiving power from the external power source. The trigger word detection subroutine includes determining whether a plurality of spoken words received via a microphone includes one or more trigger words, and in response to determining that the plurality of spoken words includes at least one trigger word, launching an application corresponding to the at least one trigger word included in the plurality of spoken words.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first input at a computing device; and   in response to the first input, the computing device taking a trigger word detection action, wherein the trigger word detection action includes:
 receiving spoken input via a microphone of the computing device, 
 determining whether the spoken input includes one or more trigger words associated with a voice command prompt action, and 
 in response to determining that the spoken input includes the one or more trigger words associated with the voice command prompt action, taking the voice command prompt action which includes:
 receiving, via the microphone, additional spoken input that causes the computing device to take one or more other actions, and 
 displaying a voice command prompt using the computing device at least until the computing device has begun to take the one or more other actions. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 taking the trigger word detection action continually until it is deactivated.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 receiving a second input at the computing device; and   after receiving the second input, deactivating the trigger word detection action.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more other actions include at least one of a communications action, a multimedia action, and an action for configuring settings of the computing device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the computing device receives power from a battery power source. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the computing device receives power from an external power source. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more trigger words comprise one or more user-customized trigger words. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the additional spoken input comprises a corresponding action, and wherein the method further comprises:
 in response to receiving the additional spoken input, taking the corresponding action on the computing device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the additional spoken input further includes one or more parameters, and wherein taking the corresponding action comprises taking the corresponding action based on the one or more parameters. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the additional spoken input comprises an object of the corresponding action, and wherein taking the corresponding action comprises taking the corresponding action based on the object of the corresponding action. 
     
     
         31 . A computing device comprising:
 a sound detector;   a display;   a power selector configured to selectively power the computing device from one of either an external power source or one or more batteries; and   one or more processors configured for:
 receiving a first input at the computing device; and 
 in response to the first input, taking a trigger word detection action, wherein the trigger word detection action includes:
 receiving spoken input via the sound detector, 
 determining whether the spoken input includes one or more trigger words associated with a voice command prompt action, and 
 in response to determining that the spoken input includes the one or more trigger words associated with the voice command prompt action, taking the voice command prompt action which includes:
 receiving, via the sound detector, additional spoken input that causes the computing device to take one or more other actions, and 
 displaying a voice command prompt using the computing device at least until the computing device has begun to take the one or more other actions. 
 
 
   
     
     
         32 . The computing device of  claim 31 , further comprising: a user interface configured at least to receive the first input. 
     
     
         33 . The computing device of  claim 31 , wherein taking the one or more other actions comprises launching one or more applications, and wherein the one or more applications include at least one of:
 a communications application, a multimedia application, and an application for configuring settings of the computing device.   
     
     
         34 . The computing device of  claim 31 , wherein the additional spoken input comprises a corresponding action, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 in response to receiving the additional spoken input, taking the corresponding action.   
     
     
         35 . The computing device of  claim 34 , wherein the additional spoken input further includes one or more parameters associated with the corresponding action, and wherein taking the corresponding action comprises taking the corresponding action based on the one or more parameters. 
     
     
         36 . The computing device of  claim 31 , wherein the trigger words comprise one or more user-customized trigger words. 
     
     
         37 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device having at least one processor, causes the computing device to perform functions comprising:
 receiving a first input; and   in response to the first input, taking a trigger word detection action, wherein the trigger word detection action includes:
 receiving spoken input via a microphone, 
 determining whether the spoken input includes one or more trigger words associated with a voice command prompt action, and 
 in response to determining that the spoken input includes the one or more trigger words associated with the voice command prompt action, taking the voice command prompt action which includes:
 receiving, via the microphone, additional spoken input that causes the computing device to take one or more other actions, and 
 displaying a voice command prompt using the computing device at least until the computing device has begun to take the one or more other actions. 
 
   
     
     
         38 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the functions further comprise:
 taking the trigger word detection action continually until it is deactivated.   
     
     
         39 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the functions further comprise:
 receiving a second input; and   after receiving the second input, deactivating the trigger word detection action.   
     
     
         40 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the additional spoken input comprises a corresponding action, and wherein the functions further comprise:
 in response to receiving the additional spoken input, taking the corresponding action on the computing device.