Technical Disclosure Bulletin
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`Vol. 41 No. 01 January 1998
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`xp00772167
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`.//.V f
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`Method for Using Voice Detection to Restore Computing Equipment in Low-
`Power State to Normal Operation
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`Power-up Detection Signal
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`Voice
`Detection
`Implementation
`&
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`Internal
`Device
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`Power
`Management
`Hardware
`Implementation
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`I
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`I
`I
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`I
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` Power I
`Operating
`Management
`Svstem
` Software
` Interface | I
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`Computing Equipment
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`Fig. 1
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`v
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`Power-up Detection Signal
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`Bus
`laictfee
`Hardware
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`Power
`Management
`Hardware
`Implementation
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` Power
`I
`•Management
`i Software
`I
` Interface
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`1
`r
`Operating I
`System |
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`Bus
`Interface
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`^ Software n
`I
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`Audio
`Software
`Interface
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`I
`I
`I
` 1
`Computing Equipmeot
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`Audio
`Sensor
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`Audio Signal
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`Audio
`Sensor
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`Voice
`Detection
`Implementation
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`Extemal Busf
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`External Device
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`Fig. 2
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`Disclosed is a method for using of voice detection to restore computing equipment m ow-power
`sute to nonnai operation. A computer returns from a suspended power state to nonmal operation
`upon detection of a voice signal by a microphone or similar device associated with said
`equipment.
`As voice recognition becomes affordable and reliable, it is likely that many new and
`existing users will come to depend on voice input as the sole means of control for Ac equipment.
`This may also become the case for equipment in public places, where it may be desirable o
`avoid physical access to the equipment. Voice input is also very useful for people with
`handicaps that prevent or make difficult the use of traditional Input devices. In situations where
`the sole or preferred means of input will be voice, it is desirable that the equipment have the
`
`o IBM Corp. 1998
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`445
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`BNSDOCIO; <XP
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`772167A_L>
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`

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`Method for Using Voice Detection to Restore Computing Equipment in Low-power State to Normal
`Operation - Continued
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`ability to return from a suspended power state to normal operation upon detection of a voice
`signal.
`
`Personal computers, laptop computers, PDAs, HPCs, and similar equipment currently
`have provisions for placing the equipment in a suspended or low-power state after an interval in
`which the equipment is not active. This is done to reduce power consumption, conserve
`component life, and preserve battery life, where applicable.
`Currently, the means for returning the equipment from the suspended state to resume
`normal operation include maintaining sufficient power to certain subsytems in order to detect
`activity which indicates that the equipment should resume normal operation, "^ese activities
`include movement of mouse or pointing device, keyboard activity, or detection of incoming call
`from a telephony device.
`
`The disclosed method is compatible with a variety of means for implementing voice
`detection. These include, but are not limited to, full speech recognition by the host FOMsso^
`operating in a reduced-power mode, or an auxiliary signal processing device. Alternatively, a
`voice signal may be discriminated by other means, such as a filter tuned to identify voice-relat^
`harmonics, or other means, such as the use of a neural network. The means of
`an integral part of the equipment, or may be connected to the equipment by means of external
`attachment, such as a USB peripheral.
`For the purposes of detecting voice activity, the disclosed method does not imply that a
`large vocabulary of recognized words or phrases is required, nor is it implied ^^tjpe^er
`recognition is required. It is sufficient to detect utterances directed at the equipmenL or key
`phrases, with or without speaker recognition, and to discriminate agamst undirected voice or
`other background noise, in order to satisfy the requirements of the disclosed method.
`In any implementation of the disclosed method, the voice detection implementation is
`coupled by appropriate means to the computing equipment's power management ^^dw^e
`implemenution, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. This is preferably instantiated as
`simal connected to an interrupt control device. The hardware management unplen^ntatioi^ay
`be associated with a power management software interface which provides an interface between
`the equipment's power management hardware and the operating system.
`The disclosed method provides for an audio sensor, such as a microphone. The
`microphone provides an appropriate signal to the voice detection implementation. Upon
`detection of a signal with the appropriate characteri^ics. the detection
`an appropriate signal to the power management hardware. This may be done by a ^ect
`elec^cal connection or by way of appropriate signals delivered over an
`^en
`these signals arrive at the power management hardware, the hardware ddivers power to the rest
`of the computing equipment, and by way of the power manapment softw^e interface, sisals
`the operating system that power has been restored. The operating system performs operations as
`required, and the computing equipment returns to normal operations.
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`446
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`BNSDOCtO: <XP
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`77ai67A_L>
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`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin
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`Vd. 41 No. 01 January 1998
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