/Patent Tracker
GoogleGranted patentAudio & voiceInterest 4/10

Google patents method to stop smart speakers from reacting to same wake word

This patent describes a way for multiple smart speakers or assistant devices to coordinate which one listens for specific wake words like 'Hey Google.' When devices are close together, they share their active listening settings and turn off duplicate wake word detection on one device to prevent both from responding at the same time.

Why it mattersThis improves the user experience in homes with multiple smart speakers by preventing confusing double responses or conflicts when several devices are in the same room.

In the filing’s own words

Techniques are described herein for warm word arbitration between automated assistant devices. A method includes: determining that warm word arbitration is to be initiated between a first assistant device and one or more additional assistant devices, including a second assistant device; broadcasting, by the first assistant device, to the one or more additional assistant devices, an active set of warm words for the first assistant device; for each of the one or more additional assistant devices, receiving, from the additional assistant device, an active set of warm words for the additional assistant device; identifying a matching warm word included in the active set of warm words for the first assistant device and included in the active set of warm words for the second assistant device; and enabling or disabling detection of the matching warm word by the first assistant device, in response to identifying the matching warm word.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising: identifying a first set of on-device warm word detection models that are active on a first assistant device and a second set of on-device warm word detection models that are active on a second assistant device; determining that the first assistant device and the second assistant device are proximately located; identifying a duplicate on-device warm word detection model that is included in both the first set of on-device warm word detection models and the second set of on-device warm word detection models; and disabling the duplicate on-device warm word detection model on one of the first assistant device and the second assistant device, in response to identifying the duplicate on-device warm word detection model and based on the first assistant device and the second assistant device being determined to be proximately located.

Facts

Company
Google (GOOGLE LLC)
Official title
Warm word arbitration between automated assistant devices
Patent number
US12731585B2
Application number
18900099
Filed
Sep 27, 2024
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

G10L 15/22 Physics & computingG10L 15/30 Physics & computingG10L 15/32 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

More from Google in Audio & voice

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.