Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Xulei Liu

Matthew Joseph Cole

Christopher Wayne Lockhart

A system and method for temporarily disabling keyword detection to avoid detection of machine-generated keywords. A local device may operate two keyword detectors. The first keyword detector operates on input audio data received by a microphone to capture keywords uttered by a user. In these instances, the keyword may be detected by the first detector and the audio data may be indicated for speech processing. The system may determine output audio data responsive to the input audio data. The local device may process the output audio data to determine that it also includes the keyword. The device may then disable the first keyword detector while the output audio data is played back by an audio speaker of the local device. Thus the local device may avoid detection of a keyword originating from the output audio. The first keyword detector may be reactivated after a time interval during which the keyword might be detectable in the output audio.

Multi-layer keyword detection

A system and method for temporarily disabling keyword detection to avoid detection of machine-generated keywords. A local device may operate two keyword detectors. The first keyword detector operates on input audio data received by a microphone to capture keywords uttered by a user. In these instances, the keyword may be detected by the first detector and the audio data may be transmitted to a remote device for processing. The remote device may generate output audio data to be sent to the local device. The local device may process the output audio data to determine that it also includes the keyword. The device may then disable the first keyword detector while the output audio data is played back by an audio speaker of the local device. Thus the local device may avoid detection of a keyword originating from the output audio. The first keyword detector may be reactivated after a time interval during which the keyword might be detectable in the output audio.

Multi-layer keyword detection for distributed voice communications

A system and method for temporarily disabling keyword detection to avoid detection of machine-generated keywords. Audio data received for output by audio speakers is first captured by an effect component, such as an audio equalizer. The effect component may perform various operations including altering the audio data, copying the audio data and delaying the time in which the output audio is sent to the audio speakers. The effect component may generate a copy of the audio data and transmit or route the copy of the audio data to a secondary keyword detector via an audio channel, resulting in a further delay. The secondary detector may determine that the copy of the processed audio data includes a keyword that is likely to be output during a first time interval. The secondary detector may then transmit a signal to a primary keyword detector to disable keyword detection during the first time interval of the output audio.

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MA, United States of America

Xulei Liu