Voice assistants have become integral to our daily lives, with Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Assistant leading the pack. However, their accuracy can sometimes be hit-or-miss, leading to accidental activations and misunderstandings.
In a groundbreaking move, AppleInsider reports that Apple has filed a patent application named "Keyword Detection Using Motion Sensing," hinting at a future where Siri may interpret head and hand gestures to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
The patent's primary goal is to equip Siri with the ability to detect mouth and head movements using motion sensors, potentially revolutionizing voice control on Apple devices.
Motion Sensor Activation for Siri
Currently, voice-only systems like Siri can be prone to errors, especially in environments with background noise or multiple speakers. By incorporating motion sensing, Apple aims to improve Siri's accuracy by teaching it to read lips and respond to specific gestures.
The patent application describes a sophisticated system that relies on motion sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to track a user's movements while they speak.
"Additionally, motion sensors are less likely than audio sensors to detect ambient sounds, such as another person speaking or voices from a television or stereo," the patent notes.
By comparing these motion data to reference data for specific words or phrases, Siri can determine if a task should be initiated in response. This innovative approach may eliminate the need for devices to constantly listen for wake words like "Siri" or "Hey, Siri," leading to potential power savings and reduced processing resources.
"[Continuously] detecting and processing audio data expends power and processing capacity even when the user is not actively using voice control," explained Apple in the patent application.
An Alternative Way to Access Siri
It is important to note that this patent is not about removing microphones from Apple devices but aims to provide an alternative approach to activate Siri.
This combination of voice recognition and motion sensing could create a more robust and reliable voice control system, making Siri a more intuitive and efficient assistant.
Madhu Chinthakunta, one of the credited inventors in this patent application, has a history of working on Siri-related patents, indicating Apple's continuous efforts to enhance the voice assistant's capabilities.
In the past, Chinthakunta contributed to a patent that allowed Siri to automatically make arrangements and calls on the user's behalf, showcasing Apple's commitment to improving the overall user experience.
While the patent does not specify which devices will benefit from this new system, PhoneArena speculates that Apple Vision Pro, among other Apple products, might be integrated with this technology.
As with any patent application, there's no guarantee that this concept will become a reality. However, if Apple implements this technology in its future devices, it could signal a new era in voice control technology.
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