Method and apparatus for voice control user interface with discreet operating mode
An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more sensors to detect a predefined user input. The one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level.
1. A method comprising:
operating a voice control interface engine of an electronic device in a first mode operative to receive a speech command from a first distance and produce, in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level;
detecting, with one or more motion detectors operable with one or more processors of the electronic device to determine a spatial orientation of the electronic device in three-dimensional space, a predefined user input comprising a lifting of the electronic device from a first elevation to a second elevation; and
causing, with the one or more processors, the voice control interface engine to transition to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level;
the second distance less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level.
2. The method of claim 1 , the detecting comprising identifying, with one or more sensors operable with the one or more processors, a predefined gesture input.
3. The method of claim 1 , the second elevation greater than the first elevation.
4. The method of claim 2 , the predefined gesture input comprising moving the electronic device from a first position distally located from a user to a second position proximately located with the user.
5. The method of claim 4 , the second position proximately located with a user's head.
6. The method of claim 2 , the predefined gesture input comprising a predefined motion about the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1 , the detecting comprising identifying, with a user interface, actuation of a user actuation target.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising redirecting the audible output to an earpiece loudspeaker of the electronic device.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising returning, with the one or more processors, the voice control interface engine to the first mode in response to identifying a predefined condition.
10. The method of claim 9 , the predefined condition comprising a predefined gesture input.
11. The method of claim 9 , the predefined condition comprising expiration of a timer.
12. An apparatus comprising:
a motion detector operable to detect whether the apparatus is stationary;
a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level;
one or more processors operable with one or more sensors, the one or more processors to:
detect, with the motion detector, a predefined user input moving the electronic device in three-dimensional space; and
transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level;
the second distance less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , the predefined user input comprising a gesture input.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , the predefined user input comprising a touch input.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , the predefined user input comprising a predefined movement of the apparatus.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , the voice control interface engine operative in the second mode to output the audible output from a second loudspeaker different from the loudspeaker.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , the one or more processors further operable to, with the one or more sensors, detect a predefined condition and cause the voice control interface engine to return to the first mode.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a timer operable with the one or more processors, the predefined condition comprising expiration of the timer.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , the predefined condition comprising a predefined movement of the apparatus.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 , the apparatus comprising an electronic device, the predefined condition comprising placement of the electronic device into a low power or sleep mode.