Method, device, and system of selectively using multiple voice data receiving devices for intelligent service

An electronic device is provided, which includes a user interface, at least one communication module, a microphone, at least one speaker, at least one processor operatively connected with the user interface, the at least one communication module, the microphone, and the at least one speaker, and at least one memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which when executed, instruct the at least one processor to while the electronic device is wiredly or wirelessly connected with an access point (AP) connected with at least one external electronic device, after receiving, through the microphone, part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service, broadcast identification information about the electronic device and receive identification information broadcast from the external electronic device, after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, individually transmit first information related to the wake-up utterance received through the microphone to the at least one external electronic device and individually receive, from the external electronic device, second information related to the wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device, and determine whether to transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to an external server based on at least part of the first information and the second information. Other various embodiments are possible as well.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0100238, filed on Aug. 27, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0024396, filed on Feb. 28, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to intelligent services, and more specifically, to methods, devices, and systems of selecting a device to receive voice from among a plurality of voice receiving devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic devices, such as smart televisions (TVs), smartphones, air conditioners, refrigerators, speakers, etc., are able to provide an intelligent assistant service for performing various tasks in response to user voice input.

To use a voice-based intelligent assistant service, a user may speak a request to an electronic device acting as a user interface for the intelligent assistant service. In the conventional art, if a plurality of devices provides the same intelligent assistant service in the same space, the processing of the user's request may be duplicated as each device provides its response, which may deteriorate a user experience and unnecessarily consume processing resources. Thus, a need exists for a method, device, and system of implementing an intelligent service to address the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the disclosure is designed to address at least the problems and/or disadvantages described above and to provide at least the advantages described below.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes a user interface; at least one communication module; a microphone; at least one speaker; at least one processor operatively connected with the user interface, the at least one communication module, the microphone, and the at least one speaker; and at least one memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which when executed, instruct the at least one processor to while the electronic device is wiredly or wirelessly connected with an access point (AP) connected with at least one external electronic device, after receiving, through the microphone, part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service, broadcast identification information about the electronic device and receive identification information broadcast from the at least one external electronic device, after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, individually transmit first information related to the wake-up utterance received through the microphone to the at least one external electronic device and individually receive, from the external electronic device, second information related to the wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device, and determine whether to transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to an external server based on at least part of the first information and the second information.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes a communication module; a microphone; a speaker; at least one processor operatively connected with the communication module, the microphone, and the speaker; and a memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions, which when executed, instruct the processor to upon receiving, through the microphone, part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service, determine whether the electronic device is in a state of being connected with an access point (AP) through the communication module, when the electronic device is in the state of being connected with the AP, broadcast identification information about the electronic device through the communication module and receive at least one piece of identification information broadcast from at least one external electronic device connected with the AP, after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to each of the at least one external electronic device, receive at least one piece of second information about the wake-up utterance from each of the at least one external electronic device, determine whether the electronic device is a leader device based on the first information and the at least one piece of second information, when the electronic device is not in the state of being connected with the AP, after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, transmit the first information about the wake-up utterance to an external server and receive leader information obtained based on the first information and the at least one piece of second information from the external server.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a server is provided, which includes at least one communication module; at least one processor operatively connected with the at least one communication module; and at least one memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which when executed, instruct the processor to receive, from a first electronic device, through the at least one communication module, first information and a leader request to select a leader device, transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device through the at least one communication module, in response to the leader request, and receive, from a first electronic device, through the at least one communication module, a leader lock request.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes a user interface; a communication module; a microphone; a speaker; a processor operatively connected with the user interface, the communication module, the microphone, and the speaker; and a memory operatively connected with the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions, which when executed, instruct the processor to connect the electronic device with an access point (AP) connected with an external electronic device, in response to receiving, through the microphone, a part of a wake-up command to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service, transmit identification information about the electronic device to the AP and receive identification information about the external electronic device broadcast from the AP, in response to receiving the whole wake-up command through the microphone, transmit first information related to a strength of the wake-up command received through the microphone to the external electronic device and receive, from the external electronic device, second information related to a strength of the wake-up command received by the external electronic device, and determine whether to transmit voice information received after the wake-up command to an external server based on at least part of the first information and the second information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an electronic device101in a network environment100according to an embodiment.

The auxiliary processor123may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one (e.g., the display device160, the sensor module176, or the communication module190) of the components of the electronic device101, instead of the main processor121while the main processor121is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state or along with the main processor121while the main processor121is an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor123(e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module180or the communication module190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor123.

The audio module170may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module170may obtain a sound through the input device150or output a sound through the sound output device155or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device102(e.g., a speaker or a headphone) directly or wirelessly connected with the electronic device101.

FIG. 2Aillustrates an intelligent assistant service system according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2A, according to an embodiment, an intelligent assistant service system10may include at least one of electronic devices202,204, and206(hereinafter, “user interface (UI) devices”) that provide a voice-based UI and a server212(hereinafter, “processing server”) connected via the Internet210with the first to third UI device202,204, and206. Selectively, the first to third UI devices202,204, and206may include a visual user interface (e.g., a touchscreen display). The first to third UI devices202,204, and206may have a similar configuration as the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, but are not limited thereto.

InFIG. 2A, the first to third UI devices202,204, and206may be connected to the server212via an access point (AP)208. The plurality of UI devices202,204, and206may include a first UI device202(also referred to as a “first electronic device”), a second UI device204(also referred to as a “second electronic device”), and a third UI device206(also referred to as a “third electronic device”). The first to third UI devices202,204, and206may have the configuration of, e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG. 1but are not limited thereto.

In the above embodiment, the user may provide an utterance to request the first UI device202to perform work or a task, and the first UI device202may provide utterance data to the processing server212. The processing server212may process the utterance data using automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU), thereby generating response data. The processing server212may provide the generated response data to the first UI device202, and the first UI device202may provide a response to the user using a voice and/or display. Alternatively, the above-described voice data processing may at least partially be performed by the first UI device202. The second UI device204and the third UI device206may also perform the same functions as the first UI device202.

Some intelligent assistant services may be configured not to be always-on rather than needing to be triggered by the user. In this case, the user may trigger the intelligent service by a wake-up utterance to the UI device or using the touchscreen or button on the UI device. The wake-up utterance may be an utterance (e.g., “Bixby,” “Ok, Google,” “Alexa,” or “Siri”) pre-chosen by the user or intelligent assistant service system10and may be previously stored in each of the first UI device202, the second UI device204, and the third UI device206. After the service initiates, e.g., saying “Bixby”, the user may provide a task-requesting utterance to the UI device, e.g., “what is the weather for today?”.

In some cases, there may be a plurality of UI devices in the same space while providing the same intelligent assistant service. In this case, when the user issues a wake-up utterance to use the intelligent assistant service, the plurality of UI devices in the same place may each recognize the wake-up utterance and respond to the user's utterance, thereby causing confusion in the user experience and a waste of resources. To address this issue, the plurality of UI devices may be configured so that all of the UI devices perform network communication with the processing server and, among the plurality of UI devices, only the closest UI to the user may respond to the user's wake-up utterance. However, having all of the plurality of UI devices performing network communication with the server may result in unnecessary consumption of communication resources.

As illustrated inFIG. 2A, according to an embodiment, when a plurality of UI devices202,204, and206simultaneously receive a wake-up utterance in the same space, they may mutually transmit and receive the information in a broadcast scheme, thereby allowing an electronic device which is to respond to the wake-up utterance (hereinafter, a “leader”) to be determined.

More specifically, as used herein, the term “leader device” may mean an electronic device which is selected to respond to the wake-up utterance among the plurality of electronic devices202,204, and206and is connected with an intelligent assistant server (e.g., the processing server212) to provide an intelligent assistant service. Because only one electronic device selected communicates with the processing server212, a waste of communication resources may be prevented.

According to an embodiment, when the plurality of electronic devices202,204, and206receive at least part of the wake-up utterance in the same space, they may receive the Internet protocol (IP) addresses of their neighbor electronic devices202,204, and206in a broadcasting scheme and then the whole wake-up utterance and then receive information about the wake-up utterance from each of the electronic devices202,204, and206through user datagram protocol (UDP) communication. At this time, the plurality of electronic devices202,204, and206may select a leader device to respond to the wake-up utterance based on the received information about the wake-up utterance.

FIGS. 2B and 2Care flowcharts illustrating a method200of determining a leader according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2A, each of the first to third electronic devices202,204, and206may be wiredly or wirelessly (e.g., wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)) to the AP208and simultaneously receive a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service. In this case, each of the first to third electronic devices202,204, and206may perform the operations illustrated inFIGS. 2B and 2C. For illustration purposes, only operations performed by the first electronic device202among the first to third electronic devices202,204, and206are described below.

Referring toFIG. 2B, in operation201, the first electronic device202, along with the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206, is connected with the AP208while receiving, from the user, a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service. Operation201may be triggered at the time of receiving part of the wake-up utterance. For example, when the wake-up utterance is “Hi, Bixby,” the time of receiving part of the wake-up utterance may be a first time when part, “Hi,” of “Hi, Bixby” is received.

In operation203, the first electronic device202may broadcast identification information about the first electronic device202to the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206. For example, the identification information about the first electronic device202may include the IP address of the first electronic device202. At this time, each of the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206may also broadcast its own identification information immediately after the first time. Because the first electronic device202broadcasts the identification information to the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206, e.g., via the AP208, it may not receive an acknowledgment (ACK) of the identification information from the second and third electronic devices204and206.

In operation205, the first electronic device202may receive the identification information broadcast from the second and third electronic devices204and206. For example, the identification information about the second and third electronic devices204and206may be the respective IP addresses of the second and third electronic devices204and206.

Operation207may be initiated after a second time when the first electronic device202receives the whole wake-up utterance. The first electronic device202may transmit first information related to the wake-up utterance received through the microphone of the first electronic device202using the identification information about the second and third electronic devices204and206individually received.

At this time, each of the second and third electronic devices204and206may transmit information related to the wake-up utterance they receive to the other devices using the identification information about the other devices. At this time, the second electronic device204may transmit second information about the wake-up utterance that the second electronic device204receives, and the third electronic device206may transmit third information about the wake-up utterance that the third electronic device206receives. For example, the first to third information may include at least one of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), audio quality, sound pressure, feature value of the input voice signal, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance that each of the first to third electronic devices202,204, and206receives through its microphone. For example, the confidence score of wake-up utterance may be a value indicating the similarity between a pre-stored wake-up utterance and the wake-up utterance received through the microphone. The degree of match between the pre-stored wake-up utterance and the wake-up utterance received through the microphone may be set to a value ranging from 0 to 100, and as the distance between the user and the device decreases, the similarity may increase.

Although in operations203to205the first electronic device202broadcasts the identification information about the first electronic device202to the second and third electronic devices204and206and receives identification information broadcast from the second and third electronic devices204and206, operations203to205may be omitted in a case where there is stored identification information. For example, the first electronic device202may receive identification information broadcast from the second and third electronic devices204and206and store the received identification information for a designated time. While the first UI device202maintains the stored identification information, operations203to205may be omitted.

When operations203to205are omitted, the first electronic device202may receive the whole wake-up utterance and then transmit the first information related to the wake-up utterance using the stored identification information in operation207.

In operation209, the first electronic device202may receive information about the wake-up utterance received by the second and third electronic devices204and206individually from the second and third electronic devices204and206. For example, the first electronic device202may receive the second information from the second electronic device204and the third information from the third electronic device206.

In operation211, the first electronic device202may determine whether the first electronic device202transmits, to an external server, voice information received after the wake-up utterance, based on at least part of the first information to the third information. When the SNR included in the first information is larger than the SNRs included in the second information and the third information, the first electronic device202may determine that the first electronic device202transmits voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server.

The SNR included in the first information being largest may mean that as the first electronic device202is positioned closest to the user, the user has a higher chance of having issued the wake-up utterance for a voice command using the first electronic device202. Because the electronic device identified to have a larger SNR may perform voice recognition more precisely, if the first electronic device202receives a voice of a relatively larger SNR than those of the other electronic devices (e.g., the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206), the first electronic device202may determine itself as the leader device and transmit voice information. However, when the SNR included in the first electronic device202is smaller than the SNRs included in the second information and third information, the first electronic device202may determine to refrain from transmitting voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server.

Although the first electronic device202has been identified to have a larger SNR in the example above, the first electronic device202might not be the one positioned closest to the user. For example, when the first electronic device202is a device to which a noise cancellation and sound volume application solution to secure remote recognition performance, it may be identified to have a larger SNR than the electronic devices (e.g., the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206), which are actually positioned closer to the user. To prevent this from happening, the first electronic device202may determine that the first electronic device202itself transmits voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server based on the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information and the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the third information.

When the SNR included in the first information is larger than the SNR included in the second information by a particular value (e.g., 10), the first electronic device202may transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server. When the difference between the SNR included in the first information and the SNR included in the second information is smaller than a particular value, the first electronic device202may determine whether the first electronic device202itself transmits voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server considering other elements included in the first information and the second information. For example, when the difference between the SNR included in the first information and the SNR included in the second information is smaller than a particular value, the first electronic device202may determine whether the first electronic device202itself transmits voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server considering the confidence score of the wake-up utterance. As another example, when the difference between the SNR included in the first information and the SNR included in the second information is smaller than a particular value, the first electronic device202may determine whether the first electronic device202itself transmits voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server considering state information. For example, the state information may include information that indicates whether the first electronic device202is in a screen-on state, whether the user has used the device within a particular time, or whether the priority of the electronic devices has previously been set. As such, when the leader device is determined based on other additional state information than SNR, an exchange of state information between the devices is described below with reference toFIG. 9B.

FIG. 2Cis a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment. To avoid a redundant explanation, operations ofFIG. 2Cthat are substantially similar to the operations ofFIG. 2Bdescribed above are omitted from the description below.

Referring toFIG. 2C, in operation231, the first electronic device202, along with the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206, is connected with the AP208while receiving, from the user, a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service. Operation231may be the same as operation201ofFIG. 2B.

In operation233, the first electronic device202may broadcast identification information about the first electronic device202to the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206. Operation233may be the same as operation203ofFIG. 2B.

In operation235, the first electronic device202may receive the identification information broadcast from the second and third electronic devices204and206. Operation235may be the same as operation205ofFIG. 2B.

In operation237, the first electronic device202may receive the whole wake-up utterance. Operation237may be initiated after a second time when the first electronic device202receives the whole wake-up utterance.

In operation239, the first electronic device202may determine whether a preset condition is met. For example, the preset condition may be when the first electronic device202is interacting with the user or when the user previously sets the first electronic device202as a device to perform a voice command. For example, when the first electronic device202is providing a voice-based intelligent assistant service (e.g., playing music or text-to-speech (TTS) or inputting a follow up command through a voice-based intelligent assistant service), the first electronic device202may determine that the preset condition is met. For example, when the first electronic device202is set to have the highest priority by the user, the first electronic device202may determine that the preset condition is met.

Upon determining that the preset condition is met, the first electronic device202may determine to transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server in operation241. For example, when the first electronic device202is interacting with the user or is set to have the highest priority, the first electronic device202may determine that the first electronic device202transmits the voice information to the external server. In other words, when the preset condition is met, the first electronic device202may determine itself (the first electronic device202) as the leader device without considering information about the wake-up utterance received through the microphone from at least one external electronic device (i.e., without performing operations207and209ofFIG. 2B). Accordingly, when the first electronic device202is interacting with the user, although the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206receive the user's utterance, the first electronic device202may be operated as the leader device.

When the preset condition is determined to be met in operation239, the first electronic device202may individually transmit, to the second and third electronic devices204and206, first information related to the strength of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone in operation243. Operation243may be the same as operation207ofFIG. 2B.

In operation245, the first electronic device202may receive information about the wake-up utterance received by the second and third electronic devices204and206individually from the second and third electronic devices204and206. Operation245may be the same as operation209ofFIG. 2B.

In operation247, the first electronic device202may determine whether the first electronic device202transmits, to an external server, voice information received after the wake-up utterance, based on at least part of the first information to the third information. Operation247may be the same as operation211ofFIG. 2B.

Although the description in connection withFIGS. 2B and 2Cpresumes that a wake-up utterance is received and a voice command is separately received, the reception of a wake-up utterance and the reception of a voice command may be continuously performed (e.g., a seamless command). When a seamless command is received, if the first electronic device202is a device incapable of processing seamless commands, the first electronic device202may not transmit the first information and, when the first electronic device202is a device capable of processing seamless commands, the first electronic device202may transmit the first information to each of the at least one external electronic device. Accordingly, when the user issues a seamless command, the leader device may be identified among devices capable of processing seamless commands.

FIG. 3illustrates an operation of receiving part of a wake-up command to receive identification information about at least one external electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3, an embodiment of receiving part of a wake-up utterance as in operation201ofFIG. 2Bis described below in greater detail. As shown, the first electronic device202may include a microphone301, a digital signal processor (DSP)303, and an application processor305.

The microphone301may be used for the first electronic device202to receive voice information. The DSP303may always be in an active state and may thus be a chip operated at low power. When voice information received through the microphone includes at least part of the wake-up utterance, the DSP303may transmit a signal to wake up the AP305. The DSP303may transmit the SNR and voice information received through the microphone301to the AP305.

The AP305may detect the wake-up utterance based on the voice information received from the DSP303and determine whether the user is a registered user or a user who has been authorized to use the corresponding function among registered users. AlthoughFIG. 3illustrates that the DSP303and the AP305are separate components, the DSP303may be implemented in the AP305. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the application processor305and the DSP303may be implemented as a main processor121.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate an operation of receiving identification information about at least one external electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment400in which the first electronic device202broadcasts identification information and receives at least one piece of identification information broadcast from at least one electronic device204and206as in operation202ofFIG. 2Bis described below in greater detail. In the shown embodiment, when an electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A), a first external electronic device401(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A), and a second external electronic device403(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A) are arranged near each other, and the user issues voice information, the electronic device101, the first external electronic device401, and the second external electronic device403may all receive the voice information. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101, the first external electronic device401, and the second external electronic device403may be connected to one AP405(e.g., the AP208ofFIG. 2A). AlthoughFIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate the electronic device101broadcasting identification information through the AP405, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device101may directly broadcast identification information to the first external electronic device401and the second external electronic device403.

Referring toFIG. 4A, upon receiving voice information411through the microphone, the electronic device101may transmit an IP address to the AP405in operation413. For example, the voice information411received through the microphone may be part of a wake-up utterance. When the voice information411is received, the DSP of the electronic device101may wake up and transmit the IP address to the AP405.

Upon receiving the IP address from the electronic device101, the AP405may transmit the IP address of the electronic device101to the first external electronic device401and second external electronic device403connected with the AP405in operation415.

The first external electronic device401and the second external electronic device403may receive the IP address of the electronic device101from the AP405in operations417and419.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, when the electronic device101broadcasts the identification information441about the electronic device101through the AP405, the first external electronic device401may store identification information443about the first external electronic device401together with the identification information441about the electronic device101. When the electronic device101broadcasts the identification information441about the electronic device101through the AP405, the second external electronic device403may store identification information445about the second external electronic device403together with the identification information441about the electronic device101.

Referring again toFIG. 4A, when the voice information411is received, the DSP of the first external electronic device401may be awakened, in order to transmit the IP address of the first external electronic device401to the AP405in operation421.

Upon receiving the IP address from the first external electronic device401, the AP405transmits the IP address of the first external electronic device401to the electronic device101and second external electronic device403connected with the AP405in operation423. The electronic device101and the second external electronic device403receive the IP address of the first external electronic device101from the AP405in operations425and427.

When the voice information411is received, the DSP of the second external electronic device403may be awakened, in order to transmit the IP address of the second external electronic device401to the AP405in operation429. Upon receiving the IP address from the second external electronic device403, the AP405transmits the IP address of the second external electronic device403to the electronic device101and first external electronic device401connected with the AP405in operation431. The electronic device101and the first external electronic device401may receive the IP address of the second external electronic device101from the AP405in operations433and435.

AlthoughFIG. 4Aillustrates that the AP405receives and transmits one IP address at a time, a plurality of IP addresses may be received before then transmitting the IP address may be transmitted together. For example, the AP405may transmit the IP address of the electronic device101and the IP address of the first external electronic device401together, instead of transmitting the IP address of the electronic device101by itself in operation415.

FIG. 5illustrates an operation of receiving identification information about at least one external electronic device according to an embodiment.

InFIG. 5, an embodiment500in which the electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A) broadcasts identification information and receives identification information broadcast from at least one external electronic device in operation205ofFIG. 2is described below. For example, it may be assumed in the description with respect toFIG. 5that an electronic device101, a first external electronic device501(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A), and a second external electronic device503(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A) are arranged in any space and operations are performed in such an environment that when the user issues voice information, the electronic device101, the first external electronic device501, and the second external electronic device503all are able to receive the voice information and that the electronic device101, the first external electronic device501, and the second external electronic device503are connected with one AP505(e.g., the AP208of FIG.2A0. The AP505may be implemented as a separate device to manage an IP address list for peripheral devices.

Referring toFIG. 5, upon receiving voice information511through the microphone, the electronic device101sends a request for an IP address list to the AP505in operation515. The voice information511received through the microphone may be part of a wake-up command. When the voice information511is received, the DSP of the electronic device101may be awakened, in order to send a request for the IP address list to the AP505.

Upon receiving the IP address list request from the electronic device101, the AP505transmits an IP address list including the IP addresses of the electronic device101, the first external electronic device501, and the second external electronic device503connected with the AP505in operation517. The electronic device101receives and stores the IP address list in operation519. The stored IP address list may be used later to transmit wake-up command information.

The AP505may previously identify the IP addresses of the connected electronic devices and store the IP addresses. For example, the AP505may generate and previously store an IP address list.

Upon receiving voice information511through the microphone, the first external electronic device501sends a request for an IP address list to the AP505in operation521. Upon receiving the IP address list request from the first external electronic device501, the AP505transmits an IP address list including the IP addresses of the electronic device101, the first external electronic device501, and the second external electronic device503connected with the AP505in operation523. The first external electronic device501receives and stores the IP address list in operation525.

Upon receiving voice information511through the microphone, the second external electronic device503sends a request for an IP address list to the AP505in operation527. Upon receiving the IP address list request from the first external electronic device501, the AP505transmits an IP address list including the IP addresses of the electronic device101, the first external electronic device501, and the second external electronic device503connected with the AP505in operation529. The second external electronic device503receives and stores the IP address list in operation531.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate an operation of transmitting information about a wake-up command according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, an embodiment600in which the electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A) transmits first information about a wake-up utterance to at least one first external electronic device601(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A) or second external electronic device603(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A) in operation207ofFIG. 2is described below.

For example, as shown inFIG. 6A, the electronic device101may generate (611) or identify an IP address list for at least one external electronic device601and603connected with an AP605(e.g., the AP208ofFIG. 2A) in operation611. The electronic device101may receive the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone in operation617. For example, the electronic device101may receive voice information and determine whether the whole wake-up utterance is received. Upon receiving the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to the first external electronic device601and the second external electronic device603in operation623. For example, the first information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the received wake-up utterance. For example, as shown inFIG. 6B, the electronic device101may transmit the first information to each of the first external electronic device601and the second external electronic device603through user datagram protocol (UDP) communication in operations631and633. The electronic device101may receive (635and637) ACKs from the first external electronic device601and the second external electronic device603, corresponding to the transmission of the first information, in operations635and637. The electronic device101may transmit the first information to each of the first external electronic device601and the second external electronic device603through one-to-N communication and receive ACKs, thereby identifying whether each external electronic device601and603has received the first information. When the electronic device101receives no ACK, the electronic device101may re-transmit the first information to the corresponding external electronic device. The electronic device101may minimize the transmission count by refraining from re-transmitting the first information to the external electronic device which has received an ACK.

Referring toFIG. 6A, the first external electronic device601may generate an IP address list for the electronic device101and the second external electronic device603connected with the AP605in operation613. The first external electronic device601receives the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone in operation619and transmits second information about the wake-up utterance to the electronic device101and the second external electronic device603in operation625. For example, the second information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone of the first external electronic device601.

In operation615, the second external electronic device603may generate an IP address list for the electronic device101and the first external electronic device601connected with the AP605. The second external electronic device603may receive the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone in operation621and transmits third information about the wake-up utterance to the electronic device101and the first external electronic device601in operation627. For example, the third information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone of the second external electronic device603.

Although the electronic device101, the first external electronic device601, and the second external electronic device603receive the same wake-up utterance issued by the user, the first information, the second information, and the third information may differ from each other depending on where the electronic device101, the first external electronic device601, and the second external electronic device603are arranged and the ambient environment.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting information about a wake-up command according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 7, an embodiment700in which the first electronic device202transmits first information about a wake-up utterance to at least one second electronic device204or third electronic device206in operation207ofFIG. 2is described below.FIG. 7is a view illustrating an operation of transmitting information about a wake-up utterance according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 7, in operation701, the first electronic device202may receive voice information. In operation703, the first electronic device202may determine whether the received voice information is a wake-up utterance. For example, the wake-up utterance may be one of “Bixby,” “Siri,” or “Alexa.” For example, the first electronic device202may determine whether the voice information is a wake-up utterance using a keyword recognition algorithm to extract and recognize only a word to be recognized.

When the received voice information is not a wake-up utterance, the first electronic device202may disregard the received voice information in operation705.

When the received voice information is a wake-up utterance, the first electronic device202may determine whether the received voice information is an utterance issued by a registered speaker in operation707. For example, the electronic device101may determine whether the received voice information is an utterance issued by a registered speaker using a speaker recognition algorithm to recognize the voice of a particular speaker.

When the received voice information is not an utterance issued by a registered speaker, the first electronic device202may disregard the received voice information in operation705.

When the received voice information is an utterance issued by a registered speaker, the first electronic device202may determine whether the received voice information is an utterance issued by a person authorized to use the first electronic device202among registered speakers in operation709. For example, the first electronic device202may determine whether the received voice information is an utterance issued by a person authorized to use the first electronic device202among registered speakers using a speaker recognition algorithm to recognize the voice of a particular speaker. For example, when the first electronic device202is a smartphone, only smartphone users may be registered persons authorized to use the smartphone. For example, among speaker A, speaker B, and speaker C who have been registered in the first electronic device202, only speaker A may be authorized to use the first electronic device202.

When the received voice information is an utterance issued by a person who is not authorized to use the first electronic device202among the registered speakers, the first electronic device202may disregard the received voice information in operation705.

When the received voice information is an utterance issued by a person authorized to use the first electronic device202among the registered speakers, the first electronic device202may transmit information related to the wake-up utterance to at least one second electronic device204or third electronic device206and receive an ACK thereof in operation711. As the information related to the wake-up utterance is transmitted to the external electronic device only when the wake-up utterance is an utterance issued by a person authorized to use the first electronic device202among the registered speakers, the first electronic device202may be prevented from attending the competition of determining a leader device due to the voice information issued by a person who is not authorized to use the first electronic device202.

FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate operations of receiving information about a wake-up command according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B, embodiments800and810in which the electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A) receives information about a wake-up utterance received by at least one external electronic device801and803from a first external electronic device801(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A) and a second external electronic device803(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A) in operation209ofFIG. 2are described below.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8A, the electronic device101may generate (811) an IP address list for the first external electronic device801and the second external electronic device803connected with an AP805(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A) in operation811.

In operation813, the electronic device101may receive the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone.

Upon receiving the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to the first external electronic device801and the second external electronic device803in operation815.

When the first external electronic device801transmits second information about the wake-up utterance received by the first external electronic device801in operation817, the electronic device101may receive the second information after transmitting the first information and before a guard time825elapses in operation819.

When the second external electronic device803transmits third information about the wake-up utterance received by the second external electronic device803in operation821, the electronic device101may receive the third information after transmitting the first information and before a guard time825elapses in operation823. In this case, the electronic device101may determine that the information about the wake-up utterance is received from all the external electronic devices801and803included in the IP address list within the guard time825.

As another example, when an external electronic device which transmits no information about the wake-up utterance is identified among the external electronic devices included in the IP address list within the guard time825, the electronic device101may additionally request the identified external electronic device to transmit information about the wake-up utterance to thereby receive the information about the wake-up utterance from all the external electronic devices.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8B, the electronic device101may generate an IP address list for the first external electronic device801and the second external electronic device803connected with an AP805in operation841. The electronic device101may receive the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone in operation843.

Upon receiving the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to the first external electronic device801and the second external electronic device803in operation845.

When the first external electronic device801transmits second information about the wake-up utterance received by the first external electronic device801in operation847, the electronic device101may receive the second information after transmitting the first information and before a guard time853elapses in operation849. The electronic device101may determine that it has failed to receive information about the wake-up utterance from the second external electronic device805among the external electronic devices included in the IP address list within the guard time853, after transmitting the first information, and send an additional request851for the third information about the wake-up utterance received by the second external electronic device805to the second external electronic device805.

As the electronic device101determines the external electronic device which transmits no information about the wake-up utterance among the external electronic devices included in the IP address list and sends an additional request, any external electronic device may be prevented from missing in determining the leader device.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9Cillustrate an operation of determining whether to transmit voice information to an external server according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 9A to 9C, an embodiment in which the first electronic device202determines whether to transmit voice information received after a wake-up utterance to an external server in operation211ofFIG. 2is described below. the first electronic device202may store identification information broadcast from a plurality of electronic devices. For example, the identification information broadcast from the plurality of electronic devices may be IP addresses, such as 10.251.xx.1 (913), 10.251.xx.2 (915), and 10.251.xx.4 (917) as illustrated inFIG. 9A. The first electronic device202may receive information about the wake-up utterance from the plurality of electronic devices corresponding to the identification information included in the IP address list and store the information in the form of a table910. For example, the wake-up utterance-related information may be the SNR of the wake-up utterance received by each electronic device, for example 50 (921), 60 (923), or 70 (925). The first electronic device202may store the identification information about the first electronic device202, i.e., 10.251.xx.3 (911), along with the SNR of the wake-up utterance received by the first electronic device202, i.e.,100(919). When the SNR of the first electronic device202is the largest among the SNRs stored in the table910, the first electronic device202may determine to transmit the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server.

Referring toFIG. 9B, the identification information broadcast from the plurality of electronic devices may be IP addresses, such as 10.251.xx.1 (953), 10.251.xx.2 (955), and 10.251.xx.4 (957). The first electronic device202may receive information about the wake-up utterance from the plurality of electronic devices corresponding to the identification information included in the IP address list and store the information in the form of a table950. For example, the wake-up utterance-related information may be the confidence score of the wake-up utterance received by each electronic device, for example 20 (961), 30 (963), or 40 (965). The first electronic device202may store the identification information about the first electronic device202, i.e., 10.251.xx.3 (951), along with the confidence score of the wake-up utterance received by the first electronic device202, i.e., 80 (959). When the confidence score of the wake-up utterance of the first electronic device202is the largest among the confidence scores of wake-up utterances stored in the table950, the first electronic device202may determine to transmit the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server.

The electronic device to transmit the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server may be the leader device. Although such an example is described as to determine the leader device based on comparison of SNRs or confidence scores of wake-up utterance, the leader device may be determined based on at least one property of wake-up utterance such as audio quality, volume, or sound pressure.

The leader device may also be determined considering the state information about the first electronic device202or a plurality of electronic devices as well as the properties of wake-up utterance. For example, the state information may include at least one of the type information about the first electronic device202, information about the application running on the first electronic device202, the distance between the user and the first electronic device202, or the capability of the first electronic device202. Referring toFIG. 9C, an embodiment in which the first electronic device202determines the leader device based on state information and information about a wake-up utterance is described below.

For example, as shown inFIG. 9C, the user931may issue voice information, e.g., “Hi, Bixby! (933), What's the weather like today? (935)” after a wake-up utterance. The electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A) may calculate the SNR for “Hi, Bixby! (933)” to be 80 (937) and determine that the proximity to the user is near (939). The electronic device101may receive far (943), which is the proximity of the first external electronic device901(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A) to the user, and may receive the SNR value 80 (941) for “Hi, Bixby! (933)” calculated by the first external electronic device901. Although its own SNR is the same as the SNR of the first external electronic device901, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device based on the proximity to the user.

As another example, when the electronic device101is a TV and an image playing application is running, it may be determined not to transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server (i.e., it is not the leader device) regardless of information about the wake-up utterance received by the electronic device101. If the electronic device101transmits the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server, it may be required to receive a command corresponding to the voice information from the external server and execute the command. Thus, the application currently running may be determined first.

When the electronic device101is determined to be the leader device, the electronic device101may connect with the external server and transmit the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server.

FIG. 10illustrates an operation of receiving voice information and transmitting the voice information to an external server according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 10, operations performed by the electronic device101when the electronic device101(e.g., the first electronic device202ofFIG. 2A) is determined to be the leader device are described below.FIG. 10is a view illustrating an operation of receiving voice information and transmitting the voice information to an external server according to an embodiment. As shown inFIG. 10, when the electronic device101is determined to be the leader device, the electronic device101may transmit (1011) a signal to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to an external server1009(e.g., the processing server212ofFIG. 2A) and broadcast (1013,1015,1017, and1019) signals to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device through an AP1007(e.g., the AP208ofFIG. 2A) to a first external electronic device1001(e.g., the second electronic device204ofFIG. 2A), a second external electronic device1003(e.g., the third electronic device206ofFIG. 2A), and a third external electronic device1005. The electronic device101may transmit (1021,1023, and1025) signals to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to the first external electronic device1001, the second external electronic device1003, and the third external electronic device1005connected with the AP1007through 1:N (reliable multicast transport protocol) communication and receive ACKs (1027,1029, and1031).

As the electronic device101transmits the signals to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to the AP1007and the plurality of external electronic devices1001,1003, and1005connected with the AP1007, the plurality of external electronic devices1001,1003, and1005connected with the AP1007may be prevented from transmitting voice information to the external server1009.

FIG. 11is a flowchart (1100) illustrating an operation of transmitting voice information according to selecting a leader, according to an embodiment.

InFIG. 11, selecting a leader device may mean that the electronic device determines and notifies the external server that the electronic device itself is the leader device and is confirmed by the external server that it is the leader device.

In operation1101, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may transmit leader information indicating that the electronic device is the leader device to an external server or a hub device. For example, the hub device may be one of electronic devices providing an intelligent assistant service or may be a home appliance, e.g., a cable box, with the functionality of managing electronic devices.

In operation1103, the electronic device101may receive a leader selection from the external server or hub device. The leader selection may be a signal that the external server or hub device sends to indicate that it is the leader in response to the leader information from the electronic device101.

Upon receiving the leader selection from the external server or hub device, the electronic device101may receive voice information in operation1105, according to an embodiment. The voice information may be a voice command issued by the user to use the intelligent assistant service. For example, the voice information may be a question, e.g. “What's today's weather forecast?” or a command, e.g. “Play music playlist 1.”

In operation1107, the electronic device101may transmit the received voice information to the external server, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the received voice information to the external server, and the external server may analyze the voice information. Or, the electronic device101may transmit data resulting from analyzing the voice information to the external server.

If no leader selection is received from the external server or hub device in operation1103, the electronic device101may receive voice information in operation1109, according to an embodiment.

In operation1111, the electronic device101may disregard the received voice information, according to an embodiment. If no leader selection is received from the external server or hub device, the electronic device101might not be the leader device. For example, although the electronic device101has determined itself to be the leader device among the plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP where the electronic device101is connected, the electronic device101might not be selected as the leader device due to competition with external electronic devices not connected with the AP. In such a case, the external electronic device selected as the leader device may transmit the voice information and, thus, the electronic device101, although receiving the voice information, may disregard the received voice information.

FIGS. 12A and 12Bare views illustrating an operation of transmitting voice information according to selecting a leader according to an embodiment.FIGS. 12A and 12Bassume an environment where an electronic device101, a first external electronic device1201, and a second external electronic device1203are connected with a first AP and the second external electronic device1203, the a third external electronic device1205, and a fourth external electronic device1207are connected with a second AP.

Referring toFIG. 12A, when an external server1211determines the leader device, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device using only information about the wake-up utterance received from the first external electronic device1201and the second external electronic device1203connected with the first AP and in operation1213, transmit leader information indicating that the electronic device101is the leader device to the external server1211. The third external electronic device1205, which has the highest SNR among the external electronic devices1203,1205, and1207connected with the second AP, may determine that the third external electronic device1205is the leader device and in operation1215, transmits leader information indicating that the third external electronic device1205is the leader device to the external server1211.

The number of electronic devices (i.e., the leader device) performing voice information received after the wake-up utterance is one. Thus, upon receiving leader information from the electronic device101and the third external electronic device1205, the external server1211may determine the leader device and in operation1217, transmits a leader selection indicating that it has been selected as the leader device to the electronic device101. For example, the external server1211may determine the leader device as the electronic device101which has the larger SNR and/or larger confidence score of wake-up utterance of the electronic device101and the third external electronic device1205which have transmitted the leader information.

Referring toFIG. 12B, when the second external electronic device1203is operated as the hub device, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device using only information about the wake-up utterance received from the first external electronic device1201and the second external electronic device1203connected with the first AP and in operation1221, transmit leader information indicating that the electronic device101is the leader device to the second external electronic device1203. The third external electronic device1205, which has the highest SNR among the external electronic devices1203,1205, and1207connected with the second AP, may determine that the third external electronic device1205is the leader device and in operation1223, transmit leader information indicating that the third external electronic device1205is the leader device to the second external electronic device1203. The second external electronic device1203may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device and in operation1225, transmit the leader selection to the electronic device101. Although the second external electronic device1203is operated as the hub device inFIG. 12B, the hub device may be a separate device.

FIG. 13is a flowchart (1300) illustrating a method of changing a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 13, in operation1301, an electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may transmit leader information indicating that the electronic device101is the leader device to an external server through, e.g., the communication module190, according to an embodiment.

In operation1303, the electronic device101may output a response corresponding to a wake-up utterance, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may output “Enter a command” through the speaker, corresponding to “Hi, Bixby” issued by the user. Or, the electronic device101may notify the user of the reception of the wake-up utterance by flickering on the display, corresponding to “Hi, Bixby” issued by the user.

In operation1305, the electronic device101may receive voice information indicating a leader change, according to an embodiment. Because the user may invoke an intelligent assistant service using a first external electronic device, although the electronic device101has been determined to be the leader device, voice information to change the leader device to the first external electronic device may be input to the electronic device101.

In operation1307, the electronic device101may obtain information about the leader change according to a result of processing the voice information indicating the leader change, according to an embodiment For example, the electronic device101may transmit the voice information indicating the leader change to the external server and receive information about the leader change from the external server. As another example, the electronic device101may process the voice information indicating the leader change and judge the information about the leader change.

In operation1309, the electronic device101may receive voice information received after the wake-up utterance, according to an embodiment.

In operation1311, the electronic device101may disregard the received voice information, according to an embodiment. For example, as the voice information indicating the leader change is received, the leader device may be changed from the electronic device101to another external electronic device. Since the electronic device101is no longer the leader device, the electronic device101may disregard the received voice information.

FIG. 14Ais a flowchart1400illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 14A, in operation1401, an electronic device101receives voice information according to an embodiment. For example, the voice information may include a wake-up utterance to invoke an intelligent assistant service and a voice command for the intelligent assistant service.

In operation1403, the electronic device101may determine whether the grade of voice recognition is larger than a first threshold, according to an embodiment. For example, the first threshold may be part of the wake-up utterance, e.g., a value indicating “Hi” which is part of “Hi, Bixby” or “Alex” which is part of “Alexa.” For example, the first threshold may be a value indicating a matching proportion relative to the overall wake-up utterance. The electronic device101may identify the matching ratio between the received voice information and the overall wake-up utterance and identify whether the matching ratio exceeds the first threshold. When the grade of voice recognition does is not larger than the first threshold in operation1403, the electronic device101may go back to operation1401to receive voice information.

When the grade of voice recognition does is larger than the first threshold in operation1403, the electronic device101may gather ambient IP addresses within a first guard time in operation1405. The first guard time may be any time after the time of determining that the grade of voice recognition is larger than the first threshold and may be, e.g., 100 ms to 150 ms. Gathering IP addresses may mean receiving the IP addresses of at least one external electronic device connected with the AP where the electronic device101is connected. By receiving part of the wake-up utterance and gathering ambient IP addresses, the electronic device101may transmit the SNR at the ambient IP addresses immediately when the whole wake-up utterance is received and the SNR is calculated.

In operation1407, the electronic device101may detect the wake-up utterance, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may detect the wake-up utterance using ‘keyword recognition” which extracts and recognizes only the target word for recognition.

In operation1409, upon detecting the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may calculate the SNR of the wake-up utterance and transmit the calculated SNR at the gathered IP addresses, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the SNR at the ambient IP addresses through UDP communication and receive ACKs from the external electronic devices corresponding to the ambient IP addresses.

In operation1411, the electronic device101may determine whether it receives the SNRs from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within a second guard time. For example, the second guard time may be any time after the time when the electronic device101transmits the SNR of wake-up utterance in operation1409.

In operation1413, upon failing to receive the SNRs from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within the second guard time in operation1411, the electronic device101may send an additional request for SNR to the external electronic devices from which no SNRs are received.

For example, if the electronic device101stores the IP addresses of the first external electronic device and second external electronic device and receives the SNR from the first external electronic device within the second guard time, the electronic device101may send an additional request for SNR to the second external electronic device. In such operation, the electronic device101may receive the SNRs from all the external electronic devices connected with the AP.

Upon receiving the SNRs from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within the second guard time in operation1411, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the plurality of received SNRs, according to an embodiment in operation1415. For example, the electronic device101may compare the SNRs received from the plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP with the SNR of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone, thereby determining the leader device. For example, when the SNR of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone is the largest, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device.

In operation1417, the electronic device101may notify the ambient external electronic devices that the electronic device101is the leader device and receive response ACKs. For example, the electronic device101may transmit a signal to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to each of the external electronic devices connected with the AP via UDP communication and receive ACKs. The electronic device101may retransmit signals indicating that the electronic device101is the leader device to any external electronic devices from which no ACK is received.

In operation1419, after the electronic device101may receive an ACK from each of the external electronic devices connected with the AP and transmit a voice command to the external server, according to an embodiment.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive part of a wake-up utterance, gather the IP addresses of the ambient external electronic devices, detect the wake-up utterance, transmit the SNR of wake-up utterance to the gathered IP addresses, and receive SNRs from the ambient external electronic devices, thereby determining the leader device. Accordingly, one device to perform the user's voice command among the plurality of electronic devices connected with the AP may be determined.

FIG. 14Bis a flowchart1450illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 14B, in operation1451, an electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may receive voice information according to an embodiment.

In operation1453, the electronic device101may determine whether the grade of voice recognition is larger than a first threshold, according to an embodiment.

In operation1455, the electronic device101may gather ambient IP addresses within a first guard time.

In operation1457, the electronic device101may detect the wake-up utterance, according to an embodiment. Operations1451to1457are the same as operations1401to1407described above in connection withFIG. 14A, and thus, no detailed description thereof is given.

In operation1459, upon detecting the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may calculate the confidence score of the wake-up utterance and transmit the calculated confidence score to the gathered IP addresses, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the confidence score at the ambient IP addresses through UDP communication and receive ACKs from the external electronic devices corresponding to the ambient IP addresses.

In operation1461, the electronic device101may determine whether it receives the confidence scores from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within a second guard time. For example, the second guard time may be any time after the time when the electronic device101transmits the confidence score of wake-up utterance in operation1459.

In operation1463, upon failing to receive the confidence scores from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within the second guard time in operation1461, the electronic device101may send an additional request for confidence score to the external electronic devices from which no confidence scores are received. For example, if the electronic device101stores the IP addresses of the first external electronic device and second external electronic device and receives a confidence score from the first external electronic device within the second guard time but not from the second external electronic device, the electronic device101may send an additional request for confidence score to the second external electronic device. In such an operation, the electronic device101may receive the confidence scores from all the external electronic devices connected with the AP.

Upon receiving the confidence scores from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within the second guard time in operation1461, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the plurality of received confidence scores, according to an embodiment in operation1465. For example, the electronic device101may compare the confidence scores received from the plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP with the confidence score of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone, thereby determining the leader device. For example, when the confidence score of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone is the largest, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device. “The confidence score is the largest” may mean that the similarity between the wake-up utterance pre-stored in the electronic device101and the wake-up utterance received through the microphone is the largest and, thus, may mean that the clarity of the user's wake-up utterance is high.

In operation1467, the electronic device101may notify the ambient external electronic devices that the electronic device101is the leader device and receive response ACKs.

In operation1469, the electronic device101may receive an ACK from each of the external electronic devices connected with the AP and transmit a voice command to the external server, according to an embodiment. Operations1467and1469are the same as operations1417and1419described above in connection withFIG. 14A, and thus, no detailed description thereof is given.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive part of a wake-up utterance, gather the IP addresses of the ambient external electronic devices, detect the wake-up utterance, transmit the confidence score of wake-up utterance at the gathered IP addresses, and receive confidence scores from the ambient external electronic devices, thereby determining the leader device. Accordingly, one device to perform the user's voice command among the plurality of electronic devices connected with the AP may be determined.

FIG. 15is a flowchart (1500) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 15, in operation1501, according to an embodiment, an electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may receive part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service through the microphone.

In operation1503, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether it is in the state of being connected with an AP through the communication circuit. For example, if not connected with the AP, the electronic device101may be in the state of communicating via a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication or a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication scheme.

In operation1505, according to an embodiment, if connected with the AP via the communication circuit, the electronic device101may broadcast identification information about the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may request the AP to broadcast the IP address of the electronic device101or broadcast the IP address of the electronic device101to at least one external electronic device connected with the AP.

In operation1507, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive at least one piece of identification information broadcast from the at least one external electronic device connected with the AP. For example, the electronic device101may receive the IP address of each of the at least one external electronic device connected with the AP and additionally request the external electronic devices from which no IP addresses are received.

In operation1509, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive a wake-up utterance through the microphone and transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to each of the external electronic devices. Specifically, the electronic device101may detect the whole wake-up utterance and obtain the first information about the wake-up utterance. For example, the first information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, or sound pressure of the wake-up utterance. The electronic device101may transmit the first information to each of the at least one external electronic device through UDP communication. Because the electronic device101transmits the first information through UDP communication, the electronic device101may receive an ACK from each of the at least one external electronic device.

In operation1511, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive at least one piece of second information about the wake-up utterance from each of the at least one external electronic device. For example, when the electronic device101, the first external electronic device, and the second external electronic device are connected with the AP, the electronic device101may receive second information from the first external electronic device and the second external electronic device. The second information received from the first external electronic device may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received by the first external electronic device. The second information received from the second external electronic device may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received by the second external electronic device. The electronic device101, the first external electronic device, and the second external electronic device receive one wake-up utterance issued by the user. However, since the electronic device101, the first external electronic device, and the second external electronic device are arranged in different locations, the pieces of information about the wake-up utterance may differ from each other.

In operation1513, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the first information to the external server based on the first information and at least one piece of second information. If the electronic device101is determined to be the leader device based on the first information and the second information, the electronic device101may notify the external server that the electronic device101is the leader device along with the first information.

In operation1515, according to an embodiment, if not connected with the AP via the communication circuit in operation1503, the electronic device101may receive the wake-up utterance through the microphone and transmit the first information about the wake-up utterance to the external server. For example, the external server may be a server to select the leader device or an intelligent assistant server.

In operation1517, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive leader information from the external server. For example, the leader information may be determined based on the first information transmitted in operation1513and the first information transmitted in operation1515. That is, the leader device may be determined based on the information about the electronic device determined to be the leader device among the plurality of electronic devices connected with the AP and the information about the electronic device not connected with the AP. Accordingly, although the electronic device101is not connected with the AP (i.e., although the electronic device101and at least one external electronic device are not connected with one AP), the leader device may be determined among the electronic device101and at least one external electronic device.

FIG. 16is a flowchart (1600) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 16, in operation1601, an electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may receive voice information according to an embodiment. For example, the voice information may include a wake-up utterance to invoke an intelligent assistant service and a voice command for the intelligent assistant service. For example, the wake-up utterance may be “Hi, Bixby!” and the voice command may be “What's the weather like today?”

In operation1603, the electronic device101may determine whether the grade of voice recognition is larger than a first threshold, according to an embodiment. For example, the first threshold may be part of the wake-up utterance, e.g., “Hi” which is part of “Hi, Bixby” or “Alex” which is part of “Alexa.” When the grade of voice recognition does is not larger than the first threshold, the electronic device101may go back to operation1601to receive voice information.

When the grade of voice recognition does is not larger than the first threshold in operation1605, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether it is in the state of being connected with an AP in operation1605.

In operation1607, according to an embodiment, if connected with the AP, the electronic device101may gather ambient IP addresses within a first guard time. The first guard time may be any time after the time of determining that the grade of voice recognition is larger than the first threshold and may be, e.g., 100 ms to 150 ms.

In operation1609, the electronic device101may detect the wake-up utterance, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may detect the wake-up utterance using ‘keyword recognition” which extracts and recognizes only the target word for recognition.

In operation1611, upon detecting the wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may calculate the SNR of the wake-up utterance and transmit the calculated SNR to the gathered IP addresses, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the SNR to the ambient IP addresses through UDP communication and receive ACKs from the external electronic devices corresponding to the ambient IP addresses.

In operation1613, the electronic device101may determine whether it receives all the SNRs from the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within a second guard time. For example, the second guard time may be any time after the time when the electronic device101transmits the SNR of wake-up utterance in operation1409.

In operation1615, upon failing to receive the SNRs from all the external electronic devices of the IP addresses within the second guard time in operation1613, the electronic device101may send an additional request for SNR to the external electronic devices from which no SNRs are received in operation1615. For example, if the electronic device101stores the IP addresses of the first external electronic device and second external electronic device and receives the SNR from the first external electronic device within the second guard time, the electronic device101may send an additional request for SNR to the second external electronic device. In such operation, the electronic device101may receive the SNRs from all of the external electronic devices connected with the AP.

In operation1617, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the plurality of received SNRs, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device101may compare the SNRs received from the plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP with the SNR of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone, thereby determining the leader device. For example, when the SNR of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone is the largest, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device.

In operation1623, according to an embodiment, if not connected with the AP, the electronic device101may transmit the SNR to the hub device or external server when the SNR calculation for the received wake-up utterance is complete.

In operation1625, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive a signal indicating that it is the leader device from the hub device or external server. For example, the hub device or external server may compare the SNR received from the electronic device101with the SNR received from the external electronic device, thereby determining the leader device. In this case, the external electronic device may be the device determined to be the leader device among a plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP where the electronic device101is not connected.

In operation1619, the electronic device101may notify the ambient external electronic devices that the electronic device101is the leader device and receive response Ack's. For example, if connected with the AP, the electronic device101may transmit a signal to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to each of the external electronic devices connected with the AP via UDP communication and receive ACKs. The electronic device101may retransmit signals indicating that the electronic device101is the leader device to external electronic devices from which no ACK is received.

In operation1621, the electronic device101may receive an ACK from each of the external electronic devices connected with the AP and transmit a voice command to the external server, according to an embodiment.

Although the SNR of wake-up utterance is used to determine the leader device in description with respect toFIG. 16, this is merely an example. The determination of the leader device may also be made based on the confidence score of wake-up utterance or both the SNR and confidence score of wake-up utterance. For example, when the difference between the largest confidence score of external electronic device among the confidence scores of a plurality of wake-up utterances and the confidence score of wake-up utterance of the electronic device101is within a threshold, the leader device may be determined using the SNR of the external electronic device and the SNR of the electronic device101.

As another example, when the difference between the largest SNR of external electronic device among a plurality of SNRs and the SNR of the electronic device101is within a threshold, the leader device may be determined using the confidence score of wake-up utterance of the external electronic device and the confidence score of the electronic device101.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment, if not connected with the AP, the electronic device101may directly transmit the information about the wake-up utterance to the external server or hub device and receive information indicating the leader device. Accordingly, even if not connected with the AP, the electronic device101may participate in the competition for determining the leader device with at least one external electronic device connected with the AP (i.e., using other communication scheme).

FIG. 17is a flowchart (1700) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 17, in operation1701, according to an embodiment, an external server108(e.g., the server108) may receive first information and a leader request to select the leader from a first electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101). For example, the first electronic device may be the electronic device determined to be the leader device among a plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP where the first electronic device is connected.

In operation1703, according to an embodiment, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device corresponding to the leader request. According to an embodiment, the first electronic device may be the leader device by receiving the leader selection from the external server108but rather than by its own determination that the first electronic device is the leader device.

In operation1705, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive a leader lock request from the first electronic device. For example, the leader lock may mean rejecting the leader request from other external electronic devices than the first electronic device within any time after the external server108confirms the leader lock.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive the leader request from the first electronic device, transmit the leader selection, and receive the leader lock request. Accordingly, when there is an external electronic device other than the first electronic device, which determines that it is the leader device, one leader device may be selected.

FIG. 18is a flowchart (1800) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment. The embodiment ofFIG. 18is described in further detail with reference toFIGS. 19 and 20.FIG. 18is a view illustrating an operation of determining a leader according to an embodiment.FIG. 19is a view illustrating an operation of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 18, in operation1801, according to an embodiment, an external server108(e.g., the server108) may receive first information and a leader request to select the leader from a first electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101). For example, the first electronic device may be the electronic device determined to be the leader device among a plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP where the first electronic device is connected.

In operation1803, according to an embodiment, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device corresponding to the leader request. According to an embodiment, the first electronic device may be the leader device by receiving the leader selection from the external server108but rather than by its own determination that the first electronic device is the leader device.

In operation1805, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive a leader lock request from the first electronic device. For example, the leader lock may mean rejecting the leader request from external electronic devices other than the first electronic device within any time after the external server108confirms the leader lock.

In operation1807, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from a second electronic device (e.g., the third external electronic device1205). For example, the second electronic device may be in the state of being connected with an AP other than the AP where the first electronic device is connected or in the state of using a 5G mobile communication scheme. In other words, the first electronic device and the second electronic device may be in the state of being connected with different APs or in the state of transmitting or receiving signals through different communication schemes.

In operation1809, according to an embodiment, the external server108may identify the leader device based on first information received from the first electronic device and second information received from the second electronic device.

FIG. 19illustrates an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 19, the first electronic device1901, the first external electronic device1905, the second external electronic device1907, and the third external electronic device1909may be in the state of being connected with the same first AP. In operation1915, the external server108may receive first information and a leader request from the first electronic device1901. The second electronic device1903may communicate with the server108in a different communication scheme that does not pass through the first AP or communicate with the server108through a second AP different from the first AP. Although no external electronic devices connected with the second AP are shown, there may be at least one external electronic device connected with the second AP.

In operation1913, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request for the second electronic device1903to request to select a leader from the second electronic device1903. The external server108may compare at least part of the confidence score and SNR of the wake-up utterance received from the first electronic device1901with at least part of the confidence score and SNR of the wake-up utterance received from the second electronic device1903, thereby identifying any one of the first electronic device1901and the second electronic device1903as the leader device.

FIG. 20illustrates an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 20that the first electronic device2001is in the state of being connected with no AP, the second electronic device2003and the third electronic device2005are in the state of being connected with one AP, and the second electronic device2003among the second electronic device2003and the third electronic device2005is in the state of being determined to be the leader device. The external server108may receive first state information about the first electronic device and first information about the wake-up utterance received from the first electronic device2001from the first electronic device2001. For example, the first information about the wake-up utterance may include an SNR (3.1 dB) and a confidence score (40), and the first state information may include at least one of the type (e.g., refrigerator) information about the first electronic device2001, account information, information about the application in use, or information about proximity to the user. The external server108may receive second state information about the second electronic device and second information about the wake-up utterance received from the second electronic device2003from the second electronic device2003. For example, the second information about the wake-up utterance may include an SNR (4.1 dB) and a confidence score (80), and the second state information may include at least one of the type (e.g., smart TV) information about the second electronic device2003, account information, information about the application in use, or information about proximity to the user. The electronic device101may identify the leader device based on the first information about the wake-up utterance, the state information about the first electronic device2001, the second information about the wake-up utterance, and the state information about the second electronic device2003.

Referring back toFIG. 18, in operation1811, according to an embodiment, the external server108may determine whether the first electronic device is the leader device.

In operation1813, according to an embodiment, when the first electronic device is determined to be the leader device in operation1811, the external server108may confirm the leader lock of the first electronic device. Confirming the leader lock may mean rejecting leader requests from other external electronic devices than the first electronic device during any time after the time when the leader lock is confirmed.

In operation1815, according to an embodiment, when the first electronic device is not the leader device (i.e., if the second electronic device is identified to be the leader device), the external server108may reject the leader lock request from the first electronic device.

FIG. 21is a flowchart (2100) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 21, in operation2101, according to an embodiment, an external server108(e.g., the server108) may receive first information and a leader request to select the leader from a first electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101).

FIG. 22illustrates an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 22, the first electronic device2201, the first external electronic device2205, the second external electronic device2207, and the third external electronic device2209are in the state of being connected with the same first AP. It may also be assumed that the second electronic device2203is not connected with the first AP and performs communication in another communication scheme or is connected with a second AP. Although no external electronic devices connected with the second AP are shown, there may be at least one external electronic device connected with a second AP. In operation2211, the external server108may receive first information and a leader request to select a leader from the first electronic device2201.

Referring back toFIG. 21, in operation2103, according to an embodiment, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device corresponding to the leader request. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 22, in operation2213, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device2201.

Referring back toFIG. 21, in operation2105, according to an embodiment, the external server108may perform leader lock while simultaneously transmitting the leader selection to the first electronic device.

For example, as shown inFIG. 22, if the external server108determines that the first electronic device2201is the leader device, the leader lock may be performed without the leader lock request from the first electronic device2201. For example, the leader lock may mean rejecting leader selections received from external electronic devices other than the first electronic device within any time after the time when the external server108performs the leader lock.

Referring back toFIG. 21, in operation2107, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from the second electronic device. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 22, in operation2217, the external server108receives second information and a leader request to select a leader from the second electronic device2203.

Referring back toFIG. 21, in operation2109, according to an embodiment, the external server108may reject the leader request from the second electronic device.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 22, upon receiving a leader request from the second electronic device2203in operation2217during the leader lock (2215), the external server108may reject the leader request in operation2219.

As described above, if selecting the first electronic device as the leader device, the external server108may perform the leader lock immediately when selecting the first electronic device as the leader device (i.e., without receiving a leader lock request from the first electronic device). Accordingly, the speed of selecting the leader device may first be considered.

FIG. 23is a flowchart (2300) illustrating a method of determining a leader according to an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 23, in operation2301, the server108receives first information and a leader request to select the leader from a first electronic device. The first electronic device may be the electronic device determined to be the leader device among a plurality of external electronic devices connected with the AP to which the first electronic device is connected.

FIG. 24illustrates an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 24that the first electronic device2401, the first external electronic device2405, the second external electronic device2407, and the third external electronic device2409are in the state of being connected with the same first AP. It may also be assumed that the second electronic device2403is not connected with the first AP and performs communication in another communication scheme or is connected with a second AP. Although no external electronic devices connected with the second AP are shown, there may be at least one external electronic device connected with a second AP. In operation2411, the external server108may receive first information and a leader request to select a leader from the first electronic device2401.

Referring back toFIG. 23, in operation2303, according to an embodiment, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device corresponding to the leader request. For example, as shown inFIG. 24, the external server108may transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device2401in operation2413.

Referring back toFIG. 23, in operation2305, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from the second electronic device.

For example, as shown inFIG. 24, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from the second electronic device2403.

Referring back toFIG. 23, in operation2307, according to an embodiment, the external server108may identify the second electronic device as the leader device based on first information received from the first electronic device and second information received from the second electronic device and transmits a leader selection to the second electronic device.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the external server108may identify the second electronic device2403as the leader device and in operation2417transmits a leader selection to the second electronic device2403.

Referring back toFIG. 23, in operation2309, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive a leader lock request from the first electronic device. For example, the leader lock may mean rejecting leader selection requests received from other external electronic devices than the first electronic device within any time after the time when the external server108confirms the leader lock.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the external server108may receive a leader lock request from the first electronic device2401in operation2419.

Referring back toFIG. 23, in operation2311, according to an embodiment, the external server108may reject the leader lock request from the first electronic device.

Referring again toFIG. 24, although the first electronic device2401transmits a leader lock request within any time after receiving (2413) a leader selection from the external server108, the second electronic device2403may be selected as the leader device before transmitting (2419) the leader lock request and after receiving (2413) the leader selection. In such a case, because the second electronic device is the leader device when the external server108receives the leader lock from the first electronic device, the leader lock request from the first electronic device may be rejected. Accordingly, the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 24provides increased accuracy in identifying the leader device than in the embodiment ofFIG. 22when leader lock is performed simultaneously with leader selection.

FIG. 25is a flowchart (2500) illustrating an operation of determining a leader according to an embodiment.FIGS. 26A and 26Billustrate an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 25 and 26A, in operation2501, according to an embodiment, an external server108(e.g., the server108) may periodically receive a first packet Internet groper (ping) about the network environment of an electronic device2601(e.g., the electronic device101) from the electronic device2601.

In operation2503, according to an embodiment, the external server108may periodically receive a second ping about the network environment of a first external electronic device2603(e.g., the electronic device102or104) from the first external electronic device2603. As illustrated inFIG. 26A, the external server108may periodically receive the first ping and the second ping from the electronic device2601and the first external electronic device2603, respectively.

Referring back toFIG. 25, in operation2505, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive first information and a leader request to select a leader from the electronic device2601. For example, if the electronic device2601receives a wake-up utterance and transmits first information about the wake-up utterance, the external server108may receive the first information and a leader request from the electronic device2601. The external server108may periodically receive the first ping until receiving a leader request from the electronic device2601.

In operation2507, according to an embodiment, the external server108may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from a first external electronic device2603. For example, if the first external electronic device2603receives a wake-up utterance and transmits second information about the wake-up utterance, the external server108may receive the second information and a leader request from the first external electronic device2603. The external server108may periodically receive the second ping until receiving a leader request from the first external electronic device2603.

In operation2509, according to an embodiment, the external server108may select the leader device using the first information, information about the first ping, the second information, and information about the second ping. For example, if the SNR included in the first information is larger than the SNR included in the second information, and the network environment of the electronic device and the network environment of the first external electronic device2603are determined to be normal(healthy) based on the information about the first ping and the information about the second ping, the external server108may select the electronic device with the larger SNR as the leader device. As another example, if the network of the electronic device2601is determined to be not normal (unhealthy) based on the information about the first ping, although the SNR included in the first information is larger than the SNR included in the second information, as illustrated inFIG. 26B, the external server108may identify the first external electronic device2603as the leader device. For example, if the count of the first ping is smaller than the count of the second ping, the network state of the electronic device may be determined to be not normal (unhealthy).

As described above, according to an embodiment, the external server108may select a leader device based on the network environment of the first external electronic device and the electronic device101having requested to select a leader device. Accordingly, an electronic device which has a poor network environment may be prevented from being selected as the leader device.

FIG. 27is a flowchart (2700) illustrating an operation of determining a leader according to an embodiment.FIGS. 28A and 28Billustrate an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 27 and 28A, in operation2701, according to an embodiment, an external server108-1(e.g., the server108) may receive first information and a leader request to select the leader from a first electronic device101(e.g., the electronic device101). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 28A, the external server108-1may receive first information and a leader request to select a leader from the first electronic device2801. For example, the first electronic device2801may be in the state of being connected with a first AP, and the leader device may be determined from among the first electronic device2801, the first external electronic device2805, and the second external electronic device2807connected with the first AP.

Referring back toFIG. 27, in operation2703, according to an embodiment, the external server108-1may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from a second electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 28A, the external server108-1may receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from the second electronic device2803. The second electronic device2803may be in the state of being connected with a second AP different from the first AP, and the leader device may be determined from among at least one external electronic device connected with the second AP. Or, the second electronic device2803may be in the state of using a 4G or 5G mobile communication scheme.

Referring back toFIG. 27, in operation2705, according to an embodiment, the external server108-1may select the first electronic device as the leader device based on the first information received from the first electronic device101and the second information received from the second electronic device. For example, if the leader selection by the external server108-1is delayed a predetermined time or more, the first electronic device101and the second electronic device may connect to a server108-2to provide an intelligent assistant service without leader selection by the external server108-1.

In operation2707, according to an embodiment, the external server108-1may terminate the connection with the server108-2providing an intelligent assistant service with the second electronic device. Referring toFIG. 28B, if an electronic device (i.e., the second electronic device2803) other than the first electronic device2801selected as the leader device is connected with the server108-2providing the intelligent assistant service at the time when the external server108-1completes the leader selection, the connection may be terminated. Thus, only the electronic devices requesting to select a leader may be awakened while preventing all the electronic devices receiving the wake-up utterance from waking up.

FIGS. 29A and 29Bare sequence diagrams (2900and2910) illustrate an operation of determining a leader device according to an embodiment. InFIGS. 29A and 29B, it may be assumed that the electronic device101, the first external electronic device2901, and the second external electronic device2903are in the state of being connected with an AP2905. The electronic device101, the first external electronic device2901, and the second external electronic device2903may receive voice information2911issued by the user, and the voice information2911may include a wake-up utterance and a voice command. AlthoughFIGS. 29A and 29Billustrate that operations2913to2957are performed after the voice information2911is received, operations2913to2957may be performed while receiving the voice information2911.

Referring toFIG. 29A, in operation2913, according to an embodiment, when at least part of a wake-up utterance is received, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may broadcast the IP address of the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may broadcast the IP address through the AP2905as shown inFIG. 29A. For example, the electronic device101may broadcast the IP address through an AP.

In operation2915, according to an embodiment, the first external electronic device2901(e.g., the electronic device102or104) may receive the IP address of the electronic device101.

In operation2917, according to an embodiment, the second external electronic device2903(e.g., the electronic device102or104) may receive the IP address of the electronic device101.

In operation2919, according to an embodiment, when at least part of the wake-up utterance is received, the first external electronic device2901may broadcast the IP address of the first external electronic device2901.

In operation2923, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive the IP address of the first external electronic device2901.

In operation2921, according to an embodiment, the second external electronic device2903may receive the IP address of the first external electronic device2901.

In operation2925, according to an embodiment, when at least part of the wake-up utterance is received, the second external electronic device2903may broadcast the IP address of the second external electronic device2903.

In operation2929, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive the IP address of the second external electronic device2903.

In operation2927, according to an embodiment, the first external electronic device2901may receive the IP address of the second external electronic device2903.

In operation2931, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may generate an IP address list for the external electronic devices connected with the AP based on the IP address of the first external electronic device2901and the IP address of the second external electronic device2903.

In operation2933, according to an embodiment, the first external electronic device2901may generate an IP address list for the external electronic devices connected with the AP based on the IP address of the electronic device101and the IP address of the second external electronic device2903.

In operation2935, according to an embodiment, the second external electronic device2903may generate an IP address list for the external electronic devices connected with the AP based on the IP address of the electronic device101and the IP address of the first external electronic device2901.

Referring toFIG. 29B, in operation2937, according to an embodiment, upon receiving the whole wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may transmit first information about the received wake-up utterance. For example, the first information may include at least of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received from the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the first information to each of the first external electronic device2901and the second external electronic device2903through UDP communication scheme. Although not illustrated inFIGS. 29A and 29B, the electronic device101may receive an ACK from each of the first external electronic device2901and the second external electronic device2903, corresponding to the transmission of the first information.

In operation2939, according to an embodiment, upon receiving the whole wake-up utterance, the first external electronic device2901may transmit second information about the received wake-up utterance. For example, the second information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received from the first external electronic device2901.

In operation2941, according to an embodiment, upon receiving the whole wake-up utterance, the second external electronic device2903may transmit third information about the received wake-up utterance. For example, the third information may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance received from the second electronic device2903.

Although the electronic device101, the first external electronic device2901, and the second external electronic device2903receive the same voice information issued by the user, the first information, the second information, and the third information may differ from each other depending on differences in ambient environment and where the electronic device101, the first external electronic device2901, and the second external electronic device2903are located.

AlthoughFIGS. 29A and 29Billustrate that when at least part of a wake-up utterance is received, the electronic device101broadcasts the IP address of the electronic device101and receives IP addresses from the first and second external electronic devices2901and2903in operations2913to2935, operations2913to2935may be omitted if there is an IP address list stored. In this case, in operations2937to2941, the electronic device101may transmit first information about the wake-up utterance through connection (e.g., peer-to-peer (P2P)) with the external electronic device using information contained in the stored IP address list and receive information about the wake-up utterance from the external electronic device.

The electronic device101may add the IP address received in operations2913to2929to the stored IP address list. Accordingly, the electronic device101may transmit and receive the first information about the wake-up utterance through connection (e.g., peer-to-peer (P2P)) with the external electronic device included in the IP address list and transmit and receive the first information about the wake-up utterance by performing connection via the AP with the external electronic device not included in the IP address list.

The IP address list may be a list of IP addresses received from the external electronic devices before the electronic device101receives the voice information2911and may be stored for a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours). The electronic device101may initialize the IP address list at each period (e.g., 24 hours) to update the information about the external electronic devices connected with the AP2905. When there is no response during a particular time or a particular number of times while communicating via connection with the external electronic devices included in the IP address list, the external electronic devices may be deleted out of the IP address list.

In operation2943, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the second information and third information received. For example, when the SNR included in the first information is the largest among the SNR included in the first information, the SNR included in the second information, and the SNR included in the third information, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device. As another example, when the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information is the largest among the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information, the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the second information, and the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the third information, the electronic device101may determine that the electronic device101itself is the leader device. The electronic device101may determine the leader device using both the SNR and the confidence score of wake-up utterance.

In operation2945, according to an embodiment, the first external electronic device2901may determine the leader device based on the first information and third information received. For example, when the SNR included in the first information is the largest among the SNR included in the first information, the SNR included in the second information, and the SNR included in the third information, the first external electronic device2901may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device (i.e., that the first external electronic device2901is not the leader device). As another example, when the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information is the largest among the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information, the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the second information, and the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the third information, the first external electronic device2901may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device (i.e., that the first external electronic device2901is not the leader device). The first external electronic device2901may determine the leader device using both the SNR and the confidence score of wake-up utterance.

In operation2947, according to an embodiment, the second external electronic device2903may determine the leader device based on the first information and second information received. For example, when the SNR included in the first information is the largest among the SNR included in the first information, the SNR included in the second information, and the SNR included in the third information, the second external electronic device2903may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device (i.e., that the second external electronic device2903is not the leader device). As another example, when the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information is the largest among the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the first information, the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the second information, and the confidence score of wake-up utterance included in the third information, the second external electronic device2903may determine that the electronic device101is the leader device (i.e., that the second external electronic device2903is not the leader device). The second external electronic device2903may determine the leader device using both the SNR and the confidence score of wake-up utterance.

In operation2949, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit leader information to indicate that the electronic device101is the leader device to the first external electronic device2901and the second external electronic device2903. For example, the electronic device101may transmit the leader information to each of the first external electronic device2901and the second external electronic device2903through UDP communication scheme (1:N).

In operation2951, according to an embodiment, the first external electronic device2901may transmit an ACK to the electronic device101, corresponding to the reception of the leader information.

In operation2953, according to an embodiment, the second external electronic device2903may transmit an ACK to the electronic device101, corresponding to the reception of the leader information.

In operation2955, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive ACKs from both the first external electronic device2901and the second external electronic device2903to which the leader information is transmitted.

In operation2957, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit a voice command to a server.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment, upon receiving part of a wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may broadcast the IP address and generate an IP address list using the IP addresses broadcast from external electronic devices. Upon receiving the whole wake-up utterance, the electronic device101may transmit information about the wake-up utterance to each external electronic device based on the generated IP address list and determine the leader device using information about the wake-up utterance transmitted from the external electronic devices. Thus, increased accuracy may be achieved for information about wake-up utterances transmitted or received, and an intelligent assistant service may be provided to the user although not all of the devices are connected to the server.

FIG. 30is a flowchart (3000) illustrating an operation of determining a leader according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 30, in operation3001, the electronic device202, along with the second electronic device204and the third electronic device206, is connected with the AP208while receiving, from the user, a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service. Operation3001may be triggered at the time of receiving part of the wake-up utterance. For example, when the wake-up utterance is “Hi, Bixby,” the time of receiving part of the wake-up utterance may be a first time when part, “Hi,” of “Hi, Bixby” is received.

In operation3003, the electronic device101may determine whether there is an IP address list. For example, the IP address list may be a list received from the AP208or a list of IP addresses received and stored, which are broadcast from external electronic devices before the electronic device101receives the wake-up utterance in operation3001. The electronic device101may store the IP address list during a designated time (e.g., 24 hours).

When there is determined to be an IP address list in operation3003, the electronic device101may set a first guard time in operation3005. For example, the electronic device101may shorten a preset guard time and set it as the first guard time.

In operation3007, the electronic device101may transmit information about the wake-up utterance to each external electronic device included in the IP address list. Operation3007may be initiated after a second time when the electronic device101receives the whole wake-up utterance. For example, the information about the wake-up utterance may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality or sound pressure of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone by the electronic device101, a feature value of the input sound signal, or the confidence score of wake-up utterance. For example, the confidence score of wake-up utterance may be a value indicating the similarity between a pre-stored wake-up utterance and the wake-up utterance received through the microphone. The degree of match between the pre-stored wake-up utterance and the wake-up utterance received through the microphone may be set to a value ranging from 0 to 100, and as the distance between the user and the device decreases, the similarity may increase.

In operation3009, the electronic device101may individually receive information about the wake-up utterance received from each external electronic device from each of the external electronic devices included in the IP address list.

In operation3011, the electronic device101may determine whether the first guard time elapses or whether all the information about the wake-up utterance received by each external electronic device is received.

When the first guard time elapses or all the information about the wake-up utterance is received, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the information about the wake-up utterance in operation3027. In other words, even when all the information about the wake-up utterance is not received, the electronic device101may determine the leader device if the first guard time elapses.

When there is not determined to be an IP address list, the electronic device101may set a second guard time in operation3013. For example, the electronic device101may extend a preset guard time and set it as the second guard time.

In operation3015, the electronic device101may broadcast identification information about the electronic device101. For example, the identification information about the electronic device101may include the IP address of the electronic device101.

In operation3017, the electronic device101may receive the identification information broadcast from at least one external electronic device. For example, the identification information broadcast from at least one external electronic device may include the IP addresses of the at least one external electronic device.

In operation3019, the electronic device101may generate an IP address list based on the received identification information.

In operation3021, the electronic device101may transmit information about the wake-up utterance to each external electronic device included in the IP address list. For example, the information about the wake-up utterance may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality or sound pressure of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone by the electronic device101, a feature value of the input sound signal, or the confidence score of wake-up utterance.

In operation3023, the electronic device101may receive information about the wake-up utterance from each external electronic device included in the IP address list. The information about the wake-up utterance received from the external electronic device may include at least one of the SNR, audio quality or sound pressure of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone by the external electronic device, a feature value of the input sound signal, or the confidence score of wake-up utterance.

In operation3025, the electronic device101may determine whether the second guard time elapses or whether all the information about the wake-up utterance received by each external electronic device is received.

When the second guard time elapses or all the information about the wake-up utterance is received, the electronic device101may determine the leader device based on the information about the wake-up utterance in operation3027.

In operation3029, the electronic device101may transmit the leader information to the external electronic devices included in the IP address list. In operation3029, it may be assumed that the electronic device101is determined to be the leader device. The electronic device101may transmit leader information via connection and receive an ACK.

In operation3031, the electronic device101may transmit a voice command via connection with an intelligent assistant server. Thus, if there is an IP address list stored, the electronic device101may omit the process of transmitting or receiving the IP address, thereby shortening the time of determining the leader device.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device101comprises a user interface, at least one communication module (e.g., the communication module190), a microphone, at least one speaker (e.g., the sound output device155), at least one processor (e.g., the processor120) operatively connected with the user interface, the at least one communication module (e.g., the communication module190), the microphone, and the at least one speaker (e.g., the sound output device155), and at least one memory (e.g., the memory130) operatively connected with the at least one processor (e.g., the processor120) wherein the at least one memory (e.g., the memory130) stores instructions executed to enable the at least one processor (e.g., the processor120) to, while the electronic device101is wiredly or wirelessly connected with an access point (AP) (e.g., the AP405) connected with at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), after receive part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service through the microphone broadcast identification information about the electronic device101and receive identification information broadcast from the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone individually transmit first information related to the wake-up utterance received through the microphone to the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) and individually receive second information related to the wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) from the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), and determine whether to transmit voice information received after the wake-up utterance to an external server (e.g., the server108) based on at least part of the first information and the second information.

According to an embodiment, the first information and the second information may include at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance.

According to an embodiment, a confidence score of a first wake-up utterance included in the first information may be a value to indicate a degree at which information about a wake-up utterance stored in the memory (e.g., the memory130) matches the wake-up utterance received through the microphone.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to transmit the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server (e.g., the server108) when a first value included in the first information is larger than a second value included in the second information and refrain from transmitting the voice information received after the wake-up utterance to the external server (e.g., the server108) when the first value is smaller than the second value.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to send a request for the second information to at least one (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), failing to receive the wake-up utterance-related second information, of the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) and receive the second information from the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) to which the request is transmitted.

According to an embodiment, the first information may include state information about the electronic device101, and the second information includes state information about the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104). The state information may include at least one of type information, information about a running application, information about a distance to a user, or priority information.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to individually transmit the first information to the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) through user datagram protocol (UDP) communication based on identification information about the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104).

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to perform user authentication to indicate whether the wake-up utterance is an utterance issued from at least one registered user based on the wake-up utterance received through the microphone.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to transmit leader information indicating that the electronic device101is a leader device to the external server (e.g., the server108) when the voice information received after the wake-up utterance is determined to be transmitted to the external server (e.g., the server108).

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to receive a leader selection in response to the leader information from the external server (e.g., the server108) and receive the voice information based on the received leader selection and transmit the voice information to the external server (e.g., the server108).

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to receive a leader change command in response to the leader information from the external server (e.g., the server108) and refrain from transmitting the voice information to the external server (e.g., the server108) based on the received leader change command.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to output a response corresponding to the wake-up utterance through at least one of the at least one speaker (e.g., the sound output device155) or the user interface when the voice information received after the wake-up utterance is determined to be transmitted to the external server (e.g., the server108).

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to receive a voice command indicating a leader change command through the microphone and refrain from transmitting the voice information to the external server (e.g., the server108) based on, at least, a result of processing the voice command indicating the leader change command.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device101comprises a communication module (e.g., the communication module190), a microphone, a speaker (e.g., the sound output device155), at least one processor (e.g., the processor120) operatively connected with the communication module (e.g., the communication module190), the microphone, and the speaker (e.g., the sound output device155), and a memory (e.g., the memory130) operatively connected with the at least one processor (e.g., the processor120), wherein the memory (e.g., the memory130) may store instructions executed to enable the at least one processor (e.g., the processor120) to, upon receiving part of a wake-up utterance to invoke a voice-based intelligent assistant service through the microphone, determine whether the electronic device101is in a state of being connected with an AP (e.g., the AP405) through the communication module (e.g., the communication module190) and when the electronic device101is in the state of being connected with the AP (e.g., the AP405), broadcast identification information about the electronic device101through the communication module (e.g., the communication module190), receive at least one piece of identification information broadcast from at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) connected with the AP (e.g., the AP405), after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, transmit first information about the wake-up utterance to each of the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), receive at least one piece of second information about the wake-up utterance from each of the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104), determine whether the electronic device101is a leader device based on the first information and the at least one piece of second information, when the electronic device101is not in the state of being connected with the AP (e.g., the AP405), after receiving the whole wake-up utterance through the microphone, transmit the first information about the wake-up utterance to an external server (e.g., the server108) and receive leader information obtained based on the first information and the at least one piece of second information from the external server (e.g., the server108).

According to an embodiment, the first information and the second information may include at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), audio quality, volume, sound pressure, or confidence score of the wake-up utterance.

According to an embodiment, a confidence score of a first wake-up utterance included in the first information may be a value to indicate a degree at which information about a wake-up utterance stored in the memory (e.g., the memory130) matches the wake-up utterance received through the microphone.

According to an embodiment, the first information may include a first value indicating a strength of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone, and the at least one piece of second information may include a second value indicating a strength of the wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104). The instructions may enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to determine that the electronic device101is the leader device when the first value is larger than the second value and refrain from determining that the electronic device101is the leader device when the first value is smaller than the second value.

According to an embodiment, the first information may include a third value indicating a confidence score of the wake-up utterance received through the microphone, and the at least one piece of second information may include a fourth value indicating a confidence score of the wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104). The instructions may enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to determine that the electronic device101is the leader device when the third value is larger than the fourth value and refrain from determining that the electronic device101is the leader device when the third value is smaller than the fourth value.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor (e.g., the processor120) to determine whether the at least one external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) includes an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) not transmitting the second information based on the at least one piece of second information received and when there is an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) not transmitting the second information, request the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) to transmit the second information and, when there is no external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102and104) not transmitting the second information, determine that the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) is the leader device based on the first information and the at least one piece of second information.

According to an embodiment, a server comprises at least one communication module, at least one processor operatively connected with the at least one communication module, and at least one memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory may store instructions executed to enable the at least one processor to receive first information and a leader request to select a leader from a first electronic device through the at least one communication module, transmit a leader selection to the first electronic device through the at least one communication module in response to the leader request, and receive a leader lock request from the first electronic device through the at least one communication module.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor to receive second information and a leader request to select a leader from a second electronic device through the at least one communication module, identify a leader device based on the first information and the second information, when the first electronic device is identified to be the leader device, confirm the leader lock request from the first electronic device, and when the second electronic device is identified to be the leader device, reject the leader lock request from the first electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor to periodically receive a first ping about a network environment of the first electronic device, periodically receive a second ping about a network environment of the second electronic device, and identify the leader device using information about the first ping, information about the second ping, the first information, and the second information.

According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor to confirm the leader lock request from the first electronic device in response to the leader lock request and, after confirming the leader lock request from the first electronic device, upon receiving a leader request to select a leader device from the second electronic device within a preset time, reject the leader request from the second electronic device. According to an embodiment, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor to individually transmit, to the at least one external electronic device, a confidence score of a first wake-up utterance indicating a degree at which information about a wake-up utterance stored in the memory matches the wake-up utterance received through the microphone and individually receive, from the at least one external electronic device, a confidence score of a second wake-up utterance indicating a degree at which information about a wake-up utterance stored in the at least one external electronic device matches a wake-up utterance received by the at least one external electronic device.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, e.g., a portable communication device (e.g., a smailphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, a refrigerator, or other home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to the above-listed embodiments.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases.

As used herein, terms such as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to distinguish a corresponding component from another, but do not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

If an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to various embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device and server to select an electronic device to respond to a user's wake-up utterance among a plurality of electronic devices.

According to various embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device that, when part of a wake-up utterance is received, broadcasts its identification information to ambient electronic devices and receives identification information about the ambient electronic devices, which is broadcast from the ambient electronic devices. According to various embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device that, when the whole wake-up utterance is received, transmits information about the wake-up utterance to the ambient electronic devices, receives information about the wake-up utterance from the ambient electronic devices, and selects an electronic device to transfer the user's voice information to a server using the information about the wake-up utterance.

Therefore, an electronic device to respond to the user's wake-up utterance may be selected from among a plurality of electronic devices.