Patent ID: 10643609

Abstract:
A speech-processing system can engage in time synchronization between audio capture devices so that if multiple devices detect and process a same utterance, the system may determine which device is closer to a speaker of the utterance by comparing time stamp data from the multiple devices. The devices may synchronize their individual clocks to some time standard that may be disseminated among the devices and/or to a server. When an utterance is captured, the capturing devices may create a time stamp corresponding to when the respective devices detected the utterance. The time stamps may be linked to the synchronized time standard or may be converted to the time standard by another device. The system may then compare the audio data for incoming utterances, and if the same utterance comes from multiple devices, may use the time stamp data to determine which device first detected the utterance. That device may be selected as the device most likely to be closest to the user for various purposes, including sending output data.