Patent ID: 8326328

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device, the current context indicating that the mobile computing device is coupled to a mobile computing device dock; determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation, during which the mobile computing device does not monitor ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation, to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds selectively for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation; in response to determining to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data; and providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation.