Intel & Brainchip Patents

Two patents, very interesting overlaps

Ours is granted.


DETECTING KEYWORDS IN AUDIO USING A SPIKING NEURAL NETWORK (intel)
https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US241249841
1. An apparatus for detecting keywords in audio, comprising:

an audio receiver to receive audio comprising a keyword to be detected;

a spike transducer to transduce the audio into a plurality of spikes; and

a spiking neural network to receive one or more of the spikes and generate a spike corresponding to a detected keyword.

Low power neuromorphic voice activation system and method (brainchip)
https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US202136410

1. A neuromorphic system for controlling an electronic device through voice control commands, the system comprising:

a spiking neuron adaptive processor comprising a hierarchical arrangement of a first spiking neural network and a second spiking neural network, wherein the first spiking neural network is configured to:

receive output spikes from an artificial cochlea, wherein the artificial cochlea is configured to produce the output spikes based on a pulse code modulation signal, wherein one or more decimation filters convert a pulse density modulation signal into the pulse code modulation signal, and wherein one or more microphones convert a voice signal into the pulse density modulation signal;

perform a cognitive and learning function that detects spike patterns in the output spikes, wherein the spike patterns indicate a presence of a voice activity in the output spikes; and

activate the second spiking neural network through a digital interface from a low energy halted or off state based on the presence of the voice activity in the output spikes.

Will be interesting to see if Intels gets granted, given the overlaps with our own.