Voice responsive in-wall devices are provided. In one example implementation, a power switch includes a housing mountable on or at least partially within a surface. The housing can have a front panel. The power switch can include an interface element disposed on the front panel and operable to receive a user input. The power switch can include a power interrupter operable to control power delivery to the powered load based at least in part on interaction with the interface element. The power switch can include one or more microphones operable to obtain audio input. The power switch can include one or more speakers configured to provide audio output. The power switch can include a communications interface operable to communicate data associated with the audio input over a communication link.

In particular embodiments, a smart speaker includes a speaker, a housing with a speaker grille portion, a circuit board, and one or more indirect input sensors (e.g. an antenna or a proximity sensor). The grille can comprise a first plurality of openings. The circuit board can reside behind the grille and in front of the speaker (e.g. in the path of sound transmission from the speaker). The circuit board can be a substrate for the one or more indirect input sensors. The circuit board can further comprise a second plurality of openings, at least some of which align with at least some of the openings in the grille, thereby providing sound transmission through the circuit board, while providing improved access for the sensors to the local environment in the vicinity of the smart speaker. Several embodiments enable the region behind the speaker grille to accomplish the dual functions sensing the local environment and sound transmission. For example, an indirect input sensor may detect aspects of the local environment (e.g. hand gestures made by a user, or the location of a person) and activate one more aspects of the smart speaker in response (e.g. illuminate a display).

A smart speaker is disclosed with an interactive speaker grille. In one embodiment a smart speaker comprises a housing with a speaker grille comprising a plurality of openings. Circuitry coupled to the speaker grille is configured to sense direct user interaction with one or more of a plurality of regions of the speaker grille and to generate corresponding electrical signals indicative of the one or more regions of the speaker grille experiencing direct user interaction. The circuitry can include portions in the path of sound transmission to detect user interaction with regions of the grille and portions outside the path of sound transmission for controlling aspects of the smart speaker (e.g. speaker volume, radio station or media stream selection) based on the particular regions touched.

A method for detecting a tripping of a disconnection unit in an electrical enclosure, the electrical enclosure including at least one disconnection unit for disconnecting electric current and at least one switching unit for switching the electric current, the method including a learning phase configured to generate decision-making categories associated with an acoustic signature of the tripping of the at least one disconnection unit, and a phase of detecting the tripping of the disconnection unit, including: acquiring a unit noise signal generated by at least one of the disconnection units for disconnecting the electric current or at least one switching unit for switching the electric current, and comparing the unit noise signal with the decision-making categories in order to detect whether the unit noise signal corresponds to the tripping of the disconnection unit.

A method for detecting a tripping of a disconnection unit in an electrical enclosure, the electrical enclosure including at least one disconnection unit for disconnecting electric current and at least one switching unit for switching the electric current, the method including a learning phase configured to generate decision-making categories associated with an acoustic signature of the tripping of the at least one disconnection unit, and a phase of detecting the tripping of the disconnection unit, including: acquiring a unit noise signal generated by at least one of the disconnection units for disconnecting the electric current or at least one switching unit for switching the electric current, and comparing the unit noise signal with the decision-making categories in order to detect whether the unit noise signal corresponds to the tripping of the disconnection unit.

An electrical switch responds to acoustic inputs. A microphone integrated into the electrical switch generates electrical signals in response to the acoustic inputs. A network interface integrated into the electrical switch provides addressable communication with controllers, computers, and other networked devices. The electrical switch may thus be installed or retrofitted into the electrical wiring of all homes and businesses. Users may thus speak voice commands, which are received by the electrical switch and sent for voice control of appliances and other automation tasks.

A smart speaker is disclosed with an interactive speaker grille. In one embodiment a smart speaker comprises a housing with a speaker grille comprising a plurality of openings. Circuitry coupled to the speaker grille is configured to sense direct user interaction with one or more of a plurality of regions of the speaker grille and to generate corresponding electrical signals indicative of the one or more regions of the speaker grille experiencing direct user interaction. The circuitry can include portions in the path of sound transmission to detect user interaction with regions of the grille and portions outside the path of sound transmission for controlling aspects of the smart speaker (e.g. speaker volume, radio station or media stream selection) based on the particular regions touched.

Voice responsive in-wall devices are provided. In one example implementation, a power switch includes a housing mountable on or at least partially within a surface. The housing can have a front panel. The power switch can include an interface element disposed on the front panel and operable to receive a user input. The power switch can include a power interrupter operable to control power delivery to the powered load based at least in part on interaction with the interface element. The power switch can include one or more microphones operable to obtain audio input. The power switch can include one or more speakers configured to provide audio output. The power switch can include a communications interface operable to communicate data associated with the audio input over a communication link.

A smart speaker is disclosed with an interactive speaker grille. In one embodiment a smart speaker comprises a housing with a speaker grille comprising a plurality of openings. Circuitry coupled to the speaker grille is configured to sense direct user interaction with one or more of a plurality of regions of the speaker grille and to generate corresponding electrical signals indicative of the one or more regions of the speaker grille experiencing direct user interaction. The circuitry can include portions in the path of sound transmission to detect user interaction with regions of the grille and portions outside the path of sound transmission for controlling aspects of the smart speaker (e.g. speaker volume, radio station or media stream selection) based on the particular regions touched.

The present invention relates to a microphone, and more particularly, to a microphone with a mechanical switch function. A microphone with a mechanical switch function according to the present invention comprises a microphone body, wherein the microphone body comprises a circuit substrate above which a metal cover is disposed, an acoustic cavity formed by the metal cover and the circuit substrate; and a metal elastic piece, wherein a gap is formed between the metal elastic piece and the metal cover, and the metal elastic piece electrically contacts with the metal cover under an effect of a pressing force. By adopting the above-mentioned technical solutions, the present invention provides a microphone with functions of a mechanical switch, and the new type of microphone occupies less space, has a lower cost and is convenient to use.