Abstract: Techniques for altering audio being output by an audio-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the audio-controlled device. For instance, an audio-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify a predefined non-speech command issued by a user within the environment. In response to identifying the predefined non-speech command, the device may somehow alter the output of the audio for the purpose of reducing the amount of noise within subsequently captured sound.

Abstract: A computing device can utilize one or more sensors to capture data associated with a current environment, state, condition, property, etc. of the device. Based at least in part on the captured data, the current environment, state, condition, property, etc. of the computing device can be determined or identified. Based on the determined/identified current environment, state, condition, property, etc., the computing device can configure the notification intensity level for the device. The device can determine a suitable notification intensity level and set that notification intensity level for the device. An incoming communication received at the computing device while the device is still associated with the determined/identified current environment, state, condition, property, etc. can cause a notification to be outputted at the set notification intensity level.

Abstract: An audio buffer is used to capture audio in anticipation of a user command to do so. Sensors and processor activity may be monitored, looking for indicia suggesting that the user command may be forthcoming. Upon detecting such indicia, a circular buffer is activated. Audio correction may be applied to the audio stored in the circular buffer. After receiving the user command instructing the device to process or record audio, at least a portion of the audio that was stored in the buffer before the command is combined with audio received after the command. The combined audio may then be processed, transmitted or stored.