Patent attributes
Systems, methods, and devices for escalating voice-based interactions via speech-controlled devices are described. Speech-controlled devices capture audio, including wakeword portions and payload portions, for sending to a server to relay messages between speech-controlled devices. In response to determining the occurrence of an escalation event, such as repeated messages between the same two devices, the system may automatically change a mode of a speech-controlled device, such as no longer requiring a wakeword, no longer requiring an indication of a desired recipient, or automatically connecting two speech-controlled devices in a voice-chat mode. In response to determining the occurrence of further escalation events, the system may initiate a real-time call between the speech-controlled devices.