Voice applications and voice-based interface

• US 20020059073A1
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NVIDIA International Inc. (NVIDIA Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NVIDIA International Inc. (NVIDIA Corporation)
• Inventors: Khan, Umair A., Zondervan, Quinton Y., Raman, Lakshmi, Umair, Zareen, Marian, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 7,334,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/270.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for initiating a tailored voice application according to an embodiment. First, a voice application is installed at a server. A request to instantiate the voice application is received from a user. User-specific configuration parameters are also received. An instance of the voice application is instantiated in a modified form based on the user-specific configuration parameters. A system, method and computer program product provide a voice-based interface according to one embodiment. A voice application is provided for verbally outputting content to a user. An instance of the voice application is instantiated. Content is selected for output. The content is output verbally using the voice application. The instance of the voice application pauses the output and resumes the output. A method for providing a voice habitat is also provided according to one embodiment. An interface to a habitat is provided. A user is allowed to aggregate content in the habitat utilizing the interface. A designation of content for audible output is received from the user. Some or all of the designated content is output. The user is also allowed to aggregate applications in the habitat utilizing the interface. Spoken commands are received from the user and are interpreted using a voice application. Commands are issued to one or more of the applications in the habitat via the voice application.

Claims

1. A method for initiating a tailored voice application, comprising:

(a) installing a voice application at a server;

(b) receiving a request to instantiate the voice application from a user;

(c) receiving user-specific configuration parameters; and

(d) instantiating an instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the user-specific configuration parameters.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising setting permissions for specifying whether the user can instantiate the voice application.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising allowing sharing of the instance of the voice application among multiple users.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving configuration parameters specific to a second user, and instantiating a second instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the configuration parameters specific to the second user.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving additional configuration parameters from the user after instantiating the instance of the voice application, and further modifying the instance of the voice application based on the additional configuration parameters.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are read from a profile of the user.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are input by the user.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are fixed.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the configuration parameters are passed as runtime arguments.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein multiple instances of the voice application communicate with each other.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein different types of voice applications communicate with each other.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application is used to interact with an address book.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application is used to audibly output content to the user.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the voice application pauses the output and resumes output.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the pause occurs at a particular location in the content.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the pause occurs automatically and the user inputs a resume command.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the user is not allowed to pause the output.

18. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one of an elapsed time and time before a timeout occurs is output to the user when the output is paused.

19. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application fast-forwards the output and rewinds the output.

20. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application is used to interact with an electronic mail system.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the interaction includes at least one of hearing new messages, retrieving a summary of an inbox, receiving a summary of an email folder, receiving a summary of an email category, selecting a message, audibly outputting a message, creating a message, replying to a message, forwarding a message, and deleting a message.

22. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application provides a security function.

23. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the voice application provides an alert.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the alert is set on data aggregated in a habitat.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the output is paused upon receiving a spoken command from the user.

29. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the pause occurs at a particular location in the content.

30. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the pause occurs automatically and the user inputs a resume command.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the user is not allowed to pause the output.

32. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein at least one of an elapsed time and a time before a timeout occurs is output to the user when the output is paused.

33. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the voice application fast-forwards the output and rewinds the output.

34. A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising allowing sharing of the instance of the voice application among multiple users.

35. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the instance of the voice application is customized based on user-specific configuration parameters.

36. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are read from a profile of the user.

37. A method as recited in claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are input by the user.

38. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein multiple instances of the voice application communicate with each other.

39. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the instance of the voice application communicates with a different type of voice application.

40. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the voice application is used to interact with an electronic mail system.

41. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the voice application provides a security function.

25. A computer program product for initiating a tailored voice application, comprising:

(a) computer code for installing a voice application at a server;

(b) computer code for receiving a request to instantiate the voice application from a user;

(c) computer code for receiving user-specific configuration parameters; and

(d) computer code for instantiating an instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the user-specific configuration parameters.

26. A system for initiating a tailored voice application, comprising:

(a) logic for installing a voice application at a server;

(b) logic for receiving a request to instantiate the voice application from a user;

(c) logic for receiving user-specific configuration parameters; and

(d) logic for instantiating an instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the user-specific configuration parameters.

27. A method for providing a voice-based interface, comprising:

(a) providing a voice application for verbally outputting content to a user;

(b) instantiating an instance of the voice application;

(c) selecting content for output; and

(d) verbally outputting the content using the voice application, wherein the instance of the voice application pauses the output and resumes the output.

42. A computer program product for providing a voice-based interface, comprising:

(a) computer code for providing a voice application for verbally outputting content to a user;

(b) computer code for instantiating an instance of the voice application;

(c) computer code for selecting content for output; and

(d) computer code for verbally outputting the content using the voice application, wherein the instance of the voice application pauses the output and resumes the output.

43. A system for providing a voice-based interface, comprising:

(a) logic for providing a voice application for verbally outputting content to a user;

(b) logic for instantiating an instance of the voice application;

(c) logic for selecting content for output; and

(d) logic for verbally outputting the content using the voice application, wherein the instance of the voice application pauses the output and resumes the output.

44. A method for providing a voice habitat, comprising:

(a) providing an interface to a habitat;

(b) allowing a user to aggregate content in the habitat utilizing the interface;

(c) receiving designation from the user of content for audible output;

(d) audibly outputting at least a portion of the designated content;

(e) allowing the user to aggregate applications in a habitat utilizing the interface;

(f) receiving spoken commands from the user;

(g) interpreting the spoken commands from the user using a voice application; and

(h) issuing commands to one of the applications in the habitat via the voice application.

45. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the user is allowed to pause and resume the audible output.

46. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the user is allowed to fast-forward and rewind the audible output.

47. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the content is output using speech synthesis.

48. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein an advertisement is audibly output to the user.

49. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the user is permitted to designate views having content for audible output.

50. A method as recited in claim 44, further comprising audibly outputting a list of content in the habitat.

51. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein a voice alert is sent to the user upon occurrence of a specified event.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the alert presents at least one option selected from a group consisting of:

forwarding the alert to a phone number, forwarding the alert to a person in a contacts list, faxing the alert to a phone number, and faxing the alert to a person in a contact list;

wherein the at least one option is selectable by the user via spoken commands.

53. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein the user is allowed to attach a voice message to the alert.

54. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the voice alert is sent to the user via a telephone.

55. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the user is allowed to set a voice alert on content of the voice habitat.

56. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the voice application authenticates an identity of a user.

57. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the voice application provides control of electronic mail functions.

58. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the voice application provides access to an address book.

59. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the voice application is selected from a list of voice applications and dragged and dropped into the habitat.

60. A method for sending a voice alert, comprising:

(a) receiving a designation of an alertable event;

(b) receiving configuration parameters for configuring a voice alert;

(c) recognizing occurrence of the event;

(d) initiating the voice alert upon occurrence of the event, wherein the voice alert is configured using the configuration parameters; and

(e) sending the voice alert to a user, the voice alert including speech.

61. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the user is allowed to designate the alertable event, wherein the designation indicates content aggregated in a habitat.

62. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the voice alert is sent to the user via at least one of a telephone call, an electronic mail message, and an instant message.

63. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the configuration parameters include a telephone number to which the voice alert is sent.

64. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the alert includes an option to go to a window from which the alert was generated.

65. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the user is allowed to forward the alert to a phone number.

66. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the user verbally inputs the phone number to which the alert is forwarded.

67. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the user is allowed to forward the alert to a person in a contacts list, wherein the alert is sent to the person specified by the user using information from the contacts list.

68. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein the user is allowed to forward the alert to a facsimile number, wherein the user verbally inputs the facsimile number. 69. A method for providing a voice-based interface, comprising:

(a) installing multiple voice applications at a server;

(b) receiving a request to instantiate one of the voice applications;

(c) setting permissions for specifying whether a user can instantiate the voice application;

(d) receiving user-specific configuration parameters, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are read from a profile of the user, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are input by the user, wherein at least a portion of the configuration parameters are fixed;

(e) instantiating an instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the user-specific configuration parameters;

(f) providing a voice application for verbally outputting content to a user;

(e) instantiating an instance of the voice application;

(f) selecting content for output;

(g) verbally outputting the content using the voice application, wherein the instance of the voice application pauses the output and resumes the output, wherein the instance of the application fast-forwards and rewinds the output;

(h) allowing sharing of the instance of the voice application among multiple users;

(i) receiving configuration parameters specific to a second user, and instantiating a second instance of the voice application in a modified form based on the configuration parameters specific to the second user;

(j) receiving additional configuration parameters from the user after instantiating the instance of the voice application; and

(k) further modifying the instance of the voice application based on the additional configuration parameters;

(l) wherein multiple instances of the voice application communicate with each other;

(m) wherein one of the voice applications is used to interact with an address book;

(n) wherein one of the voice application is used to audibly output content to the user, herein the voice application pauses the output and resumes output;

(o) wherein one of the voice application is used to interact with an electronic mail system, wherein the interaction includes at least on e of retrieving a summary of an inbox, selecting a message, audibly outputting a message, creating a message, replying to a message, forwarding a message, and deleting a message;

(p) wherein one of the voice applications provides a security function.