Voice Activated remote keyless entry fob

• US 20020067245A1
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Sydor, Stephan, Campbell, Douglas C.
• Application Number:
  US09/885,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067245A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23075 Control unit can switch load on off or can also go into program mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23386 Voice, vocal command or message
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter includes voice activated control capability to allow the transmitter to receive key word inputs to control operation of multiple systems and devices. The use of voice recognition and key word commands allows the RKE transmitter to be operated “hands-free.” In addition, the transmitter can be arranged to control a plurality of different devices on a vehicle, such as door locks, trunk, and horn, as well as other devices such as a garage door opener without requiring a larger housing to accommodate additional dedicated control buttons and circuitry.

Claims

1. A remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter for selectively controlling operation of at least one device comprising:

a portable fob housing;

a microphone mounted to the fob housing for receiving a voice command;

a processor connected to the microphone and arranged to detect and recognize the received voice command, wherein the processor is arranged to generate a control signal associated with the recognized voice command; and

a transmitter responsive to the processor for transmitting the control signal to a receiver unit to control operation of the at least one device.

2. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor programmed to recognize a received voice command and generate an associated control signal.

3. The transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a memory connected to the processor for storing a table of key words, each of which is associated with a selected one of a plurality of control signals.

4. The transmitter of claim 3 wherein the processor is arranged to learn a new key word, and store the learned key word in the table in place of a key word already stored in the table.

5. The transmitter of claim 3 wherein the processor is arranged to learn a new key word, and store the learned key word in the table in association with a selected control signal.

6. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to learn a key word, and store the learned key word in a memory in association with a selected control signal.

7. The transmitter of claim 6 further comprising a programming switch located on the housing for initiating a learning mode for the processor.

8. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to learn different authorized voice signatures.

9. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to generate control signals for controlling operation of a plurality of devices, wherein a key word voice command is associated with each control signal.

10. The transmitter of claim 9 wherein the processor is arranged to generate control signals to control operation of a vehicle door lock and a garage door opener.

11. The transmitter of claim 9 wherein the processor is arranged to generate control signals to control operation of a vehicle door lock and a home lighting system.

12. The transmitter of claim 9 wherein the processor is arranged to generate control signals to control operation of a vehicle door lock and a home security system.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving a keyword voice command associated with controlling operation of at least one device in addition to the vehicle lock;

generating a control signal associated with the received keyword; and

transmitting the control signal to control operation of the associated device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the additional device comprises a garage door opener.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of additional devices comprises a home lighting system.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the additional device comprises a home security system.

19. The transmitter of claim 18 wherein the improvement further comprises a memory connected to the processor for storing a table of key words, each of which is associated with a selected one of a plurality of control signals.

20. The transmitter of claim 19 wherein the processor is arranged to learn a new key word, and store the learned key word in the table in association with a selected control signal.

13. A method for selectively controlling operation of a lock on a vehicle comprising:

receiving a voice command from a microphone mounted to a portable fob housing;

detecting and recognizing the received voice command;

generating a control signal associated with a recognized voice command; and

transmitting the control signal to a receiver unit located on the vehicle to control operation of the lock.

18. A remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter for selectively controlling operation of a lock on a vehicle, the RKE transmitter comprising:

a portable fob housing; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit a control signal to a receiver unit located on the vehicle to control operation of the lock, wherein the improvement comprises;

a microphone mounted to the fob housing for receiving a voice command;

a processor connected to the microphone and arranged to detect and recognize the received voice command, wherein the processor is arranged to provide to the transmitter a control signal associated with the recognized voice command.