Voice communication concerning a local entity
First Claim
1. A method of voice interaction with a nearby entity, comprising the steps of:
- (a) associating a group of one or more entities with a separately-hosted voice service;
(b) upon a user approaching near to any entity of the group, initiating provision of the voice service to that user by joining the user into a communication session established for the service and common to all users of the voice service;
the voice service acting as voice proxy for said group with each user joined to the session interacting with the service through spoken dialog and hearing at least some of the same voice-service output as all other users joined to the session.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A local entity without its own means of voice communication is provided with the semblance of having a voice interaction capability. This is done by providing an associated voice service hosted separately from the entity, the service being initiated when a user comes near the entity. The service uses audio input and output devices that are located either in user-carried equipment or in the locality of the entity. The voice service can be delivered to multiple users simultaneously with the users being joined into the same communication session with the voice service so that all users hear at least some of the same service output. The voice service can be arranged to serve a group of associated entities, not necessarily near each other.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of voice interaction with a nearby entity, comprising the steps of:
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(a) associating a group of one or more entities with a separately-hosted voice service;
(b) upon a user approaching near to any entity of the group, initiating provision of the voice service to that user by joining the user into a communication session established for the service and common to all users of the voice service;
the voice service acting as voice proxy for said group with each user joined to the session interacting with the service through spoken dialog and hearing at least some of the same voice-service output as all other users joined to the session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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19. A system for enabling verbal communication on behalf of a local entity with a nearby user, the system comprising:
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audio output means either forming part of equipment carried by the user, or located in the locality of the local entity, audio input means either forming part of equipment carried by the user, or located in the locality of the local entity, communication means over which signals can be transferred respectively to and from the audio output and input means;
a voice service arrangement for providing a voice service associated with the entity but separately hosted, the voice service arrangement being arranged to deliver the voice service by providing voice input and output signals via the communications means to the audio input and output means thereby enabling a user to interact with the voice service through spoken dialog; and
service initiation means for initiating voice service delivery by the voice service arrangement to a user near the local entity;
the voice service arrangement including session control means for joining multiple users each near the same local entity or an entity of a group of associated entities, into a common voice-service communication session in respect of the same local entity or group of entities whereby such users hear at least some of the same voice-service output.
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Specification