System and method for voice output from an automation system

• US 20040260557A1
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Morse, Carl P.
• Application Number:
  US10/465,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260557A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/272
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13169 Voice, oral, vocal, speech announcement
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23386 Voice, vocal command or message

Abstract

A voice output system for providing a voice output to a user of a subcomponent of an automation system. A PLC associated with monitoring or controlling an operation of the subcomponent determines if voice output is needed and generates a signal to provide the requisite speech output. The output may be computer generated or a pre-recorded taped message.

Claims

1. A system for providing voice output for a subcomponent of an automation system comprising:

a PLC operatively associated with controlling at least one aspect of a subcomponent of an automation system, the PLC configured to provide an output signal for providing a user of the subcomponent with audible information relating to operation of the subcomponent; and

,

a speech output device configured to receive the output signal and generate an audible speech output responsive to the output signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network connecting the PLC and the speech output device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless connection between the PLC and the speech output device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the speech output device provides a prerecorded message audible speech output in response to the output signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the speech output device provides a computer generated audible speech output in response to the output signal.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a speech processor for creating the computer generated audible speech output.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the speech output device comprises a first speaker positioned proximate the subcomponent at a first position.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the speech output device comprises a second speaker positioned proximate the subcomponent at a second location.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the speech output device comprises a headphone speaker to be worn by a user of the subcomponent.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the subcomponent comprises a stamping machine.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system provides a speech output requesting a user'"'"'s identification.

12. A system for providing audible speech output for a user of a machine comprising:

a PLC operatively associated with a machine, the PLC configured to provide an output signal associated with operation of the machine; and

,

a speech output device configured to provide audible speech output responsive to the output signal from the PLC.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising an I/O module associated with the machine, the I/O module configured to receive the output signal from the PLC and provide the output signal to the speech output device.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a network connecting the PLC and the speech output device.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the speech output device includes a first speaker positioned proximate the machine at a first location.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the speech output device includes a second speaker positioned proximate the machine at a second location.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising a speech processor for converting the output signal into voice data useable by the speech output device.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the speech output device comprises a headphone speaker to be worn by a user of the subcomponent.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the speech output device is a portable device that can be carried by a user of the subcomponent.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the system provides an output speech to request a user of the machine to provide a password.

21. A method for providing audible speech output for a machine in an automation system comprising the steps of:

providing a PLC connected to a machine;

providing a speech processor connected to the PLC determining if an event in an operation of the machine requires speech output to a user of the machine; and

,

providing a first signal by the PLC to the speech processor for implementing an audible speech output.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

providing a second signal by the speech processor to a speech output device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

positioning the speech output device proximate the machine.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the speech output device comprises headphones wearable by the user of the machine.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the speech output device comprises a speaker.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

providing a network connecting the speech processor and the speech output device; and

,

providing voice data from the speech processor to the speech output device over the network.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the speech output is a computer generated voice output.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the speech output is a prerecorded voice output responsive to the signal from the PLC.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

providing an IO module for receiving the second signal from the speech processor and providing a third signal to the speech output device.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

connecting the speech processor to the 10 module by a network.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein providing a first signal by the PLC to the speech processor for implementing an audible speech output comprises sending the first signal to the speech processor over a wireless connection.

32. The method of claim 22, wherein providing a second signal by the speech processor to a speech output device comprises sending the second signal to the speech output device over a wireless connection.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the machine is a subcomponent of an automation system.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein determining if an event in an operation of the machine requires speech output to a user of the machine comprises the PLC monitoring the machine for the occurrence of a predetermined action.