Method and apparatus for executing tasks in voice-activated command systems

• US 20060056601A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ollason, David G., Bhatia, Siddharth, Herron, Daniel Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.30
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27

Abstract

A method of executing operations in a voice-activated command system includes automatically initiating execution of a default operation. A user is then prompted, after the default operation has been initiated, to determine whether the user wishes to execute a second operation instead of the default operation. If the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation, execution of the default operation is terminated and execution of the second operation is initiated. In voice-activated and other command systems, such as voice dialing systems, this method allows the command system to execute the most probable operation without delay, while still making the system easily navigable by naïve users. Systems, computer readable medium and apparatus which implement the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of executing operations in a voice-activated command system, the method comprising:

automatically initiating execution of a default operation;

prompting the user, after the default operation has been initiated, to determine whether the user wishes to execute a second operation instead of the default operation;

terminating execution of the default operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation; and

initiating execution of the second operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation.

2. The method of claim 1, and before automatically initiating execution of the default operation, the method comprising:

prompting the user to provide an initial voice command;

receiving the initial voice command from the user; and

identifying a plurality of operations, including the default operation and the second operation, in response to the initial voice command.

3. The method of claim 2, and before terminating execution of the default operation and initiating execution of the second operation, the method further comprising receiving a second voice command from the user to select to execute the second operation instead of the default operation.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically initiating execution of the default operation further includes generating an audible indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein prompting the user to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation further comprises prompting the user, to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation, during the generation of the audible indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.

6. A voice-activated command system configured to implement the steps of claim 1.

7. A voice-dialing system configured to implement the steps of claim 1.

8. A method of providing voice dialing assistance, the method comprising:

automatically initiating a call to a default telephone number;

prompting the user, after the call to the default telephone number has been initiated, to determine whether the user wishes to call a second telephone number instead of the default telephone number;

terminating the call to the default telephone number if the user wishes to call the second telephone number; and

initiating a call to the second telephone number if the user wishes to call the second telephone number.

9. The method of claim 8, and before automatically initiating the call to the default telephone number, the method comprising:

prompting the user to provide an initial voice command indicating an intended call recipient;

receiving the initial voice command from the user;

identifying the intended call recipient using the initial voice command; and

identifying a plurality of telephone numbers, including the default telephone number and the second telephone number, corresponding to the desired call recipient.

10. The method of claim 9, and before terminating the call to the default telephone number and initiating the call to the second telephone number, the method further comprising receiving a second voice command from the user to select to call the second telephone number instead of the default telephone number.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein automatically initiating the call to the default telephone number further includes generating an verbal indication to the user that the default telephone number is being called.

12. The method of claim 11, and after the step of generating the verbal indication to the user that the default telephone number is being called, further comprising generating an audible representation of the default telephone number ringing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein prompting the user to determine whether the user wishes to call the second telephone number instead of the default telephone number further comprises prompting the user, to determine whether the user wishes to call the second telephone number instead of the default telephone number, during the audible representation of the default telephone number ringing.

14. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing command system operation executing steps comprising:

automatically initiating execution of a default operation;

prompting a user, after the default operation has been initiated, to determine whether the user wishes to execute a second operation instead of the default operation;

terminating execution of the default operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation; and

initiating execution of the second operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, and further having computer-executable instructions for performing further steps comprising:

prompting the user, before automatically initiating execution of the default operation, to provide an initial command;

receiving the initial command from the user; and

identifying a plurality of operations, including the default operation and the second operation, in response to the initial command.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, and further having computer-executable instructions for performing the further step comprising receiving a second command from the user, before terminating execution of the default operation and initiating execution of the second operation, to select to execute the second operation instead of the default operation.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein automatically initiating execution of the default operation further includes generating an indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein prompting the user to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation further comprises prompting the user, to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation, during the generation of the indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.