Communication System and Method for Representing Information in a Communication

• US 20110087493A1
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Krcmar, Helmut, Sellschopp, Stefan, Nicolescu, Valentin
• Granted Patent: US 9,026,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/276
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication system having a display unit (2) and a virtual being (3) that can be visually represented on the display unit (2) and that is designed for communication by means of natural speech with a natural person, wherein at least one interaction symbol (6, 7) that can be represented on the display unit (2) and by means of which the natural speech dialog between the virtual being (3) and the natural person is supported such that an achieved dialog state can be indicated and/or additional information depending on the dialog state achieved and/or information can he redundantly invoked, The invention further relates to a method for representing information of a communication between a virtual being and a natural person.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a display unit and a virtual being that can be visually represented on the display unit and that is designed for communication by means of natural speech with a natural person wherein

at least one interaction symbol, which can be visually represented on the display unit and which assists the natural speech dialog between the virtual being and the natural person in such a way that an achieved dialog state can be displayed;

and/or additional information and/or information can be retrieved in a redundant manner as a function of the achieved dialog state.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein

the interaction symbol is displayed on the display unit as a function of a dialog situation after an achieved dialog state between the virtual being and the natural person.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein

the interaction symbol is statically displayed during its entire time duration of the display.

4. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein

the interaction symbol is dynamically displayed at least temporarily during its entire time duration of the display.

5. The communication system according to claim 3

wherein

the display mode of the interaction symbol is a function of a specific dialog state and/or a specific dialog situation upon reaching a dialog state.

6. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

the location of the display of the interaction symbol on the display unit can be changed in a variable manner.

7. The communication system according to claim 6

wherein

the location of the display of the interaction symbol on the display unit depends on the information that is currently displayed in addition to an interaction symbol and/or that is to be displayed thereafter.

8. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

an interaction symbol is designed for signaling additional information, which is kept ready on a topic in addition to the already communicated information, or for signaling a standby function of an operating state of a receiving unit of the communication system for receiving speech signals of the natural person or for changing the perspective and/or the size of information, graphically depicted in addition to the interaction symbol.

9. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

an interaction symbol is designed for signaling a question or a command of the virtual being to the natural person.

10. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

a plurality of interaction symbols can be displayed at least temporarily at the same time on the display unit.

11. The communication system according to claim 10

wherein

the number and/or which of the interaction symbols can be depicted on the display unit is variable as a function of a specific dialog state and/or a specific dialog situation after a specific dialog state.

12. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

the displayed interaction symbol is designed as an operating element, which can be selected.

13. The communication system according to

claim 1 wherein

the display unit is arranged in a vehicle;

and the natural person is an occupant of the vehicle.

14. A method for representing information in a communication between a virtual being with a natural person, wherein a virtual being is visually displayed on a display unit of a communication system wherein

the display unit visually displays at least one interaction symbol, which assists the natural speech dialog between the virtual being and the natural person in such a way that an achieved dialog state is displayed;

and/or as a function of the achieved dialog state, additional information and/or information can be retrieved in a redundant manner.

15. A communication system comprising a device including means responsive to material speech for generating selective responsive virtual speech to provide a speech dialog between natural and virtual persons, and means operable by said material person for generating a predetermined response.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said device includes a display screen and said predetermined response means includes a touch activated portion of said screen.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein operation of said touch activated portion of said screen generates at least one of a predetermined display on said screen and a virtual speech response.

18. A system according to claim 15 wherein said device is operable to generate at least one of a virtual speech response and display screen response, in response to a natural speech input.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein operation of said touch activated portion of said display screen operates to index forwardly or rearwardly one of a virtual speech and a visual display response.

20. A system according to claim 15 wherein said device is disposed in vehicle and said material person is an occupant of said vehicle.