Bifurcated Speech Recognition

• US 20140195247A1
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Parkinson, Christopher, Jacobsen, Jeffrey J., Pombo, Stephen A., Ferguson, David B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,620,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/225 Feedback of the input speech
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/06 Transformation of speech into a non-audible representation, e.g. speech visualisation or speech processing for tactile aids G10L15/26 takes precedence

Abstract

Presented are improvements for speech recognition systems used to control devices. Features include two-stage confirmation, two-stage limited speech recognition mode, and two-stage wake-up for speech driven applications and systems. A headset computer device includes such staged confirmation operation.

Claims

1. A method of speech control in a computer application, comprising:

given a headset computer having a microphone and a display, receiving a sound input via the microphone;

processing the sound input using a speech recognition engine coupled to the headset computer, said processing including the speech recognition engine interpreting the sound input to be a command for an action having a level of criticality that meets or exceeds a threshold level of criticality; and

in response to the processed sound input;

(i) displaying a first dialog box on the display, and

(ii) conditioning headset computer performance of the action on a user making a first confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the first dialog box.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the first dialog box is able to automatically time-out.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a low power sleep mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a limited speech recognition mode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving via the microphone the first confirmatory utterance corresponding to the prompt in the first dialog box; and

displaying a second dialog box on the display in response to the receipt of the first confirmatory utterance, the headset computer conditioning performance of the action on the user making a secondary confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the second dialog box.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the displaying of the second dialog box is able to automatically time-out.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a low power sleep mode.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a limited speech recognition mode.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the first confirmatory utterance and the second confirmatory utterance are different from each other.

10. A speech control apparatus comprising:

given a headset computer having a display and a microphone configured to receive a sound input;

a speech recognition engine configured to interpret the sound input and as part of that interpretation to determine whether the sound input is a command for an action having a level of criticality that meets or exceeds a threshold level of criticality, said command being a critical command; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the speech recognition engine, and in response to a determination by the speech recognition engine that a sound input is a critical command, configured to;

(i) display a first dialog box on the display, and

(ii) condition headset computer performance of the action on a user making a first confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the first dialog box.

the sound input using a speech recognition engine coupled to the headset computer, said processing including and

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first dialog box is able to automatically time-out.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a low power sleep mode.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a limited speech recognition mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, the processor further configured to:

receive via the microphone the first confirmatory utterance corresponding to the prompt in the first dialog box; and

display a second dialog box on the display in response to the receipt of the first confirmatory utterance, the headset computer conditioning performance of the action on the user making a secondary confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the second dialog box.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second dialog box is able to automatically time-out.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a low power sleep mode.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the command is a command for the headset computer to disengage from a limited speech recognition mode.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first confirmatory utterance and the second confirmatory utterance are different from each other.

19. A headset computer comprising:

a display;

a microphone receiving sound input;

a speech recognition engine configured to interpret the sound input and as part of that interpretation to determine whether the sound input is a command for an action having a level of criticality that meets or exceeds a threshold level of criticality, said command being a critical command; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the speech recognition engine, and in response to a determination by the speech recognition engine that a sound input is a critical command, configured to;

(i) display a first dialog box on the display, and

(ii) condition headset computer performance of the action on a user making a first confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the first dialog box.

20. The headset computer of claim 19, the processor further configured to:

receive via the microphone the first confirmatory utterance corresponding to the prompt in the first dialog box; and

display a second dialog box on the display in response to the receipt of the first confirmatory utterance, the headset computer conditioning performance of the action on the user making a secondary confirmatory utterance corresponding to a prompt in the second dialog box. ff