Spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle

• US 4,528,687 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 07/09/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Futami, Toru, Kishi, Norimasa, Noso, Kazunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Kemeny, E. S. Matt
• Application Number:
  US06/432,379
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 381/41-43, 364/513, 364/513.5, 364/424
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/87 Detection of discrete points within a voice signal

Abstract

A speech recognition and actuator system for auto device control includes a recognition switch which when operated a first time activates the system to accept a spoken command, and if operated a second time within a predetermined interval T1 (approximately 2 seconds) stops the actuation and awaits a new command. Additional timers provide interval T2 for a stop command, and T3 for enabling the speech recognizer. The system may also include a reset switch when operated returns the actuated device to its original state.

Claims

1. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle which can operate at least one vehicle device in accordance with a plurality of spoken instructions inputted through a microphone when a recognition switch is kept turned on which comprises:

(a) a speed recognizer for outputting a plurality of recognition command signals independently whenever one of a plurality of predetermined spoken instructions is recognized to be similar to one of recorded reference spoken instruction pattern data;

(b) at least one vehicle device actuator connected between said speech recognizer and the vehicle device for actuating the vehicle device in response to the recognition command signals; and

(c) means for outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator for a predetermined time period T₂ when recognition switch is turned on again within a predetermined time period T₁ after said speech recognizer has outputted a recognition command signal to said vehicle device actuator, said stop command signal outputting means being connected to said speech recognizer and the recognition switch.

2. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises means for enabling said speech rcognizer to recognize spoken instructions for a predetermined time period T₃ after said stop command signal outputting means has stopped outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator, said enabling means being connected to said speech recognizer, the recognition switch and said stop command signal outputting means.

3. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a reset switch for outputting a reset command signal when turned on, said reset switch being connected to said stop command signal outputting means;

(b) means for storing the original operating conditions of the vehicle device actuators whenever said reset switch is turned on within a predetermined time period T₁ after said speech recognizer has outputted a recognition command signal, said storing means being connected to said stop command signal outputting means; and

(c) means for returning the present operating conditions of the vehicle device actuator to the original operating conditions a predetermined time period T₂ after said reset switch has been turned on.

4. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stop command signal outputting means comprises:

(a) a first OR gate connected to said speech recognizer for ORing a plurality of recognition command signals outputted from said speech recognizer in response to a plurality of spoken instructions;

(b) a first timer unit connected to said OR gate for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₁ in response to the ORed signal from said OR gate;

(c) a first AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the recognition switch, the other input terminal of which is connected to said first timer unit for outputting an ANDed signal when the recognition switch is turned on which said first timer unit is outputting a signal; and

(d) a second timer unit connected to said first AND gate for outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator in response to the ANDed signal from said first AND gate for a predetermined time period T₂ sufficient to stop the vehicle device completely.

5. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said speech recognizer enabling means comprises:

(a) a second AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the recognition switch and the other input terminal of which is connected to said stop command signal outputting means for outputting an ANDed signal only when the recognition switch is turned on while said stop command signal outputting means is outputting no stop command signal;

(b) a third timer unit connected to said stop command signal outputting means for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₃ after said stop command signal outputting means stops outputting a stop command signal; and

(c) a second OR gate one input terminal of which is connected to said second AND gate and the other input terminal of which is connected to said third timer unit for outputting an ORed signal to said speech recognizer to enable said recognizer to recognize spoken instructions inputted through the microphone within a predetermined time period T₃ after said stop command signal outputting means has stopped outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator.

6. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said original operating condition storing means comprises:

(a) a clock pulse generator for outputting a clock pulse;

(b) a counter connected to said stop command signal outputting means and said clock pulse generator for counting the number of clock pulse signals beginning from when said speech recognizer outputs a recognition command signal to said vehicle device actuator; and

(c) a latch circuit connected to said stop command signal outputting means and said counter for latching a value counted by said counter in response to the reset command signal.

7. A spoken instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said original operating condition returning means comprises:

(a) a clock pulse generator for outputting a clock pulse;

(b) a programmable subtract counter connected to said clock pulse generator, said original operating condition storing means and said stop command signal outputting means for loading the stored value thereinto in response to the reset command signal and subtracting the number of clock pulses from the loaded value and outputting a signal when the subtracted value becomes zero, the outputted signal resetting said programmable subtract counter itself;

(c) a third timer unit connected to said programmable subtract counter for outputting another stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator in response to the signal outputted from said programmable subtract counter;

(d) a flip-flop the set terminal S of which is connected to one output terminal of said speed recognizer for receiving a first command signal and the reset terminal R of which is connected to the other output terminal of said speech recognizer for receiving a second command signal;

(e) a third AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal Q of said flip-flop and the other input terminal of which is connected to said programmable subtract counter for outputting an ANDed second command signal to said vehicle device actuator when said flip-flop is set in response to the first command signal and when said programmable subtract counter is outputting a signal; and

(f) a fourth AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the inversion output terminal Q of said flip-flop and the other input terminal of which is connected to said programmable subtract counter for outputting an ANDed first command signal to said vehicle device actuator when said flip-flop is reset in response to the second command signal and when said programmable subtract counter is outputting a signal.

8. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said original condition storing means is a latch circuit provided with a plurality of memory sections, said latch circuit being connected to the vehicle device for storing a plurality of device operating conditions therein in response to the recognition command signal from said speech recognizer.

9. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said original operating condition returning means is a decoder connected to said original condition storing means, said speech recognizer and said stop command signal outputting means for decoding a binary code stored in said original condition storing means and outputting another binary code corresponding to the stored binary code to the respective output terminals of said speech recognizer in response to the stop command signal.

10. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle which can operate at least one vehicle device in accordance with a plurality of spoken instructions inputted through a microphone when a recognition switch is kept turned on which comprises:

(a) a speed recognizer for outputting a plurality of recognition command signals independently whenever one of a plurality of predetermined spoken instructions is recognized to be similar to one of recorded reference spoken instruction pattern data;

(b) at least one vehicle device actuator connected between said speech recognizer and the vehicle device for actuating the vehicle device in response to the recognition command signals;

(c) a first OR gate connected to said speech recognizer for ORing a plurality of recognition command signals outputted from said speech recognizer in response to a plurality of spoken instructions;

(d) a first timer unit connected to said first OR gate for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₁ in response to the ORed signal from said first OR gate;

(e) a first AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the recognition switch, the other input terminal of which is connected to said first timer unit for outputting an ANDed signal when the recognition switch is turned on while said first timer unit is outputting a signal;

(f) a second timer unit connected to said first AND gate for outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator in response to the ANDed signal from said first AND gate for a predetermined time period T₂ sufficient to stop the vehicle device completely;

(g) a second AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the recognition switch and the other input terminal of which is connected to said first timer unit for outputting an ANDed signal only when the recognition switch is turned on while said first timer unit is outputting no signal;

(h) a third timer unit connected to said second timer unit for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₃ after said second timer unit stops outputting a stop command signal; and

(i) a second OR gate one input terminal of which is connected to said second AND gate and the other input terminal of which is connected to said third timer unit for outputting an ORed signal to said speech recognizer to enable said recognizer to recognize spoken instructions inputted through the microphone within a predetermined time period T₃ after said stop command signal outputting means has stopped outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator,

whereby an erroneously-operating device can be stopped and the succeeding correct spoken instruction can be recognized, when the recognition switch is once depressed.

13. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in either claim 10, or 11, wherein said vehicle device actuator comprises a plurality of switching elements connected between said speech recognizer and the vehicle device.

11. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle which can operate at least one vehicle device in accordance with a plurality of spoken instructions inputted through a microphone when a recognition switch is kept turned on which comprises:

(a) a speed recognizer for outputting a plurality of recognition command signals independently whenever one of a plurality of predetermined spoken instructions is recognized to be similar to one of recorded reference spoken instruction pattern data;

(b) at least one vehicle device actuator connected between said speech recognizer and the vehicle device for actuating the vehicle device in response to the recognition command signals;

(c) a reset switch for outputting a reset command signal when turned on;

(d) a first OR gate connected to said speech recognizer for ORing a plurality of recognition command signals outputted from said speech recognizer in response to a plurality of spoken instructions;

(e) a first timer unit connected to said OR gate for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₁ in response to the ORed signal from said OR gate;

(f) a first AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the reset switch, the other input terminal of which is connected to said first timer unit for outputting an ANDed signal in response to the reset command signal while said first timer unit is outputting a signal; and

(g) a second timer unit connected to said first AND gate for outputting a stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator in response to the ANDed signal from said first AND gate for a predetermined time period T₂ sufficient to stop the vehicle device completely.

(h) a clock pulse generator for outputting a clock pulse;

(i) a counter connected to said first timer unit and said clock pulse generator for counting the number of clock pulse signals beginning from when said first timer unit outputs a signal;

(j) a latch circuit connected to said first AND gate and said counter for latching a value counted by said counter in response to the ANDed signal from said first AND gate;

(k) a programmable subtract counter connected to said latch circuit, said clock pulse generator, and said second timer unit for loading the stored value thereinto in response to the stop command signal from said second timer unit and subtracting the number of clock pulses from the loaded value and outputting a signal when the subtracted value becomes zero, the outputted signal resetting said programmable subtract counter itself and said latch circuit;

(l) a third timer unit connected to said programmable subtract counter for outputting another stop command signal to said vehicle device actuator in response to the signal outputted from said programmable subtract counter;

(m) a flip-flop the set terminal S of which is connected to one output terminal of said speech recognizer for receiving a first command signal and the reset terminal R of which is connected to the other output terminal of said speech recognizer for receiving a second command signal;

(n) a third AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal Q of said flip-flop and the other input terminal of which is connected to said programmable subtract counter for ouputting an ANDed second command signal to said vehicle device actuator when said flip-flop is set in response to the first command signal and when said programmable subtract counter is outputting a signal; and

(o) a fourth AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the inversion output terminal Q of said flip-flop and the other input terminal of which is connected to said programmable subtract counter for outputting an ANDed first command signal to said vehicle device actuator when said flip-flop is reset in response to the second command signal and when said programmable subtract counter is outputting a signal,

whereby an erroneouly-operating device can be stopped and operted reversely to its original position on the basis of counted time interval.

12. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle which can operate at least one vehicle device in accordance with a plurality of spoken instructions inputted through a microphone when a recognition switch is kept turned on which comprises:

(a) a speed recognizer for outputting a plurality of recognition command signals independently whenever one of a plurality of predetermined spoken instructions is recognized to be similar to one of recorded reference spoken instruction pattern data;

(b) at least one vehicle device actuator connected between said speech recognizer and the vehicle device for actuating the vehicle device in response to the recognition command signals;

(c) a reset switch for outputting a reset command signal when turned on;

(d) a first OR gate connected to said speech recognizer for ORing a plurality of recognition command signals outputted from said speech recognizer in response to a plurality of spoken instructions;

(e) a first timer unit connected to said OR gate for outputting a signal for a predetermined time period T₁ in response to the ORed signal from said OR gate;

(f) a first AND gate one input terminal of which is connected to the reset switch, the other input terminal of which is connected to said first timer unit for outputting an ANDed signal in response to the reset command signal while said first timer unit is outputting a signal;

(g) a latch circuit provided with a plurality of memory sections, said latch circuit being connected to the vehicle device for storing a plurality of device operating conditions therein in response to the ORed signal from said first OR gate; and

(h) a decoder connected to said latch circuit, said output terminals of said speech recognizer, and said first AND gate for decoding a binary code latched in said latch circuit and outputting another binary code corresponding to the latched binary code to the respective output terminals of said speech recognizer in response to the ANDed signal from said first AND gate,

whereby an erroneously-operating device can be stopped and returned to its original operating condition on the basis of stored logical vehicle device operating conditions.

14. A spoken-instruction controlled system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said vehicle device actuator comprises:

(a) a plurality of timer units connected to said speech recognizer and said decorder;

(b) a plurality of AND gates connected to said latch memory and said timer units; and

(c) a plurality of switching elements connected between said AND gates and said vehicle device.