Apparatus and method for voice controlled apparel machine

• US 5,375,063 A
• Filed: 11/19/1993
• Issued: 12/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teacher Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Clemson University
• Inventors: Rowland, Randy, Peck, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruggiero, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trammell, Jim
• Application Number:
  US08/155,100
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 364/470, 112/277, 112/121.11, 395/2, 395/2.84, 381/42, 381/43
• US Class Current: 700/136
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 19/02 Sewing machines having electronic memory or microprocessor control unit
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 69/18 electric , e.g. foot pedals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23386 Voice, vocal command or message
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25192 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2626 Sewing

Abstract

Apparatus and method for speech recognition control of apparel manufacture equipment, such as a sewing machine, is provided. This invention allows an operator to control specific operational modes of the apparel manufacture equipment through verbal commands recognized by the equipment as distinct from other sounds in the environment of the equipment. The invention includes a device for recognizing and translating an operator'"'"'s verbal command into an electronic control signal; a communication device such as a microphone for inputting the operator'"'"'s verbal command into the recognizing and translating device; and interfacing means for presenting the electronic control signal to the apparel manufacture equipment in a form recognized and accepted by the equipment. The method for voice control of apparel manufacture equipment according to the present invention comprises the steps of receiving an operator'"'"'s verbal command through, for instance, a microphone; recognizing and translating the verbal command into an electronic control signal; and routing this electronic control signal to the apparel manufacture equipment in a form recognized by and actable upon by the equipment.

Claims

1. A speech recognition controlled sewing device, wherein an operator controls specific operations performable by said sewing device through verbal commands recognized by said sewing device as distinct from other sounds in the environment of said sewing device, comprising:

a sewing machine capable of performing a desired sewing task;

an electric motor powering the operation of said sewing machine;

digital electric motor control circuitry connected to said electric motor for controlling the operation of said electric motor through received digital signals;

a speech recognition computer for recognizing and translating a verbal command into an electronic control signal actable upon by said electric motor control circuitry, said speech recognition computer further comprising;

means for creating a library of operator-specific electronic control signals correlating to a set of specific verbal commands of a particular operator;

means for storing the library of operator-specific electronic control signals; and

means for comparing an operator'"'"'s verbal command to said library and for accessing the electronic control signal corresponding to the operator'"'"'s specific verbal command;

a microphone for inputting an operator'"'"'s verbal command into said speech recognition computer; and

interfacing means for translating the electronic control signal into a digital control signal recognized by said electric motor control circuitry, said interfacing means in communication with said speed recognition computer and said electric motor control circuitry, said speech recognition computer being non-dependent on feedback signals indicating the actual operating condition of said sewing machine.

2. A method for voice control of apparel manufacture equipment, said method comprising the steps of:

creating and storing a library of operator specific digitized control signals;

receiving an operator'"'"'s verbal command;

translating the verbal command into a digitized verbal command;

comparing the digitized verbal command to the library of operator specific digitized control signals;

retrieving the digitized control signal matching the digitized verbal command;

translating the digitized control signal with a portable interface device into a digital signal which is recognized and actable upon by control circuitry of the apparel manufacture equipment; and

routing the translated digital signal to the control circuitry of the apparel manufacture equipment to be acted upon thereby, wherein said method does not depend on receiving signals or external input indicating the actual operating status of the apparel manufacture equipment.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said receiving step includes inputting the verbal command into a head set microphone.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein said routing step includes routing the electronic control signal to a sewing machine.

5. A method as in claim 2, wherein said routing step includes routing the electronic control signal to an electric motor sewing machine.

6. A method as in claim 2, wherein said routing step includes routing the electronic control signal to a cycle-type sewing machine.

7. The method as in claim 2, wherein said creating and storing the library further comprises creating and storing a plurality of different operator specific control signals wherein a particular operator must first access his particular library of control signals, said method thereby being able to discriminate between and operate with different operators.

8. Control apparatus for operating manufacturing apparel machines having electronic control circuitry for controlling specific operations of the machine wherein an operator controls specific operations of the machines through verbal commands recognized by the control apparatus as distinct from other sounds in the environment of the apparel machine, said control apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving an operator'"'"'s verbal command;

means for converting said verbal command into an electronic voice signal;

means for digitizing said electronic voice signal;

means for comparing said digitized electronic voice signal to a library of stored operator specific digitized control signals and for retrieving the digitized control signal matching said digitized voice signal whereby only a particular operator whose digitized voice signal matches said stored digitized control signals can operate said apparel manufacturing machine;

an electronic interface device operably disposed between said machine control circuitry and said comparing and retrieving means, said interface device translating the digitized control signals in digital signals recognized by the apparel machine electronic control circuitry for controlling operation of said manufacturing machine; and

wherein said control apparatus is portable and said electronic interface is matable with a variety of apparel manufacturing machines, said comparing and retrieving means being non-dependent on actual operating conditions of said manufacturing machine.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said receiver comprises a head set microphone and said converting means, said digitizing means, and said comparing and retrieving means are contained in a portable unit capable of being worn by an operator.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said portable unit comprises a speech recognition computer.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising means for interfacing with said speech recognition computer to create said stored library of operator specific digitized control signals, and a storage medium for storing said library.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said speech recognition computer is configured to store a plurality of said libraries of operator specific digitized control signals so that more than one operator can use said apparatus.

13. Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said interfacing means comprises an external computer interfaceable with said speech recognition computer, said external computer configured to allow the operator to communicate with and train said speech recognition computer to create said library of operator specific digitized control signals.

14. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said apparel manufacturing machine comprises a sewing machine.

15. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said apparel manufacturing machine comprises an embroidering machine.

16. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said apparel manufacturing machine comprises a cycle-type motor sewing machine.