System and method for visually indicating receipt of a radio communication directed to a uniquely identified vehicle

• US 6,356,209 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin J. Foley, Robert P. Mitchell, Wayne C. Crouch
• Original Assignee: Martin J. Foley, Robert P. Mitchell, Wayne C. Crouch
• Inventors: Mitchell, Robert P., Crouch, Wayne C., Foley, Martin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,680
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/961, 340/971, 340/426, 455/11.1, 455/108, 704/426, 701/120
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/088 Word spotting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/961 Operator interface with visual structure or function dictated by intended use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/971 Cooperative decision support systems for group of users

Abstract

A system for visually indicating receipt of a radio communication directed to a user having an associated unique identification code. The system includes a radio transponder having an audio output, means for obtaining and storing the unique identification code; a speech recognition circuit operably connected to the radio transponder audio output and the stored identification code; and a visual indicator operably connected to an output of the speech recognition circuit, such that when the stored identification code and said audio input are substantially the same the visual indicator is driven to activation. A method is similarly disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for visually indicating receipt of a radio communication directed to a user having an associated unique identification code, said system comprising:

a radio transponder having an audio output;

means for obtaining and storing said user associated unique identification code;

a speech recognition circuit operably connected to said audio output and to said storing means; and

a visual indicator operably connected to an output of said speech recognition circuit, such that when said stored user associated unique identification code and said audio output arc substantially the same said visual indicator is driven to activation.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said system further comprises an audio input device operably connected to said audio output of said radio transponder.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for obtaining and storing said user associated unique identification code includes an audio input device operably associated with said speech recognition circuit.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said audio input device is integral to said radio transponder.

5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said audio input device is operably connected to said speech recognition circuit.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said speech recognition circuit continues to drive said visual indicator until said audio input and said stored audio are substantially the same whereby said visual indicator remains active until said user speaks said associated unique identification code.

7. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle to provide a visual indication of receipt of a radio communication directed to a user having an associated unique identification code, said vehicle having at least a pre-existing radio transponder, audio input device and audio output device, said kit comprising:

means for obtaining and storing said user associated unique identification code;

a speech recognition circuit operably connected to said audio output and to said storing means; and

a visual indicator operably connected to an output of said speech recognition circuit, such that when said stored audio and said audio output are substantially the same said visual indicator is driven to activation.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said kit is self contained within a housing.

9. The invention according to claim 8 said kit further including an insulation displacement connector for connecting the kit to the preexisting circuits.

10. A method for visually indicating receipt of a radio communication directed to a user having an associated unique identification code, said method comprising:

storing the unique identification code;

monitoring ongoing radio communications for utterance of the unique identification; and

indicating in a visual manner substantially contemporaneous use of the unique identification code within the ongoing communication.

11. The invention according to claim 10 further comprising extinguishing the visual indication upon response by a user to receipt of the unique identification code.