Voice-controlled vehicle control system

• US 6,496,107 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tamiras Per Pte Ltd LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Richard B. Himmelstein
• Inventors: Himmelstein, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/624,300
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/5.61, 340/5.52, 340/5.8, 340/5.74, 340/5.84, 340/541, 340/5.2, 340/5.72, 340/436, 340/903, 380/266, 380/25, 713/202, 381/86, 455/403, 455/419, 455/151.2, 455/151.4
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle control system for permitting voice control of at least one device in a vehicle by at least one user includes a radio transponder unit which outputs an RF signal which includes an identification code; an electronic receiver for receiving the RF signal and down converting the received signal to output the identification code; a microphone for receiving an audible signal spoken by a user and converting the audible signal to a digital signal; a memory for storing a plurality of files, each file comprising a voiceprint of a user and a command instruction for controlling at least one function of the device; and a microprocessor for determining whether the identification code is valid and for analyzing the digital signal to determine whether it matches one of the voiceprints stored in memory if the identification code is determined valid. The microprocessor executes a command instruction to control the function of the device if a match has been found.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system for permitting voice control of at least one device in a vehicle by at least one user, the system comprising:

a radio transponder unit which outputs an RF signal which includes an identification code;

an electronic receiver for receiving said RF signal and down converting said received signal to output said identification code;

a microphone for receiving a first audible signal spoken by a first user, said audible signal being specific to said first user and corresponding to at least one function of said at least one device, said microphone converting said first audible signal to a first digital signal;

a memory for storing a plurality of files, each file comprising a voiceprint of a user and a command instruction for controlling said at least one function of said at least one device; and

a microprocessor for determining whether said identification code is valid and, if said identification code is valid, for analyzing said first digital signal to determine whether it matches one of said voiceprints stored in memory;

whereby said microprocessor executes said command instruction to control said at least one function of said at least one device if a match has been found.

2. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said microphone is located on said transponder.

3. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said microphone is co-located on an object protected by said security system.

4. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said transponder is contained in a plastic credit card.

5. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said transponder is contained in a keyfob.

6. The vehicle control system of claim 1, whereby said microprocessor only analyzes said digital electronic signal if said identification code is valid.

7. The vehicle control system of claim 1, wherein said transponder is contained within a piece of jewelry.

8. The vehicle control system of claim 7, wherein said jewelry comprises a watch.

9. The vehicle control system of claim 7, wherein said jewelry comprises a wristband.

10. The vehicle control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second radio transponder unit which outputs a second RF signal which includes a second identification code;

whereby

the electronic receiver receives said second RF signal and down converts said second received signal to output said second identification code;

the microphone receives a second audible signal spoken by a second user, said second audible signal being specific to said second user and corresponding to at least one function of said at least one device, said microphone converting said second audible signal to a second digital signal;

the microprocessor determines whether said second identification code is valid and, if said identification code is valid, analyzes said second digital signal to determine whether it matches one of said voiceprints stored in memory; and

said microprocessor executes said command instruction to control said at least one function of said at least one device if a match has been found.

11. The system of claim 10, whereby said first audible signal is a result of a first command spoken by said first user and said second audible signal is a result of a second command spoken by said second user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first and second commands are the same.