Switching the modes of operation for voice-recognition applications
First Claim
1. A method for switching between the command-mode and text-mode of operation in a voice-recognition system, the method comprising:
- operating the voice-recognition application in one of a command mode or a text-mode, wherein the command-mode is used to issue commands that are executable on a computer on which the voice-recognition system resides, and wherein the text-mode is used to insert text into a software application that is in use using the voice-recognition system;
detecting a change in a switching device; and
in response to detecting the change, operating the voice recognition application in the other of the command mode or the text mode; and
wherein, after detecting the voice-recognition application as being in the command mode the method further comprises;
recognizing one or more voice inputs entered by a user as one or more command;
sequentially operating one or more of (i) multiple computers, (ii) multiple appliances, (iii) multiple devices, or (iv) multiple applications using the one or more commands.
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Abstract
A system and method for switching between the command-mode of operation and the text-mode of operation in voice-recognition systems. The system operates using voice-recognition software and a mechanical switch which together enable the system to differentiate between spoken commands that are used to operate the system and spoken words that are inserted as text into a software application. The mechanical switch can be added to a conventional computer mouse, hand-held or desk-mounted microphone, personal digital assistant such as a Palm Pilot, or any other apparatus either used with or having a microphone. Alternatively, the system and method can be implemented using software alone without a mechanical switch, i.e., an electronic switch, wherein a specialized word or words are used to command the system to switch between the command-mode and the text-mode. Such an electronic switch can be implemented in a mouse, microphone or electronic organizer in addition to or in lieu of any mechanical switch such apparatus may contain.
184 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for switching between the command-mode and text-mode of operation in a voice-recognition system, the method comprising:
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operating the voice-recognition application in one of a command mode or a text-mode, wherein the command-mode is used to issue commands that are executable on a computer on which the voice-recognition system resides, and wherein the text-mode is used to insert text into a software application that is in use using the voice-recognition system; detecting a change in a switching device; and in response to detecting the change, operating the voice recognition application in the other of the command mode or the text mode; and wherein, after detecting the voice-recognition application as being in the command mode the method further comprises; recognizing one or more voice inputs entered by a user as one or more command; sequentially operating one or more of (i) multiple computers, (ii) multiple appliances, (iii) multiple devices, or (iv) multiple applications using the one or more commands.
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2. An apparatus for switching between the command-mode and text-mode of operation in voice-recognition systems, wherein the apparatus is provided with a computer on which a voice-recognition system executes, and wherein the apparatus comprises:
a switch having at least two positions, including a first position for using the voice-recognition system in a command-mode of operation and a second position for using the voice-recognition system in a text-mode of operation, wherein the voice-recognition application in the command-mode is used to sequentially issue commands, from the computer on which the voice-recognition system executes, to any one of two or more (i) computers, (ii) appliances, (iii) devices, or (iv) applications operated on the computer, and wherein the voice-recognition system in the text-mode is used to insert text an application that is in use. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for switching between the command-mode and text-mode of operation in voice-recognition systems, wherein the system is provided on a computer having a microphone coupled to it to receive voice input from a user, wherein the system comprises:
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a voice-recognition software executable on the computer system, wherein the voice-recognition software is configured to enable the user to switch between a command-mode of operation and a text-mode of operation, wherein the voice-recognition software is operable in the command-mode to process voice input as commands and to sequentially issue commands interpreted from the voice inputs, from the computer on which the voice-recognition system executes, to any one of two or more (i) computers, (ii) appliances, (iii) devices, or (iv) applications residing on that computer, and wherein the voice-recognition software is operable in the text-mode to process voice input as text for a software application; and wherein the voice-recognition software includes a software-executable switch that is manually operable by the user to switch the voice-recognition software between the command-mode and the text-mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification