Mobile communication terminal and method for inputting characters by speech recognition

• US 7,409,229 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Hye-Rym
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US10/821,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20050009569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 455/563, 455/466, 455/412.1, 455/550.1, 455/66.1, 455/569.1, 455/565, 455/564, 455/414.1, 455/468, 704/201, 704/270, 704/275
• US Class Current: 455/563
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00

Abstract

Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal capable of speech recognition that includes a speech processing unit, a speech recognizing unit, a speech information managing database and a control unit, and method for utilizing same. A speech signal is modulated by the speech processing unit and converted into speech data for the speech recognizing unit to recognize and to output corresponding speech information. The speech information managing database includes a table storing character information corresponding to the speech information. The control unit recognizes speech through the speech recognizing unit upon a demand for character input by speech recognition in a character input mode, detects character information corresponding to the recognized speech information, recognizes whether detected corresponding character information is input and displays via a display unit the input character information.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal capable of speech recognition comprising:

a speech processing unit for modulating a speech signal and converting the speech signal into speech data;

a speech recognizing unit for recognizing speech based on the speech data and outputting corresponding speech information;

a speech information managing database including a table for storing predetermined items corresponding to the speech information;

a control unit for recognizing speech through the speech recognizing unit upon input of the speech signal in accordance with a demand for character input by speech recognition in a character input mode, converting the speech data into character information based on a conversion table stored in a memory, detecting items corresponding to the recognized speech information stored in the speech information managing database, when one of the detected items is selected, recognizing that detailed information for the selected item has been input as character information; and

a display unit for displaying the corresponding items if detected and a message including the detailed information, under the control of the control unit.

2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said character information relates to website addresses.

3. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said character information relates to bank account numbers.

4. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said character information relates to telephone numbers.

5. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a speech recognition key for a user to input the demand for character input.

6. A method for inputting characters in a mobile communication terminal capable of speech recognition, said method comprising the steps of:

determining whether a speech signal is inputted when in a character input mode, wherein the speech signal is converted into speech data;

when the speech signal is inputted, recognizing the speech data and outputting corresponding speech information, wherein the speech data is converted into character information based on a conversion table stored in a memory;

detecting items corresponding to the recognized speech information in a table that stores predetermined items corresponding to speech information; and

displaying the corresponding items if detected, when one of the displayed items is selected, recognizing that detailed information for the selected item has been input as character information and displaying a message including the detailed information on a display unit.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said character information relates to website addresses.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said character information relates to bank account numbers.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said character information relates to telephone numbers.

10. A method for inputting characters in a mobile communication terminal capable of speech recognition, said method comprising the steps of:

determining whether a demand for character input by speech recognition is inputted by a user in a character input mode;

when there is a demand for character input by speech recognition, determining whether a speech signal is inputted, wherein the speech signal is converted into speech data, and wherein the speech data is converted into character information based on a conversion table stored in a memory;

when the speech signal is inputted, recognizing the speech data and outputting corresponding speech information;

detecting items corresponding to the recognized speech information in a table that stores items corresponding to speech information; and

displaying the corresponding items if detected, when one of the displayed items is selected, recognizing that detailed information for the selected item has been input as character information and displaying a message including the detailed information on a display unit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said character information relates to website addresses.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said character information relates to bank account numbers.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said character information relates to telephone numbers.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user can input the demand for character input by pressing a speech recognition key.

15. A mobile communication terminal capable of speech recognition comprising:

a speech processing unit for modulating a speech signal and converting the speech signal into speech data;

a speech/character data convening unit for converting the speech data into character data based on a conversion table stored in a memory;

a speech recognizing unit for recognizing speech based on the speech data and outputting corresponding speech information;

a speech information managing database including a table for storing predetermined items corresponding to the speech information;

a control unit for recognizing speech through the speech recognizing unit upon input of the speech signal in accordance with a demand for character input by speech recognition in a message preparing mode, detecting items corresponding to the recognized speech information stored in the speech information managing database, displaying corresponding items if detected, recognizing that detailed information of an item is selected from the displayed items, displaying a message including the selected detailed information; and

, if no items corresponding to the recognized speech information are detected, recognizing that the inputted speech signal has been inputted as part of the message, converting the speech signal into character data and displaying the message including the character data.

16. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 15, wherein the stored items relate to website addresses.

17. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 15, wherein the stored items relate to bank account numbers.

18. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 15, wherein the stored items relate to telephone numbers.

19. A method for inputting characters in a mobile communication terminal, which is capable of speech recognition, and which comprises a speech information managing database including a table for storing predetermined items corresponding to speech information, the method comprising:

a first step of recognizing speech from an inputted speech signal, when a demand for character input by speech recognition is inputted by a user in a message preparing mode;

a second step of determining whether items corresponding to the recognized speech information are detected;

a third step of displaying the corresponding items, if detected; and

a fourth step of, when one of the displayed items is selected, recognizing that detailed information for the selected item has been inputted and displaying a message including the selected detailed information.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a fifth step of, when no items corresponding to the recognized speech information are detected, recognizing that the inputted speech signal has been inputted as part of the message, converting the speech signal into character data and displaying the message including the character information.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said third step displays items corresponding to the recognized speech information, if detected, in a pop-up menu window.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the selected items relate to website addresses.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the selected items relate to bank account numbers.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the selected items relate to telephone numbers.