Method and apparatus for executing tasks in voice-activated command systems

• US 7,460,999 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ollason, David G., Bhatia, Siddharth, Herron, Daniel Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): McFadden; Susan
• Application Number:
  US10/939,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20060056601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 704/270, 704/270.1, 704/275, 379/88.03
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27

Abstract

A method of executing operations in a voice-activated command system includes automatically initiating execution of a default operation. A user is then prompted, after the default operation has been initiated, to determine whether the user wishes to execute a second operation instead of the default operation. If the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation, execution of the default operation is terminated and execution of the second operation is initiated. In voice-activated and other command systems, such as voice dialing systems, this method allows the command system to execute the most probable operation without delay, while still making the system easily navigable by naïve users. Systems, computer readable medium and apparatus which implement the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of executing operations in a voice-activated command system, the method comprising:

prompting a user to provide an initial voice command;

receiving the initial voice command from the user;

identifying a plurality of alternative operations, including a default operation and a second operation, in response to the initial voice command, wherein the default operation and the second operation respectively include calling a default telephone number and a second telephone number for a particular call recipient;

automatically initiating execution of the default operation by initiating a call to the default telephone number for the particular call recipient;

prompting the user, after the default operation has been initiated by initiating the call to the default telephone number for the particular call recipient, and during execution of the default operation, to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation to call the second telephone number for the particular call recipient instead of the default operation;

receiving a second voice command from the user to select to execute the second operation to call the second telephone number for the particular call recipient instead of the instead of the default operation;

terminating execution of the default operation by terminating the call to the default telephone number for the particular call recipient if the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation; and

initiating execution of the second operation by initiating the call to the second telephone number for the particular call recipient if the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically initiating execution of the default operation further includes generating an audible indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein prompting the user to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation farther comprises prompting the user, to determine whether the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation, during the generation of the audible indication to the user that the default operation is being executed.

4. A method of providing voice dialing assistance, the method comprising:

automatically initiating a call to a default telephone number for an intended call recipient, wherein automatically initiating the call to the default telephone number for the intended call recipient further comprise generating a verbal indication to the user that the default telephone number is being called;

generating an audible representation of the default telephone number ringing;

prompting the user after the call to the default telephone number has been initiated and during the audible representation of the default telephone number ringing, to determine whether the user wishes to call a second telephone number for the intended call recipient instead of the default telephone number;

terminating the call to the default telephone number for the intended call recipient if the user wishes to call the second telephone number for the intended call recipient; and

initiating a call to the second telephone number for the intended call recipient if the user wishes to call the second telephone number.

5. The method of claim 4, and before automatically initiating the call to the default telephone number, the method comprising:

prompting the user to provide an initial voice command indicating the intended call recipient;

receiving the initial voice command from the user;

identifying the intended call recipient using the initial voice command; and

identifying a plurality of telephone numbers, including the default telephone number and the second telephone number, corresponding to the intended call recipient.

6. The method of claim 5, and before terminating the call to the default telephone number and initiating the call to the second telephone number, the method farther comprising receiving a second voice command from the user to select to call the second telephone number instead of the default telephone number.

7. A computer storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing command system operation executing steps comprising:

prompting a user to provide an initial command;

receiving the initial command from the user;

identifying a plurality of operations, including a default operation and a second operation, in response to the initial command;

automatically initiating execution of the default operation afer indentification of the plurality of operations, wherein automatically initiating execution of the default operation further includes generating an indication to the user that the default operation is being executed;

prompting the user, after the default operation has been initiated and during execution of the default operation and during the generation of the indication to the user that the default operatioin is being executed, to determine whether the user wishes to execute a second operation instead of the default operation;

terminating execution of the default operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation; and

initiating execution of the second operation if the user wishes to execute the second operation instead of the default operation.

8. The computer storage medium of claim 7, and further having computer-executable instructions for performing the further step comprising receiving a second command from the user, before terminating execution of the default operation and initiating execution of the second operation, to select to execute the second operation instead of the default operation.