Apparatus and method for providing hands-free operation of a device

• US 7,899,500 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kreiner, Barrett M., Page, Jr., Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US11/639,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/557, 455/575.2, 455/569.2
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00

Abstract

In exemplary embodiments, a hands-free adapter provides hands-free operation of a device. The adapter communicates with the device, and in some embodiments, with a headset. The hands-free adapter allows a user to use voice commands so that the user does not have to handle the device. The hands-free adapter receives voice commands from the headset and translates the voice commands to commands recognized by the device. The hands-free adapter also monitors the device to detect device events and provides notice of the events to the user.

Claims

1. A hands-free adapter, comprising:

a device interface for interfacing the hands-free adapter to a communications device;

a headset interface for interfacing the hands-free adapter to a hands-free headset;

a memory storing a command prefix and a subsequent voicemail command; and

a processor detecting the command prefix and the voicemail command, the processor generating a device command to answer an incoming call.

2. The hands-free adapter of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a phone.

3. The hands-free adapter of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises at least one of a cellular phone, a voice-over internet protocol phone, a telephone, and a wireless phone.

4. The hands-free adapter of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises at least one of a computer, a digital music device, a digital recording device, a personal digital assistant, an interactive television, and a digital signal processor.

5. The hands-free adapter of claim 1, wherein the processor connects an incoming communication to the hands-free headset to establish a communications connection.

6. The hands-free adapter of claim 5, wherein the processor communicates an outgoing announcement via the communications connection.

7. The hands-free adapter of claim 6, wherein the processor stores a message to the memory.

8. The hands-free adapter of claim 1, wherein the processor processes the voicemail command to emulate a user'"'"'s interaction with a voice messaging feature.

9. A method for providing hands-free operation of a device, comprising:

monitoring a hands-free adapter for a command prefix and a subsequent voicemail command; and

in response to detecting the voicemail command, generating a device command by a processor that answers an incoming call.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

establishing a communications connection between the hands-free adapter and the device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the communications connection comprises a video communications connection.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the communications connection comprises a data communications connection.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the communications connection comprises an audio communications connection.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

monitoring the device for an event of interest comprising at least one of a status of the device, a functionality of the device, and a capability of the device;

in response to detecting the event of interest, generating an event indicator; and

providing the event indicator to the hands-free adapter.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising presenting a notification that the voicemail command has been detected.

16. A storage medium on which is encoded instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

monitoring a hands-free adapter for a command prefix and a subsequent voicemail command, the command prefix being at least one spoken word that is used to identify subsequently spoken voice commands that control a device, the voicemail command only being effective when preceded by the spoken command prefix; and

in response to detecting the voicemail command, generating a device command by a processor that answers an incoming call.

17. The storage medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions for establishing a communications connection between the hands-free adapter and a communications device.

18. The storage medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions for performing the following:

monitoring the device for an event of interest comprising at least one of a status of the device, a functionality of the device, and a capability of the device;

in response to detecting the event of interest, generating an event indicator; and

providing the event indicator to the hands-free adapter.

19. The storage medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions for presenting a notification that the voicemail command has been detected.