Automatic speech recognition system and method for aircraft

• US 7,912,592 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited), Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Sherwood, Charles Gregory, Komer, Joseph L., Gepner, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby; Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US11/423,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20070288128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 701 3- 18, 701/23, 701/36, 701/27, 704/235, 704/275, 704/270, 704/256, 704/240
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command

Abstract

A system and method which implement automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS) programs to permit pilots, co-pilots, and other persons to more quickly and easily perform control and monitoring tasks on aircraft. The system may be used to automatically change the frequency of an aircraft radio when a pilot or co-pilot is instructed to do so by ATC.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a function of an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring an outbound communication of the aircraft which relates to a request for or confirmation of the function;

using a speech recognition program to analyze at least a portion of the outbound communication to recognize a word or phrase corresponding to the function;

prompting a person on the aircraft to confirm that the word or phrase recognized by the speech recognition program does in fact correspond to the function; and

when the person confirms that the word or phrase corresponds to the function, automatically performing the function.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the function is selected from the group consisting of:

changing a frequency of a radio on the aircraft;

setting a heading of the aircraft;

setting an altitude of the aircraft;

setting a holding pattern of the aircraft;

alerting an Expect Further Clearance instruction;

configuring an auto pilot of the aircraft;

performing a checklist;

setting an approach of the aircraft;

setting an air speed of the aircraft;

setting or changing a flight plan for the aircraft;

drawing a VFR approach of the aircraft;

setting a barometric pressure correction setting of the aircraft;

changing a navigation setting of the aircraft;

setting a transponder code;

loading a departure procedure or arrival procedure; and

setting a descent or climb rate.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the person on the aircraft is a pilot or co-pilot.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prompting step is selected from the group consisting of the steps:

converting the recognized word or phrase to speech with a text-to-speech program and delivering the speech to the person; and

displaying the recognized word or phrase on a display and awaiting confirmation from the person on the aircraft.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the prompting step further includes the step of requiring the person to confirm by operating a switch two times in succession.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a push-to-talk switch and a push-to-control switch.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the monitoring step is triggered by a push-to-talk switch on the aircraft.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the speech recognition program compares the portion of the outbound communication to a database of known commands corresponding to the function in order to match the recognized word or phrase to one of the known commands in the database.