Audio instruction system and method

• US 7,983,918 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Ventcorp, LLC
• Original Assignee: General Mills Incorporated
• Inventors: Cizio, Chester T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Huyen X.
• Application Number:
  US11/956,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 704/258, 704/260, 704/275, 704/266, 704/231, 704/270, 704/272, 704/270.1, 379/88.01
• US Class Current: 704/258
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/418 Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32002 Operator interface, manual control at cell, if host fails or priority
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35453 Voice announcement, oral, speech input
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35494 Online documentation, manual, procedures, operator, user guidance, assistance
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A device and method for assisting a human user in performing processes includes a speaker that provides audible instructions to the user corresponding to multiple tasks associated with performing the process. A storage device stores data corresponding to the audible instructions. A processor converts the stored data to the audible instructions, and an input device is adapted to enable the user to control the provision of the audible instructions.

Claims

1. A device for assisting a human user in performing processes, the device comprising:

a headset including a speaker that provides audible instructions to the user corresponding to multiple tasks associated with performing the process;

a storage device that stores data corresponding to the audible instructions; and

a processor that converts the stored data to the audible instructions;

wherein the headset further includes an input device adapted to enable the user to control the provision of the audible instructions, wherein the processes relate to a manufacturing equipment changeover, and wherein the processor includes a program that allows selection of a set of audible instructions to change an assembly line from being set up to produce a current product to produce a second product to be produced on the assembly line.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the stored data includes temporal information related to the rate of providing the instructions for the multiple tasks.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the stored data includes different sets of tasks for the process corresponding to different user experience levels in performing the process.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the speaker comprises a transceiver wirelessly coupled to the processor.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the input device accepts voice commands from the user.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the voice commands are selected from the group consisting of stop, go and back.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor provides a list of the tasks and a status as the audible instructions are being provided.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor provides an interface to jump to a task and automatically mark previous tasks as completed.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor provides an interface to define tasks and descriptions to be audibly provided.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the processor interface further facilitates defining times associated with each task.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the processor interface provides for selection of a voice recognition profile or a training mode to generate a voice recognition profile for each user.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the speaker comprises a transceiver and a microphone for accepting audible commands and wirelessly communicating with the processor.

13. A device for assisting a human user in performing processes, the device comprising:

a headset including a speaker for providing audible instructions to the user corresponding to multiple tasks associated with performing the process;

a storage device that stores data corresponding to the audible instructions; and

means for converting the stored data to the audible instructions;

wherein the headset includes means for enabling the user to control the provision of the audible instructions, wherein the processes relate to a manufacturing equipment changeover, and wherein the processor includes a program that allows selection of a set of audible instructions to change an assembly line from being set up to produce a current product to produce a second product to be produced on the assembly line.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the stored data includes temporal information related to the rate of providing the instructions for the multiple tasks.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the stored data includes different sets of tasks for the process corresponding to different user experience levels in performing the process.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the means for providing audible instructions to the user comprises a transceiver wirelessly coupled to the processor.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the transceiver sends voice commands from the user to the processor.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the voice commands are selected from the group consisting of stop, go and back.

19. A method of performing a process using a headset that provides audible instructions, the method comprising:

retrieving instructions from a computer processor for multiple tasks for the process responsive to selection of a process to be performed;

providing audible instructions for the tasks using the computer processor;

wherein the computer processor responds to audible user commands to stop, go back, and go in providing the audible instructions, wherein the processes relate to a manufacturing equipment changeover, and wherein the processor includes a program that allows selection of a set of audible instructions to change an assembly line from being set up to produce a current product to produce a second product to be produced on the assembly line.