Method and device for outputting information and/or status messages, using speech

• US 7,991,618 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Heimermann, Matthias, Boeckmann, Ingo, Ebert, Holger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth; David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neway; Samuel G
• Application Number:
  US12/193,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20090157388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 704/258, 704/260, 704/268, 704270-275
• US Class Current: 704/274
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/033 Voice editing, e.g. manipulating the voice of the synthesiser
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue

Abstract

In a method and device for outputting information and/or messages from at least one device using speech, the information and/or messages required for vocal output are provided in a voice memory, the information and/or messages are read by a processing device according to a demand, and the information and/or messages are output via acoustic output device. The information and/or messages are output with a varying intonation according to their relevance.

Claims

1. A method for outputting at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action of at least one electrical device using speech, comprising:

storing the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action relating to a voice output in a speech memory in a plurality of speaking voices;

choosing by a processing device a speaking voice for the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action from the plurality of speaking voices in accordance with at least one of relevance and importance;

selectively reading the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action by the processing device; and

outputting the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action on an output device at a first prompt time, using a first prompt intonation chosen by the processing device, a first prompt connotation chosen by the processing device, and the speaking voice chosen by the processing device in accordance with at least one of relevance and importance;

wherein in the absence of an input after the first prompt time, outputting the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action on the output device at a second prompt time, using a second prompt intonation, using a second prompt connotation, and using the speaking voice, chosen by the processing device; and

wherein the second prompt intonation is increased compared to the first prompt intonation, and the second prompt connotation is decreased compared to the first prompt connotation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the choosing by the processing device of the speaking voice includes choosing by the processing device a prompt speaking voice for the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the outputting includes outputting the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action on the output device using a prompt volume, chosen by the processing device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outputting includes, in the absence of an input after the second prompt time, outputting the at least one of information and status messages not requiring immediate action on the output device at a third prompt time, using a third prompt intonation, using a third prompt connotation, and using the prompt speaking voice, chosen by the processing device;

and

wherein the third prompt intonation is decreased compared to the first prompt intonation and the second prompt intonation, and the third prompt connotation is decreased compared to the first prompt connotation and the second prompt connotation.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first, second, and third prompt connotations form an anticlimax by a transition from a strong to a weak expression.