System and method for performing speech recognition to control devices on a network

• US 8,244,543 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2011
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alfred, Joseph A., Sommer, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCFADDEN, SUSAN IRIS
• Application Number:
  US13/219,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20110313776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 353 Days
• Field of Search: 704/275
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

A system, method and computer-readable medium for using speech recognition to control devices connected to a network. The system converts an utterance from a user for controlling a remote device in a network to a device specific control language associated with the remote device, to yield a remote device communication. Next, the system synthesizes a response from the remote device that is based at least in part on the remote device communication, to yield an audible response. The system then communicates the audible response to the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

converting, via a processor, an utterance from a user for controlling a remote device in a network to a device specific control language associated with the remote device to yield a remote device communication;

synthesizing a response from the remote device that is based at least in part on the remote device communication to yield an audible response; and

communicating the audible response to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing a user profile having an access parameter associated with the remote device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a request for access to the remote device from a second user associated with a second user profile;

converting the request for access into text;

determining if the text sufficiently matches a criteria associated with the access parameter to yield an access decision;

generating an access result comprising one of allowing the second user access to the remote device and denying the second user access to the remote device; and

communicating the access result to the second user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the criteria is associated with a date on which the request is received.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the user and the second user are in a hierarchy, where the user can set access rights for the second user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the utterance is in a natural language format.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote device is at least one of a television, a cable box, a home alarm, a kitchen appliance, and HVAC equipment.

8. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising;

converting an utterance from a user for controlling a remote device in a network to a device specific control language associated with the remote device to yield a remote device communication;

synthesizing a response from the remote device that is based at least in part on the remote device communication to yield an audible response; and

communicating the audible response to the user.

9. The system of claim 8, the computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method further comprising:

accessing a user profile having an access parameter associated with the remote device.

10. The system of claim 9, the computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method further comprising:

receiving a request for access to the remote device from a second user associated with a second user profile;

converting the request for access into text;

determining if the text sufficiently matches a criteria associated with the access parameter to yield an access decision;

generating an access result comprising one of allowing the second user access to the remote device and denying the second user access to the remote device; and

communicating the access result to the second user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the criteria is associated with a date on which the request is received.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the user and the second user are in a hierarchy, where the user can set access rights for the second user.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the utterance is in a natural language format.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote device is at least one of a television, a cable box, a home alarm, a kitchen appliance, and HVAC equipment.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

converting an utterance from a user for controlling a remote device in a network to a device specific control language associated with the remote device to yield a remote device communication;

synthesizing a response from the remote device that is based at least in part on the remote device communication to yield an audible response; and

communicating the audible response to the user.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, the instructions which, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method further comprising:

accessing a user profile having an access parameter associated with the remote device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, the instructions which, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method further comprising:

receiving a request for access to the remote device from a second user associated with a second user profile;

converting the request for access into text;

determining if the text sufficiently matches a criteria associated with the access parameter to yield an access decision;

generating an access result comprising one of allowing the second user access to the remote device and denying the second user access to the remote device; and

communicating the access result to the second user.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the criteria is associated with a date on which the request is received.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the user and the second user are in a hierarchy, where the user can set access rights for the second user.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the utterance is in a natural language format.