Performing functions based on commands in context of telephonic communication

• US 9,171,546 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Pike, Geoffrey Roeder
• Primary Examiner(s): Armstrong, Angela A
• Application Number:
  US13/074,751
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 704/251, 704/270, 704/275
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/50 Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers H04M3/487 takes precedence; centralised dictation systems H04M11/10; Centralised arrangements for recording messages

Abstract

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to establishing a telephonic communication between a first computing device and a second device and receiving, with the first computing device, a command that defines a function to be performed. When the command comprises a voice command, the function defined in the voice command may be performed. When the command does not comprise the voice command, it may be determined that the command comprises an instruction to perform the function after an occurrence of a future condition. The function defined by the command may be performed after the occurrence of the future condition.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

initiating, with a first computing device, a telephonic communication between the first computing device and a second device;

during the telephonic communication;

receiving, with the first computing device, one or more spoken words; and

determining that the one or more spoken words are associated with a voice command rather than with conversational speech occurring during the telephonic communication, wherein determining that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises;

determining that the one or more spoken words comprise an instruction to perform a function after an occurrence of a future condition;

outputting a confirmation message that includes information representing the function to be performed after the occurrence of the future condition; and

responsive to outputting the confirmation message, receiving a confirmation from a user that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprising the instruction to perform the function after the occurrence of the future condition;

determining the occurrence of the future condition; and

performing the function after the occurrence of the future condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function comprises performing the function with the first computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function comprises performing the function with a third device separate from the first computing device and the second device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function comprises performing the function during the telephonic communication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the time corresponding to the conclusion of the reception of the voice command comprises a time immediately after reception of the voice command.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice command comprises a first voice command, and wherein the function comprises a first function, the method further comprising:

during the telephonic communication, receiving a second voice command that defines a second function; and

performing the second function.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein performing the second function comprises performing the second function during the telephonic communication or after completion of the telephonic communication.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises receiving the confirmation while performing the function.

9. The method of claim 1,

wherein outputting the confirmation message comprises outputting a visual confirmation on a display of the first computing device that includes one or more confirmation buttons, and

wherein receiving the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises receiving, with the first computing device, selection of at least one of the one or more confirmation buttons.

10. The method of claim 1,

wherein outputting the confirmation message comprises outputting, with the first computing device, a verbal confirmation that includes a question of whether the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command, and

wherein receiving the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises receiving, with the first computing device, an answer to the question.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the occurrence of the future condition comprises determining the occurrence of the future condition during the telephonic communication.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors of a first computing device to perform operations comprising:

initiating a telephonic communication between the first computing device and a second device;

during the telephonic communication;

receiving one or more spoken words; and

determining that the one or more spoken words are associated with a voice command rather than with conversational speech occurring during the telephonic communication, wherein determining that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises;

determining that the one or more spoken words comprise an instruction to perform a function after an occurrence of a future condition;

outputting a confirmation message that includes information representing the function to be performed after the occurrence of the future condition; and

responsive to outputting the confirmation message, receiving a confirmation from a user that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprising the instruction to perform the function after the occurrence of the future condition;

determining the occurrence of the future condition; and

performing the function after the occurrence of the future condition.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein determining the occurrence of the future condition comprises determining the occurrence of the future condition during the telephonic communication.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12,

wherein outputting the confirmation message comprises outputting a visual confirmation on a display of the first computing device that includes one or more confirmation buttons, and

wherein receiving the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises receiving, with the first computing device, selection of at least one of the one or more confirmation buttons.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12,

wherein outputting the confirmation message comprises outputting a verbal confirmation that includes a question of whether the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command, and

wherein receiving the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprises receiving an answer to the question.

16. A first computing device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive one or more spoken words;

a transceiver configured to initiate a telephonic communication between the first computing device and a second computing device; and

one or more processors configured to;

during the telephonic communication;

determine that the one or more spoken words are associated with a voice command rather than with conversational speech occurring during the telephonic communication, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command at least by;

determining that the one or more spoken words comprise an instruction to perform a function after an occurrence of a future condition;

outputting a confirmation message that includes information representing the function to be performed after the occurrence of the future condition; and

responsive to outputting the confirmation message, receiving a confirmation from a user that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command comprising the instruction to perform the function after the occurrence of the future condition;

determine the occurrence of the future condition; and

perform the function after the occurrence of the future condition.

17. The first computing device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine the occurrence of the future condition at least by determining the occurrence of the future condition during the telephonic communication.

18. The first computing device of claim 16,

wherein the one or more processors are configured to output the confirmation message at least by outputting a visual confirmation on a display of the first computing device that includes one or more confirmation buttons, and

wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command at least by receiving, with the first computing device, selection of at least one of the one or more confirmation buttons.

19. The first computing device of claim 16,

wherein the one or more processors are configured to output the confirmation message at least by outputting a verbal confirmation that includes a question of whether the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command, and

wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the confirmation that the one or more spoken words are associated with the voice command at least by receiving an answer to the question.