System and method of voice recognition near a wireline node of a network supporting cable television and/or video delivery

• US RE44,326 E1
• Filed: 11/03/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Promptu Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promptu Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Calderone, Theodore, Cook, Paul M., Foster, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chawan, Vijay B
• Application Number:
  US13/288,848
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 704/270.1, 704/270, 704/257, 704/243, 704/245, 704/254, 704/235, 704/256, 704/240, 704/275, 704/251, 704/231, 704/225, 704/201, 381/71.6, 381/71.7, 381/71.13, 379/93.03, 715/728, 715/272, 715/773
• US Class Current: 715/728
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/163 the local oscillations of at least two of the frequency changers being derived from a single oscillator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/06 Deflection routing, e.g. hot-potato routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/02 Speed or phase control by the received code signals, the signals containing no special synchronisation information H04L7/0075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/385 using speech signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/4428 Non-standard components, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone, battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23805 Controlling the feeding rate to the network, e.g. by controlling the video pump
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 : involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4403 : User interfaces for controlling a television receiver or set top box [STB] through a remote control device, e.g. graphical user interfaces [GUI]; Remote control devices therefor user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205; remote control devices in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A method and system of speech recognition presented by a back channel from multiple user sites within a network supporting cable television and/or video delivery is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of using a back channel containing a multiplicity of speech channels from a multiplicity of user devices presented to a speech recognition system in a network supporting content delivery for speech directed information delivery, comprising the steps of:

partitioning a received back channel containing a multiplicity of speech channels from a multiplicity of user devices into a multiplicity of received identified speech channels;

processing said multiplicity of received identified speech channels to create recognized speech for each of said received identified speech channels; and

transmitting a unique response to each of said user devices, based upon said recognized speech.

receiving speech information at a first device, wherein said first device is a wireless device;

transferring said speech information from said first wireless device via a first network path to a speech recognition engine; and

at said speech recognition engine, recognizing said speech information and effecting information delivery to a second device via a second network path.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

determining a user site associated with a user device from said received identified speech channel;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel wherein said first network path and said second network path are different paths.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

assessing said response identified as to said user device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said user device based upon said financial consequence wherein said first device and said second device paths are different devices.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

assessing said response to create a financial consequence identified with said user site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment; and

billing said user based upon said financial commitment wherein said speech information comprises video search information; and

wherein said information delivery comprises video information.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said user device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon said recognized speech and based upon said user profile list 1, wherein said speech information transfer comprises transferring said speech information in either of a partially recognized state or an unrecognized state.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing step comprising of the step of:

responding to said recognized speech identified as to said user device based upon natural language to create a response uniquely identified with said user device wireless devise is used for input and output for control purposes, wherein said information delivery is to said second device which comprises a television and STB.

7. A method for controlling a speech recognition system coupled to a network, The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

processing a multiplicity of received identified speech channels to create a multiplicity of recognized speech;

responding to said recognized speech to create a recognized speech response that is unique to each of said multiplicity of recognized speech; and

providing said speech recognition system at a back channel accessible by a multiplicity of user devices coupled to said network

determining a user site associated with a user of said first device;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel.

8. The method of claim 7 1, further comprising any of the steps of:

determining a user associated with user device from a receivedassessing a response identified speech channel;

determining said user associated with said user device from said recognized speech;

determining said user associated with said user device from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said user associated with said user device from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said user associated with said user device from an identification within a speech channel as to a user device comprising any of said first device and said second device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said user device based upon said financial consequence.

9. The method of claim 7 1, further comprising the steps of:

assessing said a response to create a financial consequence identified with a user associated with a user device to create a site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment;

and

billing said user based upon said financial consequence commitment.

10. The method of claim 7 1, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said user first device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon recognized speech and based upon said user profile list.

11. An apparatus for speech recognition in a network The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing:

a speech recognition system coupled to said network for receiving a back channel from a multiplicity of user devices;

a back channel receiver for receiving said back channel;

a speech channel partitioner for partitioning said received back channel into a multiplicity of received identified speech channels;

a processor for processing said multiplicity of said received identified speech channels to create responding to recognized speech for each of said received identified speech channels; and

responding as to said recognized speech first device based upon natural language to create a unique response for transmission to each of uniquely identified with said user devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, said processing A method for speech directed information delivery comprising means for:

determining a user associated with a user device from said received identified speech channel;

determining said associated user from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user from an identification within said speech channel

receiving speech information at a first device, wherein said first device is a wireless device;

transferring said speech information in an unrecognized state from said first device via a first network path to a speech recognition engine; and

at said speech recognition engine, recognizing said speech information and effecting information delivery to a second device via a second network path, wherein said second device is capable of displaying electronically coded and propagated moving or still images and playing electronically coded and propagated audio;

wherein said first network path and said second network paths are different.

13. The apparatus method of claim 11 12, further comprising:

means for assessing content response identified as to said user to create a financial consequence to said user site; and

billing said user site based upon said financial consequence wherein said first device and said second device are different devices.

14. The apparatus method of claim 11 12, further comprising:

means for fetching a user profile list based upon said user devices, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

means for identifying said user based upon said recognized speech content and based upon said user profile list wherein said speech information comprises video search information; and

wherein said information delivery comprises video information.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said speech information transfer comprises transferring said speech information in either of a partially recognized state or an unrecognized state.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said wireless first device is used for input and output for control purposes, wherein said information delivery is to said second device which comprises a television and STB.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

determining a user site associated with a user of said first device;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response identified as to a user device comprising any of said first device and said second device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said user device based upon said financial consequence.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response to create a financial consequence identified with a user site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment; and

billing said user based upon said financial commitment.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said first device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon said recognized speech and based upon said user profile list.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

responding to recognized speech identified as to said first device based upon natural language to create a response uniquely identified with said user device.

22. A method for speech directed information delivery, comprising:

receiving speech information at a first device, wherein said first device is a wireless device;

transferring said speech information, after processing to complete the initial stages of speech recognition, from said first device via a first network path to a speech recognition engine; and

at said speech recognition engine, performing further processing to complete the recognition of said speech information and effecting information delivery to said first device via a second network path;

wherein said first network path and said second network paths are different.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said speech information comprises video search information;

and wherein said information delivery comprises video information.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

determining a user site associated with a user of said first device;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

assessing said response identified as to said first device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said first device based upon said financial consequence.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response to create a financial consequence identified with a user site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment; and

billing said user based upon said financial commitment.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said first device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon said recognized speech and based upon said user profile list.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

responding to recognized speech identified as to said first device based upon natural language to create a response uniquely identified with said first device.

29. A method for speech directed information delivery, comprising:

receiving speech information at a first device, wherein said first device is a wireless device;

performing speech recognition at said first device;

transferring said recognized speech information from said first device via a first network path to a source of information; and

effecting information delivery to said first device via a second network path;

wherein said first network path and said second network paths are different.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said speech information comprises video search information;

and wherein said information delivery comprises video information.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

determining a user site associated with a user of said first device;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response identified as to said first device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said first device based upon said financial consequence.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response to create a financial consequence identified with said first site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment; and

billing said user based upon said financial commitment.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said first device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon said recognized speech and based upon said user profile list.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

responding to said recognized speech identified as to said first device based upon natural language to create a response uniquely identified with said first device.

36. A method for speech directed information delivery, comprising:

receiving speech information at a first device, wherein said first device is a wireless device;

transferring said speech information from said first device via a first network path to a speech recognition engine; and

at said speech recognition engine, performing processing to recognize said speech information and effecting information delivery to said first device via a second network path;

wherein said first network path and said second network paths are different.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said speech information comprises video search information;

and wherein said information delivery comprises video information.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

determining a user site associated with a user of said first device;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speaker identification library;

determining said associated user site from said recognized speech and a speech recognition library; and

determining said associated user site from an identification within said speech channel.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

assessing said response identified as to said first device to create a financial consequence; and

billing a user associated with said first device based upon said financial consequence.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a response to create a financial consequence identified with a user site;

communicating said financial consequence to said user;

said user confirming said communicated financial consequence to create a financial commitment; and

billing said user based upon said financial commitment.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising of the steps of:

fetching a user profile list based upon said first device, said user profile list containing at least one user profile; and

identifying said user based upon said recognized speech and based upon said user profile list.

42. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

responding to recognized speech identified as to said first device based upon natural language to create a response uniquely identified with said first device.