User interface for data access and entry

• US 20030149564A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Gong, Li, Swan, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/184,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20030149564A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/246
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/22 Synchronisation circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML

Abstract

Performing voice recognition may include accessing a voice input including at least a first part and a second part, performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input, performing voice recognition on a combination of the first part and the second part using a search space, and limiting the search space based on a result from performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input. Communicating with a user may include presenting the user a first set of options and a second set of options, wherein the second set of options is limited based on the user'"'"'s selection from the first set of options. The two sets of options may be presented in a single page. The user'"'"'s selection from the first set of options may be used to select a vocabulary used to recognize the user'"'"'s response to the second set of options.

Claims

1. A method of performing voice recognition, the method comprising:

accessing a voice input including at least a first part and a second part;

performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input;

performing voice recognition on a combination of the first part and the second part using a search space; and

limiting the search space based on a result from performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input, wherein limiting the search space allows enhanced voice recognition of the combination compared to performing voice recognition on the unlimited search space.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

performing voice recognition on the first part produces a recognized string, and the recognized string is associated with a set of recognizable utterances from the search space; and

limiting the search space comprises limiting the search space to the set of recognizable utterances.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein voice recognition on the first part is performed in parallel with voice recognition on the combination, such that the search space is not limited until after voice recognition on the combination has begun.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein voice recognition on the first part is performed before voice recognition on the combination, such that the search space is limited before voice recognition on the combination has begun.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input comprises comparing the first part to a set of high-occurrence patterns in the search space, followed by comparing the first part to a set of low-occurrence patterns in the search space.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input comprises using a second search space, and the method further comprises:

performing voice recognition on the second part of the voice input; and

limiting the second search space based on a result from performing voice recognition on the second part of the voice input.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein limiting the search space is also based on the result from performing voice recognition on the second part of the voice input.

8. An apparatus for performing voice recognition, the apparatus comprising:

accessing circuitry to access a voice input including at least a first part and a second part;

recognition circuitry to perform voice recognition on the first part of the voice input and on the combination of the first part and the second part, wherein voice recognition is performed on the combination using a search space; and

limiting circuitry to limit the search space based on a result from performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input, wherein limiting the search space allows enhanced voice recognition of the voice input compared to performing voice recognition on the unlimited search space.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a recognition engine that includes the recognition circuitry.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein one or more of the accessing circuitry, the recognition circuitry, and the limiting circuitry comprise a memory with instructions for performing one or more of the operations of accessing the voice input, performing voice recognition, and limiting the search space based on the result from performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein one or more of the accessing circuitry, the recognition circuitry, and the limiting circuitry comprise a processor to perform one or more of the operations of accessing the voice input, performing voice recognition, and limiting the search space based on the result from performing voice recognition on the first part of the voice input.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the recognition circuitry is operable to perform voice recognition on the first part of the voice input using a second search space;

the recognition circuitry is operable to perform voice recognition on the second part of the voice input;

the limiting circuitry is operable to limit the second search space based, at least in part, on a result from performing voice recognition on the second part of the voice input; and

the limiting circuitry is operable to limit the search space based, at least in part, on a result from performing voice recognition on the second part of the voice input.

13. A method of accepting input from a user, the method comprising:

providing a first set of options to a user, the first set of options relating to a first parameter of a search string, and being provided to the user in a page;

accepting a first input from the user, the first input being selected from the first set of options;

limiting a second set of options based on the accepted first input, the second set of options relating to a second parameter of the search string; and

providing the second set of options to the user in the page, such that the user is presented with a single page that provides the first set of options and the second set of options.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein accepting the first input from the user comprises receiving an auditory input and performing voice recognition, wherein performing voice recognition on the first input in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the search string.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein accepting the first input from the user comprises receiving a digital input.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising accepting a second input from the user, the second input being selected from the second set of options.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing a third set of options to the user, the third set of options relating to a third parameter of the search string and being provided to the user in the page; and

accepting a third input from the user, the third input being selected from the third set of options,

wherein the second set of options provided to the user is also based on the accepted third input.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing a third set of options to the user, the third set of options relating to a third parameter of the search string and being provided to the user in the page;

accepting a third input from the user, the third input being selected from the third set of options; and

modifying the second set of options provided to the user based on the accepted third input.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the second set of options comprises searching a set of data for the first input and providing only data items from the set of data that include the first input.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first input comprises a manufacturer designation and only data items manufactured by the manufacturer identified by the manufacturer designation are provided in the second set of options.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein:

accepting the first input comprises receiving the first input auditorily from the user,

the method further comprises performing voice recognition on the first input in isolation, wherein performing voice recognition on the first input in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the search string,

providing the second set of options comprises searching a set of data items for the first input and including in the second set of options references only to those data items that include the first input,

accepting the second input comprises receiving the second input auditorily from the user, and

the method further comprises performing voice recognition on the second input in isolation, wherein performing voice recognition on the second input in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the search string.

22. An apparatus for accepting input from a user, the apparatus comprising circuitry operable to perform at least the following operations:

provide a first set of options to a user, the first set of options relating to a first parameter of a search string, and being provided to the user in a page;

accept a first input from the user, the first input being selected from the first set of options;

limit a second set of options based on the accepted first input, the second set of options relating to a second parameter of the search string; and

provide the second set of options to the user in the page, such that the user is presented with a single page that provides the first set of options and the second set of options.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the circuitry comprises a memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a machine result in at least one of the enumerated operations being performed.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the circuitry comprises a processor operable to perform at least one of the enumerated operations.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein:

accepting the first input comprises receiving the first input auditorily from the user;

providing the second set of options comprises searching a set of data items for the first input and including in the second set of options references only to those data items that include the first input; and

the circuitry is further operable to perform at least the following operations;

perform voice recognition on the first input in isolation, wherein performing voice recognition on the first input in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the search string;

receive a second input auditorily from the user, the second input being selected from the second set of options; and

perform voice recognition on the second input in isolation, wherein performing voice recognition on the second input in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the search string.

26. A method of receiving items of an address from a user, the method comprising:

providing the user a first set of options for a first item of an address;

receiving from the user the first address item taken from the first set of options;

limiting a second set of options for a second item of the address based on the received first item;

providing the user the limited second set of options for the second address item; and

receiving the second address item.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein:

receiving the first address item comprises receiving the first address item auditorily, and

the method further comprises performing recognition on the received first address item, wherein performing voice recognition on the first address item in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the address.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein:

receiving the second address item comprises receiving the second address item auditorily, and

the method further comprises performing recognition on the received second address item, wherein performing voice recognition on the second address item in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on a combination of the first address item and the second address item or on the address.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein:

the first address item comprises a state identifier,

the second address item comprises a city identifier identifying a city, and

the method further comprises;

providing the user a third list of options for a zip code identifier, wherein the third list of options excludes an excluded zip code not in the identified city;

receiving auditorily from the user the zip code identifier taken from the third list of options and identifying a zip code;

performing voice recognition on the auditorily received zip code identifier, wherein the exclusion of the excluded zip code in the third list of options allows enhanced voice recognition compared to not excluding the excluded zip code;

providing the user a fourth list of options for a street address identifier, wherein the fourth list of options excludes an excluded street not in the identified zip code;

receiving auditorily from the user the street address identifier taken from the fourth list of options and identifying a street address; and

performing voice recognition on the auditorily received street address identifier, wherein the exclusion of the excluded street in the fourth list of options allows enhanced voice recognition compared to not excluding the excluded street.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein providing the user the first list of options comprises providing the first list on a display.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein providing the user the second list of options comprises providing the second list auditorily.

32. An apparatus for receiving items of an address from a user, the apparatus comprising circuitry operable to perform at least the following operations:

provide the user a first set of options for a first item of an address;

receive from the user the first address item taken from the first set of options;

limit a second set of options for a second item of the address based on the received first item;

provide the user the limited second set of options for the second address item; and

receive the second address item.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the circuitry comprises a memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a machine result in at least one of the enumerated operations being performed.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the circuitry comprises a processor operable to perform at least one of the enumerated operations.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein:

receiving the first address item comprises receiving the first address item auditorily;

receiving the second address item comprises receiving the second address item auditorily;

the circuitry is further operable perform recognition on the received first address item, wherein performing voice recognition on the first address item in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on the address;

the circuitry is further operable to perform recognition on the received second address item, wherein performing voice recognition on the second address item in isolation allows enhanced voice recognition compared to performing voice recognition on a combination of the first address item and the second address item or on the address.

the first address item comprises a state identifier;

the second address item comprises a city identifier identifying a city;

the circuitry is further operable to perform at least the following operations;

provide the user a third list of options for a zip code identifier, wherein the third list of options excludes some zip codes not in the identified city;

receive auditorily from the user the zip code identifier taken from the third list of options and identifying a zip code;

perform voice recognition on the auditorily received zip code identifier, wherein the exclusion of some zip codes in the third list of options allows enhanced voice recognition compared to not excluding some zip codes;

provide the user a fourth list of options for a street address identifier, wherein the fourth list of options excludes some streets not in the identified zip code;

receive auditorily from the user the street address identifier taken from the fourth list of options and identifying a street address; and

perform voice recognition on the auditorily received street address identifier,

wherein the exclusion of some streets in the fourth list of options allows enhanced voice recognition compared to not excluding some streets.

36. A method of receiving an Internet address from a user, the method comprising:

prompting a user for a first portion of an Internet address;

receiving auditorily from the user the first portion of the Internet address;

performing voice recognition on the received first portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the first portion of the Internet address allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the first portion of the Internet address;

prompting the user for a second portion of the Internet address;

receiving auditorily from the user the second portion of the Internet address; and

performing voice recognition on the received second portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the second portion of the Internet address allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the second portion of the Internet address.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the Internet address comprises an electronic mail address.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein:

the first portion comprises a domain identifier of the electronic mail address,

the second portion comprises a server identifier of the electronic mail address, and

the method further comprises;

prompting the user for a user identifier portion of the electronic mail address;

receiving auditorily from the user the user identifier portion; and

performing voice recognition on the received user identifier portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the user identifier portion allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the user identifier portion of the electronic mail address.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein:

performing voice recognition on the domain identifier comprises using a domain vocabulary including common three-letter domain identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition,

performing voice recognition on the server identifier comprises using a server vocabulary including common server identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition, and

performing voice recognition on the user identifier comprises using a user vocabulary including common user identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the server vocabulary is based on the domain identifier.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein the Internet address comprises a web site address.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein:

the first portion comprises a domain identifier of the web site address, and

the second portion comprises a server identifier of the web site address.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising:

prompting the user for a network identifier portion of the web site address;

receiving auditorily from the user the network identifier portion; and

performing voice recognition on the received network identifier portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the network identifier portion allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the network identifier portion of the web site address.

44. An apparatus for receiving an Internet address from a user, the apparatus comprising circuitry for performing at least the following operations:

prompt a user for a first portion of an Internet address;

receive auditorily from the user the first portion of the Internet address;

perform voice recognition on the received first portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the first portion of the Internet address allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the first portion of the Internet address;

prompt the user for a second portion of the Internet address;

receive auditorily from the user the second portion of the Internet address; and

perform voice recognition on the received second portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the second portion of the Internet address allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the second portion of the Internet address.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the circuitry comprises a memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a machine result in at least one of the enumerated operations being performed.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the circuitry comprises a processor operable to perform at least one of the enumerated operations.

47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein:

the Internet address comprises an electronic mail address;

the first portion comprises a domain identifier of the electronic mail address;

performing voice recognition on the domain identifier comprises using a domain vocabulary including common three-letter domain identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition;

the second portion comprises a server identifier of the electronic mail address;

performing voice recognition on the server identifier comprises using a server vocabulary that is based on the domain identifier and includes common server identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition; and

the circuitry is further operable to perform at least the following operations;

prompt the user for a user identifier portion of the electronic mail address;

receive auditorily from the user the user identifier portion; and

perform voice recognition on the received user identifier portion, wherein performing voice recognition on only the user identifier portion allows enhanced recognition compared to performing voice recognition on more than the user identifier portion of the electronic mail address, and performing voice recognition on the user identifier comprises using a user vocabulary including common user identifiers, thereby allowing the enhanced recognition.