Synchronous voice user interface/graphical user interface

• US 20040260438A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Toms, Mona L., Chernetsky, Victor V.
• Application Number:
  US10/463,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue

Abstract

A method of synchronizing a voice user interface (VUI) with a graphical user interface (GUI) includes a number of steps. Initially, a first screen is displayed that has an associated first plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling a first application. Upon receiving an event, a second screen is displayed in response to the event with the second screen being associated with a second application. A second plurality of voice commands, which are available for controlling the second application, are then activated and the first plurality of voice commands are deactivated.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing a voice user interface (VUI) with a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising the steps of:

displaying a first screen that has an associated first plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling a first application;

receiving an event, wherein a second screen is displayed in response to the event, and wherein the second screen is associated with a second application;

activating a second plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the second application; and

deactivating the first plurality of voice commands.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of voice commands includes at least two linked commands.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is one of a speech input, a manual input and an external input.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the manual input is initiated by a button assertion.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the external input is initiated-by an incoming phone call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the screens is associated with one of a plurality a vehicle accessories.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the vehicle accessories include a radio, a compact disc player, an electronic address book, a cellular phone, a climate control and a navigation system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the screens has at least one associated embedded screen.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one associated embedded screen is accessible by linked commands.

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

receiving a second event, wherein a third screen is displayed in response to the second event, and wherein the second event is associated with a third application;

activating a third plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the third application; and

deactivating the second plurality of voice commands.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first screen is a default screen.

12. A system including a voice user interface (VUI) that is synchronized with a graphical user interface (GUI), the system comprising:

a display for graphically displaying information;

an input device;

a processor coupled to the display and the input device;

a microphone coupled to the processor, the microphone for receiving a voice input provided by a user;

a memory subsystem coupled to the processor, the memory subsystem storing code which when executed by the processor causes the processor the perform the steps of;

displaying a first screen on the display, wherein the first screen has an associated first plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling a first application;

receiving an event, wherein a second screen is displayed in response to the event, and wherein the second screen is associated with a second application;

activating a second plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the second application; and

deactivating the first plurality of voice commands.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second plurality of voice commands includes at least two linked commands.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the event is one of a speech input, a manual input and an external input.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the manual input is initiated by a button assertion.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the external input is initiated by an incoming phone call.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the screens is associated with one of a plurality a vehicle accessories.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle accessories include a radio, a compact disc player, an electronic address book, a cellular phone, a climate control and a navigation system.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the screens has at least one associated embedded screen.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one associated embedded screen is accessible by linked commands.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the code when executed causes the processor to perform the additional steps of:

receiving a second event, wherein a third screen is displayed in response to the second event, and wherein the third screen is associated with a third application;

activating a third plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the third screen; and

deactivating the second plurality of voice commands.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the first screen is a default screen.

23. An automotive system including a voice user interface (VUI) that is synchronized with a graphical user interface (GUI), the automotive system comprising:

a display for graphically displaying information;

an input device;

a plurality of motor vehicle accessories;

a processor coupled to the display, the input device and the motor vehicle accessories;

a microphone coupled to the processor, the microphone for receiving a voice input provided by a user;

a memory subsystem coupled to the processor, the memory subsystem storing code which when executed by the processor causes the processor the perform the steps of;

displaying a first screen on the display, wherein the first screen has an associated first plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling a first application;

receiving an event, wherein a second screen is displayed in response to the event, and wherein the event is associated with a second application;

activating a second plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the second application; and

deactivating the first plurality of voice commands, wherein each of the screens is associated with one of the motor vehicle accessories.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the second plurality of voice commands includes at least two linked commands.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the event is one of a speech input, a manual input and an external input.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the manual input is initiated by a button assertion.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the external input is initiated by an incoming phone call.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the vehicle accessories include a radio, a compact disc player, an electronic address book, a cellular phone, a climate control and a navigation system.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein each of the screens has at least one associated embedded screen.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one associated embedded screen is accessible by linked commands.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the code when executed causes the processor to perform the additional steps of:

receiving a second event, wherein a third screen is displayed in response to the second event, and wherein the third screen is associated with a third application;

activating a third plurality of voice commands that are available for controlling the third screen; and

deactivating the second plurality of voice commands.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the first screen is a default screen.