VOICE CONTROLLED MULTIMEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

• US 20060252457A1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avon Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Avon Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Schrager, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,068,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00

Abstract

A portable multimedia and communications device can include a transducive element for receiving sound. The device also can include a base unit having a plurality of multimedia units and a processor executing a speech recognition engine for recognizing user speech. Each of the plurality of multimedia units can be selectively enabled and operated responsive to user voice commands received via the transducive element and communicated to the base unit via a communication link.

Claims

1. A multimedia and communications control device, comprising:

a portable housing;

a transducive element contained within the housing for receiving a plurality spoken commands uttered by a user;

a processor contained within the housing and executing a speech recognition engine to recognize and convert each of the spoken commands into corresponding electronic signals that selectively enable and operate each of a plurality of multimedia units communicatively linked to the device; and

a selectively tunable transmitting circuit that transmits audio signals received from different ones of the plurality of multimedia units to a radio via a preset open radio channel for broadcasting the audio signals through at least one speaker connected to the radio.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of multimedia units comprise at least one multimedia unit selected from the group consisting of an, a cassette player, a compact disk player, and a digital software-based media player.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the speech recognition engine is switched between a speaker-independent operational mode and a speaker-dependent operational mode responsive to a user spoken utterance.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is voice activated, and wherein the plurality of multimedia units comprise a voice memo pad.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein responsive to activating one of the plurality of multimedia units, the processor disables another active one of the plurality of multimedia units.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the processor disables the another active one of the plurality of multimedia units by lowering an audio volume of the another active multimedia unit.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the processor disables the another active one of the plurality of multimedia units by pausing operation of the another active multimedia unit.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein responsive to terminating use of the activated multimedia unit, the processor re-enables the another active one of the plurality of multimedia units.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the multimedia units is a wireless telephone.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein responsive to the wireless telephone receiving a telephone call, the processor disables an active one of the plurality of multimedia units.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor disables an active one of the plurality of multimedia units by lowering an audio volume of the active multimedia unit.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor disables an active one of the plurality of multimedia units by pausing operation of the active multimedia unit.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein responsive to terminating the telephone call, the processor re-enables the active one of the plurality of multimedia units.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate a wireless telephone call received by the wireless telephone through the radio.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to effect conference calls through the wireless telephone is response to one or more of the plurality of spoken commands.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to communicatively link to a headset unit, wherein, when the headset unit is communicatively linked to the device, the processor prevents the broadcast of audio signals via the radio and communicates the audio signals to the user through the headset unit.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the voice recognition engine is configured for training to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the user, and wherein the device further includes a manual user switch that allows at least one additional user to train the voice recognition engine to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the at least one additional user.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a pass-code protection interface for preventing operation of the manual user switch unless a pre-selected pass-code is entered via the interface.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the radio is positioned within an automobile.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the device is configured to be removably secured within a holder positioned within the automobile.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a pass-code protection interface for preventing operation of the manual user switch unless a pre-selected pass-code is entered via the interface.

21. A voice-based appliance control device, comprising:

a portable housing;

a voice receiving unit contained within the housing for receiving a plurality spoken commands uttered by a user;

a processor contained within the housing and executing a speech recognition engine to recognize and convert each of the spoken commands into corresponding electronic control signals that selectively enable and operate each of a plurality of appliances communicatively linked to the device, said appliances including at least one of an entertainment unit, a premises-security unit, an air conditioning unit, and a lighting unit; and

a signal transmitter contained within the housing for selectively transmitting the electronic control signals to the plurality of appliances.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the speech recognition engine is switched between a speaker-independent operational mode and a speaker-dependent operational mode responsive to a user spoken utterance.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the voice recognition engine is configured for training to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the user, and wherein the device further includes a manual user switch that allows at least one additional user to train the voice recognition engine to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the at least one additional user.

25. A light-based communications system comprising:

a portable housing;

a voice receiving unit contained within the housing for receiving a plurality spoken commands uttered by a user;

a processor contained within the housing and executing a speech recognition engine to recognize and convert each of the spoken commands into corresponding electronic control signals;

a signal transmitter contained within the housing for wirelessly transmitting the electronic control signals;

a plurality of individually activated lighting units, defining a light array;

a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the electronic control signals; and

a processor for individually activating selected ones of the multiple lighting units in response to the received electronic control signals such that when activated the selected lighting units spell out a written communication message.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the speech recognition engine is switched between a speaker-independent operational mode and a speaker-dependent operational mode responsive to a user spoken utterance.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the voice recognition engine is configured for training to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the user, and wherein the system further includes a manual user switch connected to the portable housing that allows at least one additional user to train the voice recognition engine to recognize and respond to spoken commands of the at least one additional user.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the system further comprises a pass-code protection interface contained within the portable housing for preventing operation of the manual user switch unless a pre-selected pass-code is entered via the interface.