SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERRUPTING AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROMPT TO SIGNAL UPCOMING INPUT OVER A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINK

• US 20100191535A1
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scalf, Mark, Berry, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,641,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3608 using speech input, e.g. using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00

Abstract

A voice interactive session includes detection of an input signaling an interrupt to the session. When the interrupt is detected, instructional and or informational output is interrupted and detection of voice input begins. The voice input is not detected until the output is interrupted. Upon detection of a voice input (or other sound-based input), a determination may be made if the input was valid. If the input was valid, the input is processed, otherwise, instructional and/or informational output may be relayed again and/or the voice input may be redetected.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a computer processor in communication with a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver capable of communication with a wireless communication device located remotely from the processor;

at least one audio output controllable by the processor;

at least one input control in communication with the processor;

a microphone in communication with the processor;

wherein the processor is operable to establish a connection with a remote network through the wireless device, and wherein the processor is further operable to provide playback of a voice-controllable menu though the at least one audio output;

wherein the processor is operable to detect activation of the at least one input controller and cease playback to begin detection for a microphone input upon detection of activation of the at least one input controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the processor detected activation of the at least one input controller, the processor is operable to repeat playback of the voice-controllable menu.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the processor detected activation of the at least one input controller, the processor is operable to output an input prompt.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to receive a microphone input and determine if the microphone input is a valid input.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is operable to inform a user that an input was invalid if the microphone input is an invalid input.

6. An automated menu system for delivery over a wireless communication link, comprising:

A storage device;

a predetermined audio menu providing selectable menu options, stored in the storage device;

a processor, in communication with the storage device, to instruct delivery of the predetermined menu over a wireless communication link;

wherein the processor is operable to detect an interrupt instruction received by the processor over the wireless communication link;

wherein, upon interrupt instruction detection, the processor is operable to cease delivery of the predetermined menu and to begin receiving a menu option selection over the communication link.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the processor detected an interrupt instruction, the processor is operable to resume delivery of the predetermined menu over the communication link.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the processor detected an interrupt instruction, the processor is operable to repeat delivery of the predetermined menu over the communication link.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the processor detected an interrupt instruction, the processor is operable to instruct delivery an input prompt over the communication link.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is operable to receive a verbal input over the communication link and determine if the verbal input is a valid input.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is operable to instruct delivery of an invalid input message over the communication link if the verbal input is an invalid input.

12. A method of processing a voice interactive session comprising:

providing instructions or information to be output;

during the providing, detecting a first input;

ceasing the providing when the first input is detected;

upon detection of the first input, listening for a second, verbal input; and

processing the second input to provide further output based at least in part on the processing.

13. The method of claim 12, further including, counting for a predetermined period of time;

and

after the predetermined period of time has expired, ceasing the listening and then repeating the steps of providing, detecting, ceasing the providing, listening and processing.

14. The method of claim 12, further including:

determining whether the second input is a valid input.

15. The method of claim 14, further including:

outputting a message that the second input is an invalid input if the second input is an invalid input.