ADJUSTABLE VOICE OUTPUT BASED ON DEVICE STATUS

• US 20110110534A1
• Filed: 11/12/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rottler, Benjamin, Wood, Policarpo, Goh, Wendy, Ellis, Shawn, Lindahl, Aram, Haughay, Allen P.
• Application Number:
  US12/617,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20110110534A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/033 Voice editing, e.g. manipulating the voice of the synthesiser

Abstract

This is directed to providing voice audio output to a user of an electronic device. To allow a user to immediately recognize the status of one or more processes or components of the electronic device from voice audio output, independent of the content of the voice audio output, the electronic device can adjust the voice audio output based on the status of the device. For example, the voice audio output can be adjusted to sound more or less tired based on the battery level of the device. As another example, the pitch or speed of voice audio output can change to identify the particular network or type of network to which a device is connected. The change in voice audio output can be correlated to any suitable device status, including for example using a linear or non-linear correlation.

Claims

1. A method for providing a voice audio output signal to a user of an electronic device, comprising:

determining that a current status of an electronic device exceeds a threshold;

retrieving a voice audio output signal to output;

adjusting a playback attribute of the audio output signal in response to determining; and

outputting the adjusted voice audio output signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an instruction to provide the voice audio output signal for the current status of the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

determining further comprises monitoring the status of at least one electronic device component.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic device component comprises at least one of:

a battery;

communications circuitry;

a processor; and

storage.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting one of a plurality of voice signatures in response to determining;

applying a text to speech engine to a text string using the selected one of the plurality of voice signatures to generate the adjusted voice audio output signal; and

outputting the adjusted voice audio output signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting further comprises adjusting at least one of the:

pitch;

timbre;

octave;

sharpness

scale;

rhythm;

volume;

speed;

language; and

accent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting further comprises:

incorporating at least one additional sound in the voice audio output signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting further comprises:

removing at least one sound in the voice audio output signal.

9. An electronic device for providing adjusted voice audio output to a user, comprising a processor and audio output circuitry, the processor operative to:

determine that the status of an electronic device operation meets a condition;

identify voice audio output to provide, wherein the content of the voice audio output is unrelated to the status of the electronic device operation;

adjust the voice audio output based on the status of the electronic device operation; and

direct the audio output circuitry to play back the adjusted voice audio output.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further operative to:

incorporate at least one additional sound to the voice audio output.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further operative to:

incorporate fatigue sounds to the voice audio output.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further operative to:

remove at least one sound from the voice audio output.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further operative to:

receive an instruction to play back voice audio output, wherein the content of the voice audio output is related to text displayed by the device.

14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the condition of the electronic device operation comprises at least one of:

receiving email messages;

receiving text messages;

receiving a telephone call;

receiving a push notification; and

connecting to a type of communications network.

15. A method for playing back audio clips associated with voice audio output, comprising:

receiving an instruction to play back an audio clip as voice audio output, wherein the content of the audio clip relates to a displayed menu item;

detecting that the status of the electronic device satisfies a condition;

adjusting the audio clip based on the detected status of the electronic device; and

playing back the adjusted audio clip to provide voice audio output.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

retrieving a correlation between the status of the device and the adjustment of the audio clip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the correlation comprises at least one of a linear correlation and a non-linear correlation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

displaying the correlation to the user; and

receiving a user input modifying the correlation.

19. A computer readable media for providing a voice audio output signal to a user of an electronic device, the computer readable media comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for:

determining that a current status of an electronic device exceeds a threshold;

retrieving a voice audio output signal to output;

adjusting a playback attribute of the audio output signal in response to determining; and

outputting the adjusted voice audio output signal.

20. The computer readable media of claim 19, wherein the computer program logic recorded thereon for adjusting further comprises computer program logic recorded thereon for adjusting at least one of the:

pitch;

timbre;

octave;

sharpness

scale;

rhythm;

volume;

speed;

language; and

accent.