Conversational voice command control system for home appliance

• US 4,520,576 A
• Filed: 09/06/1983
• Issued: 06/04/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Vander Molen, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Application Number:
  US06/529,504
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 367/198, 219/10.55 B, 219/10.55 C, 219/10.55 R, 34/44, 34/45, 34/48, 34/55
• US Class Current: 34/534
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/38 Time, e.g. duration
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/40 Opening or locking status of doors
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/28 Electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/44 Opening, closing or locking of doors
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/50 Starting machine operation, e.g. delayed start or re-start after power cut
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/30 Drying processes controlling a series of operations in domestic laundry dryers D06F58/32
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/40 Control of the initial heating of the drying chamber to its operating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/10 using selector switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23386 Voice, vocal command or message

Abstract

A speaker independent conversational voice command control system is provided which is useful in connection with home appliances which operate within a range of selectable parameters, such as an automatic clothes dryer. The control system recognizes voice commands and emits synthesized speech sounds, in an interaction with a user, to obtain the input necessary for setting the operating parameters.

Claims

1. A method of preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising the steps:

(1) recognizing a first voice command,

(2) counting pulses from a source of timing signals on a counter,

(3) recognizing a second voice command within a predetermined time span of the recognition of said first voice command,

(4) automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the voice commands,

(5) emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,

(6) sensing the positional condition of said door,

(7) emitting at least one additional audible synthesized speech signal requesting an input command after said door is sensed to be closed,

(8) receiving the input command in response to said signal,

(9) emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after receiving said command,

(10) recognizing a final voice command, and

(11) initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving input commands comprises recognizing voice commands.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving input commands comprises recognizing voice commands and receiving manually input commands.

4. A device for preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising:

means for recognizing a first voice command,

means for establishing a first time interval upon recognition of said first voice command,

means for recognizing a second voice command within said time interval,

means for automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the second voice command,

means for emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,

means for sensing the positional condition of said door,

means for emitting a second audible synthesized speech signal requesting manual action, after said door is sensed to be closed,

means for sensing when said manual action has occurred,

means for emitting a third audible synthesized speech signal requesting either verbal or manual action,

means for sensing whether said verbal or manual action has occurred,

means for establishing a second time interval,

means for repeating said third speech signal if said action has not occurred within said second time interval,

means for emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after sensing that said action has occurred,

means for recognizing a final voice command, and

means for initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for recognizing voice commands includes a means for selecting a vocabulary of acceptable commands to be recognized.

6. The device of claim 4 including a controller means for the functions of each of the means described.

7. A method of preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising the steps:

(1) recognizing a first voice command,

(2) counting pulses from a source of timing signals on a counter,

(3) recognizing a second voice command within a predetermined time span of the recognition of said first voice command,

(4) automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the voice commands,

(5) emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,

(6) sensing the positional condition of said door,

(7) emitting a second audible synthesized speech signal requesting manual action, after said door is sensed to be closed,

(8) sensing when said manual action has occurred,

(9) emitting a third audible synthesized speech signal requesting either verbal or manual action,

(10) sensing whether said verbal or manual action has occurred,

(11) counting pulses from said source of timing signals on said counter,

(12) repeating said third speech signal is said action has not occurred within a predetermined time interval,

(13) emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to being operation after sensing that said action has occurred,

(14) recognizing a final voice command, and

(15) initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.

8. A device for preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising:

means for recognizing a first voice command,

means for establishing a time interval upon recognition of said first voice command,

means for recognizing a second voice command within said time interval,

means for automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of said second voice command,

means for emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,

means for sensing the positional condition of said door,

means for emitting at least one additional audible synthesized speech signal requesting an input command after said door is sensed to be closed,

means for receiving said input command in response to said signal,

means for emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after receiving said command,

means for recognizing a final voice command, and

means for initiating operation upon recognition of said final voice command.