Virtual presence

• US 6,526,377 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Bubb, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks-Harold, Marsha D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARPER, V PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/432,774
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 137/512, 251/369, 369/88, 369/175, 360/8, 379/88.1, 379/88.16, 379/88.02, 379/159, 379/216.01, 379/217.01, 379/88.19, 379/88.07, 379/355.01, 379/88.01, 704/211, 704/251, 704/201, 704/270.1, 704/275
• US Class Current: 704/211
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/36 Memories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

A system and terminal for facilitating a “virtual presence” allows users on a communication network to simply begin speaking through other users. A system immediately detects the destination party'"'"'s name, and begins routing the audio signal to a particular destination without any noticeable call set-up. Additionally, the system performs pitch corrected speed control in order to allow the detection and processing of a speech pattern without causing delay to an end user.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a voice communication between an originating entity and a destination entity over a data network, the method comprising:

speaking a phrase at an originating terminal, the phrase having as its beginning a name of the destination entity with which communication is desired;

ascertaining a network address for said destination entity from said phrase;

entering said phrase into a buffer;

establishing communication between said originating entity and said destination entity;

transmitting the phrase from the buffer to the ascertained network address at a pitch controlled increased speed; and

continuing to speak at said originating terminal without waiting while said communication is established.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said network address is translated into a plurality of users.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said data network is the Internet.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of checking an authorization level prior to establishing communications.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting a portion of said phrase with pitch corrected speed control to said entity with whom communications is desired, and transmitting at least a portion of said initial phrase without pitch corrected speed control, and further comprising automatically switch off said automatic pitch corrected speed control.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering into said memory, a further phrase created by said step of continuing to speak, and transmitting at least a portion of said further phrase at normal speed when said buffer is empty.