System, method and computer program product for adding voice activation and voice control to a media player

• US 7,953,599 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Cantwell, Dermot, Greene, Mark, Hegarty, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lerner; Martin
• Application Number:
  US12/104,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20080215337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 704/251, 704/270, 704/275
• US Class Current: 704/251
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/02 using radio transmission; using near-field transmission

Abstract

A media player system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, an utterance is received. A command for a media player is then generated based on the utterance. Such command is utilized for providing wireless control of the media player.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

computer code for controlling a media player adapted for playing stored music, the media player capable of communicating with a memory, a speaker, and a microphone;

computer code for initializing a plurality of program variables stored in the memory, the program variables including at least one of artists, songs, or playlists;

computer code for receiving a trigger signal;

computer code for receiving an utterance intended to control the media player in association with the stored music;

computer code for verifying the utterance using the speaker;

computer code for generating a corresponding command for the media player based on the utterance, the corresponding command selected from a command set including at least a play command, a pause command, a shuffle command, an artist command, a song command, and a playlist command; and

computer code for channeling output of the media player;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command enables wireless control of the media player.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the media player is in communication with an assembly coupled to an automobile and the assembly includes hardware logic.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the media player is in communication with an assembly coupled to an automobile and the assembly includes software logic.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is embedded in an assembly coupled to an automobile.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable medium is separate from an assembly coupled to an automobile.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the media player is in communication with an assembly coupled to an automobile and the assembly includes an FM transmitter and software capable of detecting the utterance, translating the utterance into computer code, and transmitting the computer code translated from the utterance to the media player.

7. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the computer code translated from the utterance controls a state of the media player.

8. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the output of the media player is FM modulated utilizing the FM transmitter of the assembly for reception by an FM receiver.

9. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the FM transmitter is capable of sweeping in a range of frequencies between 88 MHz and 108 MHz.

10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein an assembly coupled to an automobile is releasably connected to the media player.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that an assembly coupled to an automobile includes a visual indicator for indicating whether the media player is awaiting the receipt of the utterance.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is programmed.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is registered.

15. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is operable such that, if the utterance is not verified, the corresponding command is not generated.

16. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is operable such that, if the utterance is not verified, the utterance is outputted via the speaker.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to accept or reject the utterance outputted via the speaker.

18. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is compared against a library of words.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command is generated in response to identifying a match between the utterance and the library of words.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the library of words includes an artist name and a voice tag.

21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the library of words includes an artist name and an application specific voice tag.

22. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command is application-specific.

23. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are initialized with at least one of input or output.

24. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are released.

25. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product further comprises computer code for adjusting the received utterance if it is not verified.

26. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product further comprises computer code for translating the utterance into computer code capable of being recognized by the media player.

27. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is a programmed command that is registered by the media player.

28. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the command set also includes at least one of a forward command, a rewind command, an on command, an off command, a repeat command, and a next playlist command.

29. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the command set also includes a forward command, a rewind command, an on command, an off command, a repeat command, or a next playlist command.

30. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is converted into an application specific voice tag and is subsequently compared to at least one voice tag from a library of voice tags.

31. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the trigger signal is audible.

32. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the trigger signal includes an audible trigger word.

33. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether a timeout has occurred before the utterance is received.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the computer program product is operable such that if the timeout has occurred, the reception of the trigger signal must be repeated.

35. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a button release command is generated.

36. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a visual indication is provided to indicate that the utterance is ready to be received, in response to the receipt of the trigger signal.

37. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that an indication is provided to indicate that the utterance is ready to be received, in response to the receipt of the trigger signal.

38. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a rejection command is capable of being received.

39. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the program variables include artists, songs, and playlists.

40. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are initialized with input.

41. A sub-system, comprising:

a media player adapted for playing music, the media player being communicatively coupled to a memory, a speaker, and a microphone; and

a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program product comprising;

computer code for initializing a plurality of program variables stored in the memory, the program variables including at least one of artists, songs, or playlists;

computer code for controlling the media player in association with the music that is stored in the memory;

computer code for receiving a trigger signal;

computer code for receiving an utterance intended to control the media player;

computer code for verifying the utterance using the speaker;

computer code for generating a corresponding command for the media player based on the utterance, the corresponding command selected from a command set including at least a play command, a pause command, a shuffle command, an artist command, a song command, and a playlist command; and

computer code for channeling output of the media player;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command enables wireless control of the media player.

42. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system includes hardware logic.

43. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system includes software logic.

44. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the computer program product is embedded in the media player.

45. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the computer-readable medium is separate from the media player.

46. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured to further include an FM transmitter and software capable of detecting the utterance, translating the utterance into computer code, and transmitting the computer code translated from the utterance to the media player.

47. The sub-system of claim 46, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the computer code translated from the utterance controls a state of the media player.

48. The sub-system of claim 46, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the output of the media player is FM modulated utilizing the FM transmitter of an assembly coupled to an automobile for reception by an FM receiver.

49. The sub-system of claim 46, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the FM transmitter is capable of sweeping in a range of frequencies between 88 MHz and 108 MHz.

50. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that an assembly coupled to an automobile is releasably connected to the media player.

51. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured to include a visual indicator for indicating whether the media player is awaiting the receipt of the utterance.

52. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified.

53. The sub-system of claim 52, wherein the sub-system is configured such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is programmed.

54. The sub-system of claim 52, wherein the sub-system is configured such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is registered.

55. The sub-system of claim 52, wherein the sub-system is configured such that if the utterance is not verified, the corresponding command is not generated.

56. The sub-system of claim 52, wherein the sub-system is configured such that if the utterance is not verified, the utterance is outputted via the speaker.

57. The sub-system of claim 56, wherein the sub-system is configured such that a user is allowed to accept or reject the utterance outputted via the speaker.

58. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the utterance is compared against a library of words.

59. The sub-system of claim 58, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the corresponding command is generated in response to identifying a match between the utterance and the library of words.

60. The sub-system of claim 58, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the library of words includes an artist name and a voice tag.

61. The sub-system of claim 58, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the library of words includes an artist name and an application specific voice tag.

62. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the corresponding command is application-specific.

63. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the program variables are initialized with at least one of input or output.

64. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the program variables are released.

65. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the computer program product further comprises computer code for adjusting the received utterance if it is not verified.

66. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the computer program product further comprises computer code for translating the utterance into computer code capable of being recognized by the media player.

67. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the utterance is a programmed command that is registered by the media player.

68. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the command set also includes at least one of a fast forward command, a rewind command, an on command, an off command, a repeat command, or a next playlist command.

69. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the command set also includes a fast forward command, a rewind command, an on command, an off command, a repeat command, and a next playlist command.

70. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the utterance is converted into an application specific voice tag and is subsequently compared to at least one voice tag from a library of voice tags located on the media player.

71. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the trigger signal is audible.

72. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that the trigger signal includes an audible trigger word.

73. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that it is determined whether a timeout has occurred before the utterance is received.

74. The sub-system of claim 73, wherein the sub-system is configured such that if the timeout has occurred, the reception of the trigger signal is repeated.

75. The sub-system of claim 41, wherein the sub-system is configured such that a button release command is generated.

76. A system, comprising:

an automobile;

an assembly coupled to the automobile for receiving power therefrom and further connected to a media player adapted for playing music, the assembly including a power unit for providing the power to the media player, a speaker, and a microphone; and

a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program product comprising;

computer code for initializing a plurality of stored program variables;

computer code for receiving a trigger signal;

computer code for, after the receipt of the trigger signal, receiving an utterance utilizing the microphone of the assembly;

computer code for verifying the utterance utilizing the speaker of the assembly, the verifying including audibly verifying the utterance utilizing the speaker of the assembly;

computer code for generating a corresponding command for the media player based on the utterance, the corresponding command selected from a command set of a plurality of commands including at least one of;

a play command, a pause command, a forward command, a rewind command, an on command, an off command, a shuffle command, a repeat command, a search command, a volume up command, a volume down command, a playlist command, or a next command; and

computer code for channeling output of the media player;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command enables wireless control of the media player.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the media player includes a satellite radio player.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the media player is adapted for playing news.

79. The system of claim 76, wherein the media player is adapted for playing non-fiction information.

80. The system of claim 76, wherein the power unit is adapted for charging the media player.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the power unit includes a plug.

82. The system of claim 76, wherein the power unit includes a connector.

83. The system of claim 76, wherein the power unit includes a converter.

84. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a visual indication is provided to indicate that the utterance is ready to be received.

85. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a rejection command is capable of being received.

86. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are initialized with input.

87. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further includes computer code for translating the utterance into hex code that controls a state of the media player.

88. The system of claim 76, wherein the assembly includes a visual indicator for indicating that the receipt of the utterance is awaited.

89. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further includes computer code for indicating that the receipt of the utterance is awaited.

90. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified.

91. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is programmed.

92. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether the utterance is verified, based on whether the utterance is registered.

93. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer program product is operable such that, if the utterance is not verified, the corresponding command is not generated.

94. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer program product is operable such that, if the utterance is not verified, the utterance is outputted via the speaker.

95. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to reject the utterance audibly verified utilizing the speaker of the assembly.

96. The system of claim 76, wherein the verifying includes playing a word corresponding to the utterance.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the playing includes replaying.

98. The system of claim 76, wherein the verifying includes allowing a user to provide feedback, in response to the audibly verifying the utterance utilizing the speaker of the assembly.

99. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is compared against a library of words.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command is generated in response to identifying a match between the utterance and the library of words.

101. The system of claim 99, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the library of words includes an artist name and a voice tag.

102. The system of claim 99, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the library of words includes an artist name and an application specific voice tag.

103. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are released.

104. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further comprises computer code for allowing adjustment of the received utterance if the received utterance is not verified.

105. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further comprises computer code for translating the utterance into code capable of being recognized by the media player.

106. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is a programmed command that is registered.

107. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the utterance is converted into an application specific voice tag and is subsequently compared to at least one voice tag from a library of voice tags.

108. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the trigger signal is audible.

109. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the trigger signal includes an audible trigger word.

110. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined whether a timeout has occurred before the utterance is received.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein the computer program product is operable such that if the timeout has occurred, the reception of the trigger signal must be repeated.

112. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a button release command is generated.

113. The system of claim 76, wherein the verifying includes allowing a user to provide feedback.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein the feedback is capable of including at least one of:

an audible rejection or an audible acceptance.

115. The system of claim 76, wherein the program variables include at least one of artists, songs, or playlists.

116. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the play command, the pause command, the forward command, the rewind command, the on command, the off command, the shuffle command, the repeat command, the search command, the volume up command, the volume down command, the playlist command, and the playlist command.

117. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the play command, the on command, and the off command.

118. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the play command, the pause command, the forward command, and the rewind command.

119. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the shuffle command.

120. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the playlist command.

121. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the search command.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the search command is capable of searching for a particular content.

123. The system of claim 121, wherein the search command is capable of searching for a particular song.

124. The system of claim 121, wherein the search command is capable of searching for a particular artist.

125. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the repeat command.

126. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the next command.

127. The system of claim 126, wherein the next command is capable of playing a next content.

128. The system of claim 126, wherein the next command is capable of playing a next playlist.

129. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the volume down command.

130. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes the play command.

131. The system of claim 130, wherein the play command is capable of playing a particular content.

132. The system of claim 130, wherein the play command is capable of playing a particular song.

133. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes at least three of:

the play command, the pause command, the forward command, the rewind command, the on command, the off command, the shuffle command, the repeat command, the search command, the volume up command, the volume down command, the playlist command, and the next command.

134. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes at least four of:

the play command, the pause command, the forward command, the rewind command, the on command, the off command, the shuffle command, the repeat command, the search command, the volume up command, the volume down command, the playlist command, and the next command.

135. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes at least five of:

the play command, the pause command, the forward command, the rewind command, the on command, the off command, the shuffle command, the repeat command, the search command, the volume up command, the volume down command, the playlist command, and the next command.

136. The system of claim 76, wherein the command set includes at least six of:

the play command, the pause command, the forward command, the rewind command, the on command, the off command, the shuffle command, the repeat command, the search command, the volume up command, the volume down command, the playlist command, and the next command.

137. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that an indication is provided to indicate that the utterance is ready to be received.

138. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to accept or reject the utterance audibly verified utilizing the speaker of the assembly.

139. The system of claim 76, wherein the assembly includes a visual indicator for indicating that the receipt of the utterance is awaited, in response to the receipt of the trigger signal.

140. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further includes computer code for indicating that the receipt of the utterance is awaited, in response to the receipt of the trigger signal.

141. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command is application-specific.

142. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the corresponding command includes a command word and a content-related word.

143. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the program variables are initialized with at least one of input or output.

144. The system of claim 76, wherein the computer program product further includes computer code for translating the utterance into code that controls a state of the media player.