CA1294356C - Voice actuated vehicle speed control system - Google Patents
Voice actuated vehicle speed control systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1294356C CA1294356C CA000508400A CA508400A CA1294356C CA 1294356 C CA1294356 C CA 1294356C CA 000508400 A CA000508400 A CA 000508400A CA 508400 A CA508400 A CA 508400A CA 1294356 C CA1294356 C CA 1294356C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vocal
- signal
- voice
- speed
- operator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/037—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for occupant comfort, e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
- B60R16/0373—Voice control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K31/00—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K31/00—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator
- B60K31/02—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically
- B60K31/04—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically and means for comparing one electrical quantity, e.g. voltage, pulse, waveform, flux, or the like, with another quantity of a like kind, which comparison means is involved in the development of an electrical signal which is fed into the controlling means
- B60K31/042—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically and means for comparing one electrical quantity, e.g. voltage, pulse, waveform, flux, or the like, with another quantity of a like kind, which comparison means is involved in the development of an electrical signal which is fed into the controlling means where at least one electrical quantity is set by the vehicle operator
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention concerns a unique vehicle speed control system which can be voice actuated by the vehicle operator. The speed control system includes a conventional speed control unit which is coupled to receive a plurality of control signals from a voice control unit. The voice control unit includes a voice recognizer responsive to vocal instructions from the operator for generating selected control signals to the speed control unit. The voice control unit also includes a voice synthesizer for producing vocal announcements to the operator representing the present operating status of the system. In order to generate a selected one of the control signals, the voice control unit must receive two vocal instructions from the operator in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period, thereby preventing undesirable erroneous operation as a result of extraneous noise. Also, when generating a control signal Which causes the speed control to accelerate the vehicle, the voice control unit will automatically discontinue the generation of such a signal after a predetermined time period if the signal has not been previously cancelled due to an operator command. This prevents the speed control unit from uncontrollably accelerating the vehicle. The present invention also includes a unique training program which is utilized to store voice templates corresponding to selected vocal instructions of the operator which are required to operate the system.
The present invention concerns a unique vehicle speed control system which can be voice actuated by the vehicle operator. The speed control system includes a conventional speed control unit which is coupled to receive a plurality of control signals from a voice control unit. The voice control unit includes a voice recognizer responsive to vocal instructions from the operator for generating selected control signals to the speed control unit. The voice control unit also includes a voice synthesizer for producing vocal announcements to the operator representing the present operating status of the system. In order to generate a selected one of the control signals, the voice control unit must receive two vocal instructions from the operator in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period, thereby preventing undesirable erroneous operation as a result of extraneous noise. Also, when generating a control signal Which causes the speed control to accelerate the vehicle, the voice control unit will automatically discontinue the generation of such a signal after a predetermined time period if the signal has not been previously cancelled due to an operator command. This prevents the speed control unit from uncontrollably accelerating the vehicle. The present invention also includes a unique training program which is utilized to store voice templates corresponding to selected vocal instructions of the operator which are required to operate the system.
Description
3~ pJ / ~ r ~ 3 5 6 TITLE
VOICE kCTVATED VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a vehicle speed control system and, in particular, to a vehicle speed control system which can be vocally operated by the driver.
Description of the Prior Art In recent years, vehicle speed or cruiSe controls have become increasingly popular with automobile drivers. While many automobiles include factory-installed cruise controls, many other automobiles which do not include a factory-installed cruise control have been retrofittec with an after-market cruise control unit.
Conventional cruise control units are provided with some type of manually actuated control switch which enables the vehicle driver to control the operation of the cruise control unit. Generally, the manually actuated switch enables the driver to select the desired speed at which the cruise control unit is to maintain the vehicle.
Additionally, the more sophisticated cruise control units include a multi-function control switch for enabling the cruise control unit to (1) resume the vehicle speed to a previously set speed after de-actuation of the cruise control, (2~ accelerate the vehicle to an increased set speed, and (3) coast or decelerate the vehicle to a reduced set speed. However, the manual operation of the cruise control Switch tends to distract the vehicle driver from steering efforts by often requiring him to take his eyes off the road during actuation of the switch.
3~6 S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
-The present-invention concerns a uni~ue vehicle speed con~rol system which can be voice-actuated by the vehicle operator. The speed control system includes a conventional speed control unit for maintaining the speed of the vehicle at an operator selected speed. The speed control unit is responsive to a plurality of control signals generated by either a voice control unit or a manually actuated switch.
The control signals cause the speed control unit to either (l) maintain the vehicle speed at desired speed, 12) coast or decelerate the vehicle to a reduced set speed, (3) accelerate the vehicle to an increased set speed, or (4) resume the vehicle speed to a previously set, but cancelled, speed.
The voice control unit includes a voice recognizer responsive to a plurality of vocal instructions from the operator for causing the voice control unit to generate the one control signal corresponding to the received vocal instruction. The voice control unit also includes a voice synthesizer for providing selected vocal announcements to inform the operator of the present operating status of the system.
The voice control unit of the present invention includes several unique operating features. For example, in order to generate a selected one of the control signals, the voice control unit must receive two separate vocal instructions from the operator in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period, thereby preventing undesirable erroneous operation from extraneous noise.
Also, when generating a control signal which causes the speed control unit to accelerate the vehicle, the voice control unit will automatically discontinue the generation of such a signal after a predetermined time period if the signal has not been previously cancelled due to an operator ~43~:6 command. This pre~ents uncontrolled acceleration of the vehicle. Further, the voice control unit includ`es a unique training program which is utilized to initially store voice template signals corresponding to selected vocal instructions required to operate the system. The training program utilizes the voice synthesizer for prompting the operator through the training program.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~I~GS
Figure l is a bloc~ diagram which illustrates a voice actuated cruise control system accordin~ to the present invention, wherein a voice control unit is coupled to generate a plurality of control signals to a conventional speed control unit;
Figure 2 is a diagram which defines the symbols utilized in the state diagrams of Figures 3a through 3c; a~d Figures 3a through 3C are state diagrams which illustrate the operation of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF 'rHE PR~FERRED E~IBODI~lENT
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated in block diagram form a voice-actuated vehicle speed control 2s system 10 which lncludes a voice control unit 12 coupled to a c~nventional speed control unit 14 for automatically maintaining the speed of an associated vehicle at an operator selected speed. The speed control unit 14 is coupled to receive a signal representative of the actual vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor 18 ~ ~nd is mechanically coupled (as represented by dashed line 20) t~
control a vehicle throttle 22 in accordance With the control signals received from either the VoiCe control unit 12 or a manually actuated control switch 24. The specific types of ~5 control signals generated will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
~ 3~
The voice control unit 12 includes a microphone 26 for receiving vocal instructions from a vehicle ope~rator. The microphone 26 generates a signal to an input circuit 28 which can include means for providing the desired filtering of the input signal, for controlling the gain of the input signal, and converting the analog input signal into digital form prior to supplying the input signal to a voice - recognition and synthesis unit 30. The operation of the voice recognition and synthesis unit 30 is controlled by a microcomputer 3~ which is connected to generate the required control signals to the speed control unit 14. The microcomputer 32 is connected to a memory circuit 34 which is adapted to store the associated voice recognition templates and speech synthesis data. The voice recognition and synthesis unit 30 also provides a digital audio output signal to an output circuit 36 which converts the output signal to analog form, provides the desired filtering of the ; singal, and supplies the analog output signal to a speaker , 38. As will be discussed, the speaker 38 produces a vocal 1 20 announcement to i~form the operator of the preSent operating i status of the system. The voiCe reCognition and synthesis unit 30 can be a SP1000 voice recognition/synthesis circuit and the microcomputer 32 can be a VRSl 000 microcomputer, both available from General Instrument Corporation.
The microcomputer 3 is also connected to a train switch 40 and an LED indicator 42. As will be discussed, the train switch 40 is utilized by the operator to initiate a unique training program wherein selected voice recognition templates are stored in the memory 34. The LED indicator 42 can be used to provide the operator ~ith a visual indication that the system is awaiting a vocal instruction or other command from the operator.
The microcomputer 32 functions to analyze the incoming vocal instructions from the vehicle operator and, if the received instruction corresponds to a selected one of the stored voice recognition templates, generates a selected one 1~43~6 of four separate control signals to the speed control unit.
As will be discussed, in order to avoid undesirable erroneous operation of the speed control unit as a result of extraneous noise, the voice control unit must receive at least two separate vocal instructions in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period prior to generating any one of the control signals. These control signals, as shown in Figure 1, include a SET SPEED signal, a COAST signal, an ACCEL signal, and a RES~ME signal. Similar control signals can be generated by the manual control switch 24. While not shown in the drawings, the system 10 can include means for establishing priority between the control signals in the event control signals are simultaneously received from both the voice control unit and the manual control switch.
When either the microcomputer 32 or the control switch 24 generates the SET SPEED signal, the speed control unit will control the vehicle throttle such that the vehicle speed is maintained at the speed the vehicle was traveling at the time the SET SPEED signal was initiated. The speed control unit is responsive to the COAST signal to disengage the speed control unit such that the vehicle throttle is retracted to cause the vehicle to decelerate. When the ACCEL signal is generated, the speed control unit will advance the vehicle throttle to accelerate the vehicle. As will be discussed, in accordance with the present invention, the ACC~L signal is generated for a predetermine time period only, thus preventing uncontrolled acceleration of the vehicle. A fourth control signal generated by either the microcomputer of the voice control unit or the manual control switch is the RESUME signal. I~ the speed control unit had been previously set at a predetermined speed, and has been subsequently disengaged by operation of the vehicle brakes, for example, the ~ESUME signal causes the speed control unit to return and maintain the vehicle at the previously set speed.
~2~3~6 The operation of the voice control unit will now be discussed in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3a through 3c. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a diagram which defines the symbols utilized in the state diagrams of Figures 3a through 3c. As shown in Figure 2, a circle with a statement in quotes represents a state which, when entered, provides the vehicle operator with a vocal announcement through the speaker 38. A rectangular box indicates a state which, when entered, does not provide a verbal respo~se to the operator~ An oval, wherein the written portion therein iS contained within quotes, representS a vocal instrUCtion by the operator which causes the system to change states. However, an oval wherein the wording therein is not in quotes, represents a non-vocal command by an operator such as, for example, the actuation of the train switch 40, which causes the system to change states. Finally, a diamond-shaped box represents a decision point in the program wherein, depending on the particular operating conditions, the microcomputer 32 causes the system to be routed to a selected one of several different states.
Referring now to Figure 3a, there is shown a state diagram of the training program which must be performed by the vehicle operator prior to utilizing the voice control unit. sasically, the training program instructs the operator to repeat the plurality of instruction phrases which are required to operate the speed control unit. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the vocal instructions required to operate the system include the phrases "Set CrUise"~ "Coast down", "Accel-~ump", "Resume 30 speed", and "No". As these phrases are spoken by the vehicle operator during the training program, the voice templates generated thereby are stored in the associated memory circuit 34. During the operation of the voice control unit, a vocal instruction received from the operator is converted to a voice template which is subsequently compared lZ943~6 to each of the stored templates to determine which one, if any, corresponds to the template of the received instruction.
The training program of Figure 3a is initiated at a state wherein the system has been turned on and initialized.
At this point, in order to proceed through the training program, the vehicle operator momentarily actuates the train switch 40. This causes the program to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds to the operator with the phrase "Train driver 1". At this time~ the operator must again momentarily aCtUate the train switch 40 to cause the system to enter the next state. If the train switch is not actuated again within a predetermined time period, the system times out and returns to the initialized state.
However, once the train switch has been actuated, the program enters a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Say word N" wherein N represents one of a plurality of operator vocal instructions which must be stored prior to operation of the system.
Once the voice control unit has instructed the driver to say a specific word or phrase, the program enters a state wherein the LED indicator 42 is lit. This provides the driver wlth an indication that the voice control unit is awaiting a response from the driver. At this time, the driver repeats the word or phrase as requested by the system. If the word or phrase is not repeated within a particular time period, the program times out to the state wherein the instruction is again given to the operator.
Once the driver has spoken the requested word, a voice template representing the spoken word or phrase is stored in the memory circuit 34. The program then enterS a decision point to check whether or not all the required voice templates have been stored by the microcomputer. If the answer is no, the program branches to a state wherein the microcomputer retrieves the next word which is to be spoken by the operator.
~29~3~6 Once all the required voice templates have been stored, the program enters a decision point wherein a co~parison is made between all the individual voice templates which have been stored during the training program. If the voice templates which have been stored are sufficiently different from one another, the program branches at "Yes" and enters a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the statement "Driver 1 trained" and then the system enters the trained state. I the stored templates are not sufficiently different from one another, this indicates that there ma~ be a problem in the recognition of a particular vocal instruction. Consequently, it is desirable to request the ! operator to repeat the training sequence.
The present system can be utilized to train more than 1 15 one driver. In the event it is desired to train a second driver, the second driver, once the system is on and in the initialized state, momentarily actuates the train switch 40 twice. The program then proceeds through a sequence which is similar to the sequence in training the first driver. It should be noted that the system could readily be adapted to train more than two drivers.
Once the system iS in the trained state, selected vocal instructions from the vehicle operator corresponding to the stored voice templates can be utilized to control the speed control. Referring to Figure 3b, there is shown the vocal instructions and the associated system responses required to cause the microcomputer 32 to generate ei~her the SET SPEED
signal or the COAST signal to the speed control unit. As shown in Figure 3b, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Set cruise" by the operator causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to set". At this time, in order for the voice control unit 12 to generate the SET
SIGNAL, the operator must again respond with the phrase "Set 35 cruise" withln a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the SyStem retUrns tO the trained 1~943~6 state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the command "Set cruise" within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition.
If, h~wever, the operator responds with the second command "Set cruise" within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Set speed" and then enters a point wherein the microcomputer generates the SET SPEED sisnal to the speed control and cancels any other previous control signal.
As shown in Figure 3b, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Coast down" by the operator causes the system to enter a state ~herein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to coast down1'. At this time, in order to cause the voice control unit to generate the COAST signal to the speed control unit, the operator must respond with the phrase "Coast down"
within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond wlth the command "Coast down" within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition.
If, however, the operator responds with the second command "Coast down" within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Coasting" and then enters a state wherein the microcomputer g~nerates the COAST signal to the speed control and cancels any other previous control signals. After the COAST signal has been generated, the program enters the state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to set".
At this point, the system is awaiting a "Set cruise" command from the operator in order to establish a neW set speed by generating the SET SPEED signal. If such a command is not received within a predetermined time period, the system will time out to the trained state ~unction and the vehicle will continue to coast until otherwise commanded by the operator.
3~i Referring to Figure 3c, there is shown the vocal instructions and the associated system responses~required to cause the microcomputer to generate either the RESUME signal or the ACCEL signal. As shown in Figure 3c, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Resume speed"
by the operator causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control Unit responds With the phrase "Ready to resUme", At this time, in order to cause the system to generate the RES~ME signal, the operator mUst respond a second time With the phrase "Resume speed" within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the phrase "Resume speed"
within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition. If, however, the operator responds with the second "Resume speed" command within the allotted time period, the system enters a state wherein the RESUM~ signal is generated to the speed control unit and all other control signals are cancelled.
Also, as shown in Figure 3c, the operator can instruct the speed control system to accelerate the vehicle. This is accomplished by first commanding the unit to "Accel-bump".
This causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to accel". At this time, in order to generate the ACCEL signal, the operator must again respond with the phrase "Accel-bump"
within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the command "Accel-bump", within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition. If the "Accel-bump" command is received within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Accelerating". At this point, the system enters a function wherein the voice control unit will generate the ACCEL signal to the speed control Unit for a predetermined ~ 56 time period such as, for example, three seconds, and then generate a SET SP~ED signal to set the speed at the increased level. By limiting the time period the vehicle can accelerate, uncontrolled acceleration is prevente~. If, prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period, the operator responds with a "No", the voice control unit will automatically cancel the ACCEL signal and generate a S~T SP~D signal to hold the speed at the level it was when the ACC~ signal was cancelled.
In accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes, the principles and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in what is considered to represent the preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departinq from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
VOICE kCTVATED VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a vehicle speed control system and, in particular, to a vehicle speed control system which can be vocally operated by the driver.
Description of the Prior Art In recent years, vehicle speed or cruiSe controls have become increasingly popular with automobile drivers. While many automobiles include factory-installed cruise controls, many other automobiles which do not include a factory-installed cruise control have been retrofittec with an after-market cruise control unit.
Conventional cruise control units are provided with some type of manually actuated control switch which enables the vehicle driver to control the operation of the cruise control unit. Generally, the manually actuated switch enables the driver to select the desired speed at which the cruise control unit is to maintain the vehicle.
Additionally, the more sophisticated cruise control units include a multi-function control switch for enabling the cruise control unit to (1) resume the vehicle speed to a previously set speed after de-actuation of the cruise control, (2~ accelerate the vehicle to an increased set speed, and (3) coast or decelerate the vehicle to a reduced set speed. However, the manual operation of the cruise control Switch tends to distract the vehicle driver from steering efforts by often requiring him to take his eyes off the road during actuation of the switch.
3~6 S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
-The present-invention concerns a uni~ue vehicle speed con~rol system which can be voice-actuated by the vehicle operator. The speed control system includes a conventional speed control unit for maintaining the speed of the vehicle at an operator selected speed. The speed control unit is responsive to a plurality of control signals generated by either a voice control unit or a manually actuated switch.
The control signals cause the speed control unit to either (l) maintain the vehicle speed at desired speed, 12) coast or decelerate the vehicle to a reduced set speed, (3) accelerate the vehicle to an increased set speed, or (4) resume the vehicle speed to a previously set, but cancelled, speed.
The voice control unit includes a voice recognizer responsive to a plurality of vocal instructions from the operator for causing the voice control unit to generate the one control signal corresponding to the received vocal instruction. The voice control unit also includes a voice synthesizer for providing selected vocal announcements to inform the operator of the present operating status of the system.
The voice control unit of the present invention includes several unique operating features. For example, in order to generate a selected one of the control signals, the voice control unit must receive two separate vocal instructions from the operator in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period, thereby preventing undesirable erroneous operation from extraneous noise.
Also, when generating a control signal which causes the speed control unit to accelerate the vehicle, the voice control unit will automatically discontinue the generation of such a signal after a predetermined time period if the signal has not been previously cancelled due to an operator ~43~:6 command. This pre~ents uncontrolled acceleration of the vehicle. Further, the voice control unit includ`es a unique training program which is utilized to initially store voice template signals corresponding to selected vocal instructions required to operate the system. The training program utilizes the voice synthesizer for prompting the operator through the training program.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~I~GS
Figure l is a bloc~ diagram which illustrates a voice actuated cruise control system accordin~ to the present invention, wherein a voice control unit is coupled to generate a plurality of control signals to a conventional speed control unit;
Figure 2 is a diagram which defines the symbols utilized in the state diagrams of Figures 3a through 3c; a~d Figures 3a through 3C are state diagrams which illustrate the operation of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF 'rHE PR~FERRED E~IBODI~lENT
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated in block diagram form a voice-actuated vehicle speed control 2s system 10 which lncludes a voice control unit 12 coupled to a c~nventional speed control unit 14 for automatically maintaining the speed of an associated vehicle at an operator selected speed. The speed control unit 14 is coupled to receive a signal representative of the actual vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor 18 ~ ~nd is mechanically coupled (as represented by dashed line 20) t~
control a vehicle throttle 22 in accordance With the control signals received from either the VoiCe control unit 12 or a manually actuated control switch 24. The specific types of ~5 control signals generated will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
~ 3~
The voice control unit 12 includes a microphone 26 for receiving vocal instructions from a vehicle ope~rator. The microphone 26 generates a signal to an input circuit 28 which can include means for providing the desired filtering of the input signal, for controlling the gain of the input signal, and converting the analog input signal into digital form prior to supplying the input signal to a voice - recognition and synthesis unit 30. The operation of the voice recognition and synthesis unit 30 is controlled by a microcomputer 3~ which is connected to generate the required control signals to the speed control unit 14. The microcomputer 32 is connected to a memory circuit 34 which is adapted to store the associated voice recognition templates and speech synthesis data. The voice recognition and synthesis unit 30 also provides a digital audio output signal to an output circuit 36 which converts the output signal to analog form, provides the desired filtering of the ; singal, and supplies the analog output signal to a speaker , 38. As will be discussed, the speaker 38 produces a vocal 1 20 announcement to i~form the operator of the preSent operating i status of the system. The voiCe reCognition and synthesis unit 30 can be a SP1000 voice recognition/synthesis circuit and the microcomputer 32 can be a VRSl 000 microcomputer, both available from General Instrument Corporation.
The microcomputer 3 is also connected to a train switch 40 and an LED indicator 42. As will be discussed, the train switch 40 is utilized by the operator to initiate a unique training program wherein selected voice recognition templates are stored in the memory 34. The LED indicator 42 can be used to provide the operator ~ith a visual indication that the system is awaiting a vocal instruction or other command from the operator.
The microcomputer 32 functions to analyze the incoming vocal instructions from the vehicle operator and, if the received instruction corresponds to a selected one of the stored voice recognition templates, generates a selected one 1~43~6 of four separate control signals to the speed control unit.
As will be discussed, in order to avoid undesirable erroneous operation of the speed control unit as a result of extraneous noise, the voice control unit must receive at least two separate vocal instructions in a predetermined order and within a predetermined time period prior to generating any one of the control signals. These control signals, as shown in Figure 1, include a SET SPEED signal, a COAST signal, an ACCEL signal, and a RES~ME signal. Similar control signals can be generated by the manual control switch 24. While not shown in the drawings, the system 10 can include means for establishing priority between the control signals in the event control signals are simultaneously received from both the voice control unit and the manual control switch.
When either the microcomputer 32 or the control switch 24 generates the SET SPEED signal, the speed control unit will control the vehicle throttle such that the vehicle speed is maintained at the speed the vehicle was traveling at the time the SET SPEED signal was initiated. The speed control unit is responsive to the COAST signal to disengage the speed control unit such that the vehicle throttle is retracted to cause the vehicle to decelerate. When the ACCEL signal is generated, the speed control unit will advance the vehicle throttle to accelerate the vehicle. As will be discussed, in accordance with the present invention, the ACC~L signal is generated for a predetermine time period only, thus preventing uncontrolled acceleration of the vehicle. A fourth control signal generated by either the microcomputer of the voice control unit or the manual control switch is the RESUME signal. I~ the speed control unit had been previously set at a predetermined speed, and has been subsequently disengaged by operation of the vehicle brakes, for example, the ~ESUME signal causes the speed control unit to return and maintain the vehicle at the previously set speed.
~2~3~6 The operation of the voice control unit will now be discussed in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3a through 3c. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a diagram which defines the symbols utilized in the state diagrams of Figures 3a through 3c. As shown in Figure 2, a circle with a statement in quotes represents a state which, when entered, provides the vehicle operator with a vocal announcement through the speaker 38. A rectangular box indicates a state which, when entered, does not provide a verbal respo~se to the operator~ An oval, wherein the written portion therein iS contained within quotes, representS a vocal instrUCtion by the operator which causes the system to change states. However, an oval wherein the wording therein is not in quotes, represents a non-vocal command by an operator such as, for example, the actuation of the train switch 40, which causes the system to change states. Finally, a diamond-shaped box represents a decision point in the program wherein, depending on the particular operating conditions, the microcomputer 32 causes the system to be routed to a selected one of several different states.
Referring now to Figure 3a, there is shown a state diagram of the training program which must be performed by the vehicle operator prior to utilizing the voice control unit. sasically, the training program instructs the operator to repeat the plurality of instruction phrases which are required to operate the speed control unit. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the vocal instructions required to operate the system include the phrases "Set CrUise"~ "Coast down", "Accel-~ump", "Resume 30 speed", and "No". As these phrases are spoken by the vehicle operator during the training program, the voice templates generated thereby are stored in the associated memory circuit 34. During the operation of the voice control unit, a vocal instruction received from the operator is converted to a voice template which is subsequently compared lZ943~6 to each of the stored templates to determine which one, if any, corresponds to the template of the received instruction.
The training program of Figure 3a is initiated at a state wherein the system has been turned on and initialized.
At this point, in order to proceed through the training program, the vehicle operator momentarily actuates the train switch 40. This causes the program to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds to the operator with the phrase "Train driver 1". At this time~ the operator must again momentarily aCtUate the train switch 40 to cause the system to enter the next state. If the train switch is not actuated again within a predetermined time period, the system times out and returns to the initialized state.
However, once the train switch has been actuated, the program enters a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Say word N" wherein N represents one of a plurality of operator vocal instructions which must be stored prior to operation of the system.
Once the voice control unit has instructed the driver to say a specific word or phrase, the program enters a state wherein the LED indicator 42 is lit. This provides the driver wlth an indication that the voice control unit is awaiting a response from the driver. At this time, the driver repeats the word or phrase as requested by the system. If the word or phrase is not repeated within a particular time period, the program times out to the state wherein the instruction is again given to the operator.
Once the driver has spoken the requested word, a voice template representing the spoken word or phrase is stored in the memory circuit 34. The program then enterS a decision point to check whether or not all the required voice templates have been stored by the microcomputer. If the answer is no, the program branches to a state wherein the microcomputer retrieves the next word which is to be spoken by the operator.
~29~3~6 Once all the required voice templates have been stored, the program enters a decision point wherein a co~parison is made between all the individual voice templates which have been stored during the training program. If the voice templates which have been stored are sufficiently different from one another, the program branches at "Yes" and enters a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the statement "Driver 1 trained" and then the system enters the trained state. I the stored templates are not sufficiently different from one another, this indicates that there ma~ be a problem in the recognition of a particular vocal instruction. Consequently, it is desirable to request the ! operator to repeat the training sequence.
The present system can be utilized to train more than 1 15 one driver. In the event it is desired to train a second driver, the second driver, once the system is on and in the initialized state, momentarily actuates the train switch 40 twice. The program then proceeds through a sequence which is similar to the sequence in training the first driver. It should be noted that the system could readily be adapted to train more than two drivers.
Once the system iS in the trained state, selected vocal instructions from the vehicle operator corresponding to the stored voice templates can be utilized to control the speed control. Referring to Figure 3b, there is shown the vocal instructions and the associated system responses required to cause the microcomputer 32 to generate ei~her the SET SPEED
signal or the COAST signal to the speed control unit. As shown in Figure 3b, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Set cruise" by the operator causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to set". At this time, in order for the voice control unit 12 to generate the SET
SIGNAL, the operator must again respond with the phrase "Set 35 cruise" withln a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the SyStem retUrns tO the trained 1~943~6 state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the command "Set cruise" within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition.
If, h~wever, the operator responds with the second command "Set cruise" within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Set speed" and then enters a point wherein the microcomputer generates the SET SPEED sisnal to the speed control and cancels any other previous control signal.
As shown in Figure 3b, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Coast down" by the operator causes the system to enter a state ~herein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to coast down1'. At this time, in order to cause the voice control unit to generate the COAST signal to the speed control unit, the operator must respond with the phrase "Coast down"
within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond wlth the command "Coast down" within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition.
If, however, the operator responds with the second command "Coast down" within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Coasting" and then enters a state wherein the microcomputer g~nerates the COAST signal to the speed control and cancels any other previous control signals. After the COAST signal has been generated, the program enters the state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to set".
At this point, the system is awaiting a "Set cruise" command from the operator in order to establish a neW set speed by generating the SET SPEED signal. If such a command is not received within a predetermined time period, the system will time out to the trained state ~unction and the vehicle will continue to coast until otherwise commanded by the operator.
3~i Referring to Figure 3c, there is shown the vocal instructions and the associated system responses~required to cause the microcomputer to generate either the RESUME signal or the ACCEL signal. As shown in Figure 3c, once the system is in the trained state, a vocal instruction "Resume speed"
by the operator causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control Unit responds With the phrase "Ready to resUme", At this time, in order to cause the system to generate the RES~ME signal, the operator mUst respond a second time With the phrase "Resume speed" within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the phrase "Resume speed"
within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition. If, however, the operator responds with the second "Resume speed" command within the allotted time period, the system enters a state wherein the RESUM~ signal is generated to the speed control unit and all other control signals are cancelled.
Also, as shown in Figure 3c, the operator can instruct the speed control system to accelerate the vehicle. This is accomplished by first commanding the unit to "Accel-bump".
This causes the system to enter a state wherein the voice control unit responds with the phrase "Ready to accel". At this time, in order to generate the ACCEL signal, the operator must again respond with the phrase "Accel-bump"
within a predetermined time period. If the operator responds with a "No", the system returns to the trained state. Also, if the operator does not respond with the command "Accel-bump", within a predetermined time period, the system times out to the trained state condition. If the "Accel-bump" command is received within the allotted time period, the system enters a state and responds with the phrase "Accelerating". At this point, the system enters a function wherein the voice control unit will generate the ACCEL signal to the speed control Unit for a predetermined ~ 56 time period such as, for example, three seconds, and then generate a SET SP~ED signal to set the speed at the increased level. By limiting the time period the vehicle can accelerate, uncontrolled acceleration is prevente~. If, prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period, the operator responds with a "No", the voice control unit will automatically cancel the ACCEL signal and generate a S~T SP~D signal to hold the speed at the level it was when the ACC~ signal was cancelled.
In accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes, the principles and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in what is considered to represent the preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departinq from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A speed control system for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising:
voice recognition means responsive to a plurality of individual vocal instructions from a vehicle operator for generating a plurality of control signals for operating the speed control system;
means for receiving and storing a plurality of voice template signals each representing a separate one of said individual vocal instructions;
said voice recognition means operable to recognize a particular vocal instruction by the operator and for generating a set speed signal representing a desired speed of the vehicle;
and control means responsive to said set speed signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the desired speed.
voice recognition means responsive to a plurality of individual vocal instructions from a vehicle operator for generating a plurality of control signals for operating the speed control system;
means for receiving and storing a plurality of voice template signals each representing a separate one of said individual vocal instructions;
said voice recognition means operable to recognize a particular vocal instruction by the operator and for generating a set speed signal representing a desired speed of the vehicle;
and control means responsive to said set speed signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the desired speed.
2. The speed control system according to claim 1 including voice synthesis means responsive to said vocal instruction for generating a vocal announcement to the vehicle operator confirming that said vocal instruction has been received by said voice recognition means.
3. The speed control system according to claim 1 wherein said vocal instruction is a first vocal instruction and said voice recognition means is responsive to a second vocal instruction from the vehicle operator for generating said set speed signal only when said second vocal instruction is received by said voice recognition means within a predetermined time after said first vocal instruction is received.
4. The speed control system according to claim 3 including voice synthesis means responsive to said first vocal instruction for generating a first vocal announcement confirming that said first vocal instruction has been received by said voice recognition means and responsive to said second vocal instruction for generating a second vocal announcement indicating that said set speed signal has been supplied to said control means.
5. The speed control system according to claim 4 wherein said voice recognition means is responsive to a third vocal instruction from the vehicle operator for preventing said set speed signal from being generated unless said first vocal instruction is again received from the vehicle operator and is followed by said second vocal instruction within said predetermined time period.
6. The speed control system according to claim 1 wherein said vocal instruction is a first vocal instruction and said voice recognition means is responsive to a second vocal instruction for generating an accel signal, said voice recognition means adapted to automatically discontinue the generation of said accel signal after a predetermined time period, said control means responsive to said accel signal for accelerating the vehicle to an increased speed.
7. The speed control system according to claim 6 wherein said voice recognition means is responsive to a third vocal instruction for discontinuing the generation of said accel signal prior to the expiration of said predetermined time period.
8. The speed control system according to claim 6 including means responsive to said accel signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the increased speed.
9. The speed control system according to claim 1 wherein said vocal instruction is a first vocal instruction and said voice recognition means is responsive to a second vocal instruction for generating a coast signal, said control means responsive to said coast signal for decelerating the vehicle, a voice synthesis means responsive to said second vocal instruction for generating a vocal announcement that the vehicle is coasting, said voice recognition means responsive to a third vocal instruction for generating said set speed signal.
10. The speed control system according to claim 1 wherein said speed control system further comprises a training means including voice synthesis means for sequentially producing separate vocal announcements representing each one of said plurality of vocal instructions, said voice recognition means responsive to a vocal instruction received from the operator after each of said vocal announcements is produced for converting said vocal instructions to a voice template signal, and means for storing each of said voice template signals in a separate location corresponding to a selected one of said vocal announcements.
11. The speed control system according to claim 10 wherein said training means includes means for generating an operator identification signal representing a selected one of a plurality of vehicle operators for which said voice template signals are to be stored, and said means for storing is responsive to said operator identification signal for storing said voice template signals in memory locations corresponding to the selected operator.
12. The speed control system according to claim 10 wherein said training means includes means for comparing each of said stored voice template signals to one another and means for providing an indication to the operator in the event any two of the stored template signals are not sufficiently distinct from one another.
13. The speed control system according to claim 10 wherein said training means includes means for providing an indication to the operator that a separate voice template signal
14 corresponding to each of said vocal instructions has been stored.
14. A speed control system for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising:
means for generating a set speed signal representing a desired vehicle speed;
means responsive to said set speed signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the desired speed;
means for generating an accel signal, said means for generating said accel signal adapted to automatically discontinue the generation of said accel signal after a predetermined time period; and means responsive to said accel signal for accelerating the vehicle to an increased speed.
14. A speed control system for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising:
means for generating a set speed signal representing a desired vehicle speed;
means responsive to said set speed signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the desired speed;
means for generating an accel signal, said means for generating said accel signal adapted to automatically discontinue the generation of said accel signal after a predetermined time period; and means responsive to said accel signal for accelerating the vehicle to an increased speed.
15. The speed control system according to claim 14 including means for generating a disable signal, said means for generating said accel signal responsive to said disable signal for discontinuing the generation of said accel signal prior to the expiration of said predetermined time period.
16. The speed control system according to claim 14 including means responsive to said accel signal for maintaining the vehicle speed at the increased speed.
17. A method of receiving and storing a plurality of voice template signals representing vocal instructions for operating a voice activated control system, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) producing a vocal announcement representing a selected one of a plurality of voice template signals to be stored;
(b) receiving a vocal instruction from an operator representing the vocal announcement of step (a);
(c) converting said vocal instruction to a voice template signal;
(d) storing said voice template signal; and (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of said voice template signals to be stored.
(a) producing a vocal announcement representing a selected one of a plurality of voice template signals to be stored;
(b) receiving a vocal instruction from an operator representing the vocal announcement of step (a);
(c) converting said vocal instruction to a voice template signal;
(d) storing said voice template signal; and (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of said voice template signals to be stored.
18. The method according to claim 17 including, prior to step (a), the step of generating a signal representing a selected one of a plurality of operators for which said voice template signals are to he stored and step (d) stores said voice template signals in a memory location corresponding to the selected operator.
19. The method according to claim 17 including, subsequent to step (e), the step of comparing said voice template signals stored in step (d) to one another and providing an indication to the operator in the event any two of the stored template signals are not sufficiently distinct from one another.
20. The method according to claim 17 including, subsequent to step (e), the step of providing an indication to the operator that the training sequence is complete.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US73028685A | 1985-05-03 | 1985-05-03 | |
| US730,286 | 1996-10-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1294356C true CA1294356C (en) | 1992-01-14 |
Family
ID=24934710
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000508400A Expired - Lifetime CA1294356C (en) | 1985-05-03 | 1986-05-05 | Voice actuated vehicle speed control system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| KR (1) | KR860008895A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1294356C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3612691A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2581461A1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE8602035L (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4435705A1 (en) * | 1994-10-06 | 1996-04-11 | Manfred Roessle | Method and device for limiting the speed of a motor vehicle |
| DE10006008A1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2001-08-02 | Audi Ag | Speed control of a road vehicle is made by spoken commands processed and fed to an engine speed controller |
| DE102006053934A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-29 | Siemens Ag | Method and device for operating a cruise control system |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5653928A (en) * | 1979-10-04 | 1981-05-13 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Voice data transmission system for motor-vehicle |
| JPS57118299A (en) * | 1981-01-14 | 1982-07-23 | Nissan Motor | Voice load driver |
| DE3273523D1 (en) * | 1982-05-19 | 1986-11-06 | Nissan Motor | Speech recognition system for an automotive vehicle |
| FR2533513B1 (en) * | 1982-09-23 | 1989-03-03 | Renault | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING ON BOARD A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPLEX INFORMATION RELATING TO THE VEHICLE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT |
-
1986
- 1986-04-15 DE DE19863612691 patent/DE3612691A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-05-02 FR FR8606404A patent/FR2581461A1/en active Pending
- 1986-05-02 SE SE8602035A patent/SE8602035L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-05-02 KR KR1019860003460A patent/KR860008895A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-05-05 CA CA000508400A patent/CA1294356C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2581461A1 (en) | 1986-11-07 |
| SE8602035D0 (en) | 1986-05-02 |
| KR860008895A (en) | 1986-12-19 |
| DE3612691A1 (en) | 1986-11-06 |
| SE8602035L (en) | 1986-11-04 |
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