CA2058644C - Voice activated telephone set - Google Patents
Voice activated telephone setInfo
- Publication number
- CA2058644C CA2058644C CA002058644A CA2058644A CA2058644C CA 2058644 C CA2058644 C CA 2058644C CA 002058644 A CA002058644 A CA 002058644A CA 2058644 A CA2058644 A CA 2058644A CA 2058644 C CA2058644 C CA 2058644C
- Authority
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- user
- commands
- group
- identifier
- storing
- 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
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000002194 synthesizing effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42204—Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2201/00—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems
- H04M2201/40—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems using speech recognition
Abstract
A method of operating a central call control apparatus by plural users is comprised of storing an identification of each user in a directory, storing in compressed form a plurality of predetermined commands spoken by the users, grouped by user, each group with a pointer to a corresponding identification in the directory, indicating an identification in the directory of a service demanding user wishing to initiate a command, upon receipt of a service demanding signal, retrieving a corresponding group of commands linked by the pointer to the identification, and decompressing and storing the group of commands, receiving spoken command words from the service demanding user, comparing the spoken command words with the decompressed group of commands to find decompressed command words, and invoking commands for which command words are found corresponding to decompressed commands in the decompressed group of commands.
Description
205~6~
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of voice activated systems, and in particular to voice activation of call control systems such as telephone switching equipment.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION:
Voice recognition systems which could be used to activate switching equipment or to operate station equipment such as computers and telephone sets have been known for some time. One technique to enable operation of the equipment is to perform an analysis of the words spoken, and to compare the results of the analysis with a standardized database stored in mass storage memory.
In another technique, a learning process is used, in which successive correct comparison (hits) reinforce the detection of common sounds of various users which are spoken to generate a particular response. As the system learns, the speed of locating the particular "hit"
increases.
Both of the above techniques, used separately or in combination, require sophisticated analysis of the spoken words, and are therefore costly in terms of equipment and analysis time. Consequently they have been used in centralized systems, where they can be 2s shared amongst many users. The complexity and cost of such systems have been found to be very high.
Another form of system which has been used is associated with each telephone set, with voice signals stored at each telephone set. Users speak commands, which are recognized in the telephone set based voice recognition system by comparison of the voice command signal with the stored audio signal.
Such systems are required to be provided for each telephone set, which makes the telephone set very costly.
20586~
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT lNV~NllON:
The present invention is a centralized system, in which the voices of designated users are digitized and stored at a central location. Particular words are stored of a limited command vocabulary. Each voice signal is digitized, the digitized commands are grouped, linked by a code associated with a user's telephone, compressed and stored as data in a centralized mass storage device.
When a user activates a telephone, the associated data group is retrieved from storage, decompressed and placed in a virtual memory. When the user speaks one of the system commands, the spoken command is digitized and compared against the stored commands in the virtual memory. When a match is found the associated system function is initiated. Typically up to twenty system commands are used.
The present invention has several advantages over the noted prior art systems. The equipment is centralized, used in common with all users, therefore avoiding the requirement that each telephone set should have a recognition system and voice storage device built into or connected to it. However because only a particularly designated (predetermined) group of commands, associated with particular users are stored, sophisticated voice recognition and analysis equipment for all possible voices and all possible words is not required. Once the identity of a voice has been determined, it is comparable against only a small number of commands, e.g. twenty, and therefore determination of words from a large dictionary for reproduction on display or printing equipment is not required. The establishment of a command "hit" of a small number of commands causes the equipment to execute the command.
One may consider the comparison between a voice recognition system which controls automatic typing or display of words, with the present invention. In the former system, analysis must be made of each word, a S comparison is made with a dictionary stored in a mass storage device, and the word is displayed on a CRT
display or printer. In such a system the equipment must be capable of discerning the words spoken for all potential users (who may have different voices, different accents, etc.). This could involve every potential speaker of the language, e.g. millions of persons. Clearly such equipment must be very sophisticated and is costly to provide.
On the other hand, in the present invention, certain specific commands are stored associated with a single user. The comparison equipment need only find a correspondence between the command spoken by that same user and his previously stored command. Clearly the process of comparison of the spoken command and the stored command, to find a hit, is vastly simpler. The equipment is used in common with all potential users of their respective telephones, reducing the cost per user even further.
Once a single user has been identified as wanting to use the system, all of his or her potential commands are placed in virtual memory, ready for comparison of the command. In accordance with the present invention, there are two steps to the retrieval process, the recognition of a particular user, which causes retrieval of all of that person's stored commands to virtual memory, and the subsequent recognition of the particular word sound corresponding to a command.
Consequently the process of determining the particular commands spoken is vastly simpler than in the prior art system described above.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of voice activated systems, and in particular to voice activation of call control systems such as telephone switching equipment.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION:
Voice recognition systems which could be used to activate switching equipment or to operate station equipment such as computers and telephone sets have been known for some time. One technique to enable operation of the equipment is to perform an analysis of the words spoken, and to compare the results of the analysis with a standardized database stored in mass storage memory.
In another technique, a learning process is used, in which successive correct comparison (hits) reinforce the detection of common sounds of various users which are spoken to generate a particular response. As the system learns, the speed of locating the particular "hit"
increases.
Both of the above techniques, used separately or in combination, require sophisticated analysis of the spoken words, and are therefore costly in terms of equipment and analysis time. Consequently they have been used in centralized systems, where they can be 2s shared amongst many users. The complexity and cost of such systems have been found to be very high.
Another form of system which has been used is associated with each telephone set, with voice signals stored at each telephone set. Users speak commands, which are recognized in the telephone set based voice recognition system by comparison of the voice command signal with the stored audio signal.
Such systems are required to be provided for each telephone set, which makes the telephone set very costly.
20586~
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT lNV~NllON:
The present invention is a centralized system, in which the voices of designated users are digitized and stored at a central location. Particular words are stored of a limited command vocabulary. Each voice signal is digitized, the digitized commands are grouped, linked by a code associated with a user's telephone, compressed and stored as data in a centralized mass storage device.
When a user activates a telephone, the associated data group is retrieved from storage, decompressed and placed in a virtual memory. When the user speaks one of the system commands, the spoken command is digitized and compared against the stored commands in the virtual memory. When a match is found the associated system function is initiated. Typically up to twenty system commands are used.
The present invention has several advantages over the noted prior art systems. The equipment is centralized, used in common with all users, therefore avoiding the requirement that each telephone set should have a recognition system and voice storage device built into or connected to it. However because only a particularly designated (predetermined) group of commands, associated with particular users are stored, sophisticated voice recognition and analysis equipment for all possible voices and all possible words is not required. Once the identity of a voice has been determined, it is comparable against only a small number of commands, e.g. twenty, and therefore determination of words from a large dictionary for reproduction on display or printing equipment is not required. The establishment of a command "hit" of a small number of commands causes the equipment to execute the command.
One may consider the comparison between a voice recognition system which controls automatic typing or display of words, with the present invention. In the former system, analysis must be made of each word, a S comparison is made with a dictionary stored in a mass storage device, and the word is displayed on a CRT
display or printer. In such a system the equipment must be capable of discerning the words spoken for all potential users (who may have different voices, different accents, etc.). This could involve every potential speaker of the language, e.g. millions of persons. Clearly such equipment must be very sophisticated and is costly to provide.
On the other hand, in the present invention, certain specific commands are stored associated with a single user. The comparison equipment need only find a correspondence between the command spoken by that same user and his previously stored command. Clearly the process of comparison of the spoken command and the stored command, to find a hit, is vastly simpler. The equipment is used in common with all potential users of their respective telephones, reducing the cost per user even further.
Once a single user has been identified as wanting to use the system, all of his or her potential commands are placed in virtual memory, ready for comparison of the command. In accordance with the present invention, there are two steps to the retrieval process, the recognition of a particular user, which causes retrieval of all of that person's stored commands to virtual memory, and the subsequent recognition of the particular word sound corresponding to a command.
Consequently the process of determining the particular commands spoken is vastly simpler than in the prior art system described above.
2~58644 In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a central call control apparatus by plural users is comprised of storing an identification of each user in a directory, storing in S compressed form a plurality of predetermined commands spoken by the users grouped by user, each group having a pointer to a corresponding identification in the directory, indicating an identification in the directory of a service demanding user wishing to initiate a command upon receipt of a service demanding signal, retrieving a corresponding group of commands linked by the pointer to the identification and decompressing and storing the group of commands, receiving spoken command words from the service demanding user, comparing the spoken command words with the decompressed group of commands to find decompressed command words, and invoking commands for which command words are found corresponding to compressed commands in the decompressed group of commands.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of operating a voice activation system is comprised of the steps of storing a plurality of system control signals, automatically prompting a user by a synthesized voice prompt to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, digitizing and storing each spoken operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, storing a group of the digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of the user, receiving an identifier signal associated with the user, and in response, retrieving the group of operation commands from the mass storage device and storing the group in a second memory, receiving spoken commands from the user and digitizing the commands, comparing the digitized spoken commands with the operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and generating successive system control signals corresponding to the matched commands and utilizing associated pointers thereof to operate the system.
In accordance with another embodiment, a voice activation system is comprising of apparatus for storing a plurality of system control signals, apparatus for automatically prompting a user to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, apparatus for digitizing each spoken operation command and storing each digitized operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, apparatus for storing a group of the digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of the user, apparatus for receiving an identifier signal associated with the user, and in response, retrieving the compressed group of operation commands from the mass storage device, apparatus for retrieving the group of operation commands and pointers and storing them in a second memory, apparatus for receiving spoken commands from the user and for digitizing the commands, apparatus for comparing the digitized spoken commands with the operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and apparatus for generating successive system control signals corresponding to the matched commands, utilizing associated pointers thereof, to operate the system.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS:
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reference to the detailed description below, in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
-6- 2~s86g4 Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram used to illustrate the process and hardware of an embodiment of the present S invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a process of establishing the system for a particular user, Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 but used to illustrate another aspect of the process, Figure 5 is a block diagram used to illustrate operation of the system in dialing a call, and Figure 6 is a block diagram used to illustrate operation of the system to implement a special feature call.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram apparatus which can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. A representative telephone set 1 is connected via a subscriber's line to a switching machine 3, which is controlled by a processor 5. Various trunks and other peripherals are connected to the switching machine 3 in a well known manner.
A peripheral connected to switching machine 3 in a manner in which it can be connected by the switching machine to any of the telephone sets is a digitizer 11. The output of a voice synthesizer 9 is connected to the same peripheral terminal as the digitizer 11. A memory is connected to the output of the digitizer 11 containing a directory 13. A memory 15 is also connected to the output of digitizer 11, as well as a compressor/decompressor 17. Additional memories, referred to as voice boxes l9A-19N are connected to compressor/decompressor 17. The input to the voice synthesizer 9 is connected to the memory 15 for 20~644 receiving signals which can be converted to synthesized speech, and applied to the peripheral terminal on the switching machine 3.
Each of the voice synthesizer and memories is connected for control to processor 5. Alternatively a separate processor may be used.
The switching machine 3 may be implemented using for example the Mitel SX2000~, a system as described in U.S. Patent 4,615,028. In such systems, any of the peripherals can have access to other peripherals for translation of circuit signals or message signals, i.e. information including signalling and control signals. Switching systems other than the above-mentioned may be used.
Operation of the invention will be described below with further reference to Figures 2-6.
In order to establish the operation of the invention, a user alerts the system by pressing a predetermined key or his telephone set 1. The switching system, under control of processor 5, establishes a connection between telephone set 1 and digitizer 11, through to directory 13. Under control of the processor, the identity of the telephone set (user) is stored in the directory 13.
Turning now to Figure 3, it may be seen that when the system is alerted as described above, it establishes in the directory the identity of the particular user. The identity of three users, identified as User Code A, User Code B and User Code C
are shown as stored. As shown, when user B alerts the system, under control of the microprocessor a "voice box" (memory record space) for user B is established in memory 15. Once this is established, a sequence of stored prompts generate code which is passed to voice synthesizer 9, which generates speech which is passed to the telephone set, through the switching machine. The prompts request the user to repeat the prompts, e.g. as shown in Figure 3, to repeat the words "dial", "1", "2", ..., and a sequence of offered feature names, such as "call forward".
The user repeats the prompts, which repeated prompts are passed through digitizer 11, and are stored as digital signals in the voice box for user B in the system memory. The voice box of user B also contains, with each digitized repeated prompt, a pointer to a system command signal corresponding to each word, e.g. a "dial" pointer, a "1" pointer, a "2" pointer, a particular feature pointer, etc. These pointers are used to initiate the generation of the command signal, e.g. the generation of the digit 1, etc.
As shown in Figure 4, once the repeated prompts have been stored in the system, the digitized voice and pointers (the voice box of the user) are compressed in compressor/decompressor 17, and stored as a group in a mass storage device with a link to the system directory. This is repeated for each of the users, as they come on stream.
Therefore in the system memory, a directory 13 contains a link by means of pointers to each user. In the mass storage, there is a stored voice box for each of the users, in which each voice box contains compressed prompts of the voice of the corresponding user, for each command. Each voice box contains a link to the directory entry for the particular user.
With reference to Figure 5, in order to utilize the system, the user, e.g. user B, alerts the system by pressing a telephone set key to generate a multi-frequency tone or tones or by saying the user's name, after the switching system 3 connects the telephone set 1 to the particular peripheral line to ~9~ 2058644 which digitizer 11 is connected. The signal resulting from pressing the set key or saying the name is digitized in digitizer 11, and is compared under control of or by processor 5 with the data stored in the system S directory 13. The task is not onerous, since only those names, in the voices of particular users are stored in directory 13. On finding a match, the link to the voice box corresponding to the matched voice causes the voice box to be retrieved. The voice box signals are decompressed and stored in memory 15, preferably in virtual memory in order to minimize the memory requirements. Once the voice box has been retrieved, the system is set for receiving spoken commands, and microprocessor 5, recognizing that the user's voice box lS has been stored in memory 15 causes dial tone to be passed to the telephone set.
The user then speaks the required words or phrases, e.g. "dial", "7", "2", ... i.e. a command to dial a particular telephone number. The voice signals are digitized in digitizer 11, and are compared, by means of microprocessor 5, with the data stored in the decompressed voice box in memory 15 for that particular user, e.g. in the example shown, user B. It will be recognized that since in the voice of the particular user particular commands have been prestored in the voice box, the task of comparing the digitized command signals with those in the voice box is significantly easier and quicker than if an expected comparison of any voice with any word were to be contemplated. The only voice to be compared with is the actual voice giving the commands.
With the finding of a match of a command, the pointer corresponding to the matched words, e.g. to begin dialing followed by the designation of a particular number to be dialed, is obtained. The -lO- 2058644 command pointers stored with the voice box commands are retrieved by microprocessor 5, and are used to control the switching system to execute the desired operation.
Figure 6 illustrates operation of the invention when invoking a feature, and corresponds to the lower portion of Figure 5. The figure illustrates that a dialed tone has been provided back to the user, as described above.
However in this case, rather than saying "dial" or a numeral, the user says the name of a feature, e.g. "call forward". After digitizing, a comparison is carried out in which the "call forward"
feature stored in the voice box of user B is found. In this case the pointer points to a feature operation and description list 21 in the mass storage, and retrieves corresponding call forward command data signals stored therein. The corresponding data signals pass into the memory 15. Under control of microprocessor 5 accessing the call forward operation and description data signals, the user is interactively stepped through the required feature operation steps. For example, the words "state the number that you wish calls to be forwarded to and then say the word TRANSFER" can be retrieved from memory 15, and passed to voice synthesizer 9, which translates the sentence into analog which is passed via the subscriber's line to the user telephone 1. The user then states the numbers, which are compared with the stored numbers in the voice box stored in memory 15.
The resulting pointers, and the working of the call forwarding feature as described above, are used by the system to control the switching machine forward future calls to the designated telephone line.
Thus the telephone system in effect mimics the user friendly operation of the old fashioned telephone operator, in which the user can speak and have the system reach and respond to his or her commands. Where sophisticated features are to be used, the user hears, in a friendly and understandable voice, instructions on how to invoke the feature which instructions can be carried out in a conversational procedure.
Because the system has stored predetermined command words from particular users by voice prompts, it is a relatively simple task to compare the spoken commands with the stored voice signals relating to those lo commands. The system can therefore operate at high speed, and a centralized system can be used for a large number of users. With the stored signals being located in the described voice boxes in a compressed form, such a system can be provided with relatively low cost to a large number of users.
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above. All of those which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of operating a voice activation system is comprised of the steps of storing a plurality of system control signals, automatically prompting a user by a synthesized voice prompt to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, digitizing and storing each spoken operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, storing a group of the digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of the user, receiving an identifier signal associated with the user, and in response, retrieving the group of operation commands from the mass storage device and storing the group in a second memory, receiving spoken commands from the user and digitizing the commands, comparing the digitized spoken commands with the operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and generating successive system control signals corresponding to the matched commands and utilizing associated pointers thereof to operate the system.
In accordance with another embodiment, a voice activation system is comprising of apparatus for storing a plurality of system control signals, apparatus for automatically prompting a user to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, apparatus for digitizing each spoken operation command and storing each digitized operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, apparatus for storing a group of the digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of the user, apparatus for receiving an identifier signal associated with the user, and in response, retrieving the compressed group of operation commands from the mass storage device, apparatus for retrieving the group of operation commands and pointers and storing them in a second memory, apparatus for receiving spoken commands from the user and for digitizing the commands, apparatus for comparing the digitized spoken commands with the operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and apparatus for generating successive system control signals corresponding to the matched commands, utilizing associated pointers thereof, to operate the system.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS:
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reference to the detailed description below, in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
-6- 2~s86g4 Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram used to illustrate the process and hardware of an embodiment of the present S invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a process of establishing the system for a particular user, Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 but used to illustrate another aspect of the process, Figure 5 is a block diagram used to illustrate operation of the system in dialing a call, and Figure 6 is a block diagram used to illustrate operation of the system to implement a special feature call.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram apparatus which can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. A representative telephone set 1 is connected via a subscriber's line to a switching machine 3, which is controlled by a processor 5. Various trunks and other peripherals are connected to the switching machine 3 in a well known manner.
A peripheral connected to switching machine 3 in a manner in which it can be connected by the switching machine to any of the telephone sets is a digitizer 11. The output of a voice synthesizer 9 is connected to the same peripheral terminal as the digitizer 11. A memory is connected to the output of the digitizer 11 containing a directory 13. A memory 15 is also connected to the output of digitizer 11, as well as a compressor/decompressor 17. Additional memories, referred to as voice boxes l9A-19N are connected to compressor/decompressor 17. The input to the voice synthesizer 9 is connected to the memory 15 for 20~644 receiving signals which can be converted to synthesized speech, and applied to the peripheral terminal on the switching machine 3.
Each of the voice synthesizer and memories is connected for control to processor 5. Alternatively a separate processor may be used.
The switching machine 3 may be implemented using for example the Mitel SX2000~, a system as described in U.S. Patent 4,615,028. In such systems, any of the peripherals can have access to other peripherals for translation of circuit signals or message signals, i.e. information including signalling and control signals. Switching systems other than the above-mentioned may be used.
Operation of the invention will be described below with further reference to Figures 2-6.
In order to establish the operation of the invention, a user alerts the system by pressing a predetermined key or his telephone set 1. The switching system, under control of processor 5, establishes a connection between telephone set 1 and digitizer 11, through to directory 13. Under control of the processor, the identity of the telephone set (user) is stored in the directory 13.
Turning now to Figure 3, it may be seen that when the system is alerted as described above, it establishes in the directory the identity of the particular user. The identity of three users, identified as User Code A, User Code B and User Code C
are shown as stored. As shown, when user B alerts the system, under control of the microprocessor a "voice box" (memory record space) for user B is established in memory 15. Once this is established, a sequence of stored prompts generate code which is passed to voice synthesizer 9, which generates speech which is passed to the telephone set, through the switching machine. The prompts request the user to repeat the prompts, e.g. as shown in Figure 3, to repeat the words "dial", "1", "2", ..., and a sequence of offered feature names, such as "call forward".
The user repeats the prompts, which repeated prompts are passed through digitizer 11, and are stored as digital signals in the voice box for user B in the system memory. The voice box of user B also contains, with each digitized repeated prompt, a pointer to a system command signal corresponding to each word, e.g. a "dial" pointer, a "1" pointer, a "2" pointer, a particular feature pointer, etc. These pointers are used to initiate the generation of the command signal, e.g. the generation of the digit 1, etc.
As shown in Figure 4, once the repeated prompts have been stored in the system, the digitized voice and pointers (the voice box of the user) are compressed in compressor/decompressor 17, and stored as a group in a mass storage device with a link to the system directory. This is repeated for each of the users, as they come on stream.
Therefore in the system memory, a directory 13 contains a link by means of pointers to each user. In the mass storage, there is a stored voice box for each of the users, in which each voice box contains compressed prompts of the voice of the corresponding user, for each command. Each voice box contains a link to the directory entry for the particular user.
With reference to Figure 5, in order to utilize the system, the user, e.g. user B, alerts the system by pressing a telephone set key to generate a multi-frequency tone or tones or by saying the user's name, after the switching system 3 connects the telephone set 1 to the particular peripheral line to ~9~ 2058644 which digitizer 11 is connected. The signal resulting from pressing the set key or saying the name is digitized in digitizer 11, and is compared under control of or by processor 5 with the data stored in the system S directory 13. The task is not onerous, since only those names, in the voices of particular users are stored in directory 13. On finding a match, the link to the voice box corresponding to the matched voice causes the voice box to be retrieved. The voice box signals are decompressed and stored in memory 15, preferably in virtual memory in order to minimize the memory requirements. Once the voice box has been retrieved, the system is set for receiving spoken commands, and microprocessor 5, recognizing that the user's voice box lS has been stored in memory 15 causes dial tone to be passed to the telephone set.
The user then speaks the required words or phrases, e.g. "dial", "7", "2", ... i.e. a command to dial a particular telephone number. The voice signals are digitized in digitizer 11, and are compared, by means of microprocessor 5, with the data stored in the decompressed voice box in memory 15 for that particular user, e.g. in the example shown, user B. It will be recognized that since in the voice of the particular user particular commands have been prestored in the voice box, the task of comparing the digitized command signals with those in the voice box is significantly easier and quicker than if an expected comparison of any voice with any word were to be contemplated. The only voice to be compared with is the actual voice giving the commands.
With the finding of a match of a command, the pointer corresponding to the matched words, e.g. to begin dialing followed by the designation of a particular number to be dialed, is obtained. The -lO- 2058644 command pointers stored with the voice box commands are retrieved by microprocessor 5, and are used to control the switching system to execute the desired operation.
Figure 6 illustrates operation of the invention when invoking a feature, and corresponds to the lower portion of Figure 5. The figure illustrates that a dialed tone has been provided back to the user, as described above.
However in this case, rather than saying "dial" or a numeral, the user says the name of a feature, e.g. "call forward". After digitizing, a comparison is carried out in which the "call forward"
feature stored in the voice box of user B is found. In this case the pointer points to a feature operation and description list 21 in the mass storage, and retrieves corresponding call forward command data signals stored therein. The corresponding data signals pass into the memory 15. Under control of microprocessor 5 accessing the call forward operation and description data signals, the user is interactively stepped through the required feature operation steps. For example, the words "state the number that you wish calls to be forwarded to and then say the word TRANSFER" can be retrieved from memory 15, and passed to voice synthesizer 9, which translates the sentence into analog which is passed via the subscriber's line to the user telephone 1. The user then states the numbers, which are compared with the stored numbers in the voice box stored in memory 15.
The resulting pointers, and the working of the call forwarding feature as described above, are used by the system to control the switching machine forward future calls to the designated telephone line.
Thus the telephone system in effect mimics the user friendly operation of the old fashioned telephone operator, in which the user can speak and have the system reach and respond to his or her commands. Where sophisticated features are to be used, the user hears, in a friendly and understandable voice, instructions on how to invoke the feature which instructions can be carried out in a conversational procedure.
Because the system has stored predetermined command words from particular users by voice prompts, it is a relatively simple task to compare the spoken commands with the stored voice signals relating to those lo commands. The system can therefore operate at high speed, and a centralized system can be used for a large number of users. With the stored signals being located in the described voice boxes in a compressed form, such a system can be provided with relatively low cost to a large number of users.
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above. All of those which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.
Claims (12)
1. A method of operating a voice activated system, comprising the steps of:
(a) storing a plurality of system control signals, (b) automatically prompting a user by a synthesized voice prompt to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, (c) digitizing and storing each spoken operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, (d) storing a group of said digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of said user, (e) receiving an identifier signal associated with said user, and in response retrieving said group of operation commands from the mass storage device via said link and storing said group in a second memory, (f) receiving spoken commands from said user and digitizing said commands, (g) comparing said digitized spoken commands with said operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and (h) generating successive system control signals corresponding to said matched commands, and utilizing associated pointers thereof to operate said system.
(a) storing a plurality of system control signals, (b) automatically prompting a user by a synthesized voice prompt to speak a sequence of operation commands for the system, (c) digitizing and storing each spoken operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, (d) storing a group of said digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of said user, (e) receiving an identifier signal associated with said user, and in response retrieving said group of operation commands from the mass storage device via said link and storing said group in a second memory, (f) receiving spoken commands from said user and digitizing said commands, (g) comparing said digitized spoken commands with said operation commands stored in the second memory to find successive matches, and (h) generating successive system control signals corresponding to said matched commands, and utilizing associated pointers thereof to operate said system.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
(a) compressing said group of said digitized operation commands and pointers prior to said step of storing said group in said mass storage device, and (b) decompressing said group of operation commands and pointers after said step of retrieving said group from said mass storage device and prior to said step of storing said group in said second memory.
(a) compressing said group of said digitized operation commands and pointers prior to said step of storing said group in said mass storage device, and (b) decompressing said group of operation commands and pointers after said step of retrieving said group from said mass storage device and prior to said step of storing said group in said second memory.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said automatically prompting step further comprises the step of prompting said user to speak said identifier of said user and digitizing said identifier of said user.
4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and digitizing said identifier of said user prior to said step of storing said group of said digitized operation commands and pointers.
receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and digitizing said identifier of said user prior to said step of storing said group of said digitized operation commands and pointers.
5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and converting said spoken identifier into said identifier signal associated with said user prior to said step of receiving said identifier signal associated with said user.
receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and converting said spoken identifier into said identifier signal associated with said user prior to said step of receiving said identifier signal associated with said user.
6. A method as defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of:
storing said identifier of said user in a group of identifiers of users in the first memory.
storing said identifier of said user in a group of identifiers of users in the first memory.
7. A method as defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of:
storing said identifier of said user in a group of identifiers of users in the second memory.
storing said identifier of said user in a group of identifiers of users in the second memory.
8. A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and converting said spoken identifier into said identifier signal associated with said user prior to said step of receiving said identifier signal associated with said user, and (b) comparing said identifier signal associated with said user with said group of identifiers of users to find a match prior to said step of retrieving said group of operation commands from the mass storage device.
(a) receiving a spoken identifier of said user from said user and converting said spoken identifier into said identifier signal associated with said user prior to said step of receiving said identifier signal associated with said user, and (b) comparing said identifier signal associated with said user with said group of identifiers of users to find a match prior to said step of retrieving said group of operation commands from the mass storage device.
9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said automatically prompting step comprises the step of:
synthesizing a voice requesting said user interactively therewith to speak each one of said operation commands of said sequence of operation commands.
synthesizing a voice requesting said user interactively therewith to speak each one of said operation commands of said sequence of operation commands.
10. A voice activated system comprising:
(a) means for storing a plurality of system control signals, (b) means for automatically prompting a user to speak a sequence of operation commands, (c) means for digitizing each spoken operation command and storing each digitized operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, (d) means for storing a group of said digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of said user, (e) means for receiving an identifier signal associated with said user, and in response, retrieving said compressed group of operation commands from the mass storage device, (f) means for retrieving said group of operation commands and pointers and storing them in a second memory, (g) means for receiving spoken commands from said user and for digitizing said commands, (h) means for comparing said digitized spoken commands with said operation commands stored in the second memory, to find successive matches, and (i) means for generating successive system control signals corresponding to said matched commands, utilizing associated pointers thereof, to operate said system.
(a) means for storing a plurality of system control signals, (b) means for automatically prompting a user to speak a sequence of operation commands, (c) means for digitizing each spoken operation command and storing each digitized operation command in a first memory with a pointer to a corresponding system control signal, (d) means for storing a group of said digitized operation commands and pointers in a mass storage device with a link to an identifier of said user, (e) means for receiving an identifier signal associated with said user, and in response, retrieving said compressed group of operation commands from the mass storage device, (f) means for retrieving said group of operation commands and pointers and storing them in a second memory, (g) means for receiving spoken commands from said user and for digitizing said commands, (h) means for comparing said digitized spoken commands with said operation commands stored in the second memory, to find successive matches, and (i) means for generating successive system control signals corresponding to said matched commands, utilizing associated pointers thereof, to operate said system.
11. A system as defined in claim 10, wherein:
said means for storing said group of operation commands and pointers comprises means for compressing said group of operation commands and pointers, and said means for retrieving said group of operation commands and pointers comprises means for decompressing said groups of operation commands and pointers.
said means for storing said group of operation commands and pointers comprises means for compressing said group of operation commands and pointers, and said means for retrieving said group of operation commands and pointers comprises means for decompressing said groups of operation commands and pointers.
12. A system as defined in claim 10, wherein:
said automatically prompting means comprises a voice synthesizer, said voice synthesizer synthesizing a voice requesting said user to speak each one of said operation commands of said sequence of operation commands.
said automatically prompting means comprises a voice synthesizer, said voice synthesizer synthesizing a voice requesting said user to speak each one of said operation commands of said sequence of operation commands.
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149012A CA2149012C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
| CA002058644A CA2058644C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
| ITMI922888A IT1256746B (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1992-12-18 | VOICE ACTIVATED TELEPHONE |
| DE4243181A DE4243181C2 (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1992-12-19 | Voice-controlled device and method for its operation |
| MX9207608A MX9207608A (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1992-12-29 | VOICE ACTIVATED TELEPHONE SET. |
| GB9227115A GB2263042B (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1992-12-30 | Voice activated system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002058644A CA2058644C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149012A Division CA2149012C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2058644A1 CA2058644A1 (en) | 1993-07-01 |
| CA2058644C true CA2058644C (en) | 1996-06-18 |
Family
ID=4149012
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149012A Expired - Lifetime CA2149012C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
| CA002058644A Expired - Lifetime CA2058644C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149012A Expired - Lifetime CA2149012C (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1991-12-31 | Voice activated telephone set |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA2149012C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4243181C2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2263042B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1256746B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9207608A (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4315947C2 (en) * | 1993-05-12 | 1995-11-16 | Siemens Ag | Arrangement for signal transmission between an audio device and a telephone device |
| JPH08274858A (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 1996-10-18 | Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co Ltd <Kdd> | Dialless call origination equipment |
| SE513993C2 (en) * | 1995-05-22 | 2000-12-11 | Telia Ab | Device and method of voice control of functions in a telecommunication system |
| US5960395A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1999-09-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Pattern matching method, apparatus and computer readable memory medium for speech recognition using dynamic programming |
| DE19730920A1 (en) * | 1997-07-18 | 1999-01-21 | Ise Interactive Systems Entwic | Computer system adapted for hands-free speech communications |
| US6804539B2 (en) | 1999-10-20 | 2004-10-12 | Curo Interactive Incorporated | Single action audio prompt interface utilizing binary state time domain multiple selection protocol |
| US9232037B2 (en) | 1999-10-20 | 2016-01-05 | Curo Interactive Incorporated | Single action sensory prompt interface utilising binary state time domain selection protocol |
| US6771982B1 (en) | 1999-10-20 | 2004-08-03 | Curo Interactive Incorporated | Single action audio prompt interface utlizing binary state time domain multiple selection protocol |
| DE10143292B4 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2015-06-03 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | language window |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4827520A (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1989-05-02 | Prince Corporation | Voice actuated control system for use in a vehicle |
-
1991
- 1991-12-31 CA CA002149012A patent/CA2149012C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-12-31 CA CA002058644A patent/CA2058644C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-12-18 IT ITMI922888A patent/IT1256746B/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-12-19 DE DE4243181A patent/DE4243181C2/en not_active Revoked
- 1992-12-29 MX MX9207608A patent/MX9207608A/en unknown
- 1992-12-30 GB GB9227115A patent/GB2263042B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ITMI922888A1 (en) | 1994-06-18 |
| CA2149012A1 (en) | 1993-07-01 |
| DE4243181C2 (en) | 1996-12-19 |
| GB2263042B (en) | 1995-06-28 |
| GB9227115D0 (en) | 1993-02-24 |
| DE4243181A1 (en) | 1993-07-01 |
| GB2263042A (en) | 1993-07-07 |
| ITMI922888A0 (en) | 1992-12-18 |
| CA2058644A1 (en) | 1993-07-01 |
| MX9207608A (en) | 1994-05-31 |
| IT1256746B (en) | 1995-12-15 |
| CA2149012C (en) | 1997-09-02 |
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