WO2007104845A1

WO2007104845A1 - Device for controlling a computer by cellphone

Info

Publication number: WO2007104845A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/000389
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel André SIMON
Original assignee: Simon Emmanuel Andre
Priority date: 2006-03-10
Filing date: 2007-03-06
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Also published as: FR2898419B1; FR2898419A1

Abstract

The device according to the invention essentially comprises an interface device (10) connected to a personal computer (1) by a USB connection (30). The interface device (10) transforms the electrical signals received on an infrared port (12) originating from a remote control (20) such as a cellphone into instruction commands that can be understood by the computer (1). The voice commands received by the cellphone (20) are thus transformed into commands that can be understood by the computer (1), and enable a user to fully control his computer (1) without modifying it.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING COMPUTERS BY CELLULAR TELEPHONE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that makes it possible to use a computer without the mouse and without the keyboard, by formulating instructions by voice.

Some people are reluctant to use a computer, either because of its complexity, or because they are visually impaired or disabled, so the use of the mouse or keyboard, in connection with a computer screen, is a difficult or complex operation.

EP 0 921 508 A2 discloses a device for using a multimedia device, by means of a remote control which communicates with the multimedia device by a wireless link, for example an infrared link. The remote control includes a microphone and an analog / digital converter, as well as keyboard keys. The user can choose to use the remote control to transmit commands via a keyboard or via the remote control's microphone depending on the position of a switch.

In the case where the user uses the microphone, the instructions of the user are transmitted from the remote control to the multimedia device by infrared, and they are then processed by a voice recognition mechanism to produce a control signal allowing the execution of the appropriate control function desired by the user.

Such a device requires the availability of a specific multimedia device, specially designed to understand itself the means of communication with the remote control, the voice recognition means, and the means for executing the commands.

But this solution is not adapted to the use of a conventional personal computer with keyboard, screen and central unit, which itself has a convenience of use consistent with the habits of users, unless you modify and complete substantially such a computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem proposed by the present invention is to design a device that is both compatible with current personal computers, that is to say that allows their use without modification of the computer itself or habits of the user, and simultaneously offers the user the new functionality of being able to use his personal computer by communicating his instructions and data to the voice. According to an improvement, the invention also aims at giving the device additional functions for generating confidential data files specific to the user, enabling him to communicate to the computer confidential transaction instructions such as purchases on a site. merchant to validate these instructions and allow them to be taken into account safely.

To achieve these and other aims, the invention provides a device for controlling a computer by means of interpretation and speech recognition, without mouse or keyboard; according to the invention: - it comprises an interface device, contained in a first housing, having at least one output port, adapted to be connected to the computer, and having at least one input port adapted to receive electrical signals image of a spoken word,

the interface device comprises a memory space, a processor, recognition programs adapted to ensure recognition of the spoken word from said electrical signals, and interpretation programs for interpreting the recognized word,

the interface device includes navigation programs adapted to determine the location path of all the folders, directories, programs and documents of the computer and to trigger their opening or their execution according to the interpretation of the spoken word .

By providing such a device, nothing must be changed in the user's personal computer, which uses only one input port. The user can continue to use his personal computer in a traditional way, without changing his habits. Simultaneously, thanks to the device connectable to the computer by an input port, for example the USB port, the user can control the voice computer to perform all the functions that it offers.

Preferably, the interface device comprises a search engine searchable by keywords and using the interpretation of the spoken word. This facilitates communication between the computer and the user, in the case where the computer has a large number of features.

In practice, to enter the input port electrical signals image of a spoken word, the device may advantageously comprise a portable remote control comprising, in a second housing: - a microphone receiving the sound wave of the spoken word and transforming it in electrical signals image of the spoken word, transmission means for transmitting to the input port of the interface device the electrical signals image of the spoken word.

The second housing may advantageously comprise a transmission enable button for sending to the interface device a signal indicating that the transmission of the analog or digital information of the spoken word has been completed. This arrangement significantly facilitates the recognition of orders, and allows the transmission of a succession of orders, without risk of confusion or mixture of successive orders.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the second housing may be a cellular telephone, which communicates for example with the interface device by wireless connection means, preferably by an infrared link.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the interface device may comprise:

- A mini double-sided scanner, integrated in the first housing, - A program for driving the mini scanner, to perform a character recognition on the scanned images, to generate a data file which is associated with an identity data of the first housing or the interface device, and to send to the computer said data file,

a program for controlling the computer to use said data file to purchase online on a merchant site.

In this way, the interface generates a file of confidential data allowing the user to execute transactions, for example commercial transactions on the Internet network.

Alternatively or in addition, the interface may include a smart card reader, integrated in the first housing, and a program for incorporating into the data file the data of the smart card. This completes the means for generating a file of confidential data for transactions on the Internet.

The confidentiality of data enabling transactions on the Internet can advantageously be completed by providing, in the device, a program able to name and rename the file of confidential data.

The identity of the first box or the interface device can then be used, by the correspondent, to rename the file and thus allow its reading.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective a control device according to one embodiment of the invention, associated with a computer;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates in perspective the general architecture of an interface device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and - Figure 3 illustrates, in perspective, a second housing according to one embodiment of the invention, which may be a cell phone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the device according to the invention makes it possible to control a personal computer 1 having a traditional structure, for example a computer comprising a main housing 2, a screen 3, a keyboard 4, a mouse 5 and connection means 6 for connection to a global communication network such as the Internet.

In the traditional way, the computer 1 also includes a USB port 7, and possibly a port 8 for connection to a local area network. The device according to the invention comprises an interface device 10, associated with a portable remote control 20. The interface device 10 communicates with the computer 1 by a communication line 30, and communicates with the remote control 20 by a link without thread 40.

The control line 30 may be, according to the invention, either a cable connecting the USB port 7 of the computer 1 to a USB port 11 of the interface 10, or a local area network connecting the local network port 8 of the computer 1 to a corresponding LAN port of the interface 10.

The wireless link 40 is established between an input port 12 of the interface 10 and an output port 21 of the remote control. It can advantageously be an infrared link between an infrared port 12 of the interface 10 and an infrared port

21 of the remote control 20. Alternatively, one can design a wireless connection by ultrasound, or radio waves.

However, the infrared link has the advantage of requiring no additional means on the remote control 20, the remote controls being most commonly equipped with an infrared port 21.

FIG. 2, which illustrates the essential means of the interface device 10, is now considered.

The interface device 10 is contained in a first housing 10a, behind which are accessible the USB port 11 and a network port 13 for the possible connection to a local network. On the front face, there is the infrared port 12, and three LEDs such as light-emitting diodes labeled 10b, 10c and 1 Od respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is further provided a memory card reader 14, with front access for the introduction of a memory card.

The interface device 10 further comprises, within the housing 10a, a processor 15, associated with a memory space 16 such as a hard disk, and containing appropriate programs for controlling the operation of the processor 15.

The processor 15 drives the memory space 16, and drives the card reader

14, powered by a power supply 17. The processor 15 also controls the light-emitting diodes 10b, 10c and 10d, and receives the signals from the infrared port 12, by sending the appropriate signals to the USB port 1 1 and possibly to the port network 13.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the interface device 10 further comprises a double-sided mini scanner 18, integrated in the first housing 10a, and adapted to scan both sides of an identity card. an user. The portable remote control 20 is contained in a second housing 20a, as shown in FIG. 3. On the outside of the housing 20a, the infrared port 21, the digital keys 22, and a button 23 accessible to the user are distinguished.

The portable remote control 20 is further provided with a microphone 24 for capturing the voice of the user.

Inside the second housing 20a, transmission means 25 are provided for transmitting to the input port 12 (FIG. 2) the interface device 10, via the infrared port 21 and the wireless link 40. , the electrical signals image of a word uttered by the user in the microphone 24.

The button 23 is a transmission enable button, which sends to the interface device 10 a signal indicating that the transmission of the word information uttered by the user in the microphone 24 is complete.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the portable remote control 20 can be made on the basis of a mobile phone which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, further comprises a screen 28, and a memory card port 26, as well as 27 navigation buttons in various menus of the cell phone.

Of course, a mobile phone with an infrared port should be used.

FIG. 2 is again considered. In the memory space 16, there are registered recognition programs 16a making it possible to ensure the recognition of a spoken word, from the electrical signals image of the spoken word, and which are received on the infrared input port 12.

The recognition can be done in a known manner, by comparing the sequence of electrical signals corresponding to the spoken word and a database of predetermined electrical signal sequences, each corresponding to one of the instructions that the user can give. to a computer 1.

In the memory space 16, interpretation programs 16b are also recorded for interpreting the word received by the interface device 10, in the event that the sequence of electrical signals received is not identical to one of the predetermined signal sequences. Memory 16 also stores navigation programs 16c adapted to determine the location path of all the folders, directories and documents of the computer 1 and to trigger their opening or execution according to the interpretation of the spoken word performed by interpretation programs 16b. The navigation programs 16c can comprise a search engine searchable by keywords and using the interpretation of the spoken word.

In the portable remote control, the microphone 24 receives the sound wave of a word uttered by the user and transforms it into electrical signals image of the spoken word. The transmission means 25 transmit said electrical signals image of the spoken word, so that they are received on the infrared port 12 of the interface device 10.

To reduce the risk of misinterpretation of the words spoken by the user, provision is made to give the light-emitting diodes 10b, 10c and 10d three distinct functions: the light-emitting diode 10b is energized when the interface device 10 is in the mode "office", for example for operation of the computer 1 on a local network; the light-emitting diode 10c is energized when the interface device 10 is in "local" mode, for example for an operation of the isolated computer 1; the light-emitting diode 10d is energized when the interface device 10 is in "Internet" mode. In "Internet" mode of operation, the user thus knows that the information of the spoken word is used to navigate the Internet. A first function of the device according to the invention is to control the computer 1 without the mouse and without the keyboard, by expressing the commands to the voice in the microphone 24. A voice command received by the microphone 24 is transformed into electrical signals then sent to the interface device 10 by the wireless link 40. The interface device 10 processes the electrical signals and transforms them into instructions sent by the command line 30 to the computer 1, which executes them.

This allows for example, on the computer 1, the use of a video game software, or the use of a word processing software. It may also be envisaged, according to the invention, to use the computer 1 for operations requiring secure transmissions, for example for the purchase over the Internet network at a shopping site. In this case, the invention provides security means which will now be described.

A first means lies in the use of the mini scanner 18, to generate a data file containing the information of an identity card. The memory space 16 then comprises a program 16d for driving the mini scanner 18, in order to perform a character recognition on the scanned images, to generate the data file. The program 16d associates with this data file an identity data of the first housing 10a or the interface device 10, and sends to the computer 1 the data file and the identity data, with control commands by which the user will use the data file to buy online from a merchant site. Identity data is used to authenticate the buyer.

In addition, the program 16d can drive the smart card reader 14 to incorporate in the data file the data of a user's smart card, for example the data of a bank card.

To improve security, the data file can be protected. For example, the memory space 16 may comprise a program 16e suitable for naming and renaming the data file. The identity data then allows the merchant site to rename the data file in order to read it. This improves the encryption of the data, and this means can be used as an alternative or in addition to traditional encryption means.

The program 16th denominator-file renamer can advantageously modify the extension of the file, in order to make it unreadable by the usual computer programs.

By the first feature of the invention, it is sufficient for the user to speak to open or execute a document, a file or a program of his personal computer 1. He can speak to play a game that normally requires the use of the keyboard, mouse or controller. He can speak to write a text and to ensure the treatment of this text. He can speak to access the Internet, and all the other functions of his computer. In its improved embodiment ensuring the security of information, the device according to the invention also makes it possible to pay a purchase in a secure manner for the user and for the merchant site. It also allows you to pay for a purchase other than on the Internet through a cell phone that may contain a virtual credit card. It then incorporates, in a memory card engaged in the memory card port 26, the data for this transaction. The device allows the secure transmission of this information.

The identification means according to the invention, such as the identity data of the first housing or the interface device, the means for generating a data file containing the data of an identity card or of a credit card, facilitate the entry of data for complex transactions such as purchase orders.

The means of the invention making it possible to secure the transmission of these data, for example the renaming of files, make it possible to secure the transaction against identity theft, piracy or other fraud.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1 - Device for controlling a computer (1) by means of interpretation and speech recognition, without mouse or keyboard, characterized in that: - it comprises an interface device (10) contained in a first housing ( 10a), having at least one output port (1 1, 13) adapted to be connected to the computer (1), and having at least one input port (12) adapted to receive electrical signals image of a pronounced word,

the interface device (10) comprises a memory space (16), a processor (15), recognition programs (16a) adapted to ensure recognition of the spoken word from said electrical signals, and interpretation programs (16b) to interpret the recognized word,

the interface device (10) comprises navigation programs (16c) adapted to determine the location path of all the folders, directories, programs and documents of the computer (1) and to trigger their opening or execution depending on the interpretation of the spoken word.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises a search engine searchable by keywords and using the interpretation of the spoken word. 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a remote control (20) portable comprising, in a second housing (20a):

a microphone (24) receiving the sound wave of the spoken word and transforming it into electric signals; image of the spoken word; transmission means (25) for transmitting to the input port (12) of the interface device (10); ) the electrical signals image of the spoken word.

4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second housing comprises a transmission enable button (23) for sending to the interface device (10) a signal indicating that the transmission of the analog or digital information of the word pronounced is over.

5 - Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the remote control (20) communicates with the interface device (10) by wireless connection means (40), preferably by an infrared link.

6 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the remote control (20) is a cell phone. 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the interface device (10) is connected to the computer (1) by USB connection (30).

8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises a local operating mode, during which the information of the spoken word is used to determine the path d location of all the folders, directories, programs and documents of the computer (1) and to trigger their opening or execution. 9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises a network mode of operation, in particular on the Internet, in which the information of the spoken word is used to browse the network.

10 - Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises indicator lights (10b, 10c, 10d) whose state is a function of the operating modes of the device. interface (10).

11 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises:

- A mini double-sided scanner (18), integrated in the first housing (10a), - A program (16d) for driving the mini scanner (18), to perform a character recognition on the scanned images, to generate a file of data associated with an identity data item of the first box (10a) or the interface device (10), and for sending to the computer (1) said data file,

- A program (16c) for controlling the computer to use said data file to buy online on a merchant site.

12 - Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the interface device (10) comprises:

a chip card reader (14) integrated in the first housing (10a),

a program (16d) for incorporating the data of the smart card into the data file.

13 - Device according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a program (16th) suitable for naming and renaming the data file.