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US 4,520,576 AGranted
Conversational voice command control system for home appliance
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorDonald R. Vander Molen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A speaker independent conversational voice command control system is provided which is useful in connection with home appliances which operate within a range of selectable parameters, such as an automatic clothes dryer. The control system recognizes voice commands and emits synthesized speech sounds, in an interaction with a user, to obtain the input necessary for setting the operating parameters.
Claims8
A method of preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising the steps:
- (1) recognizing a first voice command,
- (2) counting pulses from a source of timing signals on a counter,
- (3) recognizing a second voice command within a predetermined time span of the recognition of said first voice command,
- (4) automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the voice commands,
- (5) emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,
- (6) sensing the positional condition of said door,
- (7) emitting at least one additional audible synthesized speech signal requesting an input command after said door is sensed to be closed,
- (8) receiving the input command in response to said signal,
- (9) emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after receiving said command,
- (10) recognizing a final voice command, and
- (11) initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.
8 more elements
A device for preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising:
- means for recognizing a first voice command,
- means for establishing a first time interval upon recognition of said first voice command,
- means for recognizing a second voice command within said time interval,
- means for automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the second voice command,
- means for emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,
- means for sensing the positional condition of said door,
- means for emitting a second audible synthesized speech signal requesting manual action, after said door is sensed to be closed,
- means for sensing when said manual action has occurred,
- means for emitting a third audible synthesized speech signal requesting either verbal or manual action,
- means for sensing whether said verbal or manual action has occurred,
- means for establishing a second time interval,
- means for repeating said third speech signal if said action has not occurred within said second time interval,
- means for emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after sensing that said action has occurred,
- means for recognizing a final voice command, and
- means for initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.
12 more elements
A method of preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising the steps:
- (1) recognizing a first voice command,
- (2) counting pulses from a source of timing signals on a counter,
- (3) recognizing a second voice command within a predetermined time span of the recognition of said first voice command,
- (4) automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of the voice commands,
- (5) emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,
- (6) sensing the positional condition of said door,
- (7) emitting a second audible synthesized speech signal requesting manual action, after said door is sensed to be closed,
- (8) sensing when said manual action has occurred,
- (9) emitting a third audible synthesized speech signal requesting either verbal or manual action,
- (10) sensing whether said verbal or manual action has occurred,
- (11) counting pulses from said source of timing signals on said counter,
- (12) repeating said third speech signal is said action has not occurred within a predetermined time interval,
- (13) emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to being operation after sensing that said action has occurred,
- (14) recognizing a final voice command, and
- (15) initiating operation of said appliance upon recognition of said final voice command.
12 more elements
A device for preparing an appliance having an openable door for operation comprising:
- means for recognizing a first voice command,
- means for establishing a time interval upon recognition of said first voice command,
- means for recognizing a second voice command within said time interval,
- means for automatically opening a door of said appliance in response to the recognition of said second voice command,
- means for emitting a first audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said door is open,
- means for sensing the positional condition of said door,
- means for emitting at least one additional audible synthesized speech signal requesting an input command after said door is sensed to be closed,
- means for receiving said input command in response to said signal,
- means for emitting an audible synthesized speech signal indicating that said appliance is in condition to begin operation after receiving said command,
- means for recognizing a final voice command, and
- means for initiating operation upon recognition of said final voice command.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.