Voice responsive automated mailing system

Abstract: Includes a postage value determining scale (12) and option­ ally peripheral devices such as a postage meter/mailing machine (24, 26). The scale includes a processor (16), a memory (15) which stores postage rate data, a weighing device (14) which generates weight indicative signals, a display (20), and a key­ board (18). A voice recognition subsystem (38) is coupled to the system processor for hands free operator entry of information relating to postage value determinations. The voice recognition subsystem is trained to recognize various operator words and generate appropriate signals for postage value determination, e.g. zone information, area code information, and rate classifica­ tion, as well as command signals. The system processor receives such signals from either the voice recognition subsystem (38) or the keyboard (18).

Description: The present invention relates generally to automated mailing systems. An automated mailing system encompassing a postage value determining system processor coupled with a plurality of mailing system peripheral devices is typically described in U.S. Patent No. 4 286 325 issued August 25, 1981 to Daniel F. Dlugos et al and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Such systems found typical application in parcel mailing rooms of volume shippers. Not only did the systems encompass shipments by the United States Postal Service but in addition by other carriers such as United Parcel Service, and a plurality of postage meters and associated mailing machines were therefore provided. It was determined that a source of error and a factor inhibiting improved throughput was not the equipment but the mailroom operator who was required to read a parcel address label and then input appropriate postal information to the scale processor through a keyboard. Information entry was a source of operator induced error and interrupted an otherwise continuous procedure of placing successive parcels on a weight platform and distracted the operator. The present invention is shown in an implementation compatible with the mailing system and postage value determining scale illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4 410 961 of Daniel F. Dlugos et al issued on October 18, 1983 on an application field February 17, 1981, with Application Serial No. 235 241 and assigned to the present applicants. The idea of entering data or commands by way of voice recognition is known per se in other fields of data handling systems (cf. e.g. GB-A-2 070 822, JP-A-57 127 225, GB-A-2 084 772). According to the invention, an automated parcel mailing system includes the features of claim 1. The operator is thus relieved of making keyboard entries of such information. Typical information which is conveyed through the voice recognition subsystem includes zip codes for zip-to-zone conversions, zone entry information, rate classification information and commands such as PRINT for actuation of a mailing machine associated with a postage meter. From the foregoing compendium, it will be appreciated that it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved automated mailing system of the general character described which is not subject to the disadvantages aforementioned. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automated mailing system of the general character described which facilitates increased throughput. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automated mailing system of the general character described with reduced operator induced errors. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automated mailing system of the general character described which facilitates efficient operation by relatively unskilled personnel. An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved mailing system of the general character described which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical usage. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automated mailing system of the general character described with reduced opportunities for operator distraction and which simplifies mailroom procedures. Other aspects and objects will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter. With these ends in view, the invention finds embodiment in certain combinations of elements and arrangements of parts by which the aspects and objects aforementioned and certain other aspects and objects are hereinafter attained, all as more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which is more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the possible exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a schematized block diagram of a typical voice responsive automated mailing system constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention and illustrating a voice recognition subsystem operatively connected to a main processor of a postage value determining scale; Figure 2 is a schematized illustration of further details of the voice recognition subsystem and its relationship to the main processor of the scale; and Figure 3 is a program structure chart for the main processor and illustrating various subroutines in the calculation and printing of postage in response to information received from the voice recognition subsystem. Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally an improved automated mailing system constructed in accordance with the present invention. The system 10 includes a processor controlled stand-alone postage value determining scale 12 which is adapted to calculate the postage or other transportation charges required to transport a parcel. In most instances, such transportation charges are based upon the parcel weight, class of transportation and, with respect to certain classes, distance to destination (zone). The scale 12 includes a weighing device 14 having a weigh platform adapted to receive the parcel to be mailed. The weighing device 14 is interconnected to a main system processor 16 which is programmed to compute the requisite postage or other transportation charges for the parcel. The information necessary for the determination of postage, e.g. destination operands, class of transportation operands, special fees, parcel size information, etc., may be entered at a keyboard 18 and corresponding signals are transmitted to the system processor 16. Keyboard and calculated information are indicated at a display 20. With the weight information and the other postage value related information received, the processor determines the requisite postage for the article by accessing postage rate data stored in a memory 15 and generating a postage value in a manner known to those of skill in the art. The mailing system may include a plurality of peripheral devices which are interconnected to the main processor 16 by a peripheral controller interface 22 as fully described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4 410 961 of Daniel F. Dlugos et al issued October 18, 1983. Typical mailing system peripheral devices include an electronic postage meter/mailing machine 24, 26, an electronic accounting system 28, a scale computer interface 30, a printer 32 and an RS 232 communications link 34 which interfaces with an alternate printer 36. The electronic postage meters are each coupled to a mailing machine for printing the postage values set and are collectively designated postage meter/mailing machine. Pursuant to the present invention, mailroom efficiency is increased without decreasing the integrity of postage value determinations by providing a voice recognition subsystem 38 which interfaces between a mailroom operator and the main processor 16. Thus, when the operator reads a mailing label on a parcel, he is no longer required to manually enter the postage value determining information contained on such label through the keyboard 18 but need only read such information aloud and orally indicate the appropriate functions which would otherwise be entered by manually depressing function keys on the keyboard 18. As a result, the requisite information and commands are received by the main processor while the parcel is being placed upon the weigh platform in a continuous operation. Referring now to Figure 2 wherein the voice recognition subsystem 38 is illustrated in greater detail, it will be appreciated that the subsystem 38 comprises a voice recognition unit 40 such as the Auricle-1 voice recognition unit presently available from Auricle, Inc. of Cupertino, California 95014. A noise cancelling microphone 42 is utilized to transduce audible words to analog word signals which are received by the voice recognition unit 40. The subsystem 38 may also employ a foot switch 44 for signalling the voice recognition unit that audible information is about to be transmitted. The voice recognition unit 40 comprises an automatic speech recognition system which inludes a microcomputer that accepts speech input (word signals) from the noise cancelling microphone 42 and provides an output of correlated digital characters which represent identified spoken words in serial ASCIl code. To perform the requisite conversions necessary for functioning in conjunction with the main processor 16, the voice recognition unit 40 is trained to recognize specific key words, i.e. word signals, correlated to the necessary postage value determination information which also appear on the digit and function keys of the keyboard 18. Such training can take place at the mailroom itself in accordance with the training procedure established by the manufacturer of the voice recognition unit. Typical key training words, necessary for the mailing system are the digits: ZERO, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE. In addition, key function words which may be employed in conjunction with furnishing postage value determining information to the main processor 16 and for implementing commands may be the following : CLASS, CLEAR, ZONE, CODE, ADD, ZIP, SET, PRINT, SPECIAL FEE, CERTIFIED, REGISTERED and OVERSIZE or equivalent words. As previously mentioned, the voice recognition unit 40 provides an output of digital characters in serial ASCII code. Such characters correspond to a recognized word input signal which matches the key word signals stored in the voice recognition unit during training. In order to provide appropriate BCD command numbers recognizable by the main processor 16, an RS 232 interface 46 is provided between the voice recognition unit 40 and the main processor 16. The interface 46 comprises a programmable communication interface such as an 8251 Intel interface chip with associated RAM and ROM memory. In operation of the mailing system 10, the voice recognition unit 40 begins searching for a spoken word when the operator depresses the foot switch 44 or upon the operator speaking a predetermined key word which instructs the unit 40 to start listening. Thereafter, the voice recognition unit 40 will check subsequently spoken word signals against the word signals it has been trained to recognize. If it finds a match, the ASCII characters corresponding to the matched word are transmitted by the unit 40. If a match is not found, the voice recognition unit 40 will give an audible or visible signal to advise the operator that the word was not understood. Optionally, the unit 40 will prompt the operator with a visual indication in the scale display 20 to indicate that a spoken word was not understood. Referring now to Figure 3, once the main processor 16 receives a command number from the voice recognition subsystem 38 through interface 46, or from the keyboard, it decodes the command number to either a digit entry or a function entry. If the received command number is a digit entry, the main processor 16 enters the digit into the display 20. If the received command number is a function, the program thereafter sets an appropriate funtion flag and decodes the word into a command byte. Thereafter, the appropriate command is executed. If the function cannot be executed, the operator will be prompted in the display 20 in the same manner regardless of whether the non-executable function was entered at the keyboard or through the voice recognition subsystem. It should be understood that the main processor 16 is constantly checking for information from both the keyboard and the voice recognition subsystem and is adapted to receive information from both. As employed herein, the term "postage" relates not only to the charges for governmental postal services but also to the charges for non-governmental transport services including common carriers and private carriers. Further, the term "parcel" should be interpreted to include not only packages and envelopes but any article requiring "postage" for transportation. Thus, it will be seen that there is provided an improved voice controlled automated mailing system which encompasses the various features and aspects of the present invention and is well suited to meet the conditions of practical use. As various changes might be made in the improved voice controlled automated mailing system as set forth herein, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims: A parcel mailing system comprising a postage value determining scale (12) including: a processor (16); means (14) for providing parcel weight information; memory means (15) for storing postage rate information; means (18,38) for introducing postage value related information; and display means (20) for visually indicating postage information, the processor being arranged to receive the parcel weight information and the postage value-related information and in response thereto to retrieve the postage rate information from the memory means and to generate a postage value for the parcel, characterized by the means for introducing postage value-related information comprising a voice recognition sub-system (38) including a voice recognition unit (40), microphone means (42) for communications between an operator and the voice recognition sub-system, and a foot switch (44) connected to the voice recognition sub-system for allowing the operator selectively to enable or disable the voice recognition sub-system, the microphone means being operable to receive an audible word from the operator and in response thereto to provide a word signal, the foot switch (44) being operable to generate a compare signal, the voice recognition unit being operable in response to said compare signal to receive the word signal and to compare such word signal with previously stored word signals, and the voice recognition unit being operable to transmit a predetermined signal associated with each previously stored word signal upon matching a received word signal with a stored word signal, whereby mailing procedures can be simplified. A system according to Claim 1, characterized by a decoder (46) operatively connected between the voice recognition unit (40) and the processor (16), the decoder being arranged to receive the predetermined signal from the voice recognition unit (40) and in response thereto to reformat such signal into a processor recognizable signal. A system according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the microphone means comprises a noise cancelling microphone (42). A system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the means for introducing postage value related information further includes a keyboard (18), the processor being connected to receive signals from the voice recognition sub-system (38) and the keyboard (18). A system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the means (18,38) for introducing postage value related information includes means for introducing commands. A system according to Claim 5 characterized by a peripheral device (24,26,28,30,32,34,36) and means (22) interconnecting the peripheral device and the postage value determining scale (12), the processor being arranged to receive a command and in response thereto to actuate the peripheral device. A system according to Claim 6 characterized in that the peripheral device comprises a postage meter/mailing machine (24,26), the command comprising a set instruction for setting the postage meter. A system according to Claim 6 characterized in that the peripheral device comprises a postage meter/mailing machine (24,26), the command comprising a print instruction for tripping the mailing machine. A system according to any one of Claims 6 to 8 characterized by a plurality of peripheral devices and means (22) interconnecting each peripheral device with the postage value determining scale.

Inventors: DANIELS EDWARD P, DLUGOS DANIEL F, DANIELS, EDWARD P., DLUGOS, DANIEL F.
Applicants: PITNEY BOWES INC, PITNEY BOWES INC.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: G07B17
IPC codes: B07C3, G06Q50, B07C5, G07B17, G10L15, B65G1