Abstract:
Remote controllers and systems thereof are disclosed. The remote controller remotely operates a receiving host, in which the receiving host provides voice input and speech recognition functions. The remote controller comprises a first input unit and a second input unit for generating a voice input request and a speech recognition request. The generated voice input and speech recognition requests are then sent to the receiving host, thereby forcing the receiving host to perform the voice input and speech recognition functions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/367,603, filed Feb. 9, 2009, which claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 097110734, filed on Mar. 26, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The disclosure relates generally to remote controllers and systems, and more particularly to remote controllers and systems capable of simultaneously providing voice input and speech recognition functions. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    For conventional remote control systems, users may operate a remote controller to control functions of a corresponding host, such as remotely turning on or off the main power of the host by pressing the key input on the remote controller. With the growth in multimedia and network applications, in addition to providing normal input functions, some remote controllers may further provide speech recognition related functions. 
         [0006]    When using a remote controller with a speech recognition function, user may inform the remote host to turn on the speech recognition function via a speech recognition key configured on the remote controller and utilize a microphone speech recognition signal generated by the remote controller for recognition to obtain a control command corresponding to a recognized voice signal recognized by speech recognition software which is embedded on the remote host so as to control operation of the remote host. 
         [0007]    In this implementation, however, when the voice input function is turned on and a user requires to perform other functions that require by other software to perform the microphone function, the voice input function software (e.g. network communication software, network instant messaging software, voice recording software or the likes) must be first turned off, before other voice input functions may be performed. Since the voice input key of the remote controller is only capable of turning on or off the voice input function, it is inconvenient for the user to switch back-and-forth between the microphone function and the voice input function. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a simple and efficient remote controller and related system to overcome the aforementioned problems. 
         [0009]    Remote controllers and systems thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of the remote control system comprises a remote controller and a receiving host. The receiving host provides speech recognition and microphone functions and both these function can share the same microphone hardware component device. The remote controller at least comprises a first input unit for generating a speech recognition request signal and a second input unit for generating a microphone request signal. The receiving host comprises a first functional module for providing the speech recognition function and a second functional module for providing the microphone function. When receiving the speech recognition request signal generated by the first functional module and the microphone request signal generated by the second functional module, the receiving host is capable of simultaneously directing the first and second functional modules to activate the speech recognition and microphone functions, respectively. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control system of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an input module of a remote controller of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an operation method of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of another embodiment of an operation method of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of yet another embodiment of an operation method of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of still another embodiment of an operation method of the invention for illustrating how the receiving host controls a corresponding functional module according to a received request. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the invention provide a remote controller and related system for making a receiving host operate a microphone function (e.g. SKYPE phone or voice recording function) and a speech recognition function (i.e. voice-controlling function) independently. Note that the microphone function is any voice function that may be used for computer systems. According to the operation method of the invention, the microphone function and the speech recognition function may be independently or simultaneously performed, increasing user convenience and providing a simple operation method for users. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control system  100  of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the remote control system  100  at least comprises a remote controller  110  and a receiving host  120  in which the remote controller  110  is capable of remotely controlling the receiving host  120 . The remote control system  100  may be a computer system providing multimedia related functions such as a living room personal computer (PC) that is dedicated for use in the living room. The remote controller  110  comprises an input module  112 , a processing unit  114 , a radio frequency (RF) signal transceiver  116  and an infra-red signal transceiver  118 . The input module  112  may be formed by multiple input units (e.g. a number of keys) for providing an input interface for the users to control the receiving host  120 . The receiving host  120  is capable of providing at least one microphone function and one speech recognition function. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an input module  112  of a remote controller  110  of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the input module  112  at least comprises a first input unit  1121  (i.e. a microphone key), a second input unit  1122  (i.e. a speech recognition key) and a microphone unit  1123  (i.e. a microphone input). A user may control the microphone function of the receiving host  120  via the first input unit  1121 , control the speech recognition function of the receiving host  120  via the second input unit  1122  and input a voice signal via the microphone unit  1123  (e.g. the microphone). When detecting an input from the input units of the input module  112  (e.g. one of the keys of the input module  112  has been pressed), an input signal (i.e. a signal that contains a key value of the pressed key) will be generated and sent to the processing unit  114 . The processing unit  114  may then convert the input signal (i.e. a signal that contains a key value of the pressed key) to a corresponding infra-red control code and transmit a relative control command or request containing the corresponding infra-red control code to the receiving host  120  via the infra-red signal transceiver  118 . 
         [0021]    When detecting that the first input unit  1121  has been pressed, the processing unit  114  may transmit an infra-red control code which corresponds to the control of the microphone function, serving as the control command or request, to the receiving host  120  via the infra-red signal transceiver  118  to control the microphone function of the receiving host  120  while the voice signal may be transmitted via the RF signal transceiver  116 . The RF signal transceiver  116  may be, for example, any wireless modules capable of performing a wireless transmission such as a Blue-tooth module. 
         [0022]    The receiving host  120  comprises a processing unit  122 , a microphone functional module  124 , a speech recognition functional module  126 , a storage unit  128 , an RF signal transceiver  129  and an infra-red signal transceiver  130 . The microphone functional module  124  may comprise software applications corresponding to execution of the microphone function for turning on or off the microphone function of the receiving host  120 . The speech recognition functional module  126  may comprise software applications corresponding to execution of the speech recognition function for turning on or off the speech recognition function of the receiving host  120 . The storage unit  128  has a database (not shown), which at least stores multiple files (e.g. multimedia files) and multiple recognition patterns, wherein each recognition pattern comprises a specific voice signal and corresponds to a specific function of the receiving host  120 . For example, a recognition pattern “Open the webpage” may correspond to a webpage opening function of the receiving host  120  for opening the webpage. 
         [0023]    When the infra-red signal transceiver  130  receives a request/signal or control command transmitted by the remote controller  110 , the processing unit  122  may perform a corresponding operation that corresponds to the received request/signal or control command. Similarly, the voice signal may be transmitted via the RF signal transceiver  129 . Operations of the operation method will be detailed as follows. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, a user may manually turn on or off the microphone function of the receiving host  120  via the microphone key  1121  of the remote controller  110 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an operation method of the invention. Please refer to both  FIGS. 1A and 1B . When the user requires to turn on the microphone function (step S 210 ), the microphone key  1121  (i.e. first input unit) of the remote controller  110  is pressed and a microphone request signal (i.e. a microphone-on request) is transmitted to the receiving host  120  (step S 220 ). When receiving the microphone request signal, the receiving host  120  drives the microphone functional module  124  (i.e. first functional module) to turn on the microphone function (step S 230 ). Accordingly, a user may use the microphone function, such as speaking by voice with another user, via the microphone unit  1123  of the remote controller  110  (step S 240 ). 
         [0026]    Thereafter, when the user requires to stop or turn off the microphone function (step S 250 ), the microphone key  1121  of the remote controller  110  is once again pressed and a microphone-off request is transmitted to the receiving host  120  (step S 260 ). When receiving the microphone-off request, the receiving host  120  drives the microphone functional module  124  to turn off the microphone function (step S 270 ). 
         [0027]    It is to be noted that requests sent by the remote controller  110  may be an infra-red control code (IR code) transmitted to the receiving host  120  via an infra-red interface and the receiving host  120  may turn on or off the microphone functional module  124  and the speech recognition functional module  126  according to the commands corresponding to the received request after the receiving host  120  receives the requests (IR codes) sent by the remote controller  110 . For example, the microphone functional module  124  may be driven to turn on the microphone function when the receiving host  120  receives a microphone request signal while the microphone functional module  124  may be driven to turn off the microphone function when the receiving host  120  receives a microphone-off request. 
         [0028]    Similarly, in another embodiment, a user may manually turn on or off the speech recognition function of the receiving host  120  via the speech recognition key  1122  of the remote controller  110 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of another embodiment of an operation method of the invention. Please refer to both  FIGS. 1A and 1B . When the user requires to turn on the speech recognition function (step S 310 ), the speech recognition key  1122  (i.e. second input unit) of the remote controller  110  is pressed and a speech recognition request (i.e. a speech recognition-on request) is transmitted to the receiving host  120  (step S 320 ). When receiving the speech recognition request, the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  (i.e. second functional module) to turn on the speech recognition function (step S 330 ). Accordingly, a user may use the speech recognition function and input voice signals to be recognized for recognition via the microphone unit  1123  (the microphone) of the remote controller  110  (step  340 ). When receiving data to be recognized, the processing unit  122  of the receiving host  120  may analyze the inputted data that is to be recognized. Compared the inputted data with the recognition patterns in the database and activating a corresponding function when finding a matched item that matches with the inputted data in the database, such as activating a specific application or generating a file attribute of the desired files for performing a file search of the database. For example, when receiving data that is to be recognized with the recognition pattern “Open the webpage” by the receiving host  120 , the processing unit  122  may compare the recognition patterns stored in the database and may perform a webpage opening function for opening the webpage after a matched item “Open the webpage” has found. 
         [0030]    In other words, a voice-controlling function may be provided by the speech recognition key  1122  of the remote controller  110  such that a user may perform a voice-controlling operation. For example, a user may configure recognition patterns corresponding to functions that are frequently used, such as using a recognition pattern “Open the webpage” to represent a request for the execution of the function for opening the webpage, in advance, instead of the originally key inputting operation, thereby providing a more convenient operation by the voice-controlling operation. 
         [0031]    Thereafter, when the user requires to stop or turn off the speech recognition function (step S 350 ), the speech recognition key  1122  of the remote controller  110  is once again pressed and a speech recognition-off request is transmitted to the receiving host  120  (step S 360 ). When receiving the speech recognition-off request, the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  to turn off the speech recognition function (step S 370 ). 
         [0032]    The remote controller  110  may further comprise an indicator light  1124  (referring to  FIG. 1B ) for indicating the current execution or operation status of the microphone function or the speech recognition function by blinking the indicator light  1124  with various ways. The indicator light  1124  may blink quickly for indicating that the microphone has been pressed and a request is being sent to the receiving host  120 . When the receiving host  120  turns on the microphone function and replies to the remote controller  110 , the indicator light  1124  is turned off for indicating that a user may input voice signals now via the RF signal transceivers  116  and  129 . It is to be understood that the indicator light  1124  may utilize different numbers/amount, colors or blinking types for indicating different operation statuses for the user, depending on the user requirement. 
         [0033]    In addition to turning on or off the microphone function or the speech recognition function independently, in another embodiment, a user may simultaneously turn on both the microphone function and the speech recognition function. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of yet another embodiment of an operation method of the invention. Please refer to both  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the microphone function has already been turned on and user is speaking by inputting voice signals via the microphone. During the conversation, in step S 410 , if the user attempts to turn on the speech recognition function at the same time, in step S 420 , the speech recognition key  1122  of the remote controller  110  is pressed and a speech recognition request is transmitted to the receiving host  120 . When receiving the speech recognition request, in step S 430 , the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  to turn on the speech recognition function. Therefore, the receiving host  120  simultaneously performs the microphone and speech recognition functions. 
         [0035]    Thereafter, when the user completes the speech recognition operation and requires to turn off the speech recognition function (step S 440 ), the speech recognition key  1122  of the remote controller  110  is once again pressed and a speech recognition-off request is transmitted to the receiving host  120  (step S 450 ). When receiving the speech recognition-off request, the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  to turn off the speech recognition function (step S 460 ). At this time, only the voice-recognizing function will be tuned off by the receiving host  120  and the microphone function will still be operational. Similarly, users may choose to later, press the microphone key  1121  of the remote controller  110  to turn off the microphone function. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart  500  of still another embodiment of an operation method of the invention for illustrating how the receiving host  120  controls a corresponding functional module according to a received request. It is assumed that the receiving host  120  has received a request from the remote controller  110  via the infra-red signal transceiver  129  (step S 510 ). The receiving host  120  then controls operation of the functional module corresponding to the received request according to the received request (step S 520 ). When the received request is a microphone request signal, the receiving host  120  drives the microphone functional module  124  to turn on the microphone function. When the received request is a speech recognition request, the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  to turn on the speech recognition function. When the received request is a microphone-off request, the receiving host  120  drives the microphone functional module  124  to turn off the microphone function. When the received request is a speech recognition-off request, the receiving host  120  drives the speech recognition functional module  126  to turn off the speech recognition function. In other words, the remote controller  110  may issue different commands to determine whether and when to turn on/off the microphone function and the speech recognition function. 
         [0037]    It is to be noted that the four aforementioned requests are only used for explanation, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other words, various requests may be configured according to user requirement of the used country or area for implementing and providing various multimedia services. 
         [0038]    In summary, according to the remote control system and related operation method of the invention, execution of the microphone function and speech recognition function can be individually controlled by two independent input units (such as a microphone key and a speech recognition key) configured on the remote controller, thus providing more convenient operation interface and diversification services for users. Furthermore, the speech recognition function can be performed while the microphone function is being performed, thus providing a voice-controlling function. Therefore, users may utilize the voice-controlling function for inputting instead of the conventional method of inputting by pressing of keys, thus making operation more convenient and satisfactory. 
         [0039]    Certain terms are used throughout the description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, consumer electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. 
         [0040]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.