Patent Publication Number: US-2005144007-A1

Title: Voice-activated tuning of channels

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to entertainment systems, and more particularly, to a system and method that enables voice-activated tuning of broadcast channels.  
      2. Background of the Invention  
      Radios and television sets are being used to receive wireless or cable broadcast programming. A tuner or a similar device on the radios and television sets is used to receive a program being broadcast on a channel. For discussion purposes, radios, television sets, and similar electrical apparatus or electronic devices having a tuner are collectively referred to hereinafter as broadcast programming receivers.  
      In a country such as the United States, there are hundreds of broadcast channels, each of which can be accessible to various broadcast programming receivers. To receive a specific program on a specific channel, the tuner of a broadcast programming receiver is used to adjust the receiving frequency. The tuner can be operated by a user of the receiver through a controller (such as a rotating knob, a dialer, a keypad, and the like). The controller can be an integral component of the receiver. More commonly, however, the controller is a remote control unit that can communicate with the receiver using infrared, RF, or other wireless technologies.  
      Efforts have been made to incorporate voice recognition capabilities in the receivers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,571 issued to Chuang (“The Chuang Patent”) on Jul. 7, 1998, discloses a remote control device that has voice recognition and user ID restriction functions for the operation of a receiver. The Chuang invention has a voice training mode during which signal characteristics of an authorized user are stored in a memory. The invention further comprises an instruction execution mode during which a voice command received from a user is compared to the voice command previously stored in the memory. If it is determined that the voice command is received from the authorized user, an output control device of the invention outputs a corresponding control signal. The Chuang Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
      In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,088 issued to Ciluffo (“The Ciluffo Patent”) on Sep. 12, 2000, discloses a programmer having a voice recognition capability for control of various appliances. The Ciluffo programmer can be adapted to recognize only one voice to enable a parent to prevent a child from using the programmer. In addition, the programmer can be adapted to accept different sets of instructions from different individuals and operate an apparatus based on a hierarchy of the different individuals if voice commands are received from more than one user. The Ciluffo Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,865 issued to Amano et al. (“The Amano Patent”) on Dec. 17, 1996, discloses a “television broadcast receiver which selects programs by genre and past viewing habits.” When an Amano receiver receives a genre code from a user, the receiver tunes in the channel that has a past record of highest frequency of reception among all channels that are associated with the genre code. The Amano Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,444 issued to Yoshinobu (“The Yoshinobu Patent”) on May 31, 1998, discloses a “broadcast receiving apparatus that automatically records frequency [sic] watched programs.” The Yoshinobu apparatus automatically records a user&#39;s frequently tuned in programming when the user is not watching the programming at the day and time when the user is expected to tune in to the channel. The Yoshinobu Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,988 issued to Williams et al. (“The Williams Patent”) on Aug. 31, 1999, discloses a “method and apparatus for automatically determining and dynamically updating user preferences in an entertainment system.” The Williams invention monitors a user&#39;s interaction with an entertainment system. Based on the interaction, the invention can automatically determine which of a plurality of users is currently using the entertainment system. The Williams Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,009 issued to Ohkura et al. (“The Ohkura Patent”) on Oct. 3, 2000, discloses a “Program guide controller.” In this invention, programs of high viewing frequency of a user are automatically registered, permitting registered programs to be included in genre information. The Ohkura Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a system and method that enables a user to use his or her voice to operate a tuner of a broadcast programming receiver. A system of the present invention can be adapted to operate based on voice commands that are speaker-dependent (i.e., the voice commands must be spoken by specific persons) or those that are speaker-independent (i.e., the voice commands can be spoken by any person). Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the system can be operated by spoken words of one or more authorized users whose voices have been used to create speaker-dependent voice commands, to the exclusion of the voices of other persons. In another embodiment, the system recognizes voice commands spoken by any person. In still another embodiment, the system can operate using both speaker-dependent and speaker-independent voice commands.  
      A voice command, regardless of whether it is speaker-dependent or speaker-independent, can comprise one or more words. For example, the voice command can comprise a channel or station identifier. The identifier can be one of several variations. Examples of the identifier include call letters (e.g., “WZZZ” and “KYY”), station names (e.g., “Fox 5” and “CNN”), frequencies (e.g., “FM 107.9” and “AM 1200”), and unique, personal identifiers (e.g., “John&#39;s favorite sports channel” and “Jane&#39;s favorite classical music station”). The voice command instructs the tuner of the receiver to tune in to a specific channel that has been associated with the voice command.  
      The voice command can also comprise a genre. The genre can be one of several categories of programs. For example, in the context of television broadcasting, one genre may be “Sports,” and another genre may be “News.” In the context of radio broadcasting, a first genre may be, for example, “country music,” and a second genre may be, for example, “talk radio.” Each genre comprises one or more channels or stations having the same theme or the same type of programming. If a voice command comprises a genre, the voice command is interpreted by the processor to “surf,” “scan,” or “browse” all the channels associated with the genre, unless the user otherwise interrupts. For example, if a “Sports” genre comprises five sports channels, the tuner tunes in to each of the five sports channels when a voice command comprises “Sports” is received. In one specific embodiment, a channel associated with the genre can be tuned in for a specific amount of time, e.g., from about one second to about 30 seconds, before another channel is tuned in. The tuner can continuously and alternatively tuning in to all the channels of the genre unless another voice command is received.  
      A system architecture of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a microphone, a signal converter, a digital signal processor (DSP), a memory, a tuner, and an output device. A method for implementing an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps. First, the relationships between voice commands and channels are created. The relationships are preferably stored in the memory. Second, when a speech segment (comprising one or more words) is spoken by a user, the speech segment is captured by the microphone. Third, the microphone transforms the speech segment into an analog-signal. Fourth, the signal converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. Fifth, the DSP receives the digital signal and determines whether the speech segment matches one of the voice commands. Sixth, if the speech segment is determined to comprise a voice command, the DSP instructs the tuner to tune in to the channel or channels that have been previously associated with the voice command.  
      In one aspect of the present invention, a user can associate one or more voice commands with one or more channels by programming the receiver herself. In this aspect of the invention, the voice commands are preferably speaker-dependent. In another aspect of the present invention, a manufacturer of the receiver can preload speaker-independent voice commands in the receiver. In still another aspect of the invention, a user can modify some or all voice commands previously created by a manufacturer of the receiver.  
      In one specific implementation of the present invention in which a radio of a vehicle is a receiver of the present invention, convenience and safety to occupants of the vehicle can be substantially increased. In such implementation, a driver of the vehicle can safely tune the radio with his or her voice while keeping both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.  
      In another specific implementation of the present invention in which a television set is a receiver of the present invention, the need for a remote control unit can be completely eliminated, resulting in less stress for users who frequently have to find their misplaced remote control units. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the general architecture of an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing the general architecture of another embodiment of the present invention, in which some components of the system are part of a remote control unit.  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention, in which a triggering word or phrase is required before a receiver monitors for a voice command. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the general architecture of an embodiment of the present invention. Receiver  100  is a broadcast programming receiver of the present invention. Receiver  100  can be a radio, a television set, or a similar device that can be used to receive and reproduce broadcast programming. For discussion purposes, assume that receiver  100  is a radio installed in a vehicle.  
      Receiver  100  comprises microphone  110 , converter  130 , processor  140 , memory  150 , tuner  160 , and output device  170 . Output device  170  can be, for example, one or more speakers. Although it is depicted in  FIG. 1  as an integrated unit, each component of receiver  100  can be separately installed within the vehicle. For example, microphone  110  may be installed on the hub of the steering wheel, or it can be integrated within the driver-side visor. Similarly, output device  170  can be installed at multiple locations within the cabin of the vehicle. In view of the prior art references that have been incorporated by reference above, it is noted that one skilled in the art can easily select the type of suitable microphone, converter, processor, memory, tuner, output device, and other components that are necessary to implement this embodiment of the present invention.  
      In this embodiment, receiver  100  functions as follows. First, when receiver  100  is powered on, it can automatically tune in to a default channel. The default channel may be the last tuned in channel before receiver  100  was previously powered off. The default channel may also be a specific channel that a user of receiver  100  has selected to be his or her favorite channel. Whenever receiver  100  is powered on, microphone  110  is on standby. Microphone  110  continuously captures speech segments spoken by all occupants (including the driver and passengers) of the vehicle.  
      When one occupant says, for example, “FM 107.9”, microphone  110  captures the speech segment. Microphone  110  then transforms the speech segment into an analog signal. The analog signal is then provided to converter  130 . Converter  130  subsequently converts the analog signal into a digital signal. When processor  140  receives the digital signal from converter  130 , it makes a determination.  
      The determination made by processor  140  can involve one or more tasks that processor  140  is adapted to perform. For example, processor  140  can compare the digital signal that comprises the speech segment “FM 107.9” to one or more voice commands previously stored in memory  150 . If the speech segment matches a voice command previously stored in memory  150 , processor  140  instructs tuner  160  to tune in a channel that is associated with the voice command. For example, tuner  160  can tune to frequency 107.9 MHz on the frequency modulation (“FM”) band. Finally, the programming being broadcast on FM 107.9 is reproduced by output device  170 .  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using an embodiment of the present invention. In step  202 , information is stored in memory  150 . The information comprises relationships between voice commands and channels. The relationships could be associated by a manufacturer of receiver  100 . The relationships may also be created by a user of receiver  100 . Step  202  can be performed in accordance with known methods and technologies. For example, the teachings of the patents incorporated by reference may be used in step  202 . Specifically, receiver  100  can be adapted to have a training mode that is disclosed in the Chuang Patent.  
      Specific relationships or association between voice commands and channels created in step  202  can include, for example, those shown in Table 1 below. Each channel in this embodiment is represented by a band and a frequency.  
                               TABLE 1                                   Voice Command   Band   Frequency                          “WZZZ”   FM   107.9 MHz           “WABC”   FM    99.9 MHz           “WEXZ”   AM    1300 KHz           “WQPM”   AM    1620 KHz                      
 
      The specific voice commands, bands, and frequencies shown in Table 1 are for illustration purposes. The voice commands in the left column represent call letters of radio stations that broadcast on the bands and frequencies shown in the middle and right columns, respectively. For example, the channel that operates on frequency 107.9 MHz on the FM band is operated by a radio station having the call letter “WZZZ”. Similarly, the station operating on the frequency of 1300 KHz on the amplitude modulation (AM) band is known as “WEXZ.” In addition to using call letters as voice commands, other alternatives, including those shown in Table 2 below, can be used as voice commands.  
                           TABLE 2                                   Voice command   Channel                          “Atlanta&#39;s Best Station”   WZZZ           “107.9”   WZZZ           “FM 107.9”   WZZZ           “Bob&#39;s favorite station”   WZZZ                      
 
      As shown in Table 2, the radio station operating on the FM band at frequency 107.9 MHz, namely, WZZZ, may be identified by a user using a number of different identifiers that may be used as voice commands to operate receiver  100 . These voice commands may be speaker-dependent or speaker-independent. Speaker-dependent means that receiver  100  will tune in to one channel associated with a voice command that is spoken by a specific person. For example, “Atlanta&#39;s Best Station” and “Bob&#39;s favorite station” may be speaker-dependent voice commands. Speaker-independent means that a voice command spoken by any person can be used to operate receiver  100 . Speaker-independent voice commands can include, for example, “107.9” and “FM 107.9”. It is noted that each of Tables 1 and 2 can be expanded or otherwise modified so that a plurality of voice commands can be related to or associated with a plurality of channels.  
      In step  204 , when a speech segment is spoken by a user, the speech segment is captured by microphone  110 . Microphone  110  then transforms the speech segment into an analog signal. In step  206 , converter  130  receives the analog signal and converts the analog signal to a digital signal. In step  208 , processor  140  receives the digital signal and compares it to the voice commands previously stored in memory  150 .  
      In step  210 , if the digital signal (that comprises the captured speech segment) is recognized as a valid voice command (i.e., the speech segment spoken by the user is one that which has been stored as a voice command in memory  150 ), processor  140  instructs tuner  160  to tune in to the channel that has been associated with the voice command. For example, if one of the voice commands associated with WZZZ is received, tuner  160  will tune to frequency 107.9 MHz on the FM band. For instance, if a user says, “FM 107.9,” output device  170  will, in step  212 , reproduce the sounds broadcast by WZZZ at the frequency of 107.9 MHz on the FM band. In embodiments in which “FM 107.9” is a speaker-dependent voice command, only the user whose voice was used to create the voice command will be able to properly operate receiver  100 . In embodiments in which “FM 107.9” is a speaker-independent voice command, the speaking of “FM 107.9” by any user will result in receiver  100  tuning in to the channel.  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing the general architecture of another embodiment of the present invention, in which some components of the system are part of a remote control unit.  
      System  300  comprises remote control unit  302  and receiver unit  304 . Remote control unit comprises microphone  310 , converter  330 , and signal generator  390 . Receiver unit  304  comprises signal receiving circuit  380 , processor  340 , memory  350 , tuner  360 , and output device  370 .  
      General characteristics of microphone  310 , converter  330 , processor  340 , memory  350 , tuner  360 , and output device  370  are similar to corresponding microphone  110 , converter  130 , processor  140 , memory  150 , tuner  160 , and output device  170 , respectively, that are depicted in  FIG. 1  and described above.  
      Signal generator  390  can be any known wireless signal generator. For example, signal generator  390  can be an RF signal generator or an infrared generator. Signal generator  390  receives the digital signal from converter  330  and transmits it over the air. Signal receiving circuit  380  receives the signal transmitted by signal generator  390 . Like signal generator  390 , signal receiver circuit  380  can be any known wireless signal receiver circuit. For example, signal receiver circuit  380  can be an RF signal receiver or an infrared receiver, depending on the type of signal transmitted by signal generator  390 .  
      System  300  can be, for example, a television set. Output device  370  can comprise one or more speakers and a monitor.  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention, in which a voice command is associated with a genre.  
      Step  402  through  406  are similar to corresponding steps  202  through  206  shown in  FIG. 2  and described above. In addition to the Chuang Patent, the teachings of other patents incorporated by reference above may be adapted to implement this embodiment and other embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, technologies disclosed in the Amano Patent, the Williams Patent, and the Ohkura Patents may be adapted to enable one skill in the art to make and use the present invention.  
      The relationship created in step  402  may be, for example, those shown in Table 3 below.  
                           TABLE 3                                   Voice Command   Channel                          “Sports”   4, 12, 88           “Music Video”   89, 101           “News”   55, 66, 77           “Comedy Channel”   24                      
 
      Each of the voice commands shown in the left column of Table 3 is associated with one or more channels. A voice command in the left column can represent a specific channel, for example, “Comedy Channel” is a voice command that is associated exclusively with Channel 24. A voice command in the left column may also represent a genre, for example, each of Channels 4, 12, and 88 is associated with a genre called “Sports”. For discussion purposes, assume that “Sports” is a speech segment spoken by a user.  
      In step  408 , signal generator  390  transmits the digital signal received from converter  330  over the air. In step  410 , signal receiving circuit  380  receives the transmitted signal from signal generator  390 .  
      Steps  412  and  414  are similar to steps  208  and  210 , respectively, that are shown in  FIG. 2  and described above.  
      In step  416 , tuner  360  tunes in to a first channel of the genre identified in step  414 . For example, if the speech segment received in step  404  was “Sports”, then the first channel can be one of Channels 4, 12, 88. Output device  370  then reproduces the sound and images being broadcast by the first channel.  
      In step  418 , system  300  monitors whether the user interrupts. If the user interrupts, the process goes to step  420 . Otherwise, the process goes to step  422 . The user can interrupt, for example, by pressing an appropriate button on remote control unit  302  or by speaking a subsequent speech segment. The subsequent speech segment may comprise, for example, “Stop”, “I like this”, “News”, “Music Video”, etc., provided that the subsequent speech segment has been previously stored in memory  350  as a voice command.  
      In step  420 , tuner  360  stays tuned to the first channel and the process returns to step  404 .  
      In step  422 , tuner  360  tunes to another channel of the genre. Steps  422  and  418  repeat unless the user interrupts in step  418  with a valid voice command. The duration spent on one channel can be set to, for example, between about one second and about 30 seconds or other duration. The order in which the channels of the genre are tuned in to can be predetermined. For example, in the case of the “Sports” genre, Channels 4, 12, and 88 can be tuned in to in step  422  in one of several orders, including “4-12-88-4”, “4-88-12-4”, and the like.  
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention, in which a triggering word or phrase from a-user is required before a receiver begins to take voice command.  
      In step  502 , information is stored in a memory of a receiver as described above in step  202 . However, the information stored in step  502  further comprises one or more triggering words or phrases. A user must speak one of the triggering words or phrases before the receiver can implement or execute any valid voice commands. Examples of the triggering words and phrases can include “Activate Voice Command” or other words or phrases. The use of the triggering words and phrases can eliminate accidental change of channels due to spoken voice commands that are not intended as voice commands. For example, a user may say “FM 107.9” to another person during a conversation, but not intended to tune to the station associated with “FM 107.9”.  
      In steps  504 - 508 , the receiver, through the interactions of its components including a microphone, a processor, and the memory, monitors for the triggering word. As a user or users speak, the process involved in steps  504 - 508  repeats itself unless a valid triggering word or phrase is detected in step  508 . During the steps  504 - 508  cycle, a speech segment that would have otherwise been interpreted as a valid command in step  514 , would not be recognized by the receiver.  
      When a triggering word or phrase is detected in step  508 , the process goes to step  510 . In step  510 , the system begins to monitor for voice commands by capturing speech segments. The process continuously repeats steps  510  through  514  until a valid voice command is detected. Preferably, the steps  510 - 514  cycle can be adapted to last for a specific duration. For example, the duration may be between about one and about ten seconds. In such preferred embodiment, if no valid voice command is detected during the duration specified in step  516 , the process can be adapted to return to step  504 .  
      If a valid voice command is detected in step  514 , the process goes to step  518 . In step  518 , a tuner of the receiver tunes in to a channel that is associated with the voice command. In step  520 , an output device of the receiver outputs the programs of the channel. Unless the receiver is powered off in step  522 , the process returns to step  504 , in which the receiver monitors for another triggering word or phrase before any voice command will be acceptable.  
      In describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
      The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.