U.S. patent application number 09/735413 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-26 for voice activated switch method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ligi, Allan, Matulich, Richard.
Application Number | 20010000534 09/735413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26670372 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000534 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matulich, Richard ; et
al. |
April 26, 2001 |
Voice activated switch method and apparatus
Abstract
A voice activated device for producing control signals in
response to speech is self-contained and requires no additional
software or hardware. The device may be incorporated into a housing
that replaces a wall switch that is connected to an AC circuit. An
alternate housing is portable and includes a jack that plugs into
and lies flush against a standard AC utility outlet, and at least
one plug for accepting an AC jack of any electronic product or
appliance. The device acts as a control interface between utility
power and connected electrical devices by connecting or
disconnecting power to the electrical devices based on speech
commands.
Inventors: |
Matulich, Richard; (Poway,
CA) ; Ligi, Allan; (Poway, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWN, MARTIN, HALLER & McCLAIN
Attn: Kathleen L. Connell
1660 UNION STREET
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
26670372 |
Appl. No.: |
09/735413 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09735413 |
Dec 12, 2000 |
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09133724 |
Aug 13, 1998 |
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6188986 |
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09133724 |
Aug 13, 1998 |
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09002436 |
Jan 2, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
704/275 ;
704/E15.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10L 2015/223 20130101;
G10L 15/26 20130101; H05B 47/12 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
704/275 |
International
Class: |
G10L 021/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A device for responding to a speech command of a device user,
said device comprising: an AC circuit having means for producing a
plurality of operating voltages for said circuit, said AC circuit
having an input of a standard utility AC; a microphone circuit
having means for producing electrical signals in response to
sounds; a filter circuit having means for filtering said electrical
signals, said filter circuit producing filtered electrical signals
having frequencies within a frequency range of speech; a
microcontroller circuit having means for detecting a valid speech
command of a plurality of valid speech commands, said
microcontroller having a plurality of inputs comprising said
filtered electrical signals and a plurality of outputs comprising
at least one control signal for controlling at least one switching
means; said at least one switching means for connecting said
standard utility AC to said at least one AC circuit; a manual
control input circuit for manually controlling said at least one
switching means; and at least one indicator connected to said
microcontroller, said at least one indicator for prompting said
device user to other speech commands when said microcontroller
circuit is enabled to receive a speed command.
2. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
further comprising a shell for encasing said circuit, said shell
comprising a wall switch assembly.
3. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
further comprising an automatic gain control circuit having means
for producing an ambient level signal from said filtered electrical
signals.
4. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
said device further comprising: a means for choosing a plurality of
modes of operation, a first mode of operation of said plurality of
modes of operation for programming said device with said plurality
of valid speech commands.
5. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
further comprising a dimmer circuit having means for producing a
reduced-voltage AC signal, wherein said at least one switching
means connects said reduced-voltage AC signal to said at least one
AC circuit.
6. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
said device further comprising: a means for producing speech
instructions; and at least one speaker means for outputting said
speech instructions.
7. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 1,
said device further comprising: a modulator circuit having means
for modulating said standard utility AC with a second control
signal of said at least one control signal.
8. The device for responding to a speech command as in claim 6,
said device further comprising: a demodulator circuit means
connected to said microcontroller for demodulating a modulated
control signal from said standard utility AC.
9. An apparatus for producing a plurality of control signals, said
apparatus comprising: a microphone circuit for receiving sounds and
converting said sounds into electrical signals, said microphone
circuit having an input amplifier for amplifying said electrical
signals, and a band pass filter for filtering sounds outside a
frequency range of speech, said band pass filter outputting a
filtered signal; a processor circuit comprising: a microcontroller
having an input of said filtered signal, said microcontroller
producing at least one AC control output signal upon recognition of
a valid speech command of a set of valid speech commands, said set
of valid speech commands comprising user speech commands and
pre-programmed speech commands; a plurality of memory modules for
storing data, said data comprising: at least one instruction set
for said microcontroller; said user speech commands; and said
pre-programmed speech commands; a power circuit for supplying
digital and analog power to said control circuit, said power
circuit receiving an AC input from an AC circuit; an AC output
circuit for connecting an AC signal to at least one AC circuit,
said AC output circuit enabled by said at least one AC control
output signal; a manual control circuit for manually controlling
said AC output circuit; and a casing for holding said control
circuit.
10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said processor circuit
further comprises an automatic gain control circuit for producing
at least one ambient level signal from said filtered signal.
11. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said casing is designed to
replace a wall switch assembly.
12. The apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising at least one
indicator for prompting a user of said apparatus and for confirming
recognition of said valid speech command.
13. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said band pass filter
filters out sounds outside a frequency range of 580 Hz-4.2 kHz.
14. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said control circuit
further comprises a speaker circuit, said speaker circuit for
communicating speech instructions from said processor circuit.
15. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said power circuit further
comprises a dimmer circuit for producing an AC signal having a
reduced voltage at a standard utility frequency.
16. A method for controlling a device using speech recognition,
said device having an input of standard utility AC and an AC output
switch connected to an AC circuit, said method comprising the steps
of: accepting environmental sounds and speech sounds; converting
said environmental sounds and speech sounds into a plurality of
electrical signals; filtering said plurality of electrical signals
that are outside a range of speech to produce at least one filtered
electrical signal; comparing said at least one filtered electrical
signal with a predetermined set of speech sounds; and producing at
least one output signal when said at least one filtered electrical
signal matches said predetermined set of speech sounds; wherein
said at least one output signal controls said AC output switch.
17. The method for controlling a device as in claim 16, further
comprising the step of: toggling said AC output switch utilizing a
manual control means.
18. The method for controlling a device as in claim 17, wherein
said step of toggling said AC output switch comprises the step of:
pressing a touch pad.
19. The method for controlling a device as in claim 16, further
comprising the step of: illuminating at least one indicator to
indicate a ready state for accepting said speech sounds.
Description
1. This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser.
No. 09/002,436, filed Jan. 2, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
2. This invention relates generally to voice activated devices for
producing control signals, and more specifically to a voice
activated switch for producing control signals to switch on or
switch off AC electrical devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
3. The use of speech recognition technology is becoming a viable
means to control one's environment. As the sophistication of
speech-activated technology increases and the cost of the
associated hardware and software decreases, the use of
speech-controlled devices will be commonplace. Applications for
speech recognition technology are numerous and include the control
of appliances, consumer electronics, toys, and tools. Products and
services employing speech recognition are developing rapidly and
are continuously applied to new markets.
4. The use of speech recognition is ideal wherever the hands and/or
the eyes are busy. Speech commands are a quick, hands-free way to
control electrical devices. The dangers associated with walking
into a dark room, or the inconveniences of interrupting tasks in
order to turn on appliances or lights, are alleviated by the
utilization of speech recognition technology.
5. Speech recognition technology has been in development for more
than 25 years resulting in a variety of hardware and software tools
for personal computers. In a typical application, a speech
recognition circuit board and compatible software programs are
inserted into a computer. These add on programs, which operate
continuously in the background of the computer's operating system,
are designed to accept spoken words and either execute the spoken
command or convert the words into text. The disadvantage in using
this approach to control individual appliances is the necessity of
one or more computers. Also, it is unlikely that manufacturers will
add full blown computer systems to control appliances such as
washing machines or electronic products such as stereos. Computer
controlled systems that utilize speech recognition have been
employed to control the appliances and electronics throughout a
house or building, however, these systems are expensive,
complicated, and require custom installation.
6. Remotely controlling an electrical appliance is currently
possible using devices employing a variety of technologies.
Products using acoustic signals are available on the market to
control electrical appliances. These devices recognize specific
sounds such as claps, and respond by toggling power switches. One
drawback of utilizing an acoustic device is that it does not
provide "hands-free" control. Also, the user must remember an
acoustic code, such as a sequence of claps, for each appliance.
7. Another way to control an appliance is by the utilization of a
remote control. Remote control units utilizing speech recognition
have been designed for electronic products such as VCRs. The
speaker talks into a control unit while depressing a switch, and
the speech commands are recognized and transmitted to the VCR using
infra-red signals. Although this system offers a means for the
remote control of electronics, it does not offer a hands-free
solution. Additionally, the user must have the remote control unit
with him or her, and each target appliance must be adapted to
receive IR signals.
8. Similar to any developing technology, speech recognition poses
many hurdles, including designing the most effective user
interface, and increasing response accuracy. A non-friendly user
interface is likely to frustrate the user when non-responsiveness
of the device is the only indication of a recognition error.
Another difficulty involves extemporaneous conversations and sounds
that may falsely trigger a device response. Speech recognition
devices have attempted to overcome this problem by allowing a very
limited number of speech commands such as "ON" and "OFF." However,
these devices must be programmed with the voices of the speakers
that will use the device, and do not anticipate noisy environments
in which the device is required to distinguish between the speaker
and other noises. Also, the limited vocabulary allows the
utilization of one device per room, unless the speaker desires to
turn on all appliances at the same time.
9. The current technology for the remote control of electronic
consumer products fails to provide a hands-free, economical,
compact, and easy-to-use device. Additionally, available designs do
not offer solutions for inaccuracy due to false response, user
frustration, and ambient noise interference. These problems and
deficiencies are clearly felt in the art and are solved by the
present invention in the manner described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10. It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a
compact, stand alone, speech recognition circuit to control a
variety of electrical devices, including consumer electronic
products or appliances without the need for a host computer.
11. It is another advantage to provide an easy-to-use device that
is programmable to recognize a variety of command words so that
more that one device can be utilized within one room.
12. It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide
a low-cost replacement for a standard wall switch and switch box
for speech control of electrical devices connected to the wall
switch circuit.
13. It is still another advantage to provide a portable speech
recognition interface between a standard AC outlet and an
electrical device.
14. A further advantage of the invention is to provide a speech
recognition device that incorporates user interfaces for confirming
acceptance of speech commands thereby increasing recognition
accuracy while reducing the necessity for training the user.
15. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
stand-alone, programmable speech recognition device acts as a
control interface between a 120 V or 230 V AC switch and a
connected electrical appliance or light. In a preferred embodiment
("wall switch embodiment"), the voice activated control circuitry
is designed to fit into a switch box shell that can be installed in
place of a standard wall switch. In an alternate preferred
embodiment ("outlet embodiment"), the voice activated control
circuitry is encased in a portable, palm-sized shell that can be
plugged into a standard outlet.
16. In a wall switch embodiment, the speech recognition circuitry
of the invention is contained on a circuit board having dimensions
to fit within a standard wall switch box. The circuit board has
connections for user interfaces including input leads for a
microphone for accepting a voice command, a manual switch
controller for accepting manual operation of the switch, and at
least one light-emitting diode ("LED").
17. The manual switch controller provides a manual means for
operating the switch, and operates in cooperation with the speech
recognition circuitry. A variety of technologies can be utilized
for the manual switch including rocker switches, actuator-type
controls, push-buttons and touch plate technology. The preferred
embodiment utilizes capacitance touch plate technology that is
known in the art.
18. The speech recognition device operates in a continuous
listening mode which allows it to actively listen for sounds at all
times. Ideally, the device is located in a position that is exposed
and not hidden behind an object such as a piece of furniture. An
exposed location allows a built-in microphone to pick up un-muffled
sounds and speech in proximity to the device thereby increasing the
response accuracy. The preferred wall switch embodiment is
typically placed in a convenient location within a room and
positioned at approximately four feet (122 cm) from a floor. Thus,
the microphone will be at an optimal level to accept a speaker's
commands, particularly in circumstances in which the speaker is
seated. Obviously, where an AC outlet or a light is controlled by
more than one wall switch, a microphone of at least one of the
voice activated wall switches is more likely to be in proximity to
the user (speaker).
19. The outlet embodiment of the present invention is plugged into
an AC outlet. The outlet embodiment has at least one plug for
accepting the cord jack of an electrical device and may necessarily
be plugged into an outlet behind an object that obstructs the line
from the user to the device. Therefore, this embodiment may include
a separate attachable microphone that is placed in a location most
likely to maintain an unobstructed line between the microphone and
the user. The use of a separate microphone allows the microphone to
be placed in a convenient location that is in close proximity to
the user. This is particularly useful where the environment is
noisy, or where the user is disabled or has low mobility.
20. In other embodiments of the outlet and wall switch devices, the
microphone circuit includes a receiver for receiving transmitted
radio frequency signals from a separate remote microphone. These
embodiments are desirable for users who cannot effectively trigger
the speech recognition because they are not in proximity to the
device. For example, a user who is seated in a position outside the
range of the microphone will be unable to control the device. An RF
receiver will provide remote speech control of the speech
recognition device.
21. The voice-activated device is continuously listening for an
acceptable speech command as long as power from the utility main is
available. Thus the device is constantly processing background
noises and establishing an ambient noise level. The ambient noise
level is an average decibel level of the sounds in the frequency
range of speech that are detected by the device. For example, a
background noise level of a 50 decibel air conditioning unit causes
the device to establish an ambient noise level of 50 decibels.
Detected sounds below that level are ignored, and in order for the
device to act upon a command word, the user must speak above that
decibel level. Establishing an ambient noise level enables the
device to be used in noisy environments.
22. Upon receiving a signal in the frequency range of speech that
is louder than the ambient level, the device determines whether the
signal is a valid command word. A valid command word is a member of
either a set of pre-programmed speaker independent words, or a set
of user programmed speaker dependent words. These sets of command
words correspond to two modes of operation known in the art as
"speaker independent" and "speaker dependent" operation. The user
has a choice of the mode of operation upon resetting the device. In
the preferred wall switch embodiment of the invention, reset is
activated by pressing the touch plate a specified number of times.
Reset of the outlet embodiment occurs when the device is initially
plugged into an outlet.
23. The first mode of operation is a speaker independent mode. In
this mode the device can be used by various speakers and does not
have to be trained to recognize individual voices. Therefore, the
device is pre-programmed to respond to a large variety of speech
patterns, inflections, and enunciations of the target command word.
This mode of operation usually has a lower number of valid command
words than a speaker dependent systems that require more memory to
store the various speech patterns. In the preferred embodiments,
speaker independent command words include a name of an electrical
device such as "LIGHTS" followed by action command words such as
"ON" or "OFF" or "DIM."
24. A speaker dependent mode of operation recognizes only one
speaker, or a limited number of speakers at a time. The speaker
dependent mode is activated by resetting and "programming" the
device. After detecting a reset condition, the device listens for a
request to select the speaker dependent mode, and the user follows
instructions to program the command words. In a preferred
embodiment the user is prompted by the device through use of a user
interface which includes prompts from an indicator such as an LED,
or speech instructions from the device itself, or both. The device,
operating in a speaker dependent mode of operation, achieves a high
accuracy of word recognition. The disadvantage to using this mode
of operation is that the system response accuracy is limited to the
user who programmed the valid command set.
25. The device limits user frustration by signaling an acceptance
of a valid command word through a user interface that includes an
indicator such as an LED, or a speaker for communicating speech
prompts. The feedback of the user interface permits the user to
adjust his or her command word enunciations and inflections which
results in a higher response accuracy. Once the device recognizes
and indicates acceptance of a valid command word, the user responds
with an action command word such as "ON." If the action command
word is within the set of valid command words, the device will
respond by performing the desired action. For example, in the
preferred wall switch embodiment, the device responds to the action
command word by connecting power or disconnecting power to an
electrical circuit that is connected to the wall switch. For
applications where the action command word is meant to dim or
brighten lights, the device responds by connecting AC at a reduced
or increased voltage. In an alternate mode of operation, the action
command word in not used, and the command word such as "LIGHTS" is
repeated to toggle the lights on or off.
26. In a another embodiment of the present invention, the device
incorporates current carrier modulation techniques as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,481 of Dorfman, which patent is incorporated
herein by this reference. Using this technology, the device
recognizes a variety of electrical product command words, where
only one command word is valid for the attached product. Other
valid command words are transmitted over the utility main to a
second device directly connected to the utility main or plugged
into an AC outlet. The second device demodulates the command word
and makes a determination of whether the command word is contained
within its set of valid command words, and whether the command word
corresponds to its attached product.
27. The present invention provides a compact, continuously
listening speech recognition circuit that may be incorporated into
a variety of designs including wall switches and portable outlet
devices. A voice activated wall switch or wall outlet provides an
improved method for controlling electrical devices. Limitations of
the prior art, including the need for complex computer-controlled
systems, user frustration, use in noisy environments, and limited
speech command sets, are overcome by the present invention to
increase response accuracy and device utility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
28. Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by
consideration of the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts,
and in which:
29. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a speech controlled device;
30. FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a portable speech activated
device;
31. FIG. 3a is a flowchart of a minimal functionality of a
programming code for a preferred embodiment of the speech control
device;
32. FIG. 3b is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 3a for an
on/off application;
33. FIG. 3c is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 3a for a
dimmer application;
34. FIG. 4 is a front view of a wall switch of a preferred
embodiment;
35. FIG. 5 is a side view of a wall switch of a preferred
embodiment;
36. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a speech activated wall
switch;
37. FIG. 7a is a flowchart of a wall switch of a preferred
embodiment;
38. FIG. 7b is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7a for a
default mode of a preferred embodiment;
39. FIG. 7c is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7a for a
first user independent mode;
40. FIG. 7d is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7a for a
second user independent mode;
41. FIG. 7e is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7a for a
third user independent mode;
42. FIG. 7f is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7a for a
speaker dependent mode;
43. FIG. 7g is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7f; and
44. FIG. 7h is a continuation of the flowcharts of FIG. 7f and
7g.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
45. "Speech recognition" refers to the ability of a device to
recognize what words have been spoken and to take specific actions
according to those words recognized. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a
preferred embodiment of the electrical components of a speech
recognition device. A microphone 2 accepts and converts speech and
other sounds into electrical audio signals. The electrical audio
signals at the output of the microphone 1 are amplified by an input
amplifier 4 and fed into a bandpass filter 6. The band pass filter
6 of the preferred embodiment is designed to filter signals outside
of the frequency range of approximately 580 Hz to 4.2 kHz, which
represents the typical frequency range of speech.
46. The filtered audio signal is introduced into an automatic gain
control circuit 8. The phrase "automatic gain control" usually
refers to a feedback loop that accepts a varying input signal and
uses feedback to maintain a constant output signal. The automatic
gain control circuit 8 of the preferred embodiment operates in a
different manner by supplying a continuous ambient level signal to
the microcontroller 20 over a pre-determined time window. The
microcontroller 20 maintains the ambient level during the time
window by sending feedback signals 36, 38 to the automatic gain
control circuit 8. The ambient level is used as a starting level
for recognizing speech. Any background noise received by the device
during the time window that is below the ambient level is ignored.
After the time window has expired, the device establishes a new
ambient level signal.
47. Establishing an ambient level is desirable feature in noisy
environments because the user need only speak above the ambient
level to trigger the device. Additionally, the ambient level
increases the device accuracy because the device will not falsely
trigger in response to a stray or constant background noise. In the
preferred embodiment, a time window has a duration in the range of
5 seconds to 1 minute, where approximately 5 seconds is an ideal
duration. Obviously, the particular pre-determined time window may
vary with the type of environment, and is not meant to be a
limiting factor. For example, in a particularly quiet environment,
the time window may be of a longer duration because changing
background noises are not expected.
48. In the preferred embodiment, the automatic gain control loop
includes the automatic gain control circuitry 8, the
microcontroller 20, an amplifier 10, and a multiplying buffer 12.
The output of the automatic gain control circuitry 8 is fed into an
amplifier 10. The output of the amplifier 10 is fed into the
microcontroller 20 and a multiplying buffer 12. Finally, the output
of the multiplying buffer is also fed into the microcontroller.
Thus, the "ambient level" that is sent to the microcontroller 20
consists of both a zero level 40 at the output of the amplifier 10,
and a multiplied level 42 at the output of the multiplying buffer.
The microcontroller 20 of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 is a
general purpose microcontroller manufactured by Sensory, Inc..TM.
which is configurable for a variety of applications including
speech recognition.
49. The microcontroller of the preferred embodiment requires the
zero level 40 and the multiplied level 42 to produce feedback
signals 36, 38. However, other embodiments of the invention using
different microcontrollers may have differing input requirements to
maintain the ambient level that is established using feedback
signals 36, 38. Also, the automatic gain control circuitry 48 may
be deleted from the circuit of FIG. 1 for embodiments where the
microcontroller includes equivalent circuitry of the automatic gain
control 8, amplifier 10, and multiply buffer 12. For such
embodiments, the output of the band pass filter 6 is directly
accepted by the microcontroller 20. As additional functions become
available on the microcontroller 20, other circuit functions such
as program memory band pass filter and input amplifier may
eliminate the need for separate circuits to provide these
functions.
50. The microcontroller circuitry includes the microcontroller 20
and a number of memory modules. The memory modules of the preferred
embodiment include the program memory 22 and speech command memory
14 which are shown external to the microcontroller 20, but which
may be internal to the microcontrollers of other embodiments of the
invention. The program memory 22 is a Read Only Memory (ROM) module
which stores the programming code of the microcontroller 20. The
programming code establishes the sequence of events that are
followed by the device to produce a control signal 44 in response
to valid speech commands. The speech command memory 14 of the
preferred embodiment employs a Random Access Memory (RAM) module
which stores the speaker dependent speech commands. The speaker
independent speech commands are stored in a separate memory ROM
module (not shown) which may be internal to the microcontroller.
The term "memory module" does not necessarily refer to separate
circuit elements. For example, all ROM data may be stored in the
same circuit element, but at different address block locations.
51. Power circuitry of the preferred embodiment which supplies
analog and digital operating voltages to the device circuitry
includes an AC source circuit 24, an AC to DC power supply circuit
26, an analog DC power supply circuit 28, and a digital DC power
supply circuit 30. Standard utility AC is supplied to the AC source
circuit 24 by means of a standard AC jack that is plugged in to a
standard AC outlet 72, as shown in FIG. 2. The device may be
adapted to be compatible with a 120 V or 230 V AC standard. The AC
to DC power supply circuit 26 convert the standard utility AC to DC
voltages which are fed into the analog DC power supply circuit 28
and the digital DC power supply circuit 30. The analog DC power
supply circuit 28 supplies power to the input amplifier 4 and the
microcontroller 20. The Digital DC power supply supplies digital
voltages to the microcontroller 20.
52. Standard utility AC is also supplied to an AC detect circuit 32
which is connected to the microcontroller 20 and the output control
circuit 16. Upon recognition of a valid speech command, the
microcontroller sends a control signal 44 to the output control
circuit 16. The control signal 44 enables or disables a connection
of the standard utility AC into the output control circuit 16. In
the preferred embodiment, the output control circuit 16 includes a
power switch that connects the standard utility AC to a standard AC
plug.
53. For applications where the device is used as a dimmer, the AC
detect circuit 32 synchronizes an AC signal with the standard
utility AC to produce an AC waveform having an increased or
decreased voltage. The AC waveform is connected to the output
control circuit 16 by the control signal 44 upon recognition of a
valid speech command.
54. In a second embodiment of the invention the output control
circuit 16 has modulation capability and can modulate and transmit
a control signal on the standard utility AC via the AC source
circuit 24 using current carrier technology as described herein.
This capability allows the device to remotely control electronics
and appliances that are connected to the same standard utility AC
circuit. The AC detect circuit may also include a demodulator to
detect and demodulate a signal from the standard utility AC. The
demodulated signal is sent to the microcontroller 20 for a
determination of whether the demodulated signal represents a valid
speech command for an electrical appliance that is attached to the
device. If the signal is a valid speech command, control signal 44
is sent to enable the output control circuit 16.
55. The user interface circuit 34 of the preferred embodiment is
connected to the microcontroller 20 and includes an indicating
device such as an LED, or a speaker, or both. The user interface
circuit 34, which is provided as a convenience for the user and
does not affect the operation of the device, informs the user that
the device has received either an invalid or a valid speech
command. Without the visual or audio feedback, the user can not be
certain of the reason for a non-response of the device. For
example, the user may not be enunciating the command correctly, or
may be using an invalid speech command. Thus, the user feedback
lessens frustration and leads to an increase in correct device
responses.
56. The indicating device includes at least one LED which may be
uni- or multi-colored to prompt the user, signal an unrecognized
command, and/or signal acceptance of a valid command. The
indicating device may also include a display or another means of
visually indicating the completion of an event. The speaker is
connected to the microcontroller 20 via amplifier circuitry known
in the art and provides a means for communicating spoken
instructions or audio prompts which are stored in a memory module
of the microcontroller 20. Obviously, a combination of an LED and a
speaker will provide the highest degree of user convenience.
57. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a speech
activated device. The device consists of a shell 60 that houses the
speech recognition circuitry of FIG. 1, and is designed to be
compact and self-contained such that the entire device plugs into a
utility outlet 72. The shell contains several openings for
components of a speech recognition circuit, and may include
openings for an indicating device 64, a speaker 70, a microphone
62, a microphone plug 68, a standard AC utility plug 66, and a
standard utility jack (not shown) which plugs into the utility
outlet 72. The electronic product or appliance cord 74 is plugged
into a standard AC utility plug 66 which is located on a face of
the shell 60.
58. The program stored in the program memory 22 of FIG. 1 varies to
accommodate the available device features and the desired mode of
operation. FIG. 3a is a flowchart of functionality of a sample
programming code of a preferred embodiment and is not meant to
limit the possible programming possibilities. Start block 100
represents the initial power-up of the device after it has been
plugged into the utility outlet 72 shown in FIG. 2. The start block
100 may also include additional routines such as a mode of
operation routine that prompts the user to record valid speech
commands for a speaker dependent application. If user response is
not forthcoming, the device defaults to a speaker independent mode
of operation. Once the microcontroller 20 has established the
operating parameters set forth in the start block 100, the
microcontroller 20 proceeds to configure its input/output (I/O)
ports. The I/O configuration is pre-determined and will vary with
the parameters chosen in the start block 100.
59. The indicating device 64 has a default value, and for the
minimal preferred embodiment, the default is an "off" state in
which the indicating device 64 is not illuminated. Whether the
indicating device 64 is "on" or "off" to indicate an active
listening state is a matter of preference, and in an alternate
embodiment, the indicating device 64 is illuminated as the default
mode to indicate that the device is actively listening.
60. Block 104, which is the default block for most of the decisions
blocks of the subsequent programming code, sets the indicating
device into an "off" state. The first expected command word, which
may be one of a set of first expected command words, is retrieved
in block 106. The device waits for a pre-determined silence period
of block 108. If there are no sounds which are within the frequency
of speech and above an ambient level for the duration of the
silence period, then the silence is acceptable 110 and the device
waits for a first speech utterance 112. If the silence is not
acceptable, the program defaults to the default block 104 and
restarts the above process.
61. The silence period is a required limitation of the technology,
and as the technology improves, the silence period will approach
zero. Technology that requires the program to pause in-between
words is referred to as discrete speech or isolated speech
technology. Discrete speech recognition systems can only recognize
words that are spoken separately. In contrast, continuous speech
technology does not require phrases of natural speech to be broken
into distinct words separated by silences. The device of the
preferred embodiment employs discrete speech technology with a
silence period on the order of 0.01 to 0.07 seconds. This silence
period will vary according to the microcontroller 20 employed.
62. Block 112 represents the continuously listening feature of the
device, and the first utterance does not have to occur within a set
time period. Once an utterance occurs the signal, which is received
through the microphone 2, is recorded in bock 112. If an acceptable
recording has occurred 114, then the duration of the word is
checked 116. An acceptable recording 114 is a recording which
contains data within the frequency range of speech, and a duration
116 is the actual time that it took to utter the word. Typical
durations of words are known because the acceptable command words
are from a pre-determined set. Thus, the utterance can be no longer
than the longest valid command word. If the utterance is longer
than the longest valid command word 118, the program defaults to
default block 104, otherwise, the utterance is compared to the
words included in the set of valid command words.
63. The set of valid command words of the minimal preferred
embodiment includes the word "LIGHTS." If the recorded utterance of
block 112 favorably compares with the pre-recorded samples of the
word "LIGHTS"122, then the device has found a positive match, and
proceeds to retrieve the second word values 124 which constitutes a
desired action such as "ON" or "OFF" or "LOW." The silence level is
initialized in block 126, and has a minimum decibel level equal to
the ambient noise level that is determined over a time window. The
device listens for an acceptable silence level for a pre-determined
time duration 128, and illuminates the indicating device. If the
silence period is of an acceptable time duration 132, then the
device records the second utterance 134. An acceptable recording
136 and utterance duration 138, 140 advances the program sequence
to a point of recognizing the word 142. If the duration of the
silence period or the recording is unacceptable, or the duration of
the word is too long, then the program defaults to block 104, and
the indicating device is turned off and the process starts
again.
64. FIGS. 3b and 3c are continuations of the program flowchart in
FIG. 3a. FIG. 3b represents the program for a simple "ON" or "OFF"
application, and FIG. 3c describes the program flow for a light
dimmer application. In the application of FIG. 3b, if the second
utterance is "ON"144, and a switch included in the output control
circuit 16 is open 148, then a control signal 44 is sent to the
output control circuit 16 to close the switch 150. The closed
switch connects standard utility AC to a utility plug. The program
returns to the default block 104, turns off the indicating device,
and waits for a new sequence of speech commands. If the utterance
is not "ON" 144, then the utterance is compared to the pre-recorded
word "OFF"152. If the utterance is determined to be a match 152,
then a determination is made regarding whether the switch of the
output control circuit 16 is closed 154. If the switch is closed
154, a control signal 44 is sent to the output control circuit 16
to open the switch and disconnect AC power from the utility plug
156. All other outcomes return the program to the default block
104.
65. The continuation of the flowchart for a light dimmer
application is illustrated in FIG. 3c. The utterance is compared to
pre-recorded words including "LOW" 158, "MEDIUM" 160, "OFF" 162,
and "ON" 164. If a match is identified, control signal 44 is sent
to the output control circuit 16 to close 166, 168, 172 or open 170
the switch. Also, the microcontroller 20 communicates with the AC
detect circuit 32 to send a reduced or increased AC voltage level
166, 168 to the output control circuit 16. A non-matching utterance
defaults the program to the default block 104.
66. FIGS. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate a preferred embodiment of
a portable, generally palm-sized speech recognition device. The
preferred embodiment is plugged into a standard wall socket and
includes at least one AC plug for accepting the cord/jack of any AC
operated device. The speech recognition device is an economical
solution to controlling electrical devices by speech commands.
67. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another preferred embodiment wherein
voice activated control circuitry is housed in a wall switch
assembly 200 that includes a switch plate 210 and switch box 218.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a wall switch plate 210. The
preferred wall switch embodiment utilizes a capacitance touch plate
202 as the manual switching control. Other embodiments may utilize
other touch pad technologies or mechanical switches. The switch
plate 210 also includes a microphone 206 for accepting speech
commands. The user interface of the preferred embodiment utilizes a
green LED 208 and a red LED 204 to prompt the user and to indicated
that the device is actively listening for a speech command. Other
embodiments of the voice activated wall switch may utilize varying
user interfaces including one or more LEDs of varying colors, one
or more multi-colored LEDs, a character display device, a speaker
for audio prompts, or any combination thereof. Standard switch
plate screws 220 secure the switch plate 210 to the switch box
218.
68. FIG. 5 is a cross section of the wall switch assembly 200. The
switch box 218 houses a power circuit board 212 and a speech
recognition circuit board 216 connected by at least one connector
222. In the preferred embodiment of the voice activated wall
switch, the connector 222 includes connections for power signal
lines and control signal lines. An aluminum base plate 214 provides
structural support for the components of the switch box assembly
200. In addition, the aluminum plate 214 may act as a heat sink for
various components on the power circuit board 212 by including
wings or tabs that extend from the aluminum plate 214 to contact
the power components.
69. The speech recognition circuit board 216 is a stand-alone item
that may be incorporated into other electrical or electronic
devices including various wall switch assemblies. Referring to FIG.
6, the circuit board 216 has inputs that connect to a microphone
602 and AC source 624, and outputs that connect to one or more user
interfaces 634, and a touch and dim controller 646 or any other
suitable manual switch. Thus, the speech recognition circuit board
216 may be adapted to a particular application by connecting the
inputs and outputs to appropriate components.
70. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a speech
recognition circuit board 216 and externally connected components
for a voice activated wall switch assembly 200 as shown in FIGS. 4
and 5. The purpose and operation of the elements of the block
diagram of FIG. 6 are substantially similar to the elements of the
block diagram of FIG. 1. The microphone 602 connects to an input to
the speech recognition circuit board 216 and converts speech and
other sounds to electrical audio signals. The electrical audio
signals are amplified by an input amplifier 604 and filtered by a
band pass filter 606 to exclude frequencies outside the frequency
range of speech.
71. An automatic gain control circuit 648 accepts the filtered
audio signal from the band pass filter 606 and establishes an
ambient noise input level for microcontroller 620. In other
embodiments, the automatic gain control circuit 648 may be included
in the microcontroller 620 allowing the output signal from the band
pass filter 606 to be directly connected to the microcontroller
620.
72. The power circuitry of the preferred embodiment resides on the
power circuit board 212 as shown in FIG. 5. The power circuitry
includes an AC source input circuit 624, an AC to DC power supply
circuit 626, an analog DC power supply circuit 628, a digital DC
power supply circuit 630, and an AC detect circuit 632. The AC
source input circuit 624 is directly connected to an AC circuit
provided to the wall switch. In other embodiments, portions of the
power circuitry may reside on the speech recognition circuit board
216.
73. The microcontroller circuitry includes the microcontroller 620,
program memory 622, and speech command memory 614 which are shown
external to the microcontroller 20, but which may be internal to
microcontrollers of other embodiments of the invention. The program
memory 622 is a Read Only Memory (ROM) for storing programming code
of the microcontroller 620. The program memory 622 or an additional
ROM stores speaker independent words. The speech command memory 614
of the preferred embodiment stores speaker dependent speech
commands that are programmed by a user into the device during a
programming mode.
74. The user interface 634 of the preferred embodiment of the voice
activated wall switch assembly 200 includes a green LED 208 and a
red LED 204 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Other embodiments may include
a single LED, or any other type of indicator that is controllable
by the microcontroller 620. The user interface 634 provides visual
prompts for the user to indicate that the circuit is operating and
accepting speech commands or programming mode inputs of speaker
dependent commands.
75. Output control signal 644 is generated by the microcontroller
620 for instructing the output control circuitry 616 to switch
power on or off, to toggle power, or to reduce power, i.e. dim
lights. The output control circuitry 616 of the preferred
embodiment is located on the power circuit board 212, and is
connected to the speech recognition circuit board 216 via the
connector 222. It should be noted that the division of circuitry
between the speech recognition circuit board 216 and the power
circuit board 212 is a matter of design convenience, only. Other
embodiments of the voice activated wall switch may vary the
locations of the electrical components.
76. The voice activated wall switch has a manual touch and dim
controller 646 that includes the touch pad 202 of FIGS. 4 and 5 for
manually controlling a switch located in the output control
circuitry 616. The speech control and the touch control are
simultaneously active. In addition, the current state of the power
is known by the microcontroller 620. For example, if an electrical
device, e.g. a light, is "ON," then pressing the touch pad 202 will
toggle the power "OFF." If a user subsequently uses a speech
command "LIGHTS," the power is switched "ON."
77. FIGS. 7a through 7h illustrate a flow diagram for the
microcontroller program ("the program") of a preferred embodiment
of the voice activated wall switch. Referring to FIG. 7a, start
blocks 700 and 702 represent an initial application of AC power to
the wall switch circuitry that occurs during installation of the
device. A red LED 204, as shown in FIG. 4, is illuminated 704 to
indicate that the device has power. The green LED 208 is also
illuminated 706 to indicate that the device is listening for a word
708. If the user does not issue a speech command 710, then the
program branches to a default mode 712. If the user utters a user
independent command as shown in decision blocks 714, 716, 718, then
the program branches to the appropriate mode of operation. The
command "PROGRAM" 720, causes the microcontroller 620 to initiate a
programming mode to learn user dependent commands. An
unrecognizable command, i.e. a command that is not in
microcontroller memory, causes the program to branch to default
mode 722 shown in FIG. 7b.
78. FIG. 7b illustrates a Default Mode 722 of the wall switch of
the preferred embodiment. The microcontroller 620 determines
whether the user has pressed the touch pad three times 724 for the
purpose of resetting the mode of operation. Other embodiments of
the program may use a different mode reset requirement, e.g. two
quick presses to the touch pad rather than three. As described
herein, a single press to the touch pad toggles the state of the
applied AC power to "on" or "off." In the preferred embodiment of
the voice activated wall switch, three presses to the touch pad
cause the program to branch to the start of the mode selection
sequence, block 704 of FIG. 7a. If a reset condition is not
detected, the green LED 208 is illuminated 726, and the voice
activated device waits for a command word. If the user says the
command "LIGHTS" 728, the green LED 208 is turned off and the
microcontroller 620 sends a control signal 644, as shown in FIG. 6,
to the output control circuit 616, to toggle the power 734. Upon
toggling the power in block 734, the program loops back to the
start of default mode 722.
79. A Lights On/Off Mode is illustrated in FIG. 7c. The program
checks for a reset condition 740. If the user has not initiated a
reset, the green LED 208 and the red LED 204 illuminate 742 to
indicate that the voice activated device expects to receive an
acceptable first word. Any detected word other that "LIGHTS" 744,
causes the program to branch to the start of the Lights On/Off Mode
738. If the word "LIGHTS" is detected 744, the green LED 208 is
illuminated 748 to indicate that the device expects to receive a
second acceptable word, "ON" or "OFF" 750. If the device does not
detect either acceptable word 750, the program branches to the
start of the Lights On/Off Mode 738. If the device detects either
the word "ON" or "OFF" 750, the green LED 208 is turned off and the
power is toggled accordingly 754.
80. FIG. 7d illustrates the user independent Computer Lights On/Off
Mode 758. Absent a reset condition 760, the device illuminates both
LEDs 204, 208, and waits for an acceptable first word 762. If the
word "COMPUTER" is detected 764, the green LED 208 is illuminated
768 to indicate that the device is waiting for a second word,
"LIGHTS," "ON," or "OFF" 770. Upon detection of an acceptable word,
the green LED 208 is turned off and the power is toggled
accordingly 774.
81. FIG. 7e also illustrates a user independent mode in blocks 788
through 804. If the user does not reset the mode 790, the LEDs
illuminate 792. The first expected word is "INTELSWITCH" 794 and
the second expected word is either "ON" or "OFF" 800. If the words
are not detected in the appropriate order, the program turns off
the illuminated LEDs 796, 802 and branches to the start of the mode
788. An acceptable sequence of commands causes the microcontroller
620 to send a control signal 644 to switch the power either "ON" or
"OFF" 804.
82. The program flowchart of the preferred embodiment of a voice
activated wall switch illustrates a default mode and three
additional user independent modes. The words used as command words
for these illustrative modes are not meant to be limiting, and
other words and sequences of words may be programmed into program
memory.
83. FIGS. 7f, 7g, and 7h illustrate the flowchart for a speaker
dependent mode 806. The red and green LEDs 204, 208 are flashed
once to indicate that the device is waiting to record the first
word 808. The green LED 208 is then illuminated to indicate that
the device is listening for the first word 810. If the device has
not recorded a third silence period 812, then the program
determines whether an acceptable recording has occurred 816, and
either branches to the start of the user dependent mode 808, or
indicates a valid recording 818 by flashing the red LED 204. Upon
detection of a third silence period, the program checks whether
words have been recorded in memory 814. If memory contains user
dependent words, the program branches to wait for a user dependent
command. If the recorded word is the first recording 820, the
program stores the word pattern in a temporary memory 822 and
branches to 808 to prompt the user to repeat the word. If the
recorded word is the second or greater recording 820, the program
compares the currently recorded word with the previously recorded
word 824. If the word patterns match 826, then the first word is
saved in memory 828. If the word patterns do not match 826, the
program branches to 808 to prompt the user to repeat the command
word until the user can repeat the word in a substantially similar
manner.
84. FIG. 7g is a continuation of the user dependent programming
mode. Once a first word has been successfully recorded, the LEDs
are flashed to indicate that the device is waiting for a second
word 834. The green LED 208 is illuminated to indicate that the
unit is ready to record the second word 836. If a silence period is
recorded three times 838, then the program branches to detect a
valid command word. If a valid word pattern is recorded 840, the
red LED 204 flashes once 842. If the user has not repeated the word
844, the word is recorded in a temporary memory 852, and the
program branches to the beginning of the sequence to record a
second word 834. If the user has repeated the word at least once
844, the program compares the current word pattern with the
previously recorded word pattern 846 to determine whether a match
exists 848. If the patterns match 848, the user has successfully
programmed the second word which is stored in a second position in
memory 850.
85. Once a sequence of user dependent commands is successfully
recorded, the device is ready to respond to user dependent commands
as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7h. If a reset condition is
not detected 856, the device illuminates the green LED 208 to
indicate that it is waiting to accept a command 858. If a speech
command is successfully recorded 860, the LED is turned off 864 and
the program determines whether the word is a valid user dependent
word. If the word is recorded in memory 866, the power is toggled
868. Otherwise, the program loops back to 856 to await a valid user
dependent command.
86. The flowchart of FIG. 7h illustrates a minimal example of
recognizing a single user dependent word. However, the other
embodiments of the program may require a sequence of words before
the power is toggled 868. The other embodiments of the program may
also respond according to a particular command such as "DIM" or
"ON" or "OFF." Thus, the flowchart is presented for illustrative
purposes and is not meant to limit the breadth of the
microcontroller program.
87. It is evident that there are additional embodiments which are
not illustrated above but which are clearly within the scope and
spirit of the present invention. The above description and drawings
are therefore intended to be exemplary only and the scope of the
invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *