DOUTHITT, Brian, L. (2041 Laurie Lane, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
HUGHES, David, J. (7785 Bluebird Dr, Jenison, MI, 49428, US)
ZEINSTRA, Mark (945 Meadow Ridge Drive, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
RINGOLD, Ted, W. (1532 Sunflower Way, Hudsonville, MI, 49426, US)
KLAMER, Douglas, W. (3000 Countrywide Lane 3, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
WITTERS, Todd (7388 Sandelwood St, Jennison, MI, 49428, US)
ANDERSON, Elisabet, A. (290 Sandy Court, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
SIMS, Michael, J. (10662 Deer Ridge Ct, Zeeland, MI, 49464, US)
DOUTHITT, Brian, L. (2041 Laurie Lane, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
HUGHES, David, J. (7785 Bluebird Dr, Jenison, MI, 49428, US)
ZEINSTRA, Mark (945 Meadow Ridge Drive, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
RINGOLD, Ted, W. (1532 Sunflower Way, Hudsonville, MI, 49426, US)
KLAMER, Douglas, W. (3000 Countrywide Lane 3, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
WITTERS, Todd (7388 Sandelwood St, Jennison, MI, 49428, US)
ANDERSON, Elisabet, A. (290 Sandy Court, Holland, MI, 49424, US)
| Filed Via EFS ® USPTO.GOV on March 25, 201 1 Attorney Docket No. 1494-039VVO (JC0731 -WO) CLAIMS . Method for adjusting a voice recognition system (106} comprising a speaker (110) and a microphone (1 0), the method comprising the steps of: - memorizing an audio frequency signal, playing back the audio frequency signal by means of the speaker (110), - generating a detection signal by detecting the audio frequency signal by means of the microphone (1 0), and - adjusting parameters of the voice recognition system (106) dependent on the detection signai, 2. Method according to c aim 1 , wherein the voice recognition system (106) is an in- vehieie voice recognition system {106} and wherein the audio frequency signal is played back within the vehicle (100) and wherein the audio frequenc signal is detected within the vehicle (100). 3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment of parameters of the voice recognition system ( 08) includes an adjustment of the gain of an amplifier associated to the microphone (120). 4. Method according to claim 2. wherein the adjustment of parameters of the voice recognition system (106) includes an adjustment of the gain of an amplifier associated to the speaker ( 0). 5. Method according to claim 2t wherein the audio frequency signal is an audio prompt signal, wherein the audio frequency signal is recognized by the voice recognition system ( 06), 8. Method according to claim 2, wherein the audio frequency signai is an audio prompt signal prompting for a user input signal, wherein the user input signal is recognized by the voice recognition system (106). 7. Voice recognition system comprising a speaker ( 10) and a microphone (120), wherein an audio frequency signai is stored in a memory device assigned to the voice recognition system ( 06). wherein parameters of the voice recognition system (108) are adjusted dependent on a defection signal generated by means of the microphone ( 20), wherein the defection signal corresponds to the audio Filed Via EFS © USPTO.GOV on March 25, 201 Attorney Docket No. 494-039WO (JCO731-WO) frequency signal played back by means of the speaker {1 10). Voice recognition system according to claim ?s wherein the voice recognition system (106) is an in-vehicle voice recognition system. Voice recognition system according to claim 8, wherein the in-vehicle voice recognition system (106) is fixedly buiit in the vehicle. 10. Voice recognition system according to claim 8, wherein the in-vehicle voice recognition system (108) is fixedly built in the vehicle (100) by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). |
Attorney Docket No. 1494-039WO {JC0731 -WO)
METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM CO PRISI G A SPEAKER AMD A MICROPHONE. AND VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTE
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[001] This application claims priority to United States Application Serial Number 12/793,113 titled "METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPEAKER AND A MICROPHONE, AND VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM" filed June 3, 2010, the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[00¾ The present application relates to a method for adjusting a voice recognition system comprising a speaker and a microphone, and especially to a method for adjusting a voice recognition system in a motor vehicle (In-vehic!e voice recognition system). The present invention also relates to a voice recognition system, especially an in-vehseie voice recognition system.
[003] Vehicles include a number of subsystems that may be controlled by a user interface comprising a plurality of tactile input devsces such as buttons, touch screens, or selection wheels. During the use of a vehicle, it is of paramount importance that the driver's attention is not distracted from the traffic situation around the vehicle.
[004] it is known that vehicles are equipped with voice recognition systems such that controlling a vehicle control system, such as a heating system and/or an audio system and/or a communication system, can be performed b spoken (voice) commands. For example, it is possible that such i -vehicle control systems comprise communication interfaces or communication modules such that mobile devices can be connected to the vehicle system. Examples of such mobiie devices include media players, mobiie phones, portable of handheld computers, personal digital assistants, smart phones, navigational devices off-board data storage devices or other handheld/mobile devices.
[005] Such voice recognition systems rely on the detection (or on recording) the spoken (voice) commands and therefore a high signal quality of the detected signals (of the spoken commands) is required in order to properly recognize the spoken commands. Filed Via EFS @ USPTO.GOV on March 25, 20
Attorney Docket No, 1494-039WO (JC0731 -WO)
[006] Therefore, the need exists of providing solutions allowing for a higher signal quaiity of the recorded or detected spoken commands in such a way that the adjustment of the voice recognition system is as easy as possible for a user of the vehicle and the voice recognition system.
SUMMARY
[007] This problem is solved by the present invention. This invention provides a method for adjusting a voice recognition system comprising a speaker and a microphone, the method comprising the steps of:
- memorizing an audio frequency signai,
- playing back the audio frequency signal by means of the speaker,
- generating detection signai by detecting the audio frequency signal by means of the microphone, and
- adjusting parameters of the voice recognition system dependent on the detection signai.
[008] According to the present invention it is advantageously possible to use the voice recognition system without or with a minimum of training and/or adjustment of the system prior to operatively using the system. This means that, for example, the system plays back a audio frequency signal, e.g. a prompt signai and or a welcome signal, and that the acoustic effect of playing back this audio frequency signai is defected by the voice recognition system in such a manner that an {automatic} adjustment of the voice recognition system is performed. In the context of the present invention, adjustment of the voice recognition system especially means to adjust certain parameters of the voice recognition system, such as the gain and/or other characteristics of a microphone amplifier and/or such as the gain and/or other characteristics of a speaker amplifier. Typically by or after playing hack the audio frequency signal, a user is prompted to provide a reaction, e.g. a voice command, in the context of the present invention, such a voice command is also called a user input signal. The main aim of the voice recognition system is to properly recognize this user input signal for a comparably wide variet of differen (voices of) speakers and for a comparably wide variety of operational situations, especially different surrounding (acoustic) noise levels and characteristics.
[009J According to the present invention, it is preferred that the voice recognition system is an in-vehicie voice recognition system and wherein the audio frequency signal is played back within the vehicle and wherein the audio frequency signai is detected Filed Via EPS @ USPTO.GOV on March 25, 2011
Attorney Docket No. 1494-039WO {JC0731-WO)
within the vehicle. Thereby, it is possible to use the voice recognition system in a vehicle and especially while driving the vehicle. Especially, it is possible according to the present invention that the driver of the vehicle is able to use - by using the voice recognition system - the vehicle control system or other vehicle systems in a less complicated way such that less attentiveness is required for controlling these vehicle systems. Especially, it is possible according to the present invention that the geometric characteristics of the interior of the vehicle (i.e. the vehicle cabin configuration} leading to certain acoustic characteristics are automaiicaily taken into consideration by the voice recognition system.
[010] According to the present invention, it is furthermore preferred that the adjustment of parameters of the voice recognition system includes an adjustment of the gain of an amplifier associated to the microphone and/or an adjustment of the gain of an amplifier associated to the speaker. j¾ ] Thereby, it is advantageously possibie thai an adjustment of the voice recognition system ca be performed easily and automatically.
[012] The present invention also relates to a voice recognition system comprising a speaker and a microphone, wherein an audio frequency signal is stored in a memory device assigned to the voice recognition system, wherein parameters of the voice recognition system are adjusted dependent on a detection signai generated by means of the microphone, wherein the detection signai corresponds to the audio frequency signal ptayed back by means of the speaker.
[013] Thereby, it is advantageously possibie to easily calibrate and adjust the voice recognition system.
[01 ] According to the present invention, it is preferred that the voice recognition system is an in-vehicle voice recognition system.
[01 §] According to the present invention, it is also preferred that the ϊη-vehicSe voice recognition system is fixedly built in the vehicle by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
[01 §1 Especially, is advantageously possibie according to the present invention to use the vehicle control system or the plurality of vehicle control systems {possibly with other devices such as mobile devices connected to such a vehicle control or communication system) by means of using the inventive voice recognition system of the vehicle in such a way as to be less distracted from the traffic situation of the vehicle. Filed Via EPS ® USPTO.GOV on March 25, 20 1
Attorney Docket No. 1 94-039WO (JC0731 -WO)
[017] The invention ii! become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings , wherein iike reference numerals refer to iike elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTiON OF THE DRAWINGS
[0183 Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicie that includes an in-vebicle voice recognition system,
[019] Fig. 2 schematicaliy shows a front view of the in-vehiele voice recognition system.
[020] Fig. 3 schematically shows the inventive method for adjusting the inventive voice recognition system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[021] Before turning to the figures which illustrate the application in detail, ii should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description only and should not b regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention.
[022] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicie 100 includes an in-vehic!e voice recognition system 106, The in~vehicle voice recognition system is especially linked to a vehicie control system such as, e.g., a media system, a navigational system, an entertainment system, a display system, or another vehicie control system comprising, for example, a display means or another user interaction means,
[023] Referring to FIG. 2, the in~vehie!o voice recognition system 108 is shown together with a microphone 120 and a speaker 0. The in-vehtcle voice recognition system 106 can include a display means 108 (also called output display), and one or more knobs or input means, and/or one or more pushbuttons or the like. Such input devices can be used for controlling various vehicle functions wiihoui the use of voice commands. The speaker 1 10 and the microphone 120 are only represented schematically; especiaiiy, there can be (and preferably are) a plurality of speakers 110 and also there can be (and preferably are) a plurality of microphones 120. Preferably, the speaker 1 0 (or plurality of speakers 110) and/or the microphone 20 (or plurality of microphones 1 0} are provided Fifed Via EPS @ USPTO.GOV on March 25, 20 1
Attorney Docket No. 1494-039WO (JC0731-WO)
adjustable. T ss means thai, e.g. one or a plurality of amplifiers or other devices or entities influencing the audio characteristics of the speakers) 1 10 and/or m!crophone(s) 120 are provided such that their behavior can be changed dependent on one or a plurality of parameters.
{024] The amplifier or amplifiers can either be comprised in the microphone or microphones 120 and/or in the speaker or speakers 110 or they can be provided in a control unit assigned to the microphone(s) 120 and/or speakers) 110.
[025] An audio frequency signal stored in a memory device inside of the voice recognition system 08 {or assigned to the voice recognition system 108) can be played back by means of the speaker 1 10 such that the microphone 120 or microphones 120 are ab!e to generate a detection signai. Such a detection signal is fed io the voice recognition system (i.e. to a control unit or micro-controSier unit or to another controlling and/or data processing device such as a digital signai processor) in order to be analyzed, if insufficient audio quality is detected, the parameters of the voice recognition system are changed dependent on the detection signal. Especially, if is advantageously possible according to the present invention that a noise reduction can be realized whiie recognizing the voice command of the user. This is possible due to the fact that the detection signai related to the audio frequency signai is analyzed and a related noise pattern extracted or determined.
[026] From such a noise level pattern, it is advantageously possibie according to the present invention to estimate a noise level pattern of the voice command of the user (spoken, e.g., into the microphone or captured by the microphone or the plurality of microphones) to be recognized by the voice recognition system and thereby the performance of the system enhanced. t ' 027] in Fig, 3 the inventive method for adjusting the inventive voice recognition system is schematically shown. In a first step 210 - usually during the manufacture of the voice recognition system or during adaption of the voice recognition system for different markets (having different languages) - the audio frequency signal is stored or memorized in a memory device or memory unit of the voice recognition system or assigned to the voice recognition system.
[028] In a second step 220, the audio frequency signal is played back by means of the speaker 110. This playing back of the audio frequency signai is preferably done during either an initial use of the voice recognition system by a user and/or at a later time during normal use of the voice recognition system. Especially, any prompt output by the speaker Hied Via EFS @ USPTO.GOV on March 25, 201 1
Attorney Docket No. 1494-03SWO (JC0731 -WO)
1 10 or any audible signai out ut by the speaker 1 10 can be used by the voice recognition system in order to optimize the parameter settings of the voice recognition system.
[029] in a third step 230, the played back audio frequency signai is recorded or detected using the microphone or microphones 120 and a detection signai is generated to be fed to the to the voice recognition system, especially to a control unit or microcontroller unit or to another controlling and/or data processing device such as a digital signal processor.
[030] By analyzing the detection signai in a fourth step 240, the adjustment of parameters of the voice recognition system can be optimized dependent on the detection signal. Thereby, it is possible according to the present invention to reduce the noise level and thereby to enhance the recognition performance of the voice recognition system. An enhancement of the recognition performance of the voice recognition system can, e.g., be provided by a faster recognition of the voice command of a user and/or by a more accurate recognition.
{031] Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications variations and possibilities of the invention are possible without departing from the broader spirit of the invention. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as failing within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence forming pari of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.
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