Method and apparatus for the provision of information signals based upon speech recognition

Abstract

A wireless system comprises at least one subscriber unit in wireless communication with an infrastructure. Each subscriber unit implements a speech recognition client, and the infrastructure comprises a speech recognition server. A given subscriber unit takes as input an unencoded speech signal that is subsequently parameterized by the speech recognition client. The parameterized speech is then provided to the speech recognition server that, in turn, performs speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech. Information signals, based in part upon any recognized utterances identified by the speech recognition analysis, are subsequently provided to the subscriber unit. The information signals may be used to control the subscriber unit itself; to control one or more devices coupled to the subscriber unit, or may be operated upon by the subscriber unit or devices coupled thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a speech recognition server forming a part of an infrastructure that wirelessly communicates with one or more subscriber units, each of the one or more subscriber units comprising a speech recognition client, a method for providing information signals to a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units, the method comprising steps of:
 receiving a parameterized speech signal, produced by the speech recognition client, from the subscriber unit;   performing speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   determining information signals based on the recognized utterances; and   responsive to the recognized utterances, providing the information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the speech recognition client, based on an unencoded speech signal input to the subscriber unit, provides the parameterized speech signal. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the subscriber unit, wherein the information signals control operation of the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.   
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the subscriber unit, wherein the subscriber unit operates upon the information signals.   
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising steps of:
 receiving user data in response to the information signals from the subscriber unit; and   responsive to the user data, providing additional information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.   
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising steps of:
 receiving user data in response to the information signals from the subscriber unit; and   responsive to the user data, providing additional information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. In a speech recognition server forming a part of an infrastructure that wirelessly communicates with one or more subscriber units, each of the one or more subscriber units comprising a speech recognition client, a method for providing information signals to a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units, the method comprising steps of:
 receiving a parameterized speech signal from the subscriber unit, the parameterized speech signal being output by the speech recognition client;   performing speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances; and   providing information regarding the recognized utterances to control entity forming a part of the infrastructure, wherein the control entity provides the information signals to the subscriber unit based on the information regarding the recognized utterances.   
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the speech recognition client, based on an unencoded speech signal input to the subscriber unit, provides the parameterized speech signal. 
     
     
       12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in  claim 10 . 
     
     
       13. In a subscriber unit that wirelessly communicates with an infrastructure, the subscriber unit comprising a speech recognition client and the infrastructure comprising a speech recognition server, a method for providing information signals to the subscriber unit;
 receiving, by the speech recognition client, the unencoded speech signal;   analyzing, by the speech recognition client, the unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal;   transmitting, by the subscriber unit, the parameterized speech signal to the speech recognition server; and   receiving, by the subscriber unit from the infrastructure, the information signals based on the parameterized speech signals.   
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of:
 using the information signals to control operation of the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of:
 based on the information signals, locally generating control signals for controlling operation of any of the subscriber unit and at least one device coupled to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, further comprising a step of:
 using the information signals to control operation of the at least one device.   
     
     
       17. method of  claim 16 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to the at least one device via an automobile-based communication path and the information signals are provided to the at least one device via the automobile-based communication path. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of:
 operating upon the information signals.   
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising steps of:
 providing user data in response to the information signals to the infrastructure; and   responsive to the user data, receiving additional information signals from the infrastructure.   
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, further comprising a step of:
 operating, by the at least one device, upon the information signals.   
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , further comprising steps of:
 providing user data in response to the information signals to the infrastructure; and   responsive to the user data, providing additional information signals from the infrastructure.   
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information signals are provided by the speech recognition server. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information signals are provided by a control entity forming a part of the infrastructure and coupled to the speech recognition server. 
     
     
       24. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in  claim 13 . 
     
     
       25. In a wireless communications system comprising one or more subscriber units in wireless communication with an infrastructure, each of the one or more subscriber units comprising a speech recognition client and the infrastructure comprising a speech recognition server, a method for providing information signals to a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units, the method comprising steps of:
 receiving, by the speech recognition client, an unencoded speech signal;   analyzing, by the speech recognition client, the unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal;   transmitting, by the subscriber unit, the parameterized speech signal to the speech recognition server;   performing, by the speech recognition server, speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   determining, by the speech recognition server, the information signals based on the recognized utterances; and   responsive to the recognized speech utterances, providing, by the infrastructure, the information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , further comprising a step of:
 based on the information signals, locally generating, by the subscriber unit, control signals for controlling operation of any of the subscriber unit and at least one device coupled to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the subscriber unit, wherein the information signals control operation of the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.   
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, via an automobile-based communication path and the information signals are provided to the at least one device via the automobile-based communication path. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 25 , the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the subscriber unit, wherein the subscriber unit operates upon the information signals.   
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , further comprising steps of:
 receiving, by the infrastructure, user data in response to the information signals from the subscriber unit; and   responsive to the user data, providing, by the infrastructure, additional information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the step of providing the information signals further comprising a step of:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.   
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , further comprising steps of:
 receiving, by the infrastructure, user data in response to the information signals from the subscriber unit; and   responsive to the user data, providing, by the infrastructure, additional information signals to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the information signals are provided by the speech recognition server. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the information signals are provided by a control entity forming a part of the infrastructure and coupled to the speech recognition server. 
     
     
       36. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in  claim 25 . 
     
     
       37. A speech recognition server for use in an infrastructure of a wireless communication system, wherein the infrastructure wirelessly communicates with one or more subscriber units, the speech recognition server comprising:
 a receiver that takes as input signals regarding a parameterized speech signal output by a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units and provides as output the parameterized speech signal;   a speech recognition analyzer, coupled to the receiver, that performs speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances; and   a transmitter, coupled to the speech recognition analyzer, that provides information regarding the recognized utterances to a control entity forming a part of the infrastructure, wherein the control entity provides information signals, based on the information regarding the recognized utterances, to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       38. A wireless communication system comprising the speech recognition server in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein the speech recognition server is resident in any one of a group of locations comprising a user's workspace, an enterprise's network, and a public network. 
     
     
       39. A speech recognition server for use in an infrastructure, wherein the infrastructure wirelessly communicates with one or more subscribe units, the speech recognition server comprising:
 a receiver that takes as input signals regarding a parameterized speech signal output by a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units and provides as output the parameterized speech signal;   a speech recognition analyzer, coupled to the receiver, that performs speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   a control processor that takes as input the recognized utterances and provides information signals based on the recognized utterances; and   a transmitter, coupled to the control processor, that provides the information signals to the subscriber unit of the one or more subscribe units.   
     
     
       40. A wireless communication system comprising the speech recognition server in accordance with  claim 39 , wherein the speech recognition server is resident in any one of a group of locations comprising a user's workspace, an enterprise's network, and a public network. 
     
     
       41. A subscriber unit that wirelessly communicates with an infrastructure, the subscriber unit comprising:
 a speech recognition client that takes as input an unencoded speech signal and analyzes that unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal;   a transmitter, coupled to the speech recognition client, that wirelessly communicates the parameterized speech signal to the infrastructure; and   a receiver that takes as input signals regarding information signals and provides the information signals as output, wherein the information signals are generated by a speech recognition server residing in the infrastructure and are based on the parameterized speech signal.   
     
     
       42. The subscriber unit of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 means, coupled to the receiver, for coupling the subscriber unit to at least one device, wherein the information signals are used to control operation of the at least one device.   
     
     
       43. The subscriber unit of  claim 42 , wherein the means for coupling comprises an automobile-based communication path. 
     
     
       44. The subscriber unit of  claim 41 , wherein the information signals are used to control operation of the subscriber unit. 
     
     
       45. The subscriber unit of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 means, based on the information signals, for locally generating control signals for controlling operation of any of the subscriber unit and at least one device coupled to the subscriber unit.   
     
     
       46. The subscriber unit of  claim 41 , wherein the information signals are operated upon by the subscriber unit. 
     
     
       47. The subscriber unit of  claim 46 , wherein the transmitter further functions to provide, to the infrastructure, user data in response to the information signals, and wherein the receiver further functions to receive, responsive to the user data, additional information signals from the infrastructure. 
     
     
       48. The subscriber unit of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 means, coupled to the receiver, for coupling the subscriber unit to at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.   
     
     
       49. The subscriber unit of  claim 48 , wherein the transmitter further functions to provide, to the infrastructure, user data in response to the information signals, and wherein the receiver further functions to receive, responsive to the user data, additional information signals from the infrastructure. 
     
     
       50. The subscriber unit of  claim 48 , wherein the means for coupling comprises an automobile-based communication path. 
     
     
       51. In a subscriber unit that wirelessly communicates with an infrastructure, the subscriber unit comprising a speech recognition client and the infrastructure comprising a speech recognition server, a method for providing information signals to the subscriber unit:
 receiving, by the speech recognition client, an unencoded speech signal;   analyzing, by the speech recognition client, the unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal;   analyzing, by the speech recognition client, the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   determining, by the speech recognition client, the recognized utterances comprise a predetermined utterance;   transmitting, by the subscriber unit, a second parameterized speech signal to the speech recognition server based on the determination; and   receiving, by the subscriber unit from the infrastructure, the information signals based on the second parameterized speech signal.    
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51, wherein the received speech signal is an unencoded speech signal.  
     
     
       53. The method of claim 51, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the received information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.    
     
     
       54. The method of claim 51, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the received information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.    
     
     
       55. The method of claim 51, wherein the predetermined utterance provides an indication of an interrupt.  
     
     
       56. The method of claim 51, further comprising:
 performing a speech recognition analysis on the second parameterized speech signal at the speech recognition server.    
     
     
       57. A subscriber unit that wirelessly communicates with an infrastructure, the subscriber unit comprising:
 a speech recognition client that takes as input an unencoded speech signal and analyzes that unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal, performs a speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech to provide recognized utterances, and determines whether the recognized utterances comprise a predetermined utterance;   a transmitter, coupled to the speech recognition client, that wirelessly communicates a second parameterized speech signal to the infrastructure based on the determination; and   a receiver that takes as input signals regarding information signals and provides the information signals as output, wherein the information signals are generated by a speech recognition server residing in the infrastructure and are based on the second parameterized speech signal.    
     
     
       58. The subscriber unit of claim 57, wherein the received speech signal is an unencoded speech signal.  
     
     
       59. The subscriber unit of claim 57, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, and further wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.  
     
     
       60. The subscriber unit of claim 57, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, and further wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.  
     
     
       61. The subscriber unit of claim 57, wherein the predetermined utterance provides an indication of an interrupt.  
     
     
       62. In a speech recognition server forming a part of an infrastructure that wirelessly communicates with one or more subscriber units, each of the one or more subscriber units comprising a speech recognition client, a method for providing information signals to a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units, the method comprising steps of:
 receiving a parameterized speech signal, produced by the speech recognition client, from the subscriber unit;   performing speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   determining the recognized utterances comprise a query;   determining information signals based on the recognized utterances, wherein the information signals provide information responsive to the query; and   responsive to the recognized utterances, providing the information signals to the subscriber unit.    
     
     
       63. The method of claim 62, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.    
     
     
       64. The method of claim 62, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.    
     
     
       65. The method of claim 62, wherein the query comprises a query for an entity's telephone number.  
     
     
       66. The method of claim 65, wherein the information signals comprise the entity's telephone number.  
     
     
       67. The method of claim 66, wherein the information signals further comprise a control signal instructing the subscriber unit to dial the telephone number.  
     
     
       68. A speech recognition server for use in an infrastructure, wherein the infrastructure wirelessly communicates with one or more subscribe units, the speech recognition server comprising:
 a receiver that takes as input signals regarding a parameterized speech signal output by a subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units and provides as output the parameterized speech signal;   a speech recognition analyzer, coupled to the receiver, that performs speech recognition analysis on the parameterized speech signal to provide recognized utterances;   a control processor that takes as input the recognized utterances and provides information signals based on the recognized utterances by determining the recognized utterances comprise a query, wherein the information signals provide information responsive to the query; and   a transmitter, coupled to the control processor, that provides the information signals to the subscriber unit of the one or more subscriber units.    
     
     
       69. The speech recognition server of claim 68, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, and further wherein the subscriber unit directs the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.  
     
     
       70. The speech recognition server of claim 68, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, and further wherein the subscriber unit directs the information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.  
     
     
       71. The speech recognition server of claim 68, wherein the query comprises a query for an entity's telephone number.  
     
     
       72. The speech recognition server of claim 71, wherein the information signals comprise the entity's telephone number.  
     
     
       73. The speech recognition server of claim 72, wherein the information signals further comprise a control signal instructing the subscriber unit to dial the telephone number.  
     
     
       74. In a subscriber unit that wirelessly communicates with an infrastructure, the subscriber unit comprising a speech recognition client and the infrastructure comprising a speech recognition server, a method for providing information signals to the subscriber unit:
 receiving, by the speech recognition client, an unencoded speech signal;   analyzing, by the speech recognition client, the unencoded speech signal to provide a parameterized speech signal;   transmitting, by the subscriber unit, the parameterized speech signal to the speech recognition server; and   receiving, by the subscriber unit from the infrastructure, the information signals based on the parameterized speech signal being associated with recognized utterances that comprise a query, wherein the information signals provide information responsive to the query.    
     
     
       75. The method of claim 74, wherein the received speech signal is an unencoded speech signal.  
     
     
       76. The method of claim 74, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the received information signals to the at least one device, wherein the information signals control operation of the at least one device.    
     
     
       77. The method of claim 74, wherein the subscriber unit is coupled to at least one device, the method further comprising:
 directing the received information signals to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device operates upon the information signals.    
     
     
       78. The method of claim 74, wherein the predetermined utterance provides an indication of an interrupt.  
     
     
       79. The method of claim 74, further comprising:
 performing a speech recognition analysis on the second parameterized speech signal at the speech recognition server.    
     
     
       80. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 51.  
     
     
       81. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 62.  
     
     
       82. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 74.