Promptu Systems Corporation

Agiletv Corporation

Jody Williams

Adam Jordan

Scott Lynn Maddux

Tim Plowman

Victoria Stanbach

Harry William Printz

A system () for enabling a user to select media content in an entertainment environment, comprising a remote control device () having a set of user-activated keys and a speech activation circuit adapted to enable a speech signal; a speech engine () comprising a speech recognizer (); an application wrapper () configured to recognize substantive meaning in the speech signal; and a media content controller () configured to select media content. Every function that can be executed by activation of the user-activated keys can also be executed by the speech engine () in response to the recognized substantive meaning.

Speech interface

A global speech user interface (GSUI) comprises an input system to receive a user's spoken command, a feedback system along with a set of feedback overlays to give the user information on the progress of his spoken requests, a set of visual cues on the television screen to help the user understand what he can say, a help system, and a model for navigation among applications. The interface is extensible to make it easy to add new applications.

Global speech user interface

One embodiment of the invention provides television viewers with an intuitive and easy-to-use way to find the programs they want and to control their television viewing experience. In a further embodiment, a speech control interface, in combination with a variety of search functions, is provided such that television viewers have an intuitive and easy-to-use way to find the programs and information they want. The invention also provides the use of personalization as a way to filter and deliver relevant content and services to users based upon individual preferences. Another aspect of the invention provides a hierarchical user interface for speech-controlled, interactive applications, that gives television viewers an intuitive and easy-to-use way to find the programs they want and to control their television viewing experience. The invention also provides a method and apparatus where the channel lineup in a television service is dynamic and changeable, i.e. the list of available channels can be modified, in real time, to suit the preferences and usage of a particular subscriber. Further, the invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses the use of speaker, group, language, or emotional state identification systems to target advertising, to users who are or are not enrolled in a speaker ID system.

Growing community of inventors

San Carlos, CA, United States of America

Jody Williams