The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 2005

Filed:

Dec. 04, 2001
Applicants:

Stephen John Hinde, Bristol, GB;

Timothy Alan Heath Wilkinson, Bristol, GB;

Stephen B Pollard, Nr.Dursely, GB;

Andrew Arthur Hunter, Bristol, GB;

Inventors:

Stephen John Hinde, Bristol, GB;

Timothy Alan Heath Wilkinson, Bristol, GB;

Stephen B Pollard, Nr.Dursely, GB;

Andrew Arthur Hunter, Bristol, GB;

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G10L021/00 ; G06K009/00 ; G06K009/46 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

Voice-controlled apparatus is provided which minimises the risk of activating more than one such apparatus at a time where multiple voice-controlled apparatus exist in close proximity. To start voice control of the apparatus, a user needs to be looking at the apparatus when speaking. Preferably, after the user stops looking at the apparatus, continuing voice control can only be effected whilst the user continues speaking without breaks longer than a predetermined duration. Detection of whether the user is looking at the apparatus can be effected in a number of ways including by the use of camera systems, by a head-mounted directional transmitter, and by detecting the location and direction of facing of the user.


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