Universal remote control allowing natural language modality for television and multimedia searches and requests
US6553345B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/42226
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The remote control unit supports multi-modal dialog with the user, through which the user can easily select programs for viewing or recording. The remote control houses a microphone into which the user can input natural language speech. The input speech is recognized and interpreted by a natural language parser that extracts the semantic content of the user's speech. The parser works in conjunction with an electronic program guide, through which the remote control system is able to ascertain what programs are available for viewing or recording and supply appropriate prompts to the user. In one embodiment, the remote control includes a touch screen display upon which the user may view prompts or make selections by pen input or tapping. Selections made on the touch screen automatically limit the context of the ongoing dialog between user and remote control, allowing the user to interact naturally with the unit. The remote control unit can control virtually any audio-video component, including those designed before the current technology. The remote control system can be packaged entirely within the remote control handheld unit, or components may be distributed in other systems attach…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.