DE102005018276A1 - Electrical-household appliance e.g. refrigerator, system, for dwelling place, has voice recognition system recognizing voice input at appliances, and including control device for outputting data and/or instructions to appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

One System of electrical appliances (13-21) in an apartment is over a network (11, 12) interconnected to exchange data and in particular voice inputs. For this purpose, the electrical appliances have microphones (M) on. On the network (11, 12) is a central computer (23) connected, the a voice recognition system (25) including control device (27) and network controller (29). All voice input data the electrical appliances are given to the central computer (23), evaluated by this and converted into control commands. These in turn will be over the Network to the electrical appliances (13-21) and change their Operating condition.

Description

The The invention relates to a system of electrical appliances in a household or the like. the electrical appliances have a Network are interconnected. Furthermore, the invention relates a method of operating such a system.

It is for example from the DE 100 06 240 It is known to form a voice input unit and a voice processing unit on an extractor hood above a hob. This is a voice control of the hob done, the voice input unit is therefore arranged on the hood, because thus the microphone can be provided relatively close to an operator and as trouble-free as possible speech input is possible.

From the DE 102 37 132 and WO 02/068886 are known electrical appliances or household appliances, each containing a voice recognition system. This is used to identify and authenticate an operator.

Task and solution

Of the Invention is based on the object, an aforementioned system and an operating procedure for to create such a system with which problems of the state of the Technology can be avoided and in particular an efficient and functionally secure voice input to various electrical appliances including the possibility a voice control of electrical appliances can be created.

Is solved this object by a system having the features of claim 1 and an operating method with the features of claim 13. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are Subject of further claims and will be closer in the following explained. The wording of the claims is by express Reference made to the content of the description.

According to the invention, it is provided that the electrical appliances have a Network are interconnected to exchange data. At least some of the electrical appliances have voice input means, as well as each one transmission means for transmission from recorded voice data via the network. In turn, there is at least one voice recognition system in the network contain, advantageously only a single. This is designed to Recognize language and in appropriate meaningful Convert data or from it also commands and / or information derive. Thus, in essence, speech input is through the Voice recognition system converted into control commands. Furthermore a control device is provided, which data, information or issues control commands to one or more electrical appliances. This is advantageous spatially arranged close to the speech recognition system or together in one Device.

Of the Advantage of such a network-based solution with one or a few Speech recognition systems in the network or for the network is that for a voice control of an electrical appliance no longer every electrical appliance such a speech recognition system for themselves must have. Such speech recognition systems are namely for a relatively expensive and therefore expensive. Furthermore, not every electrical appliance has integration of such a speech recognition system easily possible, be it for reasons of space or technical reasons. By contrast, voice input devices such as microphones of the like are meanwhile very miniaturized and can relatively easily attached to one or to each electrical device become.

Advantageous is just a single speech recognition system in the system or throughout the network. This is therefore responsible for all electrical appliances. It can even take on additional tasks, including voice recognition in connection with completely different functions in the household, for example a speech recognition in connection with telecommunication devices.

According to one Embodiment of the invention may be a speech recognition system in one Integrated electrical appliance be. This is advantageous a relatively spacious electrical appliance, which also from the operating conditions and the type of installation suitable for it is. In particular, it is a larger electrical appliance such as a fridge, an oven or an extractor hood.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a speech recognition system is separately and independently formed by the electrical appliances. In particular, it is a computer that is connected to the network. This in turn relatively easily allows the use of a finished device, namely a computer, which is already partially used for speech recognition purposes. This may for example be a PC, in particular a so-called industrial PC, since such devices are already used in other applications for speech recognition and can be assembled with both standard components and standard software. It is advantageous a correspondingly powerful controller or processor that may possibly be designed specifically for the task of speech recognition.

At least one of the electrical appliances is an electric household appliance, advantageous even several. These can be used for food preparation or food storage. Is particularly advantageous There is an oven or a hob. In these electrical appliances is very often during their operation made an input, so here is a comfortable Control as a voice input control of particularly great advantage is.

The Network can basically be constructed with any topology. According to an embodiment of the invention It can be decentralized. Thus, it only contains the electrical appliances as peripherals and network connections, in particular corresponding network cable or wireless connections. At least one of the electrical appliances has a kind of central network controller. Advantageous Here is also the speech recognition system to the central network controller connected, in particular it can be integrated into the same electrical appliance be. Thus, must for the construction of the system only the electrical appliances and set up over the Network are interconnected.

In In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the network is central built up. For this purpose, it has a network center, which has a Central network controller may contain. Especially advantageous In this case, the speech recognition system is sent to the network central office connected and is therefore not necessarily directly into the network involved. Preferably, both are an aforementioned network center as well as the speech recognition system integrated in a computer unit, in particular an aforementioned suitably trained PC.

When Voice input means, a microphone is advantageously used, for example an electret microphone. The transmission device on the electrical appliance again has a circuit or a circuit arrangement, with the voice data on the network to the voice recognition system can be. The circuit arrangement of the transmission device advantageously has an A / D conversion, with the analog voice signals or voice information from the microphone or the like. in digitized Data can be converted.

In Another embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the voice data an assignment or identification is given. These allow it, the electrical appliance, which is the origin of the speech input. In particular, will this for the output and assignment of control commands to this electrical appliance advantageous used.

Of further it is possible that a system described above also includes electrical appliances that do not use voice input means or have their own speech recognition. These are also electrical appliances by control commands of the speech recognition system or the control device controllable, they should only be bus-capable. This is recommended especially for electrical appliances like a hob, where a microphone is difficult for a technically reliable voice input can be arranged. To control such electrical appliances can either a voice input means may be provided in isolated form, which for example, also connected to the network and in about close to this electrical appliance is arranged. Advantageously, such an isolated Microphone and a voice control of other electrical appliances done.

Of Furthermore, on a domestic appliance, a voice output device such as a speaker may be provided. This allows confirmations of control commands, Error messages or the like be issued to an operator. Especially is thus a kind of interactive voice input including voice feedback possible. So can for example, from a larger menu control commands or the like. be generated.

The Control device may comprise a memory in which control commands are stored, which correspond to certain control data. Recognizes the voice recognition system from the voice input this control data or put them together accordingly, so will one or more control commands retrieved from the store and given to the electrical appliance. These commands can For example, determine or change operating parameters and thus the operating mode of the electrical appliance influence.

Of further it is possible that the control device at startup or change the operating state of an electrical appliance via corresponding control commands also another electrical appliance, which in particular in a functional relationship with the other electrical appliance stands, controls or influences. For example, during commissioning a hob or change the Operating state of a hob, an overhead extractor hood be activated, powered up or shut down.

These and other features are apparent from the claims and from the description and the drawings, wherein the individual features in each case alone or in more in shape be implemented by sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields and can represent advantageous and protectable versions for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections as well as intermediate headings does not restrict the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

Summary the drawings

Two embodiments The invention are shown schematically in the drawings and will be closer in the following explained. In the drawings shows:

1 a central network comprising a plurality of household electrical appliances having at least partially voice input means and a central computer for controlling the network, and

2 a network similar 1 , which, however, is decentralized and in which the speech recognition system is integrated into one of the electrical appliances.

detailed Description of the embodiments

In 1 is schematically a network 11 shown. It contains various electrical appliances, including a hob 13 , an oven 15 , an extractor hood 17 and two other, unspecified electrical appliances 19 and 21 , The network cables 12 go starry from a central computer 23 out. In the electrical appliances are bus systems BS or the like. integrated, which with the network cables 12 are connected and for data exchange or communication with the central computer 23 are formed.

Except for the electrical appliance 19 The electrical appliances contain microphones M. Furthermore, a separate microphone M 'is shown, which also via a network line to the central computer 23 connected. The illustration of this single microphone M 'is intended to illustrate to what extent this microphone M' as a voice input means at least for this electrical device 19 works without its own microphone.

To operate a specific electrical appliance, such as the hob 13 , speaks an operator in the corresponding assigned, in this case on the hob 13 arranged microphone M. These voice data, which are analog signals, can either directly in this form via the network line 12 to the central computer 23 be forwarded for evaluation. Alternatively, the hob 13 have an A / D converter for the microphone M. With this, the voice input is digitized or converted into digital signals before sending, which then turn to the central computer 23 sent.

In the central computer 23 the data of the voice input are processed, in particular by a speech recognition system contained therein 25 cleverly. This recognizes the spoken content or the information or instructions contained therein by converting the language into information and recognizing and assigning the information to a control command. From a memory connected to the speech recognition system 27 appropriate control commands are queried. These in turn are from the computer 23 to the corresponding electrical appliance 13 sent and determine or change its operating state. For example, a voice input is "Cook Front left one liter of milk." These spoken commands are from the speech recognition system 25 converted into corresponding electronic commands or control data. This is done after recognizing the spoken information from memory 27 the corresponding instruction set is called. After that, this instruction set will turn over the network 11 or the network line 12 to the electrical appliance 13 given. This then sets the control command into a change of operation or can start an automatic program which controls the aforementioned heating or cooking process for milk. In this case, this control is possible such that the heating process takes place as gently as possible, but at the same time does not take very long, so therefore just adapted to the milk to be heated.

For example, if the microphone-free electrical appliance 19 controlled by voice input, this is done to the microphone M '. This is from the functional assignment either the electrical appliance 19 inevitably associated with, so that any voice input to the microphone M 'for this electrical appliance 19 applies. Alternatively, other electronic devices can be controlled via voice input to the microphone M '. For this purpose, in the voice input identification or unique addressing by an operator of the desired for the operation of electrical appliance, for example, by pronouncing the name or the type of electrical appliance. This is then recognized by the speech recognition and converted into a corresponding control command.

Furthermore, by the control device 25 in the computer 23 also be provided that when starting or increasing the power when operating a hob 13 an associated extractor hood 17 started or in her leis tion is increased. Again, the controller recognizes 25 What is wanted by the commands given by voice input and whether possibly resulting from the need to change the operating state of other electrical appliances is given.

The advantage with this network 11 Among other things, that is just a single speech recognition system 27 necessary is. This reduces the effort and, above all, the costs. Furthermore, it is through the integration of the speech recognition system 27 in the computer 23 possible to use its already existing main processor and memory devices. For example, a normal PC can be the central computer 23 used, which is equipped for optimal speech recognition, so a kind of standard device, which is relatively inexpensive and reliable.

In 2 a modification is shown such that there in the electrical appliance 121 a device according to the computer 23 or with its functionalities. It comprises a control device 125 , a speech recognition system 127 and a central network controller 129 , In this way, you do not have to worry about the additional connection of a computer as a separate device to the network 111 or the annular network line 112 , By a special interpretation of this in the electrical appliance 121 contained components is also a much smaller and thus cheaper version possible because some parts that are inevitably included in a computer are not required here, such as drives or hard drives.

function

The functional possibilities of the network 111 according to 2 correspond to those from 1 , For example, it is possible in both forms, with the desired increase in power to the hob 13 clearly pretend that the development of fumes or odors at one on the hob 13 is to be avoided during cooking. Accordingly, the arranged above the hood 17 is activated or increased as far as it is in the corresponding control data in the memory of the control device 25 is provided.

The extractor hood 17 also has a speaker L, which is also on the network 11 connected. This is used to output information to an operator, such as when increasing or decreasing a power on the hood 17 has taken place or is recommended. Furthermore, it is also possible to form a speaker L only a few electrical appliances, for example, only a single appliance per room of a dwelling or house. While voice input through microphones M or M 'is somewhat sensitive to sources of interference such as noise or the like, it is considered sufficient for a single speaker in a room to issue information or command acknowledgments to an operator. These can also apply to various electrical appliances, with an operator is certainly able to make a correct assignment when specifying the corresponding electrical appliance in the speech output through the speaker. Via a loudspeaker L, for example, the approaching end of a cooking process can also be announced.

Claims (14)

System of electrical appliances ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ) in a household, an apartment or a dwelling house, the electrical appliances being connected via a network ( 11 . 12 ; 111 . 112 ) are interconnected for data exchange, characterized in that at least some electrical appliances ( 13 . 15 . 17 . 21 ; 113 . 115 . 117 . 121 ) Voice input means (M, M ') and a transmission means (BS) of voice data over the network, wherein at least one voice recognition system ( 27 ; 127 ) is provided in the network for recognizing voice input to the voice input means on the electrical appliances and for processing into control commands, wherein the voice recognition system ( 27 ; 127 ) a control device ( 25 ; 125 ) for outputting data or control commands to the electrical appliances. System according to claim 1, characterized in that only a single speech recognition system ( 27 ; 127 ) in the system or network ( 11 . 12 ; 111 . 112 ) is provided. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a in an electrical appliance ( 121 ) integrated speech recognition system ( 127 ). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a design of a speech recognition system ( 27 ) as a separate and independent entity, preferably as a computer ( 23 ) or computer unit. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical appliance is an electric domestic appliance ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ), preferably an electric household appliance for food preparation such as an oven ( 15 ; 115 ) or a hob ( 13 ; 113 ). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network ( 111 . 112 ) is decentralized and off finally the electrical appliances ( 113 - 121 ) as peripheral devices, wherein preferably an electrical appliance ( 121 ) has a network controller to which in particular the speech recognition system ( 127 ) is connected or this is included in this electrical appliance. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the network ( 11 . 12 ) is centrally constructed with a network center, preferably a network controller, wherein in particular at the network headquarters and the speech recognition system ( 27 ) and preferably both in a computer unit ( 23 ) is functionally united. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speech input means comprise a microphone (M, M ') and the transmission means comprise a circuit (BS) for transmitting voice data on the network ( 11 . 12 ; 111 . 112 ) to a speech recognition system ( 27 ; 127 ), wherein preferably the circuit comprises an A / D conversion of speech signals into digitized data. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the voice data transmitted via the network have a marking for the identification of the electrical appliance ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ) with the origin of the speech input. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electrical appliances without speech input means (M, M ') to the network ( 11 . 12 ; 111 . 112 ) are connected, these also electrical appliances by control commands of the speech recognition system ( 27 ; 127 ) are controllable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that isolated speech input means, in particular microphones (M '), to the network ( 11 . 12 ; 111 . 112 ) and preferably in close proximity to an electrical appliance ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ) are arranged, in particular to an electrical appliance ( 19 ; 119 ) without voice input. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical appliance ( 17 ; 117 ) Speechabeabemittel, in particular a speaker (L), for the output of control command confirmations, error messages or the like. to an operator. Method for operating a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that given voice commands are stored in a control device ( 25 ; 125 ) are converted into corresponding control data, wherein the control data in a memory ( 29 ; 129 ) of the control device are stored and predetermined operating parameters for different operating modes of an electrical appliance ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ) exhibit. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that a startup or operating state change of an electrical appliance ( 13 - 21 ; 113 - 121 ) via corresponding control commands from the control device ( 25 ; 125 ) the operating state of another electrical appliance with changes, especially when commissioning a hob ( 13 ; 113 ) an arranged above extractor hood ( 17 ; 117 ) is activated, preferably with depending on the power level or operating mode of the hob fan level.