Voice-controlled timing and calculating device

Details Voice-controlled timing and calculating device Voice-controlled timing and calculating device

1998-06-11

2001-01-09

Isen, Forester W. (Department: 2747)

Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices

Voice controlled

C704S270000, C704S275000, C368S010000, C368S063000, C708S105000, C708S111000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06173060

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a voice controlled timing and calculating device and in particular to a timing and calculating device which receives input in vocal form to perform calculation and timing operations and also provides output in vocal so that no actuation of pushbuttons or keys is needed and a more user-friendly environment may be obtained especially for the visually disabled people.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional calculators or computing devices are usually provided with keys or push buttons to serve as a user-interface, allowing the user to input the desired instruction and/or data. Such an arrangement is quite inconvenient for users who have to key in a number of digits to perform a number of operations have to switch their eye sights between the calculator keys and the list of the figures to be keyed in. Furthermore, such a computing device is in general not user-friendly to the visually disabled people.
On the other hand, timing devices, such as electronic watch, is also controlled by means of pushbuttons, especially in setting the time on the timing device. This is of course to some extent inconvenient for users, especially in a dark environment. Certainly, it is not user-friendly for the visually disabled people.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a voice-controlled timing and calculating device of which the input and output may be performed vocally so as to overcome the problems encountered in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefor, an object of the present invention is to provide a voice-controlled timing and calculating device which receives vocal inputs from a user to perform the desired operation and then provides output in both visual and vocal forms.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a voice-controlled timing and calculating device which allows a user to operate the device without hand touching the device.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a voice-controlled timing and calculating device comprising a microphone to receive a user's vocal signal, a voice amplifier amplifying the vocal signal, a comparison circuit comparing the vocal signal with information stored in a memory to retrieve an associated instruction, a processor performing the instruction of serving as a timer or a calculator to generate a result, and a voice synthesizer which converts the result from the processor into a synthetic voice which is then broadcast by a speaker so that the device may be operated with vocal input and vocal output. Further, the device may be provided with visual display to show the result of the processor. Also, a manually actuateable switch may be provided to allow a user to alternatively switch the processor between the timer and the calculator.


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