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Voice interaction method for a computer graphical user interface

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-08-12
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2019-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention enables a computer user to select a function represented via a graphical user interface by speaking command related to the function into audio processing circuitry. A voice recognition program interprets the spoken words to determine the function that is desired for execution. The user may use the cursor to identify an element on the graphical user interface display or speak the name of that element. The computer responds to the identification of the element by displaying a menu of the voice commands associated with that element.

Inventors

  • 👤 Brian S. Brooks
  • 👤 Keith P. Loring
  • 👤 Maria Milenkovic

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 22:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: selecting an activatable control element that is being presented by the graphical user interface on a monitor screen of the computer thereby producing an indication of the activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 127 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: selecting an activatable control element that is being presented by the graphical user interface on a monitor screen of the computer thereby producing an indication of the activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting an activatable control element comprises determining a position of a cursor on the monitor screen; and determining which activatable control element is located at that position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting an activatable control element comprises receiving a second phrase spoken by the user; and applying voice recognition techniques to the second phrase to determine an activatable control element that is indicated by the second phrase.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 132 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: determining a position of a cursor on the monitor screen and determining which activatable control element of a graphical user interface is located at that position to produce an indication of that activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 132 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: determining a position of a cursor on the monitor screen and determining which activatable control element of a graphical user interface is located at that position to produce an indication of that activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 135 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine an activatable control element that is indicated by the first phrase and produce an indication of that activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 135 words
A method for selecting functions from a graphical user interface of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine an activatable control element that is indicated by the first phrase and produce an indication of that activatable control element, wherein the activatable control element can initiate associated functions; responding to the indication by displaying a menu of voice commands which may be used to select the functions that can be initiated by the activatable control element; receiving a first phrase spoken by the user; applying voice recognition techniques to the first phrase to determine which one of the voice commands was spoken by the user; and executing a function indicated by the one of the voice commands.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5818423A Cited
US5864819A Cited
US5873064A Cited
US6157705A Cited
US6012030A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-12-23 2006-06-24 2006-12-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-12-23 2010-06-24 2010-12-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-12-23 2014-06-24 2014-12-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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