Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF INVENTION: VOICE CONTROLLED CELL PHONE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a wireless mobile
communication device, and more Particularly, a voice controlled
cell phone. The voice control cell phone provides deaf people
with a product that makes cellular phone use easier, safer, and
more convenient than is possible with conventional smart
phones. The present invention features several amenities that
simplify smart phone applications for people who are disabled
or have difficulty using regular cell phones. Special features,
such as a voice-to-text software or similar type software, will
convert spoken words of a person into a text message. It also
includes a voice-recognition software or similar type software,
as well as traditional smart phone applications, such as a
camera/flash, video/audio recorder and music player.
Description of the Prior Art:
Conventional cell phones can be difficult to operate.
Texting, for example, can be a difficult task to perform if
keypads are not user-friendly. People who have disabilities or
certain physical limitations may find texting to be nearly
impossible. People who have the ability to text, however, tend
to do so frequently. Many people even text while driving, which
increases the risk of serious or fatal car accidents. Cell phone
use while driving is banned in many states to prevent such
accidents from occurring. This is a safe but inconvenient
solution, as people may need to take important calls or texts
while in transit.
Numerous innovations for telecommunications
technologies have been provided in the prior art that will be
described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for
The specific individual purposes to which they address, however,
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they differ from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No.
2004/0202291, published on 10-14-2004, to Skinner teaches a
wireless mobile phone having voice recording, and method of
operating the mobile phone. In one embodiment, a method for
handling a voice recording with a wireless mobile phone
comprises recording and storing a voice signal as a voice
recording into at least one of an internal memory and a removable
memory unit of the wireless mobile phone, and then
electronically transferring the voice recording from the
wireless mobile phone to an external target device.
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,792,678,
issued on 09-07-2010, to Hung teaches a device that includes an
image capturing device having a speech recognition device and
a receiving device. The speech recognition device includes a
voice command unit stored a plurality of voice commands, a voice
character memory unit stored a plurality of voice
characteristics corresponding to the voice commands for
indentifying the commands conforming to the voice
characteristics received in the receiving device to form a voice
command set, and an image characteristic memory unit stored a
plurality of image characteristics corresponding to the voice
commands of the voice command set. The image capturing device
captures a real-time image to compare with the image
characteristic in the image characteristic memory unit. The
image capturing device selects a command from the command set
and executes the selected command according to the comparing
result generated by the image capturing device.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No.
20100323657, published on 12-23-2010, to Barnard et al. teaches
a method, system, and media directed to managing a mobile
communications device. In one embodiment, a communication event
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and spatial state for the mobile device is received. If the event
is at least one of a plurality of preselected types and the
spatial state of the device satisfies a preselected condition,
the communication event is call-processed while initiating a
notification of the event to a user of the mobile device.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,869,800,
issued on 01-11-2011, to Netanel et al. teaches a portable
cellular phone system, wherein matched sets of algorithmically
generated communication units are generated, each defining an
increment of authorized communication. One set is stored on a
system server, i.e. a service provider, and the pre-paid set is
available for use within a portable cellular phone. The portable
cellular phone, which is normally non-activated, automatically
contacts the system server upon selective activation by the user,
to initiate a call (outgoing or incoming). A voice recognition
system allows the user to place calls and/or receive calls.
During a call, the portable cellular phone and the system server
allow authorized access to communication, while the
communication units are decremented at the system server and at
the portable cellular phone. The portable cellular phone
typically has either an internal energy supply and storage for
the pre-paid communication units, or a removable airtime
cartridge, typically containing an energy supply and either the
ability to store or to generate a set of pre-paid single use
airtime communication units.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No.
2011/0166860, published on 07-07-2011, to Tran teaches systems
and methods to operate a mobile device by capturing user input;
transmitting the user input over a wireless channel to an
engine, analyzing at the engine music clip or video in a
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multimedia data stream and sending an analysis wirelessly to
the mobile device.
It is apparent now that numerous innovations for
telecommunications technologies have been provided in the prior
art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even
though these innovations may be suitable for the specific
individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they
would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention
as heretofore described.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a voice
controlled cell phone that avoids the disadvantages of the prior
art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
voice controlled cell phone that is simple and inexpensive to
manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide
a voice controlled cell phone that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present
invention is to provide a voice controlled cell phone which
comprises an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, a
processor coupled to the transceiver, a microphone coupled to
the processor and a speaker coupled to the processor. A memory
unit is within the processor. A first program within the memory
unit is for converting a voice message from the microphone made
by a person using the cell phone into a text message. The
processor can output the text message to the transceiver and out
of the antenna, to allow another person using a remote second
cell phone to receive the text message. The first program for
converting the voice message into a text message comprises a
voice-to-text software or similar type software.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood
in connection with the accompanying drawing.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention showing
various components therein;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a person in a motor vehicle
converting a voice message into a text message using the present
invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another person using a
remote cell phone to read the text message;
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a person using the present
invention hands free while driving; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the present invention in
a wireless charging cradle.
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REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
110 voice controlled cell phone
112 antenna of cell phone 110
114 transceiver of cell phone 110
116 processor of cell phone 110
118 microphone of cell phone 110
120 speaker of cell phone 110
122 memory unit in processor 116
124 first program within memory unit 122
126 person using cell phone 110
128 person using remote second cell phone 130
130 remote second cell phone
132 voice-to-text software for first program 124
134 second program within memory unit 122
136 text-to-voice software for second program 134
138 third program within memory unit 122
140 voice-recognition software for third program 138
142 wireless charging cradle for cell phone 110
144 rechargeable battery in cell phone 110
146 screen in cell phone 110
148 keypad in cell phone 110
150 Global Positioning System in cell phone 110
152 control buttons in cell phone 110
154 USB port in cell phone 110
156 camera in cell phone 110
158 vibration device in cell phone 110
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows the present invention being a voice
controlled cell phone 110 which comprises an antenna 112, a
transceiver 114 coupled to the antenna 112, a processor 116
coupled to the transceiver 114, a microphone 118 coupled to the
processor 116 and a speaker 120 coupled to the processor 118.
A memory unit 122 is within the processor 116. A first program
124 within the memory unit 122 is for converting a voice message
from the microphone 118 made by a person 126 using the cell phone
110 into a text message, shown in Figures 2 and 4. The first
program 124 for converting the voice message into a text message
comprises a voice-to-text software 132.
A second program 134 within the memory unit 122 is for
converting an inbound text message received by the transceiver
114 from the antenna 112 into a voice message. The processor 116
can output the voice message into the speaker 120 to allow the
person 126 using the cell phone 110 to hear the voice message.
The second program 134 for converting the inbound text message
into a voice message comprises a text-to-voice software 136.
A third program 138 within the memory unit 122 is for
recognizing a voice of the person 126 using the cell phone 110,
whereby the processor 116 will allow the person 126 to perform
various traditional voice command tasks on the cell phone 110.
The third program 138 for recognizing the voice of the person
using the cell phone 110 comprises a voice-recognition software
140.
In review, Figure I shows all the different elements of
phone 110. The antenna 112 is connected to the transceiver 114
and routes inbound calls (e.g., voice signals and text) to the
processor 116. The processor 116 also sends outbound calls that
were initiated by the person 126 to the transceiver 114 where
the call is broadcast over the antenna 112. The processor 116
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is not limited to a single processor, but can also comprise two
or more processors that are able to communicate with each other.
The memory unit 122 in the processor 116 is responsible for
programming, processing and handling any and all of the features
and functions of the cell phone 110. The memory unit 122
comprises the first program 124 being the voice-to-text software
132, the second program 134 being the text-to-voice software 136
and the third program 138 being the voice recognition software
140. The processor 116 is also connected to other components
associated with the cell phone 110 and includes the speaker 120,
a screen 146, the microphone 118,a keypad 148, a Global
Positioning System 150, control buttons 152, a USB port 154, a
camera 156, a vibration device 158, a flashlight 160, a headphone
jack 162, a video/audio player 164, a music player 166 and a game
player 168.
The processor 116 may be any programmable microprocessor,
microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be
configured by software instructions (applications) to perform
a variety of functions, including the functions of the various
embodiments described herein. In some cell phones, multiple
processors may be provided, such as one processor dedicated to
wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to
running other applications.
The voice control cell phone 110 is a smart phone with
modifications that allow people to use its various applications
with ease. Various models may have different features including
hardware, software and etc. Some models may be designed for
people with certain specific disabilities such as for example
blind or the hearing impaired [deaf] . The present invention
contains the touch screen 146 and many traditional
applications, such as hands-free capabilities including
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internet accessibility, the game player 168, camera 156, and
other similar features. The headphone jack 162 and volume
control buttons 152 may be located on one side of the cell phone
110, while the control buttons 152 for the camera 156 and music
player 166 can be included on the opposite side. The top of the
cell phone 110 can include the flashlight 160 with a power
button. In terms of innovative, non-traditional functions, the
cell phone 110 has a voice-to-text software 132 or similar type
software. This software 132 can allow the person 126 to speak
while the cell phone 110 converts the spoken words into a text
message. The voice-recognition software 140 or similar type
software may also be utilized during this process, and can be
used to perform traditional voice-command tasks. The
text-to-voice software 136 can also convert incoming texts,
allowing the cell phone 110 to speak the text message aloud.
As shown in Figure 2, a person 126 (driving a vehicle) uses
the cell phone 110 (with a first program 124 within the memory
unit 122) for converting a voice message from the microphone 118
into a text message (also shown in Figure 1).
As shown in Figure 3, the processor 116 can output the text
message to the transceiver 114 and out of the antenna 112 to allow
another person 128 using a remote second cell phone 130 to
receive the text message (also shown in Figure 1).
As shown in Figure 4, a person 126 (riding a motorbike) uses
the cell phone 110 (with a first program 124 within the memory
unit 122) for converting a voice message from the microphone 118
into a text message.
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As shown in Figure 5, the cell phone 110 further comprises
a wireless charging cradle 142 that is compatible with the cell
phone 110, whereby the cradle 142 can supply power to a
rechargeable battery 144 within the cell phone 110 in Figure 1.
The cell phone 110 may be charged wired. The wireless charging
cradle 142 will supply power to the rechargeable battery 144.
The present invention can be used for convenience by any person,
and is ideal for assisting elderly or disabled persons to
utilize all of their phone applications with ease. The exact
specifications may vary.
It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful
application in other types of constructions differing from the
types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodiments of a voice controlled cell phone, accordingly it is
not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood
that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully
reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by
applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various
applications without omitting features that, from the
standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of
the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
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