Voice Command Activated Vehicle Camera System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016196823-A1
Application number	US-201514588630-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 2, 2015
Priority date	Jan 2, 2015
Publication date	Jul 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method is provided that allows voice commands to be used to identify and activate specific cameras associated with a vehicle's camera system, thus allowing the driver to easily activate side-view cameras during lane changes, forward and/or side-view cameras when entering into traffic, rearward and/or side-view cameras when backing out of a parking space, and in-cabin cameras when monitoring the back seat, all with minimal inconvenience and distraction.

First claim

1 . A method of activating a camera system mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
setting a preset volume level, wherein said step of setting said preset volume level is performed by a vehicle user; monitoring an in-cabin audio sensor with a vehicle system controller; detecting a plurality of sounds generated from within the passenger cabin of the vehicle with said in-cabin audio sensor; comparing a volume level corresponding to said plurality of sounds to said preset volume level, wherein if said volume level is less than said preset volume level said method continues the step of monitoring said in-cabin audio sensor, and wherein if said volume level is greater than said preset volume level said method further comprises the steps of:
initiating analysis of said plurality of sounds with a speech recognition system coupled to said vehicle system controller;
recognizing a voice camera activation command from said plurality of sounds using said speech recognition system, wherein said voice camera activation command identities a specific camera of said camera system; and
displaying a data feed from said specific camera of said camera system on an in-cabin display in response to said voice camera activation command.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein if said volume level is greater than said preset volume level said method further comprises the steps of:
recognizing a voice camera deactivation command from said plurality of sounds using said speech recognition system; and terminating said step of displaying said data feed in response to said voice camera deactivation command.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said camera system is comprised of a plurality of cameras, and wherein said specific camera is one of said plurality of cameras.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein if said volume level is greater than said preset volume level said method further comprises the steps of:
recognizing a voice camera deactivation command from said plurality of sounds using said speech recognition system, wherein said voice camera deactivation command identifies said specific camera of said camera system; and terminating said step of displaying said data feed from said specific camera of said camera system in response to said voice camera deactivation command.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said monitoring and detecting steps are performed continuously when said vehicle is turned on.

6 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of terminating said step of displaying said data feed, wherein said terminating step is performed after a preset period of time has elapsed since said step of displaying said data feed was performed.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of setting said preset period of time, wherein said step of setting said preset period of time is performed by a vehicle manufacturer.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of setting said preset period of time, wherein said step of setting said preset period of time is performed by a vehicle user.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle includes a plurality of displays, wherein said in-cabin display is one of said plurality of displays, and wherein said method further comprises the step of recognizing a display selection command from said plurality of sounds using said speech recognition system, wherein said display selection command identifies said in-cabin display from said plurality of displays.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of displaying said data feed further comprises the step of displaying said data feed on either a primary display or a secondary display, wherein said method further comprises the step of selecting between said primary display and said secondary display.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting between said primary display and said secondary display is preset and performed by a vehicle manufacturer.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting between said primary display and said secondary display is performed real-time by a vehicle user.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting between said primary display and said secondary display is preset and performed by a vehicle user.

Assignees

• Atieva Inc

Inventors

• Yellambalase Yadunandana

Classifications

• G10L2015/223

  Execution procedure of a spoken command · CPC title

• G10L15/22 Primary

  Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue · CPC title

• B60R2300/105

  using multiple cameras · CPC title

• B60R2300/70

  characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images · CPC title

• G06F3/167

  Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback · CPC title