Voice Recognition System Control
Voice Recognition System Control
Introduction
Voice control enables the driver to activate important functions of the car telephone and navigation systems without needing to operate any controls manually. This allows the driver to concentrate fully on driving the vehicle. Whenever the driver issues one of the defined voice commands with the system active, the voice control system converts the command into a control signal for the telephone or navigation system. The system recognises which system the command is directed at and routes the direction accordingly. The driver is guided through the dialogues by announcements or questions.
The voice recognition system is only available in the following language variants:
- UK English
- US English
- Italian
- German.
The voice control system understands around 50 pre-defined commands, which need to be given exactly, word for word. The driver can prompt the system to speak a selection of the most used commands by activating the system and giving the command HELP.
If it becomes necessary to place an emergency telephone call it is recommended that the handset the steering wheel switches the multi information display (MID) or multi function display (MFD) is used to dial an emergency number (this presumes a number for emergency calls is stored in these systems). The reason for using the manual control is that under stress the drivers normal voice pattern may become disturbed. This will mean that the system may not recognise the voice commands being issued and cause the emergency telephone call to be delayed.
System Components
The following describes the components within the voice control system.
ECU
The voice recognition ECU is located in the rear loadspace under the navigation computer where fitted. The ECU communicates with the radio and navigation Systems on the I-Bus and hard wired connections.
Steering Wheel Switch Pack
The steering wheel switch pack contains several switches for operation of the audio navigation and cruise control.
The voice recognition system is activated using an I-bus telegram. Activation is achieved by pressing and holding the voice recognition key on the steering wheel switch pack until an acoustic signal is heard.
Microphone
One microphone is used in the vehicle for the telephone (hands-free kit) and voice input system. The microphone has integrated noise suppression system for hands-free telephone use. Two variants of microphone are available:
- Active for European markets
- Passive for NAS.
If replaced the microphone must be correctly orientated. this is achieved by ensuring the arrow on the back of the microphone is facing the front of the vehicle.
Voice Recognition Microphone
Voice Recognition System Operation
To access voice control of the telephone system press the key on the steering wheel switch pack.
- A brief press the key (for longer than 750 ms) activates the normal telephone functions
- Holding the key pressed in (until the acoustic signal is heard) activates voice control.
A brief acoustic signal and the display "VOICE RECOGNITION" in the instrument pack message centre indicate that the system is now in the stand-by mode ready to receive voice commands. Any voice command can be interrupted by saying the word CANCEL or by pressing and holding the steering wheel switch until the system responds with the phrase "CANCEL".
Making a Phone Call
Once the system is ready to receive voice commands to dial a telephone number the user has to speak clearly.
The system understands single digits from zero to nine. You can choose to say either Zero or Nought. Numbers such as ten, eleven, twelve, etc. are not recognised. To speed up Input, It is a good Idea to group together between three and five digits into a Continuous string. However you can also say each digit individually or all digits continuously. Telephone numbers of up to 20 digits are acknowledged. If a longer number Is given the error message "The number is full" will be issued.
Voice Operation of the Navigation System
To access voice control of the navigation system press the key on the steering wheel switch pack.
- A brief press the key (for longer than 750 ms) activates the normal telephone functions
- Holding the key pressed in (until the acoustic signal is heard) activates voice control.
Once the system is active the driver has three main options (in navigation model:
1 Map mode
2 Information on current position or destination
3 Activation of destination guidance.
Map Mode
Once the system is accessed the command "ROUTE MAP" or "MAP", will bring the map mode up on the MFD.
Once the map mode is accessed it is possible to change the map scale by issuing the command "SCALE ONE HUNDRED METRE "to" SCALE ONE HUNDRED KILOMETRE". Valid scales are as follows:
- 100, 200,500 metres
- 1,2,5,10,20,50,100,kilometre.
Information on Current Position or Destination
Information on current position or destination is accessed by issuing the command PETROL "STATION AT CURRENT LOCATION". This causes all petrol stations in the vicinity of the vehicle to be displayed on the MFD. If a destination has been entered into the navigation system it is also possible to issue the command PETROL STATION AT DESTINATION. A full list of petrol stations at the destination is then displayed on the MFD. Selection and guidance to the chosen petrol station is achieved by tuning the rotary controller and selecting in the usual way.
Once the command has been issued the MFD displays petrol stations along the route.
The information displayed is not limited to petrol stations. Information can be displayed on:
- Carparks
- Hotels
- Restaurants
To access these functions follow the procedure outline previously replacing the petrol station command with the required function.
Destination Guidance
To access the destination guidance function the driver issues the command "DESTINATION GUIDE or DESTINATION GUIDANCES". The computer will start to give voice and map guidance to the chosen destination.