IP Library Patent Application 18076440
Patent Application
App. No. 18/076,440

PUSH BUTTON/MICROPHONE COMBO AND KEY FOB SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
18/076,440
Abstract

A key fob for controlling operation of a motor vehicle includes a pushbutton that responds to being pushed by causing a signal to be transmitted to the motor vehicle. The signal requests that the motor vehicle perform a predetermined operation. The key fob includes a microphone detecting audible speech from a user and transmitting a signal based on the detected speech to an automatic speech recognition system such that the automatic speech recognition system can recognize in the signal a request that the motor vehicle perform the predetermined operation.

Claims (38)

1 . A key fob for controlling operation of a motor vehicle, the key fob comprising:

a pushbutton configured to respond to being pushed by causing a signal to be transmitted to the motor vehicle, the signal requesting that the motor vehicle perform a predetermined operation; and

a microphone configured to:

detect audible speech from a user; and

transmit a signal based on the detected speech to an automatic speech recognition system such that the automatic speech recognition system can recognize in the signal a request that the motor vehicle perform the predetermined operation.

2 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operation comprises opening a gate of the motor vehicle.

3 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed in the key fob.

4 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed in the motor vehicle.

5 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed at a location that is remote from the key fob and from the motor vehicle.

6 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the key fob is configured to inform the motor vehicle that the key fob is nearby.

7 . The key fob of claim 1 wherein the key fob includes a voice biometrics system configured to determine whether the audible speech from the user is from an authorized user.

8 . A method for controlling operation of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a key fob including a pushbutton and a microphone;

responding to the pushbutton of the key fob being pushed by causing a signal to be transmitted to the motor vehicle, the signal requesting that the motor vehicle perform a predetermined operation;

using the microphone to detect audible speech from a user; and

transmitting a signal from the key fob based on the detected speech to an automatic speech recognition system such that the automatic speech recognition system can recognize in the signal a request that the motor vehicle perform the predetermined operation.

9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined operation comprises opening a gate of the motor vehicle.

10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed in the key fob.

11 . The method of claim 8 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed in the motor vehicle.

12 . The method of claim 8 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed at a location that is remote from the key fob and from the motor vehicle.

13 . The method of claim 8 wherein the key fob informs the motor vehicle that the key fob is nearby.

14 . The method of claim 8 wherein the key fob includes a voice biometrics system that determines whether the audible speech from the user is from an authorized user.

15 . A system for controlling operation of a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

a pushbutton configured to respond to being pushed by causing a signal to be transmitted to the motor vehicle, the signal requesting that the motor vehicle perform a predetermined operation;

a microphone configured to:

detect audible speech from a user; and

transmit a signal based on the detected speech; and

an automatic speech recognition system configured to:

receive the signal;

recognize in the signal a request that the motor vehicle perform the predetermined operation; and

in response to the recognition of the request, cause the motor vehicle to perform the predetermined operation.

16 . The system of claim 15 wherein the pushbutton and the microphone are disposed in a same housing.

17 . The system of claim 16 wherein the housing is attached to a gate of the motor vehicle, and the predetermined operation comprises opening the gate of the motor vehicle.

18 . The system of claim 15 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed in the motor vehicle.

19 . The system of claim 15 wherein the automatic speech recognition system is disposed at a location that is remote from the motor vehicle.

20 . The system of claim 15 further comprising a voice biometrics system configured to determine whether the audible speech from the user is from an authorized user.

21 . The system of claim 15 wherein the pushbutton and the microphone are attached to a gate of the motor vehicle.

22 . The system of claim 22 wherein the predetermined operation comprises opening the gate of the motor vehicle.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2022
From: FREUND, KATHERINE; SIEGEL, JOHN SCOTT
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 062004/0267 →