EQUIPMENT CONTROL METHOD AND SPEECH-BASED EQUIPMENT CONTROL SYSTEM

A method is provided for controlling electric equipment according to a user's speech in a speech-based equipment control system. The method includes receiving first speech information that expresses an operating instruction causing the electric equipment to operate for a first operating time. The method also includes transmitting to the electric equipment a first control command for executing a first operating process. When receiving second speech information expressing an operating instruction causing the electric equipment to operate for a second operating time, different from the first operating time before the first operating process is complete, the method further includes detecting an elapsed operating time of the electric equipment, comparing the detected elapsed operating time to the second operating time, and conditionally transmitting a second control command to the electric equipment aborting the first operating process and executing a second operating process.