Abstract: The method of identifying excess noise in a computer system includes first recording a silence sample; second recording an isolated noise sample while operating a computer system component in isolation from other computer system components; comparing signal characteristics of the silence sample with signal characteristics of the isolated noise sample; and, attributing the isolated noise sample to the isolated computer component when the signal characteristics of the silence sample differ by a preset threshold from the signal characteristics of the isolated noise sample. The inventive method can further include logging the signal characteristics of the silence sample and the isolated noise sample; reporting excess noise identified in the identifying step; and, suggesting a remedy for the identified excess noise.

Abstract: A method for enabling a user to proactively reduce the likelihood of audio feedback in an application requiring audio input and output, comprising the steps of: generating a graphical user interface (GUI) display screen including a first area for displaying information about preventing audio feedback and a second area for user selections and controls; displaying a list of available audio outputs in the second area; prompting the user to select one of the audio outputs from the list; prompting the user to select one of a plurality of muting options for each selected one of the audio outputs; and, displaying in the GUI display screen an explanation for each one of the plurality of muting options, whereby muting selections for proactively reducing the likelihood of audio feedback can be made based on user experience and knowledge. Only one of the muting option explanations is displayed at a time, responsive to the user selection of one of the muting options.

Abstract: The method of identifying excess noise in a computer system includes first recording a silence sample; second recording an isolated noise sample while operating a computer system component in isolation from other computer system components; comparing signal characteristics of the silence sample with signal characteristics of the isolated noise sample; and, attributing the isolated noise sample to the isolated computer component when the signal characteristics of the silence sample differ by a preset threshold from the signal characteristics of the isolated noise sample. The inventive method can further include logging the signal characteristics of the silence sample and the isolated noise sample; reporting excess noise identified in the identifying step; and, suggesting a remedy for the identified excess noise.

Abstract: A method for guiding a user through trouble shooting a wrong audio source among a plurality of audio sources, comprises the steps of: (a) generating a GUI display screen including a first area for displaying information about testing an audio input device, a second area for displaying instructions and status information and for providing dynamic feedback and a third area for user selections and controls; (b) displaying a list of available audio sources in said third area; (c) prompting said user to select an audio source from said list; (d) prompting said user to test said selected audio source; (e) in the event said test is unsuccessful, prompting said user to select any other audio source identified in said third area; (f) prompting said user to test said any other audio source in said list; and, (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until one of said audio sources is tested successfully or each of said audio sources is tested unsuccessfully.

Abstract: A method for connecting and optimizing audio input devices, comprises the steps of: determining an audio input type; generating a first GUI display screen for prompting and enabling user selection of an audio input device; generating a second GUI display screen for prompting and enabling user connection of the audio input device; testing the connected audio input device; configuring audio settings of the connected audio input device; and, storing for later retrieval an association of the connected audio input device and the configured audio settings. The audio settings are configured and the association is stored only if the testing step is successful. The second GUI display screen can include a device specific image and device specific instructions.

Abstract: A method for connecting and optimizing audio input devices, comprises the steps of: determining an audio input type; generating a first GUI display screen for prompting and enabling user selection of an audio input device; generating a second GUI display screen for prompting and enabling user connection of the audio input device; testing the connected audio input device; configuring audio settings of the connected audio input device; and, storing for later retrieval an association of the connected audio input device and the configured audio settings. The audio settings are configured and the association is stored only if the testing step is successful. The second GUI display screen can include a device specific image and device specific instructions.

Abstract: A method for guiding a user through trouble shooting a wrong audio source among a plurality of audio sources, comprises the steps of: (a) generating a GUI display screen including a first area for displaying information about testing an audio input device, a second area for displaying instructions and status information and for providing dynamic feedback and a third area for user selections and controls; (b) displaying a list of available audio sources in said third area; (c) prompting said user to select an audio source from said list; (d) prompting said user to test said selected audio source; (e) in the event said test is unsuccessful, prompting said user to select any other audio source identified in said third area; (f) prompting said user to test said any other audio source in said list; and, (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until one of said audio sources is tested successfully or each of said audio sources is tested unsuccessfully.

Abstract: In a computer system adapted for text-to-speech playback, a method for instructing a user in performing a task having a plurality of steps can include retrieving a textual instruction from a location in an electronic storage device of the computer system. The textual instruction can correspond to one or more of the steps in the task. The textual instruction can be displayed in a task automation user interface, and a text-to-speech (TTS) conversion of the textual instruction can be executed. The steps can be repeated until all textual instructions corresponding to each step in the task have been retrieved and TTS converted.

Abstract: A method for enabling user selectable input devices for dictation or transcription in a speech application, comprising the steps of: establishing a registry of dictation and transcription device descriptions, each of the descriptions including a device specific image, a device specific set of device-connecting instructions and a device specific list of audio configuration parameters; building dynamic tables containing information retrieved from the registry; establishing and storing a plurality of enrollments, each of the enrollments representing a speech file of user specific training data corresponding to at least one of a specific audio input device and a specific audio environment; and, generating GUI display screen using the information in at least one of the dynamic tables to enable user selection any input device in the registry for which one of the enrollments is available, for use as a dictation or transcription input to the speech application.

Abstract: A method for maintaining input device identity in a speech application, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of enrollments, each of the enrollments representing a speech file of training data associated with at least one of a specific audio input device and a specific audio environment for a specific user; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) display screen for prompting and enabling user selection of at least one of an audio input device and an audio environment; and, retrieving one of the enrollments responsive to the user selection, for use in a dictation or transcription session.

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) displaying a first graphical user interface prompting a user selection of an output audio device between: a headset having at least one earphone speaker and a microphone; external speakers connected to the computer system; and, internal speakers connected to the computer system; (b) in the event of the user selecting the headset: (1) displaying a second graphical user interface for prompting a user to connect the headset; (2) displaying a second graphical user interface illustrating proper placement of the headset and the microphone; and, (3) displaying a fourth graphical user interface for adjusting audio playback volume;(c) in the event of a user selecting one of the external and internal speakers, omitting displaying the second and third graphical user interfaces as in steps (b)(1) and (b)(2) respectively, and displaying the fourth graphical user interface as in step (b)(3).

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) displaying a first graphical user interface (GUI) prompting a user selection of an audio input device between: a headset having a microphone and at least one microphone not forming part of a headset; (b) in the event of the user selecting the headset having the microphone: (1) displaying a second GUI for prompting a user to connect the headset, the second GUI including a picture of a headset; (2) displaying a third GUI illustrating proper placement of the headset and the microphone, the third GUI including the picture of a headset; and, (3) displaying a fourth GUI for adjusting audio recording volume, the fourth GUI including the picture of a headset; and, (c) in the event of a user selecting the microphone not forming part of a headset: (1) omitting displaying the second and third GUIs as in steps (b)(1) and (b)(2) respectively; (2) displaying a fifth GUI for prompting the user to

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) determining from a data storage registry of said speech recognition application whether a microphone operatively associated with said computer system has been previously successfully set up for operation with said speech recognition application; (b) displaying a first graphical user interface having a first user activatable icon for setting up said microphone and a second user activatable icon for adjusting an audio recording level for said microphone; (c) in the event said microphone is not registered as having been previously successfully set up, altering said second icon in appearance and disregarding attempted activation of said second icon; and, (d) in the event said microphone is registered as having been previously successfully set up, respectively initiating said setting up of said microphone and said adjusting of said audio recording level responsive to activation of said

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system in accordance with an inventive arrangement comprises the steps of: (a) digitally storing representations of pictures of a plurality of audio input and output devices compatible with the computer system, including: a headset with a microphone and an earpiece speaker; a microphone not forming part of a headset; at least one external speaker connected to the computer system; at least one internal speaker connected to the computer system; and, different combinations of the input and output audio devices; (b) displaying a sequence of graphical user interface (GUI) displays for: (1) selecting an audio input device and an audio output device; (2) connecting the selected audio output device; (3) testing the selected audio output device; (4) connecting a microphone; (5) testing the connected microphone; and, (6) testing the speech recognition application; and, (c) during each of the steps (b)(1) through (b)(6), inclu

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) determining how many sound cards present in the computer system are capable of supporting speech; (b) in the event at least two of the sound cards present in the computer system are speech capable, displaying a first graphical user interface for user selection of the speech capable sound cards; and, (c) in the event only one speech capable sound card is detected, and in the event one of at least two speech capable sound cards has been user selected, determining if an audio mixer is present in the computer system.

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio mixer in an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system in accordance with an inventive arrangement comprises the steps of: (a) displaying at least one graphical user interface for selecting an audio input and output device from a plurality of audio input and output devices compatible with the speech recognition application, including: a headset with a microphone and an earpiece speaker; a microphone not forming part of a headset; at least one external speaker connected to the computer system; at least one internal speaker connected to the computer system; and, different combinations of the input and output audio devices; (b) selecting and adjusting microphone inputs of the mixer in accordance with an audio input device selected in step (a); and, (c) deselecting audio inputs and outputs of the audio mixer in accordance with the audio input device and an audio output device selected in step (a), whereby unneeded audio inputs and outputs of the mix

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a voice recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) displaying a first graphical user interface having a message prompting a user to initiate testing of a microphone connection, a user activatable button and at least one icon representing recording status; (b) in response to activation of the button: (1) modifying the message section to instruct the user to remain silent; (2) recording background noise through the microphone; (3) initiating an animation of the at least one icon to represent an active recording status; and, (4) terminating the background noise recording and the animation of the at least one icon; (c) upon termination of the background noise recording: (1) modifying the message to instruct the user to speak into the microphone; (2) recording the user speaking through the microphone; (3) reinitiating the animation of the at least one icon; (4) terminating the recording of the user speaking and the animation of the icon;

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface between a microphone and an audio card comprises the steps of: generating at least one graphical user interface for displaying user instructions, dynamic feedback, a predetermined number of test words and user controls, for example on a single screen; generating a pacer prompt for marking the words; prompting a user to speak each word into the microphone when marked by the pacer prompt; measuring at least one audio parameter of each spoken word; adjusting the audio parameter after the word is spoken, if the audio parameter is outside a predetermined range of values; and, successively repeating the prompting, measuring and adjusting steps for the words. The configuring continues until an adjusting step follows the final word, unless the audio parameter is sooner properly adjusted. A hardware optimization prompt can be generated if the adjustment is unsuccessful.

Abstract: A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) identifying at least one sound card present in the computer system capable of supporting speech; (b) displaying a at least one graphical user interface (GUI) prompting a user selection and connection of a microphone as an audio input device to the at least one sound card; (c) in the event the selected microphone is of an electret type and the selected sound card is of a type having a high gain range, displaying a second GUI prompting the user to connect a signal strength attenuator in series with the microphone, the microphone and the attenuator together having an operating characteristic corresponding to a dynamic microphone; (d) in the event the selected microphone is of a dynamic type, omitting step (c); and, (e) testing the connected microphone without regard to whether the connected microphone is of the electret or dynamic type.