Abstract: In a computer system including an input-output terminal and an application program having a vocabulary file of acceptable input words and keystroke characters associated with the input words, the vocabulary file and corresponding keystroke characters are automatically retrieved by an operator request through the action of a host application program. Prior to executing a speech recognition process, the retrieved vocabulary file and corresponding keystroke characters are automatically assembled by the same host application program into a syntax file according to syntax rules of a speech recognition program. The resulting vocabulary/syntax file then is compiled into a format useable by the speech recognition process program. The compiled vocabulary/syntax file is used to automatically prompt the operator to speak the various vocabulary words, causing an analog-to-digital conversion circuit to produce digital template codes that are assembled into a speech template file.

Abstract: A system for collecting data relating to medical specimens includes a hand-held terminal incorporating a bar code reader and a keyboard for receiving information for identifying a medical specimen and a medical specimen source, an internal memory within the hand-held terminal for storing information including information identifying medical specimens and corresponding medical specimen sources, and application software operating within the hand-held terminal responsive to the input devices and the internal memory for verifying that the medical specimen identified by the received information should properly be collected from the medical specimen source identified by the received information. An LCD display, LEDs and an audible signal indicate whether the medical specimen identified by the received information should properly be collected from the medical specimen source identified by the received information.