Abstract: In a system and method for the collection of alphanumeric data from Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) at the behest of an enhanced service provider (such as a utility company) requesting said data, a CPE transmits the data in the form of a synthesized voice signal, obviating the need for modems. The invention is useful for applications such as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Home and Business Electronic Systems (HBES). The targeted CPE in such a system, after being connected to a remote applications server via a telephone call including “suppressed ringing,” converts data collected to a standard voice signal via a voice synthesizer and transmits the voice signal to the applications server. The applications server performs a speech-to-text conversion to place the data back into its alphanumeric form.

Abstract: A speech recognition system provides a user with graphical and textual feedback. The textual feedback is displayed in windows but occupies little of the available display space and are displayed only for a short period of time. The graphical feedback is displayed in a designated notification area and does not obscure any other displayed items. The feedback provided by the speech recognition system may indicate a current mode of operation of the speech recognition system as well as a state of processing of audio input by the speech recognition system.