Abstract: A method for adjusting a speech menu interface in a speech recognition system. The method can include a series of steps which can include identifying one or more menu items from a data structure in memory for presentation using the speech menu interface. The step of retrieving the one or more menu items from the data structure can be included. Also, the step of reading at least one attribute corresponding to the one or more menu items with menu item criteria can be included. Based on the comparing step, the method can include selecting a presentation style for presentation of the one or more menu items using the speech menu interface.

Abstract: A method of proofreading and correcting dictated text contained in an electronic document can include selecting proofreading criteria for identifying textual errors contained in the electronic document; playing back each word contained in the electronic document; and, marking as a textual error each played back word in nonconformity with at least one of the proofreading criteria.

Abstract: A method of generating a grammar for recognizing headings in a speech recognition system can include identifying, within a data store, at least one heading selection associated with a content item. At least a first word from the identified heading selections can be extracted and a heading grammar automatically can be generated by including each extracted word of the identified heading selections within the heading grammar.

Abstract: In a speech recognition system, a method of nonvisual enrollment comprising playing an audio representation of an enrollment script. As the enrollment is playing, shadowed speech from a user can be received, wherein the shadowed speech can lag the enrollment script. The received shadowed speech can be recorded for enrolling the user into the speech recognition system.

Abstract: A method for speech enabling labeless controls in an existing graphical user interface can comprise the steps of: identifying controls in a window contained in the graphical user interface; testing each identified control for an associated label; for each identified control having an associated label, adding the associated label to an active grammar of a speech recognition system; for each identified control not having an associated label, creating a label based upon an object property of a contextually relevant user interface object; and, further adding each created label to the active grammar. In testing each identified control for an associated label, an accessibility interface query can be applied to each identified control in the window. In addition, in creating the label, each contextually relevant object can be searched for an object property descriptive of the identified control not having an associated label.

Abstract: A method of disambiguating database search results can include retrieving multiple database entries responsive to a database search. The retrieved database entries can include a plurality of common data fields. The retrieved database entries can be processed according to predetermined speech interface criteria. At least one data field can be selected from the plurality of common data fields for uniquely identifying each retrieved database entry. The data items corresponding to the selected data field for each retrieved database entry can be presented through a speech interface.

Abstract: A method of proofreading and correcting dictated text contained in an electronic document comprises the steps of: selecting proofreading criteria for identifying textual errors contained in the electronic document; playing back each word contained in the electronic document; and, marking as a textual error each played back word in nonconformity with at least one of the proofreading criteria. The method can further comprise the step of editing each the marked textual error identified in the marking step. In particular, the editing step can include reviewing each the marked textual error identified in the marking step; accepting user specified changes to each marked textual error reviewed in the reviewing step; and, unmarking each marked textual error corrected by the user in the accepting step.

Abstract: A method and system for use with a computer speech recognition system to efficiently identify valid system commands to users. The method involves a series of steps including: receiving data representative of a speech recognition system user input; comparing the data to a grammar defined for the speech recognition system to determine whether the data is representative of a user input which is a valid system command; and notifying the user as to whether the data is representative of a valid system command. The process can also involve the additional steps of determining a functional expression for the data; and comparing the functional expression to a set of all functional expressions permitted in the grammar to identify any alternate user inputs for producing the functional expression.

Abstract: A method for speech enabling labeless controls in an existing graphical user interface can comprise the steps of: identifying controls in a window contained in the graphical user interface; testing each identified control for an associated label; for each identified control having an associated label, adding the associated label to an active grammar of a speech recognition system; for each identified control not having an associated label, creating a label based upon an object property of a contextually relevant user interface object; and, further adding each created label to the active grammar. In testing each identified control for an associated label, an accessibility interface query can be applied to each identified control in the window. In addition, in creating the label, each contextually relevant object can be searched for an object property descriptive of the identified control not having an associated label.

Abstract: In a computer speech dictation system, a method for automatically managing a plurality of acoustic models. The method is intended to ensure that only high reliability acoustic models which accurately reflect word pronunciations for a given user are retained. The method is accomplished by assigning a base quality metric value for each of the acoustic models maintained by a speech recognition application. The quality metric is incremented or decremented upon the occurrence of certain events relevant to the reliablity of the acoustic model. Acoustic model are discarded when the quality metric value falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for enrolling a user in a speech recognition system, without requiring reading, comprises the steps of: generating an audio user interface having an audible output and an audio input; audibly playing a text phrase; audibly prompting the user to speak the played phrase; repeating the steps of audibly prompting the user not to speak, audibly playing the phrase and audibly prompting the user to speak, for a plurality of further phrases; and, processing enrollment of the user based on the audibly prompted and subsequently spoken phrases. A graphical user interface can also be generated for: displaying text corresponding to the phrases and to the audible prompts; displaying a plurality of icons for user activation; and, selectively distinguishing different ones of the icons at different times by at least one of: color; shape; and, animation.

Abstract: A transcription system (100, 200) includes multiple recording devices (110, 210) that individually record and store (516), into multiple files, digital data representing speech uttered by multiple speakers. In a preferred embodiment, time stamps are stored (514) along with the speech. A transcription computer (120, 230) enables a user to select (602) which of multiple files the user would like to have transcribed, and to associate (604) a speaker ID to each of the multiple files. The transcription computer then transcribes (1006) phrases within the multiple files, and stores (1008) those phrases in a sequential order, based on the time stamps. The user may also cause an offset time for each file to be adjusted (606, 916), thus affecting the ultimate sequential order of the transcribed phrases. After transcription, the user may edit (1104) the time stamps, speaker IDs, and/or phrases.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves a plurality of steps including, defining a set of user voice commands for hands-free control of a pointer and, in response to receiving a first audio input recognized as one of the set of user voice commands, initiating motion of the pointer in a direction indicated by the user voice command. Subsequently, in response to receiving a second audio input, the pointer motion can be discontinued. Finally, in response to receiving one or more subsequent audio inputs not recognized as being among the set of user voice commands, the pointer can be incrementally moved responsive to the subsequent audio inputs.

Abstract: A list presentation method. The list presentation method can include the steps of: dynamically grouping selected items in a list based on sequentially positioned symbols in the items which are common to one another; labeling each group of selected items; audibly presenting each group label through a speech user interface; and, responsive to a selection of one of the presented group labels, presenting through the speech user interface items in a group corresponding to the selected group label.

Abstract: A voice spelling method. A voice spelling method can include the steps of: in an audio-only interface, receiving a plurality of audio signals representative of spoken characters, the plurality of spoken characters specifying a string; and, through the audio-only interface, providing audible feedback in between each received spoken character. Additionally, the method can include the steps of: through the audio-only interface, audibly playing back each spoken character; accepting a voice selection of one of the played back characters, the selection denoting a disputed character; identifying a replacement character; and, replacing the disputed character with the identified replacement character in the specified string.

Abstract: A method of speech recognition can include receiving at least one spoken word and performing speech recognition to determine a recognition result. The spoken word can be compared to the recognition result to determine if the recognition result is an incorrectly recognized word. The spoken word can be identified as an alternate word candidate for the incorrectly recognized word.

Abstract: A method for performing speech recognition can include determining a recognition result for received user speech. The recognition result can include recognized text and a corresponding confidence score. The confidence score of the recognition result can correspond to a predetermined minimum threshold. If the confidence score does not exceed the predetermined minimum threshold, the user can be presented with at least one empirically determined alternate word candidate corresponding to the recognition result.

Abstract: A method and system for use with a computer speech recognition system to efficiently identify valid system commands to users. The method involves a series of steps including: receiving data representative of a speech recognition system user input; comparing the data to a grammar defined for the speech recognition system to determine whether the data is representative of a user input which is a valid system command; and notifying the user as to whether the data is representative of a valid system command. The process can also involve the additional steps of determining a functional expression for the data; and comparing the functional expression to a set of all functional expressions permitted in the grammar to identify any alternate user inputs for producing the functional expression.

Abstract: A categorized speech-based interface system includes structure for delivering user prompts to users. The prompts include at least full prompts and tapered prompts. The interface further includes structure for determining the quantity of at least one of correct and incorrect responses to the prompts. The system delivers tapered prompts in response to the determination of a quantity of at least one of the correct and incorrect responses. A method for operating a categorized speech-based interface system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a speech recognition system, a method of providing a concise form of a natural command can include receiving a user specified command and identifying all functionally equivalent natural command forms of the user specified command from a natural command grammar. The length of each functionally equivalent natural command form can be determined. The method also can include presenting a selected one of the functionally equivalent natural command forms having the shortest length to the user.