Abstract: A method for implementing speech focus in a speech processing system can include the step of establishing a default focus receiver as a first entity to request speech focus of a speech processing system having multiple applications that share speech resources based upon speech focus. An event occurrence can be detected. An event handler of the default speech receiver can previously define behavior for the event occurrence and where default system behavior can be implemented within the speech processing system for the event occurrence. The default system behavior can be utilized when speech focus is not assigned during the event occurrence. Responsive to the event occurrence, at least one programmatic action can be performed in accordance with machine readable instructions of the event handler. The default system behavior is not implemented responsive to the event occurrence.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system that shares speech processing resources among multiple applications located within a vehicle. The system can include one or more software applications, each associated with different functionally independent in-vehicle consoles. Each application can have a console specific user interface. The system can also include a single in-vehicle speech processing system implemented separately from the in-vehicle consoles. The speech processing system can execute speech processing tasks responsive to requests received from the applications. That is, the in-vehicle speech processing system can provide speech processing capabilities for the applications. The provided speech processing capabilities can include text-to-speech capabilities and speech recognition capabilities.

Abstract: A speech recognition system (10) or method (20) can include a speech input device and a processor (14) coupled to the speech input. The processor can be programmed to identify (22) a plurality of words that are members of confusable pairs of words where each pair includes a target word and a substituted word. The processor can degrade (24) a pronunciation of the substituted word to provide a worse pronunciation of the substituted word. The processor can further compare (28) the pronunciation of the target word with the worse pronunciation to the substituted word. The processor can be further programmed to reduce (26) confusion between the substituted word and other words in a recognition grammar of the speech recognition engine and can also narrow the scope within which the substituted word is recognized.

Abstract: A system for influencing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with a signal input to an automatic speech recognition device is provided. The system includes a normalized energy module that determines a normalized energy measurement based upon a spectrum of frequency-domain complex coefficients, the coefficients generated by the automatic speech recognition device. The system also includes an SNR module that generates an SNR measurement. The SNR measurement can be based upon a comparison of speech and non-speech portions of the signal input to the automatic speech recognition device. The system further includes a cue module that provides a cue to a user of the automatic speech recognition device, the cue being based upon the SNR measurement.