Abstract: A method for adjusting an instant messaging control mechanism can include the steps of determining a control setting for an instant messaging control mechanism based upon a calendar application entry, and responsive to the determining step, automatically adjusting the instant messaging control mechanism to the control setting. In one embodiment, the determining step can be performed by a calendar application to which the calendar application entry corresponds and can be performed responsive to a calendar event. In a further embodiment, the calendar application can establish a time at which the control setting is to be adjusted. The adjusting step can occur at approximately the established time, where the calendar event can occur in advance of the established time.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an instant messaging control mechanism can include the steps of determining a control setting for an instant messaging control mechanism based upon a calendar application entry, and responsive to the determining step, automatically adjusting the instant messaging control mechanism to the control setting. In one embodiment, the determining step can be performed by a calendar application to which the calendar application entry corresponds and can be performed responsive to a calendar event. In a further embodiment, the calendar application can establish a time at which the control setting is to be adjusted. The adjusting step can occur at approximately the established time, where the calendar event can occur in advance of the established time.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an instant messaging control mechanism can include the steps of determining a control setting for an instant messaging control mechanism based upon a calendar application entry, and responsive to the determining step, automatically adjusting the instant messaging control mechanism to the control setting. In one embodiment, the determining step can be performed by a calendar application to which the calendar application entry corresponds and can be performed responsive to a calendar event. In a further embodiment, the calendar application can establish a time at which the control setting is to be adjusted. The adjusting step can occur at approximately the established time, where the calendar event can occur in advance of the established time.

Abstract: A method of optimizing audio input for speech recognition applications can include identifying a source waveform and at least one optimization parameter, wherein the optimization parameter is configured to adjust audio input to a speech recognition application. The source waveform can be modified according to the optimization parameter resulting in a modified waveform. At least one optimization parameter can be synchronized with the source waveform. At least two time dependant graphs can be displayed, where the time dependant graphs can include the source waveform, the modified waveform, and/or a graph for the optimization parameter plotted against time.

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: An automatic gain control method in accordance with the inventive arrangements can include the following steps. Initially, an audio signal can be provided to an audio device which has a range of permissible signal level settings and a signal level controller for establishing a particular signal level setting. In addition, an actual signal level can be measured for the audio signal at an established signal level setting. The measured actual signal level further can be stored in a volume map along with the corresponding established signal level setting. Following the storage of the measured actual signal level in the volume map, a different signal level setting can be established using the signal level controller. Subsequently, the actual signal level can be re-measured and the re-measured actual signal level and corresponding established different signal level setting can be stored in the volume map.

Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting volume of speech generated by a text-to-speech application can include measuring an ambient noise level of an audio environment. A target volume for speech output generated by a text-to-speech application can be calculated based in part upon the ambient noise level. A volume of speech generated by the text-to-speech application can be automatically adjusted responsive to the performed calculation.

Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting volume of speech generated by a text-to-speech application can include measuring an ambient noise level of an audio environment. A target volume for speech output generated by a text-to-speech application can be calculated based in part upon the ambient noise level. A volume of speech generated by the text-to-speech application can be automatically adjusted responsive to the performed calculation.

Abstract: A method of optimizing audio input for speech recognition applications can include identifying a source waveform and at least one optimization parameter, wherein the optimization parameter is configured to adjust audio input to a speech recognition application. The source waveform can be modified according to the optimization parameter resulting in a modified waveform. At least one optimization parameter can be synchronized with the source waveform. At least two time dependant graphs can be displayed, where the time dependant graphs can include the source waveform, the modified waveform, and/or a graph for the optimization parameter plotted against time.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving recall of speech data in a computer speech system can include a plurality of speech cache management steps including providing a speech cache, receiving a speech system input and identifying a speech event in the received speech system input, the speech event comprising speech data. Subsequently, the speech data can be compared to pre-determined speech cache entry criteria; and, if the speech data meets one of the pre-determined entry criteria, at least one entry can be added to the speech cache, the at least one entry corresponding to the speech data. Additionally, the speech data can be compared to pre-determined speech cache exit criteria; and, if the speech data meets one of the pre-determined exit criteria, at least one entry can be purged from the speech cache, the at least one entry corresponding to the speech data. The entry criteria can include frequently used speech data, recently used speech data, and important speech data.

Abstract: A computer system has a notification manager for playing a message to a user by selecting one of a plurality of audio notifications. The method includes the step of setting a priority level for each notification arriving into a queue. The notification is inserted into a position in the queue based upon the priority level of the notification, such that the audio notifications at the queue top have a generally higher priority than audio notifications at the queue bottom. The notification at the top of the queue can be selected if the priority level of the notification is greater than a predetermined gate level. Once a notification is selected, a message corresponding to the selected notification is played to the user.

Abstract: A method for adjusting audio input signal gain in a speech system can include seven steps. First, an upper and a lower threshold can be predetermined in which the upper and lower threshold define an optimal range of audio data signal amplitude measurements. Second, a frame of unpredicted digital audio data samples can be received. Each sample can indicate an amplitude measurement of the audio data signal at a particular point in time. Third, a maximum signal amplitude can be calculated for a configurable measurement percentile of the unpredicted digital audio data samples. Fourth, the audio input signal gain can be incrementally adjusted downward if the maximum signal amplitude exceeds the upper threshold. Conversely, fifth, the audio input signal gain can be incrementally adjusted upward if the maximum signal amplitude falls below the lower threshold. Sixth, additional frames of unpredicted digital audio data samples can be received.

Abstract: A computer system has a notification manager for playing a message to a user by selecting one of a plurality of audio notifications. The method includes the step of setting a priority level for each notification arriving into a queue. The notification is inserted into a position in the queue based upon the priority level of the notification, such that the audio notifications at the queue top have a generally higher priority than audio notifications at the queue bottom. The notification at the top of the queue can be selected if the priority level of the notification is greater than a predetermined gate level. Once a notification is selected, a message corresponding to the selected notification is played to the user.

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 computer system has a notification manager for playing a message to a user by selecting one of a plurality of audio notifications. The method includes the step of setting a priority level for each notification arriving into a queue. The notification is inserted into a position in the queue based upon the priority level of the notification, such that the audio notifications at the queue top have a generally higher priority than audio notifications at the queue bottom. The notification at the top of the queue can be selected if the priority level of the notification is greater than a predetermined gate level. Once a notification is selected, a message corresponding to the selected notification is played to the user.

Abstract: An automatic gain control method in accordance with the inventive arrangements can include the following steps. Initially, an audio signal can be provided to an audio device which has a range of permissible signal level settings and a signal level controller for establishing a particular signal level setting. In addition, an actual signal level can be measured for the audio signal at an established signal level setting. The measured actual signal level further can be stored in a volume map along with the corresponding established signal level setting. Following the storage of the measured actual signal level in the volume map, a different signal level setting can be established using the signal level controller. Subsequently, the actual signal level can be re-measured and the re-measured actual signal level and corresponding established different signal level setting can be stored in the volume map.

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.