Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!linac!convex!harper From: harper@convex.com (David Harper) Newsgroups: comp.periphs Subject: Re: Looking for Speech Recognition Message-ID: <1991Apr03.134419.24875@convex.com> Date: 3 Apr 91 13:44:19 GMT References: <13993@helios.TAMU.EDU> Sender: news@convex.com (news access account) Organization: Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx. Lines: 52 Nntp-Posting-Host: rigel.convex.com In article <13993@helios.TAMU.EDU> sean@cs.tamu.edu (Sean Graves) writes: > >I am looking to buy some speech recognition equipment for our lab. However, >I haven't found much to choose from. I am looking for: > > IBM PC compatibility > reliability > programmability > decent vocabulary size > contiunous speech would be nice > > >The two systems I have received information on are by Covox ($220) and >TI ($1800 or $1170 with educational discount). The TI system came out >in 1985 and TI support is suspect, so I am not too excited about it. There are several systems available that fall into the area you are interested in. I have one such system that I am using as part of a home control system. It is the IntroVoice VI and is manufactured by: Voice Connection 17835 Skypark Circle, Suite C Irvine CA 92714 (714) 261-2366 This is a small board which will plug into any 8 bit PC slot. It will work okay on an XT but you will get faster performance on an AT. It is fairly reliable - I get in the 95%+ range if I speak distinctly into the microphone. It comes with a range of programs which will allow you to train a vocabulary and check its accuracy. It can be set up to invoke vocabulary levels; for example, you might have 10 words in a top level vocabulary but each of those words will invoke a new vocabulary so that it seems like you are stepping through menu levels. The nice thing about this approach is that it limits the number of words in a given vocabulary and consequently increases the recognition accuracy. It is not a continuous speech recognizer - it works only with short words or phrases. It does have a voice output, although the text to speech does sound somewhat robotic (something which is not all that uncommon). An additional program which comes with it will stay resident and will "stuff" the keyboard buffer with user defined keystrokes for various vocabulary words. This will allow the unit to work with any existing program which expects its input from the keyboard. Cost for this unit (as of a couple of years ago) was $795. You might also check the trade magazines for ads. In particular, there is one magazine called Speech Technology which is quite popular. I used to subscribe to it but don't anymore so I can't give you an address. It should be available at any big library, however. Dave Harper - Convex Computer Corp. E-mail address: 3000 Waterview Pky. Richardson, TX 75081 harper@convex.COM (214) 497-4525 (W) (214) 727-4206 (H)