Speech Recognition and Response in Smart Environment

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Speech Recognition and Response in Smart
Environment

• UCIT-seminar 21.4.2002
• Arto Kolinummi

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Contents

• Introduction
• Principle of Operation
• Problems in Wearable Application
• Our Implementation
• Possible Applications
• Summary

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Introduction

• Speech recognition system is part of Smart
  Environment Project
• Objective is to create working speech control
  system with commercially available recognition
  softwares.
• What applications and problems there might be?
• New way to human-environment interaction

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Recognition Softwares

• Several PC-based softwares available based on
  complex speech recognition algorithms.
• Designed to be used as new

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Problems and possible solutions 1

• One false operation will be remembered better
  than a hundred correct ones.
• Recognition ability of commercial softwares is
  poor especially in noisy environments
• wearable microphone for every user.
• What words belongs to commands and what is normal
  conversation or sounds from TV.
• audiolink activation with a button

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Problems and possible solutions 2

• How can the software be used to control external
  devices?
• Speech commands are included in home control
  software
• How is the audio transferred to PC?
• Wireless audio link.
• Transmitter have to be always carried along
• wearable vs. mobile.
• Few transmitters could be attached to suitable
  places in apartment.

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Problems and possible solutions 3

• Who is talking and where?
• User positioning system. ID-number in every
  transmitter.
• Positioning system allows shorter commands.
  Computer can predict what user wants.

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Speech Response

• Speech response is obvious way to respond to
  speech commands.
• Response should be directed to correct person.
• Multible speakers in apartment or carriable
  speaker.
• Who should hear the response? What is correct
  sound pressure level? Quieter at nights and
  louder when TV is on. Different responses for
  children ...
• Possibilities for extra research.

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Our Implementation

• Can be used with any recognition software
• IR-tags for person location information
• RF-link for audio transmission to PC.
  FM-transmitter or Bluetooth.
• Small module that contains microphone,
  IR-receiver and RF-transmitter.
• Speakers spread to apartment. Centralized control.

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Applications

• Can replace remote controls
• Speech response can be used for reminding
• Speech messages
• Indoor phone

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Summary

• Reliability and correct operation in every
  situation is essential
• Possibilities to finetune the system are enormous