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Looking at Speech Recognition Part 3

By on December 19, 2009 in Guides, Windows 7 News, Windows 7 Software, Windows 7 Tools & Tips, Windows 7 User Guide | Comments { 1 }

In this post, we’ll be looking at Windows 7 Speech Recognition program and considering these aspects:

  • Accessing Windows 7 Speech Recognition
  • Training the Software
  • Taking the Speech Tutorial
  • Common  Speech Recognition Commands

Accessing Windows 7 Speech Recognition

To activate Windows 7’s Speech Recognition Program follow these steps:

Step 1              Checking for availability of Windows7’s Speech Recognition Program

  1. Open the Start menu and type “speech recognition” in the Start Search box.
  2. The software program will display in the “Programs” section.
  3. Click Windows Speech Recognition to access the program.

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    Access from here

Step 2              Plugging in the Microphone Headset

Plug your USB headset microphone into the USB port and get ready to configure it.

 

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USB Headset Microphone

Step 3              Positioning the Microphone

Adjust the headband on your headset so that it fits comfortably on your head. Position the microphone just in front of your lips. This will help the microphone pick up your words as accurately as possible.

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Positioning the Headset

Step 4              Reduce Background Noise

Limit the background noise as much as possible when using your speech recognition software. Consider moving to a quiet location. Most headsets have a Noise Cancellation feature, this will help with background noise, but it will not eliminate it entirely.

Step 5              Be careful how you speak

Important: Speak as clearly as possible and enunciate your words without sounding stilted. You should talk naturally, but even the best headset can’t help you if you mumble.

Training the Software

The first time you use Windows7’s Speech Recognition Program, you’ll be asked if you want to train it. This is essential! So take the time to do this before even thinking about dictating a document.

Accessing the Voice Recognition Training Feature

  1. Open the Start menu and type “speech” in the Start Search box.
  2. In the Control Panel section, click on “Speech Recognition”.
  3. This opens the Speech Recognition window.
  4. Select “Train your computer to better understand you”.

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    Selecting Training Feature

  5. This opens the Speech Recognition Voice Training window. Read the opening text and then click the Next button to begin the training.Tip! If you need a break, click the Pause button.   
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    First Training Screen

     

  6. Training commences. Read the text and when you complete the passage the trainer automatically moves onto the next piece. 
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    Beginning Training

     

Note: The passage is lengthy and takes quite some time. Hang in there and preserve. It is well worth the effort.

7.  At the conclusion you will see this message.

 

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Training Completed

Taking the Speech Tutorial

After training Windows 7 Speech Recognition another good move is to use the Speech Tutorial. This is found in the Speech Recognition Voice Training window. It gives you a thorough grounding in the basics covering these aspects Basics, Dictation, Commanding and Working with Windows. Completing the Speech Recognition Tutorial will improve your speech recognition. It is an interactive program and well worth a visit.

There are two other ways of accessing the speech tutorial. The first method is to right-click on the microphone button in the dialog window. In the menu select Start Speech Tutorial.

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Accessing Speech Tutorial

A far more exciting method to access the Speech Tutorial is to use a voice command.

  1. Say: “Show Speech Options”.
  2. Say: “Start Speech Tutorial”.
  3. The Speech Tutorial window opens.

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    Speech Tutorial Open

  4. When the Speech Tutorial window opens you will be instructed to use VoiceCommands as you pass through each level.
  5. There are six levels to pass through — Welcome, Basics, Dictation, Commanding, Working with Windows, and finally Conclusion. 
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    Tutorial Topics

     

  6. Say: “Next” to proceed to the next screen.

Note: the advantage of using this tutorial is that all your voice input is added to your user profile thus making it another form of training.

Common Speech Recognition Commands

What commands can you use in speech recognition? Here’s where you can find this information.

  1. Right click the microphone icon in the Speech Recognition dialog box. 
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    Accessing Speech Commands

     

     

  2. This opens the Common commands in Speech Recognition from Windows Help and Support.
  3. To see :
  • All the information, click Show all.
  • Details on an individual topic, click a heading. 
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    Command List in Help & Support

     

In the final post of Windows 7 Speech Recognition we’ll look at these aspects:

  • A True Dialog Box
  • Correcting Errors
  • Using the Spelling Panel
  • Controlling Windows with Speech Recognition
  • Common Commands in Speech Recognition
  • Using Commands to work Windows
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