ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 1996 TAG: 9610080047
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: At Home With Technology
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
Q: I recently saw a promo for a new educational toy - a robot, I think - that's supposed to recognize and respond to a child's voice. It costs less than $50. If it really works, couldn't this same technology be incorporated into other consumer products?
A: Speech recognition technology is on the verge of a major breakthrough in consumer products. Several companies recently developed inexpensive chips that can both talk and listen. Children's electronic learning aids are one of several product categories being targeted by chip makers.
Although the product you're referring to isn't as capable as the voice processors used by phone companies and large businesses ("Press or say one, now ... "), it really doesn't need to be. The real question is how and where to apply this new technology. It wouldn't make much sense to put a speech recognition chip in a lawn mower, but it's a natural fit for a telephone or answering machine.
Some early attempts to introduce speech recognition to consumers missed the mark. For example, a voice-activated VCR remote control turned out to be more trouble to operate than punching a few buttons. Ditto for early attempts at voice-activated telephones. The key is to identify situations where your eyes and/or hands are occupied - driving a car, for example.
Most cell-phone manufacturers now offer voice-activated versions for the car. Simply hit the hands-free button and announce the person you wish to call. Several companies have introduced speech-based navigation systems that allow you to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Voice-activated car stereos can't be far behind.
One possible use for a voice-savvy telephone is home control. Virtually all home automation systems respond to touch-tone signals: Punch a sequence of buttons to operate lights and appliances or arm the security system. If the telephone happens to respond to spoken commands, you suddenly have voice control over your home - another example of speech recognition making things simpler.
Here's how it works: The numbers you enter into the telephone's memory translate into commands your home automation system can understand - no codes or key sequences to memorize. Simply say "den lights" or "music." As far as the telephone knows, you just told it to dial someone named music!
Presently, only one company produces a voice-activated telephone. It stores up to 40 names and 120 phone numbers while giving the user voice control over call waiting, call forward and other telephone features. The latest low-cost voice chips are likely to spur a bit of competition.
Another company has taken a different approach with its adjunct voice recognition module. You can either use it with a single telephone or connect it ahead of all extensions. The base model stores 20 names while the enhanced version stores 50.
The electronic pocket organizer is among the hottest voice-activated products. You can check your schedule by saying "Monday" or retrieve someone's phone number by saying the person's name. One model even tracks expenses by your spoken command! For example, say "meals" followed by the amount and the unit will store the information under the proper category.
To receive a list of companies that manufacture voice-activated electronic learning aids, telephones and pocket organizers, please send $2 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-623, Department TWN, P.O. Box 36352, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236-0352. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products. You'll also receive information on telephone-based home controllers and speech recognition software for personal computers.
Send questions or comments to Butler at 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278.
TechTalk: Most voice-activated products are either speaker independent or speaker dependent. The former requires no training but has a very limited vocabulary while the latter must be initialized by the user. A variation is speaker verification. Like other biometric patterns, a person's voice can be used to confirm identity. One company is developing a car alarm based on this technology.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: A voice-activated telephone dialer can give your homeby CNBan attentive ear.