Systems and Methods for Tuning Automatic Speech Recognition Systems

Abstract

A tuning system for tuning a speech recognition system includes a transmitter for sending a user response to a speech recognition system. The user response is based at least in part on a test stimulus that may be generated by the control system. A receiver receives a recognized response from the speech recognition system; this recognized response is based at least in part on the associated user response. An adjustment module adjusts at least one parameter of the speech recognition system based at least in part on at least one of the test stimulus, the associated user response, and the recognized response.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 164,451, filed Mar. 29, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to tuning automatic speech recognition systems, and more specifically, self-tuning automatic speech recognition systems based on a user's speech model.BACKGROUND[0003]Multi-channel Cochlear Implant (CI) systems consist of an external headset with a microphone and transmitter, a body-worn or ear-level speech processor with a battery supply, and an internal receiver and electrode array. The microphone detects sound information and sends it to the speech processor which encodes the sound information into a digital signal. This information then is sent to the headset so that the transmitter can send the electrical signal through the skin via radio frequency waves to the internal receiver loc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]More particularly, speech perceptual tests wherein various words and / or syllables of the test are representative of distinctive language and / or speech features can be correlated with adjustable parameters of a hearing device. By detecting words and / or syllables that are misrecognized by a user, the hearing device can be tuned to achieve improved performance over conventional methods of tuning hearing devices.

Problems solved by technology

The tuning process, however, is not a user-specific process.

This approach has gained favor because the amount of time and the number of potential variables involved in designing optimal maps for individual users would be too daunting a task.

For example, additional complications to the tuning process exist when users attempt to add subjective input to the tuning of the hearing enhancement system.

Using subjective input from a user can add greater complexity to the tuning process as each change in the mapping of a hearing enhancement system requires the user to adjust to a new signal.

However, if that ASR system is being used by a person with a speech impediment, it may incorrectly recognize certain stimuli, and may dial the incorrect contact or take other inappropriate action.

Research has been performed regarding such systems for tuning ASR systems, but the resulting tuning systems still display performance limitations.

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