To start IBM VoiceCenter

1	Click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Select Programs, IBM VoiceType Dictation, IBM VoiceCenter. The IBM VoiceCenter window appears. It is the interface through which you operate your computer using voice.

To use voice commands, the microphone must be on.

When the microphone is on,

the button looks like this

When the microphone is hearing you speak,

the button looks like this

Tips

•	Start the VoiceCenter before using other components of VoiceType. The exception is Enrollment, which cannot run at the same time as the VoiceCenter.

•	To have the VoiceCenter start automatically every time you start Windows, add it to your StartUp folder.


To set the microphone for startup

With the IBM VoiceCenter window open,

1	Say VoiceCenter properties or click [image].

2	Say At Startup tab or click the tab.

3	Say or click

 Microphone off

 Asleep

 Microphone on

At startup, your microphone will always be in the state you select here. If you do not change the startup state of your microphone, the VoiceCenter always starts with the microphone on.


To open Windows 95 Properties for IBM VoiceCenter

1	Use the right mouse button to click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Click Open.

3	Double-click Programs.

4	Double-click IBM VoiceType Dictation.

5	Use the right mouse button to click IBM VoiceCenter.

6	Click Properties.

Notice the differences between these properties and the IBM VoiceCenter Properties in the IBM VoiceCenter.

Tip

If the VoiceCenter is active and listening, you can say these commands instead of using your mouse.


To make the IBM VoiceCenter visible

With the VoiceCenter running but not visible,

•	Say Go to IBM VoiceCenter

or

•	Click the microphone icon in the Windows 95 Taskbar at the lower right of the desktop.

Either of those actions brings the VoiceCenter to the front on the desktop.

Tip

To display the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window when the VoiceCenter is not active,

1	Click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Select Settings, Control Panel.

3	Double-click the IBM VoiceCenter Properties icon.

See also

To change startup settings


To turn off the microphone

With the IBM VoiceCenter active, say Microphone off or click the microphone button.

Active listening for speech is turned off. The window remains open, and [image] is displayed.

Tip

Turn off the microphone when another program is going to use the sound card. (You can also identify programs that use the sound card. Then VoiceType Control will automatically turn itself off when one of the specified programs starts.)


To identify programs that use the sound card

With the Go To page displayed in the Where Can I Go? window,

1	Highlight the name of the program that uses the sound card.

2	Click the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu.

3	Say or click Add Program or Modify Program, as appropriate.

4	Click the check box Audio Application (Uses Sound Card).

Tip

If no highlight is visible on the Go To page, assume the top entry is highlighted.


To turn on the microphone

Click the microphone button in the IBM VoiceCenter to turn on active listening for speech.

The window remains open, and [image] is displayed.

Tip

Another easy way to turn the microphone on or off: Click the microphone icon in the upper left corner of the window you are working in.


To put the microphone to sleep

With the IBM VoiceCenter displayed,

Say Go to sleep.

The window remains open, and [image] is displayed.

The only voice command the sleeping microphone responds to is Wake up.

Tips

•	Use Go to sleep when you want to talk without having VoiceType Control try to process your speech.

•	As an alternative to saying Go to sleep, you can use the mute switch on your microphone cord to temporarily disable the microphone. However, this method uses more computer power because, even though the microphone is mute, it continues to “listen.”


To wake up the microphone

Say Wake up or click [image] in the IBM VoiceCenter.

The microphone state changes to [image] ; the window remains open.


To change user settings

With no speech applications open,

1	Click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Select Settings/Control Panel.

3	Double-click IBM VoiceCenter Properties.

4	Click the User tab.

5	From the drop-down lists, select the user name, type of enrollment, and vocabulary you want to use for this VoiceType session.

6	Click Apply to make the changes and leave the window open, or click OK to make the change and close the window.

Alternative:

With the IBM VoiceCenter window active,

1	Say VoiceCenter properties or click [image].

2	Say User tab or click the tab to display the user settings.

3	From the drop-down lists, select the user name, type of enrollment, and vocabulary you want to use for this VoiceType session.

Important

You should check The User Is setting each time you start a VoiceType session to make sure the appropriate user name is selected. This user name setting is especially important when more than one person uses VoiceType on a single computer. If you say commands or dictate when another user name is selected, you can accidentally overwrite that user’s speech files. Or if other users do not change from your user name to theirs, they can accidentally overwrite your speech files. It is advisable to back up your speech files.

To add a user name to the list:

1	Say or click Add User. The Add User Profile window appears.

2	Enter the new user name.

3	Select the language for the new user.

4	Say or click OK to save the information and close the window.

See also

User settings


To change voice settings

1	Be sure the microphone is on (the microphone in the Windows 95 status area at the lower right of the desktop is green).

2	With the IBM VoiceCenter window active, say VoiceCenter properties or click [image]. The IBM VoiceCenter Properties window appears.

3	Say Voice tab or click the tab to display the voice settings.

4	Adjust the settings for Recognition Sensitivity and Recognition Performance.

Change the Diagnostic Level settings only if you are instructed to do so by your technical support representative. The default setting is 0.

To return to the original settings for voice, say Default settings or click the button.

To test the new sensitivity and performance settings, say or click Test Speech. The Voice Waveform window appears.

See also

Voice settings


To change audio settings

With the IBM VoiceCenter window active,

1	Say VoiceCenter properties or click [image].

2	Say Audio tab or click the tab.

3	Select audio settings for Input and Output (recording and playback).

See also

Audio settings


To change startup settings

With the IBM VoiceCenter active and listening,

1	Say VoiceCenter properties or click [image].

2	Say At Startup tab or click the tab to display the startup settings.

3	Select a startup microphone state: Microphone Off, Sleeping, or Microphone On.

4	Select one or both methods for activating speech when the microphone is off: key and mouse hotspot.

5	Select Always on Top to have the IBM VoiceCenter float on top of other objects on your desktop.

See also

At Startup settings


To change VoiceCenter settings

With the IBM VoiceCenter window active,

1	Say VoiceCenter Properties or click [image].

2	Say VoiceCenter tab or click the tab to display the VoiceCenter settings.

3	Select or deselect Display Buttons and Display Text Field. As you make changes, notice the results in the sample IBM VoiceCenter window.

4	If you are satisfied with the changes, say or click ApplyApply.

5	Select or deselect Display Tooltips.

6	Select or deselect Always on Top.

Tip

If you have turned off the display of IBM VoiceCenter buttons, you can display them temporarily by using the IBM VoiceCenter pop-up menu from the Windows 95 Taskbar. Go to the lower right corner of your desktop and use the right mouse button to click the microphone icon. When the pop-up menu is displayed, click Properties.

See also

VoiceCenter settings


To enroll for VoiceType Control

1	Click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Select Programs, IBM VoiceType Dictation, Enrollment.

3	Follow the instructions in the Enrollment windows.

4	When asked to select Commands or Dictation, select Commands.

Enrolling for VoiceType Control will improve recognition of your spoken commands. However, enrollment is needed only if VoiceType Control frequently misinterprets what you say.


To train VoiceType Control to recognize words or phrases

With the IBM VoiceCenter active and listening,

1	Say What can I say? or click

2	Say Start <program> or Go To <program> so that commands for the active window appear on the Current page in the What Can I Say? window.

3	Look for commands on the Current page that you want to train. (Optional: Minimize the current program while you train its commands.)

4	If you want to train a single word, highlight it. If you want to train more than one word, do not highlight on this window. Then say or click Train. The basic Train Word window opens. If you have selected a word to train, it appears in the Written Like field. If you have not already selected a word to train, the Written Like field is blank. The words and commands you can train are displayed in the box below the Written Like field.

If the word or phrase you want to train has an unusual spelling or other pronunciations, say or click Advanced. Otherwise, follow these steps:

1	Highlight the word or phrase you want to train. It appears in the Written Like field. Then say or click Record [image] or press Alt+R.

2	Speak the highlighted word or phrase.

3	Select Stop [image] or press Alt+T.

4	To hear the word or phrase as you recorded it, say or click Playback [image] or press Alt+P.

5	If the recording is satisfactory, say or click Add. The word or phrase is added to the list of trained words.

6	Repeat this procedure for each word you want to train.

7	When you have finished this training session, say or click Done.

You train words to improve recognition of specific words that are frequently recognized incorrectly. Training a word improves recognition whenever you speak it. Training single words is preferable to training a command of several words.

Alternatively, you can train a phrase or a whole command. You do this when recognition has not improved even when you have trained one of the words in the phrase or command. Use the advanced Train Word window to train whole words or phrases.

Tip

Notice the instruction line beneath the window title bar. It changes as you move through the steps of training words.

  Related Topics


To train VoiceType Control to recognize unusual words

With the IBM VoiceCenter active and listening,

1	Say What can I say? or click [image]. The name of the active window and its speech commands are displayed on the Current page.

2	Say or click Train. The basic Train Word window opens, and the commands for the active window are displayed.

3	If you want to train a word or phrase that has an unusual pronunciation, or if there are other pronunciations for the same spelling, say or click Advanced.

4	With the Train Word (advanced) window displayed, highlight the word or phrase you want to train. Then select Individual Words or Whole Phrases, depending upon whether you are going to train a single word or a phrase of several words.

5	If the pronunciation is unusual, type the word or phrase in the Spoken Like box as you want it recognized. For example, to have “triple A” recognized as AAA, type TRIPLE-A. When you record “AAA,” say “triple A.”

6	To have the new pronunciation replace the existing one, say Replace Existing Pronunciations or click the button. If the word is spelled the same as another word, but pronounced differently, say Keep Other Pronunciations or click the button. For example, you might need both present and past tense of the word read.

7	Say or click Record [image] or press Alt+R. The red Record button starts blinking.

8	Speak the highlighted word or phrase. Select Stop [image] or press Alt+T. The Record button stops blinking.

9	To hear the word as you recorded it, say or click Playback [image] or press Alt+P. If the recording is satisfactory, say or click Add. The word or phrase is added to the list of trained words.

If the recording is not satisfactory, repeat this procedure.

When you have finished this training session, say or click Done.

Tip

Notice the instruction line beneath the window title bar. It changes as you move through the steps of training words.

  Related Topics


To add a program to What Can I Say?

You can use drag and drop:

1	Say Where can I go? or click the Go To tab in the What Can I Say? window

2	Use the right mouse button to click on the Windows 95 Start button.

3	Say or click Open. The Start Menu opens.

4	Double-click the Programs icon. Icons for all your programs appear in a window.

5	Drag the icon for the program you want and drop it on the GoTo page. The Add Program window appears.

6	Make any changes you want, such as the program title.

VoiceType Control scans the windows of the program and adds the commands it sees to the Current page.

Alternative

Instead of using drag and drop, you can use the following procedure to add a program to What Can I Say?:

1	Say Where can I go? or click

2	Say Add program (or click the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu and then say or click Add Program). The Program Properties window appears, where you can enter the required information.

Tips

•	You can also drag a program icon from the Windows 95 desktop or the Windows Explorer.

•	Even if a program is not on the Go To page, you can use the commands that appear in the Current page when the program window is active.


To change program properties

1	Say Where can I go? or click [image].

2	To highlight the name of the program whose properties you want to change, say Move down <number> or click the name.

3	Say Modify program.

or

Say Context menu or click the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu. Then say or click Modify Program.

The Program Properties window appears, where you can make your changes.

Tip

Usually, you modify program properties to:

•	Change the spoken title

or

•	Identify a program that uses the sound card.


To delete a program from What Can I Say?

1	Say Where can I go? or click [image].

2	To highlight the name of the program you want to delete, say Move down <number> or click the name.

3	Say Delete program.

or

Say Context menu or click the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu. Then say or click Delete Program.

The Delete Program Properties window appears, where you can say or click OK to delete the program.


To add IBM VoiceCenter to your StartUp folder

1	Click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Select Settings, Taskbar, Start Menu Programs, Add.

3	In the Command Line text box, type the VoiceType Control directory path and filename; for example, <drive>\IBMVTYPE\BIN\KEYSRV95. Or select Browse to find the location and then double-click it.

4	With the path and filename displayed in the Command Line text box, select Next.

5	Locate and double-click the StartUp folder icon.

6	Type a name for the label of the IBM VoiceCenter icon or accept the name displayed in the text box.

7	Select Finish.

8	Select OK.

With IBM VoiceCenter in your StartUp folder, the window will open automatically each time you start your computer.

Tip

You might want to set the microphone so that at startup it is off or sleeping. To change this setting, say VoiceCenter properties or click [image] in the IBM VoiceCenter.


To start Quick Dictation

Make sure that:

1	IBM VoiceCenter is started.

2	The microphone is on.

3	The application that will receive the dictated text is started.

4	The window of the receiving application is the active window.

5	The green microphone symbol [image] appears in the upper left corner of the receiving application window.

When you are ready,

1	Say Begin dictation. The Quick Dictation window appears. When VoiceType is ready, you hear   “Start dictating,“ and the words “Start Dictation...” appear in the Quick Dictation text area.

2	Dictate your text.

3	Say or click Stop Dictation when you are finished.

While you are dictating, make sure the green microphone symbol [image] appears in the upper left corner of the dictation window. The microphone must be on when you dictate. If the microphone is not on, click the symbol.

During your dictation session, you can say or click Stop Dictation and then do any of the following:

•	Say or click Correct Error to make corrections.

•	Say or click Macros to view or change dictation macros.

•	Say or click Options to view or change Quick Dictation settings.

•	Say or click Send to transfer sections of dictated text to the destination application. The text you send is removed from the Quick Dictation window.

•	Say or click Done to send remaining text to the destination application and close Quick Dictation.

•	Say or click Help for complete instructions on using Quick Dictation.

  Related Topic

See also

Help for dictation in the Online Reference


To view commands that are always available

1	Say What can I say? or click [image]. The What Can I Say? window appears.

2	Say Always tab or click the tab. The commands you can say at any time are displayed.

3	To view more commands, say the names of headings or click the plus and minus signs to display or hide parts of this list.


To view commands for the active program

1	Say What can I say? or click [image]. The What Can I Say? window appears with the Current page displayed.

2	Click the window for the active program. The voice commands for the active program are displayed on the Current page.

Tip

Even though commands have the green speech bubble [image] in front of them, they still might need to be trained.


To find a command that is always active

1	With the What Can I Say? window displayed, say Always tab or click the tab. The commands that are always active are displayed in the What Can I Always Say? window.

2	Say or click Find. The Find window appears.

3	Type in the text box part of the command you want to locate.

4	Say or click Find next. The found command is highlighted in the What Can I Always Say? window.

Using Find saves you the trouble of looking for a command or program by hiding and showing parts of What Can I Say?

Tip

Usually, you use Find to see the correct form of a command that VoiceType Control often misrecognizes. You might be saying it incorrectly.


To find a program

With the What Can I Say? window displayed,

1	Say Go To tab or click the tab. The names of programs on your desktop appear in the Where Can I Go? window.

2	Say or click Find. The Find window appears.

3	Type in the text box all or part of the program you want to locate.

4	Say or click Find next. The found program is highlighted in the Where Can I Go? window.

Using Find saves you the trouble of looking for a command or program by hiding and showing parts of What Can I Say?.


To find a command

1	Say Current tab or click the tab to open that page of the What Can I Say? window. Available commands for the active window are displayed.

2	Say or click Find. The Find window appears.

3	Type in the text box all or part of the command you want to locate in What Can I Say?.

4	Say or click Find next. What Can I Say? is displayed with the found command highlighted.

Using Find saves you the trouble of looking for a command or program by hiding and showing parts of What Can I Say?


To scroll What Can I Say?

•	Say Page up or Page down or click the scroll arrows on the right side of the window to see more of the window.

•	Say Top of document to go to the beginning.

•	Say Bottom of document to go to the end.


To return speech focus to the active program

To return to a program from What Can I Say?, say Previous program or click on the program window.

The What Can I Say? window stays open.


To close What Can I Say?

Say Close What Can I Say? or click the close button in the upper right corner of the window.


To show more entries in What Can I Say?

With the What Can I Say? window displayed, say the heading name or click the plus-sign icon.


To hide entries in What Can I Say?

With the What Can I Say? window displayed, say the heading name or click the minus-sign icon.


To start a program

Say Start or Open < program name>.

The names of all programs enabled for VoiceType Control are shown in the Where Can I Go? window.

If the program is already started, another instance of the program is started. (Some programs do not support multiple instances and activate only the instance already started.)

If VoiceType Control cannot find a program when you try to start it, you must tell VoiceType Control where the program is installed on your system. See To change program properties.

Tips

•	You can start or switch to any program on the Go To page at any time, no matter which program is active.

•	Say Go to <program name> to start or switch to a previously started program.


To switch to a running program

Say Switch to <program name >.

If the program is not already running, it will be started.

Tip

You can start or switch to any program on the Go To page at any time, no matter which program is active.


To print What Can I Say?

With a page (Current, Go To, Always) of the What Can I Say? window displayed,

1	Hide or show parts of the page to display the entries you want to print.

2	Say Context menu or click the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu.

3	Say or click Print. The standard Windows 95 Print window is displayed.


To view the list of programs on your desktop

With the IBM VoiceCenter window displayed, say Where can I go? or click [image]. The Where Can I Go? window opens, with the Go To page displayed. The names of programs on your desktop are displayed.

Alternative

1	Say What can I say? or click [image].

2	Say Go to tab or click the tab.


To create a voice macro for a specific program

1	Make sure the microphone in the IBM VoiceCenter is on.

2	Say Where can I go? or click the button.

3	Start the program for which you want to create a macro.

4	Say What can I say?. Make sure the What Can I Say? window title bar is highlighted, the Current page is open, and the commands for the appropriate program are displayed.

5	Say Macro or click the button. The Macro window appears.

6	Say or click Capture. Click your mouse or press keys to record the actions for the macro.

7	Optional: Say or click Actions to select a Go To action to include in your macro.

8	Optional: Say or click Lists to select a standard list. You can use any of the words from the list in your macro. You can select up to seven lists (or six lists and one action) to use in a macro.

9	Say or click Done when you have finished the series of actions. The captured actions are listed.

10	Say or click Play to see the actions you captured. If necessary, say or click Recapture to repeat the capture.

11	Type the voice command.

12	Type a description of what the macro does. The name of the macro you created appears on the Current page under Customized Macros.

This type of macro is called a Current macro because you create it for the currently active application.

Tips

•	You can create new lists or change lists you have created. You cannot change the standard lists provided by VoiceType Control.

•	An example of this type of macro: Select and fill in a File Open dialog for the voice command “Open my widget file.”

•	If you change the size or appearance of the program window and you use mouse clicks in your macro, you probably need to recreate the macro. Changing screen resolution or font sizes, for example, can cause mouse clicks to fail.


To create a voice macro that is always available

With the What Can I Always Say? window open,

1	Say or click Macro. The Macro window appears.

2	Say or click Capture. Press keys to record the series of actions for the macro.

3	Optional: Say or click Actions to select a Go To action to end your macro.

4	Optional: Say or click Lists to select a standard list. You can use any of the words from the list in your macro. You can select up to seven lists (or six lists and one action) to use in a macro.

5	Say or click Done when you have finished.

6	Say or click Play to see the actions you captured. If necessary, say or click Recapture to repeat the capture.

7	Type the voice command.

8	Type a description of what the macro does. The name of the macro you created appears on the Always page under Customized Macros.

This type of macro is called an Always macro because it is always available.

Tips

•	You can use your mouse to open a window when getting ready to record an Always macro, but you cannot use your mouse during the capture sequence. Only keystrokes are recorded.

•	You can create new lists or change lists you have created. You cannot change the standard lists provided by VoiceType Control.

•	Examples of this type of macro: Enter commands you use frequently in an MS-DOS window, or type a standard greeting in a word processing application.


To change a voice macro

1	Open the What Can I Say? window.

2	Display the Current or Always page that contains the macro command you want to change.

3	Highlight the macro.

4	Say Modify macro. The macro window appears.

You can change the voice command or the description. To change the macro actions, say or click Macro in the What Can I Say? window and record the macro again.


To delete a voice macro

1	Open the What Can I Say? window.

2	Display the Current or Always page that contains the macro command you want to delete.

3	Highlight the macro.

4	Say Delete macro. A message appears asking you to confirm that you want to remove the highlighted macro.


To change fonts

Use either of these methods:

•	From the What Can I Say? window,

Say Context menu or click the right mouse button to display a pop-up menu. Then say or click Change font.

•	From the VoiceCenter page of IBM VoiceCenter Properties,

Say or click Font.

To continue,

1	Say or click the name, style, and size of the font to use for the text in the What Can I Say? window. A sample appears.

2	Select the script appropriate for the language conventions you want.


To dictate to VoicePad

1	With the IBM VoiceCenter active and listening, say Dictate to VoicePad or click [image] to display the VoicePad window. VoicePad is a speech-aware general-purpose word processor.

2	To start dictating, say Begin dictation.

3	When you hear “Start Dictating” or see “Starting Dictation” in the text area, begin dictating. The text of your dictation appears in this window.

When you are dictating, be sure a green microphone symbol [image] appears in the upper left corner of the dictation window. The microphone must be on when you dictate. If the microphone is not on, click the symbol.

See also

Help for VoicePad Dictation

  Related Topic


Apply

Save all the changes you have made without closing this window.


Display tooltips

Turns on and off the labels for VoiceCenter buttons. These labels appear when you move your mouse over the button.


Always on top

Turns on and off the display of the IBM VoiceCenter on top of other objects on your desktop.


What is VoiceType Control?

VoiceType Control is a speech recognition program you can use to control programs on your computer desktop simply by speaking. Instead of using the mouse or keyboard, you speak into a microphone to navigate the Windows 95 desktop, start programs from the desktop, and navigate those programs. Just as you learn to use the mouse instead of, or in addition to, the keyboard, you can learn to use the microphone to send commands to programs. VoiceType Control interprets voice commands and translates them into program commands.

VoiceType Control provides voice control in addition to keyboard and mouse input. You can still use the keyboard, whenever it seems most convenient, for tasks such as entering text. And you can still use the mouse whenever that seems most convenient. Using VoiceType Control, you can always freely intermix your voice, keyboard, and mouse input.

The IBM VoiceCenter is the interface through which you operate your computer using voice. You can think of it as your window to VoiceType Control. The VoiceCenter window appears when you select IBM VoiceCenter from the Windows 95 Start menu or the IBM VoiceType Dictation folder.


How VoiceType Control works

VoiceType Control uses a speech recognition engine to listen for speech and convert the speech to commands. Here's how it works:

1	You say a command into your microphone, which is connected to your sound card.

2	The sound card converts your verbal command to digital pulses.

3	The speech recognition engine converts the digital pulses to command text.

4	VoiceType Control matches command text to a predefined keystroke macro.

5	The active program accepts the keystroke macro the same way it accepts keystrokes from the keyboard.

6	Your verbal command is carried out.

Your verbal commands look just like keyboard input to the active program, so you can always freely intermix voice, mouse, and keyboard input. Use whatever is most convenient for each task.


VoiceType Control features

Using VoiceType Control, you can:

•	Say commands to control your desktop.

•	Set up VoiceType Control to fit your work environment, adjusting for noise level.

•	Use the What Can I Say? window at any time to see the three kinds of voice commands:

Commands for the currently active program, under the Current tab.

Commands for switching between programs, under the Go To tab.

Commands that are always available, no matter which program is active. These are under the Always tab.

•	Train words or phrases to be recognized the way you pronounce them.

•	Add or change your own voice macros. You can define voice macros for specific programs, or you can define macros that are always available. With VoiceType Dictation installed, you can also define dictation macros.


IBM VoiceCenter

The IBM VoiceCenter is the interface through which you operate your computer using voice. The VoiceCenter window appears when you select IBM VoiceCenter from the Windows 95 Start menu or the IBM VoiceType Dictation folder.

The IBM VoiceCenter displays buttons for:

 Microphone status

 What Can I Say?

 Where Can I Go?

 Dictate to VoicePad

 VoiceCenter Properties

 VoiceCenter Help

If VoiceType Dictation has not been installed, the Dictation button does not appear.

The IBM VoiceCenter includes two other features that give you important information:

•	Volume bar

Indicates the loudness of your voice as you say commands. If only the yellow area of the bar shows, you are not speaking loudly enough. If the red area of the bar shows, you are speaking too loudly. If the green area of the bar shows, you are speaking just loudly enough. Try to keep the green area of the bar showing when you are speaking to your computer.

•	Text field

Shows how VoiceType Control recognized your verbal commands.

If you have any problems with the recognition of your commands, try adjusting your voice and audio settings in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window:

1	Change your voice settings on the Voice page.

2	Adjust the input level slider on the Audio page.

You might also need to enroll and train the system to recognize your voice patterns. On the User page in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window you can enter the appropriate information and say or click Enroll to start the enrollment procedure.

Tip

This information assumes you have already set up your microphone using the Microphone Setup Wizard   If you have not completed that initial setup procedure, do that before you do any more troubleshooting.


Enrollment for VoiceType Control

Enrolling for VoiceType Control will improve recognition of your spoken commands. However, enrollment is needed only if VoiceType Control frequently misinterprets what you say. If, after checking your microphone setup and adjusting the settings on the Voice page in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window, you are still having problems with speech recognition, you probably need to enroll for VoiceType Control.


Where Can I Go?

Saying Where can I go? or clicking [image] in the IBM VoiceCenter displays the Go To page in the Where Can I Go? window. The names of programs on your desktop are displayed. Whenever the microphone is on, you can start, switch to, or close a program by saying the commands.

The Go To page also shows three buttons:

Train

Macro

Find

The Go To page has a pop-up menu, which you can display by saying Context menu or clicking the background with your right mouse button. This menu includes:

Train

Macro

Find

Add program

Modify program

Delete program

Print

Change font

Display buttons


Dictation from IBM VoiceCenter

When VoiceType Dictation has been installed on your computer, you can begin a dictation session from the IBM VoiceCenter using either of two methods: dictation to VoicePad and Quick Dictation.

When you are dictating, be sure a green microphone symbol [image] appears in the upper left corner of the dictation window. The microphone must be on when you dictate. If the microphone is not on, click the symbol.

When VoiceType Dictation is not installed, the Dictation button does not appear on the IBM VoiceCenter.

Tip

VoiceType Control is always automatically installed when you install IBM VoiceType Dictation, even though you might be using another program for navigation. VoiceType Dictation needs some functions of VoiceType Control to operate correctly.

See also

Help for dictation in the IBM VoiceType Online Reference.


Help from IBM VoiceCenter

The Help button [image] on the IBM VoiceCenter is an important entry point to the help system. You can use the Contents, Index, and Find tabs to locate information. Both task and reference help topics are included. Task help topics are step-by-step instructions. Reference help contains background or conceptual information. When you see green text in a help topic, you can click it to jump to a related topic.

To display help from the VoiceCenter, be sure the VoiceCenter window is active; then say VoiceCenter Help or click the button.

In addition to task and reference help topics, context-sensitive helps are available. When a question mark appears in the title bar of a window (upper right), a pop-up What’s This? help is available for each object, control, and field.

Using your mouse, you can display the What’s This? pop-up help in several ways. For example:

1	Click an object, control, or field with the right mouse button. What’s This? is displayed.

2	Click What’s This? to display the pop-up help.

Or

1	Click the ? button in the window title bar. Your mouse pointer changes to a ?.

2	Click an object, control, or field. A What’s This? pop-up help is displayed.

You can also display What’s This? help by using a voice command or pressing F1.

1	Highlight the object, control, or field.

2	Say Context help or press F1.

Another form of context-sensitive help is the help button in windows. When you need more than What’s This? help, say Help or click the button.


Microphone status

The microphone button in the IBM VoiceCenter shows the status of the microphone.

 shows that the microphone is off. Click the button to turn on the microphone.

 shows that the microphone is on. Say Microphone off to turn it off.

 shows that the microphone is listening to your voice commands.

 shows that the microphone is sleeping. You can say Wake up to turn it on again or click the button.

 shows that the microphone is waiting while VoiceType Control processes your commands.

Tips

•	Even when you cannot see the IBM VoiceCenter, you can check the status of the microphone by looking at the microphone icon in the Windows 95 Taskbar, at the lower right of your desktop.

•	Another easy way to check microphone status: Click the microphone icon in the upper left corner of the window you are working in.


IBM VoiceCenter Properties

To change settings for the VoiceCenter, go to the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window. With the IBM VoiceCenter active, say VoiceCenter Properties or click

Say <name> tab or click the tab to display a properties page:

At Startup

VoiceCenter

Audio

User

Voice

After you make selections on a page, say or click Apply to make changes on a page. When you have made all your changes, say or click OK to close the window.

Tip

Don’t confuse IBM VoiceCenter Properties with Windows 95 Properties for IBM VoiceCenter . The settings are different. To see the differences, open the Windows 95 Properties.


At Startup settings

The At Startup page of IBM VoiceCenter Properties contains settings for the microphone and speech activation.

You can select Microphone Off [image], Go to Sleep [image], or Microphone On [image] as the status of your microphone when you start IBM VoiceCenter.

You can select either or both settings that activate speech for short periods of time when the VoiceCenter is open but the microphone is off:

•	Press to talk

Sets a key for turning on the microphone. When you press and release the specified key, you can say one command. After you say one command, the microphone is turned off. The default is Scroll Lock. It is grayed. To activate Scroll Lock, check the box. To specify a different key, move the cursor to the Press to Talk text field and press the key you want. If you specify a single digit or character, Ctrl+ will be added. For example, if you select S, it becomes Ctrl+S.

•	Keep mouse over hotspot

Sets a corner of the screen for turning on the microphone. When you move your mouse to the specified corner and hold it there, the VoiceType microphone is turned on. When you move your mouse away, the microphone is turned off again.

Tip

Whenever you see Microphone On [image] in the Windows 95 Taskbar, at the lower right of your desktop, you can use voice commands.


VoiceCenter settings

The VoiceCenter is displayed in the IBM VoiceCenter window. You can adjust the VoiceCenter settings to:

•	Display or not display the buttons.

•	Display or not display the text field that shows how VoiceType Control understood your last command.

•	Display or not display tooltips (button labels that appear when you move your mouse pointer over the VoiceCenter).

•	Always display the IBM VoiceCenter window on top of other desktop objects on your desktop.

Notice how the sample VoiceCenter changes to show how the first two settings affect it.


Audio settings

You can adjust the settings on the Audio page in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window to improve the performance of IBM VoiceType Dictation.

To open the Properties window, say VoiceCenter properties or click

Then say Audio tab or click the tab to display the Audio page.

The settings are for Input (recording) and Output (playback):

•	Input slider

•	Audio card used for input

•	Input jack

•	Output slider

•	Audio card used for output

Tip

Windows 95 offers additional settings for audio and volume control. See Audio Settings in the Setup Reference of the Online Reference for more information.


Input slider

This control on the VoiceCenter Properties Audio page adjusts the loudness of your spoken commands and dictation as they are transmitted to IBM VoiceType. Before you adjust the slider, say some commands and, as you speak, check the volume bar in the IBM VoiceCenter. If the volume bar is in the green range, you do not need to adjust this setting. If it is in the yellow range (not loud enough), drag the slider toward High. If it is in the red range (too loud), drag the slider toward Low.


Audio card used for input

This box on the VoiceCenter Properties Audio page shows the name of the sound card being used for recording. If more than one sound card is listed, you can change the selection.


Input jack

This setting on the VoiceCenter Properties Audio page specifies which connector is used for sound going into the computer.

•	Select Microphone if your microphone is connected to the microphone jack on your computer.

•	Select Line In if a recording device (other than a microphone) is connected to the Line In jack on your computer. For example, if a microphone amplifier is used, it should be connected to the Line In jack.


Output slider

This control on the VoiceCenter Properties Audio page adjusts the loudness of the voice from the computer when you play back recorded speech during enrollment and dictation. Before you adjust the slider, listen to the speech samples in Enrollment. If the loudness of the voice is acceptable, you do not need to adjust this setting. If the voice is too loud, drag the slider toward Low. If the voice is not loud enough, drag the slider toward High.


Audio card used for output

Shows the name of the sound card being used for playback. If more than one sound card is listed, you can change the selection.


User settings

Use the settings on the User page in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window to specify:

•	Name of the user for the current VoiceType session

•	Enrollment to use for the current user

•	Vocabulary to use for the current user

In addition, you can say or click Add User to display a window where you can add a user name to the list.

The User Is list shows the names of VoiceType users, as well as a generic user’s name. You might need more than one user name yourself, for different environments. Or several individuals might use VoiceType on this computer. Select the name to use for the current VoiceType session.

Important

You should check The User Is setting each time you start a VoiceType session to make sure the appropriate user name is selected. This user name setting is especially important when more than one person uses VoiceType on a single computer. If you say commands or dictate when another user name is selected, you can accidentally overwrite that user’s speech files. Or if other users do not change from your user name to theirs, they can accidentally overwrite your speech files. It is advisable to back up your speech files.

The User Is Enrolled to Use list shows the types of enrollment that are available for the selected user name. If more than one is listed, you can change the selection.

The Vocabulary (Domain) shows the available vocabularies. If more than one is listed, you can change the selection.

To add the name of another user to the list, say or click Add User. Type the user name to be added and select a language. The new name will appear in the list after you OK the addition.

After you have finished making changes to User page settings, say or click Apply. If no other applications are currently using speech, the changes are made, and the process is complete.

However, if other applications are using speech, they must be closed before your changes can be made. When possible, open speech applications are closed automatically. (You might be asked to respond to confirmation messages.) Any speech applications that you must close manually are listed in a message. Go ahead and close those applications. As you close them, they disappear from the message list. (If at any point in this procedure you decide not to make the changes, say or click Cancel.) While this process is ongoing, the User page remains displayed. When all speech applications have been closed, say or click OK to close the VoiceCenter. Your changes are processed, and you can restart your speech applications.

Tips

•	Closing the VoiceCenter does not close the VoiceCenter Properties window.

•	To delete a user (even if the user has not enrolled), start Enrollment. You can delete a user name in the first Enrollment window that appears.

•	If ever the User page fails to appear, the basic connection cannot be made to the speech engine. Contact your IBM service representative.


Voice settings

You can adjust the settings on the Voice page in the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window to improve recognition of your speech.

1	To open the Properties window, say VoiceCenter properties or click

2	Then say Voice tab or click the tab to display the Voice page.

3	Adjust the settings for Recognition Sensitivity and Recognition Performance.

Change the Diagnostic Level settings only if you are instructed to do so by your technical support representative. The default setting is 0.

To return to the original settings for voice, say Default settings or click the button.

If you find that even after you adjust voice and audio settings and check your microphone setup, speech recognition still needs improvement, you should enroll and train the system to recognize your voice patterns.

Tip

If for some reason the connection cannot be made to the speech recognition engine, Recognition Sensitivity and Recognition Performance are grayed (unavailable).

  Related Topic


Recognition sensitivity

You can adjust recognition sensitivity with the slider in the Recognition Sensitivity box on the Voice page of the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window. This setting controls recognition matching; that is, how closely VoiceType Control matches what it hears you say to words in the VoiceType vocabulary. The default value works well in most circumstances.

However, you might need to adjust recognition matching in either of these two circumstances:

•	Recognition is attempted when you are not speaking to the computer. VoiceType Control mistakenly attempts to recognize other talking or noise as verbal commands. In this circumstance, use your mouse to move the slider toward Exact Match. Use this setting improve recognition of your speech  in a noisy environment.

•	When you say commands, VoiceType Control fails to recognize them correctly. VoiceType Control displays <Pardon me?> in the IBM VoiceCenter, even when you are saying a command in What Can I Say?. In this circumstance, use your mouse to move the slider toward Best Guess. Use this setting to improve recognition of your speech in a quiet environment.

You can reset to the default value by saying Default settings, moving the slider to Normal, or clicking the Default Settings button.

Tip

Say Go to sleep to avoid having VoiceType Control try to recognize conversational speech or background noise.

  Related Topic


Recognition performance

You can adjust recognition performance with option buttons on the Voice page of the IBM VoiceCenter Properties window. This setting controls the amount of processing done during voice recognition.

If you have a fast microprocessor, say or click Accurate for the most precise voice recognition.

If you have a slower microprocessor, say or click Fast. Response time will be improved, but recognition might not be quite as accurate.

Say or click Balanced for a setting that is midway between Accurate and Fast. This is the default setting.

  Related Topic


Voice Waveform

In this window you can test to see if the audio input and output volumes are set appropriately. The input signal is also tested for a number of potential problems. For the testing, you record a sample of your speech and play it back. Notice that in this special window you cannot say commands. Use your mouse or keyboard to select the buttons.

To record a sample of your speech:

1	Select Start Record.

2	Say a sentence. For example, say This is how I speak to my computer.

3	Select Stop Record.

4	To listen to your speech sample, select Play.

Once you have recorded the speech sample, a picture of it, called a waveform, is displayed in the center of the window. Also, if the testing has detected any problem, a message is displayed that explains what is wrong. You might want to record several samples, varying the audio input or output volumes from sample to sample. To change audio volume, go to the Audio page of the VoiceCenter Properties window and adjust one of the sliders.

You might want to save a speech sample for future reference and analysis.

To save a speech sample in a file:

1	Type a name for the file in the Waveform Name field.

2	Select Save.

If you do not specify a different extension for the file, it is saved as a .WAV file.

You might want to display a previously recorded speech sample.

To display a previously recorded sample of your speech:

1	Select Browse.

2	Select a file to use. The speech sample will be displayed and you can play it.

If, after you set the microphone and noise level adjustment, you still need to improve speech recognition, consider completing an enrollment for VoiceType Control.

Tips

•	This information assumes you have already set up your microphone using the Microphone Setup Wizard.   If you have not completed that initial setup procedure, do that before you do any more troubleshooting.

•	If you are working with a technical support organization, you can send the waveform file to your advisor, who can then analyze it to help you improve speech recognition.


What Can I Say?

The What Can I Say? window shows commands you can say. When the IBM VoiceCenter is open and listening, you can open the What Can I Say? window by saying What can I say? The window contains three tabs: Current, Go To, and Always. Clicking a tab displays a page. When the Current page is displayed, the window title is What Can I Say? When the Go To page is displayed, the window title is Where Can I Go? When the Always page is displayed, the window title is What Can I Always Say?

Current page

Go To page

Always_page

On the Current and Always pages, some commands might be abbreviated or appear as symbols. To see the command you should say, click the command. A tooltip appears, displaying the full command. A good example is the Windows 95 Calculator in scientific view. Check the Current page for that program to see commands that are abbreviated or represented as symbols.

The What Can I Say? window also shows three buttons:

Train

Macro

Find

The What Can I Say? window has a pop-up menu, which you can display by saying Context menu or clicking the background with your right mouse button. The What Can I Say? pop-up menu is context-sensitive; that is, it shows different choices, depending upon which page is displayed in the window.


Current page

The commands on the Current page are available for the active window on your desktop. The entries change when another window becomes active. The name of the active window appears at the top of the What Can I Say? page, just below the Current tab. VoiceType Control displays a microphone icon in the top left corner of the active window to help you identify it.

Commands with a plus sign contain subcommands that are hidden. To show the hidden subcommands, say <command name> or click the plus sign.

Commands with a minus sign show all the subentries. To hide the subentries, say <command name> or click the minus sign.

Notice that some entries are headings, not commands.

Tip

If not all the commands you would like to use for a program show on the Current page, you can create Current macros for them.


Go To page

The Go To page in the Where Can I Go? window shows the names of programs on your desktop.

In each of the commands, <program> stands for the name of a program. For example, say Go to Explorer to activate the Windows Explorer using the Go To <program> command.

You can also use these commands without saying the program name. The program must be active (that is, its title bar must be highlighted). Then say the word program instead of a program name. For example, you can always exit the active program by saying Close program.

Start <program> or open <program>

Starts a copy of a program. For programs that support multiple active copies at once, a new copy of the program is started.

For programs that allow only a single active copy at a time, VoiceType Control switches to the program if it is already active. If the program is not already active, it is started.

Go to <program>

Activates any program in the Where Can I Go? list. If the program is already running, its window is restored and becomes active. If the program is not already active, it is started.

Close <program>

Ends the current session of a copy of a program.

Restore <program>

Restores the window for the program to its former size after you have maximized it or minimized it.

Maximize <program>

Enlarges the window for the program to its maximum size.

Minimize <program>

Reduces the window for the program to an icon.

To display the pop-up menu for the Go To page, say Context menu or click the right mouse button. The Go To pop-up menu includes these choices:

Train

Macro

Find

Add program

Modify program

Delete program

Print

Change font

Display buttons


Always page

Use the commands on the Always page in the What Can I Always Say? window to navigate around the Windows 95 desktop. They are always available, no matter which window is active. You can use any of these desktop navigation commands whenever the VoiceCenter status is Microphone On (green icon).

You can add your own commands by creating voice macros.

Tip

You might notice that sometimes when you use the Move command, a symbol with two double-headed arrows appears and the desktop is frozen. This can happen when a movable window is active and your Move (up or down) command is mistakenly recognized as a Move Window command. The remedy for this situation is to click on another window or press Esc.


Training of words

In IBM VoiceType, “training” means teaching the program to better understand your speech. To improve speech recognition by VoiceType Control, you can train commands as individual words or as phrases. When you are training, you record a word or phrase. You can play back your recording to be sure it is correct and complete. Then you add the newly “trained” words or phrases to your VoiceType vocabulary.

The VoiceType Control dictionary contains more than 30,000 words, so many words you use are already in the dictionary. When the program you are running uses a word or phrase that is not in the dictionary, VoiceType Control displays it in the What Can I Say? window without the green speech symbol [image]. You must train the word or phrase before it can be recognized.

There are two ways to begin the training of words:

1	Select (highlight) a command in the What Can I Say? window and then say Train or click the button. The words for that command are displayed in the basic Train Word window.

2	With nothing selected in What Can I Say?, say Train or click the button. All commands for the active window are displayed in the basic Train Word window.

If the word or phrase you are going to train has multiple pronunciations or an unusual spelling, say or click Advanced. The advanced Train Word window appears.

Tip

If you have recognition problems with particular words or commands that have already been trained, you might want to retrain them.

  Related Topics


Train Word window (basic)

You train words to improve recognition of specific words that are frequently recognized incorrectly. Training a word improves recognition whenever you speak it. Training single words is preferable to training a command of several words.

Alternatively, you can train a phrase or a whole command. You do this when recognition has not improved even when you have trained one of the words in the phrase or command. To train commands that are single words or phrases, use the basic Train Word window. When you select Train from the What Can I Say? window, the basic Train Word window appears.

If you have selected a word or phrase in the What Can I Say? window before opening the advanced Train Word window, it appears in the Written Like box. If you have not selected a word or phrase before opening the advanced Train Word window, the Written Like box shows all the commands for the active window.

If the words or phrases you want to train have unusual pronunciations or more than one pronunciation, say or click Advanced. The advanced Train Word window appears.

  Related Topics


Train Word window (advanced)

To train words or phrases with unusual or multiple pronunciations, say or click Train in the What Can I Say? window. When the basic Train Word window appears, say or click Advanced. The advanced Train Word window appears.

If you have selected a word or phrase in the What Can I Say? window before opening the advanced Train Word window, it appears in the Written Like box. If you have not selected a word or phrase before opening the advanced Train Words window, the Written Like box is blank. When you select a word or phrase to train, it appears in the Written Like box.

Then, in the Spoken Like box, type the word or phrase as it sounds. For example, in the Written Like box, type AAA, and, in the Spoken Like box, type triple-A. Other examples: for IBM, the Spoken Like spelling is I-B-M; for UNICEF, unicef; for Francois, franswah.

Notice how the instruction line beneath the window title bar changes as you move through the steps of training words and phrases. The first instruction is, “Select word or words to record.”

You record the word or phrase. When you finish the recording, you can play it back to be sure it is complete and accurate. Then you can add it to your VoiceType vocabulary. After you add the new pronunciation, the instruction line says, “Pronunciation was successfully added.”

You can return to the basic Train Word window by saying or clicking Basic.

  Related Topics


Voice macros

You can create commands of your own as voice macros. You can create two main types of macros:

Command and control macros

Dictation macros


Command and control macros

Command and control macros are voice-command shortcuts for working with applications and objects on your Windows 95 desktop. VoiceType comes with pre-defined macros for commonly used applications, as well as the mini-applications and accessories provided by Windows 95. You can create additional command and control macros. For example, you could create a macro in which you select the style, font, and type size for a document in a word processor.

You create command and control macros from the Current and Always pages of the What Can I Say? window of the VoiceCenter. You can create two types of command and control macros:

Current macro

Always macro

The macro commands you create are listed on the Current or Always page, as appropriate. After you have created a macro, you can simply say the words of the command, and the macro actions are automatically carried out.

Tip

You cannot create a macro from the Go To page, where the Macro button is grayed (unavailable). You can select Macro from the context pop-up menu, but only to create or modify a list of related words for use in macros.


Current macros

Current macros are commands to carry out a series of actions in a single application program. You specify these actions by recording (capturing) the actual keystrokes and mouse clicks within the application’s windows. Current macros you create are added to the Current page in the What Can I Say? window. When you say a macro command, VoiceType Control sends the keystrokes and mouse clicks in the captured sequence to the application.

These macros are named “current” because they apply only to the application window that must be currently active when you say the command.

You create a Current macro from the Current page in the What Can I Say? window.

Tip

•	You cannot create a macro when the microphone is sleeping.

•	Because a Current macro is a series of recorded keystrokes and mouse clicks, restrict your Current macros to actions that are carried out on unchanging elements in application windows. For example, when you record a mouse click to select a file from a list of file names, if that list changes, the macro action might select a file that you do not want. Recording the keystrokes that make up the file name, instead of clicking on the file, ensures that the macro action identifies the right file.

•	If you change the size or appearance of the program’s window and your Current macro, you probably need to recreate the macro. Changing screen resolution or font sizes, for example, can cause mouse clicks to fail.

•	The longer the name of the macro, the easier it will be to recognize.

•	If VoiceType has trouble recognizing one of your macro commands, display the page of the What Can I Say? Window that shows the voice command. Highlight the command; then click Train to record a pronunciation.


Always macros

Always macros are commands that send a series of keystrokes to the active application or highlighted object. You specify these keystrokes by recording (capturing) them.

These macros are named “Always” because they are always available when VoiceType Control is running.

You create an Always macro from the Always page in the What Can I Always Say? Window. Always macros you create are added to the Always page.

Tips

•	The actions that you record for your Always macros can only be keystrokes entered through your keyboard. Mouse clicks cannot be recorded for Always macros.

•	You cannot create a macro when the microphone is sleeping.

•	Try to limit the number of Always macros that you create. A large number of “always active” macros can adversely affect the accuracy of speech recognition.

•	The longer the name of the macro, the easier it will be to recognize.

•	If VoiceType Control has trouble recognizing one of your macro commands, display the page of the What Can I Say? Window that shows the voice command. Highlight the command; then click Train to record a pronunciation.


Special lists of words for macros

Current macros can incorporate special lists of related words. You can select up to seven lists to use in a macro (or six lists and one action).

Examples of standard lists that come with VoiceType Control are:

$ and cents

0 to 9

amounts

digits

direction

drives

program

When you include a list in your Current macro, you can say any word or phrase defined in the list.

For example, suppose you design your macro’s action to include the “$ and cents” list. When the macro is invoked, the recorded keystrokes and mouse clicks are played back. You then say a phrase that is appropriate for the list (for example, you say “five dollars and seventy cents”). The cursor should be in a position in the application window where entering “5.70” is appropriate.

You can create a new list by clicking New, or you can view the items in an existing list by clicking Change. You can also create or change lists by clicking Macro from the pop-up menu at the Always or Current page, and then clicking Create list or Change list.


Dictation macros

Dictation macros are voice-command shortcuts for entering text you dictate frequently. For example, you might want to create a macro for your business address. You could create a macro in which you simply say “ABC Company address,” and VoiceType Dictation inserts the full address into the correspondence you are dictating.

To create dictation macros, you must have IBM VoiceType Dictation installed on your Windows 95 desktop. The tool you use is the Dictation Macro Editor. You can start the Dictation Macro Editor from the VoicePad  Window or from the Windows 95 Start menu.


Find

Sometimes a command or program you need to use is hidden in a What Can I Say? window. You can quickly locate it by using Find.

To locate a command or program, say Find or click the button. The Find window appears. Type the words you want to locate. Then say Find Next. The VoiceCenter displays the page with the words you are looking for. The found words are highlighted.


Pop-up menus

Pop-up context menus are available in many windows. To display a pop-up menu, say Context menu or click on the window background with your right mouse button. Some examples follow.

The pop-up menu for the What Can I Say? window includes six choices:

Train

Macro

Find

Print

Change fonts

Display buttons

The pop-up menu for the Go To page includes three more choices:

Add program

Modify program

Delete program

You can use these choices to add a program to What Can I Say?, change the program properties, or delete the program from What Can I Say?.

The VoiceCenter pop-up menu on the Windows 95 Taskbar (lower right of your desktop) includes these choices:

Microphone On

What Can I Say?

Where Can I Go?

Properties


Display of buttons

Because you can access Train, Macro, and Find through the pop-up menu, you may not need to display the Train, Macro, and Find buttons at the bottom of the What Can I Say? window.

When you see a check mark in front of the Display Buttons choice, the buttons are shown in the window. Click the checked choice to remove the check mark. The buttons are not displayed.


Printing

When you say or click Print on the What Can I Say? context menu, the standard Windows 95 print window is displayed. But first, hide or show lists to display the entries you want to print.


New programs

To add a program to What Can I Say?, drag the program icon from the Windows 95 Programs window to the Go To page in the Where Can I Go? window. Or use Add Program from the Go To pop-up menu.

The program title is added to the Go To page. When the window of the added program is active, the What Can I Say? Current page displays all available voice commands for the new program. You can navigate around the new program using these voice commands.

You do not have to train new program titles and commands unless they are displayed without the green speech symbol, or they are frequently misrecognized.


Settings for IBM VoiceCenter

You can view and change the settings for IBM VoiceCenter by using the Properties pages.

To go to the Properties window, say VoiceCenter Properties or click [image] in the IBM VoiceCenter.

In the Properties window, each properties page has a tab:

At Startup

VoiceCenter

Audio

User

Voice

To view another page, say its name or click its tab.


Amounts list

This macro list provides for numeric values, such as two million twenty four thousand or seventeen point three two.

Amounts you can say:

one

two

three

four

five

six

seven

eight

nine

zero

oh

point

ten

eleven

twelve

thirteen

fourteen

fifteen

sixteen

seventeen

eighteen

nineteen

twenty

thirty

forty

fifty

sixty

seventy

eighty

ninety

hundred

thousand

million


Digits list

This macro list provides for numeric values, but with the values spoken as separate digits. For example:

For 2,024,000, say two zero two four zero zero zero

For 17.32, say one seven point three two

Use this list instead of Amounts commands if you require very high recognition accuracy for your numeric input.

Digits you can say:

one

two

three

four

five

six

seven

eight

nine

zero

oh

point


Dollars and cents list

This macro list provides for dollar and cents values, such as two hundred three dollars and forty two cents. It is identical to the Amounts list, except that it also includes the words dollars and cents.

Currency (dollars and cents) values you can say:

zero

one

two

three

four

five

six

seven

eight

nine

ten

eleven

twelve

thirteen

fourteen

fifteen

sixteen

seventeen

eighteen

nineteen

twenty

thirty

forty

fifty

sixty

seventy

eighty

ninety

hundred

thousand

million

dollars

and

cents


Fonts

You can change the appearance of the text on the What Can I Say? pages. Just change the selections in the standard Windows 95 Font window. Samples of your selections are displayed in the window so you can be sure they are acceptable before you OK them.

In VoiceType, you can open the Font window to change fonts in either of two ways:

•	From the pop-up menu of the What Can I Say?, Where Can I Go? and What Can I Always Say? windows

•	From the VoiceCenter page of VoiceCenter Properties

Change the font name, style, and size as you wish. You can also change the language script. The Script list shows font conventions based on language or manufacturers’ conventions. For example, if you are in North America, South America, Western Europe, or Australia, select Western. If you are in another location, select the script that produces the results you want.


Drives list

The drives list for macros includes all the possible letter names of drives on your computer. You can say the letter or corresponding word, as shown in this list:

Say	Keystroke

A	a

Alpha	a

B	b

Bravo	b

C	c

Charlie	c

D	d

Delta	d

E	e

Echo	e

F	f

Foxtrot	f

G	g

Golf	g

H	h

Hotel	h

I	i

India	i

J	j

Juliett	j

K	k

Kilo	k

L	l

Lima	l

M	m

Mike	m

November	n

Oscar	o

Papa	p

Quebec	q

Romeo	r

Sierra	s

Tango	t

Uniform	u

Victor	v

Whiskey	w

Xray	x

Yankee	y

Zulu	z


Program list

The program list for macros contains the names of programs on your desktop, as shown in the Where Can I Go? window. This list changes as you add or delete programs.


Direction list

The direction list for macros includes the words up, down, left, right. Use these words in macros to move the cursor.


Add Program Properties window

Use this window to enter required information about a program you are adding to the Go To page of What Can I Say?.

•	Spoken Title

The title of the program as you will say it.

•	Command Line

The path and the name of the file that starts the program; usually, startup filenames end in .EXE, .BAT, or .COM. If you need help locating the filename, say or click Browse.

•	Working Directory

The directory that becomes the current directory when a program is started. For some programs, this information is not required.

•	Audio application (uses sound card)

If the program uses a sound card, this box should be checked. Then, whenever this program is started, VoiceType Control will automatically turn itself off.

You can say or click Clear to erase information in the fields.

When you have finished entering information, say or click Add. The program you have added appears on the Go To page.

  Related Topic


Modify Program Properties window

Use this window to change required information about a program on the Go To page in the Where Can I Go? window.

•	Spoken Title

The title of the program as you will say it.

•	Command Line

The path and the name of the file that starts the program; usually, startup filenames end in .EXE, .BAT, or .COM. If you need help locating the filename, say or click Browse.

•	Working Directory

The directory that becomes the current directory when a program is started. For some programs, this information is not required.

•	Audio Application (uses sound card)

If the program uses a sound card, this box should be checked. Then, whenever this program is started, VoiceType Control will automatically turn itself off.

You can say or click Clear to erase information in the fields.

When you have finished changing information, say or click OK.

  Related Topic


Delete Program Properties window

When you delete a program using this window, it disappears from the Go To page in the Where Can I Go? window. Then you cannot use VoiceType Control with the program. To use VoiceType Control with the program in the future, you must add its program properties.

Check that the information shown in this window is correct before you attempt to delete the program.

•	Spoken Title

The title of the program as you say it.

•	Command Line

The path and the name of the file that starts the program; usually, startup filenames end in .EXE, .BAT, or .COM. If you need help locating the filename, say or click Browse.

•	Working Directory

The directory that becomes the current directory when a program is started. For some programs, this information is not required.

•	Audio application (uses sound card)

If the program uses a sound card, this box should be checked.

You can say or click Clear to erase information in the fields.

When you have finished checking the information, and you are sure you want to delete the program, click OK.

  Related Topic


To open the Windows 95 Programs window

1	Use the right mouse button to click the Windows 95 Start button.

2	Click Open. The Start Menu window opens.

3	Double-click Programs. The Programs window opens.


To display a pop-up menu

Use the right mouse button to click on the window background.


Backup of speech files

As you use VoiceType, your personal language model, stored in speech files, is added to and improved. Because these speech files might be lost or damaged, it is advisable to back them up periodically. Use the Enrollment backup facility, following these steps:

1	Start Enrollment.

2	Select your user name.

3	Select Backup.

4	Follow the instructions in Help.


Phonetic alphabet

When you need to spell a word for VoiceType, say these words instead of the letters.

A	Alpha

B	Bravo

C	Charlie

D	Delta

E	Echo

F	Foxtrot

G	Golf

H	Hotel

I	India

J	Juliett

K	Kilo

L	Lima

M	Mike

N	November

O	Oscar

P	Papa

Q	Quebec

R	Romeo

S	Sierra

T	Tango

U	Uniform

V	Victor

W	Whiskey

X	Xray

Y	Yankee

Z	Zulu


Example: Creating a simple macro

This macro pre-sets the Find dialog to find the word test.

1	Say What can I say?

2	Say Go to Notepad.

3	Say Create macro. The Capturing window appears.

4	Say Capture. The mouse cursor moves to Notepad; the Capturing window appears at the lower left of the desktop.

5	Click Search or type Alt+S. The Search menu drops down; Mouse Left Button at .. or Alt+S shows in the Capturing window.

6	Click Find or type F. The Find window appears; Mouse Left Button at .. or F shows in the Capturing window.

7	Type test. The word test appears in the Find What entry field; t then e then s then t appear in the Capturing window.

8	Click Done in the Capturing window. A Voice Macro window is displayed that shows a list of captured actions.

9	In the Voice Command field, type Find test. The OK button is enabled.

10	Click OK. The What Can I Say? window shows Find test under the Customized Macros heading.

11	Click Cancel on the Find window in Notepad.

12	In the Notepad window, type a sentence that includes the word test.

13	Say Top of document to move the cursor to the beginning of the document.

14	Say Find test. The Find window appears with the word test entered.

15	Say Enter. The word test is highlighted in the sentence.


Example: Creating an advanced macro

With this macro you can choose from a predefined list a word to find.

1	Say What can I say?

2	Say Context menu.

3	Select Macro/Create a list. The New List window appears.

4	In the Title field, type Search.

5	In the List entry field, add these words, one at a time, clicking Add after each word: test, group, window, member. Each entry appears on a separate line in the list box; the OK button is enabled.

6	Click OK. The window closes.

7	Say Go to Notepad.

8	Say Create macro. The Capturing window appears.

9	Say Capture. The mouse cursor moves to Notepad; the Capturing window appears at the lower left of the desktop.

10	Click Search or type Alt+S. The Search menu drops down; Mouse Left Button at .. or Alt+S shows in the Capturing window.

11	Click Find or type F. The Find window appears; Mouse Left Button at .. or F shows in the Capturing window.

12	Type Alt+N so the keyboard entry will be positioned correctly in the Find What field for the List process.

13	Press the Delete key to delete any previous word.

14	Click Lists in the Capturing window. The Select List window appears.

15	Select Search. Search is highlighted.

16	Click OK. The Select List window closes; Search appears in the Capturing window.

17	Click Done. A window is displayed that shows a list of Captured actions; <search> is prefilled in the Voice Command field.

18	In the Voice Command field, type Find. Find <search> appears.

19	In the Description field, type Find useful words.

20	Click OK. The window closes; What Can I Say? shows + Find <search> under the Customized Macros heading.

21	Click the + sign before the Find <search> command. The words entered in the Search list appear: test, group, window, member.

22	Click the Find <search> command. A pop-up window displays “Find useful words.”

23	Click Cancel in the Find window in Notepad.

24	Type a sentence that includes all the words; for example, A member of the test group has a window office.

25	Say Top of document. The cursor moves to the beginning of the document.

26	Say Find group. The Find window appears with the word group displayed.

27	Say Enter. The word group is highlighted.

Tip

Creating a macro using mouse clicks is typically easier and faster, but keyboard entry is more reliable. This is so for macros used over time because selected fields may change location.


Example: Creating an action macro

This macro customizes the name of the Go to Calculator command. It is a global always active macro.

1	Say What can I always say?

2	Say Create macro.

3	Say Capture.

4	Say Go to Always Macro. The Always Macro window is displayed.

5	Say Actions. The Select Action window appears.

6	Say Move down 3 or select Go to Calculator. Go to Calculator is highlighted.

7	Say OK. A message appears to remind you that an action selection is the last operation allowed for a macro.

8	Say Yes. The Always Macro window shows the captured action -> Go to Calculator.

9	In the Voice Command field, type Time to calculate.

10	Click OK. The Always Macro window closes.

11	Say Time to calculate. The Calculator is started or switched to.


Sets the microphone to Off when IBM VoiceCenter is started.


Sets the microphone to the suspended state when IBM VoiceCenter is started. While asleep, the microphone uses less power. To fully activate the microphone, say Wake up or click the icon.


Sets the microphone to On when IBM VoiceCenter is started. When you are using voice commands or dictating, the microphone must be on.


Sets a key for turning on the microphone so you can say one command. Press the key you specify when the VoiceCenter is open, but the microphone is off. After you say one command, the microphone is turned off again. Check the box to accept the default, Scroll Lock. Or press another key to specify it and check the box.


Sets a corner of the screen for turning on the microphone with your mouse. Use the corner hotspot when the VoiceCenter is open, but the microphone is off. After you set this hotspot, you can turn on the microphone by moving your mouse to that corner and holding it there. When you move your mouse away from the hotspot, the microphone is turned off again. Click the corner you want to be the hotspot and check the box.


Saves all your changes and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Makes your changes, but does not close the window.


Shows settings you can change to alter the appearance of the VoiceCenter.


Shows the results of your changes for displaying buttons and the text field.


Turns on and off the VoiceCenter buttons.


Turns on and off the text that shows how VoiceType Control recognized your last voice command.


Turns on and off the labels for VoiceCenter buttons. These labels appear when you move your mouse over the buttons.


Turns on and off the display of the IBM VoiceCenter on top of other objects on your desktop.


Shows settings you can change to improve sound for VoiceType Control.


Drag the slider toward Low or High to adjust the loudness of sound going into VoiceType.


Shows the names of sound cards available in your computer to process sound going into VoiceType. You can change the selection if you have more than one card.


Select Microphone if your microphone is connected to the microphone jack on your computer. Select Line In if a recording device (other than a microphone) is connected to the Line In jack.


Drag the slider toward Low or High to adjust the loudness of sound from the computer during enrollment and playback of your recorded speech.


Shows the names of sound cards available in your computer to process sound from VoiceType. You can change the selection if you have more than one card.


Shows information about VoiceType users.


Shows the names of VoiceType users. Select the name to use for the current session.


Shows the types of enrollments available to the selected user.


Shows the names of vocabularies available to the selected user.


Say or click to add a name to the list of users.


Say or click to start Enrollment.


Shows settings you can change to improve recognition of your speech.


Opens a window where you can play a sample of your speech for diagnostic purposes.


Drag the slider toward Best Guess to improve speech recognition in a quiet environment. Drag it toward Exact Match for better recognition in a noisy environment.


Say or click Fast for improved performance if you have a slower microprocessor. Say or click Accurate for improved performance if you have a fast microprocessor. The default is Balanced.


Change this setting only if you are instructed to do so by technical support.


Say or click to return to the original Voice settings.


Enter the name of the new user.


Enter any description you want. (You must enter something.)


Shows the names of vocabularies available to the selected user.


Saves all your changes and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Shows sound files (.WAV) on your computer. If you open a sound file in the Browse window, its waveform graphic appears in this window.


Enter the filename of the sound file to use for diagnosis. Or say or click Browse and open a sound file. Its path and name automatically appear in this field.


When you open a sound file, its waveform graphic appears in this area.


Select Start Record when you are ready to start recording a sample of your speech.


Select Stop Record when you have finished recording a sample of your speech.


Select Play to listen to the waveform shown.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Select Save to store in a file the speech sample you recorded.


Shows help for this window.


Say or click to change the type in the What Can I Say? window.


Shows startup settings for microphone and speech activation.


Shows commands available for the active window.


Shows programs you can start or switch to by voice.


Shows commands you can use at any time no matter which window is active.


Shows the name of the active window.


Say or click to train VoiceType Control to recognize words or phrases.


On the Current or Always page, say or click Macro to create, change, or delete macro commands. Before you create a Current macro, make sure the commands for the appropriate program are displayed on the Current page. The Macro button is grayed (not available) on the Go To page.


Say or click to locate a command on the active page.


Say or click to record actions for your macro.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Shows help for the window.


Shows the mouse or key action that was captured.


Closes the window and saves the captured actions.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Say or click Actions to select an action from a list.


Say or click Lists to select a list from which you can use words for this macro. You can select up to seven lists (or six lists and one action) to use in a macro. Your selections are shown in the Capturing… window.


You can select an action from this list to include in the macro you are creating.


Saves your selection and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any selection.


Shows existing lists of macros.


Saves your selection and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any selection.


Say or click New to create a new macro list.


Say or click Change to make changes in a macro list you have created. This option is not available for built-in lists.


Shows the title of the macro list you have selected to change.


Type the spoken words you want to add to the macro list.


Shows the existing entries in the macro list. If you are going to delete an entry, highlight it.


Say or click Add to add to the list the entry you have typed.


Say or click Delete to remove from the list the entry you have highlighted.


Saves your changes and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Type a name for the macro list you are creating.


Type the spoken words for the entry you are adding or deleting.


Shows existing entries in the new list. If you are going to delete an entry, highlight it.


Say or click Add to add to the list the entry you have typed.


Say or click Delete to remove from the list the entry you have highlighted.


Saves your changes and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Shows the series of actions in your macro.


Say or click Play to run your macro.


Say or click Recapture to record again the actions for your macro.


Type the command you will say to run your macro.


Type a description of what your macro does.


Click this box to have VoiceType Control display a message each time it is ready to run your macro.


Saves your changes and closes the window.


Closes the window without saving any changes.


Type the word or phrase you want to locate.


Say or click Find Next to start the search.


Closes the window without taking any action.


Microphone Setup Wizard

It's very important that your microphone is working properly before you start using VoiceType. VoiceType must be able to hear and process your voice for successful speech recognition.

The Microphone Setup Wizard helps to make it easy. It shows you how to connect the microphone headset and configure your audio settings by:

•	Testing your existing audio setup to make sure that it works before you attach the microphone headset

•	Showing you how to connect the microphone headset to your computer

•	Showing you how to wear the microphone headset

•	Testing your microphone headset to ensure that it works

•	Adjusting the microphone volume

•	Performing a speech recognition test

 Shortcut to close help and
     start the Microphone Setup Wizard now.