Title: From science fiction to science fact: a smart-house interface using speech technology and a photo-realistic avatar

Authors: G.L. Filho, Tom J. Moir

Addresses: Guile 3D Studio, Rua Gra Nicco, 113 Bloco 3, 5 Andar, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. ' School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract: This paper explores the problems of speech recognition in a (sometimes) noisy environment. An adaptive acoustic beamformer is proposed based on the Griffiths-Jim method and a |hot-spot| where speech can be received within a geometric-defined boundary and rejected outside of it will be shown to give a certain amount of noise immunity and improve the signal-to-noise ratio for the second stage, which is the speech recognition engine. The recognition engine used has a limited vocabulary which gives rise to an excellent hit-rate and less training than unlimited vocabulary. The technology here has improved vastly within the last decade and it will be shown that by using a head and shoulders avatar that is both photo-realistic and with appealing personality, the experience of a speech interface is vastly enhanced. The paper will explore these technologies and investigate the convergence of many of them in the current Massey smart-office.

Keywords: speech recognition; smart house; 3D avatars; artificial intelligence; adaptive acoustic beamformer; noise immunity; signal-to-noise ratio; speech interface; smart office; distant talker; photorealism; personalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2010.034727

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2010 Vol.39 No.1/2/3, pp.32 - 39

Published online: 18 Aug 2010 *

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