Philips Speech Processing Announces Continuous Speech Recognition Technology For Microsoft Windows 95 And NT; The First Windows 95 Software That Allows Direct Importing To Word Processors

Business Wire, July 22, 1997

WOODBURY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 1997--Philips Speech Processing, developer of the world's first "natural" continuous speech recognition technology and the largest producer of professional dictation systems, today announced the availability of SpeechMagic 2.02, a new 32-bit version of Philips' award-winning, continuous speech recognition software designed for Microsoft's popular Windows 95 and high-performance Windows NT operating systems.

SpeechMagic is the first and only continuous speech recognition software that allows Windows 95 users to directly import dictated information into popular word processing programs such as Microsoft Word.

"SpeechMagic dramatically improves workflow and significantly increases productivity in the organizations that use it," said Karl Sahora, president of Philips Speech Processing's U.S. operations. "By combining a recognition rate of 95 to 98 percent, an overall available vocabulary of over 270,000 words, and the ability to work directly with word processors, it provides the most powerful natural speech recognition solution in the marketplace."

SpeechMagic 2.02 is the key component of a "batch-oriented" continuous speech recognition system designed for heavy volume users of dictation, such as law firms and hospitals. The program lets users speak as they would normally, without pausing between words, to input dictated information into a Microsoft Windows-based PC or workstation. SpeechMagic includes the largest "active" vocabulary currently available (64,000 words), along with a total user-accessible background lexicon of 270,000 words developed in cooperation with Oxford University Press.

Unlike less highly evolved products on the market, SpeechMagic's advanced technology allows "on-the-fly" correction of inputed material and gives users the option of working as a stand-alone unit or within a networked, multi-user environment. Its software-only recognition requires no additional hardware acceleration technology and includes support for Intel's MMX technology, SoundBlaster sound boards and OCX.

Easy to Use Interface for Windows 95 and Direct Functionality With MS Word

SpeechMagic 2.02 includes a new, easy-to-use interface for Windows 95 users. This state-of-the-art API comes with a "quick training" option that allows users to be up and running on the system in only 15 minutes. It also includes a correction editor (CED) function that is directly integrated with Microsoft Word.

"SpeechMagic is now easier to use than ever before," said Sahora. "Unlike our competitors, we work within word processors that users already know, so there is little time needed to ramp-up to the technology."

Complete Speech Technology For The PC

As the world's leader in dictation, Philips has designed SpeechMagic 2.02 to work as part of an integrated Windows-based product line that gives users a variety of options in assembling their overall system. Coordinating products include SpeechNote, a digital dictation and transcription package; and SpeechPad, an advanced mobile digital recording device that allows users to dictate information from a remote location for later input into a PC.

SpeechMagic also provides support for Philips' new SpeechMike, which combines a microphone and trackball into one device that has been specifically designed for use within speech processing applications. This allows users to bring together the functions of a professional dictation microphone with the ease of a trackball for use in any Windows environment.

Natural Speech Recognition Technology For Networks

Since many organizations want the option of using continuous speech recognition in a networked environment, SpeechMagic 2.02 is designed to be easily added into large-scale, multiple-user computer networks and is completely compatible with Microsoft NT Server 4.0, Microsoft NT Workstation 4.0 and Novell Netware.

"Our networking capability truly sets us apart from our competitors," said Sahora. "We feel to be useful in a corporate environment, you must provide this option."

Philips Natural Speech Processing Alliance

Philips is currently working with partners that are using Philips' technology to develop vocabulary contexts and incorporate continuous speech recognition capability into medical and legal applications. Known as the Philips Natural Speech Processing Alliance, Philips and its partners are working to bring the most advanced speech processing solutions to the marketplace.

Among the medical contexts developed to date are those for radiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, orthopedics and pathology. Contexts also have been developed for mental health services, including psychology, psychiatry and counseling. Contexts for the legal community include bankruptcy law and litigation.

"By working with partners, we are able to provide the type of high-performance capabilities that text intensive users require," said Sahora. "Unfortunately, users of low end, shrink-wrapped solutions quickly find out that their package does not have the power needed to handle the large vocabulary of specialized words found in settings such as hospitals and law firms and required for fast turnaround and high quality standard documents."