Continuous speech recognition is a type of electronic tool that can be used for a number of computer-related functions, ranging from general clerical activities in an office to being part of some sort of security system. The idea behind this type of recognition software is to allow the computer system to be able to recognize and translate the spoken word into text that is then captured on templates or in some form of a document. The continuous portion of this process is that the program is capable of receiving the dictation on an ongoing basis, making it possible for the speaker to essentially speak as if participating in a conversation, with the program adapted to suit the voice patterns of the individual. In some cases, continuous speech recognition can be programmed to compensate for regional accents or speech impairments, making it possible to use the software in the preparation of a wide range of documents.
The function of continuous speech recognition calls for the use of software programs that allow a computer to electronically recognize the sounds produced by the speaker and translate those sounds into words that are captured in an electronic document. This means that the recognition software will activate using a voice command, access a saved document or pull up a new one, then respond to the voice commands of the user, including the capturing of text for entry into the document. Software of this type can be extremely useful in terms of saving time, since there is no need to type the words manually using a keyboard.
Using continuous speech recognition software is helpful in a number of applications. Individuals with health issues that limit the range of mobility in the hands can make use of this type of software to enjoy full use of computer resources, ranging from answering emails to creating text documents with ease, and even using the voice to enter data into fields in a database. Writers are able to ply their craft without the need of an assistant to take dictation as they develop the text for a novel, since the continuous speech recognition software essentially manages the task. In an office setting, is it possible to use the software to prepare letters and other documents in a real time fashion, rather than dictating text to an assistant who later creates the actual documents.
Over time, continuous speech recognition software has been developed to accommodate the unique features of a human voice, such as regional accents, lisps, and even volume changes in the voice of the user. This helps to reduce the amount of editing that must be done before a document is considered ready for distribution. The cost of continuous speech software is also much lower than the earlier versions, making the product more accessible to a wider range of consumers.