Nuance VIAVOICE 3-FOR MAC OS X User Manual

ViaVoice™ for Mac® OS X

User’s Guide

Release 3

Note:

Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the information in the “Appendix” on page 85.

Third Edition (November 2003)

This edition applies to IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X only and to all subsequent releases and modifications until otherwise indicated in new editions.

SSFT PART NUMBER: 50-H51A-10095

When you send information to IBM, you grant IBM a nonexclusive right to use or distribute the information in any way it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you.

© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1999, 2003. All rights reserved. US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

Introduction 1

ViaVoice for Mac OS X ........................................ 1

System Requirements......................................... 1

Experienced Mac Users...................................... 1

New Mac Users .................................................. 1

What’s in This User’s Guide .............................. 2

Conventions Used in This Guide ....................... 3

Quick Setup Guide ............................................ 4

Wel come 5

About ViaVoice ..................................................... 5

Installing ViaVoice ................................................ 6

Registering ViaVoice ........................................ 10

Setting Up ViaVoice ........................................... 11

Starting the ViaVoice SetupAssistant .......... 11

Creating Your First Voice Model ......................11

Entering a User Name ...................................... 12

Audio Setup Assistant ...................................... 12

Analyze My Voice Assistant ............................ 12

Analyze My Documents Assistant................... 13

Congratulations!............................................... 14

Getting Started .................................................... 15

The ViaVoice Folder......................................... 15

The VoiceCenter ........................................... 16

Dictating with SpeakPad .............................. 17

Dictating for the First Time .......................... 18

Quick Tutorial ..................................................... 21

Practicing Dictation.......................................... 21

Pausing Dictation ......................................... 22

Formatting Text ................................................ 22

Correcting Your Dictation ................................ 23

Using the Correction Window ...................... 24

Displaying the Correction Window .............. 24

Playback Dictated Text ................................ 25

Basic Correction Using Commands ............. 25

Reading Text..................................................... 26

Using the What Can I Say Window ................. 26

Navigating with ViaVoice ................................ 27

Navigating the Desktop ................................ 27

Navigating the Internet ................................. 27

Closing ViaVoice................................................ 28

Viewing the Help Files ........................................ 29

Viewing the PDF Files ..................................... 29

Tips for Using ViaVoice ................................... 30

Using ViaVoice 33

Users and Voice Models ...................................... 33

Using the ViaVoice SetupAssistant ..................33

Audio Setup Assistant ................................... 34

Analyze My Voice Assistant ........................ 34

Creating a Voice Model ................................34

Analyze My Documents ............................... 35

Dictating with ViaVoice....................................... 37

Dictating Into SpeakPad ...................................37

Correcting Text in SpeakPad ............................ 38

Delayed Correction ....................................... 38

Hands-Free Correction .................................. 38

Correction Voice Commands ....................... 39

Transferring Text to Other Applications ...... 40

Copying and Pasting Text .............................40

Using Dictation Stream Redirection................. 40

Text Editing and Formatting.............................41

Dictating Punctuation ....................................... 41

General Dictation Tips...................................... 42

Spelling Words in Spell Mode ..........................43

Spelling Methods ..........................................43

Dictating Numbers............................................43

Number Formatting ...................................... 44

Dictating Numbers in Number Mode ........... 44

Navigating With Commands ...............................45

Activating the Attention Word.......................... 45

Creating Application-Specific Commands....... 46

Using AppleScript ........................................ 46

Using the KSD Editor ................................... 47

Navigating the Internet and E-mail .................. 48

Reading E-mail .............................................48

The What Can I Say Window..............................49

Playing Back Dictated Text in SpeakPad ............ 49

Reading Your Text ...............................................50

Changing Voices ............................................... 50

Using Manage My Vocabulary ........................... 51

Working With Dictation Macros ......................... 51

Macro Editor Window Components ................. 52

Creating a Dictation Macro .............................. 52

Sample Dictation Macro ...............................53

Editing a Dictation Macro ............................ 53

Managing ViaVoice Users .................................. 54

Adding a Voice Model...................................... 54

Backing Up a User ........................................... 54

Restoring a User............................................... 55

Topics and Vocabularies ................................... 55

ViaVoice Components 57

ViaVoice Components Overview ........................ 57

The VoiceCenter ................................................. 58

VoiceCenter Components ............................. 58

VoiceCenter Drawer ......................................... 59

VoiceCenter Views ........................................... 60

Zoomed In View ........................................... 60

Zoomed Out View ........................................ 60

Minimized View ........................................... 61

VoiceCenter Preferences................................... 61

SpeakPad ............................................................. 62

SpeakPad Preferences ...................................... 62

SpeakPad Menu................................................ 63

Dictation Menu ............................................. 63

Opening a File .............................................. 63

Saving a File ................................................. 64

Closing SpeakPad ......................................... 64

ViaVoice Preferences.......................................... 65

Opening ViaVoice Preferences......................... 65

Commands Preferences ................................ 65

Microphone Preferences ............................... 66

Numbers Preferences .................................... 66

Performance Preferences .............................. 66

Voices Preferences ....................................... 67

The CommandCenter .......................................... 67

CommandCenter Preferences........................... 68

The What Can I Say Window........................... 69

What Can I Say Window Components ......... 70

Training a Word or Phrase ........................... 70

Recording a Pronunciation ........................... 71

Training a Command .................................... 71

The Correction Window ................................... 72

Correction Window Components ................. 73

The History Window ........................................ 74

ViaVoice SetupAssistant ..................................... 74

Starting the ViaVoice SetupAssistant .......... 75

ViaVoice UserSettings......................................... 76

Topics and Vocabularies ................................... 77

Getting Help 79

Troubleshooting Guide........................................ 79

Using the Help Features...................................... 80

Accessing Information Central ..................... 80

Viewing PDFs .............................................. 80

Uninstalling ViaVoice ......................................... 81

Obtaining Technical Support...............................82

Microphone Support .....................................83

Appendix 84

Notices.................................................................85

Trademarks..........................................................86

Index 87

iv Contents

Introduction

ViaVoice for Mac OS X

Thank you for selecting IBM ViaVoice as your program of choice for speechrecognition technology in the home or workplace. ViaVoice combines advanced capabilities and responsive application controls to deliver a superb speech processing package.

Yo u t a l k , i Type. It’s that simple. The computer listens to your words and phrases and

then translates them into text or actions that carry out commands. With ViaVoice, you'll give your keyboard and fingertips a well-deserved rest!

System Requirements

Please ensure that your Apple® computer meets or exceeds ALL of the requirements listed on the box prior to installation. Consult the ReadMe file for information about using previous versions of ViaVoice and other information.

Experienced Mac Users

The steps detailed in the “Quick Setup Guide” section may be sufficient to get you well on your way, especially if you are upgrading from a previous version of ViaVoice. It is recommended, however, that you follow the lessons in the “Quick Tutorial” on page 21. These exercises are designed to give you a fast start and they may actually save you time in getting to know ViaVoice for Mac OS X in depth.

Consult the online help and User's Guide for information about using ViaVoice.

New Mac Users

Read this “Introduction” section in full. Then, follow the steps in the “Installation” section for details on how to install the application and use the ViaVoice SetupAssistant. The ViaVoice SetupAssistant will guide you through the necessary steps to create a User, set up your microphone, and create a Voice Model.

Follow the lessons in the Quick Tutorial section on page 21 carefully. When you feel comfortable with the basic commands, we suggest you read the remaining chapters, which cover all of the powerful tools included with ViaVoice in greater detail.

What’s in This User’s Guide

Chapter 1 - Welcome

This chapter contains a general introduction to ViaVoice and installation instructions. We recommend you complete our “Quick Tutorial” section on page 21. The Getting Started section is designed to introduce you to the many tools and features that are available for your use in customizing the application to your personal requirements.

Chapter 2 - Using ViaVoice

Here is where you can find all of the information you need to better understand the process of dictation and navigation. Learn how to dictate and correct using SpeakPad and other applications, as well as navigate your computer by voice using the keyboard shortcuts you create with the KSD editor and AppleScript ViaVoice with your computer, the Internet, and e-mail by using only voice commands.

Chapter 3 - ViaVoice Components

Using detailed graphics and callouts, this chapter is designed to introduce the main components of the ViaVoice application: VoiceCenter, SpeakPad, ViaVoice

Preferences, CommandCenter, What Can I Say window, Correction window, ViaVoice SetupAssistant, and UserSettings. We recommend that you familiarize

yourself with these components as soon as possible, and then search the remaining topics as needed.

. It also explains how to use

Chapter 4 - Getting Help

Should you encounter difficulties using any of the ViaVoice functions, behaviours, or features, please refer to the “Getting Help” chapter on page 79. It contains information on how to contact Technical Support and links to IBM’s web site. While you work with ViaVoice, refer to Information Central, the ViaVoice online help, where you can find additional information as well as quick answers to many frequently asked questions. If you need to remove ViaVoice from your computer, follow the Uninstall procedures also found in this section.

Appendix and Index

At the end of this book is the Appendix, which contains Notices and Trademarks, and the Index.

2 ViaVoice for Mac OS X

Conventions Used in This Guide

WHEN YOU SEE IT MEANS

Bold Blue Text

Bold Black Text

TIP

TIPTIP

NOTE

NOTENOTE

CAUTION

CAUTIONCAUTION

Voice commands you are prompted to say in examples found throughout this guide and especially in the Quick Tutorial. For example, saying the voice command

DELETE THIS removes highlighted text.

The names of buttons, menu items, labels, and list names in the ViaVoice programs.

A variable in a voice command that is substituted for a word, phrase, or number when saying a voice command. For example, for the voice command MOVE UP <1 to

20> LINES, you could say MOVE UP 2 LINES.

Useful information, such as shortcuts and other time- saving methods. This type of information is “good to know” but generally not essential to the functionality of ViaVoice.

Important information, which must be completed correctly (or in proper sequence) in ViaVoice to obtain specific or proven results.

Necessary information, essential to the functionality of ViaVoice.

Exclusive information for ViaVoice and Mac OS X.

Here you will find shortcuts and other useful information to help you get a jump-start on using ViaVoice.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 3

Quick Setup Guide

If you are familiar with previous versions of ViaVoice, the following steps may be sufficient to help you install and

NOTE

1. Insert the ViaVoice CD and double-click the ViaVoice Installer icon.

setup ViaVoice. For a more detailed description of this process, please see "Installing ViaVoice" on page 6.

The Installation Information window appears. (Consult the ReadMe file for information about using previous versions of ViaVoice.)

2. Identify your Startup Disk and click Install. The installer’s Authorization window

appears.

3. Click the lock. The Authenticate window appears. Enter the Administrator name

and password to begin installing the application. You can also enter a different User name that has Administrator privileges.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install ViaVoice on your computer by selecting a

destination disk, accepting license agreements, etc.

5. Complete the Program Registration form now or at a later time.

6. Follow the steps provided by the ViaVoice SetupAssistant to create your ViaVoice

User data. This step processes your Vo ic e Model, a required procedure before you can start working with ViaVoice. To add other Voice Models or to adjust audio levels, run the ViaVoice SetupAssistant again.

You may cut out this page for reference.

You are now ready to begin using ViaVoice for Mac OS X. Look in the What Can I Say window for available voice commands.

4 ViaVoice for Mac OS X

Welcome

About ViaVoice

Welcome to ViaVoice, now running on Mac OS X, the all-new operating system from

Apple. IBM’s ViaVoice incorporates the most advanced consumer speech-recognition

technology available. With ViaVoice, you have at your disposal a sophisticated tool that

can save you time and add great value to your computer activities.

What Can I Expect?

Every new technology brings innovation. Within its wide scope of possibilities, ViaVoice

and you work together, to develop speech patterns and recognition capabilities. With

frequent use, this may reduce the time required to perform many common tasks, such as

correction.

Can I Install ViaVoice?

Mac OS X is a multiuser operating system, therefore only users with Administrator

privileges can install ViaVoice, so make sure you have your Administrator password

handy. This program must be installed on the OS boot volume. Consult the ReadMe file

for information about using previous versions of ViaVoice and other information.

What Will I Need?

Have all components at hand, such as the microphone, installation CD, and this User’s

Guide. You need to carefully review the system requirements listed on the box. Once you

have established that your Macintosh

requirements, you can begin the installation process.

meets or exceeds the minimum system

Attention UK Users: Please ensure that the language

CAUTION

CAUTIONCAUTION

How Long Will it Take?

The amount of time it takes to set up ViaVoice depends on your hardware configuration

and other factors. After the initial installation is complete, the ViaVoice SetupAssistant

needs to process your Voice Model before you can start ViaVoice. It is estimated that this

step will take approximately 15 minutes.

resource is set to British English. To do this, open System Preferences, select British English from the Language tab in the International panel and drag it to the top of the list.

Welcome

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Installing ViaVoice

Now that you’re ready to begin the installation, please take out the installation CD and microphone headset from the ViaVoice package. The software lets you know when to plug the microphone headset into the appropriate jacks. If you need information pertaining to your hardware or jacks, please refer to your Apple User’s Guide.

NOTE

NOTENOTE

Follow the instructions below to have the application installer guide you through the necessary steps for a successful setup. Consult the ReadMe file for information about using previous versions of ViaVoice and other information.

To begin the installation:

1. Insert the ViaVoice CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Double-click the ViaVoice Installer icon.

The Installation Information window appears. If you know your Startup Disk, click Install. If you do not, open the Startup Disk panel in System Preferences and identify your Startup Disk.

3. Once you have identified your Startup Disk, click Install to begin the installation.

The US Upgrade package does not include a microphone.

This version of ViaVoice was designed exclusively for the Mac OS X operating system. If you attempt to install this version on OS 9 or earlier, the application will not install.

6 Installing ViaVoice

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4. The Authenticate window appears. Click the lock.

The User/Password window appears.

Click the lock and enter your Administrator password to continue the installation.

5. You can enter a different user name that has Administrator privileges, if desired.

Otherwise, enter the Administrator password and click OK. The ViaVoice Installer Welcome window appears.

6. Click Continue.

The Important Information window appears.

7. Read the information supplied and click Continue to move to the next step.

The Software License Agreement window appears.

To print any of the documents displayed, click Print.

TIP

TIPTIP

8. Read the terms of the agreement and click Continue to move to the next step.

ViaVoice displays the Agree window.

9. Click Agree to indicate your acceptance of the License Agreement and move to the

next step.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 7

To save the documents displayed to disk, click Save.

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10. The Select a Destination window appears.

11. Click the appropriate disk icon to select a Destination volume.

ViaVoice must be installed on the same disk where Mac OS X is located or it will not operate!

12. Click Continue.

The ViaVoice Easy Install window appears.

13. Click Install to perform a basic installation of the software package.

8 Installing ViaVoice

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14. The Installer automatically begins installation. This procedure can take a few minutes

to complete.

The Message area within the window posts information that is personalized to your operating system and existing applications. It also advises you about the status of the installation and time remaining until completion.

If any problems are found, a message may indicate the problem and you might be prompted to go back and correct it. In that event, click Go back to return to the previous window and/or exit the installer until the situation is resolved.

15. Click Close when the message “The software was successfully installed” is shown.

16. Click Proceed to register your ViaVoice application.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 9

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Registering ViaVoice

When you first install ViaVoice, you are asked to register your ViaVoice application. It’s best to complete this important step at this time, but you may prefer to get started with ViaVoice and leave the registration for later. To do so, check the respective box on the Product Registration window, and ViaVoice will remind you at set intervals.

When you register your ViaVoice product, you are eligible for news, product updates, timely information, and technical support.

Check this box to have ViaVoice remind you to register later.

For other installation issues, see the “Troubleshooting Guide” on page 79.

If you have a backed up user and then uninstall ViaVoice for Mac OS X, you can import that same backed up user folder if you decide to re-install ViaVoice for Mac OS X, again. After you install ViaVoice, drag and drop your backed up user folder onto the SetupAssistant icon and follow the on-screen instructions to import the user.

Uninstalling ViaVoice

For information about removing ViaVoice, see "Uninstalling ViaVoice" on page 81.

10 Installing ViaVoice

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Setting Up ViaVoice

Before you can use ViaVoice, the ViaVoice SetupAssistant is going to help you create your Voice Model. This a required procedure, as the application needs to create your Voice Model and learn to understand how you speak. The entire setup takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on the story you choose.

If you start reading a story and need to quit the process midway through, you can do so. The next time you start ViaVoice it remembers and restarts exactly where you stopped.

Starting the ViaVoice SetupAssistant

The ViaVoice SetupAssistant begins automatically the first time you start ViaVoice. It also opens each time a new Voice Model is created. When you want to adjust audio settings or analyse your voice for greater accuracy, you can also access this component manually from the VoiceCenter drawer menu or from the ViaVoice folder.

For more information, see "ViaVoice SetupAssistant" on page 74 or "The VoiceCenter" on page 58

Creating Your First Voice Model

There are several steps involved in creating a Voice Model. The ViaVoice SetupAssistant guides you through several procedures, including Audio Setup, Analyze My Voice, and Analyze My Documents.

As a part of the installation, the ViaVoice SetupAssistant requires that you follow the procedures for each of the Assistants. Follow the on-screen instructions, complete all of the necessary steps for a successful configuration of your ViaVoice speech recognition software, and you are ready to begin dictating.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 11

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Entering a User Name

The first window of the ViaVoice SetupAssistant displays your login user name by default. The other items on the window represent default settings and are not editable.

1. Verify this is the login name you want to use for this Voice Model.

2. Click the right arrow to begin Audio Setup.

You can also create different Voice Models for different environments. For more information, see “Creating a Voice Model” on page 34.

Audio Setup Assistant

This Assistant guides you through several steps to ensure proper setup of your audio configuration. This interactive demonstration helps you to correctly install and connect your hardware, as well as determine the proper positioning of the microphone. An audio playback feature lets you adjust the playback levels. When you have configured your audio hardware and completed all the tests, do the following.

1. Click the right arrow to continue on to Analyze My Voice.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

For more information, see "ViaVoice SetupAssistant" on page 74.

Analyze My Voice Assistant

This Assistant guides you through the several steps to train ViaVoice to recognize your voice and create a Voice Model, which improves your recognition accuracy. As you read a story, ViaVoice learns how you pronounce words. You can choose from several different story segments. Once you have finished reading the story, the ViaVoice SetupAssistant processes your Voice Model.

1. To read excerpts from the story of your choice, click on a story name to select it, and

click the right arrow to begin. Follow the on-screen instructions.

A Progress meter displays the current processing percentage, while an Audio Level indicator displays color bars as a visual guide for your voice input. Try to keep the bars displaying only in lime green, as fuchsia denotes that you are either speaking too loudly or the microphone is too close to

12 Setting Up ViaVoice

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your face. To see the colours of the audio level indicator, see "The VoiceCenter" on page

16.

During your reading of the story, the ViaVoice SetupAssistant may post messages from time to time, especially when the system was unable to understand some specific words. The speech recognition engine is getting to know your voice and adjusting to your particular speech patterns.

Don’t worry if you cannot finish reading the story; you can

NOTE

NOTENOTE

2. When you finish reading your selection, you are given a choice to Continue Reading

or Analyze the portion you have just read.

• Select Continue Reading to read another part of the story.

•Or, select Analyze to start processing your Voice Model. This can take a few minutes. A progress meter will indicate the remaining processing time. To improve your voice recognition accuracy, you can activate this Assistant later and complete the second part of the story or read a new segment.

3. When the application announces that Processing has finished, click the right arrow to

continue on to Analyze My Documents.

come back to the same point in the story at any time. ViaVoice, however, will not start until you complete this step.

For more information, see "Users and Voice Models" on page 33.

Analyze My Documents Assistant

ViaVoice has a large base vocabulary and backup pronunciation dictionary. This vocabulary includes many words that are used in everyday situations.

The Analyze My Documents Assistant searches through your existing text documents so you can update your personal vocabulary with words you use frequently and improve your recognition accuracy.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 13

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This procedure helps ViaVoice determine your writing style and find words that are not in the ViaVoice vocabulary.

We suggest you skip this step now and return to this

NOTE

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When you reach the Analysis Options, you will see that Yes is the pre-selected answer.

2. Select No, I prefer to do this later.

The application will ask you whether to go to the VoiceCenter or quit the ViaVoice SetupAssistant.

3. Select Continue to go to the VoiceCenter.

4. The VoiceCenter appears on your desktop.

Assistant later, when you have had more time to use ViaVoice or to select documents to submit for analysis.

VoiceCenter - Zoomed Out View

To learn how to start and use the Analyze My Documents Assistant at a later time, see "Analyze My Documents" on page 35.

Congratulations!

You are ready to start using ViaVoice!

The next section is designed to introduce you to the many tools and features that are available for your use in customizing the application to your personal requirements. In this section, you will also dictate into SpeakPad, ViaVoice’s own word processor, and complete a few easy lessons in dictation, correction, and navigation.

14 Setting Up ViaVoice

Getting Started

ViaVoice for Mac OS X was designed to change the way you use your computer. Can you imagine being able to launch an application and send an e-mail message to a friend without typing or close a window without using the mouse?

Now you can!

The ViaVoice Folder

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You should already have completed the section "Setting Up ViaVoice" on page 11 and the VoiceCenter should be active on your desktop. The VoiceCenter icon is located in the ViaVoice folder, inside your Mac OS X Applications folder. Take a moment now to become familiar with these components.

In this section, you are introduced to the VoiceCenter and SpeakPad, the components needed to get you up and running quickly. For more detailed information on these and other ViaVoice tools, see "ViaVoice Components" on page 57.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 15

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The VoiceCenter

The VoiceCenter is the central speech interface where you control many of ViaVoice’s settings and preferences.

Starting the VoiceCenter

Open the VoiceCenter by clicking its icon in the ViaVoice folder. This component is also automatically displayed when you launch SpeakPad.

Microphone OFF

VoiceCenter - Zoomed Out

VoiceC ente r Drawer

Audio Level Indicator

The VoiceCenter contains the Microphone button, conveniently located so you may quickly turn it ON or OFF. It also has standard Mac OS X action buttons to close, zoom, and minimize the VoiceCenter. Click once on the VoiceCenter drawer handle to open and access many ViaVoice components and preferences.

The speech mode default is Dictation and Command, since this is the mode you use most frequently. This mode allows you to dictate and navigate at the same time using

Microphone ON

Dictation Mode

Command Mode

Dictation and Command Mode

VoiceCenter - Zoomed In

16 Getting Started

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ViaVoice. The other two modes allow you to dictate only or navigate only. You can change the VoiceCenter start-up speech mode in VoiceCenter Preferences. For more information, see"The VoiceCenter" on page 58.

Dictating with SpeakPad

SpeakPad is ViaVoice’s word processor. Using SpeakPad, you can dictate letters, reports, or other documents and save them or transfer the text to other applications.

Make sure that your microphone is always positioned

NOTE

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correctly. For more information, see "Audio Setup Assistant" on page 34.

There are two ways to dictate text with ViaVoice. One way is by dictating into SpeakPad. SpeakPad’s integration with ViaVoice provides a simple way to dictate your text and transfer it to another application. Another way is to dictate into another application instead of SpeakPad. This process is called DSR, short for Dictation Stream Redirection. Using this method, you can dictate directly into most text-based applications.

In the Quick Tutorial section we will only use SpeakPad for dictation. For more information on dictating directly into other applications, see "Using Dictation Stream Redirection" on page 40.

Starting SpeakPad

1. If the VoiceCenter is open and the microphone is on, SAY> OPEN SPEAKPAD,

or open SpeakPad by double-clicking the SpeakPad icon in the ViaVoice folder.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 17

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2. When SpeakPad is open, the blinking cursor indicates the place on the window where

your dictated text appears. Your voice commands appear in a yellow message screen above the VoiceCenter, as shown in the graphic above.

For more information, see "SpeakPad" on page 62.

Dictating for the First Time

To dictate for the first time in SpeakPad, speak clearly using your natural pace and tone of voice.

1. If SpeakPad is already open, skip to step 2. Open SpeakPad and click the button to

turn the microphone on. You can also place your mouse over the Speech Mode button on the VoiceCenter to see the tool tip and ensure that you are in Dictation and

Command mode (as shown on page 16).

2. If you are using the US version of ViaVoice, begin dictating the following text and

then continue with step 4. If you are using the UK version, go to step 3.

SAY> The new ViaVoice has arrived EXCLAMATION POINT NEW LINE

SAY> It contains many new features PERIOD NEW LINE

SAY> It’s easy to get started PERIOD NEW LINE

SAY> We hope you enjoy using the new ViaVoice PERIOD NEW LINE

SAY> MICROPHONE OFF

18 Getting Started

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3. The text you just dictated appears in the SpeakPad window as shown below.

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4. If you are using the UK version of ViaVoice, begin dictating the following text.

SAY> This has three bedrooms and two attic bedrooms SEMICOLON some renovation work is needed FULLSTOP NEW PARAGRAPH

SAY> Ignore the message and COMMA more importantly COMMA don’t pass it on FULLSTOP NEW PARAGRAPH

SAY> I think that this rather diminishes the role of the father FULLSTOP NEW PARAGRAPH

SAY> Their sound is based on four different musical personalities working together FULLSTOP NEW PARAGRAPH

SAY> A similar scheme for branch staff last year was oversubscribed FULLSTOP MICROPHONE OFF

5. Since the microphone is currently off and the microphone button on the VoiceCenter is

gray, close SpeakPad by selecting Quit SpeakPad from the SpeakPad menu. Otherwise, SAY> QUIT SPEAKPAD to close the application. See "Closing ViaVoice" on page 28.

Dictate at a moderate pace. If you are way ahead of what you see on the screen, you may be speaking too quickly.

IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X User’s Guide 19

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6. When asked to save your first document, click Don’t Save. You will learn about

saving files later.

When you quit SpeakPad, the VoiceCenter remains open,

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Congratulations! You are now using the latest technology in speech recognition. You are also on your way to making the best possible use of your time at the computer. Don’t worry if ViaVoice misrecognized some of the words you spoke. As you continue using ViaVoice and begin to correct misrecognized words, the application will learn how to better identify your particular speech patterns and improve your success rate.

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allowing you to work with other applications. When you quit the VoiceCenter, SpeakPad also closes.

If someone else uses ViaVoice during your User login session, it may alter your files and thus reduce the application’s ability to recognize your own speech patterns later. To ensure that this does not happen, do not leave your system unattended or log out when you are done. The SetupAssistant prompts each new User to create a new Voice Model once they login with their own name and attempt to run ViaVoice.

The next section introduces you to some of the correction techniques used by ViaVoice, as well as other ways to augment your vocabulary through the use of word correction and training.

20 Getting Started

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Quick Tutorial

This section is designed to get you started on your way to becoming familiar with dictating to your computer “just by talking” to it. We recommend that you complete all the exercises in this tutorial, but if you need to stop at any time, be sure to turn the microphone on when you begin an exercise. Do not be concerned with your immediate dictation results; they improve as you continue through this tutorial. ViaVoice also learns how to better recognize your speech patterns.

When you are finished, you can use some of ViaVoice’s most powerful features: dictating, correcting text, controlling your applications, and navigating the Web.

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Dictation is available in Dictation or Dictation and Command mode.

Practicing Dictation

1. Open VoiceC en ter from the ViaVoice folder.

2. Place your mouse over the Speech Mode button on the VoiceCenter to see the tool tip

and ensure that you are in Dictation and Command mode (as shown on page 16).

3. Click the microphone On/Off button in the VoiceCenter to turn the microphone ON.

4. Position the microphone on your head the same way each time you dictate, and SAY>

OPEN SPEAKPAD.

SpeakPad opens, displaying a blank window.

Click on the VoiceCenter and place the mouse pointer over any

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button in VoiceCenter, and a tool tip will show important information. For more information, see "The VoiceCenter" on page 58.

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Pausing Dictation

1. To temporarily pause dictation, SAY> GO TO SLEEP.

2. To resume dictating, SAY> WAKE UP.

To learn how to pause dictation by assigning a toggle key function, see "Microphone Preferences" on page 66.

Formatting Text

The text you dictated earlier did not have any special formatting. If you are used to most text processors, you know that special formatting features such as BOLD, Italics, Underline exercises show you how to use voice commands when you are dictating to format text.

For best results, pause briefly before saying the voice command, say the voice command without pausing, then pause slightly after the voice command and continue dictating. This way, ViaVoice distinguishes commands from dictation.

, etc., can be applied during or after the entering of text. The following

If you get a lot of misrecognized words using formatting

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commands, you can use an Attention Word with voice commands. For more information, see "Activating the Attention Word" on page 45.

With ViaVoice, you can select the process that is easier for you: applying special formats while you dictate, or after text has been entered. The following exercises will demonstrate the commands and methods for formatting text while might prefer to simply dictate an entire block of text and add formatting later. Practice with this tutorial and it might help you decide which method works best for you.

Adding Capitalization

Place your cursor in the SpeakPad window to give the window focus. Remember to pause briefly before each of the voice commands shown in all capital letters.

SAY> Our CAPITALIZE ON setup assistant CAPITALIZE OFF makes it easy to get started NEW LINE

SpeakPad displays the text, including the selected capitalized words.

22 Quick Tutorial

you dictate, but you

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Adding Punctuation

SAY> ViaVoice also includes SpeakPad COMMA, our text editor NEW LINE

The dictated text, including the added punctuation, is displayed in SpeakPad.

Adding Special Formatting

SAY> SpeakPad makes it easy to BOLD ON transfer text to other applications BOLD OFF NEW LINE

Your dictation appears on the SpeakPad window, including the special formatting.

Correcting Your Dictation

Now you have some text that shows text formatting. However, some parts of your dictation may have been misrecognized by ViaVoice. The process of correcting your dictation is dynamic; in other words, while you correct, you also help ViaVoice to learn how to identify your own particular speech pattern and add each element of change to your Voice Model.

Each time you dictate and make corrections, you make it easier for ViaVoice to recognize your voice. Highlight the misrecognized word or phrase and re-dictate or type the correct word. Get in the habit of correcting misrecognized words every time you dictate. This, in turn, should result in fewer corrections needed in future dictation sessions.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we will only cover some routine correction functions. For more detailed information, see "Correcting Text in SpeakPad" on page 38.

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Correction is only available with dictated text in SpeakPad.

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Using the Correction Window

Use the Correction window to correct misrecognized text and update your personal vocabulary, which helps improve dictation accuracy in future sessions. This window displays these words or phrases and lists alternate choices, making it easier to select and correct.

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Displaying the Correction Window

1. Place your cursor in the SpeakPad window to give the window focus.

SAY> It’s easy to correct mistakes with ViaVoice PERIOD

2. From SpeakPad, highlight a word or a phrase that you have dictated.

SAY> SHOW CORRECTION WINDOW

The Correction window appears, displaying alternate “sounds like” words in the Alternative Words field for any highlighted, misrecognized word. These suggestions are numbered, as shown below.

The Correction window is only available in SpeakPad.

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3. To correct any misrecognized text, select the misrecognized word or phrase.

SAY> PICK <n> where <n> is the number of the correct word.

In the example above, you would SAY> PICK ONE.

4. ViaVoice substitutes the misrecognized word with the one you chose from the

Alternate Words field in the Correction window.

Or, double-click on the word to insert it in the sentence.

For more information, see "Correcting Text in SpeakPad" on page 38.

Playback Dictated Text

Sometimes you cannot figure out what you were dictating when you are correcting misrecognized text. You can hear the text you dictated read back in your own voice in SpeakPad.

1. Highlight the desired text.

2. Select Playback Selection from the Dictation menu.

Basic Correction Using Commands

You can use the SCRATCH THAT command to delete text that you have dictated.

SAY> I made a mistake

SAY> SCRATCH THAT

SAY> I made a correction NEW PARAGRAPH

The last dictated text prior to the SCRATCH THAT command is removed from SpeakPad, and you only see the sentence

Another command you can use is the UNDO THIS command. This command works like the Undo menu item and removes the last action performed.

SAY> What could be easier QUESTION MARK than

SAY> UNDO THIS

Your dictated sentence is removed from SpeakPad.

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I made a correction.

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