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How do I use and configure speech recognition in The Grid 2?

The Grid 2 can use speech recognition in three ways: 

  1. Activate cells. 
  2. Type into the workspace by dictating text. 
  3. Dictation using Windows Speech Recognition. 

Recognition will be most accurate when activating cells. In most cases you will be able to use the system with a desktop microphone without needing to train the system to your voice. Methods (2) and (3) allow you to dictate any text into the text workspace, but you will need to use a headset microphone and train the system to your voice. 

Activate cells by speaking text 

In this mode, the recognition engine is only sensitive to the words in the cells. If you have cells labelled ‘Home’, ‘Up’, ‘Down’ ‘Left’ and ‘Right’, you only need to say the words and the cell will be selected: 

Select your chosen user, browse to Edit in the menu bar and select User Settings-Input Settings-Voice recognition, select the Microsoft recognition engine and check Activate cells by speaking cell text

The Activate cells option in Voice Recognition Settings.
  • The Microsoft speech recognition software should not be running. 
  • To speed up typing, you can also speak words in Prediction cells. 
  • If you don’t want to show the text in the cell, set the cell’s description to the word used to activate the cell and clear the cell’s text property. 

Type into the workspace by dictating text 

In this mode, you can dictate any text into either the text or symbol text workspace. 

Select your chosen user, browse to Edit in the menu bar and select User Settings-Input Settings-Voice recognition, select the Microsoft recognition engine and check Type into workspace by dictating text 

The Type into workspace option in Speech Recognition settings
  • The Microsoft speech recognition software should not be running. 
  • To use this mode successfully you will need to use a headset microphone and train the speech recognition engine to your voice. 

Type using Microsoft speech recognition User Interface 

In this mode you can dictate text into a small preview box and make corrections using voice commands. The text can them be inserted into the text workspace. 

  • Microsoft speech recognition user interface needs to be running to use this mode. 
  • You can only use this mode with the Text workspace. 
  • To use this mode successfully you will need to use a headset microphone and train Windows speech recognition to your voice. You can find more information here: Use voice recognition in Windows
  • This mode should not be combined with the Activate cells by speaking text option. 

Notes 

  • Speech recognition is a statistical process. You should never use speech to control cells that may cause discomfort or damage if incorrectly pressed. 
  • Background noise in the room may cause the recognition engine to drift and performance to suffer. 
  • If you are having performance problems, try using Windows sound recorder to record a sample of your speech. If you hear interference in the signal try moving the microphone and cables. If you have a built-in webcam or microphone, make sure you have selected the correct input device. 
  • Be careful the microphone does not pick up output from the speech engine. Some headset microphones are especially susceptible to this form of pickup if the headphone volume is set too high. 
  • The speech recognition engine adapts to your voice. If the system is being used by more than one person you should create separate Windows user accounts for each user. 

Last Revision: 26.10.2021