Speech recognition is a key technology that will differentiate your product and engage and capture your customers imagination. This Speech Xtra enables Director developers to create multimedia titles that incorporate spoken user interactions as well as spoken command and control.
US Capital Quiz - Demonstrates use of speech for user interaction with a multimedia application. This is a stripped down version due to disk space constraints. The complete version is available online. The demo prompts for the name of various state capitals in the United States. You say the answer in response.
THIS SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED AS IS, WITH NO IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES BY DIGITAL DREAMS OR ANYONE ELSE. IN NO EVENT WILL DIGITAL DREAMS OR ANYONE ELSE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF DIGITAL DREAMS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
How to get Started
You will need a Quadra AV or Power Macintosh computer along with Apple's PlainTalk Speech Recognition extension, version 1.2.1 or later. We recommend PlainTalk 1.3 for Quadra AV and PlainTalk 1.4.1 for Power Macintosh (1.4 and above require Power Macs). Download PlainTalk from one of the following Apple ftp sites:
The Speech control panel does not need to be turned on. In fact, it is best to turn it off if you have a version prior to PlainTalk 1.4. If you are using PlainTalk 1.4 and above, the Speech control panel settings are active. So, if you have your listening options set to "Listen only while key(s) are pressed", you will need to hold down the designated key before speaking. Likewise, if you have the listening options set to "Key(s) toggle listening on and off" and "name is required", you will have to preface your command with the designated name.
Run the demo in a noise-free environment. Background noise from printers, fax machines, television, radio, fans, etc. interfere with the accuracy of the system.
What Can I Say?
The keywords are listed on the main screen. See notes above about listening options.
There are also some synonyms for the keywords. They are as follows:
“I don't know” or “dunno”
“You tell me” or “Tell me”
“Repeat Question” or “Repeat the question”
“Next Question” or “Skip Question” or “Skip the Question”
“Stop Quiz”
“Quit Application”
Try not to talk while the sound-wave is moving. Wait until you see the “Talk Now” message before you begin speaking.
Price and Availability
Digital Dreams currently offers Speech Plug-ins for the Macintosh for developers of Macromedia Director and HyperCard. A version for Windows95 is in development. The annual commercial license fee is $449.00 per title. Individual copies (including documentation, example scripts, demos and debug version) may be purchased for $49.00 each. There are no royalty fees.
Apple, Macintosh, PlainTalk and HyperCard are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Macromedia Director and Xtra are trademarks of Macromedia, Inc. Star Trek Omnipedia is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Imergy is a trademark of The Imergists, Inc. Windows95 is a registered trademark of Microsoft. All other brand names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
