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IBM ViaVoice

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ViaVoice
Developer(s)IBM
Initial releaseAugust 1997; 27 years ago (1997-08)
Stable release10.5 / 2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, macOS
TypeVoice recognition
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteIBM ViaVoice website

IBM ViaVoice was a range of language-specific continuous speech recognition software products offered by IBM. The current version is designed primarily for use in embedded devices. The latest stable version of IBM Via Voice was 9.0 and was able to transfer text directly into Microsoft Word.

The most important process for the correct use of this software is the so-called 'quick training', and 'enrollment': it consists of reading many specific words and sentences in order to make the software adapt itself to the specific users' sound and intonation features. It lasts for one hour or more and can be divided in many parts. Users are able to improve decoding accuracy, by reading prepared texts of a few hundred sentences. The recorded data was used to tune the acoustic model to that specific user. In addition, user specific text files could be parsed to tune the language model. Correction of mis-recognised words was also used to improve subsequent decode accuracy.

Editions

Individual language editions may have different features, specifications, technical support, and microphone support. Some of the products or editions available are:

  • Advanced Edition,
  • Standard Edition,
  • Personal Edition,
  • ViaVoice for Mac OS X Edition,
  • Pro USB Edition,
  • Simple Dictation for Mac.

The IBM Via Voice 98™ has been available in the Home, Office and Executive Edition in the following languages:

Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, UK English, US English. The Executive Edition allows you to dictate into most Windows applications and control them using your voice.

Designed for Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0, it has been working very well with Windows 7.

In the Executive package are included:

  • original software and user guide on CD-ROM;
  • quality headset with microphone by Andrea Electronics Corporation™ with a converter plug for Sound Blaster™ sound cards and ThinkPad™;
  • printed voice command reference card;
  • telephone support for one month.

History

Prior to the development of ViaVoice, IBM launched a product in 1993 named the IBM Personal Dictation System (later renamed to VoiceType) which ran on Windows, AIX, and OS/2. In 1997, ViaVoice was first introduced to the general public. Two years later, in 1999, IBM released a free of charge version of ViaVoice.

In 2003, IBM awarded ScanSoft, which owned the competitive product Dragon NaturallySpeaking, exclusive global distribution rights to ViaVoice Desktop products for Windows and Mac OS X. Two years later, Nuance merged with ScanSoft.

See also

References

  1. Scannell, Ed (16 June 1997). Client: IBM dictation software package gives computers a voice. InfoWorld. p. 36. At the same announcement last week, IBM also unveiled ViaVoice, a general-purpose continuous-speech dictation product ViaVoice is expected to carry a suggested retail price of $199, and it will ship by the end of August
  2. Intranet Applications: Briefs. Network World. 25 August 1997. p. 21. IBM's release last week of its ViaVoice speech recognition product
  3. Alan S. Horowitz (27 October 1997). Can we talk?. Computerworld. p. 80. and ViaVoice from IBM, which hit the market in September
  4. Victor R. Garza (8 September 1997). Product Reviews: Continuous speech-recognition software: NaturallySpeaking edges out ViaVoice with hands-free editing. InfoWorld. p. 116.
  5. tap, tap, tap talk, talk, talk Free your hands. And your mind will follow (Advertisement). PC Magazine. 23 September 1997. p. 20.
  6. Haskin, David (21 October 1997). First Looks: Voice Recognition Software: Talking to Your PC. PC Magazine. p. 64.
  7. Bühler, Christian; Knops, Harry, eds. (December 1997). Assistive Technology on the Threshold of the New Millennium. 4.3. p. 290. ISBN 9781586030018. IBM : Speech Application Programming Interface Reference, IBM ViaVoice * Developer Tools
  8. "Pioneering Speech Recognition". ibm.com. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  9. "IBM VoiceType Dictation for OS/2 Version 1.1" (PDF). ardent-tool.com. 1994-11-08. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  10. Micahel, Alex. "Text to speech". Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  11. "ScanSoft and IBM to Expand Server, Embedded and Desktop Speech Offerings". April 1, 2003.
  12. "IBM Destop ViaVoice". IBM. 2003. Retrieved 29 November 2017.

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