| point or another, every one of us has been faced | | | | technologies. According to its patent, voice |
| with difficulties while trying to search for | | | | interface for search engines is a system that |
| information. Whether you are using the Internet, a | | | | would provide search results from a voice search |
| file system on your computer’s hard drive, | | | | query. How does it work? The theory is simple |
| database, or a global information system of your | | | | enough. Naturally, the system would receive a |
| company, searching for information can be quite a | | | | voice search query from a user, then it will derive |
| tedious task. | | | | one or more recognition hypotheses. Each one is |
| The problems that you will encounter are | | | | associated with a weight, from the voice search |
| numerous and even though you are searching | | | | query, and constructs a weighted boolean query |
| with the aid of keywords, it’s all to no | | | | using the recognition hypotheses. Then the |
| avail. It is times like this where modern technology | | | | system will provide the weighted boolean query |
| can be considered as a double edge sword. How | | | | to a search system and then provides the results |
| so? Well, since the memory of a single PC is | | | | of the search system to a user. |
| virtually equivalent to the amount of text data | | | | The voice interface is would be beneficial to the |
| that is stored in a real land base library, searching | | | | information retrieval systems and, more |
| for a certain piece of information is like searching | | | | specifically, to a system and method for |
| for a needle amidst a bunch of hay. As for the | | | | supporting voice queries in information retrieval |
| Internet, the problem is much worse. That is why | | | | systems. The main objective of this technology is |
| it is quite necessary to create search systems | | | | to help those people in their searches. The voice |
| and technologies that would simplify as well as | | | | interface to a search engine will allow them to |
| accelerate access to the necessary information. | | | | perform searches without the need to type |
| There are various search technologies already | | | | words, since it recognizes spoken queries and are |
| available and selecting one that is suitable would | | | | guaranteed to return highly relevant search |
| depend directly on the specific tasks that you | | | | results. |
| would need to solve in the future. So just imagine | | | | There are several problems that exist in designing |
| if you are caught in a deadline, desperate for that | | | | satisfactory voice interfaces. One of which is that |
| one data and at the same time your hands are | | | | current speech recognition technology has high |
| tied to the phone or on your computer? Do you | | | | word error rates, particularly for large vocabulary |
| have to keep on halting your searches simply | | | | sizes. Meaning a change in intonation may confuse |
| because you cannot type those keywords? Not | | | | the command. |
| necessarily so. | | | | Other speech recognition applications a recognizer |
| Have you heard of voice-activated Internet | | | | can use context, like a dialogue history in order to |
| surfing and searching? Believe it or not that | | | | create certain expectations and guide the |
| technology is now well within our grasp. As a | | | | recognition. This is another problem. Voice search |
| matter of fact, Google had recently made | | | | queries do not have such context. Voice queries |
| announcements regarding their plans to offer free | | | | tend to be very short and are on the order of |
| software online that would allow users to search | | | | only a few words or single word. Thus, there is |
| the Internet with the use of voice-activated tools. | | | | little information from the voice itself in which to |
| Pretty cool is it not? | | | | make a voice recognition determination. |
| Indeed, but not quite. Those who are familiar with | | | | Fortunately, the current patent application |
| voice-activated software that is currently available | | | | associated in voice interfaces for search engines |
| either for business correspondence or in writing | | | | addresses these problems. According to the said |
| schoolwork is probably aware of at least one | | | | patent, by limiting the scope of the voice queries |
| drawback in this type of technology. The | | | | to a very narrow range will solve those problems. |
| drawback is actually minor and can easily be | | | | How would that work? Well, the user will be |
| solved. You see voice activated software requires | | | | prompted to choose a small number of choices |
| special microphones, or else the background | | | | each time. For instance, at the initial menu, the |
| noises and vibrations will make it difficult for your | | | | user may choose from "news," "stocks," |
| voice-activated software to comprehend your | | | | "weather," or "sports." After choosing one |
| requests. Simply put, you will not be able to | | | | category, the system will again offer another |
| search around the Internet this way without it. | | | | small set of choices until the user reach the piece |
| Another thing, the environment is also significant. | | | | of information that he or she is searching for. |
| If you want your voice interface to work | | | | By limiting the number of possible speeches, the |
| properly, then your environment must be | | | | problem in speech recognition task would |
| peaceful enough. If you are near a railroad or an | | | | decrease to a level that is satisfactory enough. |
| airport, forget it. The noise and vibrations would | | | | However, it is still likely that this approach might |
| simply mess up the words that you spoke into | | | | result in severe deficiencies. For instance, since |
| the microphone and would only confuse the | | | | the user still needs to go through several voice |
| voice-activated software. But then again, those | | | | menus, it might be slow to use. Furthermore, if |
| are just minor setbacks and can easily be | | | | the user's information need do not match any of |
| conquered with the right tools and location. Do not | | | | the category, then it would be quite difficult to |
| let it keep you from experiencing the next big | | | | find the information that he or she desires. In the |
| thing in the Internet — voice interface for | | | | end it might cause some frustration on the part |
| search engines. | | | | of the user, especially since he or she must |
| Just what is a voice interface for search engines? | | | | adjust his or her interactions to the rigid, |
| Well, this is one of the most promising search | | | | mechanical structure of the system. |