Making it FUN and EASY to use
SPEECH with your COMPUTER!
CoolSoft, LLC
SpeakToText 2.5 Speech Recognition
User Manual (Version 2.51)
INTRODUCTION
SpeakToText™ 2.5 Speech Recognition, Version 2.51 is a powerful speech recognition program that is fun, easy to use and affordable. You can dictate text directly into SpeakToText and copy it into Microsoft Word or save it to a text file entirely by speech. You can also use SpeakToText in Advanced Mode to dictate directly into other applications. Write documents, create and send chat messages or emails just by speaking into your computer. SpeakToText can also read documents to you and recognize .wav files that you create on your computer or personal recorder. SpeakToText Speech Recognition Version 2.5 includes many improvements, new features and commands:
· User transparent enhancements to the speech recognition layer, update feature, audio file processing and management of the SAPI speech recognition engine.
· A system tray icon and corresponding right click menu permit SpeakToText to be used in Advanced Mode while fully minimized in the system tray.
· Enhancements to the “Text to Speech” capabilities including “Pause” and “Resume” reading buttons.
· A Green/Red indicator in the lower right corner of the interface shows green when SpeakToText has active control of the SAPI speech recognition engine.
· Additional speech commands including “scroll up”, “scroll down” and “tab” functions. “Caps Lock” speech command now functions in both Basic and Advanced modes.
· “Start CoolInfo” button & speech command that launches CoolInfo from SpeakToText. CoolInfo is a sponsored* CoolSoft speech recognition program that lets users retrieve and read information from the Internet by speech, create their own speech commands, and much more. CoolInfo will be available for download on the www.CoolSoftLLC.com website free of charge starting in the fall of 2006.
· An “Autosend chat messages” feature lets users send text of their speech when using voice chat programs such as Skype.
· New - User Commands can now process commands that contain command syntax for other programs. For example, you can create your own speech commands to run modules in a home automation system such as the X10 Active Home Pro System.
Other SpeakToText features include:
· Advanced Mode – Just tell SpeakToText to go into Advanced Mode, and you can dictate into almost any application that accepts text. And you can easily switch between applications just by placing the cursor in the program where you want your dictation to appear.
· Text-To-Speech – SpeakToText will read your dictation back to you with a simple speech command. SpeakToText can read emails, documents and webpages too.
· User Commands – You can create your own speech commands to start programs, browse webpages, play videos, music and much more. You can even make your computer talk back to you. Just say the command you created and SpeakToText will run the command for you without touching your mouse or keyboard!
· A “Send Message” feature makes it easy to chat with all your friends without using your hands! You can create and send your message entirely by speech in MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and PalTalk. You can even compose and send emails by speech in Outlook, Outlook Express and Netscape Mail.
· A “.wav file” feature that lets you convert .wav files that you create into text.
· An ”update” feature checks for and installs SpeakToText updates as they become available.
· Speech enabled dialog boxes, tool tips and a “What Can I Say?” feature that make it easy for you to use SpeakToText. The Manual, Quick Start Guide and a “how to” video on setting up and training speech recognition are easily accessible from the help menu.
*CoolSoft, LLC respects your privacy. CoolInfo sponsor messages are delivered only within CoolInfo, and only when you choose to run it. CoolInfo does not collect any personal information from your computer, and does not install any adware or spyware. When you close CoolInfo, it remains closed until you start it again.
© Copyright 2002-2006. CoolSoft, LLC – All rights reserved.
SpeakToText, CoolInfo and CoolSoft are trademarks and the sole and exclusive property of CoolSoft, LLC
SpeakToText 2.5, Version 2.51
Table of Contents
Do You Already Have SAPI Speech Recognition Installed?
Setting Up and Training the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 Speech Recognition Engine
Setting Up and Configuring Your Microphone
Training the Microsoft SAPI Speech Recognition Engine
Other Settings under the Speech Recognition Tab
Training and Speech Recognition Engine Accuracy
Tips for Achieving the Best Possible Speech Recognition
SpeakToText Trial Startup Dialog
Listening and Microphone On-Off
Overview of SpeakToText Basic Terminology
Speech Recognition Engine Functionality
The SpeakToText Interface in Basic Mode
The SpeakToText Interface in Advanced Mode.
Taskbar Icon, System Tray Icon and Right Click Menu
Command and Control Speech Commands
Text to Speech (Read) Commands
Scroll Up and Scroll Down Speech Commands
Right Click Menu (SpeakToText dictation dialog in Basic Mode)
Using Speech with SpeakToText Message Dialogs
Converting Audio Files to Text
Solutions for Poor Recognition Accuracy
Today My Voice is not as Clear
SpeakToText Speech Commands List
SpeakToText 2.5 Speech Commands – Basic Mode
SpeakToText 2.5 Speech Commands – Advanced Mode
SpeakToText 2.5 Commands – For Microphone On And Listening Off
CoolSoft, LLC Technical Support Policy
Examples for Creating User Commands in SpeakToText
Using SpeakToText User Commands to Operate X10 Modules in Active Home Pro by Speech
Known Issues for SpeakToText™ 2.5 Speech Recognition – Version 2.51
Release Notes for SpeakToText™ 2.5 Speech Recognition - Version 2.51
SpeakToText™ 2.5 Speech Recognition Quick Reference Guide - Version 2.51
GETTING STARTED
System Requirements
System requirements for SpeakToText are:
|
Operating System: |
Windows 2000 or Windows XP (Home or Professional) with all the latest updates. This version of SpeakToText is not compatible with or supported in Windows Vista. |
|
Memory: |
At least 256 MB RAM, 512 MB or better preferred. |
|
System Processor: |
A PC with a 500mhz or greater, Pentium III, Pentium IV or Pentium compatible processor. |
|
Disk Space: |
100 MB free disk space. |
|
Software: |
Microsoft SAPI 5.1 Speech Recognition Engine* |
|
Hardware: |
A good quality, noise-cancellation microphone. A good quality, “SoundBlaster” compatible sound card. |
|
User: |
About 15 to 30 minutes of your time to install SpeakToText and the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 speech recognition engine* and train your recognition profile to recognize your voice. |
*Available by redistribution with SpeakToText, with other CoolSoft or with third party products that include the SAPI 5.1 speech recognition engine, or directly from Microsoft. Included with Office XP and Office 2003.
Installing SpeakToText
Downloaded Program Installation
To install the program, simply double click on the installation file “SpeakToText2_0Install.exe” (or “SpeakToText2_0TrialInstall.exe” if you are installing the trial version), and follow the install screen instructions.
Installing from CD
Insert the CD. From the main screen, click on “Install” and follow the instructions.
If you purchased a registration key, both downloaded and CD installations of SpeakToText include the speech recognition engine, which is not included in the trial version. Installation is a two-step process and the speech recognition engine installation step may take a while. Please be patient. See the release notes for more details about the speech recognition engine.
Trial Version
If you downloaded the trial version of SpeakToText, the speech recognition engine is not included. Unless you have SAPI 5.0 (Microsoft English Recognizer Version 5.0) or greater installed on your computer, you will not be able to use speech with the trial version. You will be able to try many of the program’s features with your mouse and keyboard - this will give you a good idea of the functionality of the speech enabled version. Examples of other programs which include SAPI are Speak-to-Mail™ 1.0, Microsoft Office XP, and Microsoft Office 2003. If you have already installed one of these programs, the trial version should be speech enabled.
What Do I Do Next?
After installing SpeakToText, there are a several things you need to do:
If this is your first time using SAPI speech recognition, your first three steps are to 1) create a personal speech recognition profile; 2) configure your microphone; and 3) train the speech recognition engine to recognize your voice. This is done from the Speech Properties dialog which is accessed from the Control Panel or the Speech Properties button in SpeakToText. We cannot over emphasize the importance of these three steps – they are essential for success with speech. This is done in “Speech Properties” which is part of the SAPI Speech Recognition Engine. “Speech Properties” can be accessed from the Windows Control Panel (StartàSettingsàControl Panel), or by the Speech Properties menu item button or by saying “click speech properties,” “train speech profile” or “configure microphone” from SpeakToText.
If you already had Microsoft SAPI 5.0 or greater installed on your computer and had already trained the speech engine before installing SpeakToText, it is not necessary to create a new personal speech profile. . However, you should check for and select the latest version of SAPI speech recognition. How to do this is explained in the following section.
Do You Already Have SAPI Speech Recognition Installed?
Check if you have the Microsoft SAPI speech recognition engine installed on your computer. SpeakToText will work with SAPI versions 5.0 (comes with Office XP), SAPI 5.1 (comes with SpeakToText, Speak-to-Mail, CoolInfo or other applications that include a redistribution of the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 speech recognition engine) or SAPI 6.1 (comes with Office 2003).
If you are using the trial version of SpeakToText, you must have Microsoft SAPI speech recognition engines from one of the above sources installed on your computer in order to see the full potential of SpeakToText. Otherwise, using the buttons and menu items with your mouse and keyboard, you will only preview the program highlights and menus,.
If you are installing the full version of SpeakToText, the installation program will automatically install the Microsoft SAPI Version 5.1, permitting full functionality of SpeakToText.
(Step 1) -- Check if you have the Microsoft speech recognition engine:
1. Open the control panel (StartàSettingsàControl Panel).
Look for the Speech icon shown below. 
2. If you see the Speech icon, double click on it and you will see the Speech Properties dialog.
Note: If the Speech icon is not present, then you do not have the speech recognition engine on your computer and you can skip the rest of this section.
(Step 2) -- Check the version of the Microsoft speech recognition engine:
If the version of the Microsoft speech recognition engine is “Microsoft English Recognizer v5.0, v5.1 or v6.1” as shown in the “Language” section of the Speech Properties dialog, then you already have one of the correct versions of the Microsoft SAPI speech recognition engine, and you should select the highest version as the default.
NOTE: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v5.0 THAT COMES WITH OFFICE XP, ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v5.1 THAT COMES WITH SpeakToText, AND ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v6.1 THAT COMES WITH OFFICE 2003. SpeakToText FUNCTIONS WITH ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCED VERSIONS OF SAPI, AND YOU CAN SWITCH VERSIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO RETRAIN YOUR SPEECH RECOGNITION PROFILE. USING THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF SAPI WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST PERFORMANCE. ACCORDINGLY, IF YOU HAVE ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v5.0, YOU SHOULD SWITCH TO THE v5.1 THAT COMES WITH SpeakToText. IF YOU HAVE IT, THE ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v6.1, WHICH IS INCLUDED WITH MS OFFICE 2003 IS PREFERABLE TO THE ENGLISH RECOGNIZER v5.1 THAT IS INSTALLED WITH SpeakToText.
Note: If you access the Speech Properties dialog from SpeakToText and change the version of SAPI, SpeakToText needs to be closed and restarted in order for the changes to take effect.
Setting Up and Training the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 Speech Recognition Engine
Start “Speech Properties”
Go
to the Windows Control Panel (StartàSettingsàControl Panel). Find and double click the “Speech”
icon. To edit these settings after SpeakToText is installed, within
SpeakToText, click on the Speech Properties button, or say “train speech
profile” or “configure microphone.” You can also say “click speech
properties.”
The “Speech Properties” dialog appears:
Setup your Recognition Profile
We recommend not using the “Default Speech Profile,” but rather creating a new speech recognition profile with a unique name – especially if there will be others using speech with this computer. To create a new profile, click on “New…” and follow the prompts.
After creating your new profile, click “Next” to configure your microphone and train your profile (do not click “finish”). The next two sections are extremely important in achieving good speech recognition and the highest possible level of accuracy.
Setting Up and Configuring Your Microphone
Microphone Quality
In selecting the correct microphone headset, consider: 1) Sound in the environment (a noise canceling microphone is required) and 2) Fit and style (Will you be comfortable?). Cost is usually not a factor. A less expensive microphone may fit your needs better than a more costly one. There are many suppliers of high quality speech recognition microphones. Please check our website where you can purchase a variety of recommended headset microphones.
Configure the Microphone
To achieve the best speech recognition accuracy, we recommend configuring your microphone each time before beginning a speech recognition session. This can be done easily from SpeakToText by saying “Configure Microphone,” which opens the Speech Properties dialog where you can do this.
Select Audio Input
The “Audio Input” should be set to your system’s default audio device. If your system has more than one sound card, you can use this button to select a new audio input device. If you are not sure which is the correct device, please see the user manual for your computer or contact technical support for the manufacturer of your computer.
Training the Microsoft SAPI Speech Recognition Engine
You can access the Speech Properties dialog from
SpeakToText by clicking on the Speech Properties button 
or saying “train
speech profile.”
The installation of SpeakToText now includes a short and informative video on setting up and training a speech recognition profile for the Microsoft SAPI speech recognition engine. This video can be accessed from the SpeakToText Help Menu or from the Windows Program menu by clicking Start buttonàProgramsàSpeakToTextàPlay video “How to Setup and Train SAPI Speech Recognition” as shown below.
Training Overview
Although the Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine is much better than previous speech engines, it still needs a sample of each user’s speech to correctly convert sound into written words. Each speaker and each computer audio system has unique characteristics, which must be sampled and used to adjust the engine. This process is called “training.”
Each user must setup and train their own individual speech recognition profile. The initial setup and training of your speech recognition profile typically takes less than 15 minutes. During this process, speak in a normal and even tone of voice and insure that the microphone is properly configured and positioned about one inch from your mouth.
Start Training
To start training, click on the “Train Profile” button from the Speech Recognition tab and follow the instructions. When you first establish your profile, the training session reading excerpt is chosen for you. If this is not the first time you have trained this profile, you will be given a choice of literature to read aloud to your computer for training.
Select a title and click on “Next>.” Read the selection and follow the instructions to complete your training session.
Note: If it has been some time since the initial training of your profile, we recommend using the “Introduction to Microsoft Speech Recognition” session to re-familiarize yourself with how training works.
If you want to take a break, click on the “Pause” button. Training will be paused and the “Pause” button will change to “Resume.” When you are ready to start reading again, click the “Resume” button.
As you complete each reading excerpt, you will have the option to select “Finish” or “More Training.”
IMPORTANT: Speech recognition accuracy will improve with additional training of the Speech Recognition Engine. In testing, we found substantial improvement in accuracy between the second and third training. After five sessions, the recognition accuracy is even greater. We suggest reading all of the available training selections to your computer in order to realize optimum speech recognition accuracy.
Other Settings under the Speech Recognition Tab
Language
The language must be set to “Microsoft English Recognizer (v5.0, v5.1 or v6.1)” in order for SpeakToText to work properly. Do not change the speech recognition engine, except to select a more recent version of “Microsoft English Recognizer” if the default is a an older version. If you choose a speech recognition engine other than one of the three SAPI versions referenced above, SpeakToText will not work properly.
Recognition Profiles
New
Click on the “New” button to create a new recognition profile.
Delete
Click on the “Delete” button to delete the profile that is highlighted.
Selecting a Profile
Put a check mark next to the profile you want to use. If more than one user will be using SpeakToText on your computer, each user should go to Speech Properties and check to make certain his or her profile is selected before using the program.
Settings
We do not recommend that you change the “Settings…” for your profile. In most cases, the default settings will yield the best speech recognition.
If, after several “trainings” and insuring your microphone is configured properly, you still have difficulty with the accuracy of your speech recognition, you may want to try adjusting the “Accuracy vs. Recognition Response Time” or the “Pronunciation Sensitivity.” These settings can improve accuracy in some cases.
Leave the “Background Adaptation” enabled (checked), as this allows you to continuously train the speech engine. With use, the background adaptation feature will help improve speech recognition accuracy. For more information, see Notes on Background Adaptation, below.
If you have more questions about these settings we suggest you contact Microsoft technical support.
Help
Microsoft provides complete details about speech recognition in their Help library. To learn more about the using the Microsoft speech recognition engine, from to the Speech Properties dialog box, choose the “Other” tab and select “Help.” Additional help may also be found at the Microsoft website: http://www.microsoft.com/speech
The speech engine can “learn” from corrections you make to your dictation, but only if your corrections are done within SpeakToText. These corrections must also be done by selecting “alternates word” or “series of words” from the right click menu. Corrections typed into SpeakToText, or made in a target application while in Advanced Mode, will not provide training to your speech recognition profile. To make corrections from the right click menu, right click on a word, or highlight a short series of words and right click, to display alternates for that word or series of words. Selecting one of the alternates (if there is one) will replace the word or words in SpeakToText, and will have the effect of training your speech recognition profile. Note that not all words have alternates. Alternates are displayed only when the speech recognition engine detected more than one possible word or phrase with a high enough score to be probable. Also note that “Background Adaptation” must be enabled for your speech recognition profile to learn from corrections made in the right click menu. To enable Background Adaptation, go to Speech Properties, select your recognition profile, click the settings button and make sure the “Background Adaptation” box is checked.
Training and Speech Recognition Engine Accuracy
The accuracy of SAPI speech recognition will improve each time you train the speech recognition engine. Time invested in training is well worth the return in improved accuracy. When training the speech engine or using SpeakToText, it is important that you are in a quiet environment with minimal background noise, and that you always speak clearly into the microphone in order to achieve the most accurate possible recognition.
Training Words
If the speech recognition engine consistently fails to recognize your pronunciation of certain words, you can train the Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine to recognize how you say that particular word by using the “Train Word” feature. To open the Train Word dialog, use the “click train word” voice command or click on <Tools> <Train Word> in the SpeakToText menu.
Type the correct spelling of the word you want to train, then click the “Record pronunciation” button and pronounce the word. After the computer recognizes your pronunciation of the word, it will be added to a custom dictionary for your recognition profile. This will change the speech engine’s recognition of that word when you say it.
To see the power of training words, open the Train Word dialog and type in the following: <SpeakToText(tm)>. Then say “speak to text” when you click the “Record pronunciation” button.
Close the Train Word dialog and then speak the words “speak to text” again and see what happens.
Tip: The Train Word feature can be used with names that are not common, or with names that are misrecognized as other names by the speech engine. An example is differentiating the names Tania and Tonya. If the speech recognition engine recognizes Tonya when you want Tania, try training the spelling you want (or the spelling you don’t want) with different pronunciations to distinguish them. Finding a pronunciation that works can be a matter of trial and error, and to succeed you might have to use a pronunciation that varies from how you pronounce the name normally. In our testing during development, the name “Tania” was a challenge. We had to record the pronunciation with an alias as “my Tania” in order to succeed at getting the speech recognition engine to recognize “Tania.” The Train Word feature can also be used with names that you want to abbreviate. For example, the name Wilfred might be abbreviated as “Wil” and if you say “wil” the speech recognition engine is likely to recognize “will.” But you can train the speech engine to write “Wil” when you say “Wilfred” or “Willy.”
Note: The Train Word dialog is part of the speech recognition engine and is not speech enabled (except for recording a pronunciation). You must use the mouse and keyboard while you are in this dialog. Speech recognition resumes when you close the Train Word dialog and return to SpeakToText.
Tips for Achieving the Best Possible Speech Recognition
While speech recognition technology has advanced dramatically over the past few years, the technology is still far from perfect. Even the best and most expensive speech recognition systems rarely achieve accuracy greater than 98%. Following these tips will help you get the most out of this or any speech recognition program.
Although the Microsoft speech engine performs well, it is not reasonable to expect 100% accuracy. This is not a flaw in SpeakToText or the SAPI 5.1 speech engine, but rather is a shortcoming of speech recognition technology in general. We believe that the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 speech engine delivers comparable performance to other commercially available speech recognition engines, and if used correctly and with good equipment, it will deliver excellent performance.
Here are some tips on getting the best possible speech recognition:
Microphone – Use a high quality, noise-canceling microphone. Also, make sure your microphone is setup properly in “Speech Properties.”
Training - Train the speech engine to recognize your voice at least several times. More training greatly improves speech recognition.
Training Words – If you consistently get incorrect recognition of certain words, use the “Train Word” function in SpeakToText to enhance recognition of problem words.
Using Speech - The more speech recognition is used on your computer, the more your speech recognition accuracy will improve.
Environment - Using speech recognition in a quiet environment improves speech recognition accuracy.
Hardware - Faster computer processors and ample memory (256k sufficient, 512k or more is desirable) enables the speech engine to process speech more quickly and efficiently. A high quality, SoundBlaster compatible, input sound card is also an important factor to good recognition.
Commitment - Users must initially invest the necessary time to set-up and train their own speech recognition profile. We cannot over-emphasize the importance of training your speech recognition profile.
Speak clearly - When using SpeakToText, speak clearly into the microphone. Make certain your microphone position is consistent both in training and in use. We recommend the microphone be placed about one inch from your mouth.
Technical Support on the Microsoft SAPI Speech Recognition Engine
The redistribution of the SAPI 5.1 speech recognition engine, together with SAPI 5.0 and 6.1 available in Microsoft Office products, are Microsoft products that we cannot support. The Microsoft speech recognition engine is designed to enable you to use speech recognition with certain Microsoft programs and other third party software, like SpeakToText, and in most cases should not require technical support. However, if you do need technical support on issues with the Microsoft SAPI speech recognition engine go to the speech section of the Microsoft website – http://www.microsoft.com/speech. You can also contact Microsoft technical support.
Starting SpeakToText
To start SpeakToText, either click the SpeakToText icon on your desktop or use the Windows Program menu (StartàProgramsàSpeakToText).
Trial versions and unregistered versions of SpeakToText cause the SpeakToText trial startup dialog to open before the program starts. SpeakToText will also display three banner ads when running in trial mode: one in the startup dialog, a second when the program is launching and a third in the program window. The trial and unregistered versions of SpeakToText have some functionality limitations. These are explained under “Trial Version Limitations,” below.
Program registration will eliminate the trial startup dialog and banners from appearing when you launch SpeakToText, and the trial version limitations are removed.
SpeakToText Trial Startup Dialog
This dialog displays only if you are using a trial version or unregistered copy of SpeakToText. It tells you how many days you have left in your trial period and offers six choices:
Buy – Opens a window in your default web browser and takes you to the CoolSoft, LLC store page. Your shopping cart will contain one unit of SpeakToText. To complete your purchase, please follow the instructions and provide the required information. If you have an anti spam filter, please make sure its settings will allow you to receive email from CoolSoftLLC.com. Otherwise you will not receive the email we send with your user information and registration key. After buying your license and registration key for SpeakToText, you may also want to continue shopping to see our other products, or to purchase other items such as a microphone. .
30 Day Trial – Lets you continue using SpeakToText in trial mode. The trial button will be unavailable after 30 days, and you will no longer be able to start the SpeakToText until the program is registered.
Register - Opens the registration dialog where you can type your user information and registration key. The full version of SpeakToText functions as a trial version until you enter your user information and registration key. The user information and registration key you must input into this dialog are case sensitive. You must enter this information exactly as it appears in the confirmation email you receive when you purchased your license and registration key for SpeakToText. We recommend you cut-and-paste your registration key from this confirmation email. For more information on the registration process, see the section on Registering SpeakToText, below.
Cancel - Exits without starting the program.
Personalized Greeting – You can put your name or any other text here - this is how SpeakToText will greet you when you start the program.
Enable Personalized Greeting Checkbox - Check this box to enable the greeting. Uncheck it to disable the greeting. The program default is checked.
Trial Version Limitations:
· 30 day life
· 1000 character limit
· “Send Message” embeds the following signature in the target application before sending your message: “Copied by SpeakToText. Get your copy at: http://www.coolsoftllc.com/store.asp?product=9”
· Updates are not available for trial versions.
· The Microsoft SAPI v.5.1 Speech Recognition Engine is not included with the trial version. To use speech recognition with the trial version, you must already have a Microsoft SAPI Speech Recognition Engine installed on your computer. Otherwise, you can still try the speech-to-text features with your mouse and keyboard.
Note: The trial and unregistered versions of SpeakToText get their banner content from our website. If you are not connected to the Internet when you start the SpeakToText in trial mode, the appearance of the trial dialog will be delayed for a short time while SpeakToText waits for an Internet connection to get the first banner. If an Internet connection is not found after this brief pause, SpeakToText will start and display the banners which are installed with the program.
Registering SpeakToText
Obtaining a Registration Key
If you have purchased a license and registration key for SpeakToText from the CoolSoft, LLC website, you will receive a purchase confirmation email followed by a second email with your registration key. If you have an anti spam filter, please make sure the settings allow you to receive email from CoolSoftLLC.com. Otherwise you will not receive the email we send with your user information and registration key.
If you obtained your copy of SpeakToText on CD from a third party reseller, there is an activation key on the back of the CD. You need to go to www.CoolSoftLLC.com/Register and use this activation key to sign up for your registration key. Your SpeakToText registration key will be emailed within 24 hours. Meanwhile, you can continue using SpeakToText in trial mode.
If you obtained your copy of SpeakToText by download from a third party reseller, you received an activation key with your purchase. You need to go to www.CoolSoftLLC.com/CoolRegister and use this activation key to sign up for your registration key. Your SpeakToText registration key will be emailed within 24 hours. Meanwhile, you can continue using SpeakToText in trial mode.
An unregistered version of SpeakToText may be converted to a full version by either visiting our website, http://www.CoolSoftLLC.com/, or by clicking on the “Buy” button on the start-up dialog as explained above.
Note: If you are using the trial version without speech recognition enabled, and you do not have Microsoft SAPI v.5.0 or v6.1 as part of Microsoft Office XP or 2003, then you will need to download and install the full version of SpeakToText in order to install the SAPI 5.1 speech recognition engine on your computer. When you install the full speech enabled version of SpeakToText, the trial version will be uninstalled first, but SpeakToText will retain any settings that you configured in the trial version.
Before you Register
Before you start to register, your computer must be connected to the Internet. If you are not connected to the Internet, or if the connection is broken before the process is completed, you will not be able to complete the registration process, and you will have to try again after connecting to the Internet.
Entering Your User Information and Registration Key
From the SpeakToText Trial Startup Dialog (shown above), click on the “Register” button. The SpeakToText Registration Dialog will appear (shown below). Enter your user information and registration key exactly as it appears in the email you received, and click “Register” in the lower right hand corner.
IMPORTANT: Your user information, including your first name, last name, email address and your registration key are case sensitive and must be entered exactly as they appear in the confirmation email you received when you purchased your license and registration key. Hint: Cut-and-paste your registration key from the confirmation email.
What Happens When You Click Register
SpeakToText sends your registration key and email address (as you have entered it in the registration dialog) to our server. If your key was validly obtained and has not been used five times, your registration is validated and completes. If you purchased SpeakToText from one of our sponsors, the sponsor ID is also provided to our server.
Note: We do not take any other information from your computer in the registration process.
Note: According to your license for SpeakToText, your registration key can be used up to five times. Each time you register, your registration is recorded and if the number of previous registrations is less than the number allowed by your license, your registration is validated (permitted). If the number of registrations for your registration key exceeds the number of registrations allowed by your license, you will not be able to complete the registration and you will have to purchase another license and registration key.
COOLSOFT, LLC PRIVACY POLICY FOR REGISTERING SPEAKTOTEXT – During the SpeakToText registration process, CoolSoft does not gather or send any personal information from your computer other than the information you already provided to CoolSoft when you purchased your license, your registration key itself, and the sponsor information (if you obtained your copy of SpeakToText from one of our CoolSoft sponsors).
Note: After you register SpeakToText, the program will be banner free and the Startup Dialog will no longer appear. To change your greeting options after registering, use the “Greeting” tab in the SpeakToText settings. To open Settings by speech, say “click settings.” You can also access Settings from the SpeakToText Tools menu or by clicking on the “Settings” button. Once you complete the registration, the trial version limitation of 1,000 characters and the signature file that SpeakToText inserts when you use the “Send Message” command are removed. The update feature in the “About” dialog is also enabled.
USING SpeakToText
General Operation
Listening and Microphone On-Off
The default settings when SpeakToText starts are “microphone on” and “listening off.” Essentially, SpeakToText is muted to prevent SpeakToText from recognizing background noise and conversations until you are ready to dictate. To activate listening, say “start listening” or “wake up.” To turn off listening, say “stop listening” or “go to sleep.” You can also use the start/stop listening buttons. The Stop/Start Listening buttons are shown below.
Listening Off Listening On
Stop Listening Button Depressed Stop Listening Button Raised
Start Listening Button Raised Start Listening Button Depressed
Note: Some users may notice that the Start/Stop listening commands act to toggle the listening mode. With some speech recognition profiles, the speech recognition engine misrecognizes these commands, and this effect can vary between users and systems. For this reason, we created the alternative “wake up” and “go to sleep” speech commands, which perform the same functions.
To turn the microphone off: Say “microphone off” or click the microphone button.
Microphone On Microphone Off
Button Depressed Button Raised
Note: Once the microphone is turned off, you will need to click on the microphone button to turn it back on (it cannot hear you when it is turned off). However, you can toggle between listening on/off with speech. We also recommend that you “stop listening” or turn the microphone off when you are not using SpeakToText. For example, answering the phone or engaging in conversation with a co-worker with SpeakToText listening is comparable to leaning on the keyboard, and will produce similar results.
SpeakToText may be
started with “listening on.” Click the “General” tab under SpeakToText
“Settings.” To get to SpeakToText Settings, say “click settings” or click on
the
”settings” button.
Overview of SpeakToText Basic Terminology
Before using SpeakToText, read this section to become familiar with the terminology used by the program. The main purpose of SpeakToText is to use speech recognition to input text by speech into SpeakToText or into other applications. When SpeakToText is being used with another application, that application is referred to as the Target Application. SpeakToText works with the Microsoft speech recognition engine. When you speak, your speech is processed by the speech recognition engine, which sends the recognized text to SpeakToText, and when in Advanced Mode, into a Target Application.
Advanced Mode
When using SpeakToText in Advanced Mode, the dictation area of SpeakToText will close and the dictated text will appear in the Target Application where you have placed the cursor. The cursor must be placed in the Target Application in the same location as you would place it if you were typing (at the insertion point). It is not sufficient to just click on the Target Application. Once in Advanced Mode, you can minimize SpeakToText to the taskbar if desired. Use the “click minimize” speech command to minimize SpeakToText, and the “click focus” speech command to bring it back.
Target Application
In Advanced Mode, this is the application where you have placed the cursor. In order for SpeakToText to work in Advanced Mode, the area of the application where you have placed the cursor must be able to accept input from the keyboard. Just use your mouse to click where you would normally type.
Phrase or Utterance
A phrase or utterance is a string of text recognized by the speech recognition engine. If you speak a short phrase or sentence, it will usually be recognized as a single phrase. If you speak a long sentence or paragraph, it may be recognized as multiple phrases, which may or may not be