Method for constructing a model of a new word for addition to a word model database of a speech recognition system

Claim 3

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the constructing a reference template step is carried out by interpreting a sequence of Markov states and associated probability densities of acoustic events of the whole word model, and then developing the sequence of averaged feature values based upon the resultant interpretation.

Claim 4

A speech recognition device, comprising: a word model database which includes a plurality of pre-existing word models based on an inventory of models of sub-word units: means for receiving a plurality of utterances that each purportedly conform to a new word which does not correspond to any of the plurality of pre-existing word models included in the word model database; means for determining an average length of the plurality of utterances; means for constructing a whole word model of the new word, using the plurality of utterances, but without reference to the inventory of models of sub-word units, wherein the whole word model has a length equal to the average length of the plurality of utterances; means for constructing a reference template represented by a sequence of averaged feature values of the plurality of utterances; and, means for matching the sequence of averaged feature values to the models of subword units stored in the inventory in order to construct the model of the new word for addition to the word model database, whereby the thusly constructed model of the new word is based upon the inventory of models of sub-word units, thereby facilitating the recognition of subsequent utterances of the new word using the inventory of models of sub-word units.

Claim 5

A speech recognition device, comprising: a word model database which includes a plurality of pre-existing word models based on an inventory of models of sub-word units: means for receiving a plurality of utterances that each purportedly conform to a new word which does not correspond to any of the plurality of pre-existing word models included in the word model database; means for determining an average length of the plurality of utterances; means for constructing a whole word model of the new word, using the plurality of utterances, but without reference to the inventory of models of sub-word units, wherein the whole word model has a length equal to the average length of the plurality of utterances; means for constructing a reference template represented by a sequence of averaged feature values of the plurality of utterances; and, means for matching the sequence of averaged feature values to the models of subword units stored in the inventory in order to construct the model of the new word for addition to the word model database, whereby the thusly constructed model of the new word is based upon the inventory of models of sub-word units, thereby facilitating the recognition of subsequent utterances of the new word using the inventory of models of sub-word units.

Claim 6

The speech recognition device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for constructing a reference template further includes means for interpreting a sequence of Markov states and associated probability densities of acoustic events of the whole word model, and then developing the sequence of averaged feature values based upon the resultant interpretation.