Rapid Access to Data
Voice recognition allows rapid access to large
numbers of items by name. Compared with a GUI, in which the user must click to
open a list and then scroll down to find the desired item, voice recognition can
be much faster. For example, "Find John Smith" can move directly to
the correct record in a contact database.
Some applications may provide a very large
number of choices. With voice recognition, these choices can be accessed quickly
and naturally using their natural names. Without voice recognition, these
functions might require complicated key combination or multiple menu selections.
Voice recognition does very well when the names
of the items are known in advance, even if the list must grow dynamically. New
names can be introduced by typing or perhaps with dictations; however, once the
name is known to the system, voice recognition will do very well.
Voice recognition opens new possibilities for
hands-free usage. A policeman can check a license plate or a description without
waiting for a human dispatcher and without endangering himself by taking his
hands or eyes away from his driving. A doctor can get important information
without stopping surgery or removing sterile gloves. The Federal Information
Technology Accessibility Initiative (Section 508) encourages all application
designers to consider the needs of those who cannot use keyboards or mice.
Next: High-speed
or hands-free data entry
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