Methods and apparatus for improving automatic digitization techniques using recognition metrics

A method for transcribing speech, said method comprising the steps of:

• analyzing a speech sample to determine if at least one of at least first and second types of speech is present;
• recognizing said speech sample with a first speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said first type of speech;
• and
• recognizing said speech sample with a second speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said second type of speech.

A method for transcribing speech, said method comprising the steps of:

• recognizing a speech sample with at least three speech recognition methods that are prioritized according to performance for a given characteristic of input speech, at least one of said speech recognition methods producing a reference script;
• comparing said recognized speech samples with said reference script to identify portions of said speech having a characteristic that impairs speech recognition accuracy;
• and
• recognizing said identified speech portions with a speech recognizer that exhibits improved performance for said characteristic relative to a general speech recognizer.

A system for digitizing input information, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to:
• analyze said input information to determine if at least one of at least first and second types of information is present;
• recognize said input information with a first recognition method if said input information includes said first type of information;
• and
• recognize said input information with a second recognition method if said input information includes said second type of information.

A system for digitizing input information, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to:
• identify portions of said input information having a characteristic that impairs recognition accuracy;
• and
• recognize said input information portions with a recognizer that exhibits improved performance for said characteristic.

A system for transcribing speech, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to:
• analyze a speech sample to determine if at least one of at least first and second types of speech is present;
• recognize said speech sample with a first speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said first type of speech;
• and
• recognize said speech sample with a second speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said second type of speech.

A system for transcribing speech, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to:
• identify portions of said speech having a characteristic that impairs speech recognition accuracy;
• and
• recognize said identified speech portions with a speech recognizer that exhibits improved performance for said characteristic.

A system for transcribing speech, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to:
• recognize a speech sample with at least three speech recognition methods that are prioritized according to performance for a given characteristic of input speech, at least one of said speech recognition methods producing a reference script;
• compare said recognized speech samples with said reference script to identify portions of said speech having a characteristic that impairs speech recognition accuracy;
• and
• recognize said identified speech portions with a speech recognizer that exhibits improved performance for said characteristic relative to a general speech recognizer.

An article of manufacture for digitizing input information, comprising:

• a step to analyze said input information to determine if at least one of at least first and second types of information is present;
• a step to recognize said input information with a first recognition method if said input information includes said first type of information;
• and
• a step to recognize said input information with a second recognition method if said input information includes said second type of information.

An article of manufacture for transcribing speech, comprising:

• a step to analyze a speech sample to determine if at least one of at least first and second types of speech is present;
• a step to recognize said speech sample with a first speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said first type of speech;
• and
• a step to recognize said speech sample with a second speech recognition method if said speech sample includes said second type of speech.