Continuous speech recognition apparatus

A continuous speech recognition apparatus comprising:

• input pattern output means for outputting a signal corresponding to continuously uttered speech as an input pattern;
• reference pattern output means for outputting a connected pattern of the reference patterns specified by a definite-state automation;
• start point matching means for determining a disimilarity measure proportional to the time length of the reference pattern between said reference pattern in the initial state of the definite-state automation and a portion of a head word of said input pattern;
• dissimilarity measure converting means for converting the dissimilarity measure obtained by said start point matching means into a dissimilarity measure proportional to the time length of said input pattern from a temporary start point, said temporary start point ranging within a vicinity of said input pattern;
• main matching means for determining a dissimilarity measure proportional to the time length of said input pattern between said input pattern and said reference pattern in each state other than said initial state of said definite-state automation in which said converted dissimilarity measure is used as a boundary condition;
• end point decision means for determining an end point having a minimum normalized dissimilarity measure normalized by the time length of said input pattern in an end vicinity;
• and
• a recognition means for obtaining recognition results by determining the sequence of said reference pattern along a dynamic programming-matching pass, through which said minimum normalized dissimilarity measure is obtained.

A continuous speech recognition apparatus comprising:

• means for generating a signal corresponding to continuously uttered speech as an input pattern;
• reference pattern output means for outputting a plurality of connected reference patterns specified by a definite-state atomation;
• start point matching means for determining a dissimilarity measure proportional to the time length of the reference pattern between said reference pattern in the initial state of the definite-state automation and a proportion of a head word of said input pattern;
• dissimilarity measure converting means for converting the dissimilarity measure obtained by said start point matching means into a dissimilarity measure proportional to the time length of said input pattern from a temporary start point, said temporary start point ranging within a vicinity of said input pattern;
• and
• main matching means for determining a dissimilarity measure proportional to the time length of said input pattern between said input pattern and said reference pattern in each state other than said initial state of said defininte-state automation in which said converted dissimilarity measure is used as a boundary condition.