Voice recognition of proper names using text-derived recognition models

A method of proper name recognition using text-derived recognition models to recognize spoken rendition of name-texts (i.e., names in textual form) that are susceptible to multiple pronunciations, where spoken name input (i.e., the spoken rendition of a name-text) is from a person who does not necessarily know how to properly pronounce the name-text, comprising the steps:

• entering name-text into a text database in which the database is accessed by designating name-text;
• for each name-text in the text database, inputting the name-text into an appropriately trained Boltzmann machine for a selected number of input cycles, with the machine being placed in a random state prior to each input cycle;
• for each input cycle, generating a corresponding phonetic feature sequence of at least one pronunciation for the name-text;
• when the input cycles are complete, constructing from the phonetic feature sequences that are different at least one text-derived recognition model representing at least one pronunciation of the name-text;
• for each attempted access to the text database by a spoken name input, comparing the spoken name input with the stored text-derived recognition models;
• and
• if such comparison yields a sufficiently close pattern match to one of the text-derived recognition models based on a decision rule, providing a name recognition response designating the name-text associated with such text-derived recognition model.

A proper name recognition system using text-derived recognition models to recognize spoken rendition of name-texts (i.e., names in textual form) that are susceptible to multiple pronunciations, where spoken name input (i.e., the spoken rendition of a name-text) is from a person who does not necessarily know how to properly pronounce the name-text, comprising:

• a text database into which are entered name-texts, where the database is accessed by designating name-text;
• an appropriately trained Boltzmann machine responsive to the input of a name-text for generating a corresponding phonetic feature sequence of at least one pronunciation for the name-text;
• each name-text being input to said Boltzmann machine a selected number of input cycles, with the machine being placed in a random state prior to each input cycle;
• a text-derived recognition model generator for constructing, after the selected number of input cycles for a name-text is complete, from the phonetic feature sequences that are different at least one text-derived recognition model representing at least one pronunciation of the name-text;
• a name-text recognition engine for comparing, for each attempted access to the text database by a spoken name input, such spoken name input with the generated text-derived recognition models, and if such comparison yields a sufficiently close pattern match to one of the text-derived recognition models based on a decision rule, providing a name recognition response designating the name-text associated with such text-derived recognition model.