Speech recognizer performance in car and home applications utilizing novel multiple microphone configurations

A speech recognition system for incorporation into an automotive vehicle having an audio system with an associated loudspeaker system, comprising:

• a sound transducer for input of speech utterances from a recognition system user;
• a multi-channel signal processing system configured to receive speech utterance input from said microphone and from at least one additional audio source, the signal processing system being operative to enhance the recognition quality of the received speech utterance;
• a switching system coupled to said signal processing system and to said loudspeaker system, the switching system being operative to selectively couple said loudspeaker system to said signal processing system thereby utilizing said loudspeaker system as said additional audio source.

A speech recognition system for integrating into a home entertainment system having a loudspeaker system for playback of audio content, comprising:

• a sound transducer for input of speech utterances from a recognition system user;
• a multi-channel signal processing system configured to receive speech utterance input from said microphone and from at least one additional audio source, the signal processing system being operative to enhance the recognition quality of the received speech utterance;
• a switching system coupled to said signal processing system and to said loudspeaker system, the switching system being operative to selectively couple said loudspeaker system to said signal processing system thereby utilizing said loudspeaker system as said additional audio source.

A speech recognition system, comprising:

• a recognizer configured to receive speech utterance input from a sound transducer and configured to use at least one acoustic model in the recognition of said speech utterance input;
• an acoustic model selection system coupled to said recognition system and being operative to selectively control the acoustic model used by said recognition system based on at least one sensed operating parameter;
• a decision logic unit coupled to said module selection system that ascertains at least one vehicle operating parameter and causes the model selection system to change at least one aspect of the acoustic model used by the recognizer based on said operating parameter.