99,334 research outputs found
On the development of an automatic voice pleasantness classiïŹcation and intensity estimation system
In the last few years, the number of systems and devices that use voice based interaction has grown signiïŹcantly. For a continued use of these systems, the interface must be reliable and pleasant in order to provide an optimal user experience. However there are currently very few studies that try to evaluate how pleasant is a voice from a perceptual point of view when the ïŹnal application is a speech based interface. In this paper we present an objective deïŹnition for voice pleasantness based on the composition of a representative feature subset and a new automatic voice pleasantness classiïŹcation and intensity estimation system. Our study is based on a database composed by European Portuguese female voices but the methodology can be extended to male voices or to other languages. In the objective performance evaluation the system achieved a 9.1% error rate for voice pleasantness classiïŹcation and a 15.7% error rate for voice pleasantness intensity estimation.Work partially supported by ERDF funds, the Spanish Government (TEC2009-14094-C04-04), and Xunta de Galicia (CN2011/019, 2009/062
Talk your way round: a speech interface to a virtual museum
Purpose: To explore the development of a speech interface to a Virtual World and to consider its relevance for disabled users. Method: The system was developed using mainly software that is available at minimal cost. How well the system functioned was assessed by measuring the number of times a group of users with a range of voices had to repeat commands in order for them to be successfully recognised. During an initial session, these users were asked to use the system with no instruction to see how easy this was. Results: Most of the spoken commands had to be repeated less than twice on average for successful recognition. For a set of âteleportationâ commands this figure was higher (2.4), but it was clear why this was so and could easily be rectified. The system was easy to use without instruction. Comments on the system were generally positive. Conclusions: While the system has some limitations, a Virtual World with a reasonably reliable speech interface has been developed almost entirely from software which is available at minimal cost. Improvements and further testing are considered. Such a system would clearly improve access to Virtual Reality technologies for those without the skills or physical ability to use a standard keyboard and mouse. It is an example of both Assistive Technology and Universal Design
Feminism, womenâs movements and women in movement
Non peer reviewedPublisher PD
Editorial: Feminism, womenâs movements and women in movement
Introduction to Special Issue that engages with the increasingly important, separate yet interrelated themes of feminism, womenâs movements and women in movement in the context of global neoliberalism
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