Experiments on Automatic Speech Recognition by a Digital Computer. AIM-026

Speech sounds have in the past been investigated with the aid of spectographs, vo-coders and other analog devices. With the availability of digital computers with improved i-o devices such as Cathode Ray tubes and analog digital converters, it has recently become practicable to employ this powerful tool in the analysis of speech sounds.

Some papers have appeared in the recent literature reporting the use of computers in the determination of the fundamental frequency and for vowel recognition. This paper discusses the details and results of a preliminary investigation conducted at Stanford. It includes
various aspects of speech sounds such as waveforms of vowels and consonants; determination of a fundamental of the wave; Fourier (spectral) analysis of the sound waves format determination, simple vowel recognition algorithm and synthesis of sounds. All were
obtained by the use of a digital computer.