Microcomputer implementable low cost speaker-independent word recognition

A simple algorithm to perform speaker-independent word recognition with modest performance on a small, acoustically distinct, vocabulary is described. The primary measurements are the zero crossing intervals of the acoustic waveform. Robust and reliable performance was achieved by deriving binary-valued features, using dynamic time warping and invoking high level logic. The algorithm demonstrates implementation potential via simple analog circuitry and an 8-bit microcomputer. The performance achieved was 85% correct recognition, 9% rejection and 6% substitution for a set of six words uttered by over 100 speakers.