The world’s first PC-based continuous speech recognition system that recognizes natural speech recorded on a tape recorder was announced by Norcom Electronics® and Dragon Systems, Inc.® today. With this breakthrough, users can dictate into a mini-cassette recorder wherever they are, even if there is not a PC or a transcriptionist nearby. The tape can be transcribed later using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the world’s first software product that creates general text from normal continuous speech.

Users simply talk naturally into a Norcom Model 2500 hand-held tape dictation machine. Then, they play the recording to Dragon NaturallySpeaking using the Norcom SRC-1 speech recognition coupler. The coupler provides the interface between the tape recorder and the PC running Dragon NaturallySpeaking, which transcribes what the user said onto their PC screen and into their documents.

"Many professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, already speak their dictation into a small cassette recorder. They often have to wait days for a secretary or transcriptionist to create a document. Now, for the first time, they can use an ordinary office PC to quickly, easily and inexpensively transcribe the tape," said Roger Matus, vice president of North American Marketing for Dragon Systems.

Already, tens of thousands of the Norcom model 2500 are being used across the United States. This product and the SRC-1 coupler provide the high quality recorded signal required by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

"Now that it is possible to use the Model 2500 recorder with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, we expect the market for our devices and for speech recognition will expand dramatically," said Kevin Ross, vice-president of Norcom. "By reducing turn-around time, professionals can now be more responsive to their clients. They can also save thousands of dollars each year in administrative costs."

Dragon NaturallySpeaking enables users to dictate general text naturally and continuously, without being required to pause between words, making it an ideal solution for people who generate a lot of text and need to get their thoughts and ideas down quickly and efficiently. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Deluxe Edition includes such advanced features as recorded speech, text-to-speech, multi-user and topic and enhanced document navigation and editing abilities completely by voice.

The complete package, which includes the Dragon NaturallySpeaking Deluxe Edition, the Norcom Model 2500 tape dictation machine and the SRC-1 coupler Input Device, is available.

Dragon Systems, Inc., the Natural Speech Company, is a worldwide leader in PC speech recognition. Dragon develops and markets high-performance, cost-effective speech and language technology tools that, in multiple world languages (including American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish), enable users to create any text, issue commands, and enter and access data simply by speaking. The company also licenses its technology worldwide through developers, distributors, resellers, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and ISVs (Integrated Software Vendors). Dragon Systems ports its technology across multiple operating systems and hardware platforms — from hand-held devices and personal computers to workstations, and is pursuing leading-edge research and development projects for computer and telecommunications applications.

Founded in 1982, Dragon Systems is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts; its Dragon Systems UK Ltd. subsidiary, which is focused on speech recognition for telephony and high-noise environments, is based in Cheltenham, England; Dragon Systems GmbH is located in Munich, Germany.

Dragon Systems is a registered trademark of Dragon Systems, Inc. NaturallySpeaking, and The Natural Speech Company are trademarks of Dragon Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Dragon Systems can be found on the world wide web: www.naturalspeech.com or dragonsys.com.

Norcom Electronics Corporation, founded in 1978, is a manufacturer of Dictation system and a developer of Norcom VOICEPRINTER speech recognition solutions. Norcom markets and sells its products through dealers and VARs. Norcom is located in Trumbull, CT. Norcom VOICEPRINTER is a registered trademark of Norcom Electronics Corporation.