Microcontroller implementation of a voice command recognition system for human-machine interface in embedded systems

Recent developments in signal processing, pattern recognition, neural networks and powerful (low-cost) embedded processors allow including speech processing for human-machine interaction in consumer equipment. In this paper we present a compact system for vowels and small vocabulary recognition, its orientation being consumer applications, where cost is of paramount importance. In this case, the speech recognition method must be as simple as possible, in such a way that could be programmed onto a standard microcontroller device, with the typical requirements of low range embedded application, where memory (kilobytes of RAM) and computer power (some MHz) are very limited. In this work we show both, algorithms and their implementation onto a low-cost microcontroller, and we study the final system performance