Lexacom Echo – European

This page covers how to get started using Lexacom Echo – our live speech recognition service in Echo-Only mode.
Echo allows you to use your voice as a keyboard to enter text anywhere you would normally type.

Lexacom Echo supports a number of European languages including:

• Dutch
• English (UK)
• French
• German
• Spanish

You can change the software text language and the dictation/transcription language independently, as shown below.

Video Introduction

This video is in English and has subtitles in the above languages and covers what you need to know to get started.
If you would prefer a dubbed version, you can download this video budded in Dutch, French, German or Spanish.

 

Overview

Echo is our live speech recognition service. It will convert your speech to text on the screen – anywhere that you would normally use a keyboard.
Echo is built-in to the full Lexacom software. If your licence gives you access to other Lexacom services, then Echo can be used in “Combined mode” which simply means it will be integrated in the full Lexacom toolbar.
For users without access to the wider options available, Echo will appear in a smaller widget at the top of your screen – we call this ‘Echo Only’ mode.

When you launch Lexacom, in Echo Only mode it will appear as above. If it doesn’t look like this, you may wish to view our Echo (Combined Mode) pages.

 

To access Echo you must:

• • Be added to a team and be assigned the Echo licence – This can be done by your Team Admin or by Lexacom staff.
  • Activate your account
  • Install Lexacom
  • Launch Lexacom and login

Setup

Before you get started, it is important to ensure the right audio settings.

You may also want to adjust your language settings.

All settings can be accessed via the menu which is displayed when you click the gear/cog icon:

Select Your Language

Display Language

To adjust the language of the application text, open the menu and select Settings.

Select ‘Miscellaneous’ on the left.

From the Language dropdown, select your chosen language. (You may need to scroll down to see this option).

Click Save when done.

NOTE: Language setting changes require a restart to take effect.

 

Dictation Language

From the Settings window, select Echo on the left and you will see the Dictation Language setting:

Use the dropdown to set the language in which you will speak.

This will set Echo to recognise your speech and return the transcription in the correct language.

This will not translate between languages.

Language options available to you will be determined by your team setup – please contact our support team if you would like addition options made available.

NOTE: Language setting changes require a restart to take effect.

 

Select Your Microphone

 IMPORTANT: The most common cause of transcription errors is poor audio input quality. Please ensure you have the right microphone selected.

• Click on the gear/cog icon (on the left) to view the menu

• Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
  This will open the Settings Window.
• Select ‘Audio’.

Preferred Audio Input Device

This is where you select the mic you wish to use.

Olympus microphones will have “RM” in the name (or “DR” if they are much older models)
Phillips microphones will likely be named “SpeechMike”
Other device names will vary but most will be clearly identifiable. e.g. “Headset Microphone” or “Webcam”

We do not recommend using the built-in mic on your laptop. These are generally not the best quality and, as such, may impact accuracy.

Preferred Audio Output Device

This is where you select the output (e.g. Speakers or headphones) you wish to use.

For Echo, this will determine where you hear notification sounds, such as when commands are updated. This is less important if you are using Echo only mode.

 More information on how to get the best results can be found here.

 

Positioning Echo

The Echo window sits at the top of the screen. If you wish, you can click and hold the mouse to drag it to a different position.

To move Echo is a different screen, click the gear in the top left and use the Monitors option.

You can close Echo by clicking the X on the right.

 

Dictating text

• Click where you want the text to appear (as you would if typing with a keyboard).

START > SPEAK > STOP

• To use Echo, you must start Echo listening, speak for as long as you like, then stop Echo from listening.
• START.
  You can start Echo in 3 ways:
  • click the white circle in the centre of the Echo window.
  • Hold the record button on your microphone.
  • Use a Keyboard hotkey – by default, the is the + key on your number pad. This can be changes in the Echo settings see: Recording Hotkey support page.

• SPEAK

• • When Echo is active, you will see animated red lines in the Echo window. This shows it is listening.
  • Speak clearly in your normal voice. You should speak to Echo in fluent, full sentences.
  • Echo works best with context. Speaking full paragraphs will help Echo deliver the best results.
  • You can space out your text by saying “New line” and “New paragraph” as you dictate.
  • Unless switched off, Echo will use the Comprehension Engine to proofread and punctuate your text.
    It will remove hesitations (“umm”, “uhh”) and filler words (“like”).

 

• STOP
  • When you have completed your dictation, stop Echo by releasing the record button, pressing the keyboard hotkey again, or clicking in the Echo circle again.
  • At this point, the Comprehension Engine will proofread and return your text wherever your cursor is active.
• To use Echo in a different program, or into a different location in the same program, simply click with the mouse where you wish to type. Echo will write text wherever the cursor is currently clicked and flashing when you stop.

If you find that there are words, phrases, or acronyms that Echo doesn’t transcribe successfully it may be that they are not yet in the vocabulary. You can submit feedback to help us update and improve the vocabulary. Please see How To Provide Feedback For Vocabulary Improvements for full details.

Dictation Top Tips

• Make sure you have the correct microphone selected in the Echo Settings to get the best accuracy
• Speak fluently in full sentences for the best results
• The cursor must be clicked into a text field in a program so Echo can insert the text
• Be aware of your environment. Noise such as radios, fans and other voices can affect accuracy
• Keep the microphone a consistent distance from your mouth of around 5-10 cm (if using a dictation mic)

Other Features

Echo can do a whole lot more than just direct speech to text.
You can find additional Echo support pages here.

Additional features include:

• Default voice commands for navigating other software
• Custom commands:
  • Text Snippets
  • Keyboard Shortcuts

For medical users, there is also:

• Comprehension Engine Modes including:
  • Medical Mode
  • Patient Mode
  • Coding Mode (SystmOne only)
• Using Echo with EMIS Web
• Using Echo with SystmOne

Echo Menu

Access the Echo menu by clicking the gear icon.

Settings

Settings will open the full settings menu, this is where you will find the Echo Settings options.

Monitors

From here, you can select which screen Echo appears on.

Transcription

From here, you can open the transcription feedback window and view available voice commands.

Help

The Help menu includes:

Get Support

Launch our support pages.

Quick Start Guide

Launches a quick start guide (Temporarily unavailable)

Account Administration

Launches the Admin Portal where users can manage their account

About

Launches the about page with information on version number etc.