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.
If you are an ‘Echo only‘ user, your Echo controls will appear as below when you log in.

– Echo Only Mode

This page covers using Echo within the wider Lexacom software. This is sometimes referred to as “Combined Mode” – that is what this guide covers.

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.

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

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 person icon , on the right of the toolbar, 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.

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 black circle in the Echo controls section of the toolbar.
  • 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 blue lines in the toolbar. 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 stop icon in the toolbar.
  • 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 Audio Settings to get the best accuracy
• Speak fluently in full sentences for the best results
• The cursor must be active in a text field in a program when you stop so that 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