Communication system user interface with animated representation of time

Abstract

A system and method for management of an interface for communications systems and devices using a recognizer having a limited time duration recognition window, based on mapping available time to a spatial representation. The system has particular application to management of a speech interface for a speech recognizer with a limited time duration recognition window. When the speech recognizer is on and a recognition window is opened, a timing signal is sent to the device and processed to provide spatial representation of the time remaining, e.g. in the form of an animation on a graphical user interface, or a recognizable pattern of stimulation using a haptic interface. As the recognition window advances and closes, the animation or pattern also changes and closes, e.g. diminishes in size, to provide the user with spatial information indicative of the time left in the recognition window. A reset feature allows users to reopen the recognition window to delete and correct input, while the window is still open, or after closing the window, and before the system advances to an erroneous state. The system is particularly applicable to speech recognizers having a limited recognition window that access speech recognition engines resident on a network or at a terminal device.