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Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
The Parallax Say It Modules provides voice recognition functions for built-in Speaker Independent (SI)
pre-programmed commands and up to 32 user-defined Speaker Dependent (SD) keywords (triggers,
commands, or passwords).
When you speak into this module, it will match the spoken word to a set of keywords that it has been
programmed to recognize. Once the module has determined if there is a match, it will take a defined
action, either listening for the next keyword in another “wordset” or executing the commands associated
with the word that was said. You can create up to 32 user-definable keywords.
The Say It GUI software for the BASIC Stamp 2 provides an easy interface for training the module and
producing template code. Or, the simple and robust serial protocol provided can be used to access the
Say It module functions from other Parallax microcontrollers. The 10-pin SIP header makes the module
breadboard friendly, and is designed to fit in one row of the AppMod header found on the Board of
Education and Boe-Bot Robot.
Features
23 Pre-programmed commands
Up to 32 user-definable commands
SIP for breadboard friendly projects (0.1” spacing)
GUI provides training and template code for BASIC Stamp 2
modules
On-board LED and microphone
Voice controlled Boe-Bot examples
Key Specifications
Power requirements:
3.3 to 5.5 VDC
Communication: Adjustable Asynchonous Serial (9600 (default),
19200, 38700, 57600, 115200)
Operating temperature: 32 to 158 °F (0 to 70 °C)
Dimensions: 1.02 x 2.47 x .38 in (26 x 62.93 x 9.70 mm)
Application Ideas
Voice-controlled entry systems
Automated house applications
Voice-activated robotics
Precaution
Do not solely rely on the Say It module to recognize a command for a safety stop if your project
requires one; take all appropriate precautions when implementing this module to maintain a safe
project.
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
v1.0 4/14/2010 Page 1 of 19
Using the Say It GUI Software
With the Say It GUI software for your PC and your BASIC Stamp 2 development board, you can test the
Say It module and train it to recognize your custom commands. During training, the BASIC Stamp 2
handles the Say It module-to-PC communication through the provided PBASIC “bridge” program. Once
your you have defined and tested your commands, the GUI software will generate a new PBASIC
template program ready for you to add the actions to take when your voice commands are received.
Follow the steps below to connect to the Say It module via the GUI software. This example assumes you
are using a Board of Education with BASIC Stamp 2, and you have previously installed the BASIC Stamp
Editor and tested the programming connection.
1. With the power to your board turned off (switch position 0) Plug the Say It module into the
AppMod header of the Board of Education (as seen in Figure 12); be careful to insert the module
in the left row of the header and in the correct orientation (Vss at top, Vdd at bottom, RX to P0,
TX to P2 and LED to P4).
Figure 1
2. Download and install the Say It GUI software from the 30080 product page at www.parallax.com.
Use the default installation path. For Windows Vista users, install as administrator.
3. Start the Say It GUI software, and then connect the Board of Education to your PC and turn the
power switch on (position 1).
4. Select the serial port that the Board of Education/Say It module is connected from the toolbar
(Figure 1) or File from the menu, then Connect. See Figure 2.
BASIC Stamp Editor Debug Terminal must be closed before selecting “Connect” in
Say It GUI
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
v1.0 4/14/2010 Page 2 of 19
Serial port to use
Connect Icon
Figure 2
5. Once connected, the Say It software prompts you to download the PBASIC “bridge” program to
the controller board, and switches to the programming mode (Figure 3). Choose Yes when
prompted.
Figure 3
A PBASIC “bridge” program will automatically be downloaded to the BASIC Stamp 2. This bridge program
allows the user to work with the set of SI commands the Say It module provides, as well as defining new
commands.
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
v1.0 4/14/2010 Page 3 of 19
6. Verify that the bridge download has been completed by the green status bar in the top right of
the GUI; it should remain full.
Once you have successfully connected to the module you can insert, add, remove, rename, train, erase,
test, reset all the commands, set the language used, or disconnect from the GUI. First, let’s cover testing
the pre-existing commands.
Testing Commands
Let’s begin by testing the words that are already programmed in the Say It module. These are grouped
under Trigger and three Wordsets (Figure 4).
Built-in Speaker Independent Commands
Trigger (0)
0
robot
Wordset 1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
action
move
turn
run
look
attack
stop
hello
0
1
2
3
4
5
Wordset 2
left
right
up
down
forward
backward
Wordset 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
zero
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
Figure 4
1. Select a Trigger or Wordset to test by highlighting the option in the left window pane (Figure 5)
and then click “Test Group” from the tool bar. This example, I chose “Trigger” to test.
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
v1.0 4/14/2010 Page 4 of 19
Test Group
Figure 5
2. When the red LED indicator light on the module and the software window prompt you to speak,
speak clearly and directly at the microphone on the module. If the module understands, you will
see the command highlighted in green.
You can continue this with all the words that need to be tested. If the module does not understand the
word or there is nothing said, an information window will pop up indicating an error of a timeout. Later
you will want to use the same process to test any new commands that you train it to recognize.
Adding or Deleting Commands
When you want to create your own command, you can do so by using the Say It GUI. There are 4 types
of commands in the GUI:
Trigger – Trigger words are used to start the voice recognition process; all spoken command
phrases will begin with a trigger word. “Robot” is the SI trigger word, and you may train one
additional trigger word.
Group – Groups of user-definable SD commands. You may add up to 32 commands total (31 if
you also define a trigger word).
Password – A special group for “vocal passwords,” up to 5 may be defined.
Wordset – Built-in groups of Speaker Independent (SI) commands (Figure 3)
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Say It Module (#30080)
v1.0 4/14/2010 Page 5 of 19
