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CSR expanded its portfolio of software enhancements for the BlueCore5-Multimedia platform with the addition of Sensory’s award-winning speech-recognition software to CSR’s eXtension Partner Programme.

The FluentSoft Bluetooth Suite from Sensory will allow CSR’s customers to integrate speech control and command functions to Bluetooth mono and stereo headsets and hands-free car kits.

Sensory’s FluentSoft is the first speech-recognition software to be integrated into CSR’s BlueCore5-Multimedia silicon and represents a Bluetooth industry first as well as being a big step toward a fully hands-free approach to communication. Manufacturers of Bluetooth headsets and hands-free kits can now implement a vast array of voice-activated operations, including call control and dialing; battery level and connection checks; pairing; audio settings adjustment; and playback and control of music.

To further enhance device user friendliness, Sensory’s SX speech synthesis is included, enabling professional high-quality real-time voice prompts and confirmations, answers to status queries such as battery check, and to provide useful help guidance on device operations such as pairing. FluentSoft is speaker independent with no end-user training necessary, supports all primary world languages, and enables OEMs to easily customize the user interface, command vocabulary, and voice prompts to create a unique, differentiated experience for their customers.

CSR’s eXtension Programme is the only initiative of its kind in the industry and is built on the capability afforded via CSR’s proprietary Kalimba DSP platform that is built into BlueCore5-Multimedia. Working with the world’s leading third-party software vendors, CSR has delivered a wide range of software plug-ins for the on-chip DSP, further reducing design cycle time while allowing enough power to support future software enhancements.

BlueCore5-Multimedia offers superior sound quality for headset applications with a best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio of -95 dB. BlueCore5-Multimedia also leads the industry for power consumption and radio design. The radio transmits at +8 dBm and receives at -90 dBm which eliminates interference when listening to music or taking a call. When used in stereo headset applications, BlueCore5-Multimedia enables battery life of more than 12 hours of music playback.

“Sensory is proud to be working with the leading Bluetooth silicon provider to enable more feature-rich and user-friendly products,” said Sensory Inc. CEO Todd Mozer. “Without speech recognition, product designers have been constrained in form factor, features, and user interface. Our FluentSoft Bluetooth Suite ported to the popular BlueCore5-Multimedia unleashes designers’ creativity to add custom features, and deliver a user experience that was not possible before.”

Anthony Murray, senior vice president of CSR’s Wireless Audio Strategic Business Unit commented, “Bluetooth mono and stereo headsets are decreasing in size, and speech recognition overcomes the challenges faced by a more limited user interface.” Murray added, “Having Sensory as a CSR eXtension Partner is also good news for the automotive market, as we can now provide a single-chip solution with Bluetooth technology and speech recognition, considerably reducing manufacturing costs of hands-free car kits and embedded Bluetooth designs.”