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Mobile Speech and the Armed Services: Making a Case for Adding Siri-like Features to VAMTA (Voice-Activated Medical Tracking Application)

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Mobile Speech and Advanced Natural Language Solutions

Abstract

In this chapter we take a look at how to improve VAMTA (voice-activated medical tracking application), a program we introduced several years ago which has been successfully adopted by the military, by adding natural language capabilities that would enable VAMTA to perform as a personal assistant and knowledge navigator in the medical-military mobile environment. We consider some of the key functions of a Siri-enhanced VAMTA, which would use a natural language interface to answer questions, make recommendations and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of Web services. We explore the use of fuzzy linguistic ontologies for natural language applications, which would enable this natural language driven medical tracking program to fulfill a wide range of tasks for military personnel in a mobile setting.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The original feasibility literature, circa 2000, evolved from the initial reporting of the VAMTA findings (Rodger and Pendharkar 2007) to reporting of the end-user perceptions of the VAMTA task-technology fit and the smart-data strategy for optimization of performance Rodger, J. A. and George, J. (2010). Note; citations are placed in references and thus are never placed in footnote other than the authors name and date.

  2. 2.

    We use Siri in the generic sense to refer the use of a personal assistant that understands natural language commands. In truth we could use Nina, designed by Nuance, or any other kind of personal assistant model for that matter. However, for the purposes of this discussion we use the term “Siri” which became known to the public as the first natural language driven mobile device when Apple unveiled the Siri feature on its 4S iPhone last fall.

  3. 3.

    While we are cognizant of the fact that natural language shortcomings still plague voice recognition applications (Scharenborg 2007; Siniscalchi and Lee 2009; Cooke et al. 2009), we are nevertheless inspired to utilize natural language in the VAMTA.

  4. 4.

    Association For Enterprise Integration (AFEI) conference, in Miami, on April 30-May 3, 2012.

  5. 5.

    “Smart Data” is a unique concept formulated by the author and his colleague, Jim George George and Rodger, (2010). The goal of Smart-Data is to promote a new approach to consulting and business operations. Smart Data has three dimensions: (1) enterprise performance; (2) the application of metrics and algorithms; and (3) interoperability within the organization. All three dimensions are consequently interwoven. To wit, enterprise performance is achieved through the application of metrics and algorithms which promotes interoperability within the organization.

  6. 6.

    The Semantic Web is an evolving extension of the World Wide Web in which the semantics of information and services on the web is defined, making it possible for the web to understand and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content. The Web is considered as a universal medium for data, information and knowledge exchange.

  7. 7.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resources,_events,_agents_(accounting_model).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, MIS and Decision Sciences, Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, 664 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA, 15705, USA

    James A. Rodger

  2. Business, Economy and Politics Columnist, Examiner.com, 4650 Washington Blvd 1008, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA

    James A. George

Authors
  1. James A. Rodger
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  2. James A. George
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Correspondence to James A. Rodger .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lingustic Technology Systems, Palisade Ave Apt 1809 800, Fort Lee, 07024-4121, New Jersey, USA

    Amy Neustein

  2. J. Markowitz Consultants, N. Sheridan Road, Suite 19A 5801, Chicago, 60660, USA

    Judith A. Markowitz

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Rodger, J.A., George, J.A. (2013). Mobile Speech and the Armed Services: Making a Case for Adding Siri-like Features to VAMTA (Voice-Activated Medical Tracking Application). In: Neustein, A., Markowitz, J. (eds) Mobile Speech and Advanced Natural Language Solutions. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6018-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6018-3_12

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