System and method for validating natural language content using crowdsourced validation jobs

• US 9,401,142 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2015
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cerence Inc.
• Original Assignee: VoiceBox Technologies Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Rothwell, Spencer John, Elshenawy, Ahmad Khamis, Carter, Stephen Steele, Braga, Daniela
• Primary Examiner(s): McFadden, Susan
• Application Number:
  US14/846,935
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 704/9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/226 Validation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/01 Assessment or evaluation of speech recognition systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications

Abstract

Systems and methods of validating transcriptions of natural language content using crowdsourced validation jobs are provided herein. In various implementations, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text corresponding to a transcription of the natural language content may be gathered. A first group of validation devices may be selected for reviewing the transcription pair. A first crowdsourced validation job may be created for the first group of validation devices. The first crowdsourced validation job may be provided to the first group of validation devices. A vote representing whether or not the text accurately represents the natural language content may be received from each of the first group of validation devices. A validation score may be assigned to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on the votes from each of the first group of validation devices.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair;

determining, by the computer system, whether or not the one or more first validation devices agreed the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

determining, by the computer system, whether to provide the transcription pair to one or more second validation devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the one or more first validation devices did not agree the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content, the method further comprises:

providing, by the computer system, the transcription pair to the one or more second validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more second validation devices a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

updating, by the computer system, the validation score with respect to the transcription pair using the votes received from the one or more second validation devices.

3. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair;

identifying, by the computer system, a confidence score of each of the one or more first validation devices, the confidence score representing confidence in the vote from the each of the one or more first validation devices; and

updating, by the computer system, the validation score with respect to the transcription pair using the confidence score.

4. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices, wherein the one or more first validation devices comprises at least two validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

identifying, by the computer system, a plurality of transcription devices performing crowdsourced transcription jobs; and

selecting, by the computer system, the one or more first validation devices from the plurality of transcription devices.

6. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content, wherein the first instructions configure the one or more first validation devices to provide the natural language content and the text in a survey on a mobile application on the one or more first validation devices;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the survey includes one or more tasks configured to assist engagement of first validators associated with the one or more first validation devices when voting.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the survey includes one or more of:

test questions, captions that are not machine-readable, and audio that is not understandable to machines.

9. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair; and

storing the transcription pair in a validated transcription library if the validation score of the transcription pair exceeds a validation threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising using the transcription pair from the validated transcription to transcribe end-user voice data in real-time.

11. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair;

determine whether or not the one or more first validation devices agreed the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

determine whether to provide the transcription pair to one or more second validation devices.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein if the one or more first validation devices did not agree the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content, the one or more physical processors are further programmed to:

provide the transcription pair to the one or more second validation devices;

receive from each of the one or more second validation devices a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

update the validation score with respect to the transcription pair using the votes received from the one or more second validation devices.

13. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair;

identify a confidence score of each of the one or more first validation devices, the confidence score representing confidence in the vote from the each of the one or more first validation devices; and

update the validation score with respect to the transcription pair using the confidence score.

14. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices, wherein the one or more first validation devices comprises at least two validation devices;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed to:

identify a plurality of transcription devices performing crowdsourced transcription jobs; and

select the one or more first validation devices from the plurality of transcription devices.

15. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content, wherein the first instructions configure the one or more first validation devices to provide the natural language content and the text in a survey on a mobile application on the one or more first validation devices;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the survey includes one or more tasks configured to assist engagement of first validators associated with the one or more first validation devices when voting.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the survey includes one or more of:

test questions, captions that are not machine-readable, and audio that is not understandable to machines.

19. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices, wherein to cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices, the one or more physical processors are further programmed to;

provide, to the one or more first validation devices, a message that includes a direct selectable link to an interface, wherein the interface includes the first crowdsourced validation job;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

20. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices in a validator application;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

21. A system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions which, when executed, program the one or more physical processors to;

obtain a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

create a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

cause the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices;

receive, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

assign a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair; and

store the transcription pair in a validated transcription library if the validation score of the transcription pair exceeds a validation threshold.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the computer program instructions cause the one or more physical processors to use the transcription pair from the validated transcription to transcribe end-user voice data in real-time.

23. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices, wherein causing the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices comprises;

providing, by the computer system, to the one or more first validation devices, a message that includes a direct selectable link to an interface, wherein the interface includes the first crowdsourced validation job;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.

24. A computer-implemented method, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, program the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining, by the computer system, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text, wherein the natural language content comprises audio content received from one or more audio input components, and wherein the text corresponds to a transcription of the natural language content;

creating, by the computer system, a first crowdsourced validation job to be performed at one or more first validation devices, the first crowdsourced validation job providing the one or more first validation devices with first instructions for a crowd user to provide a determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content;

causing, by the computer system, the first crowdsourced validation job to be provided to the one or more first validation devices in a validator application;

receiving, by the computer system, from each of the one or more first validation devices, a vote representing the determination of whether or not the text is an accurate transcription of the natural language content; and

assigning, by the computer system, a validation score to the transcription pair based, at least in part, on votes received from the one or more first validation devices with respect to the transcription pair.