SpeechMike Configuration

The Philips SpeechLive Desktop App allows you to configure and customize the hardware buttons on supported Philips SpeechMike dictation microphones. You can assign recording controls (push-to-talk or toggle recording) and editing shortcuts (Undo, Redo) directly to physical buttons, enabling seamless, one-handed control when dictating into any document or text field.

Supported Devices and Configurable Buttons

Hardware button mapping in the SpeechLive Desktop App is currently supported on Windows for two specific Philips SpeechMike models:

Table 13. Supported Devices and Configurable Buttons

Device Model

Configurable Buttons

Philips SpeechMike Ambient (PSM5000)

7 buttons: Record, Play, Rewind, Fast forward, INS/OVR, Command, and E

Philips SpeechMike Premium (SMP3700, SMP4000, LFH3500)

12 buttons: Record, Play/Pause, Rewind, Fast forward, EOL/Prio, Instruction (-i-), INS/OVR, F1, F2, F3, F4, and the rear Command button


[Note]Note

  • Platform: Hardware button customization is currently supported on Windows. Other models and platforms retain their default hardware controls.

  • Trackball and mouse buttons: On SpeechMike Premium, mouse buttons and the trackball remain dedicated to cursor control and are not remapped.

  • Offline configuration: You can configure button assignments even when your device is not currently plugged in. Hardware button testing requires a connected device.

Open the Configuration Dialog

  1. In the SpeechLive Desktop App, click the Main menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner.

  2. Select SpeechMike Ambient or SpeechMike Premium.

  3. The configuration window opens with the corresponding device title.

  4. Check the connection indicator in the window:

    • Connected: The microphone is recognized and ready for configuration and testing.

    • Not connected: Displayed in red if the device is not plugged in. You can still view and modify mappings; they will apply automatically once the device is connected.

Understand the Configuration Screen

The configuration window is divided into two interactive panels:

Left pane (Interactive Device Graphic):

  • Displays a visual diagram of your SpeechMike.

  • Clicking any button on the diagram automatically highlights and scrolls to that button’s configuration row in the right pane.

  • Pressing a physical button on your connected SpeechMike immediately highlights that button on the screen and selects its row, helping you instantly identify which button you are configuring.

  • SpeechMike Premium (Front / Back views): Use the Front and Back selector buttons above the graphic to flip between the front controls and the rear panel (where the upper Command button is located). Pressing the physical rear button automatically flips the view to the back.

Right pane (Button Mapping Table):

  • Contains three columns: Button, Action, and Options.

  • Displays all configurable buttons in an organized, scrollable list.

Assign Actions to Buttons

To assign or change a button's function:

  1. Locate the desired button in the list (or click it on the device graphic).

  2. Click the Action dropdown and choose what the button should do:

    Table 14. Assign Actions to Buttons

    Action

    Description

    Available Options

    Start dictation

    Controls speech recognition recording.

    • Hold down: Push-to-talk mode. Press and hold the button to record; release to stop recording.

    • Toggle: Press the button once to start recording; press it again to stop.

    Keyboard shortcut

    Sends an editing keystroke to the active document.

    • Undo: Reverses the last action in your active application.

    • Redo: Reapplies the previously undone action.

    No action

    Disables the button or leaves it unassigned.

    None


  3. Select your preferred behavior from the Options dropdown (e.g., choosing between Hold down or Toggle for dictation).

  4. Changes save automatically to your local computer. A confirmation message (All changes saved) appears once the update is stored.

[Tip]Tip

By default, the Record button is pre-configured to Start dictation (Hold down), while all other buttons are set to No action. Physical button labels (such as Play or Rewind) do not perform actions until you explicitly assign them.

Test Your Button Mappings (Safe Button Test)

You can verify that your buttons and actions work correctly without accidentally dictating or typing into open documents:

  1. Connect your SpeechMike to your computer.

  2. In the configuration window, click Test buttons.

  3. The Safe button test panel opens.

  4. Press each physical button on the SpeechMike one by one:

    • The test panel displays the button name, the assigned action, and the configured behavior.

    • Keystrokes and audio recording are safely suppressed during the test.

  5. Click Stop testing to return to the mapping editor.

Using Your SpeechMike in Daily Work

  1. Complete your button assignments and close the configuration window.

  2. Open your preferred application or text editor (e.g., email client, document editor, or practice management software) and place your cursor where you want text to appear.

  3. Press or hold your assigned Start dictation button on the SpeechMike and speak clearly.

  4. Use your assigned Undo or Redo buttons for quick corrections directly from the microphone.

Reset to Default Mappings

If you wish to clear all custom button assignments and return to factory settings:

  1. Open the configuration window for your device.

  2. Click Reset defaults in the lower corner.

  3. Confirm the prompt. All buttons will revert to standard defaults (Record set to Start dictation / Hold down, and all other buttons set to No action).

Accessibility and Keyboard Navigation

The configuration dialog fully supports keyboard-only operation:

  • Use Tab and Shift + Tab to navigate between controls and dropdowns.

  • Press Enter or Space to switch between Front and Back views on SpeechMike Premium.

  • Press Enter, Space, or Up / Down arrow keys to open action and options dropdowns.

  • Press Enter to confirm a selection, or Escape to close a dropdown without changes.