Main CLI enhancements:
* Microphone meter
* Long log line left/right scrolling
* Eliminated flicker
* VT100 ESC key code support (used by some terms)
In addition, to achieve the meter it was necessary to implement a mechanism for local Inter Process Communication (IPC). This is achieved using the file-system. By default a folder structure is created under /tmp/mycroft/ipc, but it can be directed to somewhere else by setting the config value in mycroft.conf:
"ipc_path" : "/path/to/somewhere"
In the future, Mark 1 and Picroft will get RAM disks to avoid burning out the SD card. This is also a very fast communication mechanism. This is all hidden under util.get_ipc_directory()
Further, the named signal mechanism was changed to use the IPC folder. The signal can have a lifetime now (not just one shot).
This adds several refinements to the listening sound mechanism added by:
* Added a default sound file
* Allowing various ways to override "resource files" for customization
* Moved the sound configuration path from "confirm_ding" to
"sounds" > "start_listening"
* Also added "sounds" > "end_listening" configuration for the future
This submission adds the new mycroft.util.resolve_resource_file(res_name)
method. This method takes a name such as "snd/start_listening.wav" and
looks (in order):
* For an absolute path <res_name>
* For ~/.mycroft/<res_name>
* For /opt/mycroft/<res_name>
* For mycroft/res/<res_name> within the source package
This adds several refinements to the listening sound mechanism added by:
* Added a default sound file
* Allowing various ways to override "resource files" for customization
* Moved the sound configuration path from "confirm_ding" to
"sounds" > "start_listening"
* Also added "sounds" > "end_listening" configuration for the future
This submission adds the new mycroft.util.resolve_resource_file(res_name)
method. This method takes a name such as "snd/start_listening.wav" and
looks (in order):
* For an absolute path <res_name>
* For ~/.mycroft/<res_name>
* For /opt/mycroft/<res_name>
* For mycroft/res/<res_name> within the source package
* Several changes related to button pressing on the Mycroft unit:
- Pressing the button when it isn't listening starts it listening
- Pressing the button when listening will stop the listen
- Added a mycroft.util.signal() mechanism for out-of-thread communication
- Pressing the button now creates an "buttonPress" signal from the Enclosure
- The viseme playback and aplay check for the 'buttonPress' signal to abort
- Removed "Sorry I didn't catch that", irritating during false activations
* Fixed spacing that pep8 yelled about
The 1980s birthed a new form of interaction between computers and users. For the first time computers became capable of understanding the most basic form of human communication - pointing and grunting. The mouse and the GUI revolutionized computing and made computers accessible to the masses.
We have now entered a third era. We are rapidly approaching a time when computer systems will understand human language and respond using the most natural form of human communication – speech.
This is an important development. Some might even call it revolutionary.
Despite its importance, however, the technologies that will underpin this new method of interaction are the property of major tech firms who don't necessarily have the public's best interests at heart.
Not anymore.
Meet Mycroft – the worlds first open source natural language platform. Mycroft understands human language and responds with speech. It is being designed to run on anything from a phone to an automobile and will change the way we interact with open source technologies in profound ways.
Our goal here at Mycroft is to improve this technology to the point that when you interact with the software it is impossible to tell if you are talking to a human or a machine.
This initial release of the Mycroft software represents a significant effort by the Mycroft community to give the open source world access to this important technology. We are all hoping that the software will be useful to the public and will help to usher in a new era of human machine interaction.
Our community welcomes everyone to use Mycroft, improve the software and contribute back to the project. With your help and support we can truly make Mycroft an AI for everyone.
Joshua W Montgomery – May 17, 2016
penrods
Karl Fezer
Augusto Monteiro
Arron Atchison
Jonathan D'Orleans
Ethan Ward
Ryan Sipes
Leo Arias