Abstract: The method permits the animation of a synthesised model of a human face in relation to an audio signal. The method is not language dependent and provides a very natural animated synthetic model, being based on the simultaneous analysis of voice and facial movements, tracked on real speakers, and on the extraction of suitable visemes. The subsequent animation consists in transforming the sequence of visemes corresponding to the phonemes of the driving text into the sequence of movements applied to the model of the human face.

Abstract: A controlled area (A) is configured as a telecommunications cellular system location area, connection of cellular system mobile terminals (T) to such location area (A) is checked. A detected connection indicates that the bearer of the terminal (T) accessed the controlled area, which information can thus be used both to prevent unauthorized access and to certify and document authorized access also by interrogation through the system. The fact that terminal (T) has been kept switched on inside the controlled area despite this being interdicted can also be detected and such behavior can be debited to the terminal (T) involved and/or the terminal can be inhibited by means of temporary deactivation of the terminal (T).

Abstract: The dielectric loaded cavity for high frequency filters consists of a metal container housing s dielectric block held in position by supporting plates, that also sustains coupling and tuning elements. This invention provides broadband filters, small in size and with low losses. Its high symmetry structure considerably reduces the energizing of spurious modes and furthermore facilitates the design using automatic calculation procedures, on the basis of accurate electromagnetic models.

Abstract: To implement a speech recognizer for a language in conditions of substantial unavailability of related speech training material the first step (1,2) is, based on related speech training material, a multilingual speech recognizer (2) for a plurality of known languages. The recognizer for such given language (5) is then implemented by interpolation (4) starting from the said multilingual recognizer (2). The recognizer (5) generated in this fashion is susceptible of being subsequently refined based on related speech training material acquired online (4) during later use (FIG.

Abstract: An RM unit for remultiplexing multi-program audio-video streams transmitted within an switched digital video broadcasting service includes: as, FL1 . . . FLn, MS1 . . . MSn syntactical analysis and reception means receiving plural streams, separating data packets in each stream that can be transported directly to CF, AA, MA, TU means for generating output streams, from service packets that must be transmitted to an MP control unit for processing, in particular for updating service information to reflect the composition of output streams; ME means for temporary storage of data packets, separately for each input stream; and CF; AA, MC, TU output stream generation means that generate and send service users single program output streams or multi-program streams at a lower band than input streams obtained starting from the packets stored in such ME temporary storage means and from the service packets processed and entered into virtual ATM channels.

Abstract: A memory for data accumulation includes an input on which such data are entered as a stream of input data under the control of an input timing signal and an output starting from which the data entered in memory are read as a stream of output data under the control of a reconstructed timing signal. A phase-locked loop uses this input timing signal as an input signal to generate a corresponding phase-locked output signal. Of such phase-locked loop output. A device is provided to measure residual phase wander and act on the transfer function band of the phase of phase-locked loop output which is preferably without ring filters.

Abstract: The waveguide polarizer is a device for microwave antenna systems consisting of a waveguide section, with circular cross-section, being equipped with two terminal flanges for connection to other circular guides. A certain number of elliptical irises are arranged inside at regular intervals, resting on parallel planes and all oriented in the same way, i.e. with their longer axes all belonging to the same axial plane.

Abstract: The process and apparatus to enable measurement of polarization dispersion of a single-mode optical fibre by launching measurement light at one end of the fibre and analyzing polarization of the light reflected by the other end and collected at such launch end. Optical or electronic masking of light reflected by the near end of the fibre is performed during launch.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the animation, driven by an audio signal, of a synthesised human face model are described, that allow the animation of any model complying with the ISO/IEC standard 14496 (“MPEG-4 standard”). The concerned phonemes are derived from the audio signal, and the corresponding visemes are identified within a set comprising both visemes defined by the standard and visemes typical of the language. Visemes are split into macroparameters that define shape and positions of the mouth and jaw of the model and that are associated to values indicating a difference from a neutral position. Such macroparameters are then transformed into face animaton parameters complying with the standard, the values of which define the deformation to be applied to the model in order to achieve animation.

Abstract: A stream of incoming digital signals (Ia) is split (10) into a plurality of derived streams (Ib) that are sent over respective transmission links (R). The derived streams transmitted in this way (Ic) are then bundled again (20) to form a stream of outgoing digital signals (Id). At the transmission end, symbols are inserted into the derived streams (Ib) simultaneously and at constant intervals (T), in order to subdivide the transmitted information into packets of equal duration and aligned in time when being transmitted. At the reception end, the above symbols associated to the transmitted derived streams (Ic) are generally time-shifted as a consequence of the transmission over the various transmission links (R). At the reception end (20) the time alignment of the above symbols is recovered so as to recover the time alignment of the various transmitted derived streams (Ic), so that the subsequent bundling can take place on the streams correctly time-aligned.

Abstract: A memory for searching information through prefix analysis, in particular for building routing tables for nodes of high speed communication networks, such as Internet network, has a memory element which stores a set of information items each associated with a mask information indicative of the number of significant characters in the respective prefix and with a target information. For the implementation of a search criterion based on the longest prefix match, each cell comprises an information field that provides either an address of a next row for the continuation of a search or an information relating to a target reached, and a pair of flags (GO, TARGET) specifying the contents of the information field.

Abstract: The method allows the creation of 3-D facial models, which can be used, for instance, for the avatar implementation, video-communication applications, video games, video productions, and for the creation of advanced man-machine interfaces. At least one image of a human face is provided together with a 3D facial model (M) having a vertex structure and comprising a number of surfaces chosen within the set formed by a face surface (V), surfaces of the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS), respectively, and surfaces of the upper teeth (DS) and lower teeth (DI), respectively. Among the vertices of the structure of the model (M) and on such at least one face image, respective sets of homologous points are chosen. The model structure (M) is then modified in such a way that the above respective sets of homologous points are made to coincide (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A test signal is injected on the line (L) and the corresponding return signal produced by the line itself as an effect of the echo is detected. A signal having lenticular envelope is used as test signal and is generated preferably starting from a first sinusoid with a first given frequency modulated in amplitude with a second sinusoid having a second given frequency, lower than the aforesaid first given frequency.

Abstract: A charge pump (2) is supplied to reset in rated conditions the error signal of a phase-locked loop of the type whereby a phase detector (1) periodically supplies this pump (2) with a first and second impulse having emission instants dependent on the phase ratio between phase-locked loop input signals and are allocated to control circuit output increase or decrease respectively by means of ring filter (3a, 3b). The pump features loops (21, 22, 23, 24, 28) to transform the first and second impulse into a first and second voltage signal of longer duration than maximum impulse duration and featuring values the difference of which depends on the phase ratio between the loop input signals and to generate a signal in a current representative of such difference.