Abstract: Telecommunication systems including a terminal for speech communication and a network with a speech recognizer may couple the terminal and the network via a packet-switched coupling, whereby the terminal is provided with a detector system for detecting voice activity in audio signals and with a processing unit for processing audio signals and with a buffer for buffering processed audio signals for generating further information blocks and with a network-combiner for combining the information blocks with the further information blocks for creating an information stream for the speech recognizer. Preferably, in the detector system, processed audio signals or threshold signals representing differences between processed audio signals or indication signals are used for forming information blocks.

Abstract: Call connections by way of the Internet (internet telephony) are less expensive than ones by way of an open telephone network. However, no fixed transmission rates are guaranteed in the Internet, which can lead to losses in the quality of transmitted speech signals. A device (V) for establishing a call connection between two subscriber terminals (T1, T2) has a first interface (IF1) to a packet-switched data network (INET) and means (IP, KOMP) for establishing connections by way of the packet-switched data network (INET) as well as a second interface (IF2) to a connection-oriented telecommunication network (PSTN), in which a transmission channel with a predetermined transmission band width can be furnished. By means of a monitoring device (MON), the device (V) determines a current data throughput in the data network (INET).

Abstract: Known telecommunication systems comprising a network-device and a terminal coupled via a wireless link for exchanging information can be made more flexible and more individualized by storing a terminal-definition code in said network-device for defining terminal-characteristics, whereby at least a first part of said information should be made dependent upon said terminal-definition code. Preferably, a preferences code is also stored, whereby at least a second part of said information should be made dependent upon said preferences code. A third part of said information may comprise (distributed) speech (recognition) signals. Both codes could further be made adjustable by a user.

Abstract: Known telecommunication systems may either have a vocal commander like a name dialler in a mobile handset or a wired terminal or may have a vocal commander like a name dialler in the network which is coupled to said mobile handset via a mobile connection or to said wired terminal via a wired connection. By using a data connection between handset/terminal and network for allowing vocal commanding like name dialling in the network, the system is more efficient, especially when combined with distributed speech recognition comprising preprocessing in the handset/terminal and final processing in the network.

Abstract: Due to, after the introduction of distributed speech recognition, two kinds of terminals being in existence, novel terminals comprising a preprocessing unit for cooperation with a final processing unit, and old fashioned terminals not comprising such a preprocessing unit, switches will have to react differently in dependence of what kind of terminal needs to be switched. This can be avoided by locating said preprocessing unit between said old fashioned terminal and said final processing unit, for example between said old fashioned terminal and said switch or in said switch before the switching is done.

Abstract: An initiating processing unit is normally occupied during the programming of flash EEPROMs. The time of occupation becomes ever longer with increasing age and degree of utilization of the flash EEPROMs. Here, the processing unit uses an initiatable interrupt routine, which triggers a programming of the flash EEPROM and is then terminated in order to use the programming to further process a main program at the same time. A timer function in a processing unit is used to trigger an interrupt routine. The interrupt routine checks the initial conditions and in the case when an initial condition has been fulfilled, the programming of the flash EEPROM is triggered, whereupon the execution of the main program continues in the processing unit during the programming.

Abstract: A vending apparatus (AUT) is used to sell data records. The vending apparatus comprises a payment device (PAY), a control device (CONTR), a device for limiting the extent of utilization (RESTR), and an interface device (INTER1). The interface device (INTER1) sends a release signal to the control device (CONTR), when a suitable memory device (MEM2) is coupled to it in such a way, that a data transfer becomes possible. The device for limiting the extent of utilization (RESTR) only permits the storage of data records in the memory device (MEM) to a predetermined extent. The control device (CONTR) causes the transmission of at least one to be sold data record to the device for limiting the extent of utilization (RESTR), if it receives a release signal from the payment device (PAY) and the interface device (INTER1).

Abstract: A method of operating a flash memory which can be recorded in "byte" o in "word" form, but can only be erased in blocks, is disclosed. A memory optimization algorithm is used where the degree of filling of the individual blocks in the flash memory is determined and compared to a threshold. According to the degree of filling, data are shifted to the end of the memory, or it is determined whether an entire block can be erased, or whether copying can take place into open areas of blocks within the memory so that an entire block can be erased, or whether files can be temporarily stored in areas marked for erasure and reconstructed after the block has been erased, or if files can be overwritten to areas marked for erasure by means of a linkage. In the event that optimization is not possible, a user inquiry may be made.

Abstract: Generating, sending, receiving and commenting a text document via a telecommunication installation. A text document is generated by means of speech and converted into text data by a speech recognizer (SEK). The text data can be corrected, edited and commented by means of speech. Transmission is automatic via the telecommunication installation (VA).

Abstract: An apparatus for recording speech for subsequent generation of a text includes an acoustic input (M) and an acoustic output (L) for inputting and outputting analog speech respectively. An analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter converts the inputted analog speech into a digitized speech and converts digitized speech into analog speech. A preprocessor (VV) preprocesses the digitized speech converted by the converter (AD/DA), and extracts spectral component characteristics from the digitized speech. A digital memory (MEM) stores the digitized preprocessed speech and a controller (CON) controls an execution of inputted operating functions by at least one of the preprocessor and the digital memory.

Abstract: An interface between a memory that has "n" address bit inputs and a processor which has "p" address bit outputs (where p<n) and "q" programmable data bit outputs (where q.gtoreq.n-p). The interface includes a logic circuit connected to a byte select bit output, to a memory read-write command bit output and to an appropriately programmed one of the "q" programmable bit outputs of the processor. The logic circuit produces a least significant bit address bit input AI0 defined by the equation AI0=R/W & byte-s OR R/W & I/O0. The interface connects the remaining "p" address bit inputs of the memory succeeding to the "p" address bit outputs of the processor, in order, and connects the remaining "n-p-1" most significant address bit inputs of the memory to the same number of appropriately programmed programmable bit outputs of the processor.

Abstract: A (BA) for picture and speech information.The video-telephone answering set (BA) stores only particular, essential single pictures, preferably in synchronism with the speech, in a storage means (HS). By suitable signalling, the caller can determine the single pictures to be stored. For the storage means (HS), a semiconductor memory is proposed.

Abstract: To determine the degree of correspondence between a first and a second pattern, the first and the second pattern are mapped to n first (V11 to V1n) and m second (V21 to V2m) feature vectors respectively. For points ({1, 1} to {n, m}) in a subarea of a matrix formed by the n first (V11 to V1n) and m second (V21 to V2m) feature vectors, the distance of the respective first (V11 to V1n) and the second (V21 to V2m) feature vectors is computed, and from the mean distance along an optimum path by means of a DP algorithm. Data regarding the gradient of the respective optimum path are determined during the computation for boundary points of the subarea, and the subarea is dynamically reduced for further computations on the basis of these data. The mean distance is used as the degree of correspondence.

Abstract: In the prior art, DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories) are used to store and reproduce digital data, or ARAMs (Audio Random Access Memories) are used to store and reproduce speech. The components are expensive and lose their stored data if the power fails. The present device and method uses electrically erasable, programmable read-only-memories, the so-called EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memories), in a block structure for mass storage applications with control software. A digital signal processor (DSP) is directly connected to the read-only-memory (EEProm), which is partitioned into segments. Software drivers in the digital signal processor (DSP) enable the segment by segment writing and reading between the digital signal processor and the read-only-memory.

Abstract: Creation of an all-digital answering set with voice control, which is able to perform a multitude of functions. The software for performing functions is subdivided into individual software modules which execute sub functions. These can be used in multiple ways and are integrated into a digital signal processor (DSP) of the answering set.

Abstract: A low-cost implementation of a voice message system is indicated. To that end, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a second memory (ROM) with program modules for executing the functions of "automatic operator" and/or "mailbox" are integrated in a digital telephone (TE4). In addition, the digital telephone (TE4) is able to execute an "individual messages" function, whereby a message intended only for another telephone (TEA) is transmitted to this other telephone (TEA) by means of the digital telephone (TE4).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus provide safe access control without the need for supplementary devices. By entering audible words or sounds during a playing of a text of a recorded announcement, a first personal access code based on both the audible uttering and the timing of the audible uttering is generated and stored for authorized users. Subsequently, a second personal access code is generated in the same way when access is sought by a subsequent user seeking access to the facility. The second personal access code is compared with the first personal access code. If the codes correspond in both terms of the audible uttering and the timing of the audible uttering, access is permitted. High security is provided which prevents unauthorized use. The apparatus has a low cost and a low complexity, because no supplementary devices are necessary.

Abstract: Single error correction in digital memory modules is simply accomplished at any time by dividing the memory module into segments, writing data into the memory module, testing the memory module after a period of time and, on the occurrence of a single error, data correction is entered. This process is repeated until no single error is found. Such single error correction is fast a single error correction is possible without the need for external memory.

Abstract: A method of managing a speech memory (VMEM) and an assembly therefor are disclosed. To enable a plurality of users (U1, U2, U3, U4) to access the speech memory, the latter is divided into user memory areas (S1, S2, S3, S4) and a common memory area (SALL). By adding a portion (S4') of the common memory area (SALL) to one of the user memory areas (S4') or vice versa, the size of this user memory area is adapted to the memory space requirements (Min4) of the user (U4). The capacity of the speech memory (VMEM) is effectively utilized, since, as far as possible, no free memory space is assigned to the users (U1 to U4) which will not be used by them. The assembly can be used, for example, as a voice mailbox in a telecommunications system.

Abstract: The operation and control of devices is made possible by a portable unit. Operation and control of devices, particularly telephone installations is a means of speech via a portable voice module. A portable voice module contains a digital signal processor (DSP), a memory (S), an analog-digital/digital-analog converter (AD/DA), an analog interface (ANALOG I/O), a computer interface (PORT) and a digital interface (DIGITAL I/O). A telephone installation consists of the portable voice module and a telephone device, which is composed of basic units and interfaces.