Abstract: A method of facilitating natural language interactions, a method of simplifying an expression, a system for facilitating natural language interactions, and a system for simplifying an expression. The method of facilitating natural language interactions includes the steps of: processing a corpus to select a natural language expression from the corpus; simplifying the selected natural language expression into a plurality of simplified expression portions; wherein the plurality of simplified expression portions is representative of the meaning of the selected natural language expression; and presenting the plurality of simplified expression portions to a user so as to receive a user expression from the user for comparison with the selected natural language expression.

Abstract: A method of facilitating natural language interactions, a method of simplifying an expression, a system for facilitating natural language interactions, and a system for simplifying an expression. The method of facilitating natural language interactions includes the steps of: processing a corpus to select a natural language expression from the corpus; simplifying the selected natural language expression into a plurality of simplified expression portions; wherein the plurality of simplified expression portions is representative of the meaning of the selected natural language expression; and presenting the plurality of simplified expression portions to a user so as to receive a user expression from the user for comparison with the selected natural language expression.

Abstract: A conditional model is used in spoken language understanding. One such model is a conditional random field model.

Abstract: A training system for a speech recognition application is disclosed. In embodiments described, the training system is used to train a classification model or language model. The classification model is trained using an adaptive language model generated by an iterative training process. In embodiments described, the training data is recognized by the speech recognition component and the recognized text is used to create the adaptive language model which is used for speech recognition in a following training iteration.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention comprises an apparatus for storing an end effector nestably adjacent a pipe to which it is attached and for moving the end effector into a working position laterally-displaced from said pipe is disclosed. Such apparatus desirably is part of the robotic welding apparatus wherein the end effector is a welding head. This apparatus comprises a pair of pipe segments in rotating end-abuttable relationship, each segment bearing a ring gear about its circumference; a pair of helical lotus petals having an in inner surface which conforms to the outer surface of the pipe segment to which each lotus petal is hingedly attached at its distal end, each lotus petal being attached hingedly at their respective distal ends to a lotus petal hinge attachment stage; drive means drivably connected to each of said ring gears for separately driving each pipe segment; and an end effector carried by said lotus petal hinge attachment stage.