Abstract: A speech output apparatus is disclosed, which can allow the user to easily catch synthetic speech when the synthetic speech is output upon being superposed on a music output. The apparatus output can output a music and synthetic speech that indicates contents of information such as an e-mail and is superposed on the music. When the synthetic speech is output to be superposed on the music during output, the apparatus gradually decreases a tone volume of the music.

Abstract: In an information processing method for recognizing a handwritten figure or character, with use of a speech input in combination, in order to increase the recognition accuracy a given target is subjected to figure recognition and a first candidate figure list is obtained. Input speech information is phonetically recognized and a second candidate figure list is obtained. On the basis of the figure candidates obtained by the figure recognition and the figure candidates obtained by the speech recognition, a most likely figure is selected.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to save labor time required for correction and adjustments when an error has occurred during either the recognition of input data or the process of the recognition result of an information processing apparatus which recognizes input data and outputs the recognition result. The information processing method described in this embodiment includes a recording step of recording input data (step S708), a recognition step of recognizing the input data (step S707), a determination step of determining whether or not the input data can be recognized in the recognition step (step S709), and an output step of outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data can be recognized, data generated based on a recognition result in the recognition step (step S713), and outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data cannot be recognized, output data generated based on the input data which is recorded in the recording step (step S710).

Abstract: In an interactive process using speech recognition together with a graphical user interface comprising a plurality of settable graphical user interface items, the recognition rate is improved by reducing recognition target vocabulary. A settable graphical user interface item not displayed on the display screen is detected, and the received speech information is recognized using a speech recognition grammar corresponding to the detected item, and data is set to the item using the recognition result.

Abstract: In an information processing method for processing a user's instruction on the basis of a plurality of pieces of input information which are input by a user using a plurality of types of input modalities, each of the plurality of types of input modalities has a description including correspondence between the input contents and semantic attributes. Each input content is acquired by parsing each of the plurality of pieces of input information which are input using the plurality of types of input modalities, and semantic attributes of the acquired input contents are acquired from the description. A multimodal input integration unit integrates the acquired input contents on the basis of the acquired semantic attributes.

Abstract: A feed horn structure in which a feed horn and a horn cap can be combined and, a manufacturing method thereof. A converter having that feed horn structure, and a satellite communication receiving antenna can be obtained. The feed horn structure of a satellite communication receiving converter includes a cylindrical feed horn receiving a radio wave from an antenna portion and guiding the radio wave, and a horn cap fixed to the feed horn so as to surround one end of the feed horn at antenna side. The feed horn and the horn cap are integrated by integral molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that makes it easier to configure an image processing apparatus capable of reading an image and processing the image in accordance with settings information, the method including an identification step of identifying whether the read image is a document that carries settings information; and a setting step of setting the settings information, which is carried on the read image, if the read image has been identified as being a document carrying the settings information.

Abstract: A feed horn structure in which a feed horn and a horn cap can be combined without generating whitening, crack and the like, a manufacturing method thereof, a converter having that feed horn structure, and a satellite communication receiving antenna can be obtained. The feed horn structure of a satellite communication receiving converter includes a cylindrical feed horn receiving a radio wave from an antenna portion and guiding the radio wave, and a horn cap fixed to the feed horn so as to surround one end of the feed horn at antenna side. The feed horn and the horn cap are integrated by integral molding.

Abstract: One or a plurality of first components are selected, instructions to convert the first component into a second component which is different from the type of the first component are provided, the data corresponding to the first component is converted into the data corresponding to the second component, and the second component, to which the data converted is related, is displayed. Accordingly, the operation load put on an author operating an authoring tool can be reduced.

Abstract: A user interface design apparatus which reduces the load associated with input operation by an author is provided. When a speech recognition grammar including a semantic structure generating rule is acquired, at least one semantic structure is extracted from the semantic structure generating rule included in the grammar. This semantic structure is presented to the author. The author can select the semantic structural element presented using an input device. Upon selection by the author is completed, the selected information is extracted and is reflected in user interface contents.

Abstract: A character string input apparatus having specifying means for specifying a category of a character, and speech receiving means for receiving speech, wherein a character string is input based upon a specifying input from the specifying means and speech that has been received by the speech receiving means, is provided. Obtaining means obtains a plurality of character strings based-upon a series of specifying inputs by the specifying means. Generating means which, on the basis of the plurality of character strings obtained by the obtaining means, generates speech recognition grammar with respect to speech received by the speech receiving means following the series of specifying inputs. Speech recognition means performs speech recognition, using the speech recognition grammar generated by the generating means, with respect to the speech received by the speech receiving means following the series of specifying inputs.

Abstract: A data-managing method for managing image data is provided. The method includes receiving the data and corresponding linked voice data, recognizing the voice data with voice-recognition processings to obtain voice recognition results, and then storing the data and the voice-recognition results in a linked manner.

Abstract: An image forming device for adequately forming an image in which images overlap one another. The priority order (display order) of the images overlapping with one another is judged for the area where images of different attributes overlap with one another. When the priority rank of a three-dimensional image is high, a planar image in the overlapping area is deleted, or a three-dimensional image is formed on a planar image. When the rank of a planar image is high, only the color image of a three-dimensional image in the overlapping area is deleted, and a planar image is formed using foaming toner.

Abstract: In an image processing section, a foam toner signal generator generates a foam toner signal corresponding to a foam toner amount to be transferred to a three-dimensional print designation region discriminated at a three-dimensional print region discriminator, and a foam toner interpolation signal generator generates a foam toner interpolation signal corresponding to a foam toner amount to be transferred to an image region equal to or greater than a constant area in an ordinary print region discriminated at the three-dimensional print region discriminator. Foam toner of a predetermined amount corresponding to the foam toner signal is transferred to the three-dimensional print region, and foam toner of an amount that is less (of a lower height) than the predetermined amount and corresponds to the foam toner interpolation signal is transferred to the ordinary print region.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

Abstract: In a system implementing image retrieval by performing speech recognition on voice information added to an image, the speech recognition is triggered by an event, such as an image upload event, that is not an explicit speech-recognition order event. The system obtains voice information added to an image, detects an event, and performs speech recognition on the obtained voice information in response to a specific event, even if the detected event is not an explicit speech-recognition order event.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that: a demanded printing-job is accepted at a printing-job accepting unit, and a printing executing unit executes printing according to the accepted printing-job so as to produce an output sheet onto a discharge tray; an output-sheet detecting unit detects the presence of a printed output-sheet on the discharge tray; if the removal of discharged sheets from the discharge tray is detected, a printed-sheet mixture determining unit determines the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of demands are mixed among the removed output-sheets; and if it is determined the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of the demands are mixed among the output-sheets, warning information is produced by a warning voice producing unit.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that: a demanded printing-job is accepted at a printing-job accepting unit, and a printing executing unit executes printing according to the accepted printing-job so as to produce an output sheet onto a discharge tray; an output-sheet detecting unit detects the presence of a printed output-sheet on the discharge tray; if the removal of discharged sheets from the discharge tray is detected, a printed-sheet mixture determining unit determines the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of demands are mixed among the removed output-sheets; and if it is determined the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of the demands are mixed among the output-sheets, warning information is produced by a warning voice producing unit.

Abstract: An information processing device, a method for controlling the information processing device, an information processing system, and a program that achieves more flexible cooperation among devices are provided. A query-information creating unit creates query information for searching for a collaborative function with a peripheral device. A communications unit transmits the query information to a peripheral device on a network and receives a search result for the query information from the peripheral device on the network. A UI-component creating unit creates a user interface component to operate the collaborative function with the peripheral device based on the received search result. A UI updating unit updates the user interface based on the created user interface component.