Abstract: A method for joining tables in multiple heterogeneous distributed databases implemented by at least two data sources accessible to a federal database server over a network includes: transmitting from the federated database server a sub-command to a first of the data sources responsive to the federated database server receiving a data query; retrieving, with the federated database server, block data from the first data source related to the data query using block fetching according to the sub-command; transmitting, with the federated database server, at least a portion of the block data to a second of the data sources together with an instruction for the second data source to perform a join operation on the portion of the block data and a data table stored by the second data source related to the query; and retrieving a result of the join operation with the federated database server.

Abstract: Techniques to create and share custom voice fonts are described. An apparatus may include a preprocessing component to receive voice audio data and a corresponding text script from a client and to process the voice audio data to produce prosody labels and a rich script. The apparatus may further include a verification component to automatically verify the voice audio data and the text script. The apparatus may further include a training component to train a custom voice font from the verified voice audio data and rich script and to generate custom voice font data usable by the TTS component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An interactive prompt generation and TTS optimization tool with a user-friendly graphical user interface is provided. The tool accepts HTS abstraction or speech recognition processed input from a user to generate an enhanced initial waveform for synthesis. Acoustic features of the waveform are presented to the user with graphical visualizations enabling the user to modify various parameters of the speech synthesis process and listen to modified versions until an acceptable end product is reached.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing speech from text includes receiving one or more waveforms characteristic of a voice of a person selected by a user, generating a personalized voice font based on the one or more waveforms, and delivering the personalized voice font to the user's computer, whereby speech can be synthesized from text, the speech being in the voice of the selected person, the speech being synthesized using the personalized voice font. A system includes a text-to-speech (TTS) application operable to generate a voice font based on speech waveforms transmitted from a client computer remotely accessing the TTS application.

Abstract: A method for joining tables in multiple heterogeneous distributed databases implemented by at least two data sources accessible to a federal database server over a network includes: transmitting from the federated database server a sub-command to a first of the data sources responsive to the federated database server receiving a data query; retrieving, with the federated database server, block data from the first data source related to the data query using block fetching according to the sub-command; transmitting, with the federated database server, at least a portion of the block data to a second of the data sources together with an instruction for the second data source to perform a join operation on the portion of the block data and a data table stored by the second data source related to the query; and retrieving a result of the join operation with the federated database server.

Abstract: Disclosed is a programmable buffer circuit (16) for interfacing a CPU (12) to a plurality of channel interfaces (14). The buffer circuit includes a dual port memory (18) having a first port coupled to a CPU data bus and a second port coupled to a channel data bus that serves the plurality of channel interfaces. The buffer circuit further includes an arbitrator (24) for arbitrating access to the dual port memory by individual ones of the channel interfaces over the channel data bus; an address generator (26) for generating dual port memory addresses for reading and writing data using the CPU data bus and the channel data bus; and a control unit (20) and allocator (22) that are programmable by the CPU for specifying individual ones of buffer locations and sizes within the dual port memory for individual ones of the channel interfaces, and for enabling and disabling individual ones of the buffers.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing speech from text includes receiving one or more waveforms characteristic of a voice of a person selected by a user, generating a personalized voice font based on the one or more waveforms, and delivering the personalized voice font to the user's computer, whereby speech can be synthesized from text, the speech being in the voice of the selected person, the speech being synthesized using the personalized voice font. A system includes a text-to-speech (TTS) application operable to generate a voice font based on speech waveforms transmitted from a client computer remotely accessing the TTS application.

Abstract: A mobile station includes an RF transceiver and a user interface. The mobile station further includes a plurality of data processor cores each having a first interface supporting a first bus coupled to an associated one of a plurality of program memories, a second interface supporting a second bus coupled to a common data memory, and a third interface supporting a third bus coupled to at least one input/output device. Each of the first, second and third buses include an address bus that is sourced from the processor core and a data bus. The plurality of data processor cores may be contained within a single integrated circuit package, such as an ASIC, in a System on Chip (SoC) configuration. In this case a first processor core may function as a CPU for controlling the overall operation of the mobile station, including the user interface, while a second processor core functions as a DSP for controlling operation of the RF transceiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a programmable buffer circuit (16) for interfacing a CPU (12) to a plurality of channel interfaces (14). The buffer circuit includes a dual port memory (18) having a first port coupled to a CPU data bus and a second port coupled to a channel data bus that serves the plurality of channel interfaces. The buffer circuit further includes an arbitrator (24) for arbitrating access to the dual port memory by individual ones of the channel interfaces over the channel data bus; an address generator (26) for generating dual port memory addresses for reading and writing data using the CPU data bus and the channel data bus; and a control unit (20) and allocator (22) that are programmable by the CPU for specifying individual ones of buffer locations and sizes within the dual port memory for individual ones of the channel interfaces, and for enabling and disabling individual ones of the buffers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of carrying out a safe remote electronic signing by a cellular phone coupled to a computer having a browser for setting conditions for accessing the Internet, the computer being operated to perform the steps of registering for obtaining an authorized browsing driver from a server based on the conditions; installing the browsing driver in the cellular phone; and when the cellular phone is activated to access the Internet for remote signing of an electronic document, selecting a safety level by running the browsing driver in response to the selected safety level, adding a corresponding password in the document, and sending the document over the Internet in a form of encryption for transmission on an authorized network channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for prioritizing interrupt requests in a RISC processor. By utilizing hardware to prioritize the requests, processor time is reduced. The acknowledge signal from a priority resolve circuit selects the given service routine entry to branch instruction generating circuit. A lower priority service routine can be interrupted by a higher priority request.

Abstract: A mobile station includes an RF transceiver and a user interface. The mobile station further includes a plurality of data processor cores each having a first interface supporting a first bus coupled to an associated one of a plurality of program memories, a second interface supporting a second bus coupled to a common data memory, and a third interface supporting a third bus coupled to at least one input/output device. Each of the first, second and third buses include an address bus that is sourced from the processor core and a data bus. The plurality of data processor cores may be contained within a single integrated circuit package, such as an ASIC, in a System on Chip (SoC) configuration. In this case a first processor core may function as a CPU for controlling the overall operation of the mobile station, including the user interface, while a second processor core functions as a DSP for controlling operation of the RF transceiver.

Abstract: The electronic HID ballast includes a Pulse-Phase-Modulation (PPM) pulse source, a switch driver, a power switching circuit, a coupling circuit, a DC starter, a switch current amplitude feedback circuit and a switch current pulse width feedback circuit. The PPM pulse source works at PPM mode with a fixed frequency to prevent acoustic arc resonance, and uses pulse deduction method to protect the ballast from overload during the starting period. The PPM pulse source, the switch driver, the switch current amplitude feedback circuit and the power switching circuit work together, functioning as a constant power switching source to energize lamp through the coupling circuit. The power switching circuit and the lamp are in DC series connection for the open load protection. The coupling circuit uses parallel LRC loop to improve power coupling efficiency between the lamp and the power switching circuit. The DC starter works at the low igniting frequency to offer open circuit protection for the starter itself.