Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and using both speaker dependent and speaker independent garbage models in speaker dependent speech recognition applications are described. The present invention recognizes that in some speech recognition systems, e.g., systems where multiple speech recognition operations are performed on the same signal, it may be desirable to recognize and treat words or phrases in one part of the speech recognition system as garbage or out of vocabulary utterances with the understanding that the very same words or phrases will be recognized and treated as in-vocabulary by another portion of the system. In accordance with the present invention, in systems where both speaker independent and speaker dependent speech recognition operations are performed independently, e.g.

Abstract: Automatic focusing apparatus for automatically matching focus with respect to an object in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing device having an adjustable aperture, a lens, and an image sensor which receives incident light through the aperture and lens. The automatic focusing apparatus includes a circuit for integrating a high frequency component of a video signal every field to generate a focus evaluating value; a control unit for adjusting the position of a focusing lens so that the focus evaluating value attains the maximum value; memories for storing focus evaluating values of fields successively supplied from the focus evaluating value generating circuit, and memories for storing data relating to the various positions of the focusing lens which correspond to the focus evaluating values. The automatic focusing apparatus further includes a control device for controlling the speed at which the focusing lens position is adjusted.

Abstract: In a branched optical fibre network in which an optical signal (I) modulated with a data signal is distributed by a transmitter connected to the network, OTDR based on correlation is applied independently of position by uncoupling both a signal part (I.sub.1) of the distributed signal (I) in the forward direction and a signal part (R.sub.1) of the reflected signal (R) in the return direction at an arbitrarily chosen uncoupling point P in a fibre connection (46) of the network, detecting them and correlating them with one another. A device for performing such a positionally independent correlation OTDR is provided with uncoupling means (60) having a first signal output (68) and a second signal output (66), via which outputs the signal part (I.sub.1) and the signal part (R.sub.1), respectively, are fed to optical receivers (70 and 71).

Abstract: Processor circuit having two communication paths suitable for modem applications is described. The card includes a receiving/transmitting (R/T) circuit and a first processor. The R/T circuit is coupled to a second processor, e.g., the processor of a personal computer. It is also coupled to a network via the first processor. Data to and from the network is routed by the first processor to the second processor via the R/T circuit. A dual access memory device is also used to couple the first and second processors together. Use of the dual access memory device simplifies error diagnosis and the passing of error information between the first and second processors. A new main program is placed in a RAM of the first processor without the need for an expensive emulator or use of an EEPROM through the use of the dual access memory device. By storing an auxiliary program, e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a receiver a high quality video signal and a plurality of lower quality video signals which can be zapped, i.e., searched through at any given time, via a channel having a limited data capacity. A first set of high quality video signals is present at a transmitter, e.g., fifty programs having a 10 Mbit/s data rate. A second set of video signals which is a subset of the first set of video signals is sent to the receiver in response to a control signal which indicates the programs a viewer has selected to be viewed at high quality, e.g., using the full 10 Mbit/s of data. A third set of video signals is also sent from the transmitter to the receiver. This third set of video signals represents low quality programs, e.g., signals having a 1 Mbit/s data rate, which can be searched.