Abstract: A system and method of operating an automatic speech recognition application over an Internet Protocol network is disclosed. The ASR application communicates over a packet network such as an Internet Protocol network or a wireless network. A grammar for recognizing received speech from a user over the IP network is selected from a plurality of grammars according to a user-selected application. A server receives information representing speech over the IP network, performs speech recognition using the selected grammar, and returns information based upon the recognized speech. Sub-grammars may be included within the grammar to recognize speech from sub-portions of a dialog with the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prioritizing video information during coding and decoding. Video information is received and an element of the video information, such as a visual object, video object layer, video object plane or keyregion, is identified. A priority is assigned to the identified element and the video information is encoded into a bitstream, such as a visual bitstream encoded using the MPEG-4 standard, including an indication of the priority of the element.

Abstract: A method for selecting a path in a physical network that selects nodes for the path based on the coordinates of the nodes in a representation of the subject network in space. From a working node M that is included in the selected path, the next node that is selected for the path is a node N such that (a) a link MN exists, and (b) the link MN forms an angle relative to a line that connects working node with the destination node that is smaller than the angle that any other link from node M forms with the line that connects working node with the destination node.