Abstract: A holder holds a plurality of cross-connect cables between two structures. The holder comprises an enclosure that includes at least a first portion and a second portion. Each portion has a plurality of slots. A portion of at least one cross-connect cable coupled between the two structures, is maintained in the enclosure between a slot on the first portion and a slot on the second portion. Accordingly the holder provides for neat and orderly holding of the otherwise loose cables.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting horizontal and vertical lines of an encoded run length image to identify cells of the image that are formed by the lines. Initially, the method comprises the steps of filtering excess details, such as text, from the image and grouping a portion of the image for analysis. A top profile of the image is generated and, then, points along the top profile are determined where substantial changes in the profile position occur. A horizontal section of the top profile which corresponds to a line completely visible from the top is then extracted from between the points. By repeating the above steps, each horizontal line of the image is detected and extracted from the image. In addition, in order to detect the vertical lines of the image, the image is simply rotated 90.degree. and processed with the vertical lines being positioned horizontally.

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: Methods and apparatus for transitioning from one speech recognition system to another and for reusing existing speech recognition data are described. In particular, various methods of converting speech recognition templates or models from a first format to a second format are described. Methods for improving the recognition rate achieved using converted templates or models are also described. These methods involve storing source and/or scoring information for templates or models so that converted models or templates can be scored differently than original models or templates to thereby reflect the effect the conversion process has on recognition scores. In order to enhance recognition results in one embodiment an available compressed voice recording is used in the conversion process. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of speech recognition template and model conversion applications. Methods and apparatus for generating garbage models are also described.

Abstract: Improved automated synthesis of human audible speech from text is disclosed. Performance enhancement of the underlying text comprehensibility is obtained through prosodic treatment of the synthesized material, improved speaking rate treatment, and improved methods of spelling words or terms for the system user. Prosodic shaping of text sequences appropriate for the discourse in large groupings of text segments, with prosodic boundaries developed to indicate conceptual units within the text groupings, is implemented in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: A telephone wire pair is qualified for digital signal transmission by central office testing. The tip-to-ring capacitance of the wire pair is measured while applying to the wire pair an AC test signal at 600 Hz. The test signal at this frequency minimizes errors due to line inductance and/or a ringing device connected to the wire pair. Reliable measurement of the length of the wire pair is achieved. Flaws in cable sheathing can also be detected based on measurement of tip-to-ground capacitance and/or ring-to-ground capacitance.

Abstract: A broadband optical fiber network for conveying signals between subscriber locations and a head end. A coherent light source is used at the head end to generate signals for transmission to the subscriber locations. Successive groups of downstream optical transmission segments followed by optical separators or splitters carry the coherent light from the head end to the subscriber locations. Non-coherent light sources providing broadband optical signals are situated at the subscriber locations. Successive groups of upstream optical transmissions segments followed by optical combiners carry the broadband optical light signals to the head end.

Abstract: A message system includes voice or data messages and which allows such messages to be retrieved at the convenience of the recipient. A preferred data messaging system architecture according to the present invention includes a digital signal processor at a communications entry point, an operational API, a number of calling device personality and rules sets, a storage input/output, and voice and data message storage. The digital signal processor determines the type of communications device contacting the system. The operational API interacts with the calling device to a set of operating rules. These rules specify the calling device's abilities to navigate through a messaging path and provide capability which may be required for the calling device type. The calling device personality and rules set modules preferably contain a feature set for the particular type of communication device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the generation of speaker dependent garbage models from the very same data used to generate speaker dependent speech recognition models, e.g., word models, are described. The technique involves processing the data included in the speaker dependent speech recognition models to create one or more speaker dependent garbage models. The speaker dependent garbage model generation technique involves what may be described as distorting or morphing of a speaker dependent speech recognition model to generate a speaker dependent garbage model therefrom. One or more speaker dependent speech recognition models may then be combined with the generated speaker dependent garbage model to produce an updated garbage model. The scoring of speaker dependent garbage models is varied in accordance with the present invention as a function of the number of speech recognition models from which the speaker dependent garbage model was created.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating telephone services in response to speech are described. A directory including names is maintained for each customer. A speaker dependent speech template and a telephone number for each name, is maintained as part of each customer's directory. Speaker independent speech templates are used for recognizing commands. The present invention has the advantage of permitting a customer to place a call by speaking a person's name which serves as a destination identifier without having to speak an additional command or steering word to place the call. This is achieved by treating the receipt of a spoken name in the absence of a command as an implicit command to place a call. Explicit speaker independent commands are used to invoke features or services other than call placement. Speaker independent and speaker dependent speech recognition are performed on a customer's speech in parallel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for providing automated operator services and in particular, a reverse directory assistance service. A calling customer is connected to an automated system that prompts the caller for a listing identifier which is used by the system to retrieve a textual listing corresponding to the listing identifier from a database of textual listings. The textual listing contains a TTS ID which identifies a particular one TTS device from a plurality of TTS devices and the listing is optionally preprocessed and parsed into a plurality of fields which define the listing. The listing text is then sent to the particular one TTS device for text to speech synthesis of the text contained within the listing. The method further includes teaching the system which one TTS device of the plurality of TTS devices, best synthesizes the text contained within the listing and then identifying that one TTS device within the listing so that subsequent synthesis will utilize that TTS device.

Abstract: Improved automated synthesis of human audible speech from text is disclosed. Performance enhancement of the underlying text comprehensibility is obtained through prosodic treatment of the synthesized material, improved speaking rate treatment, and improved methods of spelling words or terms for the system user. Prosodic shaping of text sequences appropriate for the discourse in large groupings of text segments, with prosodic boundaries developed to indicate conceptual units within the text groupings, is implemented in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automating telecommunications billing operations and reducing operator errors when processing operator assisted telephone calls is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, when an operator assisted telephone call is being serviced, a computer is used to automatically generate default billing charge information, e.g., a default class charge, which is automatically entered unless the operator alters this computer generated information. In addition, the computer provides the operator with messages regarding restrictions which are applicable to the call being processed as well as other useful call processing information. When the operator alters the default class charge, a check is automatically performed to insure that the new class charge is a valid class charge. If the class charge appears to be in error, a message is provided to the operator and the operator is given a chance to alter the class charge information before the call is terminated.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a signal processing system, wherein a method and apparatus identify background noise in a signal containing speech and noise by separating the signal into frames, evaluating energy levels of selected frames, and identifying the frames as noise if certain consistency tests are met, and speech if certain pulsing, monotone, and speech level tests are met, and transition between speech and noise if transition deviation and consistency levels are met.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inputting telephone number information into an operator workstation are described. In accordance with the present invention, telephone number information may be entered as either alphabetic information using, e.g., the alphabetic keys on an IBM compatible keyboard, or as numeric information using the numeric keys on the keyboard or on a standard telephone keypad. When telephone number information is input as alphabetic information, the workstation automatically converts the alphabetic character of e.g., a vanity telephone number such as "SKYTELL" into the actual numeric 759 8355 which is then used to complete the call. Error checking is performed as part of the data input and conversion process. If an operator attempts to enter the letters Q or Z into a telephone number field or enters a key other than an alphanumeric the input data is rejected and an error message is sent to the operator.

Abstract: A technique for automatically designing a fraud detection system using a series of machine learning methods. Data mining and constructive induction are combined with more standard machine learning techniques to design methods for detecting fraudulent usage based on profiling customer behavior. Specifically, a rule-learning is used to uncover indicators of fraudulent behavior from a large user database. These indicators are used to create profilers, which then serve as features to the fraud detection system that combines evidence from multiple profilers to generate high-confidence intervention activities when the system is deployed on-line with user data.

Abstract: An electronic switch in a telephone system provides automatic connection of a subscriber going off-hook to a SN/IP, while at the same time remaining responsive to dialing by the subscriber. The switch also permits access code dialing connection to the SN/IP and provides dial pulse to DTMF conversion over the connection path. Upon request by an off-hook subscriber connected to the the SN/IP by the switch, the SN/IP can perform dialing or invoke other call features which will be processed by the switch as if requested by the off-hook subscriber.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: A name and address processor for processing text contained within an existing database for subsequent text-to-speech synthesis. The processor receives as input a listing contained within a textual source database, intelligently recognizes any fields contained within the textual source, normalizes the text contained within the fields, detects acronyms contained within the fields, identifies and marks any particular textual entries as necessitating spelling and then formats the processed text for output to a text-to-speech synthesizer. The processor processes in parallel all name field entries, address field entries, and locality field entries using tables of rules as well as both regular expression and non-regular expression methodologies.