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 sysstem 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: 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 sysstem 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: For speech recognition systems a method for modeling context-dependent phonetic categories using artificial neural nets has been described. First, linguistically motivated context-clustering is employed to reduce the number of context-dependent categories. Second, phone-specific MLP structures are used where the number of outputs in each MLP is based on the number of left and right contexts occurring in a training database. The structure of each MLP can be automatically determined using the cascade-correlation learning algorithm.

Abstract: A mobile article transporter for carrying and storing a plurality of similar articles in a compact configuration. The transporter comprises a plurality of relatively friction-free conveyors located one above the other. Each conveyor includes a set of rollers that lie in an inclined plane along which the articles gravitate. Alternate ones of the conveyors tilt in opposite directions to form a Z-shaped structure through which the articles cascade to load the transporter from the bottom up. Pivoted article transfer carriages mount in the transporter for transferring articles between adjacent conveyors. The transfer carriages include guide arms and control arms that direct articles from an upper conveyor to the next lower conveyor. When the lower conveyor is filled with articles, the uppermost article thereon abuttingly engages the guide arms to prevent rotation of the transfer carriage, thereby preventing articles from gravitating onto the full conveyor.

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: 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: What is disclosed is a method and system for improving noise cancellation in a signal containing speech by classifying noise frames by their characteristics, and estimating noise based on only one classification at a time. In some instances, the disclosed method further directs the noise estimator and noise canceller to utilize only a designated noise class. Also, the disclosed system can automatically switch between pre-processing and post-processing modes in response to detected changes in acoustic environments.

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: 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 at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The box-processing units, which are serially arranged and operate in parallel, include a seal-removal tool, a lid-opener tool, a box-inverter that dumps the box contents into a coin sorter/counter system, a lid-reset tool and a seal-insert tool.

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 fault detection system for a broadband network having a central switch for switched telecommunications connections among subscribers each provided with subscriber interface equipment. The subscriber interface equipment has a received voice path and generates baseband signals for voice telephony which are carried at a carrier frequency on the broadband network. The fault detection system is provided with a tone generator for providing a constant, continuous pilot throughout the network. A pilot tone detector at the subscriber interface equipment detects the absence of pilot tone. The central switch is responsive to each pilot tone detection to recognize the absence of pilot tone at the corresponding subscriber location.

Abstract: To train a speech recognizer, a new voice message (one or a few isolated words), after being spoken by a user, is converted into a token. The token is then compared with a plurality of templates stored in the recognizer and a recognition score is obtained each time. The templates previously stored in the recognizer include templates for previously trained voice messages and one or more previously formed templates of the new voice message. Three tests are applied to the recognition scores to determine if the token and one of the previously formed templates of the new voice message can become paradigm templates, if the new voice message is too close in pronunciation to a voice message the recognizer has been previously trained to recognize, or if the user should repeat the new voice message to form another token. This training procedure provides a certain level of automatic control over the training process of a speaker dependent speech recognizer in an otherwise unsupervised environment.

Abstract: The present invention which is an interactive communication system includes a specialized software or programming system to function in a general field known as intelligent tutoring, which is a promising means of delivering instructions on procedural skills relating to programming and like subjects. What has been developed is integrated distance learning tutor (IDLT) techniques involving the specialized programming, and which inexpensively integrates the concepts of "shared work space" and distance learning technology for a PC based intelligent tutoring systems.

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 sysstem 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 reusable electronic seal is provided for detecting whether the contents of a container may have been disturbed. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic seal is used in conjunction with a coin box of a pay telephone. The reusable electronic seal is adapted to permanently or removably attach to the lid of the coin box. The electronic seal includes a latch pin, a switch operatively connected to the latch pin, a timer chip operatively connected to the switch, a latch pin spring for securing the electronic seal to the latch of the coin box and for resetting the timer chip, and a crystal for generating a fixed frequency to the timer chip. The electronic seal further includes an infrared light emitting diode that modulates the light emitting diode and sends a signal to a communications device, and a phototransistor for reading the clock signal from the communications device and a battery for supplying power to the timer chip, the infrared light emitting diode, the phototransistor and the crystal.

Abstract: A system for voice and video distribution amongst a plurality of telephone subscriber locations operating on a broadband cable network. The subscriber locations are adapted to establish RF transmitting and receiving channels for carrying voice and signalling information and each further includes a tunable video signal generator and a tunable video signal receiver for coupling video signals to and from subscriber location video RF broadband channels of the cable network. A central switch is also coupled to the cable network and enables each RF transmitting channel to be selectively coupled to any of the RF receiving channels and also enables a particular subscriber location video RF broadband channel to be assigned to a subscriber location.

Abstract: An apparatus and accompanying methods for preventing telephone toll fraud that relies on the use of centralized voice verification to authenticate a party claiming a particular identity and requesting service, i.e. access to a telephone network. A voice verification intelligent peripheral (VVIP) (300) is interposed between, e.g., a tandem switch (40) and a voice service node (VSN) (250) both used to provide alternate automated billing service (AABS). The VVIP intercepts all call processing messages that occur between these two components and, at a pre-defined point during the processing of an AABS call, holds a call processing message, specifically a successful line information database (LIDB) query response message, until a voice verification of a caller is complete.

Abstract: A recognition device and method for recognizing a voice message in the form of pulse code modulation (PCM) digital signals indicative of samples of the voice message. The device and method are adapted such that a recognition result is not provided if the digital signal content satisfies certain requirements which are indicative of a likely erroneous recognition result. The recognition device and method are further adapted to reduce errors in recognizing voice messages of the same message content but different amplitude, as well as to permit simultaneous recognition and storing for recording of a voice message.

Abstract: Apparatus including a program formed from Layered Procedure Sets and providing control for the program such that the message event blocks established for a session of the program are uniquely identifiable to the session and such that a single control block is established for a Layered Procedure Set during a session, the control block being uniquely identifiable to the Layered Procedure Set based on the particular session and the identification of the Layered Procedure set.

Abstract: A system for voice distribution amongst a plurality of telephone subscriber locations operating on a broadband cable network wherein RF transmitting and RF receiving channels for carrying voice and signalling information are established at the subscriber locations and coupled with the broad band network and a central switch is also coupled with the broadband network and enables each RF transmitting channel to be selectively coupled to any of the RF receiving channels.