Abstract: To implement a speech recognizer for a language in conditions of substantial unavailability of related speech training material the first step (1,2) is, based on related speech training material, a multilingual speech recognizer (2) for a plurality of known languages. The recognizer for such given language (5) is then implemented by interpolation (4) starting from the said multilingual recognizer (2). The recognizer (5) generated in this fashion is susceptible of being subsequently refined based on related speech training material acquired online (4) during later use (FIG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid component and method capable of simultaneously combining and depolarizing two pump laser diodes of different wavelengths with linear polarized output. The beam combiner is a Wellstone prism which is used to combine two linear-polarized pumping beams, and the depolarizer has three different embodiments: a single stage high birefringent waveplate; two stages high birefringent waveplates; a quarter waveplate or a three-quarter waveplate plus a single stage high birefringent waveplate. The Polarization Beam Combiner (PBC) and the depolarizer are integrated into one single hybrid component, in which two orthogonal pumping lights with different wavelengths are combined and depolarized simultaneously. Therefore, the hybrid component and method makes it simpler and cheaper to design a Raman amplifier and will propel Raman amplifier market penetration in optical communication systems.

Abstract: An optical transponder capable of effecting performance monitoring on the electrical signal equivalents of at least two different optical signal types each uniquely identifiable in terms of transmission protocol and/or bit rate. The optical transponder includes an optical/electrical (O/E) receiver module for converting an ingressing optical signal from an optical signal source into an electrical signal; a performance monitoring module for effecting performance monitoring on the electrical signal; and an electrical/optical (E/O) transmitter module for regenerating an egressing optical signal from the electrical signal for feeding to an optical signal destination.

Abstract: A method for the watermarking of a sequence of video images implements a step for the insertion of at least one watermarking bit into at least one motion vector obtained by motion estimation between two images of said sequence, so as to obtain at least one watermarked motion vector. The motion vector is identified by its coordinates in a reference space, partitioned into two types of complementary zones, each having a distinct binary value associated with it. The insertion step implements, if necessary, a modification of the coordinates of said motion vector so that it is located in a binary value zone corresponding to said watermarking bit to be inserted. During said modification, at least two potential watermarked motion vectors are determined and, from among said potential watermarked motion vectors, an optimal watermarked motion vector is selected according to at least one predetermined criterion, so that the modified coordinates of said motion vector are those of said optimal watermarked motion vector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rear projection screen, comprising a support (22) with focusing elements such as microlenses (26) or lenticular elements, a holographic diffuser, and an opaque layer (36) with apertures (38) for allowing through the light focused by the microlenses. The light projected from the rear of the screen is concentrated by the microlenses (26) and passes through the opaque layer by the apertures (38). The holographic diffuser controls the directivity of the light. The incident light on the screen is absorbed by the opaque layer, such that the layer provides good transmittivity, high contrast, and controlled directivity owing to the holographic diffuser. The invention also concerns a method for making such a rear projection screen whereby the apertures in the opaque layer are formed by irradiating said layer or a preparatory material through the microlenses.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a network includes generating a representation of a candidate network. The representation includes vertices and edges, where each vertex represents a path and each edge couples at least two vertices representing paths of which at most one path can be included in a network. A set of a maximum number of vertices, where no two vertices are coupled by an edge, is determined. The paths represented by the vertices of the set are included in the network.

Abstract: A token of delegation from a first signatory to a second signatory is generated and the delegation token is associated with a document signed electronically by means of a cryptographic key of the second signatory. The delegation token contains delegation data signed electronically for the first signatory, in particular an identifier of the second signatory. It is generated by a server in response to a request relating to the signing of the document, sent by the second signatory.

Abstract: A method for providing secure access to a digital resource including a learning step including selecting a secret digital authentication code and registering the code in an electronic memory; and an authentication step including inputting a digital information unit and comparing the information unit input with the digital authentication code recorded in the electronic memory, the authentication step emitting an approval signal when the comparison is positive, wherein the learning step includes displaying at least one table including a multiplicity of motifs arranged according to a matrix correlated with an input device including a predetermined number of command zones and selecting a graphic code by activating at least one command zone associated with a selected motif, and recording the identifier of the selected motif in an electronic memory to form a digital authentication code, and wherein the authentication step includes displaying at least the table of motifs and transmitting to a calculator the identifi

Abstract: A buffer assisted data storage method and system has built-in fingerprint recognition function. Recognized data is provided with a high hit-rate in a short time with the assistanace of a buffer, when a user processes his/her identity recognition through the built-in fingerprint recognition module of the data storage device. As a result, the entire identification and verification process is faster and more efficient. In addition, with the aim of enhancing flexibility of usage, an operation setup interface is introduced to optimize the overall performance of the buffer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for connecting Internet or IP users to agents of a call center, which may be linked to an Internet web site. Visual information about quality of service, available agents, and history of previous connections, is transferred to the IP user via the IP network prior to voice call establishment, and a voice call is established according to inputs from the IP user which are responsive to the transferred information. An IP user who accesses a web site is identified and initiates a session with the serving call-center. Agent status information is stored at the call-center database. Information about the status and skills of each agent, which is stored at a database, is sent over the IP network and displayed on the screen of the IP user. A first selection menu is displayed on the screen and the IP user is requested to select between waiting for a preferred agent or sending voice or text messages. Available agents are displayed on the first menu, as well as their queuing time.

Abstract: An RM unit for remultiplexing multi-program audio-video streams transmitted within an switched digital video broadcasting service includes: as, FL1 . . . FLn, MS1 . . . MSn syntactical analysis and reception means receiving plural streams, separating data packets in each stream that can be transported directly to CF, AA, MA, TU means for generating output streams, from service packets that must be transmitted to an MP control unit for processing, in particular for updating service information to reflect the composition of output streams; ME means for temporary storage of data packets, separately for each input stream; and CF; AA, MC, TU output stream generation means that generate and send service users single program output streams or multi-program streams at a lower band than input streams obtained starting from the packets stored in such ME temporary storage means and from the service packets processed and entered into virtual ATM channels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a complex number multiplier receiving the binary number A, B, C and D complementarily coded in pairs so as to perform the complex multiplication (A+jB)*(C+jD). A first processing stage enables to perform the operations A−B, C−D, and A+B whereof the results are binary numbers in base two with a redundant binary format, and a borrow-save coding for subtractions and carry-save coding for addition. A second processing stage converts said results into coded binary numbers in base four. A third processing stage enables to perform multiplication (A−B)C, (C−D)B and (A+B)D with a redundant binary format and a borrow-save coding. A last stage comprises two adders for working out the real part (A−B)C+(C−D)B and the imaginary part (A+B)D+(C−D)B in a redundant binary format and a borrow-save coding.

Abstract: A wireless system is provided for dynamically configuring a multimodal user interface based on user preferences to communicate with a local appliance. An appliance node is operably linked to the local appliance and configured to transmit interface format data of the local appliance for reception by the portable terminal when in the transmit vicinity of the appliance node. The portable terminal transmits an interface request therefrom in response to the reception of the interface format data. A server node is configured to receive the interface request from the portable terminal for identifying a user interface for use in interacting with the appliance.

Abstract: A unified solution to coding/decoding of different video formats such as 4:2:0, 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 is provided. A method of video coding includes transforming a first m×n macro block of residual chrominance pixel values of moving pictures by a first integer-transform function generating a corresponding second m×n macro block of integer-transform coefficients, further transforming DC values of the integer-transform coefficients by a second integer-transform function to generate a third block of integer-transformed DC coefficients. The method further includes generating the second m×n macro block of integer-transform coefficients by utilizing a k×k integer-transform function on each k×k sub-block of the first m×n macro block, wherein n and m are each a multiple of k, and generating the third block of coefficients by utilizing a second i×j integer-transform function on the DC values resulting in a (m/k)×(n/k) third block of integer-transformed DC coefficients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modeling reference data in an information system (IS), characterized in that it is based on a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model of reference data for the IS listed in deposits of application data for the IS. Any reference data in the IS is defined by a specialized concept inheriting the characteristics of a generic concept.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol converter. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol converter to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.

Abstract: First digital audio-visual program video component(s) are switched on a second digital audio-visual program video component(s) by switching on the beginning of the first set of images including an Intra-coded picture of the second program video component encountered after the switching command. In the transmission order of images, each bidirectionally predictive-coded picture of the first set of images referring to the set of images pertaining to the set of images preceding it before switching, is substituted for a bidirectionally predictive-coded picture of the video coding which is produced independently of (1) the substituted image content and (2) the contents of the images to which it refers.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously measuring the propagation characteristics of a plurality of radio-frequency channels. According to the invention, from several base stations are transmitted signals whose spectra are interleaved. At the receive end, each of these spectra may be reproduced and the impulse response of each channel may be calculated. Application to radio-communications with mobiles.

Abstract: A communication network capable of establishing an SVC bypass route when a failure occurs in a PVC multiplexed line wherein each of ATM switches at both ends of a PVC stores the relations of SVC specifying information and the other party PVC information in association with each PVC in a management table. At the time of bypassing, one of the switches transmits a message including the other party PVC information to another ATM switch for each PVC to be bypassed and another ATM switch specifies a PVC to be switched on the basis of the received message and switches the PVC to an SVC specified by the corresponding SVC specifying information stored in the management table.

Abstract: Dividing a multiplexed optical signal transmitted along a first transmission path into two portions and diverting one of the two portions to a second transmission path and forwarding the other portion of the multiplexed optical signal along that first transmission path, while the energy of the diverted portion comprises the entire spectrum of the multiplexed optical signal. Preferably, the diverted first portion is further divided into at least two parts, each comprising a wavelength range substantially different than the others, and at least one of the two parts is forwarded towards an optical receiver.