Abstract: A speech synthesis system utilizing a linear predictive filter. Voiced and unvoiced excitations are applied to the filter to produce a digital signal representative of human speech. The voiced excitation is provided by a repeating chirp function stored in memory. The unvoiced excitation consists of two excitation signals of opposite sign, stored in programmable memory and randomly addressed. The programmable storage of unvoiced excitation signals allows gain scaling between voiced and unvoiced excitation to be easily accomplished.

Abstract: A curved, elongate transducer assembly contacted by a shock or pressure wave transmits the resultant vibrations to the ends of the member, the vibrations at the respective ends being converted to output signals from which a time difference signal is produced. A computer calculates from the time difference signal the inclination angle of the projectile trajectory relative to a reference line. Two of the curved, elongate transducer assemblies at spaced locations permit calculation of two such inclination angles and, therefrom, the location at which the projectile trajectory passes through a reference plane. The transducer assembly may be a rigid bar with transducer elements at each end, or a single piezoelectric member with pickup electrodes at each end.

Abstract: This PARCOR-type speech synthesizer replaces a ten-stage lattice type filter with a pipeline multiplier and feedback loop, and provides a loss circuit (for bandwidth broadening) using subtraction circuits for multiplication.

Abstract: An electronic cash register includes a synthetic speech sound generation system for providing an audible announcement related to a bargain article of the present day and a next service day. The synthetic speech sound generation system is activated when a total key is actuated to complete one set of registration of transaction data assigned to one customer. The synthetic speech sound generation system is alternatively actuated at preselected times. The next service day information is also applied to a printer system for printing out the next service day on a receipt slip. The bargain article to be announced and the date information of the next service day are preset through the use of function keys and numeral keys included in the electronic cash register.

Abstract: A speech recognition system is disclosed which employs a network of elementary local decision modules for matching an observed time-varying speech pattern against all possible time warpings of the stored prototype patterns. For each elementary speech segment, an elementary recognizer provides a score indicating the degree of correlation of the input speech segment with stored spectral patterns. Each local decision module receives the results of the elementary recognizer and, at the same time, receives an input from selected ones of the other local decision modules. Each local decision module specializes in a particular node in the network wherein each node matches the probability of how well the input segment of speech matches the particular sound segments in the sounds of the words spoken. Each local decision module takes the prior decisions of all preceding sound segments which are input from the other local decision modules and makes a selection of the locally optimum time warping to be permitted.

Abstract: The total weight of material loaded into a floating barge is determined with high accuracy automatically. Human and other error factors are eliminated. Before and after loading, the angle of list of the barge in the port-starboard plane and the angle of trim in the fore-aft plane, together with the distance from the water surface to a fixed overhead structure and the distance from this structure to a fixed point on the barge deck are measured. Using the known barge geometry and the above measurements before and after loading, a computer calculates the change in the volume of water displaced due to loading the barge and by using Archimedes' principle and then calculates the payload introduced into the barge.

Abstract: This electrical waveform synthesizer uses a digital feedback loop circuit which includes selectable inputs for multiplex or recirculation operation, and a shift register whose shift rate is controlled by an adjustable precision clock so as to accurately adjust the frequency of the output waveform. The adjustable clock features a precision oscillator whose pulse rate is divided by a selectable-logic rate-divider circuit.

Abstract: In a formant speech analysis synthesis system, formant extraction to control a recursive digital all-pole filter encounters the problem that pole-pairs are not orderly arranged and that real poles may occur which are not representative of formants. The problem is solved by transforming the coefficients of the second-order sections of the filter to coefficients which can be easily ordered and by means of which it is simple to assign formants to the real poles.

Abstract: In a kilowatt-hour meter for measuring electrical energy consumption from an alternating electrical supply, a microprocessor includes a clock signal generator which is synchronized in phase with the incoming supply frequency. Pulse sampling means controlled by the clock generator sample the incoming voltage and current waveforms at a preselected time instant or instants in each cycle and the sampled data is utilized in the microprocessor to determine energy consumption.

Abstract: Computation of the partial correlation coefficients (PARCOR K.sub.i) of a signal, using less cascaded hardware, is implemented by first deriving a sequence of auto-correlation coefficients (v.sub.j) which are then transformed into a sequence of K.sub.i using a single section digital filter plus recirculating circuitry for data iteration.

Abstract: Simultaneous interpretation apparatus using matrix circuits whereby, even when an additional original language is used other than the specified original languages for the apparatus, simultaneous interpretation of that additional original language into the specified original languages is accomplished with ease and without hindrance. The present invention is particularly adapted to the interpretation of four specified original languages, for example Japanese, English, French and Spanish, and is particularly useful when an additional original language is used, such as Chinese for example. The matrix circuitry of the present invention enables translation of the additional original language to proceed even though the apparatus is primarily adapted for use in interpreting and translating the four specified original languages. Without this matrix circuitry the apparatus could not adapt to the additional original language since certain translators would not be alerted to perform their translating duties.

Abstract: A digital waveform generating apparatus includes a key assignor selecting a frequency of a signal to be generated, a number-setting circuit for generating a first data word corresponding to the selected frequency, a first memory for storing said first data word, a second memory for storing a second data word, an accumulator for accumulating the first data word onto the second data word stored in the second memory, so that the second data word stored in the second memory after accumulating represents the sum of the second data word immediately prior thereto added with said first data word, a waveform memory, preferably an ROM, for storing predetermined waveform data and for generating a waveform data output signal, and a control circuit for controlling such accumulating and progressively addressing the waveform memory in accordance with the stored second data word at the time of a timing signal.

Abstract: A speech synthesis device is adapted to provide an audible indication of numerical information through the utilization of a predetermined number of phonemes. Those phonemes are stored within a read only memory on a single large scale integrated circuit chip. A desired length of pause or silence is provided depending upon the kind and location of information to be audibly outputted. The necessity for the pause period is stored in digitally encoded signals within the read only memory in the same manner as with the phonemes.

Abstract: A data gathering system is disclosed for use with an automotive vehicle. The system includes an A/D converter for converting an input analog value into a corresponding digital value, a multiplexor having a number of data channels for transferring vehicle operation variable indicative analog values to the A/D converter when rendered conductive, and a digital computer for selectively rendering the data channel conductive in a predetermined sequence. The digital computer is adapted to correct the converted values according to supply voltage variations and store the corrected values therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for the acquisiton of a raw speech signal and the essentially simultaneous acquisition of a transform of the speech signal, wherein said transform covaries as a function of changes in one or more parameters in the speech signal and is indicative of a predetermined selected speech characteristic, such as nasalization, pitch or intensity. The apparatus includes a microphone for producing first signals representative of raw speech, and a second transducer, such as, for example, an accelerometer for generating second signals essentially simultaneous to the production of the first signals, with the second signals being indicative of a selected parameteric characteristic of the human speech, such as, for example, nasalization. The first and second signals are applied to data processing circuits which analyzes the first and second signals to produce transform signals based on arithmetic combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle-follower control law for short headway automated guideway transit systems is implemented to provide an apparently optimal system in light of sensor accuracy, controller structure, and data transmission requirements. In particular, the spacing between two vehicles on a guideway is forced to an approximate optimal minimum value (S'.sub.min) by generating a signal (.epsilon.) which is the difference between the actual spacing (S) and the approximate optimal minimum spacing (S'.sub.min) and by driving the signal .epsilon. to zero according to a predetermined control law. In accordance with the invention, a constant headway or constant K-factor design can be employed in defining the control law. Embodiments for 0.5 second and 3 second headways are provided.

Abstract: A speech synthesis circuit capable of being implemented in an integrated circuit is disclosed. The speech synthesis circuit has an input port for receiving frames of data consisting of speech coefficients, a memory for storing interpolated values of the speech coefficients and an interpolator circuit coupled to the input port and to the memory. A synchronous timing circuit is provided for generating a data frame timing signal, interpolation count timing signals and parameter count timing signals. The rate of the parameter count timing signals is a multiple of the rate of the interpolation count timing signals, which is in turn a multiple of the rate of the data frame timing signal. These signals occur at predetermined times and are generated in the disclosed embodiment by Programmed Logic Arrays (PLA's). The data frame timing signal controls the receipt of a new frame of data at the input port.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus is provided for determining the most economical purchase among products available in at least two sizes and at different prices, in conjunction with a price reduction product ("cents off") coupon. While requiring no knowledge of algebra or calculator functions of the user, the apparatus optimizes shoppers' decisions based on manual entry of product prices, sizes and coupon values. In preferred embodiments, not only is the optimum decision displayed, but further, the device may be used for accumulating total expenditures and may be used for incidental calculations.

Abstract: The speech/silence discriminator is used on a telephone line to distinguish between periods of speech and periods of silence. A signal derived from the speech signal is, in the speech state compared to an adaptive threshold which is a fraction of the maximum, to be eventually quantized, reached by said signal during the period of speech which is considered; the speech to silence transition being determined when the signal decreases below said threshold level, the threshold level being determined during each speech period as a function of the maximum attained during the period. The adaptive threshold has a minimum value of -60 dBm. It is also comprised of a noise level evaluation circuit which determines the threshold decision level (.gtoreq.-60 dBM) for the transition from silence to speech which once reached, in the period of silence, enables the discriminator to go from the silent state to the speech state. It is useable in speech interpolation systems.

Abstract: A system incorporating an integrated circuit device or chip which digitally synthesizes human speech using a linear predictive filter. The linear predictive filter comprises a single filter stage only which contains a single multiplier for selectively multiplying a plurality of coefficients, initiating the multiplication of one coefficient at a time, by using a feedback loop with multiplexing techniques so as to input multiplexed signals to the multiplier--as contrasted to a cascade of filter stages. Thus, the single multiplier of the linear predictive filter is utilized repetitively to provide the calculations required. The system also includes a memory for storage of digital filter coefficients, a controller for selectively accessing the coefficients, and a speaker for generating audible sounds.