Abstract: A tunable high resolution spectral estimator is disclosed as a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding signals, signal analysis and synthesis, and for performing high resolution spectral estimation. The invention is comprised of an encoder coupled with either or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The encoder processes a frame of a time-based input signal by passing it through a bank of lower order filters and estimating a plurality of lower order covariances from which a plurality of filter parameters may be determined. Coupled to the encoder, through any appropriate data link or interface including telecommunication links, is one or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The signal synthesizer includes a decocer for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer. The signal synthesizer includes a decoder for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer for determining filter parameters for an ARMA filter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a sterile milk product from raw milk is disclosed. After separation, the skim milk portion is conducted to a primary filter assembly having a plurality of microfiltration units arranged in series. Bacteria having a size larger than the pores in the microfilters are retained in the retentate. The retentate is discharged from the primary filter assembly and flows to a secondary filter assembly having a plurality of microfiltration units. The permeate from the units in the primary filter assembly are combined and subjected to heat treatment.

Abstract: A method and a plant for producing sterile milk which includes separating the raw milk into skim and cream portions, filtering the skim portion to form a first permeate and a first retentate, heat treating the first permeate, filtering the first retentate to form a second permeate and combining the second permeate with one or more of the raw milk, the milk portion or the cream portion. A second filter can have an effective pore size the same as or greater than that of a first filter. The cream portion can be standardized and heat treated, then remixed with the first permeate either before or after heat treatment of the first permeate to form a standardized milk product, which can be homogenized and packaged in aseptic containers. The process can yield at least 95 percent (e.g., 99.8% or more) of the skim milk portion into a usable milk product.

Abstract: A tunable high resolution spectral estimator is disclosed as a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding signals, signal analysis and synthesis, and for performing high resolution spectral estimation. The invention is comprised of an encoder coupled with either or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The encoder processes a frame of a time-based input signal by passing it through a bank of lower order filters and estimating a plurality of lower order covariances from which a plurality of filter parameters may be determined. Coupled to the encoder, through any appropriate data link or interface including telecommunication links, is one or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The signal synthesizer includes a decocer for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer. The signal synthesizer includes a decoder for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer for determining filter parameters for an ARMA filter.

Abstract: A tunable high resolution spectral estimator is disclosed as a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding signals, signal analysis and synthesis, and for performing high resolution spectral estimation. The invention is comprised of an encoder coupled with either or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The encoder processes a frame of a time-based input signal by passing it through a bank of lower order filters and estimating a plurality of lower order covariances from which a plurality of filter parameters may be determined. Coupled to the encoder, through any appropriate data link or interface including telecommunication links, is one or both of a signal synthesizer and a spectral analyzer. The signal synthesizer includes a decocer for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer. The signal synthesizer includes a decoder for processing the covariances and a parameter transformer for determining filter parameters for an ARMA filter.

Abstract: A high resolution spectral estimator (HREE) filter coupled to a spectral plotter processes either Doppler frequencies provided from the output of a pulse-Doppler radar or a frequency based output provided by a Fourier transformer coupled to a sensing device to allow the spectral plotter to determine the power frequency spectrum of either the pulse-Doppler radar output or sensing device output. The HREE filter preferably comprises a bank of first order filters tuned to a pre-selected frequency, a covariance estimator coupled to the filter bank for estimating filter covariances, and a decoder coupled to the covariance estimator for producing a plurality of filter parameters. Further, it is preferable that the filters comprising the filter bank be adjustable to permit their being tuned to a desired frequency based on a priori information.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing a stable, sterile milk fraction comprising filtering a portion of raw milk, sterilizing the filter permeate at a temperature of from about 78° C. to about 121° C., stabilizing the sterile permeate at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 121° C., and deactivating enzymes at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 78° C. The stable, sterile milk fraction and milk products made therefrom have an improved flavor and a shelf life of at least about one month, preferably at least about three months, under ambient conditions. The sterile, stable milk fraction is free of heat resistant bacteria; is free of, or has a reduced number of, thermoduric bacteria; and has a reduced number of heat sensitive bacteria as compared to the raw milk portion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a sterile milk product from raw milk is disclosed. After separation, the skim milk portion is conducted to a primary filter assembly having a plurality of microfiltration units arranged in series. Bacteria having a size larger than the pores in the microfilters are retained in the retentate. The retentate is discharged from the first filter assembly and flows to a secondary filter assembly having a plurality of microfiltration units. The permeate from the units in the primary filter assembly are combined and subjected to heat treatment.

Abstract: A method and a plant for producing a sterile milk product is provided wherein most of the raw milk entering the process stream is transformed into usable milk product. The process includes separating the raw milk into a skim milk portion and a cream portion, filtering the milk portion to form a first permeate and a first retentate, heat treating the first permeate, filtering the first retentate to form a second permeate and combining the second permeate with one or more of the raw milk, the milk portion or the cream portion. The second filter can an effective pore size which is the same as or greater than that of the first filter. The cream portion can be standardized and heat treated, then remixed with the first permeate either before or after heat treatment of the first permeate to form a standardized milk product. The standardized milk product can then be homogenized and packaged in aseptic containers. The process can result in high yields wherein at least 95 percent (e.g., 99.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of commercially sterile skimmed milk. After separation, the skimmed milk fraction is treated by microfiltration in one or more steps. The microfiltration gives a permeate flow and a retentate flow, in which all microorganisms of a given size have effectively been separated from the permeate flow. After the microfiltration, the permeate flow is heat treated at a temperature of 72-134°C. during a requisite period of time. In order to obtain a sterile skimmed milk which is as good as free of destroyed microorganisms, the retentate flow is not employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for speech analysis and synthesis, including speaker recognition, includes a programmable lattice-ladder notch filter which may be programmed to exhibit both filter poles and filter zeros and thereby exhibit a power spectral density with a better fit to that of a speech frame such that, when energized by a selected signal sample, a more accurate regeneration of speech is achieved. The filter parameters may be reliably and systematically determined as a single solution to a mathematical analysis given a set of gain parameters matching the observed covariance data and having a prescribed set of transmission zeros. These transmission zeros may either be preselected as a design specification, or recovered from analysis of the speech data. A speech frame may be analyzed and provide a set of parameters which may be transmitted to a remote location where a synthesizer may accurately reproduce the speech frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method producing aseptic consumer milk with a certain fat content by microfiltration. A continuous flow of milk with a certain fat content passes through a microfilter with a membrane having a pore size of 0.05-0.2 microns. In the microfilter, the milk is dived up into two part flows, a permeate flow and a retentate flow. The retentate flow, which contains fat and the major fraction of the casein undergoes a high temperature treatment before being remixed with the permeate flow which contains the major faction of the whey proteins. The mixture is homogenized and packaged aseptically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing and synthesizing speech includes a programmable lattice-ladder notch filter which may be programmed to exhibit both filter poles and filter zeros and thereby exhibit a power spectral density with a better fit to that of a speech frame such that, when energized by a selected signal sample, a more accurate regeneration of speech is achieved. The filter parameters may be reliably and systematically determined as a single solution to a mathematical analysis given a set of gain parameters matching the observed covariance data and having a prescribed set of transmission zeros. These transmission zeros may either be preselected as a design specification, or recovered from analysis of the speech data. A speech frame may be analyzed and provide a set of parameters which may be transmitted to a remote location where a synthesizer may accurately reproduce the speech frame.