Abstract: The present invention will centrally collect all required data to allow numerous Internet websites to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). A method for the giving, editing, and revoking permission for a business Internet website to use information will also be an intricate part of the invention. Individual users of this invention will be required to provide the required proof of age and identity only once. Individual users will be able to then provide participating businesses a method for collecting verification, as well as limiting the personal information the Individual user allows, without the enormous cost that the current methods entail. The key feature of this invention is to centrally locate all the required information and verification needed to comply with COPPA. The problem with the current methods of collecting personal data is that companies have to collect and verify the data independently.

Abstract: An encoder and a decoder is provided with each being usable independently of each other for improving the dynamic range of clipped speech digital systems by providing amplitude components to the clipped digital signal. The encoder processes an audio input signal along two signal paths, the first signal path including a clipper and digitizer means for forming a digitized clipped signal. The second signal path includes a rectifier, envelope detector and digitizing means for forming a digitized signal having amplitude components. Both digitized signals may then be transmitted to the decoder for reconstruction or stored for reconstruction at a later time.

Abstract: An encoder, decoder and method is provided with each being usable independently of each other for improving the dynamic range of digitized speech signals systems by providing amplitude and frequency components to the digitized signals. The encoder processes a speech signal by first converting the speech signal to a single sideband signal and then passing that signal along two signal paths. The first signal path includes an envelope detector and a digitizing means for forming a first digitized signal having amplitude information. The second signal path includes a clipper, frequency-to-voltage converter and digitizer means for forming a second digitized signal havig frequency information. Both digitized signals may then be transmitted to the decoder for reconstruction or stored for reconstruction at a later time. The signals may be transmitted in parallel or serially using multiplexing techniques.

Abstract: A method and implementation apparatus for converting analog signals, such as speech signals, into digital data signals, with improved fidelity by the use of dithering techniques coupled with amplitude clipping and filtering operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a speech recognition system and the method therefor, which analyzes a sampled clipped speech signal for identifying a spoken utterance. An input signal representative of the spoken utterance is passed through a clipper to generate a clipped input signal. A sampler generates a plurality of discrete binary values, each discrete binary value corresponding to a sample value of the clipped input signal. A processor then analyzes the plurality of sample values thereby identifying the spoken utterance. Analysis includes determining linear prediction coefficients of the autocorrelation function of speech utterences.