Patents by Inventor Francois A. Lavallee

Francois A. Lavallee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240071368
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for generating a plurality of potential vocalizations of a plurality of text samples. A plurality of phonemes associated with the plurality of potential vocalizations are identified. A plurality of phonetically-related text portions are generated based upon, at least in part, the plurality of phonemes. A natural language understanding (NLU) engine is trained using the plurality of phonetically-related text portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallee
  • Patent number: 11593572
    Abstract: A system and method incorporate prior knowledge into the optimization and regularization of a classification and regression model. The optimization may be a regularization process and the prior knowledge may be incorporated through adjustment of a cost function. A method of at least one processor developing a classification and regression model may be provided. The method may be implemented by at least one processor that implements classification and regression model functionality, including receiving training data and adjusting the model according to the training data; testing the classification and regression model; and employing prior knowledge during an optimization of the classification and regression model. The regularizing can include adjusting feature weights according to prior knowledge. In various embodiments, such systems and methods can be used in the processing of language inputs, e.g., speech and/or text inputs, to achieve greater interpretation accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-François Lavallée, Jean-Michel Attendu, Réal Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20210064829
    Abstract: A system and method incorporate prior knowledge into the optimization and regularization of a classification and regression model. The optimization may be a regularization process and the prior knowledge may be incorporated through adjustment of a cost function. A method of at least one processor developing a classification and regression model may be provided. The method may be implemented by at least one processor that implements classification and regression model functionality, including receiving training data and adjusting the model according to the training data; testing the classification and regression model; and employing prior knowledge during an optimization of the classification and regression model. The regularizing can include adjusting feature weights according to prior knowledge. In various embodiments, such systems and methods can be used in the processing of language inputs, e.g., speech and/or text inputs, to achieve greater interpretation accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jean-François Lavallée, Jean-Michel Attendu, Réal Tremblay
  • Patent number: 10789539
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing or natural language understanding and may include a determination of a probabilistic or probability-based ranking of potential results. For example, natural language input may be received such as speech or text. Natural language processing may be performed to determine one or more potential results for the input. A pairwise classifier may be used to determine a score for element pairs in the potential results. Based on the scores, probabilities for the element pairs may be determined. Based on the probabilities for the element pairs, further probabilities may be determined such as by estimating the probability that a current result is the top rank or best choice. Based on the estimated probabilities that the current result is the top rank or best choice, a ranking may be determined, which may form the basis for natural language understanding output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallee
  • Patent number: 10789426
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing. An input interface of a computing device receives input (e.g., speech input) and generates a digital signal corresponding to that input. Text corresponding to the digital signal is obtained, and the text is processed using each of a context-free and a context-specific linguistic model to generate linguistic processing results for that text. The text and linguistic processing results may be processed using a NLU model to generate an NLU recognition result corresponding to the input received at the input interface. The text and the linguistic processing results may also be annotated and used to train a NLU model. The linguistic processing results may relate to, e.g., the tokenization of portions of the text, the normalization of portions of the text, sequences of normalizations for portions of the text, and rankings and prioritization of the linguistic processing results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Kenneth W. D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10540965
    Abstract: Multiple natural language understanding (NLU) interpretation selection models may be generated. The NLU interpretation selection models may include a generic NLU interpretation selection model that is not specialized for a specific set of NLU interpretations type and one or more specialized NLU interpretation selection models, each of which may be specific to a particular set of NLU interpretations type. The specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s) may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data corresponding to their respective sets of NLU interpretations type(s). The generic NLU interpretation selection model may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data that does not correspond to the sets of NLU interpretations type(s) associated with the specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Simona Gandrabur, Jean-Francois Lavallee, Real Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20190228065
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing. An input interface of a computing device receives input (e.g., speech input) and generates a digital signal corresponding to that input. Text corresponding to the digital signal is obtained, and the text is processed using each of a context-free and a context-specific linguistic model to generate linguistic processing results for that text. The text and linguistic processing results may be processed using a NLU model to generate an NLU recognition result corresponding to the input received at the input interface. The text and the linguistic processing results may also be annotated and used to train a NLU model. The linguistic processing results may relate to, e.g., the tokenization of portions of the text, the normalization of portions of the text, sequences of normalizations for portions of the text, and rankings and prioritization of the linguistic processing results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Kenneth W. D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10108603
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing. An input interface of a computing device receives input (e.g., speech input) and generates a digital signal corresponding to that input. Text corresponding to the digital signal is obtained, and the text is processed using each of a context-free and a context-specific linguistic model to generate linguistic processing results for that text. The text and linguistic processing results may be processed using a NLU model to generate an NLU recognition result corresponding to the input received at the input interface. The text and the linguistic processing results may also be annotated and used to train a NLU model. The linguistic processing results may relate to, e.g., the tokenization of portions of the text, the normalization of portions of the text, sequences of normalizations for portions of the text, and rankings and prioritization of the linguistic processing results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Kenneth W. D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180075846
    Abstract: Multiple natural language understanding (NLU) interpretation selection models may be generated. The NLU interpretation selection models may include a generic NLU interpretation selection model that is not specialized for a specific set of NLU interpretations type and one or more specialized NLU interpretation selection models, each of which may be specific to a particular set of NLU interpretations type. The specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s) may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data corresponding to their respective sets of NLU interpretations type(s). The generic NLU interpretation selection model may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data that does not correspond to the sets of NLU interpretations type(s) associated with the specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Simona Gandrabur, Jean-Francois Lavallee, Real Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9862730
    Abstract: The present invention provides imidazothiadiazole compounds of Formula (I) wherein A, B, D, Rx, R1, R2, R3, X1, X2 and s are as defined herein, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate form thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of platelet aggregation and thus can be used as medicaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Universite De Montreal
    Inventors: R. Michael Lawrence, Michael M. Miller, Dietmar Alfred Seiffert, Shoshana L. Posy, Pancras C. Wong, Jacques Banville, Edward H. Ruediger, Daniel H. Deon, Alain Martel, François Tremblay, Julia Guy, Jean-François Lavallée, Marc Gagnon
  • Patent number: 9761225
    Abstract: Multiple natural language understanding (NLU) interpretation selection models may be generated. The NLU interpretation selection models may include a generic NLU interpretation selection model that is not specialized for a specific set of NLU interpretations type and one or more specialized NLU interpretation selection models, each of which may be specific to a particular set of NLU interpretations type. The specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s) may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data corresponding to their respective sets of NLU interpretations type(s). The generic NLU interpretation selection model may be utilized to process natural language input data comprising data that does not correspond to the sets of NLU interpretations type(s) associated with the specialized NLU interpretation selection model(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Simona Gandrabur, Jean-Francois Lavallee, Real Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20170193387
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing or natural language understanding and may include a determination of a probabilistic or probability-based ranking of potential results. For example, natural language input may be received such as speech or text. Natural language processing may be performed to determine one or more potential results for the input. A pairwise classifier may be used to determine a score for element pairs in the potential results. Based on the scores, probabilities for the element pairs may be determined. Based on the probabilities for the element pairs, further probabilities may be determined such as by estimating the probability that a current result is the top rank or best choice. Based on the estimated probabilities that the current result is the top rank or best choice, a ranking may be determined, which may form the basis for natural language understanding output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallee
  • Patent number: 9606984
    Abstract: A natural language understanding system performs automatic unsupervised clustering of dialog data from a natural language dialog application. A log parser automatically extracts structured dialog data from application logs. A dialog generalizing module generalizes the extracted dialog data to generalization identifier vectors. A data clustering module automatically clusters the dialog data based on the generalization identifier vectors using an unsupervised density-based clustering algorithm without a predefined number of clusters and without a predefined distance threshold in an iterative approach based on a hierarchical ordering of the generalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallée
  • Patent number: 9607102
    Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems are directed to task switching in dialog processing. The methods and systems may include activating a primary task, receiving, one or more ambiguous natural language commands, and identifying a first candidate task for each of the one or more ambiguous natural language commands. The methods and system may also include identifying, for each of the one or more ambiguous natural language commands and based on one or more rules, a second candidate task of the plurality of tasks corresponding to the ambiguous natural language command, determining whether to modify at least one of the one or more rules-based task switching rules based on whether a quality metric satisfies a threshold quantity, and when the second quality metric satisfies the threshold quantity, changing the task switching rule for the corresponding candidate task from a rules-based model to the optimized statistical based task switching model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Jacques-Olivier Goussard, Richard Beaufort
  • Publication number: 20160350280
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to natural language processing. An input interface of a computing device receives input (e.g., speech input) and generates a digital signal corresponding to that input. Text corresponding to the digital signal is obtained, and the text is processed using each of a context-free and a context-specific linguistic model to generate linguistic processing results for that text. The text and linguistic processing results may be processed using a NLU model to generate an NLU recognition result corresponding to the input received at the input interface. The text and the linguistic processing results may also be annotated and used to train a NLU model. The linguistic processing results may relate to, e.g., the tokenization of portions of the text, the normalization of portions of the text, sequences of normalizations for portions of the text, and rankings and prioritization of the linguistic processing results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Kenneth W.D. Smith
  • Patent number: 9373327
    Abstract: A method for refining a search is provided. Embodiments may include receiving a first speech signal corresponding to a first utterance and receiving a second speech signal corresponding to a second utterance, wherein the second utterance is a refinement to the first utterance. Embodiments may also include determining a first quantity of search results based upon the first speech signal information and determining a second quantity of search results based upon the second speech signal information. Embodiments may also include comparing at least one of the first quantity of search results and the second quantity of search results with a third quantity of search results and determining an information gain from the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallee
  • Publication number: 20160070696
    Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems are directed to task switching in dialogue processing. The methods and systems may include activating a primary task, receiving, one or more ambiguous natural language commands, and identifying a first candidate task for each of the one or more ambiguous natural language commands. The methods and system may also include identifying, for each of the one or more ambiguous natural language commands and based on one or more rules, a second candidate task of the plurality of tasks corresponding to the ambiguous natural language command, determining whether to modify at least one of the one or more rules-based task switching rules based on whether a quality metric satisfies a threshold quantity, and when the second quality metric satisfies the threshold quantity, changing the task switching rule for the corresponding candidate task from a rules-based model to the optimized statistical based task switching model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lavallee, Jacques-Olivier Goussard, Richard Beaufort
  • Patent number: 9269354
    Abstract: A human-machine dialog system is described which has multiple computer-implemented dialog components. A user client delivers output prompts to a human user and receives dialog inputs from the human user including speech inputs. An automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine processes the speech inputs to determine corresponding sequences of representative text words. A natural language understanding (NLU) engine processes the text words to determine corresponding NLU-ranked semantic interpretations. A semantic re-ranking module re-ranks the NLU-ranked semantic interpretations based on at least one of dialog context information and world knowledge information. A dialog manager responds to the re-ranked semantic interpretations and generates the output prompts so as to manage a dialog process with the human user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Simona Gandrabur, Jean-Francois Lavallée, Réal Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20150287404
    Abstract: A method for refining a search is provided. Embodiments may include receiving a first speech signal corresponding to a first utterance and receiving a second speech signal corresponding to a second utterance, wherein the second utterance is a refinement to the first utterance. Embodiments may also include determining a first quantity of search results based upon the first speech signal information and determining a second quantity of search results based upon the second speech signal information. Embodiments may also include comparing at least one of the first quantity of search results and the second quantity of search results with a third quantity of search results and determining an information gain from the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lavallee
  • Publication number: 20150133446
    Abstract: The present invention provides imidazothiadiazole compounds of Formula (I) wherein A, B, D, Rx, R1, R2, R3, X1, X2 and s are as defined herein, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate form thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of platelet aggregation and thus can be used as medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: R. Michael Lawrence, Michael M. Miller, Dietmar Alfred Seiffert, Shoshana L. Posy, Pancras C. Wong, Jacques Banville, Edward H. Ruediger, Daniel H. Deon, Alain Martel, François Tremblay, Julia Guy, Jean-François Lavallée, Marc Gagnon