Abstract: A system for generating speech pattern templates for use with either speech recognition or speech synthesis. Reference demisyllable templates are first generated from a reference first speaker using both manual and automatic analysis. The analysis for a second speaker is simplified and automated by comparing with the first speaker's templates. The second speaker speaks the same words at a rate time-warped to match the first speakers rate and template. We define a demisyllable as each of the two halves of a syllable, assuming a syllable starts and ends with a noisy consonant, and the syllable is split at its vowel center, thereby simplifying concatenation and comparison. Key features of the invention include generating a set of signals representative of the time alignment between the first and second speaker's templates, and the time-of-occurence boundaries of each syllable in a word.

Abstract: This speech recognizer concatenates a string of reference isolated-words for comparison with the unknown string of connected-words. The invention includes a level-building (LB) algorithm, "level" implying a location in a sequence of words. A constrained endpoint dynamic-time-warp algorithm, in which the slope of the warping function is restricted between 1/2 and 2, is used to find the best alignment between an unknown continuous-word test pattern, and a concatenated sequence of L reference patterns. Properties of the LB algorithm include: modification of the references; back-track decision logic; heuristic selection of multiple candidates, and syntax constraints. As a result, the processing required is less than two-level dynamic-program-matching and sampling algorithms.

Abstract: Recognition of continuous speech by comparison with prestored isolated words may be confused by the merging together of spoken adjacent words (coarticulation). Improved recognition is attained by generating overlap-words, e.g., words whose first phoneme is the end phoneme of the preceding word in a string of words. The reference candidate series of overlap-words is transformed under dynamic time warping so as to time-match the utterance series of overlap-words.

Abstract: A speech controlled dialing circuit identifies input utterances which may be a command word (mode select), repertory word (dialing name or number), or non-recognized ("Other"). Responsive to the identification of each occurring input utterance, a set of predetermined templates are selected to identify the next occuring utterance. A programmed microprocessor system is described to implement the main controller function.

Abstract: The accuracy of segmenting an utterance into words is improved by the use of sequence-defining signals. An utterance is recognized as one of a plurality of reference word sequences in an arrangement wherein a set of signals is generated to define the syntax, i.e., word arrangements, of the sequences. Each sequence corresponds to a selected series of reference words. A signal is generated to identify the successive word positions of the sequences. Responsive to the sequence defining signals, the utterance, and the reference words, a set of signals is produced, each representing the correspondence between said utterance and one of the sequences. The sequence having the closest correspondence to the utterance is selected.

Abstract: A speech analyzer for recognizing an unknown utterance as one of a set of reference words is adapted to generate a feature signal set for each utterance of every reference word. At least one template signal is produced for each reference word which template signal is representative of a group of feature signal sets. Responsive to a feature signal set formed from the unknown utterance and each reference word template signal, a signal representative of the similarity between the unknown utterance and the template signal is generated. A plurality of similarity signals for each reference word is selected and a signal corresponding to the average of said selected similarity signals is formed. The average similarity signals are compared to identify the unknown utterance as the most similar reference word.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for transferring data between multiple peripheral processors (PPs) which are operating under control of a host processor in a multi-processor computer system. In a high data rate application a number of dedicated special purpose PPs are arranged in fixed sequence to provide individual data processing steps. A data path is provided between each PP data memory and the next. A PP transfer unit associated with each PP data memory controls data transfer simultaneously between all PPs. Separate read/write address mapping is provided for each PP data memory. Control information may be associated with each mapped PP data memory location to provide logic functions and data rearrangements during the transfer process. Data from several PPs may be interleaved or may be logically or arithmetically combined with other PP data or constant information.

Abstract: A speech analyzer for recognizing an unknown utterance as one of a set of reference words is adapted to generate a feature signal set for each utterance of every reference word. At least one template signal is produced for each reference word which template signal is representative of a group of feature signal sets. Responsive to a feature signal set formed from the unknown utterance and each reference word template signal, a signal representative of the similarity between the unknown utterance and the template signal is generated. A plurality of similarity signals for each reference word is selected and a signal corresponding to the average of said selected similarity signals is formed. The average similarity signals are compared to identify the unknown utterance as the most similar reference word.

Abstract: A speech controlled dialing circuit identifies input utterances which may be a command word (mode select), repertory word (dialing name or number), or nonrecognized ("Other"). Responsive to the identification of each occurring input utterance, a set of predetermined templates are selected to identify the next occuring utterance. A programmed microprocessor system is described to implement the main controller function.