Abstract: A system for controlling functions of a vehicle by speech is disclosed. The system includes a mobile terminal of a network, speech processor for converting recorded speech into digital characters, and a vehicle-based interface. The mobile network terminal includes a microphone for recording a user's speech, and a terminal interface for communication with the vehicle-based interface. The vehicle-based interface is connected to a subsystem of the vehicle for controlling it based on messages received from the mobile network terminal. The mobile network terminal is adapted to process a string of digital characters derived from the user's speech into a message and to transmit said message to the vehicle-based interface.

Abstract: An improved electrical discharge machining electrode permitting improved cutting action to be achieved at the same level of electrical power being applied to the wire electrode. Such improvement is attributable to a particular configuration and the material being employed in the wire electrode which has an iron alloy core coated with an intermediate layer including a copper and zinc heat reaction product on which is deposited an adherent carbon surface coating. The improved method and apparatus for employment of this electrode is also described along with one method to form the multilayer coating on the electrode wire core.

Abstract: Thickness of an electrically insulative metal oxide film deposited on an electrically conductive metal substrate is determined by electrolytically reducing the metal oxide in an electrochemical cell while continuously measuring the cell voltage. A mathematical relationship between the cell voltage change and elapsed time of electrolytic reduction serves as a means for determining thickness of said oxide coating. This method and apparatus is particularly suitable for measurement of the oxide coating thickness on a metal wire substrate.