Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar. The database may comprise a directory of names.

Abstract: The problem of an automated telephony system having only a single way to measure a caller's difficulty in processing a transaction when using the system is solved by selecting from at least two thresholds for measuring the caller's difficulty. Having a choice of alternative thresholds to measure the caller's difficulty, referred to as inefficiency thresholds, allows for a more responsive approach to managing an automated telephony system. This choice of inefficiency thresholds overcomes multiple problems of systems only using one inefficiency threshold, such as: (1) transferring a call to a live agent to quickly, (2) transferring a call to a live agent to slowly, and (3) giving a caller a feeling that the automated telephony system is unresponsive to his or her needs. Having multiple inefficiency thresholds from which to choose allows for a more dynamic response to a diverse audience of callers and to different needs of a single caller during the various parts of a call.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: A temperature adjustable water mixing valve having a cold water inlet, a cold water outlet, a hot water inlet, a mixing water outlet, and a valve core configured to open or close water channels. The temperature adjustable water mixing valve further includes a pressure relief channel between the cold water inlet and a port connected with a water storage device. The channel is equipped with a check valve allowing water to flow from the water storage device to the cold water inlet. The temperature adjustable water mixing valve opens the check valve to discharge toward the front-end water source when the inner pressure in the water storage device is high.

Abstract: An automatic testing system includes an equipment group and an electronic device. The equipment group includes plural equipments. The electronic device includes an input unit, a storage unit, a controller, an output unit and an integrated transmission interface. The input unit is used for inputting an instruction. The controller is electrically connected with the input unit and the storage unit for accessing the storage unit according to the instruction, thereby controlling and activating an automatic testing process and issuing a test command. The output unit is connected with the controller. The interface has a first terminal connected with the controller and a second terminal connected with the equipment group for integrating and transmitting the test command to at least one of the equipments of the equipment group, thereby allowing the equipment to perform the automatic testing process.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in, e.g., coffee. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific compounds and compositions containing that function as bitter taste blockers and the use thereof as bitter taste blockers or flavor modulators in, e.g., coffee and coffee flavored foods, beverages and medicaments. Also, the present invention relates to the discovery of a compound that antagonizes numerous different human T2Rs and the use thereof in assays and as a bitter taste blocker in compositions for ingestion by humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a radiation detector, an imaging device and an electrode structure thereof, and a method for acquiring an image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving information from household appliances are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user of an appliance. The method then receives stored information from the appliance as one or more Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamically interacting with a user through a spoken dialogue system. A method includes the steps of (1) receiving a user utterance, (2) analyzing the user utterance for a threshold determination of dialect, (3) generating a response that reflects an incremental implementation of the dialect, (4) further varying the perceived implementation of the dialect in subsequent responses by a process of: (a) receiving a subsequent user utterance, (b) determining a modified level of confidence in the dialect based at least in part from the subsequent utterance, (c) generating a subsequent response that implements an incremental variation according to the modified level of confidence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in, e.g., coffee. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific compounds and compositions containing that function as bitter taste blockers and the use thereof as bitter taste blockers or flavor modulators in, e.g., coffee and coffee flavored foods, beverages and medicaments. Also, the present invention relates to the discovery of a compound that antagonizes numerous different human T2Rs and the use thereof in assays and as a bitter taste blocker in compositions for ingestion by humans and animals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar. The database may comprise a directory of names.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing hands-free operation of a device. A hands-free adapter is provided that communicates with a device and a headset. The hands-free adapter allows a user to use voice commands so that the user does not have to handle the device. The hands-free adapter receives voice commands from the headset and translates the voice commands to commands recognized by the device. The hands-free adapter also monitors the device to detect device events and provides notice of the events to the user via the headset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in, e.g., coffee. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific compounds and compositions containing that function as bitter taste blockers and the use thereof as bitter taste blockers or flavor modulators in, e.g., coffee and coffee flavored foods, beverages and medicaments. Also, the present invention relates to the discovery of a compound that antagonizes numerous different human T2Rs and the use thereof in assays and as a bitter taste blocker in compositions for ingestion by humans and animals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar. The database may comprise a directory of names.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liposomal pharmaceutical preparation containing a multivalent ionic drug, a process for the preparation of the liposomal pharmaceutical preparation, and a use thereof in the treatment of diseases, in which the liposome has a size of about 30-80 nm, and the phospholipid bilayer has a phospholipid with a Tm higher than body temperature, so that the phase transition temperature of the liposome is higher than the body temperature.

Abstract: The use of epimedium flavones and/or icariins for the preparation of medicaments of promoting proliferations and/or differentiations of nerve cells, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in hydrolyzed soy protein derived materials. The invention further relates to the use of these T2R receptors in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of these taste receptors by specific bitter ligands present in hydrolyzed soy protein materials and derivatives thereof and related compounds. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from soy-based foods, beverages, cosmetics and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste elicited by bitter ligands present in hydrolyzed soy protein materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for recognizing speech. The method includes receiving speech from a user, perceiving at least one speech dialect in the received speech, selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars based on at least one score associated with the perceived speech dialect and the perceived at least one speech dialect, and recognizing the received speech with the selected at least one grammar. Selecting at least one grammar can be further based on a user profile. Multiple grammars can be blended. Predefined parameters can include pronunciation differences, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Optimized dialect grammars can be domain specific. The method can further include recognizing initial received speech with a generic grammar until an optimized dialect grammar is selected. Selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars can be based on a certainty threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation device for the human body inspection. The device includes a X-ray generator for radiating radiation; a detector for receiving the radiation radiated from the X-ray generator; a first flexible member connected with the X-ray generator for hoisting the X-ray generator; a second flexible member connected with the detector for hosing the detector; and a driving device for synchronically driving the X-ray generator and the detector through the first and second flexible members, and at the same time, the X-ray generator and the detector are spaced from each other a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction. The radiation device for the human body inspection according to the present invention can ensure that the radiation source and the detector can be operated synchronically during the whole inspection process; thereby the quality of radiation imaging is increased.