Abstract: A speech recognition grammar creating apparatus, which is capable of eliminating complex labor associated with preparing all rules by taking into account changes of the order of component elements of a speech-recognizing object and possible combinations of component elements including at least one component element that can be omitted. In the speech recognition grammar creating apparatus, an image edit section groups together at least one component element that cannot be omitted and at least one component element that can be omitted, as the speech-recognizing object, into a component element group as an omission-allowed group. An augmented BNF converting section creates the speech recognition grammar by expanding the component element group obtained by the grouping.

Abstract: A flexible metal foil-polyimide laminate is prepared by applying a dimethylacetamide solution of polyamic acid onto a metal foil, drying the applied solution to form a semi-dry adhesive layer, laminating a polyimide film thereto on a hot roll press, and heat curing for solvent removal and imidization. The polyimide film has a dimethylacetamide gas permeability of at least 0.1 kg/m2·hr at 5 Torr and 200° C. In the heat curing step, the residual solvent and the water formed upon imidization in the adhesive layer are removed through the polyimide film.

Abstract: Provided is a flame retardant adhesive composition including (A) a halogen-free epoxy resin, (B) a thermoplastic resin and/or a synthetic rubber, (C) a curing agent, (D) a curing accelerator, and (E) a phosphorus-containing filler. Also provided are an adhesive sheet, a coverlay film, and a flexible copper-clad laminate prepared using such a composition. A cured product yielded by curing the composition, as well as the adhesive sheet, the coverlay film, and the flexible copper-clad laminate display excellent flame retardancy and electrical characteristics (anti-migration properties).

Abstract: A flexible metal foil-polyimide laminate is prepared by joining a polyimide film to a metal foil via an intervening adhesive layer. The adhesive is a mixture of polyamic acids: (A) the reaction product of 3,4,3?,4?-biphenyltetracarboxylic anhydride with p-phenylenediamine, (B) the reaction product of 3,4,3?,4?-biphenyltetracarboxylic anhydride with 4,4?-diaminodiphenyl ether, and (C) the reaction product of pyromellitic dianhydride with 4,4?-diaminodiphenyl ether, in a weight ratio (A+B)/C between 75/25 and 25/75. The method is simple and inexpensive, and yields a flexible metal foil-polyimide laminate that is improved in peel strength and curling resistance while maintaining the heat resistance of polyimide.

Abstract: A notation character string division unit acquires a word to be processed from a word dictionary which includes a plurality of words each having notation information and pronunciation information, and divides its notation into a plurality of partial character strings. A partial character string coupling unit generates new partial character strings by coupling neighboring ones of the plurality of divided partial characters. A pronunciation rule generation unit determines pronunciations corresponding to the obtained partial character strings, and registers sets of partial character strings and pronunciations as pronunciation rules in a pronunciation rule holding unit. A pronunciation rule deletion unit deletes registered pronunciation rules on the basis of the frequencies of occurrence of pronunciation rules registered in the pronunciation rule holding unit.

Abstract: An information processing technique for voice outputting an electronic mail, received by an information processing apparatus capable of voice output, at a sender's intended timing. For this purpose, the information processing apparatus has an electronic mail reception unit (101) to receive an electronic mail, an electronic mail selection unit (102) to select an electronic mail including a code describing voice output timing, from electronic mails received by the electronic mail reception unit (101), and a voice synthesis unit (104) to voice-synthesize the electronic mail selected by the electronic mail selection unit (102) and voice-outputs the result of voice synthesis based on the code.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet made of an acrylic adhesive composition comprising (A) an acrylic polymer containing carboxyl groups and having a Tg of 5-30° C., (B) a resol phenolic resin, (C) an epoxy resin, and (D) a curing accelerator has improved heat resistance, processing and handling as well as good adhesion, and is suited for use in the manufacture of FPC.

Abstract: A sentence appended with information associated with a pause setting position is input (S201), and a morphological analysis process is applied to the sentence to divide the sentence into words and to determine parts of speech of respective words (S203). Part-of-speech sequences, each of which includes parts of speech of a total of N (N?2) words before and after each word boundary, are obtained for respective word boundaries, and the frequencies of occurrence of arrangements of the parts of speech are calculated for respective groups of part-of-speech sequences with the same arrangements of parts of speech (S206). Pause counts, each of which indicates the number of times of setting of a pause setting position indicated by the pause setting position data between parts of speech in the part-of-speech sequence, are calculated for respective groups of the part-of-speech sequences with the same arrangements of parts of speech (S208).

Abstract: A polyimide precursor resin solution composition sheet having a solvent content of 1-50% by weight and a thickness of 1-10 microns has improved adhesion, forms a heat resistant polyimide layer when cured, and is advantageously used in the bonding of conductors to plastic films.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an information processing apparatus that allows the user to efficiently and accurately input pronunciation symbols.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which a decline in the recognition rate of voice recognition ascribable to operating sound during printing can be prevented by starting voice recognition after the printing operation has been suspended. The image forming apparatus is provided with a voice recognition unit (103) for recognizing entered voice, and a image printing unit (107) for printing prescribed print information. Whether the image printing unit (107) is currently printing is discriminated by an image-printing-state holding unit (106). Further, a request to start operation of a voice recognition unit (103) is accepted. If the request to start operation of the voice recognition unit (103) is accepted during printing of print information by the image printing unit (107), then printing of the print information by the image printing unit (107) is suspended.

Abstract: The information processing apparatus includes a manipulation procedure database 104 in which manipulation procedures selectable by a user are described hierarchically. Then, the information processing apparatus judges a manipulation procedure selected by the user, and if a manipulation procedure of a hierarchy lower in order than the judged manipulation procedure exists, synthesizes voice information on the manipulation procedure of the lower hierarchy in a voice synthesizing processing unit 105 using a dictionary for voice synthesizing 106, and outputs the voice information from a voice output unit 107.

Abstract: A control device includes a command table provided with control commands for controlled equipment as a table corresponding to natural language and a control quantity table for determining a control quantity corresponding to a word indicative of a control quantity in the natural language and a kind of control, and generates a control signal for the controlled equipment by applying the inputted natural language to the command table and the control quantity table.

Abstract: Described is an adhesive containing a polycarbodiimide resin having repeating units represented by the following formula:.paren open-st.R--N.dbd.C.dbd.N.paren close-st..sub.nwherein R is a divalent hydrocarbon group and n is an integer of 5 to 250, and also described is a flexible printed circuit board and a coverlay film fabricated using the above-described polycarbodiimide resin-containing adhesive.

Abstract: Described is an adhesive containing a polycarbodiimide resin having repeating units represented by the following formula:.paren open-st.R--N.dbd.C.dbd.N.paren close-st..sub.nwherein R is a divalent hydrocarbon group and n is an integer of 5 to 250, and also described is a flexible printed circuit board and a coverlay film fabricated using the above-described polycarbodiimide resin-containing adhesive.