Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rendering a talking head on a client device are disclosed. The client device has a client cache capable of storing audio/visual data associated with rendering the talking head. The method comprises storing sentences in a client cache of a client device that relate to bridging delays in a dialog, storing sentence templates to be used in dialogs, generating a talking head response to a user inquiry from the client device, and determining whether sentences or stored templates stored in the client cache relate to the talking head response. If the stored sentences or stored templates relate to the talking head response, the method comprises instructing the client device to use the appropriate stored sentence or template from the client cache to render at least a part of the talking head response and transmitting a portion of the talking head response not stored in the client cache, if any, to the client device to render a complete talking head response.

Abstract: A method of improving the lighting conditions of a real scene or video sequence. Digitally generated light is added to a scene for video conferencing over telecommunication networks. A virtual illumination equation takes into account light attenuation, lambertian and specular reflection. An image of an object is captured, a virtual light source illuminates the object within the image. In addition, the object can be the head of the user. The position of the head of the user is dynamically tracked so that an three-dimensional model is generated which is representative of the head of the user. Synthetic light is applied to a position on the model to form an illuminated model.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a video sequence having mouth movements synchronized with speech sounds are disclosed. The system utilizes a database of n-phones as the smallest selectable unit, wherein n is larger than 1 and preferably 3. The system calculates a target cost for each candidate n-phone for a target frame using a phonetic distance, coarticulation parameter, and speech rate. For each n-phone in a target sequence, the system searches for candidate n-phones that are visually similar according to the target cost. The system samples each candidate n-phone to get a same number of frames as in the target sequence and builds a video frame lattice of candidate video frames. The system assigns a joint cost to each pair of adjacent frames and searches the video frame lattice to construct the video sequence by finding the optimal path through the lattice according to the minimum of the sum of the target cost and the joint cost over the sequence.

Abstract: A method is provided for customizing a multi-media message created by a sender for a recipient, in which the multi-media message includes an animated entity audibly presenting speech converted from text by the sender. At least one image is received from the sender. Each of the at least one image is associated with a tag. The sender is presented with options to insert the tag associated with one of the at least one image into the sender text.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system, method, means and computer program code is provided including identifying a provider interface, the provider interface configured to map data items from a provider data model to a system data model, identifying a set of capabilities of the provider data model, transmitting data from the information provider to the business information system through the provider interface, and communicating the set of capabilities of the provider data model to the business information system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method is provided including receiving, from a front-end portion of a business information system, a data request at a back-end portion of the business information system, identifying an information provider associated with the data request, passing the data request to the information provider via a consumer services interface using a selection object and a query view object, and receiving a result set from the information provider.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the movement of a virtual agent while the agent is speaking to a human user during a conversation is disclosed. The method comprises receiving speech data to be spoken by the virtual agent, performing a prosodic analysis of the speech data, selecting matching prosody patterns from a speaking database and controlling the virtual agent movement according to the selected prosody patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing blinding effects on vehicle or machine drivers in flexible positions which, however, results in a significant restriction in the field of vision and/or for use as a medium for presenting visual information. In order to correct for a restriction in the field of vision and to use the shade as a medium for presenting visual information, the light/sun shade is made of transparent materials and comprises an integrated information system.

Abstract: A method for generating animated sequences of talking heads in text-to-speech applications wherein a processor samples a plurality of frames comprising image samples. Representative parameters are extracted from the image samples and stored in an animation library. The processor also samples a plurality of multiphones comprising images together with their associated sounds. The processor extracts parameters from these images comprising data characterizing mouth shapes, maps, rules, or equations, and stores the resulting parameters and sound information in a coarticulation library. The animated sequence begins with the processor considering an input phoneme sequence, recalling from the coarticulation library parameters associated with that sequence, and selecting appropriate image samples from the animation library based on that sequence. The image samples are concatenated together, and the corresponding sound is output, to form the animated synthesis.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the movement of a virtual agent while the agent is listening to a human user during a conversation is disclosed. The method comprises receiving speech data from the user, performing a prosodic analysis of the speech data and controlling the virtual agent movement according to the prosodic analysis.

Abstract: In a burner arrangement for the annular combustion chamber of a gas turbine, a plurality of burners are arranged above one another, in each case in pairs in the radial direction, on concentric rings. In a burner arrangement of this type, the mechanical integrity of the turbine casing is increased and operation of the combustion chamber is optimized by virtue of the two burners in a pair of burners being oriented out of the parallel position, in such a manner that their burner axes converge in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A solid is separated from a gas scrubber by collecting a solids burden not collected at a solids-collection device of a flue gas desulfurization system by adding at least one flocculant, flocculation aid or mixtures thereof, while using a separating device; wherein te flue-gas desulfurization system contains at least one absorption device disposed downstream from said solids-collection device.

Abstract: A system and method of providing sender customization of multi-media messages through the use of inserted images or video. The images or video may be sender-created or predefined and available to the sender via a web server. The method relates to customizing a multi-media message created by a sender for a recipient, the multi-media message having an animated entity audibly presenting speech converted from text created by the sender. The method comprises receiving at least one image from the sender, associating each at least one image with a tag, presenting the sender with options to insert the tag associated with one of the at least one image into the sender text, and after the sender inserts the tag associated with one of the at least one images into the sender text, delivering the multi-media message with the at least one image presented as background to the animated entity according to a position of the tag associated with the at least one image in the sender text.

Abstract: A self-adhesive air cushion film for temporary protection of fresh paint surfaces of vehicles such as automobiles and freshly painted vehicle parts, having a first carrier film on which a second, bubble-forming carrier film is present, the bubbles being filled in particular with air, a sheet of polyethylene being inseparably applied at least partially to the bubbles, and a self-adhesive layer being applied to the film.

Abstract: A system and method of providing sender-customization of multi-media messages through the use of emoticons is disclosed. The sender inserts the emoticons into a text message. As an animated face audibly delivers the text, emoticons associated with the message are started a predetermined period of time or number of words prior to the position of the emoticon in the message text and completed a predetermined length of time or number of words following the location of the emoticon. The sender may insert emoticons through the use of emoticon buttons that are icons available for choosing. Upon sender selections of an emoticon, an icon representing the emoticon is inserted into the text at the position of the cursor. Once an emoticon is chosen, the sender may also choose the amplitude for the emoticon and increased or decreased amplitude will be displayed in the icon inserted into the message text.

Abstract: A method of improving the lighting conditions of a real scene or video sequence. Digitally generated light is added to a scene for video conferencing over telecommunication networks. A virtual illumination equation takes into account light attenuation, lambertian and specular reflection. An image of an object is captured, a virtual light source illuminates the object within the image. In addition, the object can be the head of the user. The position of the head of the user is dynamically tracked so that an three-dimensional model is generated which is representative of the head of the user. Synthetic light is applied to a position on the model to form an illuminated model.

Abstract: A method for customizing a voice in a multi-media message created by a sender for a recipient is disclosed. The multi-media message comprises a text message from the sender to be delivered by an animated entity. The method comprises presenting an option to the sender to insert voice emoticons into the text message associated with parameters of a voice used by the animated entity to deliver the text message. The message is then delivered wherein the voice of the animated entity is modified throughout the message according to the voice emoticons. The voice emoticons may relate to features such as voice stress, volume, pauses, emotion, yelling, or whispering. After the sender inserts various voice emoticons into the text of the message, the animated entity delivers the multi-media message giving effect to each voice emoticon in the text. A volume or intensity of the voice emoticons may be given effect by repeating the tags.

Abstract: Disclosed is a directional control valve comprising a front-side connector and at least one radial connector, wherein the front faces of a valve body (valve shift or seat body) of the directional control valve are pressurized approximately equally, so that the actuating forces for shifting the valve body are minimal. In accordance with the invention, the pressure for pressurizing a rearward front face of the valve body is tapped at an axial distance to the valve body.

Abstract: At least one Helmholtz damper is arranged at a combustion chamber for a gas turbine in order to damp thermoacoustic oscillations; the damping volume of this Helmholtz damper is in communication with the combustion chamber via a connecting passage. Optimum damping is achieved in a simple way by virtue of the Helmholtz damper being designed in such a manner that its damping frequency is adjustable.

Abstract: An orthopedic casting slipper kit (21) including a resilient fabric impression slipper (23) formed to extend on a patient's foot (27) from a plantar aspect or surface (29) to about one-third of the way from the base of the toes to the dorsum of the foot. A longitudinally resiliently extensible band (37) is provided on the slipper (23) proximate the open end (33), and an arch strap (39) dimensioned to span transversely over the dorsum (30) of the foot (27) is used to pull the impression slipper (23) up into contact with the arch (35) of the foot to prevent bridging of the arch. A method of using the arch strap (39) to aid in conformance also is disclosed.