Patents by Inventor R. Douglas Sharp

R. Douglas Sharp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Computer-implemented tool for creation of speech application code and associated functional specification
    Patent number: 7930182
    Abstract: A machine-implemented method of building a speech application includes generating a graphical user interface to enable a user to create and edit a speech application, and receiving user inputs directed to the graphical user interface, where the user inputs specify a set of dialog flows representing the speech application. The method further includes, based on the user inputs, automatically generating executable code representing the speech application and a functional specification document describing the speech application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Sinai, James E. White, Richard B. Unger, R. Douglas Sharp, James M. Riseman, Eylon Stroh
  • Updating markov models based on speech input and additional information for automated telephone directory assistance
    Patent number: 5644680
    Abstract: In methods and apparatus for at least partially automating a telephone directory assistance function, directory assistance callers are prompted to speak locality or called entity names associated with desired directory listings. A speech recognition algorithm is applied to speech signals received in response to prompting to determine spoken locality or called entity names. Desired telephone numbers are released to callers, and released telephone numbers are used to confirm or correct at least some of the recognized locality or called entity names. Speech signal representations labelled with the confirmed or corrected names are used as labelled speech tokens to refine prior training of the speech recognition algorithm. The training refinement automatically adjusts for deficiencies in prior training of the speech recognition algorithm and to long term changes in the speech patterns of directory assistance callers served by a particular directory assistance installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bielby, Vishwa N. Gupta, Lauren C. Hodgson, Matthew Lennig, R. Douglas Sharp, Hans A. Wasmeier
  • Method and apparatus for training speech recognition algorithms for directory assistance applications
    Patent number: 5488652
    Abstract: In methods and apparatus for at least partially automating a telephone directory assistance function, directory assistance callers are prompted to speak locality or called entity names associated with desired directory listings. A speech recognition algorithm is applied to speech signals received in response to prompting to determine spoken locality or called entity names. Desired telephone numbers are released to callers, and released telephone numbers are used to confirm or correct at least some of the recognized locality or called entity names. Speech signal representations labelled with the confirmed or corrected names are used as labelled speech tokens to refine prior training of the speech recognition algorithm. The training refinement automatically adjusts for deficiencies in prior training of the speech recognition algorithm and to long term changes in the speech patterns of directory assistance callers served by a particular directory assistance installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bielby, Vishwa N. Gupta, Lauren C. Hodgson, Matthew Lennig, R. Douglas Sharp, Hans A. Wasmeier