Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve methods of performing speech recognition. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising receiving a spoken utterance, processing the spoken utterance in a speech recognizer to generate a recognition result, determining consistencies of one or more parameters of component sounds of the spoken utterance, wherein the parameters are selected from the group consisting of duration, energy, and pitch, and wherein each component sound of the spoken utterance has a corresponding value of said parameter, and validating the recognition result based on the consistency of at least one of said parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve methods of performing speech recognition. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising receiving a spoken utterance, processing the spoken utterance in a speech recognizer to generate a recognition result, determining consistencies of one or more parameters of component sounds of the spoken utterance, wherein the parameters are selected from the group consisting of duration, energy, and pitch, and wherein each component sound of the spoken utterance has a corresponding value of said parameter, and validating the recognition result based on the consistency of at least one of said parameters.

Abstract: A speech recognition technique is described that has the dual benefits of not requiring collection of recordings for training while using computational resources that are cost-compatible with consumer electronic products. Methods are described for improving the recognition accuracy of a recognizer by developer interaction with a design tool that iterates the recognition data during development of a recognition set of utterances and that allows controlling and minimizing the computational resources required to implement the recognizer in hardware.

Abstract: A transmitter unit is described for an open path gas detector. The unit comprises: an enclosure having a window; and a coherent radiation transmitter, e.g. a tuneable laser diode transmitter, located within the enclosure and configured to direct a beam of radiation through the window. The window is slanted with respect to the axis of the beam emitted by the transmitter such that no radiation from the transmitter that is directly incident on the window is reflected by the window directly onto the transmitter. Thereby interference fringes within the emitted radiation are reduced. Alternatively, the window may be replaced by a lens followed by an aperture such that the beam emitted by the transmitter is focused onto the aperture, thereby forming a beam of radiation passing out of the enclosure.

Abstract: The invented apparatus is designed for use within a vehicle's electrical system. The apparatus electrically couples a plug having a first electrical contact configuration with a relay having a different electrical contact configuration. The apparatus provides an easy and inexpensive solution for replacing relay's that have different electrical contact configurations.

Abstract: The invented apparatus is designed for use within a vehicle's electrical system. The apparatus electrically couples a plug having a first electrical contact configuration with a relay having a different electrical contact configuration. The apparatus provides an easy and inexpensive solution for replacing relay's that have different electrical contact configurations.

Abstract: Devices are presented which allow determination of unknown surface properties through the creation of a channel capillary, comprised in part of the subject surface or surfaces, and measurement of the capillary pressure created by a test fluid within the resultant channel. In various embodiments of the invention, a channel is created in a reference material which is bonded, through some mechanism, to the test surface in order to create a narrow capillary channel. In other embodiments of the invention, the capillary channel is created with test surfaces on either side of standoff strips which space the surfaces a precise distance from one another. Methods are presented for using these capillaries through immersion, along their length, in a bath of test fluid, such that the resultant fluid level provides a measure of capillary pressure.

Abstract: There is provided an integrated wavelength-stabilised laser source comprising: a laser diode; a temperature-stabilising heat pump in thermal communication with the laser diode; and at least one detector, encapsulated within a hermetically sealed package comprising a window for passing light from the laser diode to the exterior of the package.

Abstract: A method of producing synthetic visual speech according to this invention includes receiving an input containing speech information. One or more visemes that correspond to the speech input are then identified. Next, the weights of those visemes are calculated using a coarticulation engine including viseme deformability information. Finally, a synthetic visual speech output is produced based on the visemes' weights over time (or tracks). The synthetic visual speech output is combined with a synchronized audio output corresponding to the input to produce a multimedia output containing a 3D lipsyncing animation.