Abstract: A storage device for use with a synthesizer of original information bearing time domain signals from compressed information time domain signals produced by predetermined different signal compression techniques. The storage device contains compressed information time domain signals and instruction signals specifying the particular compression technique applied to the original information bearing time domain signals to produce corresponding portions of the compressed information time domain signals. The compressed information time domain signals comprise a plurality of samples resulting from the predetermined signal compression techniques, the number of the different signal compression techniques applied to the original signals being greater than two and the ratio of the plurality of the samples to the minimum number of samples required to uniquely and intelligibly identify the original information bearing signals being no greater than about 0.2.

Abstract: A voice responsive door lock system is provided wherein the operation of the door lock device is vocally controlled by the driver via a voice recognition unit.The voice responsive door lock system for a motor vehicle comprises a door position detection means, an indication means for indicating a question as to the necessity of locking the door, a voice recognition unit for identifying the driver's reply and producing a door lock command signal, and a door lock control means for actuating a door lock device upon receiving the door lock command signal.

Abstract: A voice-controlled, operator-interacting radio transceiver has a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals under plural potential operating conditions including on/off, transmit/receive, frequency of operation, squelch, volume control, etc. A speech recognition circuit receives audible verbal phrases spoken by a human operator and produces control signals in response to certain predetermined recognized phrases. The operation of the transceiver is controlled in response to the control signals and further coded data signals representative of the respective predetermined operating condition of the transceiver are also produced. Output devices are responsive to the further coded data signal for producing an output signal perceptible to the human operator and confirmatory of the control action then being effected.

Abstract: A noise level monitoring and indicating system includes plural microphones distributed about a classroom, bus, etc. and adapted to drive individual counters to indicate the number of times a minimum sound level has been exceeded by the signal from the associated microphone. Visual indicators are also provided to indicate the instantaneous noise status at selected microphones.

Abstract: A camera with a voice command system includes a switch which selectively brings the voice command system to one of learning and working modes. During the learning mode, various command voices spoken into a microphone and each registered in the camera at a designated section. During the working mode, a spoken command voice is compared with each one of the registered command voices and recognized by the one that correlates mostly for generating a control signal relying on the identified section.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually signalling hearing impaired persons of the occurrence of an audible sound producing event. A plurality of sensing devices are individually located adjacent to a sound producing device, such as a telephone, doorbell, fire detector, etc., to sense the audible sounds produced by the activation of such devices. The output signals from the sensing devices are arranged in a predetermined priority ranking to enable a more important event to take precedence over an already occurring less important event. A sensing device transmits a signal to a central logic unit indicating the activation of one of the sound producing devices. The central logic unit identifies which sensing device sent the signal and transmits a predetermined sequence of output pulses associated with the particular activated device to a plurality of control modules.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic selective switching and transmitting of input signals in which switching circuits are provided for respective transmitting systems of a plurality of input signals. The switching circuits undergo opening and closing operations to carry out non-transmitting and transmitting of signals. Input signal detection circuits are supplied with said input signals and detect the same to produce detected signals. A circuit for forming control signals is supplied with the detected signals and forms control signals for closing the switching circuit provided for the transmitting system of an input signal which has arrived and causes the switching circuits of the other transmitting systems to open or to remain opened.

Abstract: A video entertainment system by which human viewers conduct simulated voice conversations with screen actors or cartoon characters in a prerecorded branching movie shown on a television screen. The actors and cartoons reply responsively with lip-sync sound to words spoken by viewers. Different audio and video frames are addressed on a videodisc to provide one of several alternative replies or alternative actions at each branch point in the movie, depending on what the viewer says to a speech-recognition unit. A simple speech-recognition unit can be used because the number of words to be recognized at each branch point is restricted to just a few words. A menu of prompting words is displayed on a hand-held unit to inform viewers of what words they can use at each branch point. The prompting words are programmed to be phonetically distinct to be easily distinguishable from each other. Viewers can input questions or make other remarks by speaking a displayed code word which stands for a whole sentence.

Abstract: A video amusement system by which one or more viewers influence the course of a motion picture as if each viewer were a participant in a real-life drama or dialog. A speech-recognition unit recognizes a few spoken words such as "yes" and "run" spoken by a viewer at branch points in the movie, thus simulating a dialog between the screen actors and the viewer. The apparatus may read an optical videodisc containing independently addressable video frames, blocks of compressed audio, and/or animated cartoon graphics for the multiple story lines which the movie may take. A record retrieval circuit reads blocks of binary-coded control information comprising a branching structure of digital points specifying the frame sequence for each story line. A dispatcher circuit assembles a schedule of cueing commands specifying precisely which video frames, cartoon frames, and portions of audio are to be presented at which instant of time.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a clay pigeon launcher in response to a voice command, to one of a plurality of microphones. The system provides for the averaging of the signal output of the microphones and the selection of the output of highest level. These outputs are compared and if the highest level is greater than a predetermined magnitude provides an operating signal for the launcher.