Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.

Abstract: A portable electronic device for monitoring and tracking at least one bank account and a plurality of transactions is disclosed. The invention includes a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel with an inner surface. The outer surface may include a digital touch screen, a speaker and an On/Off button to interface with a user and the inner surface includes a plurality of slots designed to hold at least one electronic transaction card. The inner surface of second panel includes at least one slot for holding at a transaction document. The first and the second panel is arranged in face to face relation along a horizontal fold line to make the device compact and easy to operate. The device can be customized as a unit for singles, a unit for couples and a unit for businesses.

Abstract: Automated text-based messaging interaction using natural language understanding technologies enables text-based messages to be received from users and interpreted by a self-service application platform so that the self-service application platform can respond to the text-based messages in an automated manner. The characters and strings of characters contained within the text message are interpreted to extract words, which are then processed using a natural language understanding engine to determine the content of the text-based message. The content is used to generate a response message from static and/or dynamic grammars to automate the process of interacting with a user via text-based messages. Multiple text-based message formats are supported, including text messages transmitted using Short Messaging Service (SMS), instant messaging, chat, and e-mail.

Abstract: A machine-readable storage medium includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive as input a target sentence comprising a target word and retrieve a gloss of the target word. The processor is further caused to parse the target sentence and the gloss. The processor is further caused to assign a score to the gloss based on the gloss's coherence to the target sentence.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound text input. The device is able to assemble language objects in the memory to generate compound language solutions. The device is able to analyze the combinations of language objects in light of N-gram data stored on the device to avoid proposing low-probability compound language solutions.

Abstract: In view of the foregoing, an improved handheld electronic device includes a keypad in the form of a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. As a user enters keystrokes, the device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants from which a user can choose. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry, and when initiating an activity session on a word such as during editing, the display outputs variants of the entire word being edited, rather than providing as variants only those parts of a word that are being edited. The device also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user.

Abstract: Statements of a computer program expressed using a first source natural language are made meaningful to a programmer familiar with a second target natural language. The first source natural language of the computer program is determined from the programmer, or through analysis, and the second target natural language desired by the programmer is selected. Textual constructs may be parsed, with reference to stored coding conventions to determine meaningful lexical tokens. Such tokens are translated with a translation engine, and displayed to the programmer, desirably using a graphical user interface feature of an integrated development, environment (IDE) for computer programming in a particular programming language.

Abstract: This invention relates to translating timed text in web video. In a first embodiment, a method automatically translates timed text for web video. The method includes receiving a request identifying a web video from a client. In response to the request, a timed text track for the web video is retrieved from a timed text database. Each timed text track in the timed text database specifies text to display at particular times in a video. Text from the timed text track is automatically translated to a target language. Finally, the translated text is sent to the client to display with the web video.

Abstract: A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device, which includes an input apparatus having a number of input members that are capable of being actuated, wherein at least one of the input members has a plurality of selectable output alternatives, includes detecting as a first input an actuation of an input member, generating a first output, detecting as a second input an actuation of an input member having a plurality of selectable output alternatives comprising at least a primary punctuation and a secondary punctuation, determining that said first output has a predetermined characteristic, preferring as a second output said secondary punctuation, and outputting said second output.

Abstract: A method of recognising digital ink input by a user into a computer-based digital ink recognition system is disclosed. The user interacts with a paper-based document. The paper-based document has disposed thereon coded data indicative of a particular field of the paper-based document and of at least one reference point of the paper-based document. An image sensor in a sensing device captures images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the paper-based document. The sensing device then decodes at least some of the coded data to form indicating data indicative of the identity of the field of the paper-based document containing the coded data and at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the paper-based document. A server receives the indicating data from the sensing device, and processes the indicating data using a recognizer residing on the server to produce intermediate format data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a transmitted combined video and closed caption (CC) signal. The combined signal is separated into a CC signal and a video signal. The CC signal is converted into an original CC text stream. The method also includes translating the original CC text stream from a first language into a second language to from a translated CC text stream. In more specific embodiments, the method includes inserting each translated CC text stream into the video signal. The translated CC text can appear instead of the original CC text when the video signal is displayed.

Abstract: The method is software-based, and carried out on a computer system and cooperating apparatus. It checks written text for problems impairing clarity, conciseness and reader comfort in business documents. One embodiment includes routines for checking writing style in sentences and paragraphs, and for generating informational, critical and commendatory display indicators relating to reader comfort. The routines check subject and verb juxtaposition, verb strength, prepositional phrase use, transition words, unity-creating constructions, gerund use, and sentence variety. The indicators are displayed in the form of highlighted text and diacritical marks. Another embodiment is a method for quantifying reader discomfort. It includes routines for quantifying, reporting and displaying points indicating comfort-impairing problems of the type located by running the routines of the first embodiment.

Abstract: When part or all of first character data is converted into another expression to generate second character data, there are prepared an acceptance rule indicative of correspondence between a language phenomenon, a principal word of the language phenomenon, and a scope of the language phenomenon, and a conversion method as correspondence between a language phenomenon and another expression into which an expression of the language phenomenon is converted. The acceptance rule stored in the storage device is applied for a word W included in the first character data, and an acceptance part of one of the word W, a phrase, a clause, and a sentence including the word W is extracted. A converted expression of the acceptance part is generated in accordance with the conversion method stored in the storage device that corresponds to a language phenomenon of the extracted acceptance part. The second character data are generated based on the converted expression and the first character data.

Abstract: The invention relates to audio signal processing and speech enhancement. In accordance with one aspect, the invention combines a high-quality audio program that is a mix of speech and non-speech audio with a lower-quality copy of the speech components contained in the audio program for the purpose of generating a high-quality audio program with an increased ratio of speech to non-speech audio such as may benefit the elderly, hearing impaired or other listeners. Aspects of the invention are particularly useful for television and home theater sound, although they may be applicable to other audio and sound applications. The invention relates to methods, apparatus for performing such methods, and to software stored on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to perform such methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides a chatting system for a virtual pet, including a pet client, configured to receive a natural language sentence of a pet master, and send the natural language sentence to a virtual pet server; the virtual pet server, configured to forward the natural language sentence to a questioning and answering server, and return a natural language response to the pet client; the questioning and answering server, configured to perform processing of natural language understanding on the natural language sentence, obtain language characteristics of the pet master, generate the natural language response according to a natural language understanding result and the language characteristics of the pet master, and return the natural language response to the virtual pet server. Embodiments of the present invention further provide a chatting method for a virtual pet and a questioning and answering server.

Abstract: A speech enhancement method operative for devices having limited available memory is described. The method is appropriate for very noisy environments and is capable of estimating the relative strengths of speech and noise components during both the presence as well as the absence of speech.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a security system include a device control module configured for electronic communication with a plurality of devices and a user interface coupled in electronic communication with the device control module. The user interface includes a voice memory and a first speaker. The user interface is configured to receive a first system event from the device control module identifying a first condition detected by the security system. The user interface is further configured to retrieve a voice message from the voice memory corresponding to the first system event and transmit the voice message via the first speaker.

Abstract: A phonetic language translation system receives audio output from an electronic device presented to the user, so as to identify any speech signal contained within the audio output. The speech signals are broken down into recognizable phonemes which make up the most basic elements of speech in spoken languages. The sequentially generated phonemes are then regrouped to form recognizable words in one of native languages spoken around the world. While listening to the audible output of an electronic device, the activity of language area of user's brain is recorded using electrodes in the cap. The recorded “brain language area activity signals” are analyzed and compared with “brain language area activity knowledge base” to identify the native language of user. Sentences are formed using the grammatical rules of the native language. Each sentence is then translated into the identified native language and broadcast to the user using a voice synthesizer.

Abstract: A computer-based device for generating multilanguage threat descriptions concerning computer threats like phishing and malware including viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware and other security-related risks comprises a database storing data as templates and objects relevant for the threat description, an interaction portion including output means for displaying said templates and objects and further including input means for selecting and completing said templates and objects by an administrator, and a script portion generating a readable output from said completed templates and objects in at least one specific language.

Abstract: Conventional publications concerning collections of community specific expressions include collections of technical terms including nouns and compound nouns in technical fields. However, application to new expressions other than nouns is difficult. Even in the field of collection of unknown words and new words, the objective is limited substantially to nouns, and no techniques of collecting new expressions systematically have been proposed. The invention solves the above problem by (a) means for extracting n-gram collocations specific in a predetermined community from a set of documents used in the community, (b) means for selecting a radical which might be a core of specific expressions, (c) means for expanding the selected radical toward the front and back, and (d) means for screening the expanded radicals according to the grammar.

Abstract: A projection type display device 1 includes a memory portion 12C for storing a voice guide data 120 recorded preliminarily, associating the voice guide data 120 with the use situation; a voice reproducing portion 12B for reproducing the voice guide data 120; a light source driving portion 13, a light source 14, a liquid crystal panel 15, a lens 16 and a liquid crystal panel driving portion 17 as an image display portion for displaying images by projection; and a control portion for detecting the use situation of each portion, and simultaneously if the voice guide data 120 corresponding to the use situation exists, for obtaining the voice guide data 120 corresponding to the use situation from the memory portion 12C and for reproducing it in the voice reproducing portion 12B.

Abstract: Provided is a teleconference system enabling easy participation in a conference from a place geographically apart, securing active proceeding by individual presenting of statement, and enabling drastic decrease of trouble of creating a result by the conference. Statement information inputted by an input means of a terminal device is received and temporarily held and then the received statement information is transmitted to all the terminal devices participating in a teleconference. The statement information displayed on a display means of the terminal device is sorted by an input means of the terminal device and received as statement attribute data. The received statement attribute data and the statement information are stored in an information database. Then, based on the statement attribute data and the statement information, a commitment related to the teleconference is generated.

Abstract: A sign language recognition apparatus and method is provided for translating hand gestures into speech or written text. The apparatus includes a number of sensors on the hand, arm and shoulder to measure dynamic and static gestures. The sensors are connected to a microprocessor to search a library of gestures and generate output signals that can then be used to produce a synthesized voice or written text. The apparatus includes sensors such as accelerometers on the fingers and thumb and two accelerometers on the back of the hand to detect motion and orientation of the hand. Sensors are also provided on the back of the hand or wrist to detect forearm rotation, an angle sensor to detect flexing of the elbow, two sensors on the upper arm to detect arm elevation and rotation, and a sensor on the upper arm to detect arm twist. The sensors transmit the data to the microprocessor to determine the shape, position and orientation of the hand relative to the body of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering content includes a voice menu system and a phone device communicating a phone signal to the voice menu system. The voice menu system determines the phone number associated with the phone device through the phone signal and generates a voice prompt for recording a content selection from the voice menu system. The phone device selects a recording content option. The voice menu system generates prompts for determining a content title. The phone device selects a content title by communicating a selection signal to the voice menu system. The voice menu system enables a content recording at a recording device in response to the selection signal.

Abstract: A hybrid speech recognition system uses a client-side speech recognition engine and a server-side speech recognition engine to produce speech recognition results for the same speech. An arbitration engine produces speech recognition output based on one or both of the client-side and server-side speech recognition results.

Abstract: A method for voice controlling of a device or of a system in a motor vehicle, the device or the system being capable of being operated both by voice inputs and also by non-voice inputs, in particular through the actuation of switches and/or buttons and/or a touch screen, and in which the user of the device or system, in particular the driver of the motor vehicle, is alerted optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically that voice operation of the device or system is possible, dependent on the presence or absence of particular predefined conditions. In addition, the present invention relates to a device or system for supporting the voice controlling of a device or system in a motor vehicle, with which this method is able to be executed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for measuring the topical coherence of a keyword set while simultaneously partitioning the set into contextually related clusters.

Abstract: Techniques for notifying at least one entity of an occurrence of an event in an audio signal are provided. At least one preference is obtained from the at least one entity. An occurrence of an event in the audio signal is determined. The event is related to at least one of at least one speaker and at least one topic. The at least one entity is notified of the occurrence of the event in the audio signal, in accordance with the at least one preference.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining, in a speech dialogue system issuing speech prompts, a score value as an indicator for the presence of a wanted signal component in an input signal stemming from a microphone, comprising the steps of: using a first likelihood function to determine a first likelihood value for the presence of the wanted signal component in the input signal, using a second likelihood function to determine a second likelihood value for the presence of a noise signal component in the input signal, and determining a score value based on the first and the second likelihood values, wherein the first likelihood function is based on a predetermined reference wanted signal, and the second likelihood function is based on a predetermined reference noise signal.

Abstract: A medical communication system includes a plurality of end-user audio/video recording and playback devices (40) disposed with recipients of medical assistance, and a medical server (10) configured to receive audio/video messages (90?) generated by the end-user audio/video devices and to generate and transmit audio/video responses (94) to targeted end-user audio/video devices. The medical server includes an audio/video recording and playback device (12) configured to playback received audio/video messages and to record audio/video responses, and the end user audio/video recording and playback devices are configured to playback audio/video responses (94?) received from the server. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes: a video recording lens (62); a microphone (64); and an automatic lens cover (63) arranged to physically block the video recording lens except during recording of audio/video content.

Abstract: An image with text in a selected language for use in a multilingual operating program for a fill-level measuring device or a pressure measuring device is generated in that a text-free image is overlaid with the corresponding text modules in the selected language. This does not require changing the image. The overlay is controlled by means of a control file.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for issuing a gift card or other prepaid card whether it be an open or closed card type. Upon activation, the personalized service provides a voice or AV message that was created on behalf of or by the provider for the receiver. The personalized message is not imprinted on the card, but is delivered by voice mail, website, download to phone, or visiting a website.

Abstract: A system and method that includes detecting an activation of an input application control key of a peripheral device, the peripheral device having a single application control input key, to open a initial application, the initial application becoming an active application, providing an identifier of the open application, and detecting a speech prompt to activate at least one function related to the active application.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for correlating time-series data with events derived from text mining. The system is configured to receive a time period and a parameter concerning an entity, retrieve an event which is related to the entity and occurred within the time period from events which are previously extracted automatically from unstructured text, and display an indication of the event superimposed on a display representing the time series of the parameter for the time period.

Abstract: A method is provided for extracting meta data from a digital media storage device in a vehicle over a communication link between a control module of the vehicle and the digital media storage device. The method includes establishing a communication link between control module of the vehicle and the digital media storage device, identifying a media file on the digital media storage device, and retrieving meta data from a media file, the meta data including a plurality of entries, wherein at least one of the plurality of entries includes text data. The method further includes identifying the text data in an entry of the media file and storing the plurality of entries in a memory.

Abstract: An article carrier such as an envelope for holding and presenting an article such as a gift card, the article carrier including an electronic device allowing for recording and re-recording of an audio stream or message to accompany the article. The electronic device includes a removable or breakable portion so that the recording may be locked to prevent re-recording.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus sets positional relationship information indicating positional relationship between a designated position, which is to be designated on a screen by a user in a case where a plurality of images inclusive of the pass image are displayed on the screen at the time of authentication, and a display position of the pass image (S208). The apparatus then creates authentication information, which includes the image information of the pass image and the set positional relationship information, and registers the authentication information in a memory (S211).

Abstract: A remote control device includes a digital audio storage device, a talk button, and an optical distance measurer. The digital audio storage device is configured to continually record an audio input for a specific amount of time. The talk button is coupled to the digital audio storage device and is configured to initiate a transmission of the audio input to a set-top box device. The optical distance measurer is coupled to the talk button and is configured to automatically measure a distance to a user in response to the talk button being pressed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a data memory that stores in itself voice guide data pieces; a voice output portion that outputs the voice guide data pieces stored in the data memory; and a controller. The controller prohibits a first voice guide data piece from being outputted according to a job by the voice output portion, while a second voice guide data piece is being outputted according to another job thereby.

Abstract: A marker is derived from an interaction between a person and an agent of a business and the agent's user interface. A part of a speech signal that corresponds to a portion of the person's special information is located with the marker. The speech signal results from the interaction between the person and the agent. The part of the speech signal that corresponds to the portion of the person's special information is rendered unintelligible.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing information includes a wireless interactive monitor including a screen for displaying the information and adapted to receive the information wirelessly and a surgeon scrub sink for allowing a surgeon to sterilize the hands of the surgeon, positioned under the wireless interactive monitor.

Abstract: A headset includes a voice print match application or speech recognition application. The voice print match application receives a user speech corresponding to a submitted voice print phrase key upon determining a donned condition, where the user speech is compared to the predetermined voice print phrase key to validate an identity of the headset user. The speech recognition application receives a user speech corresponding to a password or PIN and recognizes the password or PIN. The recognized password or PIN is compared to a valid password or PIN to validate the identity of the headset user.

Abstract: A method and system for processing channel B data for AMR and/or WAMR may include generating one or more channel B data hypotheses for a present speech frame, if channel A data has a valid CRC and channel B data is unacceptable. Channel B data may be unacceptable, for example, due to high residual bit error rate and/or low Viterbi metric. Speech hypotheses may also be generated for the present speech frame, where each speech hypothesis may be based on a corresponding channel B data hypothesis and channel A data. A speech constraint metric may be assigned to each speech hypothesis that is compared to a previous frame speech data. The speech hypothesis that is closest to the previous frame speech data may be selected as a present speech data. The speech constraint metric may, for example, measure gain continuity and/or pitch continuity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sentence planning (120) in a task classification system that interacts with a user. The method may include recognizing symbols in the user's input communication and determining whether the user's input communication can be understood. If the user's communication can be understood, understanding data may be generated (220). The method may further include generating communicative goals (3010) based on the recognized symbols and understanding data. The generated communicative goals (3010) may be related to information needed to be obtained form the user. The method may also include automatically planning one or more sentences (3020) based on the generated communicative goals and outputting at least one of the sentence plans to the user (3080).

Abstract: An administration method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a telephone call from an administrator. The computing system presents an audible menu associated with a plurality of computers to the administrator. The computing system receives from the administrator, an audible selection for a computer from the audible menu. The computing system receives from the administrator, an audible verbal command for performing a maintenance operation on the computer. The computing system executes the maintenance operation on the computer. The computing system receives from the computer, confirmation data indicating that the maintenance operation has been completed. The computing system converts the confirmation data into an audible verbal message. The computing system transmits the second audible verbal message to the administrator.

Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user recorded message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.

Abstract: Service initiation techniques are described. In at least one implementation, a computing device receives a selection of text that is displayed in a user interface by an application. Selection is detected of one of a plurality of services that are displayed in the user interface. Responsive to the detection, the selection of text is provided to the selected service without further user intervention.

Abstract: A method of operating a speech recognition system on a vehicle having a visual display and manually-operated input device that includes initiating a speech recognition system, controlling menu selections on a visual display using a manually-operated input device, receiving a notification from the manually-operated input device indicating that the user is manipulating the device in conjunction with the menu selections on the visual display, and adjusting operation of the speech recognition system based on input received by the manually-operated input device.

Abstract: Training data may be provided, the training data including pairs of source phrases and target phrases. The pairs may be used to train an intra-language statistical machine translation model, where the intra-language statistical machine translation model, when given an input phrase of text in the human language, can compute probabilities of semantic equivalence of the input phrase to possible translations of the input phrase in the human language. The statistical machine translation model may be used to translate between queries and listings. The queries may be text strings in the human language submitted to a search engine. The listing strings may be text strings of formal names of real world entities that are to be searched by the search engine to find matches for the query strings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for processing of patents. Similar words to each word in a claim may be found to words in a patent document. Often the words of the claims may be searched for in a cited reference to flag to the practitioner an area of interest that may contain a paragraph or sentence that may disclose that feature of a claim. An automated method of searching for similar words of a claim that notify a practitioner of an area of patentable interest is presented in some embodiments of this invention.