Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for identifying document topics. A system configured to practice the method receives a document from a corpus of documents, learns interpersonal relationships of users associated with the document, performs a lexical analysis of the document, and, based on the interpersonal relationships of the users and the lexical analysis, identifying a topic for the document. The approaches disclosed herein can integrate user-people relationships to identify topics for documents with low lexical or high contextual content. The system can learn this user-people relationship from context. The system uses this learned behavior to identify communication documents correctly. Another aspect is the separation of the two phases.

Abstract: A method and system for providing text-to-audio conversion of an electronic book displayed on a viewer. A user selects a portion of displayed text and converts it into audio. The text-to-audio conversion may be performed via a header file and pre-recorded audio for each electronic book, via text-to-speech conversion, or other available means. The user may select manual or automatic text-to audio conversion. The automatic text-to-audio conversion may be performed by automatically turning the pages of the electronic book or by the user manually turning the pages. The user may also select to convert the entire electronic book, or portions of it, into audio. The user may also select an option to receive an audio definition of a particular word in the electronic book. The present invention allows a user to control the system by selecting options from a screen or by entering voice commands.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are described for invoking tapered prompts in a multimodal application implemented with a multimodal browser and a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of user interaction with the multimodal application, the modes of user interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes. Embodiments include identifying, by a multimodal browser, a prompt element in a multimodal application; identifying, by the multimodal browser, one or more attributes associated with the prompt element; and playing a speech prompt according to the one or more attributes associated with the prompt element.

Abstract: A system for the control of an implant (32) in a body (11), comprising first (10, 20) and second parts (12) which communicate with each other. The first part (10, 20) is adapted for implantation and for control of and communication with the medical implant (32), and the second part (12) is adapted to be worn on the outside of the body (11) in contact with the body and to receive control commands from a user and to transmit them to the first part (10, 20). The body (11) is used as a conductor for communication between the first (10, 20) and the second (12) parts. The second part (12) is adapted to receive and recognize voice control commands from a user and to transform them into signals which are transmitted to the first part (10, 20) via the body (11).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for aligning words in parallel translation sentences for use in machine translation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for predicting probabilities of words for a language model. An exemplary system configured to practice the method receives a sequence of words and external data associated with the sequence of words and maps the sequence of words to an X-dimensional vector, corresponding to a vocabulary size. Then the system processes each X-dimensional vector, based on the external data, to generate respective Y-dimensional vectors, wherein each Y-dimensional vector represents a dense continuous space, and outputs at least one next word predicted to follow the sequence of words based on the respective Y-dimensional vectors. The X-dimensional vector, which is a binary sparse representation, can be higher dimensional than the Y-dimensional vector, which is a dense continuous space.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a difficulty level of a text. A determination is made as to a number of cohesive devices present in a text. A further determination is made as to a number of cohesive devices expected in the text. A cohesiveness metric is calculated based on the number of cohesive devices present in the text and the number of cohesive devices expected in the text, where the cohesiveness metric is used to identify a difficulty level of the text.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for learning latent representations for natural language tasks. A system configured to practice the method analyzes, for a first natural language processing task, a first natural language corpus to generate a latent representation for words in the first corpus. Then the system analyzes, for a second natural language processing task, a second natural language corpus having a target word, and predicts a label for the target word based on the latent representation. In one variation, the target word is one or more word such as a rare word and/or a word not encountered in the first natural language corpus. The system can optionally assigning the label to the target word. The system can operate according to a connectionist model that includes a learnable linear mapping that maps each word in the first corpus to a low dimensional latent space.

Abstract: A computing device and method starts applications via voice commands. The computing device records a sound input by a microphone of the computing device and sends the recorded sound input to a sound sensor of the computing device. Furthermore, the computing device reads a voice command by an embedded controller of the computing device from the sound sensor, in response to a determination that the recorded sound input matches a predetermined verbal statement of the voice command. The computing device notifies an operating system of the computing device to start the application corresponding to the voice command.

Abstract: A system includes a data structure comprising a plurality of mesh entities, the data structure associating each of the plurality of mesh entities with a respective name and a respective one or more attribute values, and associating each of the plurality of mesh entities with one or more relations to one or more other ones of the plurality of mesh entities. Some aspects include reception of a file comprising text, identification of text entities from the text, identification of first mesh entities from the plurality of mesh entities based on the identified text entities, determination, for each of the first mesh entities, of a name and one or more attribute values, and determination of a relevance associated with each identified text entity based on the determined name and one or more attribute values.

Abstract: A search server includes a category database that stores category information containing location information indicating a geographical location, a word assigned to the location, and a user ID identifying a user having assigned the word to the location in association with one another, and a dictionary registration unit that reads first input information indicating locations to which a first word is assigned by a first user and second input information indicating locations to which a second word is assigned by a second user, and when determining that the first and second users have assigned the words to a predetermined number or more of common locations based on those information, creates dictionary data containing the first and second words in association with each other and enters the dictionary data into a dictionary database.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automatic generation of a title or summary from a long body of text. A grammatical tree representing one or more sentences of the long body of text is generated. One or more nodes from the grammatical tree are selected to be removed. According to one embodiment, a particular node is selected to be removed based on its position in the grammatical tree and its node-type, where the node type represents a grammatical element of the sentence. Once the particular node is selected, a branch of the tree is cut at the node. After branch has been cut, one or more sub-sentences are generated from the remaining nodes in the grammatical tree. The one or more sub-sentences may be returned as a title or summary.

Abstract: An electronic book system for providing services for improving the user convenience by sharing, acquiring and analyzing text information included in an electronic book is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a quality indicator representing a perceived quality of an output signal of an audio system with respect to a reference signal. The reference signal and the output signal are processed and compared. The processing includes dividing the reference signal and the output signal into mutually corresponding time frames. Additionally, the processing includes scaling the intensity of the reference signal towards a fixed intensity level, and then performing measurements on time frames within the scaled reference signal for determining reference signal time frame characteristics. The intensity of the reference signal is then scaled from the fixed intensity level towards an intensity level related to the output signal. Further on in the method, the loudness of the output signal is scaled towards a fixed loudness level in the perceptual loudness domain. This scaling action uses the reference signal time frame characteristics.

Abstract: A technical term dictionary stores terms of a first language and each translated term of a second language. A translation memory stores source sentences of the first language and each target sentence of the second language. A translation unit translates a text of the first language into an output text of the second language by the technical term dictionary and the translation memory. A corresponding translation pair extraction unit extracts, from a source sentence matched with a sentence of the text and a target sentence corresponding to the source sentence stored in the translation memory, a corresponding translation pair comprising a word in the source sentence and a translated word corresponding to the word in the target sentence. An unmatch check unit checks whether the translated word does not match with a translated term corresponding to the word in the output text.

Abstract: An elevator control device makes call registration by voice recognition by using a microphone outputting a user's voice as a sound signal and includes: an indicator controller that causes an image which specifies one of objects selectable as a call registration object to be displayed; a storage which stores, in advance, the sound signal of a predetermined voice, which is used for designating the call registration object, as a registered sound signal; and a voice recognizing mechanism that compares the sound signal delivered from the microphone with the registered sound signal, and delivers a control signal if these sound signals coincide with each other. The indicator controller outputs registration information, in which the object specified by the image displayed on the indicator is the call registration object, when receiving the control signal sent from the voice recognizing mechanism.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing the automated translation of communications includes capturing and inputting into a data processing system a translation-candidate communication rendered in a first human language. A first data set representative of the translation-candidate communication is stored in computer memory and parsed into communication sub-portions. Communication sub-portions are algorithmically selected for translation depending on their relatedness to a predetermined topic as determined by first-language extraction rules. Each selected communication sub-portion is translated to a translated-data-set sub-portion representative of that selected communication sub-portion in the second human language. Translated-data-set sub-portions are subjected to a secondary filtration process in accordance with which their relatedness to the predetermined topic is determined by second-language extraction rules.

Abstract: An automated personal assistance system employing artificial intelligence technology that includes speech recognition and synthesis, situational awareness, pattern and behavioral recognition, and the ability to learn from the environment. Embodiments of the system include environmental and occupant sensors and environmental actuators interfaced to an assistance controller having the artificial intelligence technology incorporated therein to control the environment of the system. An embodiment of the invention is implemented as a vehicle which reacts to voice command for movement and operation of the vehicle and detects objects, obstructions, and distances. This invention provides the ability to monitor for the safety of operation and modify dangerous maneuvers as well as to learn locations in the environment and to automatically find its way to them. The system may also incorporate communication capability to convey patterns of environmental and occupant parameters and to a monitoring center.

Abstract: A system for using a watermark embedded in an audio signal to remotely control a device. Various devices such as toys, computers, and appliances, equipped with an appropriate detector, detect the hidden signals, which can trigger an action, or change a state of the device. The watermarks can be used with a “time gate” device, where detection of the watermark opens a time interval within which a user is allowed to perform an action, such as pressing a button, typing in an answer, turning a key in a lock, etc.

Abstract: A remote control having a housing with a top surface and bottom surface. The top surface has a first set of one or more inputs adapted to be used when the housing is held in one hand of a user. The bottom surface has a plurality of second inputs configured in a recessed portion of the bottom surface corresponding at least in part to an area adapted to be held in one hand of a user when activating the first set of inputs. The remote control also has at least one short range transmitter responsive to activation of the first and second inputs.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present application is directed to a method including providing a keyboard, including a plurality of keys, at least some of the keys including polysemous symbols which provide distinctive tactile feedback to a user; and accessing a word, phoneme or plural word message, based upon sequentially selected ones of the polysemous symbols providing distinctive tactile feedback. Another embodiment of the present application is directed to a system, including a keyboard, including a plurality of keys, at least some of the keys including polysemous symbols which provide distinctive tactile feedback to a user; and a processor to access a word, phoneme or plural word message, based upon sequentially selected ones of the polysemous symbols providing distinctive tactile feedback.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method classifying a number of noun phrases in a first text passage and a second text passage into a number of classifications. The method also includes determining a similarity between a noun phrase from the first text passage and a noun phase from the second text passage for each of the noun phrases of a same classification. Additionally, a similarity between a sentence from the first text passage and a sentence from the second text passage is determined for each of the sentences in the first and second text passages based on similarities between the noun phrases. The method also includes determining a similarity between the first text passage and the second text passage based on a similarity between sentences.

Abstract: Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus which utilize removable oral-based appliances having actuators which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance are described. Such oral appliances may receive the user's voice and process the voice to introduce a time delay and/or a frequency shift. The altered audio feedback signal is then transmitted back to the user through a tooth, teeth, or other bone via a vibrating actuator element. The actuator element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.

Abstract: In a method for validating data, a text of a document is received. At least one fact is extracted from the text. At least one expert refinement is merged with the at least one fact to create at least one modified fact. The at least one modified fact is provided for a review. An expert refinement to the at least one modified fact is captured in response to the review. A superset document based on the at least one pre-existing refinement and the expert refinement is stored.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, content filtering is provided for a digital audio signal.

Abstract: A system and method for speech therapy is provided that includes a mobile device, a server and a web-client. The mobile device captures and processes voice signals analyzed locally and on the server and from which a speech therapy is coordinated and delivered. The web-client through interaction with the mobile device and through the server implements a speech therapy that can be monitored and managed thereon through specified clinical moderation. The web-client also provides an alternative method to capture and transmit voice signals to the server for analysis and from which a speech therapy is coordinated and delivered. Speech therapy management can implement therapy procedures, guidelines and one-to-one communication sessions between users and providers in a non-clinical setting in real-time or at scheduled times. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for a user to buy a song from a remote music source, the method comprising the steps of: the user inputting a song melody into an input device connected to the remote music source, wherein the user inputs the song melody using only their mouth; processing the tones of the input song melody so as to determine a set of tonal characteristics associated with the input tones; searching a music database for a song having a like set of tonal characteristics, so as to return at least one candidate song title to the user; playing a sample of the song associated with the at least one candidate song title for the user; permitting the user to purchase the song associated with the at least one candidate song title if desired; and delivering a purchased song to the user via a digital transmission medium.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for building and managing a customized voice of an end-user, comprising the steps of designing a set of prompts for collection from the user, wherein the prompts are selected from both an analysis tool and by the user's own choosing to capture voice characteristics unique to the user. The prompts are delivered to the user over a network to allow the user to save a user recording on a server of a service provider. This recording is then retrieved and stored on the server and then set up on the server to build a voice database using text-to-speech synthesis tools. A graphical interface allows the user to continuously refine the data file to improve the voice and customize parameter and configuration settings, thereby forming a customized voice database which can be deployed or accessed.

Abstract: A navigation system written in J2ME MIDP for a client device includes a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer. A navigation program manages the state of the plurality of media players. The plurality of media players are in either one of an acquiring resources state, and a playing and de-allocating state. The use of a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer overcomes the prior art in which navigation system can cut off a voice prompt because of the time-consuming tasks associated with playing a voice prompt.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow users to browse services, content items, or the like using the language that is generally most familiar to them, and in particular ones that are not available on an IPTV. Thus, users can browse content offerings on the second display in a language and font set that are personalized to themselves, and they may further send the content item to the IPTV for playback. The disclosed systems and methods provide a way for a group of users to exploit individual “second displays” to view, browse, and navigate content or data service offerings, by service providers, e.g., internet network services, in a preferred language and using preferred fonts, especially one not supported by a content playback device, on behalf of a content playback device, e.g., IPTV, the same having authenticated credentials for playback of such content, and then arrange for a selected content item or items to be played back on the content playback device.

Abstract: A method for task execution improvement, the method includes: generating a baseline model for executing a task; recording a user executing a task; comparing the baseline model to the user's execution of the task; and providing feedback to the user based on the differences in the user's execution and the baseline model.

Abstract: A text conversion method and a text conversion system are provided. A term mapping table recording a term mapping relationship between a source language and a target language is provided. A tokenization process is performed on a paragraph in the source language to obtain tokenization results. The tokenization results are compared with the term mapping table to determine each source language term in the paragraph is belonging to a first type or a second type. The source language terms belonging to the first type are converted into corresponding target language terms according to the term mapping table. Regarding each source language term of the second type, one of multiple corresponding candidate target language terms is selected as the target language term according to a co-occurrence relevance of relevant terms, wherein each relevant term is constituted by one candidate target language term and words before and after that in the paragraph.

Abstract: A letter confirmation system is provided on a handheld electronic device. The letter confirmation provides highlighting of various letters that have been input to the handheld electronic device during a string of member input actuations. The letter confirmation system can additionally provide predictive linguistic elements that would be appropriate next inputs. Various types of highlights can be provided in various combinations to provide various indications to a user.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, an apparatus and/or system of speech substitution of a real-time multimedia presentation on an output device. In one embodiment, a method includes processing a multimedia signal of a multimedia presentation, using a processor. The multimedia signal includes a video signal and an audio signal, such that the audio signal is substitutable with another audio signal based on a preference of a user. The method also includes substituting the audio signal with another audio signal based on the preference of the user. Additionally, the method includes permitting a selection of a voice profile during a real-time event based on a response to a request through a client device of the user.

Abstract: A method and computer system for analyzing sentences of various languages and constructing a language-independent semantic structure are provided. On the basis of comprehensive knowledge about languages and semantics, exhaustive linguistic descriptions are created, and lexical, morphological, syntactic, and semantic analyses for one or more sentences of a natural or artificial language are performed. A computer system is also provided to implement, analyze and store various linguistic structures and to perform lexical, morphological, syntactic, and semantic analyses. As result, a generalized data structure, such as a semantic structure, is generated and used to describe the meaning of one or more sentences in language-independent form, applicable to automated abstracting, machine translation, control systems, Internet information retrieval, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for populating a predictive text dictionary is provided. A connection between a handheld electronic device and a network is detected. The handheld electronic device is operable to allow a user to enter text. The handheld electronic device has a predictive text dictionary that is operable to receive and employ sets of words. User preferences for the handheld electronic device are retrieved. The predictive text dictionary of the handheld electronic device is populated with a set of words at least partially based on the user preferences.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for formalization of a natural language allowing creation of an unambiguous model of a natural language text. It is determined the basic notions for entities that are named by a natural language and for each basic notion it is attached an unique number or name and a description, in addition it is attached a list of words which can name the basic notion for each used natural language. The unambiguous model uses only basic notions. In this way it is possible a machine to interpret the unambiguous model and to input knowledge and data in a base or to make a text generation in another natural language using the unambiguous model. Also it can be generated a text in artificial language such as a program language.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting access to the lips of speaking person including a sound receiving device for receiving speech of a person speaking, the person having lips that move when the person speaks, a blocker connected to the device for blocking the lips of the person speaking while the person is speaking; and, in some aspects, such a blocker with a material addition apparatus to provide added material for the breath of a person speaking, e.g., for preventing the spread of disease or to freshen a speaker's breath. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a computer program product, a segmentation system and a user interface for structuring an unstructured text by making use of statistical models trained on annotated training data. The method performs text segmentation into text sections and assigns labels to text sections as section headings. The performed segmentation and assignment is provided to a user for general review. Additionally, alternative segmentations and label assignments are provided to the user being capable to select alternative segmentations and alternative labels as well as to enter a user defined segmentation and user defined label. In response to the modifications introduced by the user, a plurality of different actions are initiated incorporating the re-segmentation and re-labeling of successive parts of the document or the entire document.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program product are disclosed for determining a matching level of a text lookup segment with a plurality of source texts in a translation memory in terms of context. In particular, the invention determines any exact matches for the lookup segment in the plurality of source texts, and determines, in the case that at least one exact match is determined, that a respective exact match is an in-context exact (ICE) match for the lookup segment in the case that a context of the lookup segment matches that of the respective exact match. The degree of context matching required can be predetermined, and results prioritized. The invention also includes methods, systems and program products for storing a translation pair of source text and target text in a translation memory including context, and the translation memory so formed. The invention ensures that content is translated the same as previously translated content and reduces translator intervention.

Abstract: Architecture that detects and corrects writing errors in a human language based on the utilization of three different stages: error detection, correction candidate generation, and correction candidate ranking. The architecture is a generic framework for generating fluent alternatives to non-grammatical word sequences in a written sample. Error detection is addressed by a suite of language model related scores and other scores such as parse scores that can identify a particularly unlikely sequence of words. Correction candidate generation is addressed by a lookup in a very large corpus of “correct” English that looks for alternative arrangements of the same or similar words or subsequences of these words in the same context. Correction candidate ranking is addressed by a language model ranker.

Abstract: At least one computer-mediated communication produced by or received by an author is collected and parsed to identify categories of information within it. The categories of information are processed with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category. A first output communication is generated regarding the at least one computer-mediated communication, describing the psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author of the communication. A second output communication is generated when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state, attitude or characteristic of the author to which a responsive action should be taken.

Abstract: Speech intelligibility is to be improved in hearing devices and in particular in hearing aids. A method for reconstructing a speech signal is therefore proposed, wherein a predefined amplitude spectrum of a speech component is stored. The amplitude spectrum of an input signal containing the speech signal is acquired. At least one matching portion and one non-matching portion of the predefined amplitude spectrum with respect to the amplitude spectrum of the input signal is detected. Finally the gain of the input signal in the non-matching portion of the amplitude spectrum is varied such that a closer match with the predefined amplitude spectrum is achieved compared to the original gain.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing and controlling speech recognition and enrolment are provided. The method for performing speech recognition and enrolment includes: receiving a Speech Enrolment Start Request and a Speech Recognition Request sent from a media gateway controller (MGC); performing speech recognition and enrolment according to the Speech Enrolment Start Request and the Speech Recognition Request, and obtaining a recognition and enrolment result; and feeding back the recognition and enrolment result to the MGC.

Abstract: Diffusing evidence among candidate answers during question answering may identify a relationship between a first candidate answer and a second candidate answer, wherein the candidate answers are generated by a question-answering computer process, the candidate answers have associated supporting evidence, and the candidate answers have associated confidence scores. All or some of the evidence may be transferred from the first candidate answer to the second candidate answer based on the identified relationship. A new confidence score may be computed for the second candidate answer based on the transferred evidence.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a speech translation apparatus includes a receiving unit, a first recognition unit, a second recognition unit, a first generation unit, a translation unit, a second generation unit, a synthesis unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive a speech in a first language and convert to speech signal. The first recognition unit is configured to perform speech recognition and generate a transcription. The second recognition unit is configured to recognize which emotion type is included in the speech and generate emotion identification information including recognized emotion type(s). The first generation unit is configured to generate a filtered sentence. The translation unit is configured to generate a translation of the filtered sentence in the first language in a second language. The second generation unit is configured to generate an insertion sentence. The synthesis unit is configured to convert the filtered and the insertion sentences into speech signal.

Abstract: Presented is a method for executing a command on a computing device. A computing device receives a first command and a second command, wherein the second command is, optionally, silent speech. The first command and the second command are combined to provide a final command to the computing device for execution.

Abstract: A real-time open domain speech translation system for simultaneous translation of a spoken presentation that is a spoken monologue comprising one of a lecture, a speech, a presentation, a colloquium, and a seminar. The system includes an automatic speech recognition unit configured for accepting sound comprising the spoken presentation in a first language and for continuously creating word hypotheses, and a machine translation unit that receives the hypotheses, wherein the machine translation unit outputs a translation, into a second language, from the spoken presentation.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus configured to obtain positional information indicating a position of another apparatus; to obtain positional information indicating a position of the terminal apparatus; to obtain a first direction, which is a direction to the obtained position of the another apparatus and calculated using the obtained position of the terminal apparatus; to obtain a second direction, which is a direction in which the terminal apparatus is oriented; to obtain inclination information indicating whether the terminal apparatus is inclined to the right or to the left; to switch an amount of correction for a relative angle between the first direction and the second direction in accordance with whether the obtained inclination information indicates an inclination to the right or an inclination to the left; and to determine an attribute of speech output from a speech output unit in accordance with the relative angle corrected by the amount of correction.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a method for constructing a word graph. The method includes obtaining a subject text and dividing the subject text into one or more units. The method also includes dividing the units into one or more sub-units and recording each of the one or more sub-units.