text:
|Número de publicación
|Tipo de publicación
|Número de solicitud
|Fecha de publicación
|29 Jun 1982
|Fecha de presentación
|12 Jun 1980
|Fecha de prioridad
|12 Jun 1980
|También publicado como
|Número de publicación
|Alfred B. Freeman
|Cesionario original
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Exportar cita
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Citas de patentes (20), Otras citas (2), Citada por (103), Clasificaciones (15), Eventos legales (1)
|Enlaces externos: USPTO, Cesión de USPTO, Espacenet
This invention relates to a manually controllable apparatus for inputting control information to a speech synthesizer.
Electronic speech synthesizers have recently become available which are both low enough in cost and small enough in size for many applications. The uses of these speech synthesizers have included entertainment, educational and communication applications.
Different means have been used to input the information to control the speech synthesizer. However, these devices have lacked the capability to selectively and directly control information that will be inputted to the speech synthesizer. Some of the prior art devices are really no more than phonographs, with the control information being imprinted on a record-type device already encoded with audibletype control information. These devices not only fail to incorporate use of a speech synthesizer but also fail to provide a means to directly and selectively control the control information on an incremental level by a user. Other devices, such as conventional record players and tape recorders have failed for much the same reasons. Still other devices have required a person who, in addition to being intimately familiar with the phonetic structure of a language, is able to operate a phonetic keyboard at the rate of about 120 word per minute in order to produce speech at a normal speaking rate.
In the entertainment and educational area, a device manufactured by Texas Instruments known as the SPEAK & SPELL™ learning aid produces canned speeches in response to keyboard manipulations and in accordance with various computer controlled games or exercises. Such a device lacks the facility to input control data at a high enough speed such that the synthesizer will output audible speech information at a normal speech rate. Also, the speech information so produced is of a canned variety. Another commercial product in the entertainment and educational area is a toy for children in which a phonographic-type record accompanies each page of a book and is imprinted on the page itself. A record player-type device is overlayed on top of the page and in this way operates much like a conventional record player, although the record remains stationary and the record player pickup device moves and is overlayed on top of the record instead of the record being overlayed on top of the record player. However, with this device, although a person can associate pictures on the page with a text, there is no direct association between the sounds produced and the text segments, since the information on the record can be accessed only in its entirety, and cannot be selectively accessed in smaller segments. In this way, it is similar to a phonograph record in that it does not lend the user the capability to selectively access smaller segments of the particular material.
In the communication area, language translating computers have recently become available on the market. Such devices provide a keyboard having one key for each letter of the alphabet. A user types in, letter by letter, a word of one language and an electronic display will display the word and its foreign equivalent in text form. Speech synthesizers have recently been combined with such devices to provide an audible rendition of the foreign language equivalent. Clearly however, a rate of communication still depends on the typing rate of the operator, which is very limited since the information must be inputted letter by letter.
Thus, the prior art devices have failed to provide apparatus for controlling speech synthesizers so that data can be put in on an incremental basis with a manual apparatus controlled by the user, but which still provides the capacity for information to be inputted to the speech synthesizer at a high enough rate of speed so that the speech so produced is at a normal speech rate of about 120 words a minute.
There is a need for a device which could provide selective manual control of input data to a speech synthesizer which is capable of inputting data both at phonemic increments and at a mormal speed rate. This would facilitate the learning of written and spoken native languages by children and foreign languages by people of all ages.
In accordance with the present invention, a manually controllable data reading apparatus is provided so that one can manually and selectively control input data to a speech synthesizer at an incremental level while also having the facility to input data at a high enough rate of speed so that a normal speech rate of about 120 words a minute is possible. The apparatus comprises display material which has coded data imposed thereon. The display material also has visual data imposed thereon being associated with and identifying said coded data. Thus a user can look at the visual data to identify what coded data he desires to be inputted into the speech synthesizer. Manually operable pick-up means are provided whereby a user can manually scan the coded data on the display material. The pick-up means senses the coded data in response to manual movement over the coded data and produces a pick-up output signal representative of the coded data. Conversion means are provided for producing a binary coded output signal representative of and in response to the pick-up output signal. Output means are also provided for providing the binary coded output signal from the conversion means to a speech synthesizer to control the speech output of the speech synthesizer. In this way, a user can selectively control the control data to the speech synthesizer by inputting the information in small segments and can identify those segments by the visual data on the display material. Also, the coded data can be inputted into the speech synthesizer at a rate of speech so that the synthesizer can output the speech at the rate of about 120 words a minute.
In this way, the present invention provides an apparatus for the production of speech sounds and speech in direct association with text or other visual symbols for education, entertainment, and communication. Preschool children can use the apparatus to read books audibly by manipulating a record pick-up to input information they want to have produced by the synthesizer after they have identified the information by viewing the associated visual data. To add to the entertainment, animal sounds or noises can be produced from the display material if the encoded data contains such information. Similar apparatus can provide pronouncing dictionaries in virtually any language, or can provide foreign language training material with association between text and proper pronunciation.
The invention apparatus further provides for a language translation and communication between persons not sharing a common language. The speech coded data and the associated text identifying the encoded data can be in different languages from each other so that one can find what he or she wants to say printed in his or her language and produce the speech equivalent of the message in a different language. Each person using the device only needs to be able to read and identify the visual data of his or her own language. Records and texts for various pairs of language can be made up and provided on a relatively inexpensive basis. Several record and text sheets can be made up for tourists with each sheet having questions and answers on a particular subject. A verbally handicapped person could use similar sheets but with text and and speech in the same language.
If a speech synthesizer used with the present invention has the capability to produce speech by phoneme identification, the invention can provide for multi-language capability. By one person's definition, the English language contains some 64 distinct phonemes. Using this same definition, only about 75 phonemes are required to produce speech for all of the major languages. In this way, if the speech synthesizer has in its memory the necessary control data for generating the 75 different phonemes, the invention can provide for translation between virtually any language any virtually any other language provided the display material has the corresponding visual data and coded data.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawing figures.
In the accompanying drawing figures forming part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.
FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an embodiment utilizing the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a fragmentary section of one form of display material which can be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a representation of the wave form output from the manually operable pick-up means which could be obtained by passage or manual movement over the coded data shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a first alternative form for encoding coded data on display material also showing the pick-up wave form output corresponding thereto;
FIG. 5 is a listing of the various types of coded control data which might be encoded on a display material;
FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of an encoder which can be used in the apparatus employing the principles of the invention;
FIG. 7 shows the flow chart of a computer program to encode information from a manually operable pick-up means when the pick-up output is applied to the interrupt input of the computer; and
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment for an encoder when the manually operable pick-up means provides opposite polarity outputs for binary coded input data.
Referring now to FIG. 1, display material 11 is a sheet or panel having alternate rows of visual identification language text 12 and speech code representations 13 imposed thereon. The language text 12 comprises visual data and identifies the speech code representations 13 which in turn comprises the coded data which to be inputted into the speech synthesizer. If the display material 11 consists of a sheet of paper, both the rows of text 12 and the representations 13 may be printed thereon. The display material or record 11 might also be a panel of material on which rows of text 12 and representations 13 could be imposed so that the encoded data is encoded on display material by forming raised bumps, and/or valleys on the display material. The coded data or representations 13 may be for the production of speech in the same language as that of the adjacent identifying row of text, or may be for the production of speech in a different language than the adjacent identifying row of text. Representations or coded data 13 could also be identified by and associated with visual data in the form of a picture 14 in which case the encoded data would provide input data to the speech synthesizer representative of a speech or sound effect associated with and identified by the picture or symbol. Other relationships between the identifying visual data 12 and the coded data 13 will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
A manually operable pick-up means is provided comprising a pen 15 shown with a chord 16 going to an encoder 17. Pen 15 is thus suitable for being hand-held so that it can be moved along any of the rows of representations 13 by the user. The user is thus able to pick out and identify any representation 13 by inspecting the rows of text or other visual data 12 on display material. By then moving the pen 15 along the coded data representations 13 associated with the visual data, the synthesizer will produce speech. Pen 15 will, of course, be of a type suitable for reading the representations 13. If, for example, representations 13 are optical bar codes, pen 15 could consist of a pencil-shaped case holding a light, a light sensitive element, and a lens similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,599. The representations 13 could alternatively consist of mechanical deformations or notches such as raised bumps and valleys normal to the plane of the display material 11, or coplanar to the plane containing display material 11. In this case the length of each notch, in the general direction of the movement of the pickup means would determine the value of the encoded data bit. If the data was in such a form, the pen 15 may have a phonographic type pick-up mounted in its end or some simpler device for responding to bi-directional deflections.
Encoder 17 provides an output via buffer store 18 to a speech synthesizer 19 which corresponds to the information which was encoded on representations 13 after having been read by moving pen 15 over the coded data. The bar code reading output represents binary ones and zeros. However, the output signals are of different relative time duration and therefore must be converted to a more conventional binary representation to be useful in the control of most speech synthesizers. Mechanical deformations can be in two directions, each direction being generally transverse to the general direction of the pickup means movement, so that the output of pen 15 can indicate ones and zeros by the polarity of its output signal.
The rate of output of representations 13 from pen 15 will, of course, depend upon the rate at which the user moves the pen 15 over the representations 13. Since this rate may vary widely, encoder 17 could be clocked by the input signal so as to handle any rate of input. The representations from the pen 15 arrive serially while the speech synthesizer 19 may require control data in the form of bytes having bits in parallel form. Encoder 17 would then convert the serially received data to parallel form before passing it on to speech synthesizer 19. A buffer store 18 could store the received data, especially if it arrives at the speech synthesizer at a greater rate of speed than it could be used, or if the data arrives slower than the rate of normal speech, the start of the speech by speech synthesizer 19 can be delayed until enough data is on hand for it to produce speech at a normal rate for a reasonable time period.
Encoder 17 may consist of apparatus such as will later be described, or consist of a microcomputer apparatus, normally part of a speech synthesizer 19, which can be programmed to perform the necessary functions. This latter alternative can be especially advantageous when representations 13 are in the form of an optical bar code and when relatively complex functions must be performed to convert the output of the pen 15 to regular binary code. The buffer store 18 can then be part of a regular microcomputer memory and could then double as a storage device for other control inputs.
Speech synthesizer 19 could be of a type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,730 to Ostrowski, of which Federal Screw Works of Detroit, Mich. is assignee. This synthesizer is commonly referred to as a phoneme type synthesizer because it can produce speech in response to the proper input string of phoneme identifying code groups. Thus, with a modest expansion in a number of phonemes which can be handled, such a synthesizer can be adapted to produce speech in many different languages, since most phonemes are used in common by all languages. As referred to above, by one classification, the English language has some 64 such phonemes, and using the same system of classification, the speech of most all languages can be formed by using 75 such phonemes. A phoneme type synthesizer of the type just described is not limited as to the speech or language it can produce. It merely has to have a sufficient number of phonemes in its vocabulary.
While the speech synthesizer of the aforementioned patent has built-in timing for each phoneme, it would not be difficult to modify this type of speech synthesizer or other phoneme type synthesizers to produce phonemes with timing responding to a control input itself. Since the durations of phonemes vary widely depending upon their location and stress in speech, much more natural speech would result if the phoneme durations are also specified for the particular speech. The code representations 13 can obviously include such phoneme durational information. In the above referenced Ostrowski patent, two bits of each input control byte is used for inflection control. Code representations 13 can also provide information for inflection control and such other information as will improve the quality of the speech synthesizer output so that it will more closely resemble natural speech.
In addition to the phoneme type synthesizer just described, another type of speech synthesizer, using linear predictive coding derived from model speech could be used in the present invention. Such a synthesizer is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,779 to Brantingham, assigned to Texas Instruments. However, this type of speech synthesizer requires a much greater amount of control information for production of a given fixed amount of speech than with the phoneme type synthesizer. Thus, code representations 13 would necessarily have to contain a greater amount of information than is possible with visual bar codes in order to provide control information to a speech synthesizer at a sufficient rate so that it can generate speech at about 120 words a minute, which is the rate of normal speech. However, representations 13 provided in the form of phonograph type strips can provide the amount of information density required. The Texas Instruments synthesizer includes a vocabulary store of control information in a large electronic memory, which is used for the production of words and phrases. When being used with a linear predictive coding type speech synthesizer, the code representations 13 would supply only the code groups identifying these words or phrases by specifying their starting addresses in the vocabulary memory in order to call for their production in all or part of the speech message.
While the invention apparatus can produce novel and useful results using either of the two types of speech synthesizers just described, a fuller potential can be realized using a speech synthesizer designed to respond to phonemic type control information accompanied by auxiliary control information which specifies the speech desired in sufficient detail to result in natural and effective sounding speech. In this third type of speech synthesizer, such auxiliary information for producing natural sounding speech may include inflection and phoneme durational information, to give two examples. Code representations 13 will then have their information tailored for each of the speech passages in order to give the best speech effect. Thus, the invention can avoid the complex problems encountered when converting text to speech by using rules, while also providing a means for the production of natural sounding synthetic speech.
Referring now to FIG. 2, display material lla is shown containing information for a language translator application. Using this type of display material, audible communication between two persons is facilitated even though the two persons do not share a common language. Using this arrangement, a computer is not necessary to translate from one language to another language, and essentially no training is required for a person to use the apparatus, as long as he can read visual data identifying his native language. One merely has to identify the text 12 of what he or she wants the speech synthetizer to say and then merely move the manually operable pick-up means over the coded data representation 13 associated therewith. For example, referring to FIG. 2, one section of a display material 11a has rows of English text 12a disposed above and associated with rows of coded data representations 13a which contain information for generating the equivalent speech in French. Conversely, the reverse can be done using French text 12b disposed over rows of code representations 13b to generate equivalent speech in English. One need merely identify source data 12a or 12b and then manually move pen 15 over the code representations 13a or 13b therefore to cause the synthesizer 19 to produce speech with an equivalent meaning in a different language.
The display material or sheets 11 can of course have many different expressions in each language. These expressions can be complete thoughts or sentences or can have blanks or partial sentences to provide greater versatility. One example is where one sheet of display material generates the partial sentence "where is the--" or "how much is the--," and a second sheet of display material would have lists of locations or lists of articles for a user to identify while having the coded data representations 13 below so that the user could fill in the blanks or form total sentences from partial sentences. Display material 11 could be placed in a book and be suitably indexed with tabs for easy location of the sheets of display material. Such an arrangement could be ideally employed by a foreign traveler. Communication can thus be effected between himself and natives by simply finding or identifying the visual data which he wants the speech synthesizer to produce in the native language and then by manually moving the pick-up means over the associated coded data. Buffer memory 18 could be controlled to input data for the complete sentence of message to speech synthetizer 19 only after all of the data is manually read in.
In other applications, such as an educational context, the visual identifying data or text and the synthesized speech represented by the coded data could of course be in the same language. This application could include using books for school age children. This child could, without knowing or understanding the visual identifying data, operate and move a pen 15 beneath a row of text to get an audible rendition thereof, and then associate the voice with the words or other visual data after he or she hears the audible signals. The child could then automatically start to associate the text and the sounds while being simultaneously entertained. Suitable various sound effects could be interspersed to hold the child's attention. The same application can be used to teach beginning readers new words as they became equipped to expand their vocabulary. In this case, a child can identify and read part of the text, but part of text could be as yet unlearned by him. Many other uses in education and entertainment will of course be found for the apparatus of the present invention.
Besides the above discussed uses in language translation and teaching people to read, another use for the invention is for teaching phonetics. Individual sounds, instead of whole words or sentences, can be easily produced in isolation with variations in duration, inflection and so on, in combination with appropriate visual symbols. Such a use can assist one in learning the proper pronunciation of phonemes in any language. By associating text and speech, the present invention can be useful in many other foreign language learning situations. A specific example is in a pronouncing dictionary which includes the code representations 13 in addition to the conventional language dictionary so that the invention apparatus can be used to provide an audibly correct pronunciation of words in the language. The code representations 13 could thus replace, or supplement, the conventional phonetic representations now used in dictionaries and thereby more easily assist a person in determining and learning the proper pronunciation.
Various forms of code representations 13 will now be described. One type of optical bar code representation 13 is illustrated in FIG. 3, which also illustrates pick-up output signals representative of the coded data representations 13 and the binary numbers represented. FIG. 3a illustrates a bar code representation 13c consisting of alternate black and white bars having different widths. The large black section on the left could provide a starting location for pen 15, to provide space for acceleration of the pen 15 to an average velocity before it encounters the alternate black and white sections whose patterns represent the coded information. FIG. 3b shows the pick-up output signals outputs of pen 15 which would result from a constant velocity movement over the representation 13c. FIG. 3c shows the binary bit designations of ones and zeros corresponding to the bar of FIG. 3a.
The coded data representations 13c could also be in magnetic form, which could be either visible or invisible to the user. If it is in invisible form, it could be overlayed or superimposed on top of the visual identification data, so that one would manually move the manually operable pick-up means over the visual identifying data for the speech synthesizer to generate the desired speech.
In using a bar code arrangement, black and white bars alternate and have significance primarily in their widths, with the color change used only to indicate transitions. In one arrangement, a short black or white bar would thus signify a binary one and a long black or white bar would signify a binary zero. The widths for the zeros in this illustration are chosen to be three times the lengths for the ones. As will become apparent in the following discussion, this ratio of three to one would make it easy to discriminate with reasonable accuracy data representing ones and zeros even if the rate of speed at which the manually operable pick-up means is moved over the coded data varies fairly considerably. The first or leading white bar could provide for a binary one to thus provide a reference length for the decoding of the following bar. Encoder 17 would compare the length of each output with that of its immediately preceding output to determine whether it represents the same or different binary digit. In this way, since the encoder always compares the length of the presently read bar with its immediately preceding bar, the small variances in speed would not affect the accuracy at which pen 15 senses coded data.
Referring now to FIG. 4, code representations 13c provide a way to store a much higher information density than is practical with the optical bar code of FIG. 3. Such higher information density may be useful or even necessary when using a speech synthesizer of the linear predictive coding variety described above. Representations 13d are shown in the form of a groove with a wide funnel opening at the left end to guide pen 15 into the narrower part which holds the coded data. The information as shown as left or right notches transverse to the direction of the groove which represents binary ones or zeros, respectively. It will be recognized that the right and left notches, instead of being generally in the plane of the display material, could be up and down bumps and notches generally normal to the plane of the display material. In either event, one transverse direction would represent binary ones and the other direction would represent binary zeros, and the undulations would be evenly spaced.
FIG. 4b shows positive pulse outputs from pin 15 or pick-up output signals representative of the coded data for bumps or notches in one direction and negative pulses for those in the opposite direction. FIG. 4c shows the binary code digits corresponding to the outputs.
When using coded data as shown in FIG. 4, encoder 17 need only discriminate as to the polarity of the pulse outputs to determine whether the bit is a binary one or zero. The pulse outputs can also use both the positive and negative pulses for clocking the binary digits during processing. Code representations 13d can be imposed on a record type display material made of the same type of material which is used for phonograph records, or could be strips of such material attached to a sheet between rows of the visual identifying data or printed text. Clocking could be derived from the input signals themselves, so that variations in manual improvement would not distort the intended meaning of the coded information. In this way, the manual movement of pen 15 with a phonographic or other type of undulation-sensitive pick-up will be satisfactory for playback.
FIG. 5 lists the type of information which may be conveyed by code representation 13, if a speech synthesizer is operable and controlled by such information. The first type of information on the list is phoneme identity information which would be used by a phoneme type synthesizer to produce any of the phonemes within its vocabulary. The second type of information listed is phoneme inflection information which would specify the pitch and amplitude patterns with which the phoneme is produced. As discussed above, the speech synthesizer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,730 to Ostrowski is adapted to respond to phoneme identity and phoneme inflection inputs.
The next type of information on the list is phoneme duration information which is of importance for producing a higher degree of natural speech. Synthesizers may have such parameters built in, but any fixed set of parameter values will result in a more unnatural speech. The synthesizer 19 used in the system of the present invention can have a good vocabulary of phonemes for the languages to be produced, but control of pitch and inflection should be left to code representations 13 in order that speech will be formed as naturally and effectively as possible in all instances.
Other type synthesizers may include fixed parameter values for syllables, morphs, words, phrases, and complete messages. When such a synthesizer is included in the invention, code representations 13 can produce codes suitably identifying those of these larger speech units as desired. As in the Texas Instruments synthesizer, which uses linear predictive coding, these identity codes may consist of the starting addresses for control information of these elements. As with phonemes, inflection patterns and durations of these larger elements vary widely with the speeches in which they may be used. Code representations 13 may include such additional information as will assist the production of them in patterns best fitting the intended speech.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an encoder which can be used when the code representations 13 have patterns as shown in FIG. 3. The output of pen 15 is applied to a trigger circuit 31 which in turn produces an output pulse each time the output of pen 15 changes state. One pulse output of trigger 31 operates gates 32 before a second pulse output resets timer 33. The pulse output from trigger 31 is also applied to set counter 34 and shift register 35. Operation of gates 32 by each pulse output passes the count stored in timer 33 to latch 36. Compare 37 receives the outputs of latch 36 and the output of latch 38, which holds value corresponding to the previous output from timer 33 and the value registered for the previous count will be later explained.
Compare unit 37 produces a positive output when the number in latch 38 is larger than that in latch 36, and produces a negative output when the number in latch 38 is less than or equal to the number in latch 36. The positive outputs indicate a binary one bit and the negative outputs a binary zero bit. The output of compare 37 is then inputted to the data input of shift register 35, so that it gets read in as the value of the next bit. The output of compare 37 also goes to opposite plurality inputs of gates 39 and 40. Gates 39 will operate when the output is positive and gates 40 will operate when the output is negative. Gates 39 and 40 both receive the outputs of latch 36 as their controlled inputs. Gates 39 present these controlled inputs to latch 38 in a shift left position and gates 40 present these controlled inputs to latch 38 in a shift right position. In this way, the value of the byte so representing the data is either multiplied by two or multiplied by one-half. (Alternatively, one may provide for subtracting or adding a bit to these input bits). The last input thus gets stored in latch 38 at double its actual value if it was indicated to represent a binary one, and at half its actual value if it was determined to represent a binary zero.
Since the binary zero intervals would be preferably three times the width of the binary one intervals if the pen 15 moves at a uniform velocity, a number stored in latch 38 will always be greater than that in latch 36 when the input represents a binary one and less than that in latch 36 when the input represents a binary zero. The rate of movement of pen 15 which reads the representations 13 can thus vary by fifty percent without causing an error in reading the encoded bit values. Pen 15 can thus move at any speed and still produce periods within the range of timer 33 without causing an error. (The above sequence can be checked by taking the binary bit one interval as proportional to one and the binary zero bit as proportional to three, as is the case with the bar code of FIG. 3. The value in latch 38 will then be proportional to 1.5 if the last bit was a zero bit and will be proportional to two if the last was a binary one bit. The one and three values can thus vary up to 50 percent without causing an error).
Counter 34 produces an output to operate gates 41 and step counter 42 after each byte of information has been shifted into shift register 35. The encoded binary bits shifted into shift register 35 are then passed through gates 41 to the data input of buffer memory 18. The output of counter 42 registers the number of the byte and its output goes to the address input of buffer memory 18. Counter 42 includes output gates 43 which operate for a short interval when it is stepped.
In this way, the conversion means for producing a binary coded output signal representative of and in response to the pickup output signal has comparison means for comparing a segment of pickup output signal data to a reference signal. The conversion means produces a binary coded output signal having one binary value in response to a characteristic of the segment of pick up output signal being greater than a characteristic of the reference signal, and produces a binary coded output signal having a binary value complementary to said one binary value in response to the characteristic of the segment of pick up output signal being equal to or less than the characteristic of the reference signal. The reference signal is modified depending upon the value of the previously produced binary coded output signal. In this way, means are provided for accurately producing binary coded output signals even though the rate of movement of the pen 15 may vary considerably.
FIG. 7 shows another means for implementing encoder 17 for bar code reading, comprising a microcomputer interrupt program, which is substantially the same in function as that of the apparatus of FIG. 6. The output pen 15 is applied to an edge trigger circuit which produces an output pulse to the interrupt input of the microcomputer each time the output of pen 15 changes state. Each change of state of the output of pen 15 thus initiates an interrupt routine. After saving the return address, status and registers, the interrupt routine next reads the timer and compares it with the previous timer data stored in Last. This data will have been shifted right if the Last bit was a binary zero and will have been shifted left if the Last bit was a binary one, so that the result of the compare will be the same as that of compare 37 of FIG. 6. If the compare 37 finds the timer input smaller, it takes the branch to set the carry and will rotate a binary one into the data. It next shifts the timer value left, effectively doubling its size for the next compare, and stores it in Last. However, if the compare finds the timer value to be larger, it takes the branch to clear the carry and rotate the resulting zero bit into the data. It then shifts the timer value right and stores it in Last. It will be recognized that this section results in the same number being stored in Last as was stored in latch 38 of FIG. 6 and the same bit being stored in data as into shift register 35 of FIG. 6. After storing Last, the interrupt routine next resets the timer and decrements the bit count. If the bit count has reached zero, the data is transferred to the buffer store. The bit count is then reset and the index to buffer is stepped up to the next position. The last step in this flow chart is a return from interrupt, and the microcomputer resumes whatever processing it was doing when interrupted.
If the speech synthesizer 19 contains such a microcomputer, as is quite likely to be the case, it would be quite economical to have it perform the encoding function described in FIG. 7. The buffer 18 would then simply be part of the microcomputer memory. The only equipment required in addition to speech synthesizer 19 would be pen 15, edge trigger circuit 51, and the display material 11 to complete the system of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment for encoder 17 will now be described. This embodiment could be used ideally when the coded input data is in the form shown in FIG. 4. In that case, pen 15 provides opposite polarity outputs for binary ones and zeros. Polarity response circuit 61 produces set and reset inputs to flip-flop 62 of one and zero polarity pulses, respectively from pen 15. The state of flip-flop 52 will thus always represent the value of the last bit. The polarity of response circuit 61 will produce a pulse out for each pulse in regardless of its polarity. This output is then applied to step shift register 63 and counter 64. Shift register 63 will receive a data input from flip-flop 62 which is thus clocked along as each bit is received. Counter 64 registers the number of bits and produces an output to operate gate 65, step counter 66, and to operate gates 67. Gates 65 wll pass the contents of shift register 63 to the data input of buffer store 18b. Gate 67 will pass the number in counter 66 to the address input of buffer store 18b. As can be appreciated, this arrangement can be considered to be somewhat simpler than that of FIG. 6.
The speed of the voice output from speech synthesizer 19 could be regulated in at least two ways. One is by making it dependent upon the speed of the movement of pen 15. This would give a direct correlation between manual movement of pen 15 and the speech output. Alternatively, the speed of the speech from the speech synthesizer could be fixed and independent of the movement of the pen 15, or be adjustable by providing a variable potentiometer. Other means to vary the speed will thus become apparent to those skilled in the art.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
|Patente citada
|Fecha de presentación
|Fecha de publicación
|15 Mar 1949
|10 Abr 1951
|Loyd T Frost
|Sonic teacher
|25 May 1953
|20 Nov 1956
|Bell Telephone Labor Inc
|Synthesis of speech from code signals
|4 May 1959
|22 Ago 1961
|Robert Hicks Walter
|Book with talking pages
|4 May 1961
|24 Nov 1964
|Bell Telephone Labor Inc
|Synthesis of speech from code signals
|1 Mar 1967
|17 Dic 1968
|Dorothea M. Weitzner
|Electroacoustic language teaching device
|29 Ago 1967
|12 May 1970
|Bell Telephone Labor Inc
|Self-oscillating vocal tract excitation source
|26 Feb 1968
|20 Abr 1971
|Rca Corp
|Speech synthesizer providing smooth transistion between adjacent phonemes
|23 Jun 1969
|8 Feb 1972
|Phonplex Corp
|Electronic voice annunciating system having binary data converted into audio representations
|19 Mar 1971
|28 Nov 1972
|Bell Telephone Labor Inc
|Conversion of printed text into synthetic speech
|22 May 1973
|24 Mar 1992
|H Lemelson Jerome
|Título no disponible
|14 Feb 1975
|20 Jul 1976
|Cbs Inc.
|Printed sound track system
|28 Ene 1974
|9 Nov 1976
|Norand Corporation
|Bar code scanner
|22 Ene 1973
|29 Nov 1977
|Gilbert Peter Hyatt
|Electronic calculator system having audio messages for operator interaction
|13 Dic 1976
|21 Feb 1978
|International Computers Limited
|Speech synthesizing apparatus
|13 Dic 1976
|30 May 1978
|International Computers Limited
|Speech synthesizing apparatus
|16 Ago 1976
|5 Dic 1978
|Federal Screw Works
|Voice synthesizer
|5 Ago 1977
|27 Mar 1979
|Process Computer Systems, Inc.
|Decoder system for light pen bar code reader
|4 May 1978
|3 Jul 1979
|Msi Data Corporation
|Method and apparatus for reading bar coded data wherein the light source is periodically energized
|21 Ene 1977
|22 Jul 1980
|Forrest S. Mozer
|Method and apparatus for speech synthesizing
|Título no disponible
|"Letter Reading Machine", V. K. Zworykin, L. E. Flory, and W. S. Pike, Electronics, Jun. 1949, pp. 80-86.
|"Linear Prediction: A Tutorial Review", J. Makhoul, Proc. IEEE, vol. 63, pp. 561-580, Apr. 1975.
|Patente citante
|Fecha de presentación
|Fecha de publicación
|6 Jun 1980
|22 Feb 1983
|U.S. Philips Corporation
|Device for reading a printed code and for converting this code into an audio signal
|5 Nov 1981
|17 Abr 1984
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Multilevel bar code reader
|25 May 1982
|3 Jul 1984
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Electronic learning aid for providing sequencing and spelling exercises
|25 May 1982
|21 Ago 1984
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Electronic learning aid with means for repeating an element of nonspoken sound
|25 May 1982
|19 Mar 1985
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Learning aid with match and compare mode of operation
|25 May 1982
|29 Oct 1985
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Electronic learning aid with random number modes
|31 Ago 1984
|1 Abr 1986
|Anderson Weston A
|Method of teaching a subject including use of a dictionary and translator
|24 May 1983
|22 Jul 1986
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Bar code information source and method for decoding same
|23 Ene 1985
|5 Ago 1986
|Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, Inc.
|Teaching or amusement apparatus
|24 Feb 1983
|27 Ene 1987
|Jostens Learning Systems, Inc.
|Phrase-programmable digital speech system
|21 Sep 1983
|23 Jun 1987
|Jostens Learning Systems, Inc.
|Speech processor system with auxiliary memory access
|5 Mar 1981
|4 Ago 1987
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Text-to-speech synthesis system
|23 Abr 1985
|1 Dic 1987
|Ahmed Moustafa E
|Device for the programmed teaching of arabic language and recitations
|4 Oct 1985
|10 May 1988
|Judith Titton
|Contract estimating system utilizing a bar code ruler
|13 May 1987
|1 Nov 1988
|Judith Titton
|Contract estimating system utilizing a digitizing ruler
|6 Jul 1988
|16 Oct 1990
|Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
|Apparatus for generating synthesized voice from text
|27 Jun 1990
|19 Mar 1991
|Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
|Method of preparing an image access card
|6 Jul 1990
|13 Ago 1991
|Digital Equipment Corporation
|Name pronounciation by synthesizer
|9 Feb 1990
|11 Feb 1992
|Sight And Sound Inc.
|Interactive audio-visual puzzle
|28 Dic 1988
|25 Feb 1992
|Ahmed Moustafa E
|Arabic language translating device with pronunciation capability using language pronunciation rules
|7 Jun 1990
|5 Ene 1993
|Aisi, Inc.
|Bar code activated speech synthesizer teaching device
|12 Oct 1989
|11 May 1993
|Sight & Sound Incorporated
|Interactive audio visual work
|11 Jun 1991
|8 Feb 1994
|Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
|Audio device having control function with use of card
|16 Dic 1991
|22 Mar 1994
|Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
|Ink intrusion resistant digital code
|15 Nov 1993
|16 May 1995
|Szmidla; Andrew
|Device for identifying an object using an omnidirectional bar code
|17 Mar 1993
|29 Ago 1995
|Jag Design International Limited
|Sound synthesizer system operable by optical data cards
|16 Mar 1994
|2 Ene 1996
|Liu; Chih-Yuan
|Language learning apparatus and method utilizing optical code as input medium
|4 Ene 1994
|23 Ene 1996
|Watkins; C. Kay
|Foreign language teaching aid and method
|24 Ene 1995
|6 May 1997
|Jag Design International Limited
|Optical data cards for operating sound synthesizer system
|24 Nov 1993
|14 Abr 1998
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Prosodic number string synthesis
|30 Sep 1996
|8 Sep 1998
|Publications International, Ltd.
|Apparatus for producing audible sounds in response to visual indicia
|20 Mar 1992
|22 Dic 1998
|Chips International, Inc.
|Apparatus, system and method for recording and/or retrieving audio information
|24 Feb 1997
|12 Ene 1999
|Apple Computer, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for automatic generation of vocal emotion in a synthetic text-to-speech system
|28 Sep 1993
|20 Abr 1999
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Dot code and information recording/reproducing system for recording/reproducing the same
|27 May 1997
|31 Ago 1999
|Lemelson; Jerome H.
|Apparatus and method for stand-alone scanning and audio generation from printed material
|5 Nov 1998
|21 Dic 1999
|Pragmatic Designs, Inc.
|Reading tutor
|31 Mar 1998
|21 Mar 2000
|Publications International, Ltd.
|Method for making an electronic book for producing audible sounds in response to visual indicia
|25 Oct 1996
|28 Mar 2000
|Zanetti; Giancarlo
|Method for recording and playing back information on magnetic strips and related reading/recording apparatus
|20 Ago 1998
|18 Abr 2000
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Dot code including a plurality of blocks wherein each of the blocks has a block address pattern representing an address of each of the blocks
|20 Ago 1998
|2 May 2000
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Dot code and information recording/reproducing system for recording/reproducing the same
|27 Ene 1994
|1 Ago 2000
|Symbol Technologies, Inc.
|Apparatus for processing symbol-encoded document information
|19 Nov 1998
|9 Ene 2001
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Reading aid member having code pattern and code pattern reading aid member
|10 Sep 1991
|10 Abr 2001
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Position-sensitive educational product
|10 Dic 1999
|7 May 2002
|Stanley W. Stephenson
|System and method of providing emotive background sound to text
|20 Ene 2000
|1 Oct 2002
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Information reproducing system capable of manually reading an optically readable code and repeatedly reproducing voice information included in the code
|18 Abr 2002
|10 Jun 2003
|Richard Paul Day
|Memo tape recorder and reader system and method
|13 Jun 2002
|16 Sep 2003
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Recording medium, information reproducing apparatus and information reproducing method
|10 Dic 2001
|25 Nov 2003
|Ricoh Company, Ltd.
|Imaging method, imaging apparatus, and image information management system
|7 Ago 2002
|30 Dic 2003
|Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
|Making language localization and telecommunications settings in a multi-function device through image scanning
|3 Sep 2003
|30 Ago 2005
|Ricoh Company, Ltd.
|Imaging method, imaging apparatus, and image information management system
|20 Feb 2001
|4 Oct 2005
|International Business Machines Corporation
|System and method for adapting speech playback speed to typing speed
|25 Mar 2004
|11 Mar 2008
|Mcadams John B
|Braille type device, system, and method
|4 Ago 2005
|23 Sep 2008
|Berkun Kenneth A
|Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers
|14 Feb 2007
|17 Ago 2010
|Berkun Kenneth A
|Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers
|12 Ene 2005
|9 Nov 2010
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Method and system for implementing a user interface for a device employing written graphical elements
|1 Nov 2005
|14 Dic 2010
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Method and device for audibly instructing a user to interact with a function
|3 May 2006
|29 Mar 2011
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive apparatus using print media
|30 Dic 2005
|12 Abr 2011
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|System and method for associating content with an image bearing surface
|1 Nov 2005
|3 May 2011
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Method and system for invoking computer functionality by interaction with dynamically generated interface regions of a writing surface
|6 Jun 2005
|18 Oct 2011
|Mattel, Inc.
|Electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression
|12 Ago 2009
|3 Jul 2012
|Cepia, Llc
|Interactive intelligent toy
|24 Mar 2008
|24 Jul 2012
|Ltt, Ltd
|Method and apparatus for using a limited capacity portable data carrier
|19 Jul 2006
|11 Sep 2012
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Techniques for interactively coupling electronic content with printed media
|9 May 2009
|25 Sep 2012
|Cepia, Llc
|Interactive intelligent toy
|3 Abr 2006
|9 Oct 2012
|Ricoh Company, Ltd.
|Audio font output device, font database, and language input front end processor
|14 Jul 2010
|25 Feb 2014
|Labels That Talk, Ltd.
|Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers
|2 Ago 2010
|4 Mar 2014
|Labels That Talk, Ltd
|Method for reproducing and using a bar code symbol
|27 Feb 2009
|10 Feb 2015
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive references to related application
|27 Jun 2012
|19 Abr 2016
|Ltt, Ltd
|Method and apparatus for using a limited capacity portable data carrier
|3 Sep 2003
|4 Mar 2004
|Shigeaki Nimura
|Imaging method, imaging apparatus, and image information management system
|26 Nov 2002
|27 May 2004
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Method and apparatus for masking unnatural phenomena in synthetic speech using a simulated environmental effect
|25 Mar 2004
|13 Oct 2005
|Mcadams John B
|Braille type device, system, and method
|3 Jun 2004
|16 Feb 2006
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|User created interactive interface
|12 Ene 2005
|30 Mar 2006
|James Marggraff
|Method and system for implementing a user interface for a device through recognized text and bounded areas
|12 Ene 2005
|30 Mar 2006
|James Marggraff
|Providing a user interface having interactive elements on a writable surface
|12 Ene 2005
|13 Abr 2006
|James Marggraff
|Interactive apparatus with recording and playback capability usable with encoded writing medium
|1 Nov 2005
|13 Abr 2006
|James Marggraff
|Method and device for audibly instructing a user to interact with a function
|3 Nov 2005
|15 Jun 2006
|James Marggraff
|Method and system for conducting a transaction using recognized text
|1 Nov 2005
|15 Jun 2006
|James Marggraff
|Method and device for associating a user writing with a user-writable element
|3 Abr 2006
|19 Oct 2006
|Atsushi Koinuma
|Audio font output device, font database, and language input front end processor
|4 Ago 2005
|9 Nov 2006
|Berkun Kenneth A
|Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers
|29 Ago 2006
|28 Dic 2006
|James Marggraff
|Scanning apparatus
|1 Nov 2005
|3 May 2007
|James Marggraff
|Method and system for invoking computer functionality by interaction with dynamically generated interface regions of a writing surface
|14 Feb 2007
|29 Nov 2007
|Berkun Kenneth A
|Systems and Methods for Generating, Reading and Transferring Identifiers
|28 Nov 2006
|29 May 2008
|Nokia Corporation
|Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Providing a Language Based Interactive Multimedia System
|30 Nov 2006
|5 Jun 2008
|Henry Liming Wang
|Printed material reader
|6 Sep 2007
|7 Ago 2008
|Chen Ming Yang
|Phonetic teaching/correcting device for learning mandarin
|14 Mar 2007
|18 Sep 2008
|Chen-Ming Yang
|Phonetic teaching/correcting device for learning Mandarin
|24 Mar 2008
|9 Oct 2008
|Ltt, Ltd
|Method and apparatus for using a limited capacity portable data carrier
|24 Mar 2008
|9 Oct 2008
|Ltt, Ltd
|Method and apparatus for reading a printed indicia with a limited field of view sensor
|10 Mar 2008
|25 Dic 2008
|Mcadams John B
|Braille type device, system, and method
|10 Sep 2007
|12 Mar 2009
|Xerox Corporation
|Method and apparatus for generating and reading bar coded sheet music for use with musical instrument digital interface (midi) devices
|12 Ago 2009
|14 Oct 2010
|James Russell Hornsby
|Interactive Intelligent Toy
|9 May 2009
|14 Oct 2010
|James Russell Hornsby
|Interactive intelligent toy
|14 Jul 2010
|2 Dic 2010
|Berkun Kenneth A
|Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers
|2 Ago 2010
|17 Feb 2011
|Labels That Talk, Ltd.
|Method for reproducing and using a bar code symbol
|21 Dic 2000
|31 Ene 2006
|Chips International, Inc.
|Apparatus, system and method for recording and/or retrieving audio information
|20 May 2005
|8 Jul 2009
|User created interactive interface
|13 Jul 1988
|2 Feb 1989
|Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
|Sprachcodierungs- und sprachsynthesesystem
|25 Abr 1983
|10 Nov 1983
|Gerald Myer Fisher
|Electronic dictionary with speech synthesis
|25 Oct 1996
|20 Mar 1997
|Giancarlo Zanetti
|A method for recording and playing back information on magnetic strips and related reading/recording apparatus
|20 May 2005
|10 Ago 2006
|Leapfrog Entpr Inc
|User created interactive interface
|25 Abr 2006
|16 Nov 2006
|Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
|Method and device for inputting characters in a data processing system
|Clasificación de EE.UU.
|Clasificación internacional
|Clasificación cooperativa
|Clasificación europea
|4 Dic 1984
Owner name: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED DALLAS, TX A CORP
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FREEMAN ALFRED B.;REEL/FRAME:004390/0397
Effective date: 19810609


text:
|Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for August 27, 2014
International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) - Members Only
|(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)
|Vehicle Owners: If you are seeking an automotive repair professional to service your vehicle, visit the iATN Repair Shop Finder.
Open Help Requests for Asian
|Help Request
|2003 Honda Accord LX 3.0L air distribution VIN: 1HGCM663X3
no matter how much or how little freon we put in this car the driver s side air is warm and the passenger side is cold. This car does NOT have dual climate control
|2005 Honda Odyssey Touring 3.5L Misfire VIN: 5FNRL38825
Just completed a timing belt, w/p, crank seal & cam seals. Upon first start up the vehicle is misfiring and the check engine light is flashing. Immediately figured the timing is off, no that's not it 100% certain just tore it all back done to confirm that the ... Trouble codes: P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire), P0305 (Cylinder 5 misfire), P0300 (Multiple cylinder misfire)
|2008 Mazda 3 S 2.3L Limp mode VIN: JM1BK32318
Hey mazda tech's question for you -i have a customer with this mazda 3 and she said the check engine light came on and shifted hard, which im thinkiong limp mode, anyway when she got here it shifted fine, i scanned it with my modis and under engine..nothing so... Trouble codes: U0100 (Loss of comm)
|2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4.0L Water Pump VIN: 5N1AR18W25
We found the noise to be coming from the water pump area. We removed the timing chain tensioner and pump cover to remove the water pump. We removed the three mounting bolts and inserted two 8 mm bolts in pump housing to pull pump off. There is a lot of play in...
|2006 Nissan Maxima SL 3.5L o2 sensor VIN: 1N4BA41E86
now after you drive I am getting a p2a00 air fuel sensor range or performance code, rechecked converter It wasn't the same replaced it again it and still have the same problem any help would be greatly appreciated. looking at scan data bank one up and downstre...
|2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 3.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 5TBBN441X4
seeking info on testing both circuits from and to the sensor. What to look for connector connected and disconnected Trouble codes: P0031, P2238
|2007 Toyota Camry XLE 2.4L compressor VIN: 4T1BE46KX7
This compressor has no clutch relay and turns with pulley all the time, all fusses are good. Replaced compressor, drier, expansion valve and flushed system and still can not get compressor to work. with snap on verus pro you can go to engine data and see clut...
|2007 Toyota Prius Touring 1.5L Park Lock VIN: JTDKB20U57
Vehicle was in an accident. Between the Body and our Auto shop, much of the front end has been removed for the Body shop to perform their repairs putting the trans in PARK. I drove the vehicle into our (Auto) shop and have removed the damaged condenser, radiat...
|2010 Toyota Sienna CE 3.5L water pump VIN: 5TDKK4CC0A
Checking to see if anyone has replaced the water pump on the 2010 Sienna v6 without removing the engine? Is this really needed? Thanks, Randy.
Fixes & Summaries for Asian
|2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL 3.5L H-Can VIN: 2HJYK16516
The VSC module is in need of replacement. However the customer got scared when we talked prices. They elected to drive the vehicle with the problems it has. I wish i could have posted with the problem fixed. Thank you to all who replied.
|2005 Mazda 3 S 2.3L Misfire, MIL Lamp on, Pings VIN: JM1BK32355
This one is fixed. Thanks to everyone who replied, and a special thank you to Kevin from Michigan who hit the nail on the head. The mechanical timing was off because the longer crank pin was used instead of the short one when initially timing the engine. Appar... Trouble codes: P0300 (testing and results).
|2005 Nissan Murano S 3.5L nav,radio.temp controls VIN: JN8AZ08W75
unfortunately this one was getting too expensive and for all of these units to guessed at is not wise. There was one unit that powered all the radio, ac, lcd screen and that was the a'/c amp but we could not find a used unit to try at this time. Sorry.
|2002 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L compressor VIN: 4T1BF28B52
Well, this one is fixed. Robert hit the nail on the head. The ECM was bad. A lot of you mentioned the idle and iac. Being a former Toyota dealer technician this was a problem I'm well aware of. Apparently there was some issue with the logic in the ECM and...

subset: commoncrawl


text: >The Audi gods are sending my Christmas/birthday gift early. After work today >I went to unlock the doors (on my 90q) from the driver's door and the key just >wiggled back & forth doing absolutely nothing. Now the only way to lock or >unlock the doors is from the passenger side keyhole. What a PITA! Is there >an easy fix? Can I swap a part out of the passenger side? Or do I have to >have the car re-keyed or what? When Audi switched over to the flush-mounted door handles, the lever they used to operate the door lock was made from cast pot-metal or slightly reinforced tin foil (I'm not sure which) and they will *ALL* break ... Audi has since redesigned the parts from stamped steel -- approx. $25, the last time I bought one -- and if you've got large hands, you'll probably need to disassemble the door to install it. I've done it enough so that I'm actually pretty quick about it but figure on two hours for your first time. BTW, if you decide to just ignore it for the time being and keep using the passenger-side door lock, you'll eventually break that one, too. The only way to get into the car at that point is through the trunk, using compressed air to pop open door locks ... BTDT in the parking lot of a shopping mall. No fun at all. :^( ______________________________________________________________________ _ _ / | _| o | \ _| o Jeffrey Goggin /__| | | / | | __ | | | | / | | firstname.lastname@example.com / | |_| \_| | |_/ |_| \_| | http://people.delphi.com/audidudi ______________________________________________________________________


text:
700 Journals and 15,000,000 Readers Each Journal is getting 25,000+ ReadersThis Readership is 10 times more when compared to other Subscription Journals (Source: Google Analytics)
Goutam Koley
|Goutam Koley
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of South Carolina
Dr. Goutam Koley received the B. Tech. degree from the Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in 1998, the M.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 2003. Immediately after his graduation, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, where he is currently an Associate Professor and Graduate Director. Dr. Koley has authored and co-authored more than 60 journal articles and conference proceedings, 50 conference presentations, 9 invited talks/seminars, and one book chapter. His research has resulted in 4 invention disclosures and 3 pending patents. He is a co-founder and shareholder of 3 start-up companies, a senior member of the IEEE and a member of the APS.
|Research Interest
His current research interests includes Micro and Nanoscale Sensors and Electronic devices, MEMS/NEMS, Bio-implantable Sensors, and Scanning Probe Microscopy.
Global Speakers in the subject
Global Experts in the subject


text:
curious, if anyone has any RH coupon discounts?
This code was posted a week or so ago -- good thru 12/31/2006 for 20% off. HFOR1206.
Thanks, I will post a new code -I had one waiting for me when I got home....although I wasn't able to use it I just spent over $200.00 on Restoration Hardware bath towel sets - gotta love those towels....anyway, below is the new code"
...@ the giving yours for the taking sale
Starts 12/26/06 - up to 60% off on select items - use the code below for an addl 10% off - sales ends 1/2/07.
10% EXCLUDES temp mark downs and their annual bath event .
Code: HWNS06


text:
I just added a Beginner's Guitar Course, Rock Technique Course, Songs and Analysis Course, and Chord Library as well a new rewards system. You can now earn 'XP' and use these points towards free webcam guitar lessons, courses, and other goodies.
Will Kriski, a Canadian guitar teacher and internet entrepreneur has begun to add game mechanics to his online guitar coaching website thanks to the Gamification startup BigDoor. "This is just Phase 1", Will says. "By using BigDoor's MiniBar feature it was literally just a few minutes to get it up and running".
Points, Badges and Leaderboards
By adding game mechanics to a website, people are able to check in, 'like' content, share content on Facebook or Twitter which earns them XP (experience points) and various badges. Influencers will earn points if other people click their links from Facebook and Twitter. Leaderboards show the rankings of point getters as a Top 10 or a relative leaderboard which keeps visitors from getting too discouraged by the top point getters.
Integrating Game Mechanics
"Phase 2 will take things to a whole new level, integrating game mechanics into the guitar lesson content itself." Similar to a video game, students will progress through lesson content, gaining points and advancing through levels where they will be able to unlock 'goodies' such as free webcam lessons with Will, free video lessons and other awards.
Virtual Currency
"Virtual currency is another cool idea. Students will be able to either earn points to unlock new lessons or buy virtual currency with real dollars to save the time of getting the required points".
Structure Learning Environments
"While there are a lot of free lessons out there on YouTube (Will's free video guitar lessons have over 1.3 million views and 4000 subscribers) they are usually on a variety of topics with no overall structure. Using game mechanics, students can progress through a series of structured lessons like they would in a video game, known as levels."
Game Psychology
Will says that many students are used to a structured environment that video games provide, via game levels, and are also motivated by rewards, badges and leaderboards. "There is a lot of psychology at play here, so why not use it to help students to learn?", asks Will. "Some people are able to study guitar knowing that in a number of years they will be able to play proficiently, but others need to be motivated by shorter term goals."
If you go to Will's Online Guitar Coaching site, you'll see a 'MiniBar' at the bottom of the screen where you can check in, like pages, share content, check what badges you've earned and see how you rank in the leaderboard. It will be interesting to see the development of game mechanics with this site.
Go here to buy the Metal Mayhem course.
Go here to buy the Metal Mayhem course.
A fairly basic tapping exercise but it's quite smooth sounding with clean technique. To master this technique in all its variations check out Finger Tapping.
To master this technique go here Finger Tapping.
Go to the free bluegrass guitar lick for the tab.
It was cool to see the world's largest online guitar lesson being streamed live on LiveStream recently. Not much specifics here so I've posted my own Steve Vai lesson below this video:
Feel fee to check out my other YouTube lessons or consider webcam guitar lessons with me.
If you're like me, you're a rock/metal/blues guitarist who has caught the jazz bug at some point and have been frustrated with your progress . It can be overwhelming at first as most teachers will give you an incredible amount of material to study. While there is a lot of work involved I've given a lot of thought to presenting you with a more structured approach to learning jazz guitar.
A great place to start if you have a rock, blues or metal background or even if you're new to guitar altogether is the jazz blues. Jazz blues is a modified version of the 'regular' 3 chord I-IV-V blues. It can be scary and intimidating at first as there are more chords and often unfamiliar keys. So a 12-bar Bb jazz blues will look something like this (there are many variations):
Bb7 / Eb7 / Bb7 / Bb7
E7 / E#dim7 / Bb7 / G7
Cm7 / F7 / Bb7 G7 / Cm7 F7
The last four chords are 2 per measure. Here's a PDF of the progression to give you a better idea.
A jazz guitar tone will generally be a clean tone, with some reverb and turn down the treble on your guitar and amp, more of a mid-range sound. On an electric guitar I use my neck pickup.
With jazz we have to be a lot more aware of the underlying chords since many of our blues/rock licks won't work too well. I think this is why we have so many problems with jazz, is a general lack of awareness of how to play over chord progressions, other than playing in the general key of the tune.
For soloing, we could talk about a lot of theory but I don't want to go there right now. Instead a very effective way to start soloing is to learn 2 to 4 bar phrases that you pick up from other solos. The easiest way to get started and to mimic what singers do in blues is to divide the 12 bar blues into 3 groups of 4 bars (measures). So play a 4 bar phrase, repeat the same basic phrase over the next 4 bars that fits the chords. Do a final similar phrase over the final 4 bars but make it sound more complete by say, landing on root notes (ie. Bb).
Here's an example of a basic jazz blues solo. It is quite repetitious but we have to start simple. I've taken a little 4 note motif and repeated it, modifying it slightly to fit each chord. The final four bars stars out repeating the same idea but expands upon it a little taking into account the current chords. You'll notice a lot of chord tones such as D over Bb7 (the major third), Db over Eb7 (the minor 7th), etc. So get to know your chord tones. Repeating melodic contours and rhythms is very effective but you don't want to over do it.
Here's the Jazz Blues Solo PDF.
Here's the blues solo mp3 played by Guitar Pro 6.
Jazz Blues Solo.mp3
So to summarize, a very effective method to learn jazz soloing is to think in phrases, intelligently cut and paste them into solos, use repetition and development of the phrases, understand why the phrases work, create your own by modifying existing phrases.
Here's a video to explain the progression and transitioning from blues to jazz blues.
Check out my Soloing Over Changes lesson if you're looking to start doing some jazz soloing, or you can use it for any other style to be more melodic.
There is a lot of mystery around the concept of improvisation. For some it's a magical, creative experience that can't be explained. For others it is thought that it comes after practicing all the fundamentals (arpeggios, scales, modes, theory). A more balanced approach would be to say that a variety of things need to be worked on from ear training, scales, transcribing, learning licks, etc. I am generally referring to improvising over relatively challenging chord progressions, common to the jazz idiom.
I'm going to make a rather bold statement that some will disagree with. I would venture to say that the vast majority of people haven't thought about improvisation as I have over the past few years. Here goes: "Improvisation is largely a recall activity in the brain". So we are mostly recalling things we've practiced/played before and choosing what to play.
Some will say 'But Will I just play what I hear in my head'. Well yes, but why are you hearing what you hear in your head? It's because you've practiced it before.
Let's look at some specific examples. Say you take an accomplished musician new to jazz. You take him to a bunch of jazz gigs and you listen to all the solos. Will he be able to go home and improvise jazz because he is now hearing these sounds? I would say it's pretty likely he won't.
Let's say all you practice are scales and argeggios for a few years. Will you be able to improvise over rhythm changes? Probably not.
Let's say you practice playing voice leading lines (whole/half notes) through various jazz chord progressions. Will you be able to improvise with this on stage? Nope.
In art you could randomly through paint at a canvas and say you improvised. On the guitar you could randomly hit notes on the guitar in some sort of weird artistic fashion and act all mysterious. But by improvisation in jazz and blues I am referring to playing somewhat cohesive solos in the style of the masters. This takes a lot of work.
A lot of what we practice is what can be called 'preparatory work' or what I call 'busy work'. In other words it is not directly usable in real performances. You would never play arpeggios, scales or basic voice leading (guide tone) lines during a real improvisation. A huge amount of what most of us practice is actually the building blocks of a good solo. It is an intermediate step that doesn't usually need to be practiced. Many of us have difficulty creating melodic phrases from these fundamentals, especially if we're new to the style, such as jazz. That's because we don't know the language. We must learn to imitate at first, like we did as children learning our native language.
So if you want to make the most use of your time I would suggest you learn to play full jazz solos up to speed. Then mix and match the phrases from different solos. Each phrase usually fits around a chord or arpeggio shape and works over a specific chord type (dom.7, maj7, min7, etc). Learn how to repeat a phrase over the next chord and tie the phrases together so they are not disjointed. To me this is the most valuable area to work on. You will start to hear these phrases in your head. Understand the phrase and how the voice leading works. Often chord tones are used on strong beats (beats 1 and 3). Most often these strong beats are approached by 3 eighth notes, which is commonly known as forward motion (Hal Galper).
What does improvisation mean to you?
For more please check out my webcam lessons or joining the monthly coaching program.
Please contact me or go here for webcam guitar lessons over Skype, Messenger, etc.
Please contact me or go here for webcam guitar lessons over Skype, Messenger, etc.


text:
Chicago's active photography community is always planning fun meetups. These Instameets are a great way to connect with area photographers in person. I even wrote about Chicago's Instameets last year in an article that was eventually featured by Instagram.
Read: Chicago Photography Article Featured by Instagram
To celebrate the shortest day of the year, 360 Chicago hosted an Instameet from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 21, 2016. The Winter Solstice Instameet was held in the 94th-floor observatory in the John Hancock Center, one of Chicago's iconic skyscrapers. Photographer and 2015 Choose Chicago Artist of the Year Nick Ulivieri co-hosted. Check out his recap of the event.
It's never easy waking up early to head into the cold, dark, Chicago December but viewing the city at sunrise is always worth it. Watching the sky glow from these heights over sleepy skyscrapers is a rare and unforgettable experience I'm grateful to have had. Thanks to 360 Chicago and Nick Ulivieri for a memorable solstice!


text:
. . . . Dfinition :. Etat d\'hyperglycmie chronique relevant de facteurs gntiques et exognes agissant souvent conjointement. I - Physiopathologie. A Insuline 1 - Synthse 2 - Rle dans le mtabolisme des glucides 3 - Actions de l\'insuline 4 - Stimulation
Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author.While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.


text:
A base of real seashells turns this everyday clear glass bowl into a wonderful coastal accent full of possibilities, with all the power of the seven seas behind it.More Details >
A clear round glass bowl sits on a round base made of brass in this coastal style accent. Finished in polished nickel, the base is then enhanced by decorative real seashells that take it all the way to the a ocean in its design. The bowl can be removed from the base if not needed, but such a lovely accent should be enjoyed as often as possible.


text:
Hubby and I happened to be in the deep south of town Monday night. On our way home, we were looking for a place for dinner. We decided on San Remo, conveniently located off the Deerfoot in McKenzie Rowne. It was also $10 pasta night, so their usual menu of five pastas blossomed into twelve. It's good value as the pastas are half or more off the usual price.
Hubby and I shared the prosciutto and melon appetizer. They were nice enough to split it into two servings for us. It looked beautiful and tasted just as good. Hubby ordered the braised beef short rib. He really enjoyed it.
I ordered the lasagna for my main. The portion size looked small but it was surprisingly filling. It had a nice, rich flavour. The service was prompt and fast, but not rushed. I had a good experience here and would return if it wasn't so far from where I live.


text:
The Indian men's basketball team bowed out of the 17th Asian Games after losing their second consecutive preliminary round Group E match, going down 76-41 to Iran at the Samsan World Gymnasium here Wednesday.
India, who topped their group in the qualifiers, found the going difficult from the outset. (Day 5 Updates)
But in contrast to their loss against the Philippines in the opening preliminary game where they improved as the match wore on, the Indian hoopsters' performance deteriorated against Iran as the tie progressed.
India were just six points adrift as Iran ended the first quarter with a 22-16 lead. (Medals Tally | Schedule | Day 4 Recap)
That difference became 10 by the end of the second as the Iranians started settling in to the game and led 38-28.
Iran really put the hammer down in the third as they scored 20 points to India's eight.
And in probably their worst performance in a quarter, the Indians managed just five points in the final period as Iran completed a 71-46 rout.
India's poor offence was ratified by the fact that only captain Amritpal Singh (10 points) reached the double figures.
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, who had been impressive so far, managed just nine points while Narender Kumar Grewal chipped in with eight.
Iran captain Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami and Hamed Ehadadi were the joint top-scorers in the match with 16 points each.


text:
He's an emotional player, but he doesn't like to be called a thug because of his passion. Nor does he deserve it.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman's after game interview with a FOX reporter was majorly criticized for its loudness and emotion.
Sherman claims to exist within an old school way of public speaking after games — to have a mouth with no filter.
"I studied the old school game more than I studied the new school game, and I play it that way. It rubs a lot of people the wrong way," Sherman said Wednesday. "Giving a true speech after a game, a true passionate speech is old school football. Playing press corner and sitting up there every play is old school football. I guess maybe I just haven't adjusted to the times."
Sherman interview or shout as some people would call it caused controversy, much to his surprise.
"I was surprised by it. Because we're talking about football here and a lot of people took it a little bit further than football." Sherman said. "I guess some people showed how far we have really come in this day and age and it was kind of profound what happened and people's opinions of that nature, because I was on a football field showing passion. Maybe it was misdirected, maybe things may have been immature, maybe things could have been worded better but this is on a football field. I didn't commit any crimes, I wasn't doing anything illegal. I was showing passion after a football game."
But he didn't take too kindly to being called a thug — racially stereotyped and insulted.
"The only reason it bothers me is it seems like it's an accepted way of calling someone the N-word nowadays. It's like everybody else said the N-word and they said thug and they're like, 'that's fine,'" Sherman said. "That's where it kind of takes me aback. It's kind of disappointing because they know. What is the definition of a thug, really?"
7 thoughts on "Richard Sherman: 'Thug' is a Nice Way to Say N-Word [Watch]- Do You Agree?"
If he is offended he has a right to express his opinion. As he has the right feel confident about his skills and abilities. I think it is sexy for a man of color to express self confidence; especially, in this case, I agree! After all, the name calling is all in what you will answer. In this country, a person of color is not expected to like themselves or express their mind, so when they are not in agreement with how others see them then that person seems to get labeled as a problem. When others have a problem with you it is just that; their problem! I say who cares what others think of you, the only people who count are those you hold dear and love you!
Sherman is just a Nicca, don't know if he's a thug though.
Yes, he is right. Thug has become an acronym for that slur. Not all of the time, but in the big picture, yes absolutley politicans and pundits have all used the word thug very innapropriately.
What a thug
my neighbor's step-aunt makes $77 every hour on the laptop . She has been laid off for nine months but last month her check was $13480 just working on the laptop for a few hours. visit site >>>>
Unfortunately not a single witness will come forward. For generations now we have embraced the 'no snitchin', fock the po-po' mentality. We can't stonewall the police, then when we finally need them, expect them to respect us. Hell Naw Peeps.
Holla' at the Scholar
So, what does it mean when a person of another race is called a thug? I routinely hear Korean gang members being called thugs. He's whinin' about being called a thug and not being called a "porch monkey"? Well, in all fairness, maybe he hasn't seen those posts yet. My bad.


text:
TV and National Defense: An Analysis of CBS News, 1972-1973
first edition
by LEFEVER, Ernest W.
VA: Institute For Am. Strategy Press, 1974. Very Good. First edition. Very good in wrappers; Shows slight rubbing/bumping, price sticker on back panel. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 237855)


text:
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces an investigation on behalf of Rackspace Hosting, Inc. ("Rackspace" or the "Company") (NYSE: RAX) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. To obtain information or aid in the investigation, please visit the Rackspace investigation page on our website at www.glancylaw.com/case/rackspace-hosting-inc.
The investigation concerns whether Rackspace concealed the impending loss of an important contract with Vodafone, and whether the Company published misleading revenue guidance in 2015. Revelations surrounding the contract loss and guidance revisions caused multiple stock price declines in May and August of 2015, thereby injuring investors.
If you purchased Rackspace securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to email@example.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.


text:
Project Description
Amie Borst loves glitter, unicorns, and chocolate. But not at the same time. That would be weird. She's a PAL member of the SCBWI as well as a founding and contributing member of The Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors, a group blog dedicated to middle-grade books. As a featured judge on Rate Your Story, she enjoys helping new writers find their voice. Amie is the author of the middle-grade series, Scarily Ever Laughter. The series, which she co-authored with her daughter, Bethanie, features fairy tale retellings with a twist. Cinderskella, Little Dead Riding Hood, and Snow Fright are published by Jolly Fish Press. Amie lives in Virginia with her three beautiful daughters, her handsome husband, and two cute dogs named Lily and Maggie. She wishes she could travel the country in a hot pink elevator but for now, her minivan will have to do.
about CINDERSKELLA
Cindy is just a normal eleven and three-quarter year-old. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she's dead. Well, she isn't technically dead—she just doesn't have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body.
Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who's now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn't seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn't think letting Ethan find out she's part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.
While facing such perils as pickled pig's feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy's determined to break the curse—even for a single night.
about LITTLE DEAD RIDING HOOD
You know things are going to suck when you're the new kid. But when you're the new kid and a vampire…well, it bites!
Scarlet Small would settle for a normal kid's life, but staying twelve years old for an entire century is a real pain in the neck. Making friends isn't exactly easy when you have an appetite for blood. To keep their vampire-secret, her parents, Mort and Drac, decide to move for the hundredth time.
Life at her new school only gets harder when Scarlet learns she has a strange skeleton-girl and a smelly werewolf as classmates. When she meets Granny—who fills her with cookies, goodies, and treats, and seems to understand her more than anyone—things start to finally look up. But with a rogue bat, a cherry pie massacre, and a werewolf bent on revealing her secret, Scarlet's O-positive she'll never live to see another undead day.
about SNOW FRIGHT
Sarah White is gorgeous even if she is a little bit rotten. A mirror arrives on her twelfth birthday and she thinks it's the perfect gift. But when an innocent game of laser tag gets out of hand, the mirror swallows her whole!
Sarah finds herself dead center of the Underworld. As if repeated run-ins with Mr. Death weren't bad enough, Sarah now has to deal with her decaying flesh and sudden craving for brains. Not to mention she keeps having brain freezes, all due to the seven worms living in her head.
Of corpse, by the time Sarah escapes the Underworld, she finds her new zombie life less than appetizing. Even worse, she needs to return to the Underworld to save her friends, Cindy and Scarlet. With a poisoned apple, a crow named Raven, and a glowing necklace, Sarah's pretty sure that if she doesn't rescue her friends, she'll be a brain craving zombie forever. And that's more dead-ication than she's willing to accept.


text:
Discussion in 'General Pro Player Discussion' started by batz, Jun 29, 2012.
And I'm a teensy bit excited:shock:
C'mon Andy!
You camping batz???
No mate - getting the train down. Just about to head for Glasgow. I'll post live from centre court later
DAMMMNNNNN :shock: That's a journey and a half right there lol, some commitment I'm telling ya, wow.
Have a good time and support your hero if you must mate. :twisted:
How long will the trip be? Hopefully, you'll get rewarded.
It's 4am here - I hope to get to Wimbledon by the time play starts @ 1130.
I'm off now - will post from centre later if I can get a signal.
I can never wake up at 4 in morning and then travel by train to watch a match.
Sitrep : train leaves Glasgow central ob time at 0540. C'mon train!
Enjoy your trip, Batz.
Lets hope Murrya is not in a mood to troll tomorrow.
Where's your seat Batz?
Block 519 row y mate.
Now leaving Carlisle
Man, that is a LONG journey. Enjoy it.
Can you make a sign to hold up that says , I'm batz.
Enjoy batz, have a Pimms for us even if you don't like it
You're nuts
Ha ha , yes Have a good time, batz.
Andy's chances look good now and I hope to see him make the finals at least.
Hope you have a fantastic time Batz there - the weather should be good today so you picked a good day.
Only 1 hour from london!
Have a great time batz. I remember you went last year too. Telling us about your wife ... she got you the tickets as a gift or something (unless I am mixing things up).
Have a great time.
Enjoy! Vamos Andy.
Have a great time!
I'm hoping to cheer Andy on Monday, that is when I am there!
poor batz
I hope you're getting your money's worth, going from Glasgow makes my 4 and a half journey to London Paddington look tame in comparison.
And having family in Glasgow, I totally sympathise with how long that journey is
You'd better not be the guy who called out during a point in the second set :twisted:
Hope your having a good time batz, even if the match is a bit tense right now:???:
Get Becker's autograph. I always enjoyed his game--and for fathering a lovechild on the toilet of a 4 star restaurant.
Here's hoping for a successful trip!
Hope you're having fun watching Muzza get owned.
How old are you?
In a taxi heading for gatwick hilton - what a day! Thanks t everyone who posted kind messages and a special big LOL at the baws who just couldn't help dhowing how infantile he is.
Come on little Jimmy, we don't speak to strangers. Better yet, you shouldn't be on the computer, why are you not in bed Jimmy?!?!.
Back to your room and stay THERE!!!!
Lucky that it was a competitive match from Baghdatis.
oh let me guess.. you like him because he trained in spain...
To speak to a ******, you must talk like a ******.
Very brave of you.
Im missing Truth and Jimmy lately.
batz. i guess you missed the baggy match.?? anyway, the Cilic match should be good. Andy should get that in 4.
You must have had a great time. Were you on centre all Day? Ferrer-rod was good just like Murray of course. Murray's match must have been tense. Hope you enjoyed that
Just about to board a flight back to glasgow. Ferru roddick was also a great match - thought and hoped roddick was going to run away with it.
Atmosphere last night on centre was like a football match!
Nice to hear it was great, did you take any pictures?
Well it only takes three-and-a-half hours from Newcastle by train, but for years I took the overnight bus which takes seven-and-a-half hours! Gets into Victoria just after seven am, on the tube and straight to the queue. Some years I came back on the overnight bus the next night, too!
Sorry mate - I'm not much of a photographer.
Shame (though no need to apologize of course), planning on going again next year?
Separate names with a comma.


text:
Published: 13:27, 05 October 2012 |
Updated: 09:43, 10 January 2014
Police have arrested a man and a woman from Maidstone this morning following an investigation into the alleged exploitation of Lithuanian men working in the food industry.
Working in partnership with the Gangmaster Licensing Authority and UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC), officers executed a warrant at a property in Maidstone today. The two, a man aged 52 and a woman aged 50, were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking for labour exploitation offences.
The action was taken following an extensive multi-agency investigation after allegations were made that workers were being forced to live in squalid conditions and threatened with violence if they did not comply with their supervisor's instructions.
The action was co-ordinated by DI Keith Roberts who said: "Today's arrests form part of an extensive investigation by Kent Police, The GLA and UKHTC. It follows on from reports received that migrant workers have been made to live in poor conditions and forced to work in an environment that gave little or no regard to their safety or general wellbeing.
"By working with our partner agencies we have been able to make these arrests and workers will now be offered help and support. "
Anyone found to be committing exploitation offences will be investigated fully and brought before the courts "
Ian Livsey, chief cxecutive of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority said: "Working with our partner agencies we have cracked down on potential exploitation in the food supply chain. There is no hiding place for those who exploit the vulnerable, and neither we nor our partner law enforcement agencies will tolerate abuse of the vulnerable worker.'
Liam Vernon, deputy head of the UK Human Trafficking Centre at the Serious Organised Crime Agency, said of the arrests: "It's alleged that the men, who will now receive specialist care and support from SOCA's Vulnerable Persons Team and the Salvation Army, were subjected to slave-like conditions and controlled through the use of violence.
"Investigating trafficking for labour exploitation is a challenge to us all as victims are kept locked away and unseen by society."
"I urge anybody with information than can lead to the identification and rescue of a victim of trafficking to share it with the police."
Every morning at 10am we play you an hour of tunes from the 90s. We call it, #WeLoveThe90s.
Play 'Say It' with Garry and Laura on kmfm Breakfast and you could win £1,000!
Wake up to kmfm Breakfast with Garry and Laura - it's Kent's alarm call.
Your No1 guide to getting married in Kent. From dresses to discos and venues to veils, we've got everything you could possibly need for your big day
Education, Training & Childcare is a special supplement published by KM Media Group four times a year. Click here for latest e-edition.
A guide for your future. For year 11 students in Kent and Medway. Click here for the e-edition.
Get the latest food and drink news, recipes from some of the nation's top chefs plus updates from Kent's vineyards and breweries.
Search in your local area to find your perfect partner in Kent, with FreshStart Dating!
PLUS, register for free!.
Read our pick of the best holiday destinations. Whether its a weekend break, or something a little bit longer, we have reviewed a wide range of holidays.


text:
Vennligst vent...
Prebz og Dennis PC
Marcus og Martinus PC
Cost-effective HDTV PTZ domeAXIS P5624-E Mk II PTZ Dome Network Camera is a cost-effective, outdoor-ready HDTV 720p camera with 23x optical zoom. It enables video surveillance of large indoor and outdoor areas and provides great detail when zooming in. Focus recall means it's faster and easier for operators to find focus in a predefined area than with regular autofocus. AXIS P5624-E Mk II is ideal for applications such as retail surveillance.Continuous 360° panAXIS P5624-E Mk II features a continuous 360° pan capability, with no mechanical stop, for fast camera repositioning and smooth, continuous tracking of an object.Superb video in various lighting conditionsAXIS P5624-E Mk II has day/night functionality and good low light performance. It supports Axis' unique Wide Dynamic Range – Forensic Capture (120 dB), which enables details in both very bright and dark areas of a scene to be visible.AXIS P5624-E Mk II offers shock detection, which allows the camera to send an alarm when it has been hit.<>ZipstreamAXIS P5624-E Mk II features Axis' Zipstream technology, which lowers bandwidth and storage requirements by an average of 50% or more while keeping the resolution, frame rate and forensic details. Zipstream automatically adapts to PTZ camera movements.Video analytics videoThe camera's built-in intelligent video functionalities include video motion detection and Advanced Gatekeeper, which enables the camera to detect an object in a specified area and zoom in on it. Support for AXIS Camera Application Platform allows other video analytics to be downloaded to the camera. Other features include Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) for ease of installation with just one network cable for power and network access. A hard ceiling mount and a smoked dome are included with the camera.
Varer som er tilgjengelig på lager, sendes normalt innen 5 dager. Bildet kan avvike fra produktet. Vi tar forbehold mot trykkfeil og endringer av priser og spesifikasjoner uten varsel
Følg oss på Twitter
Følg oss på instagram


text:
Sector 4 Focus was established by Tom Levitt in 2010.
Follow @Sector4Focus on Twitter – here.
Tom's new book 'The Company Citizen' is now available!
'Sector 4' – the fourth sector – is the space between the public sector, the private sector and the third sector. It's where business acknowledges its legitimate and essential role in the community, the nation and the planet.
It's the space in which relationships happen: with charities, local and central government and civil society generally.
Sector 4 Focus believes that the tools of business need to be better focused on creating public good – not only for the planet, nation and community but for sustainable business, too. We provide bespoke consultancy, facilitation and comment.
"I learned more in an hour talking to Tom than I've learned in any other hour I've spent in this job"
– business advisor at a London college, discussing community engagement with small businesses, October 2017
Read our report on our first five years in business! (2010-15)
Tom Levitt's latest articles and speeches about the work of Sector 4 Focus are on the 'Blog' page.
The Company Citizen
'The Company Citizen: Good for Business, Planet, Nation and Community', Tom's third book, is published in December 2017.
Fair For You is launched, February 2016
Fair For You is a social enterprise, owned by a charity, dedicated to creating an ethical, responsible, supportive and fair alternative to the high cost exploitation of poorer people by the rent to own sector. It uses the tools of business to combat poverty. Tom is its co-founder, a non-exec director at www.fairforyou.co.uk – the social enterprise lender, and chair of trustees at www.fairforyou.org.uk, the charity that owns it.
New report published, June 2015
'The Small Company Citizen: Networks of Community Engagement' is Tom's report on how a variety of models of business networks is evolving to help businesses – and SMEs in particular – to engage with communities to mutual advantage. Click here to read more…
'Welcome to GoodCo' published
Tom's book, 'Welcome to GoodCo – Using the Tools of Business to Create Public Good' was published in June 2014. The second, updated, paperback edition was published in September 2015.
Tom's first report on SMEs' engagement with communities, funded by JRF, was published here in March 2013. Go to the SMEs in the Community page.
Tom's first book, 'Partners for Good: Business, Government and the Third Sector', was published in June 2012. Click here for details.


text:
How to archive Business Process Technology (BPT) processes
How can I archive Business Process Technology (BPT) processes?
Queries on BPT processes have became slower, because so many processes have accumulated over time. However, I must keep the data for logging or legal reasons, even if it is not directly accessible from the applications.
- Create a separate set of entities to archive the data, if needed.
- Use the actions Process_Delete or Process_BulkDelete to delete part of the BPI data.
Business Process Technology relies on a set of meta-model entities to record data required by your business processes. When using BPT intensively, these entities can have a high growth rate and affect the performance of BPI queries. Create a separate set of entities to archive the data in these entities.
The BPT_API extension, included in System Components, can delete processes since revisions 22.214.171.124 and 18.104.22.168.
- Process_Delete deletes processes individually.
- Process_BulkDelete deletes processes in bulk, according to a criteria.
More information
- Overview of the BPT API from the environment help explains the new process delete actions.
- Performance Best Practices technical note explains how to maintain performance in general.
- BPT Sample Archiver is a Forge component that illustrates archiving. Use the extension points provided by the component to adapt it to your needs.