U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
Patents classified in a subclass may be accessed by either clicking on
the subclass number
preceding each subclass definition or on the
" " icon, below.
( please note that patents for some subclasses may not be available )
For classification search strategies, please refer to the
Classification Index
Explanation of Data web page.
(definitions have been obtained from the
Patents ASSIST CD-ROM which
is produced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Electronic Products Branch)
Class 704
DATA PROCESSING: SPEECH SIGNAL PROCESSING, LINGUISTICS,
LANGUAGE TRANSLATION, AND AUDIO COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION
Class Definition:
This is the generic class for apparatus and corresponding
methods for constructing, analyzing, and modifying units of
human language by data processing, in which there is a
significant change in the data.
This class also provides for systems or methods that process
speech signals for storage, transmission, recognition, or
synthesis of speech.
This class also provides for systems or methods for bandwidth
compression or expansion of an audio signal, or for time
compression or expansion of an audio signal.
Class 704 is structured into three main divisions:
A. Linguistics.
B. Speech Signal Processing.
C. Audio Compression.
See Subclass References to the Current Class, below, for the
subclasses located within each of these three main
divisions.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
A. LINGUISTICS
1. This class does not include subject matter wherein
significant details of the modification or construction of
documents are claimed. (See Class ?0? in the Search Class
notes below in References to Other Classes, regarding
Document Processing).
2. This class does not include subject matter directed to
significant details of teaching languages. (See Class 434 in
the Search Class notes in References to Other Classes,
below).
3. This class does not include subject matter directed to
significant details of the construction, analysis or
modification of computer languages. (See Class 395 in the
Search Class notes in References to Other Classes, below).
B. IMAGE ANALYSIS
1. This class does not include subject matter wherein
significant image analysis is performed and speech signal
processing is nominally claimed (see Class 382 in the Search
Class notes in References to Other Classes, below).
2. This class includes subject matter directed to speech
signal processing disclosed or claimed in plural diverse arts
such as image analysis (classified, per se, in Class 382).
C. AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING
1. This class does not include subject matter wherein
nominal bandwidth or time modifications are performed for
other audio processing defined in Classes 381 or 84 (see
Search Class notes below in References to Other Classes).
Examples of subject matter not included are: Stereo, sound
effects, hearing aids, input and output transducers, and
musical instruments.
2. This class includes audio signal processing wherein
significant processing is performed to modify the signal's
bandwidth or time characteristics for compression or
expansion of the signal.
D. COMMUNICATIONS
1. This class does not include subject matter wherein
significant details of a distinct communications system or
telephone link is performed and speech signal processing is
nominally claimed (see Classes 340, 370, 375, 379, 455 in the
Search Class notes below in References to Other Classes.).
2. This class includes subject matter directed to speech
signal processing disclosed or claimed in plural diverse arts
such as various types of communication systems.
E. APPLICATIONS
1. This class does not include subject matter wherein
significant details of application systems are performed and
speech signal processing is nominally claimed.
2. This class includes subject matter directed to speech
signal processing disclosed or claimed in plural diverse arts
to include electrical and mechanical systems. Examples would
include systems controlled by speech recognition, systems
which create specific displays of speech data, systems for
editing speech data and otherwise unrelated systems which
incorporate speech signal processing details such as placing
a speech synthesizer into novelty items.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
1 for linguistics.
100 for speech signal processing.
500 for audio compression.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
84, Music, 1 for instruments used in producing music to
include (a) electrical music instruments, (b) automatic
instruments, and (c) hand-played instruments. Automatic and
hand-played instruments are divided into four groups:
stringed, wind, rigid vibrators, and membranes. This class
also includes some accessory devices generally recognized as
belonging to the art or industry.
181, Acoustics, various subclasses, for mechanically
transmitting, amplifying and ascertaining the direction of
sound and for mechanically muffling or filtering sound.
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels.
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, various subclasses
for electrical pulse and digit code converters (e.g., systems
for originating or emitting a coded set of discrete signals
or translating one code into another code wherein the meaning
of the data remains the same but the formats may differ).
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, various
subclasses for the selective control of two or more light
generating or light controlling display elements in
accordance with a received image signal, and 1 for visual
display systems with selective electrical control including
display memory organization and structure for storing image
data and manipulating image data between a display memory and
display device.
360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, which
is an integral part of Class 369 following subclass 18, for
record carriers and systems wherein information is stored and
retrieved by interaction with a medium and there is relative
motion between a medium and a transducer, for example,
magnetic disk drive devices, and control thereof, per se.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, various
subclasses for addressable static singular storage elements
or plural singular storage elements of the same type (i.e.,
the internal elements of memory, per se).
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, various
subclasses for record carriers and systems wherein
information is stored and retrieved by interaction with a
medium and there is relative motion between a medium and a
transducer.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium,
particularly 58.1 for time division multiplex (TDM)
switching, subclasses 85.1+ for time division bus
transmission, and subclasses 91+ for asynchronous TDM
communications including addressing.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, various subclasses for
generic pulse or digital communication systems and
synchronization of clocking signals from input data.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, and Shift
Registers: Circuits and Systems, various subclasses for
generic circuits for pulse counting.
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way electrical communication of intelligible audio
information of arbitrary content over a link including an
electrical conductor.
380, Cryptography, 3 for stored information access or copy
prevention (e.g., software program protection or computer
virus detection) in combination with data encryption, and
subclasses 22 through 25 and 50 for electric signal
modification and other appropriate subclasses.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
various subclasses for wired one-way audio systems, per se.
382, Image Analysis, various subclasses for operations
performed on image data with the aim of measuring a
characteristic of an image, detecting variations, detecting
structures, or transforming the image data, and for
procedures for analyzing and categorizing patterns present in
image data.
434, Education and Demonstration, 112 for communication aids
for the handicapped, subclasses 156+ for education and
demonstration of language, subclasses 322+ for question or
problem eliciting response.
455, Telecommunications, appropriate subclasses for modulated
carrier wave communication, per se, and subclass 26.1 for
subject matter which blocks access to a signal source or
otherwise limits usage of modulated carrier equipment.
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclasses 1-89 for data processing generic
control systems, subclasses 90-306 for applications of
computers in various environments.
702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,
appropriate subclasses for the application of computer data
processing in measuring, calibrating, or testing.
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 500 for document
processing including layout, editing, and spell-checking.
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and
Calculating, 1 for hybrid computers, subclasses 100+ for
calculators, digital signal processing and arithmetical
processing, per se, subclasses 300+ for digital filters, and
subclasses 800+ for electric analog computers.
714, Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,
various subclasses for generic electrical pulse or pulse
coded data error detection and correction.
GLOSSARY:
The terms below have been defined for purposes of
classification in this class and are shown in underlined type
when used in the class and subclass definitions. When these
terms are not underlined in the definitions, the meaning is
not restricted to the glossary definitions below.
CORRELATION
A statistical measurement of the interdependence or
association between two variables that are quantitative or
qualitative in nature. A typical calculation would be
performed by multiplying a signal by either another signal
(cross-correlation) or by a delayed version of itself
(autocorrelation).
DISTANCE
A statistical measurement for comparing elements defined by
variables or vectors using scalar or vector subtraction of
those elements. Examples: distance=a-b, |a-b|, (a-b).5 or
two vectors may be treated as objects such that the straight
line distance is measured between them.
EXCITATION
Stimulation of the vocal tract by vibratory action of the
vocal cords or by a turbulent air flow. In a digital system,
the vocal tract is typically modelled with a filter and
excitation of the filter is performed using time
representations of pitch (voiced excitation) and noise
(unvoiced excitation).
LANGUAGE
A systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the
use of conventionalized sounds, gestures, or marks having
understood meanings.
LINGUISTICS
The study of human speech including the units, nature,
structure, and modification of language.
NOISE
Any sound which is undesirable and interferes with one's
hearing or with a system's analysis of desired sound.
PITCH
The measurable frequency or period at which the glottis
vibrates.
SIMILARITY
A statistical measurement which is inversely proportional to
distance. For example, if two patterns are compared yielding
a small distance, then the patterns would exhibit a large (or
high degree of) similarity.
SPEECH
The communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words.
UNVOICED
Speech sounds produced by a turbulent flow of air created at
some point of stricture in the vocal tract and usually
lacking pitch.
VOICED
Speech sounds produced by vibratory action of the vocal cords
and usually having pitch.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
LINGUISTICS
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter including means or steps for constructing a
word, a phrase, or a sentence in a language.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
434, Education and Demonstration, 156 for demonstration and
education in linguistics.
Subclass:
2
Translation machine:
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter
wherein a language (i.e., source language) stored in a memory
means is translated into another language (i.e., target
language).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9 for translation machines with significant natural language
processing.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, subclass
403 for document filing and retrieval system.
716, Data Processing: Design and Analysis of Circuit or
Semiconductor Mask, subclass 3 for translation of computer
program in designing and analyzing circuits and semiconductor
mask.
717, Data Processing: Software Development, Installation, and
Management, subclasses 5-9 for software program code
translator or compiler in software development.
Subclass:
3
Having particular Input/Output device::
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter
wherein the translation machine includes a means for reading
into the memory means a language, for pronouncing the
translated language or a particular user interface.
(1) Note. Examples of such devices include an optical
scanner or voice synthesizer.
Subclass:
4
Based on phrase, clause, or idiom:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter
wherein the translation machine translates a series of words
that form a syntactical unit.
Subclass:
5
For partial translation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter
wherein the translation machine includes a means for
providing translation for a specified portion of a sentence
or a clause.
Subclass:
6
Punctuation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter
wherein the translation machine translates a compound word
formed by hyphenation or sentences with quotation marks,
colons, semicolons, or parentheses.
Subclass:
7
Storage or retrieval of data:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter
including a means for assigning storage locations or
accessing addresses to the memory means.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 1, for database or file
access methods.
Subclass:
8
Multilingual or national language support:
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter
including means or steps to adapt to, process, or support
plural languages in systems or in software (i.e., providing
language identifiers on files or providing screen prompts in
a selected language), or to support the conventions or
peculiarities of various national languages (i.e.,
alphabetical ordering, date or currency indications).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200 for details of translation between multiple languages.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Processing, 333 for
customization or edition of operator interfaces.
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, subclass 536 for
composing or editing multiple languages in a document.
Subclass:
9
Natural language:
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter
includes a means for applying grammatical rules or other
analyses (e.g., morphemic, syntax, semantic, etc.) to define
the true meaning of a sentence or phrase.
(1) Note. When words are undefined in the dictionary of a
natural language, the grammatical rules or other analyses are
applied in order to determine the true meaning of a sentence
or a phrase.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 1, for nominal natural
language processing used in database search and retrieval.
Subclass:
10
Dictionary building, modification, or prioritization:
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter
including a construction, a change, or an orderly arrangement
of dictionary, thesauri, or the like.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9 for mere use in natural language processing.
200 for mere use in translation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, subclass 102 for
database details of dictionaries, and subclass 532 for mere
use of a dictionary in editing or composition of a document.
Subclass:
200
SPEECH SIGNAL PROCESSING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter wherein the system performs operations or
functions on signals which represent speech.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
500 for audio (other than speech) signal bandwidth
compression or expansion.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
379, Telephonic Communications, appropriate subclasses for
speech signal processing in a telephone system or device.
Subclass:
201
For storage or transmission:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the speech, which may be in coded or reduced formats,
is stored or transmitted.
Subclass:
202
Neural networks:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein coding is performed using parallel distributed
processing elements constructed in hardware or simulated in
software.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass
259, for neural networks which decode a coded speech signal.
Subclass:
203
Transformations:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the speech is encoded using a specific mathematical
function (e.g., Fourier, Walsh, cosine/sine transform,
etc.).
Subclass:
204
Orthogonal functions:
This subclass is indented under subclass 203. Subject matter
wherein the function is orthogonal (transformations as
applied to vector, matrix, linear and polynomial functions,
for example).
Subclass:
205
Frequency:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the speech is represented by frequency.
Subclass:
206
Specialized information:
This subclass is indented under subclass 205. Subject matter
wherein the frequency data is analyzed to identify specific
speech information.
Subclass:
207
Pitch:
This subclass is indented under subclass 206. Subject matter
wherein the specific speech information represents the
predominant frequency of the speech.
Subclass:
208
Voiced or unvoiced:
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Subject matter
wherein the specific speech information represents the
presence (voiced) or absence (unvoiced) of predominant
frequency components.
Subclass:
209
Formant:
This subclass is indented under subclass 206. Subject matter
wherein the specific speech information represents the
frequency values of any of several resonance bands which
determine the phonetic quality of a vowel sound.
Subclass:
210
Silence decision:
This subclass is indented under subclass 206. Subject matter
wherein the specific speech information represent the
presence or absence of speech.
Subclass:
211
Time:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the speech signal is represented using time (e.g.,
time measurements and energy measured over time).
Subclass:
212
Pulse code modulation (PCM):
This subclass is indented under subclass 211. Subject matter
wherein the signal is sampled over time, and the magnitude of
each sample is quantized and converted into a digital
signal.
Subclass:
213
Zero crossing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 211. Subject matter
wherein the zero crossings of the signal are used to measure
time or frequency.
Subclass:
214
Voiced or unvoiced:
This subclass is indented under subclass 211. Subject matter
wherein time measurements are used to determine the presence
(voiced) or absence (unvoiced) of predominant frequency
components.
Subclass:
215
Silence decision:
This subclass is indented under subclass 211. Subject matter
wherein time measurements are used to determine the presence
or absence of speech (e.g., pauses between words, etc.).
Subclass:
216
Correlation function:
This subclass is indented under subclass 211. Subject matter
wherein analysis of speech is performed using relationships
between time series samples.
Subclass:
217
Autocorrelation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 216. Subject matter
wherein the relationships are between different speech
samples taken from the same time series.
Subclass:
218
Cross-correlation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 216. Subject matter
wherein the relationships are between speech samples taken
from different time series.
Subclass:
219
Linear prediction:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein input samples of speech are estimated from past
samples of an input sequence.
Subclass:
220
Analysis by synthesis:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the speech signal is coded and corrected by the
difference of the decoded coded signal from the original
speech signal.
Subclass:
221
Pattern matching vocoders:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein speech signals are compared and matching patterns are
encoded.
Subclass:
222
Vector quantization:
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Subject matter
wherein the encoding maps a sequence of continuous or
discrete vectors into a digital sequence.
Subclass:
223
Excitation patterns:
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Subject matter
wherein the encoding models speech using representations
including the primary frequency period or periods (e.g.,
pitch excitation, multipulse excitation, etc.).
Subclass:
224
Normalizing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein modifications of the speech signal emphasize or
deemphasize certain features (e.g., spectral slope, average
power, etc.).
Subclass:
225
Gain control:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the speech is adjusted to maintain an average
amplitude.
Subclass:
226
Noise:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein the coding reduces the effects of undesired signal
components.
Subclass:
227
Pre-transmission:
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Subject matter
wherein the coding precedes transmission.
Subclass:
228
Post-transmission:
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Subject matter
wherein decoding after transmission minimizes the effects of
noise in the transmission path.
Subclass:
229
Adaptive bit allocation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein limited storage or transmission resources are
allocated by giving more resources to areas containing more
data and giving fewer resources to areas containing less
data.
Subclass:
230
Quantization:
Subject matter under 201 wherein coded information is mapped
into digital words described by binary symbols.
Subclass:
231
Recognition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein speech is separated into discrete components which
are distinguished from one another.
Subclass:
232
Neural networks:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
using parallel distributed processing elements constructed in
hardware or simulated in software.
Subclass:
233
Detect speech in noise:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein the discrete components are distinguished from
noise.
Subclass:
234
Normalizing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein the discrete components are modified to emphasize or
deemphasize certain features (e.g., spectral slope, average
power, etc.).
Subclass:
235
Speech to image:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein the distinguished discrete components are converted
into image output (e.g., text).
Subclass:
236
Specialized equations or comparisons:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein the discrete components are distinguished using
specific mathematical functions.
Subclass:
237
Correlation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein the specific function measures a correlation between
discrete components (e.g., absolute magnitude difference
functions (AMDF), autocorrelation, cross-correlation, etc.).
Subclass:
238
Distance:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein the specific function measures the difference between
discrete components.
Subclass:
239
Similarity:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein the specific function measures the similarity between
discrete components.
Subclass:
240
Probability:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein the specific function uses probability to determine
the occurrence of a discrete component.
Subclass:
241
Dynamic time warping:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein time components of the discrete components are
aligned with reference components (e.g., using dynamic
programming).
Subclass:
242
Viterbi Trellis:
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Subject matter
wherein discrete components are distinguished by traversing
possible paths through a time series.
Subclass:
243
Creating patterns for matching:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
including specific methods for registering the discrete
components to be used as references.
Subclass:
244
Update patterns:
This subclass is indented under subclass 243. Subject matter
wherein the references are modified to improve recognition
(e.g., learning).
Subclass:
245
Clustering:
This subclass is indented under subclass 243. Subject matter
wherein similar references are placed or divided into groups
(e.g., K-means algorithm, nearest neighbor, etc.).
Subclass:
246
Voice recognition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein different voices are distinguished (e.g., speaker
identification or verification).
Subclass:
247
Preliminary matching:
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Subject matter
using an initial comparison followed by a more detailed
recognition.
Subclass:
248
Endpoint detection:
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Subject matter
including the identification of the beginning and ending
points of speech sound segments.
Subclass:
249
Subportions:
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Subject matter
including separating speech into sound segments (e.g.,
utterances, words, phonemes, allophones, etc.).
Subclass:
250
Specialized models:
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Subject matter
including models which describe the interconnections between
speech sound segments.
Subclass:
251
Word recognition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 231. Subject matter
wherein different words are distinguished (i.e., the meaning
of what is spoken).
Subclass:
252
Preliminary matching:
This subclass is indented under subclass 251. Subject matter
using an initial comparison followed by a more detailed
recognition.
Subclass:
253
Endpoint detection:
This subclass is indented under subclass 251. Subject matter
identifying the beginning and ending points of words.
Subclass:
254
Subportions:
This subclass is indented under subclass 251. Subject matter
identifying speech sound segments (e.g., phonemes,
allophones, etc.).
Subclass:
255
Specialized models:
This subclass is indented under subclass 251. Subject matter
including models which describe the interconnections between
words or subportions of words.
Subclass:
256
Markov:
This subclass is indented under subclass 255. Subject matter
wherein the models include states which represent speech
sound portions and transitions which represent connections
between speech sound portions (e.g., hidden Markov models,
heuristic Markov models, etc.).
Subclass:
257
Natural language:
This subclass is indented under subclass 255. Subject matter
wherein the models include grammatical constraints (e.g.,
syntax, etc.).
Subclass:
258
Synthesis:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein component parts of a speech signal are combined to
produce a synthetic speech output.
Subclass:
259
Neural networks:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein synthetic speech output is formed using parallel
distributed processing elements constructed in hardware or
simulated in software.
Subclass:
260
Image to speech:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are related to image data (e.g.,
text to speech, etc.).
Subclass:
261
Vocal tract model:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts model a human vocal tract.
Subclass:
262
Linear prediction:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are represented by coefficients
derived from a sequence of past speech samples.
Subclass:
263
Correlation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are represented by coefficients
derived from relationships between time series speech
samples.
Subclass:
264
Excitation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are represented by the period of
the primary frequency of the speech signal (e.g., pitch
excitation, multi-pulse excitation, etc.).
Subclass:
265
Interpolation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are combined using estimates of
intermediate values (e.g., waveform smoothing).
Subclass:
266
Specialized model:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are combined or linked together
in a defined manner (e.g., Markov models, trees, tries
(tables representing trees), graphs, etc.).
Subclass:
267
Time element:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts comprise time based elements
(e.g., words, phonemes, allophones, etc.).
Subclass:
268
Frequency element:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts comprise frequency based elements
(e.g., pitch variations, inflection, formants, etc.).
Subclass:
269
Transformation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Subject matter
wherein the component parts are restored to speech using
specific mathematical functions (e.g., Fourier, Walsh,
Hilbert, Z-transform, cosine/sine transforms, etc.).
Subclass:
270
Application:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
intended or designed for a specified use to which the speech
signal processing is being applied.
Subclass:
271
Handicap aid:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for assisting handicapped people (e.g., blind or speech
impaired communication and control).
Subclass:
272
Novelty item:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for novelty items (e.g., greeting cards, toys, etc.).
Subclass:
273
Security system:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for providing security (e.g., limited access).
Subclass:
274
Warning/alarm system:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for providing an audible warning or alarm (e.g., multiple
sensors, car gauges, etc.).
Subclass:
275
Speech controlled system:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for controlling specific devices through speech or voice
commands.
Subclass:
276
Pattern display:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for providing visual output representing speech (e.g.,
computer displays of speech data).
Subclass:
277
Translation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
for translating one language into another language.
Subclass:
278
Sound editing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 270. Subject matter
wherein speech is edited using waveform portions or other
representations of the sounds to be modified.
Subclass:
500
AUDIO SIGNAL BANDWIDTH COMPRESSION OR EXPANSION:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter where there is either an expansion or
reduction of the bandwidth required for transmission of a
sound signal.
(1) Note. This subclass and its indents provide for
bandwidth compression or expansion of audio signals other
than speech signals.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200 for expansion or reduction of a speech signal's
bandwidth.
503 for time compression or expansion of audio signals.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks, subclass 14 for
amplitude compression and expansion in a long transmission
line.
348, Television, subclasses 384.1-440.1 for bandwidth
reduction of an analog television signal.
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, 426 for
bandwidth reduction of a facsimile signal.
360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, 8
for the use of a magnetic recorder to alter the bandwidth of
a signal.
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, subclass 60.01
for the use of a dynamic storage device to change the
bandwidth of a signal.
370, Multiplex Communications, subclass 118 for bandwidth
compression in a multiplex system.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, subclasses 240-241
for bandwidth compression or expansion of a pulse or digital
signal, particularly subclasses 240.01-240.29 for digital
television.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
subclass 106 for amplitude compression or expansion.
455, Telecommunications, subclass 72 for message signal
compression or expansion in an analog signal modulated
carrier wave communication system.
Subclass:
501
With content reduction encoding:
This subclass is indented under subclass 500. Subject matter
combined with means to discard and replace redundant
information by a code indicating what has been discarded.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, subclass 55 for
content reduction encoding, per se.
Subclass:
502
Delay line:
This subclass is indented under subclass 500. Subject matter
having means to cause a time delay of a sound signal.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks, subclasses 138-165
for delay lines, per se.
Subclass:
503
AUDIO SIGNAL TIME COMPRESSION OR EXPANSION (E.G., RUN LENGTH
CODING):
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter where there is either an expansion or
reduction of the time required for transmission of a
nonspeech sound signal.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
211 for expansion or reduction of the time required for
transmission of a speech signal.
500 for frequency compression or expansion of a nonspeech
audio signal.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, 426 for
time compression of a facsimile signal.
360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, 8
for the use of a magnetic recorder to alter the time duration
of a recorded signal.
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, subclass 60.01
for the use of a dynamic storage device to alter the time
duration of a recorded signal.
370, Multiplex Communications, subclass 109 for time
compression or expansion in a time division multiplex
system.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
subclass 106 for amplitude compression or expansion.
455, Telecommunications, subclass 72 for message signal
compression or expansion in an analog signal modulated
carrier wave communication system.
Subclass:
504
With content reduction encoding
This subclass is indented under subclass 503. Subject matter
combined with means to discard and replace redundant
information by a code indicating what has been discarded.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, subclass 55 for
content reduction encoding, per se.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
Questions regarding this report should be directed to:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000