Componentized voice server with selectable internal and external speech detectors

• US 20050246166A1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Creamer, Thomas E., Moore, Victor S., Nusbickel, Wendi L., Sliwa, James J., Dos Santos, Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/208
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/78 Detection of presence or absence of voice signals switching of direction of transmission by voice frequency in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/10

Abstract

A method for detecting speech utterances within a telephone call can include the steps of initializing a componentized voice server having at least one software-based speech detection routine. At least one previously established parameter can be used to discern a speech detection methodology for handling an incoming call. The software-based speech detection routine can be set in accordance with a select one of the parameters. An indicator of particular one of the parameters can be conveyed to an external speech detection component so that the external speech detection component is set to detect speech for the call in accordance with the conveyed indication. The software-based speech detection routine and/or the external speech detection component can detect a speech utterance for the call. The voice server can perform at least one programmatic action responsive to the detecting of the speech utterance.

Claims

1. A method for detecting speech utterances within a telephone call comprising the steps of:

initializing a componentized voice server having at least one software-based speech detection routine;

discerning a speech detection methodology for handling speech detection for an incoming call, said methodology comprising at least one of a plurality of selectable techniques selected from the group consisting of a software-based technique based upon said software-based speech detection routines and an external technique executing in a computing space external to said componentized voice server;

receiving a speech utterance;

detecting the speech utterance in accordance with said speech detection methodology; and

said voice server performing at least one programmatic action responsive to the detecting of the speech utterance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said discerned speech detection methodology utilizes said software-based technique and said external technique.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said discerned speech detection methodology utilizes said external technique and does not utilize said software-based technique.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said speech detection methodology utilizes said external technique, said external technique performing hardware-based speech detection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said speech detection methodology utilizes said external technique, said external technique detecting speech by detecting energy differences within a telephony channel.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

before said initializing step, receiving a user specified parameter; and

storing said user specified parameter in a data store communicatively linked to said voice server, wherein said discerning step utilizes said user specified parameter to discern said speech detection methodology;

7. A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having a plurality of code sections, said code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps of:

initializing a componentized voice server having at least one software-based speech detection routine;

discerning from at least one previously established parameter a speech detection methodology for handling an incoming call;

setting said software speech detection routines in accordance with a select one of the parameters; and

conveying an indication of a particular one of said parameters to an external speech detection component so that said external speech detection component is set to detect speech for the call in accordance with the conveyed indication.

8. The machine-readable storage of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

said at least one of said software-based speech detection routine and said external speech detection component detecting a speech utterance for the call; and

said voice server performing at least one programmatic action responsive to the detecting of the speech utterance.

9. The machine-readable storage of claim 7, wherein said external speech detection component performs hardware-based speech detection.

10. The machine-readable storage of claim 7, wherein said external speech detection component detects speech by detecting energy differences within a telephony channel associated with the call.

11. The machine-readable storage of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

communicatively linking said external speech detection component between a telephone gateway and a media converting component, wherein said media converting component is a communicatively linked to a telephone and media subsystem of the voice server, said telephone and media subsystem being configured to handle input and output for the voice server.

12. The machine-readable storage of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

before said initializing step, establishing said at least one parameter responsive to a user provided input.

13. A telephony system providing speech services comprising:

an external speech detection component operationally located remotely from a voice server, said external speech detection component configured to detect speech utterances by detecting energy differences within telephone channels;

said voice server including at least one internal software-based speech detection routine; and

means for said voice server to selectively activate said external speech detection component, wherein when activated said voice server performs speech detection using said external speech detection component.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said external speech detection component utilizes hardware-based techniques to detect speech utterances.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

means for said voice server to selectively activate said internal software-based speech detection routine, wherein when activated said voice server performs speech detection using said internal speech detection routine.

16. The system of claim 13, said system further comprising:

a user interface configured to permit authorized users to remotely adjust settings that control a manner in which said voice server performs speech detections, at least one of said settings controlling said external speech detection activation means.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said voice server is a componentized voice server configured to handle telephone operations in a functionally isolated fashion.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said voice server further comprises:

a telephone and media subsystem configured to handle input and output for the voice server, wherein said external speech detection component detects speech utterances before input relating to said utterances is conveyed to said telephone and media subsystem.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said external speech detection component is a configurable plug in for said voice server.