METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LAUGHTER DETECTION
First Claim
1. A method for detecting an at least one laughter episode in an audio signal, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting an at least one burst in the audio signal;
detecting at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts;
extracting an at least one feature from the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts;
determining whether the at least one feature complies with an at least one predetermined threshold; and
if the at least one feature complies with the at least one predetermined threshold, outputting the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts as a laughter episode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for laughter detection. Laughter is detected through the presence of a sequence of at least a predetermined number such as three consecutive bursts, each burst comprising a voiced portion and an unvoiced portion. After detecting bursts, n-tuples such as triplets are detected, and a likelihood of each burst N-tuple to represent laughter is provided by comparison to predetermined thresholds. Finally, a total score is assigned to the signal based on the grades associated with the triplets and parameters such as the distance between the N-tuples, the total score representing the probability that the audio signal comprises a laughter episode. The method and apparatus preferably comprise a training step and module for determining the thresholds according to manually marked audio signals.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for detecting an at least one laughter episode in an audio signal, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting an at least one burst in the audio signal; detecting at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; extracting an at least one feature from the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; determining whether the at least one feature complies with an at least one predetermined threshold; and if the at least one feature complies with the at least one predetermined threshold, outputting the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts as a laughter episode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for detecting an at least one laughter episode in an audio signal, the apparatus comprising:
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a burst detection component for detecting an at least one burst in the audio signal; a burst N-tuple detection component for detecting at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; a burst N-tuple feature extraction component for extracting an at least one feature from the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; a scoring component for scoring the least one feature against an at least one predetermined threshold; and a decision component for determining whether the at least one feature is associated with a laughter episode, according to whether the at least one feature complies with the at least one predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer, the set of instructions comprising:
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detecting an at least one burst in an audio signal; detecting an at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; extracting an at least one feature from the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts; determining whether the at least one feature complies with an at least one predetermined threshold; and if the at least one feature complies with the at least one predetermined threshold, outputting the at least predetermined number of consecutive bursts as a laughter episode.
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Specification