System and method for analyzing baby cries

• US 6,496,115 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meiji University
• Original Assignee: Meiji University
• Inventors: Arakawa, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/963,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/566, 367/197, 367/198, 367/199, 381/56, 381/57, 381/58, 704/246, 704/270
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function

Abstract

This invention provides a system for analyzing baby cries capable of diagnosing a cause of cry of a baby based on a cry from the baby. A microphone (1) picks up a cry from a baby as an audio signal. At a certain sampling frequency, an A/D converter (2) samples the audio signal received by the microphone (1) to A/D convert it. An audio analyzer (3) analyzes the audio signal samples by the A/D converter (2) and computes a characteristic quantity based on a frequency spectrum. A cause-of-cry assumption unit (4) assumes a cause of cry based on the characteristic quantity of the audio signal derived at the audio analyzer (3). Finally, an assumed result display (5) displays the assumed result from the cause-of-cry assumption unit (4).

Claims

1. A system for analyzing baby cries, comprising:

audio analysis means for receiving an audio signal of a baby, performing waveform analysis to said audio signal and computing a characteristic quantity based on a result from said waveform analysis of said audio signal;

cause-of-cry assumption means for assuming a cause of cry of said baby based on said characteristic quantity computed at said audio-analysis means; and

display means for displaying said cause of cry assumed by said cause-of-cry assumption means.

2. The system for analyzing baby cries according to claim 1, wherein said audio analysis means performs frequency analysis to said audio signal of said baby and computing said characteristic quantity based on a frequency spectrum of said audio signal.

3. The system for analyzing baby cries according to claim 2, said audio analysis means including:

means for clipping one breath-length of audio signal from said audio signal of said baby; and

frequency analysis and characteristic quantity computing means for computing a frequency spectrum for each of N different small zones (N denotes an arbitrary natural number) on said clipped one breath-length of audio signal, and computing as characteristic quantities at least one of computed N frequency spectrums, distributed values at respective frequency bands, cepstrums for said frequency spectrums and periodic peak positions in said frequency spectrums.

4. The system for analyzing baby cries according to claim 2, wherein said cause-of-cry assumption means assumes said cause of cry based on the presence/absence of periodicity in each band in said frequency spectrum of said audio signal and a frequency band with periodicity.

5. The system for analyzing baby cries according to claim 2, wherein said cause-of-cry assumption means assumes said cause of cry as:

“

hungry”

when said frequency spectrum of said audio signal has periodicity continuously from a low frequency band to a high frequency band;

“

sleepy”

when said frequency spectrum of said audio signal has periodicity continuously within a low frequency band; and

“

painful”

when said frequency spectrum of said audio signal has no periodicity or a period thereof varies in time.

6. A method of analyzing baby cries, comprising:

receiving an audio signal of a baby;

performing waveform analysis to said audio signal and computing a characteristic quantity based on a result from said waveform analysis of said audio signal; and

assuming a cause of cry of said baby based on said computed characteristic quantity.