System, apparatus, method and article of manufacture for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel using voice recognition technology

• US 6,700,953 B1
• Filed: 09/02/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metatron Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metatron Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Maurer, Brett Pierre, Elsasser, Curtis Fred, Schechter, Michael Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US09/655,621
• Time in Patent Office: 1,277 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.01, 379/88.02, 379/406.02, 379/167.14, 379/351, 379/388.04, 379/388.05, 379/15.02, 379/15.03, 379/16, 379/23, 379/26.01, 379/27.02, 379/27.03, 379/27.04, 379/1.04, 379/10.02, 379/15.01, 370/249, 704/233
• US Class Current: 379/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/69 for evaluating synthetic or decoded voice signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2236 Quality of speech transmission monitoring

Abstract

The present invention measures the quality of a transmission channel by utilizing voice recognition technology in a novel manner.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel having a first port and a second port, comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a first signal from said first port to said second port via said transmission channel, said first signal being an analog signal;

(b) receiving said first signal at said second port, and converting said first signal to a digital signal;

(c) analyzing said digital signal using voice recognition technology to generate a quality score within a predetermined time frame;

(d) monitoring step (c) to ensure that said quality score is generated during said predetermined time frame;

(e) assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame;

(f) transmitting a second signal from said second port to said first port, via said transmission channel, after said quality score is either generated or assigned said default quality score;

(g) monitoring step (f) to ensure that said second signal is not being transmitted to said first port while said digital signal is being processed; and

(h) applying a time stamp to said digital signal that is obtained from said first signal, said time stamp being indicative of when said first signal was received in step (b),

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated in step (c), when step (b) is performed at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

2. A method for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel having a first port and a second port, comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a first signal from said first port to said second port via said transmission channel, said first signal being an analog signal;

(b) receiving said first signal at said second port, and converting said first signal to a digital signal;

(c) analyzing said digital signal using voice recognition technology to generate a quality score within a predetermined time frame;

(d) monitoring step (c) to ensure that said quality score is generated during said predetermined time frame;

(e) assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame;

(f) transmitting a second signal from said second port to said first port, via said transmission channel, after said quality score is either generated or assigned said default quality score; and

(g) monitoring step (f) to ensure that said second signal is not being transmitted to said first port while said digital signal is being processed,

wherein the quality score is calculated based on the equation;

3. An apparatus for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, said apparatus having an interface to said transmission channel, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a processor configured to transmit a second signal via said transmission channel and to receive and process a first signal via said transmission channel, said first signal corresponding to a digitized version of an analog signal that was sent from another apparatus to said apparatus over said transmission channel, said processor performing a digital-to-analog conversion of said first signal to obtain said first signal;

(b) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

(c) a quality score module associated with said processor for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame;

(d) a monitoring module associated with said processor for ensuring that said quality score is generated during a predetermined time frame and for assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame;

(e) a synchronization module associated with said processor for transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after generating said quality score or assigning said default quality score and after said first signal is processed; and

(f) a time stamp applying unit configured to apply a time stamp to said first signal, said time stamp being indicative of when said first signal was received by said apparatus,

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated for said plurality of first signals, and

wherein said plurality of first signals are received at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

4. An apparatus for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, said apparatus having an interface to said transmission channel, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a processor configured to transmit a second signal via said transmission channel and to receive and process a first signal via said transmission channel, said first signal corresponding to a digitized version of an analog signal that was sent from another apparatus to said apparatus over said transmission channel, said processor performing a digital-to-analog conversion of said first signal to obtain said first signal;

(b) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

(c) a quality score module associated with said processor for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame;

(d) a monitoring module associated with said processor for ensuring that said quality score is generated during a predetermined time frame and for assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

(e) a synchronization module associated with said processor for transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after generating said quality score or assigning said default quality score and after said first signal is processed,

wherein the quality score is calculated by said quality score module based on the equation;

5. A system for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, comprising:

(a) a first processor;

(b) a second processor;

(c) a transmission channel therebetween;

said first processor and second processor configured to interface with said transmission channel and to transmit a second signal to the other and receive a first signal from the other via said transmission channel, said first and second signals being sent as analog signals over said transmission channel;

(d) a first programming module associated with said first processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a digital representation of said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said digital representation of said first signal is processed; and

(e) a second programming module associated with said second processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a digital representation of said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said digital representation of said first signal is processed,

wherein each of said first and second programming modules comprises;

a time stamp applying unit configured to apply a time stamp to said first signal, said time stamp being indicative of when said first signal was received by said apparatus,

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated for said plurality of first signals, and

wherein said plurality of first signals are received at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

6. A system for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, comprising:

(a) a first processor;

(b) a second processor;

(c) a transmission channel therebetween;

said first processor and second processor configured to interface with said transmission channel and to transmit a second signal to the other and receive a first signal from the other via said transmission channel, said first and second signals being sent as analog signals over said transmission channel;

(d) a first programming module associated with said first processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a digital representation of said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said digital representation of said first signal is processed; and

(e) a second programming module associated with said second processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a digital representation of said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via said transmission channel after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said digital representation of said first signal is processed,

wherein the quality score is calculated based on the equation;

7. A system for evaluating more than one transmission channel simultaneously, comprising:

(a) a first processor;

(b) a second processor;

(c) a plurality of transmission channels therebetween;

said first processor and second processor configured to interface with each of said plurality of transmission channels and to send a second signal to the other and receive a first signal from the other via each of said plurality of transmission channels, said first and second signals being sent as analog signals over said plurality of transmission channels;

(d) a first programming module associated with said first processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via each of said transmission channels after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said respective digital representations of all of said first signals are processed; and

(e) a second programming module associated with said second processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via each of said transmission channels after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said respective digital representations of all of said first signals are processed,

wherein each of said first and second programming modules comprises;

a time stamp applying unit configured to apply a time stamp to said first signal, said time stamp being indicative of when said first signal was received by said apparatus,

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated for said plurality of first signals, and

wherein said plurality of first signals are received at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

8. A system for evaluating more than one transmission channel simultaneously, comprising:

(a) a first processor;

(b) a second processor;

(c) a plurality of transmission channels therebetween;

said first processor and second processor configured to interface with each of said plurality of transmission channels and to send a second signal to the other and receive a first signal from the other via each of said plurality of transmission channels, said first and second signals being sent as analog signals over said plurality of transmission channels;

(d) a first programming module associated with said first processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via each of said transmission channels after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said respective digital representations of all of said first signals are processed; and

(e) a second programming module associated with said second processor for;

     1) analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal;

     2) generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

     3) transmitting said second signal via each of said transmission channels after either generating said quality score or assigning said default score and after said respective digital representations of all of said first signals are processed,

wherein the quality score is calculated based on the equation;

9. A system for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, comprising:

(a) a processor configured to interface to said transmission channel and to send a second signal and to receive a first signal via said transmission channel, said first signal corresponding to a digitized version of an analog signal that was sent from another apparatus to said apparatus over said transmission channel, said processor performing a digital-to-analog conversion of said first signal to obtain said first signal, said second signal being sent as an analog signal over said transmission channel;

(b) a communication device coupled to said transmission channel and configured to at least send said first signal to said processor via said transmission channel;

(c) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, said first signal to generate a preliminary score;

(d) a quality score module associated with said processor for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

(e) a time stamp applying unit configured to apply a time stamp to said first signal, said time stamp being indicative of when said first signal was received by said processor,

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated for said plurality of first signals, and

wherein said plurality of first signals are received at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

10. A system for evaluating the quality of a transmission channel, comprising:

(a) a processor configured to interface to said transmission channel and to send a second signal and to receive a first signal via said transmission channel, said first signal corresponding to a digitized version of an analog signal that was sent from another apparatus to said apparatus over said transmission channel, said processor performing a digital-to-analog conversion of said first signal to obtain said first signal, said second signal being sent as an analog signal over said transmission channel;

(b) a communication device coupled to said transmission channel and configured to at least send said first signal to said processor via said transmission channel;

(c) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, said first signal to generate a preliminary score; and

(d) a quality score module associated with said processor for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame,

wherein the quality score is calculated by said quality score module based on the equation;

11. A system for evaluating more than one transmission channel simultaneously, comprising:

(a) a processor;

(b) a plurality of communication devices; and

(c) a plurality of transmission channels therebetween;

each of said plurality of communication devices configured to interface with one of said plurality of transmission channels and to send a first signal as an analog signal along said one of said plurality of transmission channels to said processor, said processor configured to interface with more than one of said plurality of transmission channels at any given time, to receive several first signals at once;

said first signals being transmitted by each of said plurality of communication devices and to transmit an outgoing audio signal to each of said plurality of communication devices simultaneously;

(d) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal;

(e) a quality score module for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame; and

(f) a time stamp applying unit configured to apply a time stamp to each of said first signals, said time stamp being indicative of when each of said first signals was received by said processor,

wherein a quality contour map is generated based in part on;

i) the respective time stamps for a plurality of said first signals received over a period of time, and ii) the respective quality scores generated for said plurality of first signals, and

wherein said plurality of first signals are received at a plurality of different locations at a plurality of different times within a region.

12. A system for evaluating more than one transmission channel simultaneously, comprising:

(a) a processor;

(b) a plurality of communication devices; and

(c) a plurality of transmission channels therebetween;

each of said plurality of communication devices configured to interface with one of said plurality of transmission channels and to send a first signal as an analog signal along said one of said plurality of transmission channels to said processor, said processor configured to interface with more than one of said plurality of transmission channels at any given time, to receive several first signals at once;

said first signals being transmitted by each of said plurality of communication devices and to transmit an outgoing audio signal to each of said plurality of communication devices simultaneously;

(d) a voice recognition module associated with said processor for analyzing, using voice recognition technology, a respective digital representation of each of said first signals to generate a preliminary score for each first signal; and

(e) a quality score module for generating a quality score based on said preliminary score during a predetermined time frame or assigning a default quality score if a quality score is not generated during said predetermined time frame,

wherein the quality score is calculated by said quality score module based on the equation;