Speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones
First Claim
1. A method in a telephone for improving speech intelligibility when the telephone is used in an environment having background noise, the method comprising:
- outputting a first audio signal from a first microphone, the first audio signal comprising a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component;
outputting a second audio signal from a second microphone;
monitoring a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal;
generating a voice activity signal responsive to the ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the voice activity signal identifying time intervals in which the first audio signal includes the voice component of the near-end user;
receiving a third audio signal comprising a voice component of a far-end user; and
modifying the third audio signal only during time intervals when the near-end user is not talking as indicated by the voice activity signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to improved speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones. Such a telephone includes a first microphone, a second microphone, a voice activity detector (VAD), a receiver module, and a signal processor. The first microphone outputs a first audio signal, which comprises a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component. The second microphone outputs a second audio signal. The VAD generates a voice activity signal responsive to a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal. The voice activity signal identifies time intervals in which the voice component of the near-end user is present in the first audio signal. The receiver module receives a third audio signal, which comprises a voice component of a far-end user. The signal processor modifies the third audio signal responsive to the voice activity signal.
135 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method in a telephone for improving speech intelligibility when the telephone is used in an environment having background noise, the method comprising:
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outputting a first audio signal from a first microphone, the first audio signal comprising a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component; outputting a second audio signal from a second microphone; monitoring a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal; generating a voice activity signal responsive to the ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the voice activity signal identifying time intervals in which the first audio signal includes the voice component of the near-end user; receiving a third audio signal comprising a voice component of a far-end user; and modifying the third audio signal only during time intervals when the near-end user is not talking as indicated by the voice activity signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A telephone for improving speech intelligibility when the telephone is used in an environment having background noise, the telephone comprising:
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a first microphone that outputs a first audio signal, the first audio signal comprising a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component; a second microphone that outputs a second audio signal; a voice activity detector (VAD) that (i) monitors a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal, and (ii) generates a voice activity signal responsive to the ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal, wherein the voice activity signal identifies time intervals in which the first audio signal includes the voice component of the near-end user; a receiver module that receives a third audio signal, the third audio signal comprising a voice component of a far-end user; and a signal processor that modifies the third audio signal only during time intervals when the near-end user is not talking as indicated by the voice activity signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method in a telephone for improving speech intelligibility when the telephone is used in an environment having background noise, comprising:
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outputting a first audio signal from a first microphone, the first audio signal comprising a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component; reversing a polarity of the first audio signal to form a second audio signal; receiving a third audio signal comprising a voice component of a far-end user; and forming a side-tone based on the second audio signal and the third audio signal.
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24. A telephone for improving speech intelligibility when the telephone is used in an environment having background noise, comprising:
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a first microphone that outputs a first audio signal, the first audio signal comprising a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component; a signal processor that reverses a polarity of the first audio signal to form a second audio signal; a receiver module that receives a third audio signal comprising a voice component of a far-end user; and a speaker that outputs a side-tone that is formed based on the second audio signal and the third audio signal.
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Specification