System and method for speech enhancement

• US 20040122664A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lorenzo, Geydi, Estes, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/226
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2021/0135 Voice conversion or morphing
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/0364 for improving intelligibility
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6025 implemented as integrated speech networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/43 Signal processing in hearing aids to enhance the speech intelligibility
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing noise in a speech signal. A handset or remote unit provides to users with a hearing deficiency, a first mode of operation where noise suppressant/speech enhancement algorithms are used during any auditory-related service. There is also provided, in a related mode of operation, speech filtering for reducing noise in a speech signal received through the microphone and outputting the filtered sound to the speaker. The handset includes a microphone for receiving an auditory sound, a receiver for receiving an auditory signal and a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and sound. The speech filter also may be configured to shift the frequency and/or alter the intensity of the auditory signal and sound. The speaker is used for amplifying and outputting the enhanced speech component as an audible sound.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing speech perception in a communications device:

providing a mobile station having a signal receiver for receiving an auditory signal and a speaker for outputting an audible sound;

receiving the auditory signal into the signal receiver, wherein the auditory signal comprises a speech component and a noise component;

separating the auditory signal into speech and noise components; and

routing the speech component of the auditory signal to the speaker.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the separating step comprises filtering the auditory signal to remove the noise component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the separating step comprises processing the auditory signal to enhance the speech component and suppress the noise component.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of customizing the signal to noise ratio of the received auditory signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizing step comprises setting the signal to noise ratio to a predetermined level based on the based on a listener'"'"'s preference.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of storing multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels, each custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level corresponding to a particular environment.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of storing the multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels in a selectable menu system for enabling the user to select the appropriate custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level.

8. A method for enhancing speech perception:

providing a mobile station having a sound receiver for receiving an auditory sound and a speaker for outputting an auditory sound;

receiving the auditory sound into the sound receiver, wherein the auditory signal comprises a speech component and a noise component;

filtering the auditory sound to isolate the speech component from the noise component; and

amplifying the speech component of the auditory sound by routing the speech component to the speaker.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of determining the level of amplification during the amplifying step based on a signal-to-noise ratio level.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the filtering step comprises processing the auditory signal to enhance the speech component and suppress the noise component.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of customizing the signal to noise ratio of the received auditory sound.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the customizing step comprises setting the signal to noise ratio to a predetermined level based on a listener'"'"'s preference.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of storing multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels, each custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level corresponding to a particular environment.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of storing the multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels in a selectable menu system for enabling the user to select the appropriate custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level.

15. A remote unit comprising:

a microphone for receiving an auditory sound;

a receiver for receiving an auditory signal;

a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and the auditory sound for enhancing a speech component of the auditory signal and the auditory sound; and

a speaker for amplifying and outputting the speech component as an audible sound.

16. The remote unit of claim 15 further comprising a menu for setting an operating parameter of the speech filter.

17. The remote unit of claim 16, wherein the operating parameters menu comprises means for setting a signal to noise ratio of the filter based on a listening environment of a user.

18. The remote unit of claim 17, wherein multiple custom signal to noise ratio settings maybe stored in the remote unit.

19. The remote unit of claim 18, wherein the menu further comprises a selectable menu system for enabling the user to select the custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level appropriate for the user.

20. A remote unit comprising:

a microphone for receiving an auditory sound;

a speech filter for shifting the frequency range of the auditory sound for enhancing a speech component of the auditory sound whereby the pitch of the sound is changed according to a listener'"'"'s preference; and

a speaker for amplifying and outputting the speech component as an audible sound.

21. The remote unit of claim 20, wherein the speech filter is configured to change the intensity of the received signal in accordance with the listener'"'"'s preference.

22. The remote unit of claim 20, further comprising a receiver for receiving an auditory signal, wherein the speech filter shifts the frequency range of the auditory signal whereby the pitch of the sound is changed according to a listener'"'"'s preference.

23. The remote unit of claim 22, wherein the speech filter is configured to change the intensity of the received signal in accordance with the listener'"'"'s preference.