Method and system for truth-enabling internet communications via computer voice stress analysis

• US 6,523,008 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adam Avrunin, Matthew Delgiorno
• Original Assignee: Adam Avrunin, Matthew Delgiorno
• Inventors: Avrunin, Adam, DelGiorno, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): MCFADDEN, SUSAN IRIS
• Application Number:
  US09/506,987
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 704/270, 704/273, 704/275, 704/246, 704/231, 704/243, 382/118, 434/118
• US Class Current: 704/273
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/26 Recognition of special voice characteristics, e.g. for use in lie detectors; Recognition of animal voices

Abstract

A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network using computer voice stress analysis. A sender creates a text message at a first computer of the computer network. The sender also enters into the first computer speech input indicating the veracity of the text message. For example, the speech input may indicate the veracity of the text message through an explicit assertion that the sender believes the text message to be truthful. By applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input, a computer voice stress analysis program determines the veracity of the text message. The text message and an indication of the veracity of the text message may both be sent over the computer network to a recipient.

Claims

1. A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network, comprising:

receiving a text message from a sender at a first computer of the computer network;

receiving from the sender speech input indicating a veracity of the text message;

determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input; and

transmitting the text message over the computer network to a recipient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the speech input to the recipient so that the recipient can listen to the speech input in order to determine an applicability of the speech input to the text message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the text message over the computer network to the recipient comprises:

receiving the text message from the first computer over the computer network at an intermediary computer server; and

at the intermediary computer server, making the text message remotely accessible by the recipient.

5. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

6. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 1.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the speech input indicating the veracity of the text message comprises an explicit assertion that the text message is truthful.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the speech input indicating the veracity of the text message comprises a vocalization by the sender of a portion of the text message, thereby causing the speech input to comprise an implicit assertion that the portion of the text message is truthful.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating to the recipient the veracity of the text message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises determining a likelihood of truthfulness of a portion of the speech input using computer voice stress analysis.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises calculating a likelihood of truthfulness of the text message by combining the likelihood of truthfulness of the portion of the speech input with a likelihood of truthfulness of other portions of the speech input.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying a content of the speech input through speech recognition.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the text message over the computer network to the recipient comprises providing the text message to the recipient only if the speech input indicates that the text message is truthful.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the recipient comprises a second computer of the computer network.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the recipient comprises an individual at a second computer of the computer network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises providing the speech input to a computer voice stress analysis program.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the text message over the computer network to the recipient comprises:

receiving the text message from the first computer from over the computer network at an intermediary computer server; and

transmitting the text message from the intermediary computer server over the computer network to a computer of the recipient.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input at an intermediary computer server.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises determining the veracity of the speech input using computer voice stress analysis at the first computer of the computer network.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises determining the veracity of the speech input using computer voice stress analysis at a computer of the recipient.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message is included in an e-mail.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the text message over the computer network to the recipient comprises:

receiving the text message from over the computer network at an intermediary computer server;

making the text message available on a message board offered by the intermediary computer server;

receiving an indication from the recipient that the recipient wants to read the text message; and

displaying the text message for the recipient to read.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message comprises an ad for an online auction site, the speech input indicates the veracity of the ad, and transmitting the text message over the computer network to the recipient comprises:

receiving the ad from over the computer network at the online auction site;

at the online auction site, making the ad available for viewing by potential bidders;

receiving an indication from the recipient that the recipient wants to view the ad; and

displaying the ad for the recipient to read.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer network comprises an Internet.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding to the text message a link to a Web site from which the recipient can learn the veracity of the text message.

26. A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network, comprising:

receiving speech input from a sender at a first computer of the computer network;

applying speech recognition to the speech input to create a text message corresponding to the speech input;

determining a veracity of the text message by applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input;

providing the text message to a recipient at a second computer of the computer network; and

indicating to the recipient the veracity of the text message.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining the veracity of the text message by applying computer stress analysis to the speech input comprises:

dividing the speech input into a plurality of portions; and

applying computer voice stress analysis to each portion of the speech input to determine a veracity of each portion;

and wherein indicating to the recipient the veracity of the text message comprises;

dividing the text message into a plurality of portions corresponding to the portions of the speech input;

assigning a color to each portion of the text message indicating the veracity of the corresponding portion of the speech input; and

displaying the text message to the recipient whereby each portion of the text message has the assigned color.

28. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 26.

29. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 26.

30. A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network, comprising:

receiving a text message from a sender at a first computer of the computer network;

receiving speech input from the sender;

verifying that the speech input comprises a vocalization of the text message using speech recognition;

determining a veracity of the text message by applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input; and

transmitting the text message over the computer network to a recipient at a second computer of the computer network.

31. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 30.

32. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 30.

33. A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network, comprising:

providing a sender at a first computer of the computer network with a predetermined statement including at least one assertion of fact concerning digital data of the sender;

receiving the digital data from the sender;

receiving speech input from the sender;

using speech recognition to verify that the speech input comprises a vocalization of the predetermined statement;

determining a veracity of the assertion of fact by applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input; and

transmitting the digital data over the computer network to a recipient.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the recipient comprises a Web server, the digital data comprises information supplied by the sender to a Web page form provided by the Web server, and the assertion of fact comprises an assertion that the information supplied by the sender is truthful.

35. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 33.

36. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 33.

37. A method for restricting access to data stored on a computer network, comprising:

receiving an indication from a user of the computer network that the user wants to access the data;

providing the user with a predetermined statement;

receiving speech input from the user;

using speech recognition to determine if the speech input comprises the predetermined statement;

applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input to determine if the speech input is truthful; and

if the speech input comprises the predetermined statement and the speech input is truthful, then allowing the user to access the data.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the predetermined statement comprises an assertion that the user is authorized to access the data.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the predetermined statement comprises an assertion that the user meets a predetermined age requirement.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the data is located remotely from the user.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the computer network is an Internet.

42. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 37.

43. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 37.

44. A method for truth-enabling an online auction, comprising:

receiving from a creator of an online auction advertisement speech input indicating a veracity of the advertisement;

determining the veracity of the advertisement by applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input; and

indicating the veracity of the advertisement to a potential bidder on an item corresponding to the advertisement.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving from the creator of the online auction advertisement speech input indicating the veracity of the advertisement comprises receiving the speech input at a first computer server that is separate from a second computer server running the online auction.

46. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 44.

47. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 44.

48. A method for truth-enabling communications over a computer network, comprising:

receiving from a creator of a text message located at a first computer of the computer network speech input indicating a veracity of the text message;

determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input; and

indicating the veracity of the text message to a recipient of the text message at a second computer of the computer network.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein determining the veracity of the text message from the speech input comprises applying computer voice stress analysis to the speech input.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the speech input comprises a vocalization of the text message by the creator.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

comparing the speech input with the text message using speech recognition; and

indicating to the recipient whether or not the speech input corresponds to the text message.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising providing the speech input to the recipient so that the recipient can listen to the speech input in order to determine an applicability of the speech input to the text message.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the text message comprises a link to a Web site through which the veracity of the text message is indicated to the recipient.

54. The method of claim 48, further comprising displaying an ad viewable by the recipient.

55. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

selecting an ad based upon a content of the text message;

displaying the ad to the recipient.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein receiving from the creator of the text message located at the first computer of the computer network the speech input indicating the veracity of the text message comprises receiving the speech input at a first computer server that is separate from a second computer server through which the text message is communicated to the recipient.

57. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 48.

58. A computer system adapted to perform the method of claim 48.