U.S. patent application number 11/581707 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Randy Phyllis Granovetter, Zicheng Liu, Michael J. Sinclair, Zhengyou Zhang.
Application Number | 20070036370 11/581707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35517548 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070036370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Granovetter; Randy Phyllis ;
et al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a
mobile device
Abstract
A mobile device includes an air conduction microphone and an
alternative sensor that provides an alternative sensor signal
indicative of speech. A communication interface permits the mobile
device to communicate directly with other mobile devices.
Inventors: |
Granovetter; Randy Phyllis;
(Kirkland, WA) ; Sinclair; Michael J.; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Zhang; Zhengyou; (Bellevue, WA) ; Liu;
Zicheng; (Bellevue, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN (MICROSOFT CORPORATION)
SUITE 1400
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
35517548 |
Appl. No.: |
11/581707 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10962954 |
Oct 12, 2004 |
|
|
|
11581707 |
Oct 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/311 ;
704/E15.039; 704/E15.041; 704/E21.004 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6008 20130101;
G10L 21/0208 20130101; H04M 2250/06 20130101; G10L 2021/02161
20130101; H04M 2250/02 20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101; H04W 92/18
20130101; H04R 1/083 20130101; H04M 1/605 20130101; H04M 2250/10
20130101; H04M 1/05 20130101; G06F 40/58 20200101; G10L 15/20
20130101; G10L 15/24 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101; H04M 1/6066
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/311 |
International
Class: |
H04R 5/02 20060101
H04R005/02 |
Claims
1. A mobile device comprising: an air conduction microphone that
converts acoustic waves representative of a portion of speech into
an electric microphone signal; an alternative sensor that detects
information representative of the portion of speech separate from
the electronic microphone signal and provides an electric
alternative sensor signal comprising information representative of
the portion of speech; and a communication interface that permits
the mobile device to communicate directly with other mobile
devices.
2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the communication interface
permits multiple types of communication with other mobile
devices.
3. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein one of the multiple types
of communication comprises one-to-one communication with one other
mobile device even when more than one other mobile device is
available for communication.
4. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein one of the multiple types
of communication comprises one-to-many communication with a
plurality of other mobile devices.
5. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein one of the multiple types
of communication comprises many-to-many communication.
6. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the communication interface
further permits communication to a network.
7. The mobile device of claim 6 wherein the communication interface
further permits communication with a server on the network.
8. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein the communication with the
server comprises audio and video.
9. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein communication with the
server further comprises data corresponding to an image of a
document that is shared with another computing device.
10. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein the mobile device further
comprises a global positioning satellite receiver that is capable
of generating a position value indicative of the position of the
mobile device.
11. The mobile device of claim 10 wherein communication with a
server comprises providing the position value to the server.
12. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein the server hosts a speech
recognition program and wherein communicating with the server
comprises providing audio data to the server and receiving
recognized text from the server.
13. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein the server hosts a
translation program and wherein communicating with the server
comprises providing content in one language to the server and
receiving a translation in another language from the server.
14. A method in a mobile device, the method comprising: receiving
an air conduction microphone signal that comprises information
representative of a frame of speech; receiving an alternative
sensor signal that comprises information representative of the
frame of speech; estimating an enhanced clean speech value based on
the air conduction microphone signal for the frame of speech and
the alternative sensor signal for the frame of speech; and
providing the enhanced clean speech value directly to another
mobile device.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the enhanced clean
speech value directly to another mobile device comprises providing
the enhanced clean speech value during a one-to-one communication
between the mobile device and the other mobile device.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the enhanced clean
speech value directly to another mobile device comprises providing
the enhanced clean speech value during a one-to-many communication
between the mobile device and a plurality of other mobile
devices.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the enhanced clean
speech value directly to another mobile device comprises providing
the enhanced clean speech value during a many-to-many communication
between a plurality of mobile devices.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining a
position for the mobile device and communicating the position of
the mobile device from the mobile device to a server.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising using the position of
the mobile device to generate a map and communicating the map from
the server to another computing device.
20. The method of claim 14 further comprising using a translation
service on a server to translate text from one language to another
language based on data sent from the mobile device to the server
and returning text from the server to the mobile device, the text
representing the translation of the text.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority from
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/962,954, filed on Oct. 12,
2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to mobile devices. In
particular, the present invention relates to multi-sensory mobile
devices.
[0003] Mobile hand-held devices such as mobile phones and personal
digital assistants that provide phone functions or accept speech
input are often used in adverse noise environments such as busy
streets, restaurants, airports, and cars. The strong ambient noise
in these environments can obscure the user's speech and make it
difficult to understand what the person is saying. In addition, it
severely degrades speech recognition accuracy.
[0004] While noise filtering systems have been developed that
attempt to remove noise based on a model of the noise, these
systems have not been able to remove all of the noise. In
particular, many of these systems have found it difficult to remove
noise that consists of other people speaking in the background. One
reason for this is that it is extremely difficult, if not
impossible, for these systems to determine that a speech signal
received by a microphone came from someone other than the person
using the mobile device.
[0005] For phone headsets, which are kept in position on the user's
head by looping the headset over the user's head or ear, systems
have been developed that provide more robust noise filtering by
relying on additional types of sensors in the headset. In one
example, a bone conduction sensor is placed on one end of the head
set and is pressed into contact with the skin covering the users
skull, ear, or mandible by the resilience of the headset. The bone
conduction sensor detects vibrations in the skull, ear or mandible
that are created when the user speaks. Using the signal from the
bone conduction sensor, this system is able to better identify when
the user is speaking and as a result is better able to filter noise
in the speech signal.
[0006] Although such systems work well for headsets, headsets have
been limited to communicating along a wired connection to a phone.
As such, their use in broader communication applications is
limited. In addition, a headset is visually unattractive (big and
bulky) as well as uncomfortable to wear for all day and as a
result, users are unlikely to want to leave them in place during
the day. This makes headsets cumbersome to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A mobile device is provided that includes an air conduction
microphone and an alternative sensor that provides an alternative
sensor signal indicative of speech. A communication interface
permits the mobile device to communicate directly with other mobile
devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the phone of FIG. 1 in position on the left
side of a user's head.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows the phone of FIG. 1 in position on the right
side of a user's head.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a bone conduction
microphone.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an alternative bone-conduction
microphone under one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of a necklace embodiment of a mobile
device of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a back view of the necklace embodiment of FIG.
7.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows the necklace embodiment of FIG. 7 positioned on
a user.
[0017] FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a bracelet/watch
embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is block diagram of a mobile device under one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a general speech processing
system of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing possible communication
connection of mobile devices of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate a meeting.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate dispatching work orders.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate group communication and to aid in a
rescue.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate gaming.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the ability to store,
organize and review video and audio using a mobile device of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate locating and communicating with
children/elderly.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate meetings that need translation of
speech.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
communication connections with a mobile device of the present
invention to facilitate meetings that need translation of
speech.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a plurality of
peer-to-peer communication connections between a mobile device of
the present invention and other devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention provide mobile devices
that contain both an air conduction microphone and an alternative
sensor that can be used in speech detection and noise filtering.
Examples of mobile devices of the present invention include
cellular phones, personal digital assistants, jewelry, and watches.
FIG. 1 provides an example embodiment in which the mobile device is
a mobile phone 100. Mobile phone 100 includes a key pad 102, a
display 104, a cursor control 106, an air conduction microphone
108, a speaker 110, two bone-conduction microphones 112 and 114,
and optionally a proximity sensor 116. Mobile phone 100 also
includes a power source such as a battery, a processor, a global
positioning satellite signal detector and processor, which are not
visible from the exterior of the phone. Optionally, mobile phone
100 may also include a pulse sensor, an oximetry sensor, a
temperature sensor, and a video camera.
[0031] Touchpad 102 allows the user to enter numbers and letters
into the mobile phone. In other embodiments, touchpad 102 is
combined with display 104 in the form of a touch screen. Cursor
control 106 allows the user to highlight and select information on
display 104 and to scroll through images and pages that are larger
than display 104.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when mobile phone 100 is put in
the standard position for conversing over the phone, speaker 110 is
positioned near the user's left ear 200 or right ear 300, and air
conduction microphone 108 is positioned near the user's mouth 202.
When the phone is positioned near the user's left ear, as in FIG.
2, bone conduction microphone 114 contacts the user's skull or ear
and produces an alternative sensor signal that provides information
about speech can be used to remove noise from the speech signal
received by air conduction microphone 108. For example, the
information provided in the alternative sensor signal can include
whether the user is speaking as well as low frequency information
related to the user's speech. When the phone is positioned near the
user's right ear, as in FIG. 3, bone conduction microphone 112
contacts the user's skull or ear and produces an alternative sensor
signal that can be used to remove noise from the speech signal.
[0033] The optional proximity sensor 116 indicates how close the
phone is to the user. As discussed further below, this information
is used to weight the contribution of the bone conduction
microphones in producing the clean speech value. In general, if the
proximity detector detects that the phone is next to the user, the
bone conduction microphone signals are weighted more heavily than
if the phone is some distance from the user. This adjustment
reflects the fact that the bone conduction microphone signal is
more indicative of the user speaking when it is in contact with the
user. When it is apart from the user, it is more susceptible to
ambient noise. The proximity sensor is used in embodiments of the
present invention because users do not always hold the phone
pressed to their heads.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a bone conduction sensor 400
of the present invention. In sensor 400, a soft elastomer bridge
402 is adhered to a diaphragm 404 of a normal air conduction
microphone 406. This soft bridge 402 conducts vibrations from skin
contact 408 of the user directly to the diaphragm 404 of microphone
406. The movement of diaphragm 404 is converted into an electrical
signal by a transducer 410 in microphone 406.
[0035] FIG. 5 provides an alternative mobile phone embodiment 500
of the hand-held mobile device of the present invention. Mobile
phone 500 includes a key pad 502, a display 504, a cursor control
506, an air conduction microphone 508, a speaker 510, and a
combination bone-conduction microphone and proximity sensor
512.
[0036] As shown in the cross-section of FIG. 6, combination of
bone-conduction microphone and proximity sensor 512 consists of a
soft, medium-filled (with fluid or elastomer) pad 600 that has an
outer surface 602 designed to contact the user when the user places
the phone against their ear. Pad 600 forms a ring around an opening
that provides a passageway for sound from speaker 510, which is
located in the opening or directly below the opening within phone
500. Pad 600 is not limited to this shape and any shape for the pad
may be used. In general, however, it is preferred if pad 600
includes portions to the left and right of speaker 510 so that at
least one part of pad 600 is in contact with the user regardless of
which ear the user places the phone against. The portions of the
pad may be externally continuous or may be externally separate but
fluidly connected to each other within the phone.
[0037] An electronic pressure transducer 604 is hydraulically
connected to the fluid or elastomer in pad 600 and converts the
pressure of the fluid in pad 600 into an electrical signal on
conductor 606. Examples of electronic pressure transducer 604
include MEMS-based transducers. In general, pressure transducer 604
should have a high frequency response.
[0038] The electrical signal on conductor 606 includes two
components, a DC component and an AC component. The DC component
provides a proximity sensor signal because the static pressure
within pad 600 will by higher when the phone is pressed against the
user's ear than when the phone is some distance from the user's
ear. The AC component of the electrical signal provides a
bone-conduction microphone signal because vibrations in the bones
of the user's skull, jaw or ear create fluctuations in pressure in
pad 600 that are converted into an AC electrical signal by pressure
transducer 604. Under one embodiment, a filter is applied to the
electrical signal to allow the DC component of the signal and AC
components above a minimum frequency to pass.
[0039] Although two examples of bone conduction sensors have been
described above, other forms for the bone conduction sensor are
within the scope of the present invention.
[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a front view and a back view of an
alternative embodiment of a mobile device under the present
invention. In FIGS. 7 and 8, mobile device 700 consists of a
necklace or choker 702 and an ear bud 704. Necklace 702 includes a
decorative/ornamental disk or pendant 706 that is suspended from a
neck engaging piece 708, such as a string or a wire. The neck
engaging piece supports the mobile device on the user and is
designed to be attached around a user's neck. Decorative disk 706
includes a microphone opening 708 and a video opening 710.
[0041] As shown from the back view of FIG. 8, mobile device 700
includes a battery 710, which powers an air conduction microphone
712, an alternative sensor 714, a video camera 716, a processing
chip set 718, and a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver
720. Processing chip set 718 is connected to air conduction
microphone 712, alternative sensor 714, video camera 716, and GPS
receiver 720. Processing chip set 718 includes a processor, memory
storage, and input/output interface and a communication interface.
The communication interface allows the processor to communicate
with a processor within ear bud 704, allowing the processor in
processing chip set 718 to transmit electrical signals representing
acoustic information to ear bud 704. The communication interface of
processing chip set 718 may also wirelessly communicate with a
collection of other devices, including a video display, a personal
computer, a router, and other mobile devices. The protocol used for
these communications can include any known protocol, including any
variations of the 802.11 protocol.
[0042] Ear bud 704 includes outer portion 730, ear canal portion
732, and speaker opening 734. Ear bud 704 receives a signal from
processing chip set 718 and converts that signal into an auditory
signal through a speaker that is internal to ear bud 704. This
auditory signal exits through speaker opening 734 into the user's
ear. Ear bud 704 includes a battery (not shown) and a communication
interface that allows it to communicate with the communication
interface of processing chip set 718.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, neck engaging piece 708 goes around a
user's neck 900 to place pendant 706 in contact with the front of
the user's neck slightly below the thyroid cartilage of the larynx,
commonly referred to as the "Adam's Apple." Ear bud 704 is placed
in the user's ear such that exterior portion 730 extends between
the tragus 900 and the anti-tragus 902 of the outer ear.
[0044] FIG. 10 provides a pictorial diagram of another embodiment
of a mobile device under the present invention. In FIG. 10, the
mobile device includes a watch or bracelet 1000 and an ear bud
1002. Watch 1000 includes an enclosure 1001, which is mounted on a
wrist engaging piece 1006, such as a band, designed to be secured
around the user's wrist. Enclosure 1001 has an interior that holds
a set of electronic device, which includes a battery, a processor,
memory, a communication interface, an. input/output interface, a
Global Positioning Satellite receiver, a video camera, speaker, air
conduction microphone, pulse sensor, oximetry sensor and
temperature sensor. These devices are described in more detail in
FIG. 11. The communication interface allows the processor to
communicate with a processor in ear bud 1002 and thereby transmit
acoustic information to ear bud 1002 and receive data from an
alternative sensor 1018 in ear bud 1002. In addition, the
communication interface allows for wireless communication with one
or more of a router, a personal computer, and other mobile devices.
Enclosure 1001 includes openings corresponding to some of the
electronic devices in the enclosure including pulse and oximetry
meter 1008, air conduction microphone 1010, and video camera 1012.
Pulse and oximetry meter 1008 measures the user's pulse when the
user places their finger over the meter and also measures the
oxygen content of the user's blood using a light source and a light
sensor. The exterior of one side of enclosure 1001 also includes a
display 1004.
[0045] Ear bud 1002 includes an ear portion 1014 designed to be
placed in a user's ear canal and a speaker opening 1016. In
addition, ear bud 1002 includes an alternative sensor 1018, which
rests against the user's jaw when the ear bud 1002 is in the user's
ear canal.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a mobile device 1100, under
several embodiments of the present invention. Mobile device 1100
includes a power supply 1152, microprocessor 1102, memory 1104,
input/output (I/O) interface 1106, and a communication interface
1108 for communicating with remote computers, communication
networks, or other mobile devices. In one embodiment, the
afore-mentioned components are coupled for communication with one
another over a suitable bus 1110. In addition, all of the
components that require power are connected to power supply 1152,
which is typically a battery. In FIG. 11, the connections between
power supply 1152 and the remaining components are not shown to
avoid unnecessarily complicating the figure.
[0047] Memory 1104 may be implemented as non-volatile electronic
memory such as random access memory (RAM) with a battery back-up
module (not shown) such that information stored in memory 1104 is
not lost when the general power to mobile device 1100 is shut down.
Alternatively, all or portions of memory 1104 may be volatile or
non-volatile removable memory. A portion of memory 1104 is
preferably allocated as addressable memory for program execution,
while another portion of memory 1104 is preferably used for
storage, such as to simulate storage on a disk drive.
[0048] Memory 1104 includes an operating system 1112, application
programs 1114 as well as an object store 1116. During operation,
operating system 1112 is preferably executed by processor 1102 from
memory 1104. Operating system 1112, in one, preferred embodiment,
is a WINDOWS.RTM. CE brand operating system commercially available
from Microsoft Corporation. Operating system 1112 is preferably
designed for mobile devices, and implements database features that
can be utilized by applications 1114 through a set of exposed
application programming interfaces and methods. The objects in
object store 1116 are maintained by applications 1114 and operating
system 1112, at least partially in response to calls to the exposed
application programming interfaces and methods.
[0049] Communication interface 1108 represents numerous devices and
technologies that allow mobile device 1100 to send and receive
information. In some embodiments, communication interface 1108
includes a cellular phone network interface that interacts with a
cellular phone network to allow calls to be placed and received.
Other interfaces include a PBX telephone interface, a wireless
protocol interface such as 802.11 and its variants, satellite
receivers and broadcast tuners to name a few. Mobile device 1100
can also be directly connected to a computer to exchange data
therewith. In such cases, communication interface 1108 can be an
infrared transceiver or a serial or parallel communication
connection, all of which are capable of transmitting streaming
information.
[0050] Communication interface 1108 allows mobile device 1100 to
communicate with external servers 1154 and remote device 1156,
including direct communication to other mobile devices.
[0051] The computer-executable instructions that are executed by
processor 1102 to implement the present invention may be stored in
memory 1104 or received across communication interface 1108. These
instructions are found in a computer readable medium, which,
without limitation, can include computer storage media and
communication media.
[0052] Computer storage media includes both volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any
method or technology for storage of information such as computer
readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other
data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,
ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,
digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,
magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to
store the desired information and which can be accessed.
[0053] Communication media typically embodies computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term
"modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode
information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,
infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer readable
media.
[0054] Input/output interface 1106 represents interfaces to a
collection of input and output devices including Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) receiver 1148, video camera 1150, speaker 1130,
digit input 1132 (such as one or a set of buttons, a touch screen,
a trackball, a mouse pad, a roller, or a combination of these
components that can be manipulated by a user's thumb or finger),
display 1134, air conduction microphone 1136, alternative sensor
1138, pulse sensor 1142, oximetry sensor 1144 and temperature
sensor 1146. Under one embodiment, alternative sensors 1138 is a
bone conduction or throat conduction microphone. The devices listed
above are by way of example and need not all be present on mobile
device 1100. In addition, other input/output devices may be
attached to or found with mobile device 1100 within the scope of
the present invention.
[0055] By using an air conduction microphone and an alternative
sensor, embodiments of the present invention are able to provide an
enhanced speech signal. FIG. 12 provides a basic block diagram of a
speech processing system of embodiments of the present invention
that provides the enhanced speech signal.
[0056] In FIG. 12, a speaker 1200 generates a speech signal 1202
that is detected by an air conduction microphone 1204 and an
alternative sensor 1206. One example of an alternative sensor is a
bone conduction sensor that is located on or adjacent a facial or
skull bone of the user (such as the jaw bone) or on the ear of the
user and that senses vibrations of the ear, skull or jaw that
correspond to speech generated by the user. Another example of an
alternative sensor is an infrared sensor that is pointed at and
detects the motion of the user's mouth. A further example of an
alternative sensor is a throat sensor that senses vibrations in the
user's throat that correspond to speech generated by the user. Air
conduction microphone 1204 is the type of microphone that is used
commonly to convert audio air-waves into electrical signals.
[0057] Air conduction microphone 1204 also receives noise 1208
generated by one or more noise sources 1210. Depending on the type
of alternative sensor and the level of the noise, noise 1208 may
also be detected by alternative sensor 1206. However, under most
embodiments of the present invention, alternative sensor 1206 is
typically less sensitive to ambient noise than air conduction
microphone 1204. Thus, the alternative sensor signal 1212 generated
by alternative sensor 1206 generally includes less noise than air
conduction microphone signal 1214 generated by air conduction
microphone 1204.
[0058] Alternative sensor signal 1212 and air conduction microphone
signal 1214 are provided to a clean signal estimator 1216, which
estimates a clean speech signal 1218 from alternative sensor signal
1212 and air conduction microphone signal 1214. Clean signal
estimate 1218 is provided to a speech process 1220. Clean speech
signal 1218 may either be a filtered time-domain signal or a
feature domain vector. If clean signal estimate 1218 is a
time-domain signal, speech process 1220 may take the form of a
listener, a cellular phone transmitter, a speech coding system, or
a speech recognition system. If clean speech signal 1218 is a
feature domain vector, speech process 1220 will typically be a
speech recognition system.
[0059] The present invention utilizes several methods and systems
for estimating clean speech using air conduction microphone signal
1214 and alternative sensor signal 1212. One system uses stereo
training data to train correction vectors for the alternative
sensor signal. When these correction vectors are later added to a
test alternative sensor vector, they provide an estimate of a clean
signal vector. One further extension of this system is to first
track time-varying distortions and then to incorporate this
information into the computation of the correction vectors and into
the estimation of the clean speech.
[0060] A second system provides an interpolation between the clean
signal estimate generated by the correction vectors and an estimate
formed by subtracting an estimate of the current noise in the air
conduction test signal from the air conduction signal. A third
system uses the alternative sensor signal to estimate the pitch of
the speech signal and then uses the estimated pitch to identify an
estimate for the clean speech signal. A fourth system uses direct
filtering, in which the alternative sensor signal and the air
conduction signal are used to determine one or more channel
responses of the alternative sensor. The channel response(s) are
then used to estimate the clean speech signal.
[0061] Using communication interfaces 1108, the mobile device of
the present invention is able to communicate with a large number of
other devices through a large number of different networks as shown
in the block diagram of FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, three mobile devices
1300, 1302, and 1304 are shown. These mobile devices are able to
communicate with each other through communication interface 1108.
Under one particular embodiment, an 802.11 communication protocol
is used to communicate between the mobile devices. The mobile
devices may communicate with each other on a one-to-one basis, such
as having just mobile device 1300 and 1302 communicate without
communicating with mobile device 1304. The mobile devices may also
communicate in a one-to-many configuration in which one of the
mobile devices communicates to all of the other mobile devices, but
the other mobile device do not communicate with each other. For
example, mobile device 1300 would communicate with mobile devices
1302 and 1304, but mobile device 1302 would not communicate with
mobile device 1304. The mobile devices may also communicate on a
many-to-many basis in which all of the mobile devices can
communicate with each other.
[0062] Each mobile device may also communicate with one or more of
a plurality of networks, such as cell phone network 1306, PBx phone
network 1308, and local area network/wide area network (LAN/WAN)
1310. To communicate with cell phone network 1306, the mobile
devices may use a direct link to a cell phone tower through
communication interface 1108, or may communicate with a cellular
telephone using a local protocol such as 802.11. The cell phone
would then relay the mobile device communications to the cell phone
tower of the cell phone network 1306.
[0063] Mobile devices 1300, 1302, and 1304 can communicate with PBx
phone network 1308 through a PBx hub that converts a wireless
signal into a wire line signal for the PBx phone network. Any
suitable protocols for such a hub may be used under the present
invention. The mobile devices can communicate with LAN/WAN 1310
through a wireless connection to a laptop computer, a personal
computer, or a wireless router that is part of the LAN/WAN.
[0064] Through networks 1306, 1308, and 1310, the mobile devices
may communicate with other devices such as devices 1312 and 1314.
These other devices may comprise lap top computers, personal
computers, or servers that provide services to the mobile device.
Such servers include, under some embodiments, a speech recognition
server that identifies text from a speech signal and/or a
translation server that translates text in one language into text
or audio in another language. The servers may also include a live
communication server that allows for instant messaging, keeps track
of presence information such as whether the user is available for
meetings, and coordinates communications to allow for real time
collaboration on documents during live meetings that include both
audio and video communications. The servers may also include a
location-based server that provides location information about the
mobile device such as maps indicating the location of the mobile
device relative to other points of interest.
[0065] Because the mobile device of the present invention uses both
an air conduction microphone and an alternative sensor to sense
speech signals, it provides an enhanced speech signal that enables
improved performance in a number of applications. Further, the
combination of these microphones and alternative sensors with other
devices, such as a GPS receiver, a video camera, and health sensor
such as a pulse sensor, oximetry sensor and temperature sensor,
allow the mobile device of the present invention to be used with
multiple servers to provide integrated solutions to ease
communication between multiple parties.
[0066] FIG. 14 provides a block diagram of connections between
servers and a mobile device that provide the ability to locate a
person carrying a mobile device, send an instant message to the
mobile device to request a meeting, and utilize a live
communication server to hold the meeting.
[0067] In FIG. 14, mobile device 1300 is equipped with a GPS
receiver. Using the information from the GPS receiver, mobile
device 1400 periodically communicates its location to a
location-based server 1402 through a network connection 1404 such
as a cell phone network or a LAN/WAN. This allows a remote user to
use a locate person application 1408 on the remote user's computing
device 1406 to obtain location information about mobile device 1400
from location-based server 1402 through a network connection 1410.
This location information can include an address or a graphical
representation of the location of the mobile device such as showing
the location on a map.
[0068] Through network connection 1404, which may be the same
network connection used to connect to location-based server 1402 or
a different network connection, mobile device 1400 is also able to
communicate with a live communication server 1412. Through this
connection, a user holding mobile device 1400 is able to indicate
whether they are available and on-line, and whether they are in the
office or out of the office. In general, this is known as
"presence" information.
[0069] In addition, mobile device 1400 is able to send and receive
instant messages through live communication server 1412. These
messages pass to and from remote user device 1406, which uses an
instant message application 1414 to send and receive the messages.
This would, for example, allow a remote user to request that the
user of mobile device 1400 join a live meeting.
[0070] The remote user may establish a live meeting using a live
meeting application 1418, which uses the services provided by live
communication server 1412 to allow multiple clients to communicate
with audio and video signals and to manipulate shared documents
such that changes to the document made on mobile device 1400 appear
in real time on the display of the remote user's computing device
1406.
[0071] Using a wireless connection, mobile device 1400 is able to
communicate with a laptop computer 1420. Using the enhanced speech
signal provided by having both an air conduction microphone signal
and an alternative sensor signal, mobile device 1400 is able to
send speech signals representing commands to laptop 1420. A
command/control application 1422 in laptop 1420 forwards the speech
signals to a speech recognition server 1424 through a network
connection 1426. Speech recognition server 1424 converts the speech
signal into text and returns the text to command/control
application 1422. Based on the recognized command, command/control
application 1422 initiates one or more applications 1428 and
controls their operation.
[0072] One of the applications initiated through command/control
unit 1422 can include a live meeting application that allows the
user of the mobile device to join the live meeting generated by the
remote user 1406. Laptop 1420 can communicate with live
communication server 1412 through a network connection 1430. The
user may interact with the live meeting directly on laptop 1420 or
by issuing speech commands through mobile device 1400 to laptop
1420. In addition, laptop 1420 can relay speech signals produced by
mobile device 1400 through live communication server 1412 to remote
user device 1406 thereby providing the audio portion of the live
meeting. Using the live meeting application, the user of the mobile
device is able to share audio, video and documents with the remote
user. This includes the ability for both the user of the mobile
device and the remote user to manipulate the same document in real
time.
[0073] Thus, using the block diagram of FIG. 14, a remote user is
able to determine that the person wearing mobile device 1400 has
not boarded a plane yet but is still in an airport. The remote user
can then send an instant message to the wearer of the mobile device
1400 asking the wearer of the mobile device to join a live meeting.
When the wearer of the mobile device is able to join the meeting,
they can turn on their laptop 1420, issue commands through mobile
device 1400 and join the live meeting established by remote user
1406. During the meeting, the user may speak through mobile device
1400 to provide audio input for the live meeting. Because the
speech is enhanced in mobile device 1400, the commands provided to
laptop 1420 operate more efficiently and reliably, and the speech
provided by mobile device 1400 is more intelligible during the live
meeting.
[0074] FIG. 15 provides an alternative embodiment in which the
mobile device of the present invention is used by a dispatcher to
assign jobs to one or more workers, and to interact with the
workers to provide them information necessary to perform the jobs.
In particular, a dispatcher wears a mobile device 1500 in FIG. 15.
The dispatcher receives phone calls from customers over a PBx phone
network 1504, which communicates with mobile device 1500 through a
PBx base station 1502. In particular, PBx base station 1502
provides a wireless connection to mobile device 1500 and converts
communications along the wireless connection into an analog signal
that can be carried on PBx phone network 1504.
[0075] After receiving the job request, the dispatcher determines
which of a plurality of field workers is available and is closest
to the job site. To determine which workers are available, the
dispatcher speaks into mobile device 1500 to generate speech
commands that are provided to a command/control unit 1506. Command
control unit 1506 may be present within mobile device 1500 or may
be in a separate device such as a laptop or a personal computer.
Command/control until 1506 converts the speech signal into one or
more commands. Under one embodiment, command/control unit 1506
performs this conversion by passing the speech signal to a speech
recognition server 1508 through a network 1510. Speech recognition
server 1508 converts the speech signal into text representing the
command and returns to the text to command/control unit 1506.
[0076] To determine whether a worker is available, the command
provided to command control unit 1506 would be a commanded to check
the "presence" status of each worker using a presence application
1512. The presence application communicates with a live
communication server 1514 through a network connection 1516. The
live communication server stores and updates the presence status of
each worker. Specifically, each worker has a mobile device, such as
mobile devices 1518, 1520, and 1522, which are connected to the
live communication server 1514 through a network connection 1524.
Note that although a single network connection 1524 is shown in
FIG. 15, each mobile device may be connected through different
network connections and even different types of network
connections. Through network connection 1524, mobile devices 1518,
1520, and 1522 are able to update the presence status of each of
the workers associated with the mobile devices.
[0077] For those workers that are available, the dispatcher uses
mobile device 1500 to find the current location of each worker by
issuing a speech command to command/control 1506 to open a locate
person application 1530. Locate person application 1530
communicates through network connection 1532 to a location-based
server 1534. Location-based server 1534 keeps track of the location
of mobile devices 1518, 1520, and 1522 by receiving location
information through a network 1536. Network 1536 can include a cell
phone network, in which the location of the mobile device is
determined by which tower in the cell phone network the mobile
device is communicating through. In other embodiments, each mobile
device 1518, 1520, and 1522 can include a GPS receiver and the
position information determined by the GPS receivers can be
communicated through network 1536 to location-based server
1534.
[0078] In response to the request by locate person application
1530, location-based server 1534 can provide location information
for each of the mobile devices. This location information may be in
the form of an address or in the form of a graphical representation
in which the location of each of the mobile devices is shown on a
map.
[0079] Based on the location of each of the workers, the dispatcher
selects one of the workers to assign the job to. Under one
embodiment, the dispatcher sends an instant message to that worker
by issuing a speech command through command/control 1506 to
initiate an instant message application 1538 and to create an
instant message that is routed through network 1516, live
communication server 1514, network 1524 to reach one of the mobile
devices 1518, 1520, and 1522. In another embodiment, the dispatcher
issues a command through mobile device 1500 and command/control
1506 to initiate an assistant application 1540, which accesses a
contacts database 1542 to locate the phone number of the mobile
device associated with the worker. Using this phone number, mobile
device 1500 connects to the mobile device of the worker through a
cell phone network 1544. Using this cellular phone connection, the
dispatcher instructs the worker to proceed to the job site.
[0080] If the worker needs directions to the job site, the
dispatcher issues a voice command through mobile device 1500 to
instantiate a directions application 1546, which uses
location-based server 1534 to provide directions to one of the
workers through mobile device 1518, 1520, and 152. In particular,
location-based server 1534 uses the location of the mobile device
and the location of the job as provided through mobile device 1500
by the dispatcher, to generate a map and driving directions for
reaching the location of the job site from the worker's current
location.
[0081] Once the worker has arrived at the location, he can use his
mobile device, such as mobile devices 1518, 1520, and 1522 to
establish a live meeting with the dispatcher to receive
specifications for the job. This can be achieved by having the
dispatcher use mobile device 1500 to invoke a live meeting
application, which communicates to live communication server 1514
to allow for real time collaboration and the sharing of documents
such as order forms and plans for the projects.
[0082] Under other embodiments of the present invention, the mobile
device is capable of switching between various modes of
communication. For example, in FIG. 16, a mobile device 1600 may
initially broadcast information directly to other mobile devices
1602 and 1604 on a one-to-many basis. For example, mobile device
1600 could be providing information such as audio, video, GPS
position information, and health information such as pulse,
oximetry and temperature to mobile devices 1602 and 1604. During
this communication mode, mobile device 1604 can use the position
information from mobile device 1600 to obtain a graphical
representation of the position of the wearer of mobile device 1600.
In one specific embodiment, mobile device 1604 can provide the
location information from mobile device 1600 to a location-based
server 1608 through a wireless connection to network 1610.
Location-based server 1608 would then use the position information
to generate a map that is returned to mobile device 1604. In such
an embodiment, the wireless connection to network 1610 can be made
through a router, a personal computer, or a laptop computer.
[0083] Mobile device 1600 can switch from the peer-to-peer
communication described above to communication with one or more
servers through a network connection 1612. For example, if the
wearer of mobile device 1600 encounters an injured party during a
workout, the wearer can switch mobile device 1600 from the
one-to-many communications with the mobile devices to a
communication through network 1612. Using the network connection,
the wearer of mobile device 1600 can access web pages stored on a
web server 1614, which is connected to network 1612, to locate and
communicate with a rescue team 1616.
[0084] Once rescue team 1616 has been contacted, it can initiate a
rescue application 1620 to collect information from mobile device
1600 to help in the rescue of the injured party. This information
can include GPS position information provided by mobile device 1600
to a location-based server 1618 through network 1612. Rescue
application 1620 can send a request to location-based server 1618
to obtain a graphical representation of the position of mobile
device 1600, thereby making it easier for rescue team 1616 to
locate the wearer of the mobile device. Rescue application 1620 can
also use a live communication server 1622 to share information with
the wearer of mobile device 1600, such as the current position of
the rescue team, and the expected time of arrival, as well as
instructions for caring for the injured person. These instructions
can include videos indicating the manner of treating the injured
person as well as video captured by mobile device 1600 of the
injured person.
[0085] If the injured person is also wearing a mobile device, such
as mobile device 1624, that mobile device can be included in the
meeting through live communication server 1622 so that the mobile
device can provide health information about the injured party.
[0086] If the injuries appear to be serious, the rescue team can
ask a health care team at a hospital 1626 to join the live meeting
using a remote emergency application 1628. This remote emergency
application can collect the health status information provided by
mobile device 1624 and allow the health care team to provide audio
and visual instructions to the rescue team 1616. Remote emergency
application 1628, can also allow the health care team to begin
scheduling needed resources within the hospital to care for the
patient such as diagnostic equipment and operating rooms.
[0087] The mobile device of the present invention can also be used
in a gaming context to allow a user to communicate with team
members and opponents in a game. As shown in FIG. 17, players, such
as players 1700 and 1702 wearing respective mobile devices 1704 and
1706 interact with a gaming base station 1708.
[0088] Under one embodiment, a remote player 1710 determines that
player 1700 is available by accessing a player list application
1712, which connects to a live communication server 1714 through a
network connection 1713 to determine the presence, or availability,
of player 1700 through a connection between mobile device 1704 and
live communication server 1714 over a network 1716. If live
communication server 1714 indicates that player 1700 is available,
player 1710 may send an instant message through live communication
server 1714 to mobile device 1704 to request that the player join
in a game. Under one embodiment, this game is controlled by a game
server 1718 which is connected to gaming base station 1708 through
a network 1720 and to player 1710 through network 1722.
[0089] During gaming, audio and video from players 1700 and 1702 is
captured by mobile devices 1704 and 1706, respectively, and
provided to gaming base station/PC 1708 through a wireless
connection. This audio and/or video is provided through network
connection 1720 to game server 1718 and is forwarded to player 1710
by game server 1718.
[0090] Under one embodiment, to reduce the bandwidth of the audio
information distributed through network 1720, mobile devices 1704
and 1706 filter out all sounds that do not occur while the player
associated with the mobile device is speaking. In particular, by
using the alternative sensor in the mobile device, the mobile
device is able to determine when the player is actually speaking.
When the player is not speaking, the mobile device does not
transmit any audio data. As a result, speech signals from the other
player who is present in the room or speech signals generated by
the gaming station through a speaker 1724 are not output as audio
data by mobile devices 1704 and 1706. This reduces the amount of
information that is sent to gaming base station 1708 and thus
reduces the amount of information that is passed through network
1720. By reducing the amount of information output by mobile
devices 1704 and 1706, the present invention reduces the power
consumption of mobile devices 1704 and 1706 by not requiring the
mobile devices to filter and broadcast unwanted audio data. Another
more direct way of saving power consumption is to turn off the
processing (within the microphone) when the user is not
speaking.
[0091] The mobile device of the present invention also allows for
recording and storing better quality audio, especially speech
signals, which can later be reviewed. FIG. 18 provides a block
diagram of a system that allows for storage and review of audio and
video data.
[0092] In FIG. 18, mobile device 1800 stores audio and video data
locally in an audio/video memory storage 1802. Using a wireless
connection to a personal computer 1804, the audio and video data
stored in memory storage 1802 can be downloaded to PC 1804 to
become downloaded data 1806. When the audio and video data is
stored in audio/video storage 1802, mobile device 1800 includes a
time stamp indicating the time and date when the audio and video
was captured as well as a position stamp indicating the position of
mobile device 1800 when the audio and video data was collected.
Under one embodiment, the time stamp is generated from a clock 1801
and the position stamp is generated by a Global Positioning
Satellite receiver 1803. The time stamps and position stamps are
downloaded with the respective audio and video clips into
downloaded data 1806.
[0093] Using the time stamps, a time-based organizer 1808 is able
to organize the data based on the time to form time-organized data
1810. A location-based organizer 1812 organizes the audio and video
data based on the position stamp associated with the data to form
location-organized data 1814. The user can then use the display of
personal computer 1804 to review the time-organized data 1810 or
the location-organized data 1814.
[0094] The audio data in downloaded data 1806 may also be
transcribed by a transcription application 1816. To transcribe the
audio data, transcription application 1816 may use a speech
recognition server 1818, which may be found locally on personal
computer 1804 or may be connected to personal computer 1804 through
a network connection 1820. Transcription application 1816 sends the
audio data representing the audio signal to speech recognition
server 1818, which converts the audio data into text. The text is
then returned to transcription application 1816, which uses the
text to produce a transcript 1822. Because mobile device 1800 uses
an alternative sensor and an air conduction microphone to collect
speech data, the recognition performed by speech recognition server
1818 is much improved, and the transcript 1822 better reflects the
actual speech collected by mobile device 1800.
[0095] Once the transcripts 1822 have been formed, the user can
invoke a search application 1824 that can search the transcripts
1822 for keywords to locate particular conversations.
[0096] Mobile devices of the present invention may also be used to
locate and communicate with children and elderly persons who are
wearing a mobile device. For example, in FIG. 19, mobile device
1900 is worn by a child or an elderly person. The mobile device
provides GPS position information through a network 1902 to a
location-based server 1904. Using a personal computer 1906, another
user may contact location-based server 1904 to obtain position
information for the wearer of mobile device 1900. This position
information can be provided in the form of an address or a
graphical representation of a map indicating the location of the
wearer within the map. The other user may also contact the wearer
of the mobile device using a phone 1908 through a phone network
1910 that communicates to mobile device 1900. An example of such a
phone network would be a cellular phone network. By using an
alternative sensor and an air conduction microphone sensor, mobile
device 1900 provides a better speech signal for communicating
through phone network 1910. This is especially important when the
wearer of mobile device 1900 is a child or an elderly person, since
the speech signals for children and the elderly tend to have lower
amplitudes, and thus are harder to discern in noisy
environments.
[0097] The mobile device of the present invention can also be used
to improve automatic translation services. For example, in FIG. 20,
a mobile device 2000 receives speech input from a wearer of the
mobile device 2002 and a foreign speaker 2004. Because mobile
device is worn by wearer 2002, mobile device 2000 can distinguish
between speech produced by wearer 2002 and speech produced by
foreign speaker 2004. The speech produced by foreign speaker 2004
can thus be automatically routed by mobile device 2000 to a
translation server 2006 through a network connection 2008.
Translation server 2006 can then return either translated audio or
translated text of the speech produced by foreign speaker 2004.
Using a display on mobile device 2000 or a speaker on mobile device
2000, wearer 2002 can thus understand the content of the speech of
foreign speaker 2004. Because mobile device 2000 is able to
automatically separate the two speech signals, the translation is
more easily obtained.
[0098] Mobile device 2000 could also share the foreign speech, the
translated speech or translated text, and a video of the foreign
speaker captured by mobile device 2000 with a remote user 2010.
Under one embodiment, this information is shared through a live
communication server 2012, which is connected to remote user 2010
through a network connection 2014 and to mobile device 2000 through
a network connection 2008. Using the connection through live
communication server 2012, remote user 2010 is able to speak with
foreign speaker 2004 and is able to provide video data to foreign
speaker 2004 through a display on mobile device 2000. Speech
provided by remote user 2010 may be routed by mobile device 2000 to
translation server 2006 to be translated into the language of the
foreign speaker. An audio signal based on this translation is then
provided to the foreign speaker through a speaker in mobile device
2000.
[0099] FIG. 21 provides an alternative embodiment of the present
invention for improving automatic translation services. In FIG. 21,
a mobile device 2100 receives speech input from a wearer of the
mobile device 2102 and a foreign speaker 2104. Because mobile
device is worn by wearer 2102, mobile device 2100 can distinguish
between speech produced by wearer 2102 and speech produced by
foreign speaker 2104. The speech produced by foreign speaker 2104
can thus be identified in communications between mobile device 2100
and another mobile device 2105. Mobile device 2105 can take the
speech data that has been identified as coming from a foreign
speaker by mobile device 2100 and provide it to a translation
server 2106 through a network connection 2108. Translation server
2106 can then return either translated audio or translated text of
the speech produced by foreign speaker 2104. Using a display on
mobile device 2100 or a speaker on mobile device 2100, wearer 2102
can thus understand the content of the speech of foreign speaker
2104. Because mobile device 2100 is able to automatically separate
the two speech signals, the translation is more easily
obtained.
[0100] Mobile device 2105 could also share the foreign speech, the
translated speech or translated text, and a video of the foreign
speaker captured by mobile device 2100 with a plurality of remote
users 2110, 2120, and 2130. Under one embodiment, this information
is shared through a live communication server 2112, which is
connected to remote users 2110, 2120, and 2130 through a network
connection 2114 and to mobile device 2105 through a network
connection 2108. Using the connection through live communication
server 2112, remote users 2110, 2120, and 2130 are able to speak
with foreign speaker 2104 and are able to provide video data to
foreign speaker 2104 through a display on mobile device 2100.
Speech provided by remote users 2110, 2120, and 2130 may be routed
by mobile device 2105 to translation server 2106 to be translated
into the language of the foreign speaker. An audio signal based on
this translation is then provided to the foreign speaker through a
speaker in mobile device 2100.
[0101] Mobile devices of the present invention may also communicate
in a peer-to-peer mode with other devices such as printers,
appliances, media recorders, media players, and automobiles. FIG.
22 provides a diagram showing a mobile device 2200 in communication
with other devices such as devices 2202, 2204, and 2206.
[0102] Under one particular embodiment, an 802.11 communication
protocol is used to communicate between the mobile device and the
other devices. The mobile device may communicate with the other
devices on a one-to-one basis, such as having mobile device 2200
communicate with device 2202 without communicating with devices
2204 and 2206. The mobile device may also communicate in a
one-to-many configuration in which the mobile device or one of the
other devices communicates to the mobile device and all of the
other devices, but the other devices do not communicate with each
other. For example, mobile device 2200 would communicate with
devices 2202 and 2204, but device 2202 would not communicate with
device 2204. The devices may also communicate on a many-to-many
basis in which all of the devices and the mobile device can
communicate with each other.
[0103] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, workers skilled in the art
will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *