Abstract: The amplitudes of a signal on the microphone input of a telephone and a signal on the line input of the telephone are compared with each other and with two thresholds. The comparisons are sampled and the samples control an up-down counter. The count in the counter is compared with two thresholds and the results of the comparisons are used to control at least two accumulators. A first accumulator counts consecutive comparisons having the same result and a second accumulator counts up or down in accordance with the comparisons. The counts in the first and second accumulators are logically analyzed to determine whether to receive or transmit. A plurality of samples defines a window, at the end of which the up-down counter is reset. The accumulators store data from a plurality of windows.

Abstract: An adaptive filter is programmed with an algorithm based on a normalized Least Mean Squares (nLMS) algorithm that adapts each sample time. The algorithm is modified to be more efficient in a variety of DSPs by computing multiple errors, one per sample, before updating coefficients. The update equation utilizes the multiple errors to achieve adaptation at a similar performance to known nLMS algorithms that adapt each sample time but without the instability that is observed in low echo-to-near-end-noise ratio (ENR) input conditions. Varying the relaxation step size prevents divergence. The DSP utilizes either one or more MAC units.

Abstract: A telephone includes a transmit channel and a receive channel, each including a bank of sub-band filters having a VAD coupled one to each sub-band filter. Each VAD measures the spectral energy in a sub-band, compares the spectral energy to a first threshold, and produces an output signal representative of whether or not the first threshold is exceeded. The voice activity detector also includes a threshold circuit for calculating a dynamically adjustable noise threshold based upon averaged measured spectral energy. A wide band or system VAD monitors echo canceling circuitry to detect voice activity and double talk. A dynamic balance control circuit maintains the transmit and receive channels in a predetermined energy ratio during double talk.

Abstract: A background noise estimate based upon a modified Doblinger noise estimate is used for modulating the output of a pseudo-random phase spectrum generator to produce the comfort noise. The circuit for estimating noise includes a smoothing filter having a slower time constant for updating the noise estimate during noise than during speech. Comfort noise is smoothly inserted by basing the amount of comfort noise on the amount of noise suppression. A discrete inverse Fourier transform converts the comfort noise back to the time domain and overlapping windows eliminate artifacts that may have been produced during processing.

Abstract: A telephone includes a first channel having a microphone input and a line output, a second channel having a line input and a speaker output, and each channel having a plurality of band pass filters with their outputs coupled to a multiplex circuit. The multiplex circuit selects subsets of the signals in each channel in accordance with the magnitudes of the signals in each band. Thus, full duplex operation is provided in accordance with the spectral content of each channel. In one embodiment of the invention, the multiplex circuits initially allocate alternate bands within each channel and complementary bands between the channels, thereby emulating a complementary comb filter. Thereafter, bands are allocated according to spectral content.

Abstract: In a noise suppresser, an input signal is converted to frequency domain by discrete Fourier analysis and divided into Bark bands. Noise is estimated for each band. The circuit for estimating noise includes a smoothing filter having a slower time constant for updating the noise estimate during noise than during speech. The noise suppresser further includes a circuit to adjust a noise suppression factor inversely proportional to the signal to noise ratio of each frame of the input signal. A noise estimate is subtracted from the signal in each band. A discrete inverse Fourier transform converts the signals back to the time domain and overlapping and combined windows eliminate artifacts that may have been produced during processing.

Abstract: Voice activity is detected by comparing an in band signal with an out of band signal. If the ratio of the signals is greater than a predetermined amount, then voice is detected.

Abstract: A soft mute circuit includes a programmable amplifier controlled by a register. Data is stored in the register from an adder that combines the current data in the register with a second number for increasing or decreasing the gain of the amplifier. A summation circuit includes a plurality of inputs coupled by gates to a summation node and the summation node is coupled to an input of the programmable amplifier. The gates are controlled by suitable logic for selecting input signals in any combination. A control loop maintains the gain of the amplifier at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A bulk delay estimating circuit matches time intervals representing a signal with time intervals representing an echo of the signal to identify the echo and estimate bulk delay. Bulk delay is estimated by computing (1, 2, . . . n) intervals representing the signal, computing (1, 2, . . . n) intervals representing an echo of the signal, computing absolute differences between corresponding intervals to produce n absolute differences, summing the n absolute differences, and providing an output indicating whether or not the sum is less than a predetermined amount. The intervals are determined by defining a plurality of numbered frames, comparing the energy of a signal during each frame with at least one threshold, storing the numbers of the frames in which the threshold is exceeded, and defining an interval as the period from one frame in which the threshold is exceeded to the next frame in which the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An adaptive filter is programmed with an algorithm based on a normalized Least Mean Squares (nLMS) algorithm that adapts each sample time. The algorithm is modified to be more efficient in a variety of DSPs by computing multiple errors, one per sample, before updating coefficients. The update equation utilizes the multiple errors to achieve adaptation at a similar performance to known nLMS algorithms that adapt each sample time but without the instability that is observed in low echo-to-near-end-noise ratio (ENR) input conditions. Varying the relaxation step size prevents divergence. The DSP utilizes either one or more MAC units.

Abstract: Sub-band filtering, adaptive echo cancellation, and residual echo suppression are selectively and separately applied in hierarchical order under the control of a circuit that monitors four separate signals to determine n machine states. The number of machine states is further divided among m levels of noise in determining which, and how much of, sub-band filtering, adaptive echo cancellation, and residual echo suppression to use at any given time. A voice activity detector (VAD) is used to monitor each signal and provides statistical information in addition to whether or not a voice signal is detected. Sub-band filter, echo cancelling, and non-linear processing are not permitted to provide maximum reduction simultaneously. Even so, the invention provides at least 15 dB more echo suppression than systems without a sub-band filter bank series coupled with a non-linear processor in each channel.

Abstract: Data is transferred by delaying an audio signal less than fifty milliseconds to produce a shadow signal and combining the shadow signal with the audio signal. The shadow represents the data to be transferred A telephone constructed in accordance with the invention has at least two, separate machine states, each of which includes operating in half duplex mode and two, separate machine states, each of which includes operating in full duplex mode. The state is selected based upon one or more shadows detected at the line input of the telephone.

Abstract: Comfort noise is derived from a white noise signal by filtering the white noise signal in a QMF bank to produce comfort noise signal that is selectively coupled to at least one channel in a telephone. Preferably, a plurality of QMF banks are used and the magnitude of the white noise into each filter is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of the signal in a corresponding analysis sub-band in a channel. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the signals from higher frequency analysis sub-bands are combined and control a single input to a QMF bank, thereby increasing the low frequency resolution of the comfort noise. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the QMF banks are cascaded upwardly (the output of one bank is coupled to the low pass input of the next bank), which also enhances the low frequency resolution of the comfort noise.

Abstract: Voice activity is detected by comparing an analog signal with two voltage thresholds and producing data representing the energy of the signal. The data, in binary form, is compared with thresholds to determine voice activity. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thresholds are adjusted based upon statistical information. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the data can be weighted to provide an indication of the quasi-RMS energy of an input signal. The input signal itself is not converted into digital form yet the data derived from the input signal has high resolution.

Abstract: A telephone includes a transmit channel and a receive channel, each including a bank of sub-band filters having a VAD coupled one to each sub-band filter. Each VAD measures the spectral energy in a sub-band, compares the spectral energy to a first threshold, and produces an output signal representative of whether or not the first threshold is exceeded. The voice activity detector also includes a threshold circuit for calculating a dynamically adjustable noise threshold based upon averaged measured spectral energy. A wide band or system VAD monitors echo canceling circuitry to detect voice activity and double talk.

Abstract: A telephone includes a transmit channel and a receive channel, each including a bank of sub-band filters having a VAD coupled one to each sub-band filter. Each VAD measures the spectral energy in a sub-band, compares the spectral energy to a first threshold, and produces an output signal representative of whether or not the first threshold is exceeded. The voice activity detector also includes a threshold circuit for calculating a dynamically adjustable noise threshold based upon averaged measured spectral energy. A wide band or system VAD monitors echo canceling circuitry to detect voice activity and double talk. A dynamic balance control circuit maintains the transmit and receive channels in a predetermined energy ratio during double talk.

Abstract: A system for processing audio signals in two channels, wherein each channel includes a plurality of band pass filters for dividing the signal in each channel into a plurality of bands and a plurality of variable gain amplifiers coupled one each to a band pass filter. Control logic coupled to the variable gain amplifiers prevents the signals in adjacent bands within a channel from being attenuated simultaneously. The control logic attenuates the signals in one channel in accordance with the signal in the corresponding bands in the other channel. In some circumstances, the signal in the band in the one channel is attenuated.

Abstract: Voice activity is detected by comparing a signal with two thresholds and producing data representing the energy of the signal. The data, in binary form, is compared with thresholds to determine voice activity. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thresholds are adjusted based upon statistical information. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the data can be weighted to provide an indication of the quasi-RMS energy of an input signal. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, voice activity detectors, individually weighted, are provided at each input and each output of a telephone for reliably controlling echo cancelling circuitry within the telephone.

Abstract: A bulk delay estimating circuit correlates time intervals representing a signal with time intervals representing an echo of the signal to identify the echo and estimate bulk delay. Bulk delay is estimated by computing (1, 2, . . . n) intervals representing the signal, computing (1, 2, . . . n) intervals representing an echo of the signal, computing absolute differences between corresponding intervals to produce n absolute differences, summing the n absolute differences, and providing an output indicating whether or not the sum is less than a predetermined amount. The intervals are determined by defining a plurality of numbered frames, comparing the energy of a signal during each frame with at least one threshold, storing the numbers of the frames in which the threshold is exceeded, and defining an interval as the period from one frame in which the threshold is exceeded to the next frame in which the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An electrical signal representing speech is filtered by attenuating low frequency components of the signal. The RMS amplitude of the signal after filtering is compared with the RMS amplitude of the signal before filtering and the ratio is used to control the gain of an amplifier coupled to the filtered signal. The harmonic content of the electrical signal is increased, before or after filtering, by raising the signal to a power, filtering, raising the signal to the inverse power, and filtering. The power is preferably greater than one and less than two. The final output signal is approximately as loud as the original signal.