Abstract: To increase channel capacity, mobile phone carriers have deployed speech coders, such as Advanced MultiBand Excitation coding (AMBE), in networks to reduce the bit rate of each call. One undesired consequence of employing such speech coders is that the voice quality can be much worse as compared to higher bit-rate speech coders. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention performs voice quality enhancement transparently within a network by detecting use of a coder applying rate reduction to a speech signal and known to have an adverse effect on a coded speech signal. Upon detection of the use of such coder, the coded speech signal is corrected based on components introduced into the coded speech signal due to the rate reduction. As a result of applying the voice quality enhancement, adverse effects of speech coders can be reduced, while maintaining high quality voice signals.

Abstract: To increase channel capacity, mobile phone carriers have deployed speech coders, such as Advanced MultiBand Excitation coding (AMBE), in networks to reduce the bit rate of each call. One undesired consequence of employing such speech coders is that the voice quality can be much worse as compared to higher bit-rate speech coders. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention performs voice quality enhancement transparently within a network by detecting use of a coder applying rate reduction to a speech signal and known to have an adverse effect on a coded speech signal. Upon detection of the use of such coder, the coded speech signal is corrected based on components introduced into the coded speech signal due to the rate reduction. As a result of applying the voice quality enhancement, adverse effects of speech coders can be reduced, while maintaining high quality voice signals.

Abstract: A privacy apparatus adds a privacy sound based on a speaker's own voice into the environment, thereby confusing listeners as to which of the sounds is the real source. This permits disruption of the ability to understand the source speech of the user by eliminating segregation cues that the auditory system uses to interpret speech. The privacy apparatus minimizes segregation cues. The privacy apparatus is relatively quiet and thus easily acceptable in a typical open floor design office space. The privacy apparatus contains an A/D converter that converts the speech into a digital signal, a DSP that converts the digital signal into a privacy signal with pre-recorded speech fragments that are summed so that the speech fragments at least partly overlap one another, a D/A converter that converts the privacy signal into an output signal and one or more loudspeakers from which the output signal is emitted.

Abstract: A privacy apparatus adds a privacy sound into the environment, thereby confusing listeners as to which of the sounds is the real source. The privacy sound may be based on the speaker's own voice or may be based on another voice. At least one characteristic of the speaker (such as a characteristic of the speaker's speech) may be identified. The characteristic may then be used to access a database of the speaker's own voice or another's voice, and to form one or more voice streams to form the privacy sound. The privacy sound may thus permit disruption of the ability to understand the source speech of the user by eliminating segregation cues that the auditory system uses to interpret speech.

Abstract: A privacy apparatus adds a privacy sound into the environment, thereby confusing listeners as to which of the sounds is the real source. The privacy sound may be based on the speaker's own voice or may be based on another voice. At least one characteristic of the speaker (such as a characteristic of the speaker's speech) may be identified. The characteristic may then be used to access a database of the speaker's own voice or another's voice, and to form one or more voice streams to form the privacy sound. The privacy sound may thus permit disruption of the ability to understand the source speech of the user by eliminating segregation cues that the auditory system uses to interpret speech.

Abstract: A habit cessation aide includes a user-modifiable quitting schedule, a user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator, a display for displaying messages dependent upon the quitting schedule and the number of times the user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator is used, and an overall visual indication of the degree to which the user is maintaining the quitting schedule based upon the quitting schedule and the number of times the user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator is used. A widely held habit is smoking, to which the illustrated embodiment is directed. As shown, the device also functions as a standard watch and includes features such as calculating and displaying items including at least time, date, and elapsed time.

Abstract: A privacy apparatus adds a privacy sound based on a speaker's own voice into the environment, thereby confusing listeners as to which of the sounds is the real source. This permits disruption of the ability to understand the source speech of the user by eliminating segregation cues that the auditory system uses to interpret speech. The privacy apparatus minimizes segregation cues. The privacy apparatus is relatively quiet and thus easily acceptable in a typical open floor design office space. The privacy apparatus contains an A/D converter that converts the speech into a digital signal, a DSP that converts the digital signal into a privacy signal with pre-recorded speech fragments of the person speaking, a D/A converter that converts the privacy signal into an output signal and one or more loudspeakers from which the output signal is emitted.

Abstract: A behavior modification aide includes a user-modifiable BMI (body mass index) goal, weight goal, a display for displaying messages dependent upon the daily eating schedule and exercise schedule and the number of times the user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator is used, and an overall visual indication of the degree to which the user is maintaining the eating and exercise schedule

Abstract: A habit cessation aide includes a timer to determine the interval between starting a habitual act, a display for displaying messages in operative connection to the timer, and a strap for securing to a user's body. A widely held habit is smoking, for which the illustrated embodiment is directed towards. The habit cessation device also includes an alarm, which may be auditory, vibratory, or a combination. As shown, the device is in the form of a wristwatch and also functions as a standard wristwatch and includes features such as calculating and displaying items including at least time, date, and elapsed time. Depending upon the frequency of cigarette smoking, signaled by the push of a specialized button, different messages are displayed, such as encouraging, statistical or informational, to help the user quit the habit.

Abstract: A habit cessation aide includes a user-modifiable quitting schedule, a user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator, a display for displaying messages dependent upon the quitting schedule and the number of times the user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator is used, and an overall visual indication of the degree to which the user is maintaining the quitting schedule based upon the quitting schedule and the number of times the user-initiated habit-occurrence indicator is used. A widely held habit is smoking, to which the illustrated embodiment is directed. As shown, the device also functions as a standard watch and includes features such as calculating and displaying items including at least time, date, and elapsed time.

Abstract: A habit cessation aide includes a timer to determine the interval between starting a habitual act, a display for displaying messages in operative connection to the timer, and a strap for securing to a user's body. A widely held habit is smoking, for which the illustrated embodiment is directed towards. The habit cessation device also includes an alarm, which may be auditory, vibratory, or a combination. As shown, the device is in the form of a wristwatch and also functions as a standard wristwatch and includes features such as calculating and displaying items including at least time, date, and elapsed time. Depending upon the frequency of cigarette smoking, signaled by the push of a specialized button, different messages are displayed, such as encouraging, statistical or informational, to help the user quit the habit.