Abstract: In handsfree communications devices including a linear echo or noise canceler, both analog and digital gain factors are adjusted in response to user volume control inputs, the analog gain factor being frozen during active communications (e.g., during telephone calls). By providing dual user controls, one of which is disabled when a call is in progress, embodiments of the invention provide the wide dynamic range required in most handsfree applications without degrading performance of the linear echo canceler.

Abstract: A method of compressing an audio signal can include accepting input samples of the audio signal wherein the input samples include non-zero input samples. A logarithm of each of the non-zero input samples of the audio signal can be calculated. Compressed output samples for each non-zero input sample can then be determined based on the logarithm of each respective non-zero input sample. Preferably, a linear relationship may exist between logarithms of the non-zero input samples and logarithms of the corresponding compressed output samples. A logarithm of each compressed output sample, corresponding to a non-zero input sample, may be based on a product of a logarithm of each corresponding non-zero input sample and a compression factor. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: An echo and noise suppression device for processing an information signal to suppress unwanted signal components. In an exemplary embodiment, the echo suppression device includes an AC-center clipper having a clipping window with an adjustable window center. A clipping threshold of the AC-center clipper is set to attenuate the unwanted signal components, and the center of the clipping window is varied in accordance with the value of the information signal so that the unwanted components are suppressed even when the information signal contains a significant noise component. In another exemplary embodiment, a mobile radio station is provided including a microphone for receiving a near-end audio input and for producing a near-end audio output which is to be transmitted to a far-end user. The exemplary mobile station also includes a loudspeaker for broadcasting, to a near-end user of the mobile station, a far-end audio signal which is generated by the far-end user and then received at the mobile station.

Abstract: An echo canceler in which effective transfer function coefficients of an adaptive echo-canceling filter are adjusted periodically to track changing system conditions. Periodic adjustment of the effective coefficients is accomplished using a set of more frequently adjusted update coefficients and an update gain which is varied based on a strategic and novel combination of system parameter measurements. By updating filtering coefficients periodically rather than continuously, and by making soft, fuzzy-logic-type decisions with respect to the magnitude of the update gain, exemplary embodiments optimize system speed and adaptability without sacrificing stability. Generally, relatively large update gains are applied in situations where only a far-end user is speaking and a near-end signal is relatively noise-free.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for parametrically modeling background noise and generating comfort noise in echo suppression systems are disclosed. According to exemplary embodiments, a background noise model is based on a set of noise model parameters which are in turn based on measurements of actual background noise in an echo suppression system. The exemplary embodiments include autoregressive, autoregressive moving-average and frequency-domain models. An exemplary first-order autoregressive moving-average model includes a single fixed zero and a single variable pole. The single zero and the single pole are sufficient to provide appropriate spectral tilt in the resulting modeled noise, and the single zero ensures that the model is unconditionally stable. Integration of the exemplary parametric noise models with various echo suppression devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for achieving echo suppression in communications systems include an echo suppressor, referred to herein as an AC-center attenuator, which attenuates the echo component of a communications signal by multiplying a portion of the communications signal by an appropriate scale factor. Specifically, the AC-center attenuator scales that portion of the communications signal lying within a sliding attenuation window. The attenuation window tracks the communications signal so that the AC-center attenuator suppresses the echo component while passing other signal components of interest (e.g., near-end speech and noise). The scale factor within the attenuation window, and the size of the attenuation window itself, are dynamically adjusted so that the AC-center attenuator introduces minimum signal distortion and few audible artifacts. The dynamic adjustment is carried out to provide a desired round-trip echo gain in a system in which the AC-center attenuator is implemented.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling echo suppressors provide superior echo attenuation while optimizing perceived signal quality under a variety of conditions. The disclosed techniques provide desired levels of echo attenuation while minimizing the likelihood that an echo suppressor will introduces more attenuation, and thus more signal distortion, than is necessary. In a first exemplary embodiment, an acoustic echo suppressor is deactivated when a voice activity detector indicates that a far-end communications signal does not include a speech component. In a second exemplary embodiment, an attenuation factor of an active acoustic echo canceler is adjusted based upon whether a voice activity detector indicates that a near-end communications signal includes a near-end speech component. In a third exemplary embodiment, a level of attenuation provided by an acoustic echo canceler is adjusted based upon a measured ratio of voice to noise in an audio input to the acoustic echo canceler.

Abstract: A mobile communications device is selectively in communication with a radio telecommunications system having an authorized service provider and an unauthorized service provider, each service provider with a control channel associated therewith.

Abstract: A noise suppressor, and associated method, suppresses periodic noise components of a communication signal. The period of the periodic noise components of the communication signal is determined by correlating the communication signal with the communication signal, delayed by various delay amounts. Once the period of the noise component portion is determined, a periodic signal exhibiting a corresponding periodicity is generated and subtracted from the communication signal. The resultant, difference signal forms a noise-suppressed communication signal. When embodied in a radiotelephonic device, background noise formed of an engine sound caused by the running engine of a motor vehicle at which the radiotelephonic device is operated can be suppressed during operation of the noise suppressor.

Abstract: A system and a method for echo suppression which use two or more microphones for beamforming of an echo signal corresponding to an incoming speech signal that is output by a loudspeaker. The outputs of the microphones are appropriately filtered and then linearly combined to cancel the echo signal, even if the incoming speech signal has been non-linearly distorted. Also, the microphones may be selectively positioned or pointed to allow the linear cancellation of ambient noise.

Abstract: A phase-lock-loop circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter of the bit rate multiplier type. The input word to the converter is updated once each horizontal period of a television signal. Phase information contained in an output signal of the bit rate multiplier is obtained in one horizontal period and is retained for affecting the phase in the immediately following horizontal period.