Patents by Inventor James H. James
James H. James has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8208622Abstract: Testing equipment for and a method of performance testing an echo canceller are disclosed. The method includes generating a white noise test signal that includes a plurality of high-level white noise time segments, each of which is separated by a low-level white noise time gap. The generated white noise test signal is transmitted to the echo canceller. At least one echo output signal is received from the echo canceller, and the echo output signal results from the white noise test signal. The level and duration of the received at least one echo output signal are measured.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LPInventors: Bing Chen, James H. James
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Patent number: 8112273Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: James H. James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Publication number: 20110196675Abstract: A VAD/SS system is connected to a channel of a transmission pipe. The channel provides a pathway for the transmission of energy. A method for operating a VAD/SS system includes detecting the energy on the channel, and activating or suppressing activation of the VAD/SS system depending upon the nature of the energy detected on the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: AT&T CORPORATIONInventors: Bing Chen, James H. James
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Patent number: 7917356Abstract: A VAD/SS system is connected to a channel of a transmission pipe. The channel provides a pathway for the transmission of energy. A method for operating a VAD/SS system includes detecting the energy on the channel, and activating or suppressing activation of the VAD/SS system depending upon the nature of the energy detected on the channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: AT&T CorporationInventors: Bing Chen, James H. James
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Patent number: 7876718Abstract: This invention provides a technique to reduce echoes not adequately attenuated by echo cancellers during initial periods of voice communication. Signals transmitted across communication networks are often reflected back to the caller resulting in echo. Echo cancellers are employed in the communication system to cancel this effect in order to maintain a high quality transmission. However, echo cancellers require time to detect, adapt, and effectively remove echo, often resulting in echo during the initial moments of the call and thereby degrading the quality of service. By installing an attenuation device into the communication system, all signals that pass through it are reduced to a preset value for a set period of time. This reduces any echo below a detectable threshold. After the period of time expires, the attenuation device allows the signal to pass unaffected, by which time the echo cancellers have adaptively adjusted to any echoes in the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventor: James H. James
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Patent number: 7830862Abstract: A system and method for reducing delay introduced by de-jitter buffers in a VoIP network is presented. The method aspect for receiving and presenting speech data received from a VoIP network comprises monitoring speech-related packets received from a packet network and based on the monitoring, either maintaining a normal speech rate, compressing the speech rate or expanding the speech rate. The speech associated with the received packets is played out (presented audible via a speaker or other means) at the normal, compressed or expanded speech rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventor: James H. James
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Patent number: 7831025Abstract: A method and system for administering a subjective listening test to remote users. A user can participate in a subjective listening test, such as an MOS listening test, over a telephone call. The telephone call is received and audio recordings are sequentially played over the telephone call. Quality ratings corresponding to the audio recordings are input by the user over the telephone call. The user can input digits corresponding to the quality ratings. This allows a user to take part in a subjective listening test without traveling to a lab.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: John D. Francis, Laurie F. Garrison, James H. James
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Publication number: 20100150363Abstract: The performance of an echo canceller is assessed using a) a test signal launched from originating test equipment and b) a simulated echo of the test signal launched from terminating test equipment. The launch of the simulated echo signal is timed in such a way that it arrives at the tandem echo canceller(s) at a point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal thereat that the tandem echo canceller(s) is (are) not able to cancel the simulated echo signal. The latter thus arrives uncanceled at the target echo canceller. The launch of the simulated echo signal is further timed in such a way that it arrives at the target echo canceller at a point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal thereat that the target echo canceller IS able to cancel the simulated echo signal. As a result, any residual echo received at the originating test equipment is a measure of the performance of the target echo canceller exclusive of the performance of the tandem echo canceller(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: James H. James, Wallace F. Smith, JR.
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Publication number: 20100106491Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: AT&T Corp.Inventors: James H. James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Publication number: 20100100375Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise, received by an access gateway from a speaking party and transmitting these packetized noise signals via a network to an egress gateway. The egress gateway converts the packetized noise signal into noise signals suitable for output and transmits the output noise signals to a listening party. When the access gateway detects that no voice signal is being received and only a noise signal is being received for a predetermined period of time, the access gateway instructs the egress network to continually transmit output noise signals to the listening party and ceases to transmit packetized noise signals to the egress gateway.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: AT&T Corp.Inventors: James H. James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Publication number: 20100040204Abstract: Testing equipment for and a method of performance testing an echo canceller are disclosed. The method includes generating a white noise test signal that includes a plurality of high-level white noise time segments, each of which is separated by a low-level white noise time gap. The generated white noise test signal is transmitted to the echo canceller. At least one echo output signal is received from the echo canceller, and the echo output signal results from the white noise test signal. The level and duration of the received at least one echo output signal are measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: AT&T CORP.Inventors: Bing Chen, James H. James
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Patent number: 7664137Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise, received by an access gateway from a speaking party and transmitting these packetized noise signals via a network to an egress gateway. The egress gateway converts the packetized noise signal into noise signals suitable for output and transmits the output noise signals to a listening party. When the access gateway detects that no voice signal is being received and only a noise signal is being received for a predetermined period of time, the access gateway instructs the egress network to continually transmit output noise signals to the listening party and ceases to transmit packetized noise signals to the egress gateway.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, II, L.P.Inventors: James H James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Patent number: 7664646Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: James H. James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Patent number: 7636436Abstract: A method for the performance testing of an echo canceller including the steps of transmitting a test signal to the echo canceller, recording an echo energy signal output from the echo canceller as a result of the test signal, measuring the energy and duration of the echo energy signal and calculating a performance score for the echo canceller based on the measured energy and duration of the echo energy signal, wherein the test signal transmitted to the echo canceller has a plurality of discrete frequency band segments of white noise representing sub-bands of an overall bandwidth ranging from about 0 kHz to about 3.5 kHz. The test signal preferably has four discrete frequency band segments of white noise, wherein each discrete frequency band segment of the test signal is repeated in succession, whereby the test signal has a total of eight segments.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Bing Chen, James H. James
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Publication number: 20090161835Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device having a controller to transmit a test signal in a communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem. The test signal can be transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The test signal can be represented by a limited burst signal of one or more frequencies operating outside a range of an operating frequency of an echo canceller deactivation signal transmitted in the communication path. Additional embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: WALLACE SMITH, James H. James, David Ramsden
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Patent number: 7516033Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying echo sources in a communication path. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device (EMD) having a transmit module to transmit an echo canceller deactivation signal in a communication path of the communication system, wherein the echo canceller deactivation signal deactivates one or more echo cancellers in said communication path. The transmit module can also transmit a test signal in the communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem, wherein the test signal is transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The EMD can further include a detection module to detect one or more echo signals associated with the test signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Wallace F. Smith, James H. James, David B. Ramsden
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Publication number: 20070299622Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying echo sources in a communication path. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device (EMD) having a transmit module to transmit an echo canceller deactivation signal in a communication path of the communication system, wherein the echo canceller deactivation signal deactivates one or more echo cancellers in said communication path. The transmit module can also transmit a test signal in the communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem, wherein the test signal is transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The EMD can further include a detection module to detect one or more echo signals associated with the test signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.Inventors: WALLACE SMITH, JAMES H. JAMES, DAVID RAMSDEN
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Patent number: 7272552Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: James H James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Patent number: 7230955Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise, received by an access gateway from a speaking party and transmitting these packetized noise signals via a network to an egress gateway. The egress gateway converts the packetized noise signal into noise signals suitable for output and transmits the output noise signals to a listening party. When the access gateway detects that no voice signal is being received and only a noise signal is being received for a predetermined period of time, the access gateway instructs the egress network to continually transmit output noise signals to the listening party and ceases to transmit packetized noise signals to the egress gateway.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: AT & T Corp.Inventors: James H James, Joshua Hal Rosenbluth
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Patent number: 7154867Abstract: This invention provides a technique to reduce echoes not adequately attenuated by echo cancellers during initial periods of voice communication. Signals transmitted across communication networks are often reflected back to the caller resulting in echo. Echo cancellers are employed in the communication system to cancel this effect in order to maintain a high quality transmission. However, echo cancellers require time to detect, adapt, and effectively remove echo, often resulting in echo during the initial moments of the call and thereby degrading the quality of service. By installing an attenuation device into the communication system, all signals that pass through it are reduced to a preset value for a set period of time. This reduces any echo below a detectable threshold. After the period of time expires, the attenuation device allows the signal to pass unaffected, by which time the echo cancellers have adaptively adjusted to any echoes in the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: AT&T CorporationInventor: James H. James