Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of compressors, with an optional noise extractor, to improve audio sensing performance of one or more microphones. The audio sensing performance of a single element microphone array with dynamic range compression can be improved by the use of a noise extractor, to modify the operation of the compressor, typically to avoid noise floor amplification. Dynamic range compression can be applied to the output of two or more element microphone array processing with the optional use of a noise extractor. Dynamic range compression can precede the microphone array processing with the optional use of a noise extractor. Syllabic dynamic range compression may be used in one or more element microphone arrays, with the optional use of a noise extractor, which increases speech recognition accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which facilitate quick and accurate extraction of the true noise level from a noise signal that includes additional signals, such as speech, in a cost effective implementation. Aspects of the invention allow the use of one microphone to simultaneously detect background noise as well as speech, while avoiding problems associated with artificially high background noise indication due to inclusion of the speech component in the noise determination. Additionally, systems and methods are described for altering system gain based on accurate noise level determinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which facilitate quick and accurate extraction of the true noise level from a noise signal that includes additional signals, such as speech, in a cost effective implementation. Aspects of the invention allow the use of one microphone to simultaneously detect background noise as well as speech, while avoiding problems associated with artificially high background noise indication due to inclusion of the speech component in the noise determination. Additionally, systems and methods are described for altering system gain based on accurate noise level determinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which facilitate quick and accurate extraction of the true noise level from a noise signal that includes additional signals, such as speech, in a cost effective implementation. Aspects of the invention allow the use of one microphone to simultaneously detect background noise as well as speech, while avoiding problems associated with artificially high background noise indication due to inclusion of the speech component in the noise determination. Additionally, systems and methods are described for altering system gain based on accurate noise level determinations.

Abstract: A noise extraction method in which an environmental input which includes a noise indicia is selectively modified in accordance with an algorithm that includes one or more factors representing time response, amplitude of response, and error correction. The algorithm may also include thresholding, delay or convergence, among other techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of compressors, with an optional noise extractor, to improve audio sensing performance of one or more microphones. The audio sensing performance of a single element microphone array with dynamic range compression can be improved by the use of a noise extractor, to modify the operation of the compressor, typically to avoid noise floor amplification. Dynamic range compression can be applied to the output of two or more element microphone array processing with the optional use of a noise extractor. Dynamic range compression can precede the microphone array processing with the optional use of a noise extractor. Syllabic dynamic range compression may be used in one or more element microphone arrays, with the optional use of a noise extractor, which increases speech recognition accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which facilitate quick and accurate extraction of the true noise level from a noise signal that includes additional signals, such as speech, in a cost effective implementation. Aspects of the invention allow the use of one microphone to simultaneously detect background noise as well as speech, while avoiding problems associated with artificially high background noise indication due to inclusion of the speech component in the noise determination. Additionally, systems and methods are described for altering system gain based on accurate noise level determinations.

Abstract: Variable attack and release system and method are disclosed for dynamically modifying the various elements of the system, including modifying compander response time to dynamically adjust for changing parameters such as environmental or input signal changes, to maintain output signals within predetermined limits. The system and method include permitting accurate and quick response to noise sources having a duration which exceeds a predetermined threshold while at the same time ignoring transient or short duration environmental noise.

Abstract: A method of matching input amplitudes in a system wherein one or more of a plurality of inputs may be selected, with each input capable of having different characteristics, involving selecting an input signal and mapping the input signal to a predetermined signal amplitude through the use of level matching logic. The level matching logic may include a gain cell for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: A method of matching input amplitudes in a system wherein one or more of a plurality of inputs may be selected, with each input capable of having different characteristics, involving selecting an input signal and mapping the input signal to a predetermined signal amplitude through the use of level matching logic. The level matching logic may include a gain cell for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: Output control system and method includes calculating gain for an input signal, detecting a predetermined condition, and modifying the gain calculation in accordance with one or more kneepoints to provide a varying output signal. A companding ratio is then established in accordance with the kneepoints. System gain is then adjusted, and the companding ratio may be further adjusted by adjusting one of the kneepoints relative to another.

Abstract: Partitioned signal processing systems and methods featuring substantial flexibility and cost effective implementations is presented. The architecture of the systems and methods of the present invention can be divided into a plurality of modules having manual and automatic methods. The modules can be implemented by both analog and digital designs, can be designed together or dispersed across a network, and can be dynamically reconfigured via software. These modules include a user interface, an input signal processor, an adaptive compander, a volume control and pre-mixer, an output signal processor, a noise extractor, a transform engine, a statistical analysis engine, and a calibrator/annunciator. The manual methods include methods to establish dynamic range mapping. The automatic methods include methods to establish dynamic range mapping, a method to maintain dynamic range mapping, a method to adjust dynamic range mapping in the presence of noise, and a method for intelligent volume control.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring, maintaining and analyzing statistical performance information in a signal processing system includes collecting data representing a plurality of aspects of the signal processing system, developing a histogram representative of the data in accordance with a chosen algorithm, and analyzing historical histogram data to generate condition signals for use by the signal processing system.

Abstract: A method of matching input amplitudes in a system wherein one or more of a plurality of inputs may be selected, with each input capable of having different characteristics, involving selecting an input signal and mapping the input signal to a predetermined signal amplitude through the use of level matching logic. The level matching logic may include a gain cell for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: Partitioned signal processing systems and methods featuring substantial flexibility and cost effective implementations is presented. The architecture of the systems and methods of the present invention can be divided into a plurality of modules having manual and automatic methods. The modules can be implemented by both analog and digital designs, can be designed together or dispersed across a network, and can be dynamically reconfigured via software. These modules include a user interface, an input signal processor, an adaptive compander, a volume control and pre-mixer, an output signal processor, a noise extractor, a transform engine, a statistical analysis engine, and a calibrator/annunciator. The manual methods include methods to establish dynamic range mapping. The automatic methods include methods to establish dynamic range mapping, a method to maintain dynamic range mapping, a method to adjust dynamic range mapping in the presence of noise, and a method for intelligent volume control.

Abstract: A signal processing system for permitting a user to set certain system parameters includes at least one compander, at least one system volume control for setting system gain, and at least one transform engine responsive to the user-set parameter or parameters for controlling the operation of the compander and the setting of the system volume control. The transform engine may operate by using kneepoints, attack and release parameters, gain calculation coefficients, zero dB offset values, or other techniques or parameters. A central power estimator mixer may also be included for integration of a plurality of companders.

Abstract: noise extraction method in which an environmental input which includes a noise indicia is selectively modified in accordance with an algorithm that includes one or more factors representing time response, amplitude of response, and error correction. The algorithm may also include thresholding delay or convergence, among other techniques.

Abstract: A method of matching input amplitudes in a system wherein one or more of a plurality of inputs may be selected, with each input capable of having different characteristics, involving selecting an input signal and mapping the input signal to a predetermined signal amplitude through the use of level matching logic. The level matching logic may include a gain cell for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a reference signal includes parsing one or more input signals into a plurality of split signals in accordance with a predetermined criteria, generating split reference signals for each of at least two of the split signals, and combining a plurality of the split reference signals into a single reference signal. Multiple reference signals may be generated by mutiple pluralities of split reference signals. The predetermined criteria may include bandsplit filtering, and the output signals may be used for equalization, among other applications.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring, maintaining and analyzing statistical performance information in a signal processing system includes collecting data representing a plurality of aspects of the signal processing system, developing a histogram representative of the data in accordance with a chosen algorithm, and analyzing historical histogram data to generate condition signals for use by the signal processing system.