Abstract: A method for determining a speech quality measure of an output speech signal with respect to an input speech signal, wherein the input signal passes through a signal path of a data transmission system resulting in the output signal, includes the steps of pre-processing the output signal; determining at least one of an interruption rate of the pre-processed output signal and a measure for an intensity of musical tones present in the pre-processed output signal; and determining the speech quality measure from at least one of the interruption rate and the measure for the intensity of the musical tones.

Abstract: A method of calculating an objective score (NOS) of the perceived quality of an audio signal degraded by the presence of noise and processed by a noise reducing function, said method comprising a preliminary step of obtaining a predefined test audio signal (x[m]) containing a wanted signal free of noise, a signal (xb[m]) affected by noise obtained by adding a predefined noise signal to the test signal (x[m]), and a processed signal (y[m]) obtained by applying the noise reducing function to the signal (xb[m]) affected by noise. This method includes a step (a5) of measuring distances (dYX(m,b)) between perceived loudness densities calculated for the processed signal (y[m]) and perceived loudness densities calculated for the test signal (x[m]); and a step (a6) of comparing said distances (dYX(m,b)) with masking thresholds (Smasking(m,b)) calculated for the test signal (x[m]) and/or the processed signal (y[m]).

Abstract: A method for determining a speech quality measure of an output speech signal with respect to an input speech signal, wherein the input signal passes through a signal path of a data transmission system resulting in the output signal, includes the steps of pre-processing the output signal; determining at least one of an interruption rate of the pre-processed output signal and a measure for an intensity of musical tones present in the pre-processed output signal; and determining the speech quality measure from at least one of the interruption rate and the measure for the intensity of the musical tones.

Abstract: A method of computing an objective score (NOB) of annoyance caused by noise in an audio signal processed by a noise reduction function, said method including a preliminary step of obtaining a predefined test audio signal (x[m]) containing a wanted signal free of noise, a noisy signal (xb[m]) obtained by adding a predefined noise signal to said test signal (x[m]), and a processed signal (y[m]) obtained by applying the noise reduction function to said noisy signal (xb[m]), wherein said method further includes a step (a3, a4) of measuring the apparent loudness of frames of said noisy signal (xb[m]) and said processed signal (y[m]) and of measuring tonality coefficients of frames of said processed signal (y[m]).

Abstract: A method of evaluating the efficiency of a noise-reducing function adapted to be applied to audio signals and comprising a preliminary step of obtaining a predefined test audio signal X[m] containing a noise-free wanted signal, a noisy signal Xb[m] obtained by adding a predefined noise signal to the test signal X[m], and a processed signal Y[m], obtained by applying the noise-reducing function to the noisy signal Xb[m], is remarkable in that it includes a loudness measuring step (E3, E4) for some or all the frames m of the aforementioned signals X[m], Xb[m] and Y[m].

Abstract: A construction toy kit comprises a plurality of construction elements and fasteners adapted for forming structures of various forms. The construction elements comprise straight flat strip, angled flat strips of various configurations, plates of various configurations, angled brackets of various configurations, blocks of various forms, and other accessories such as axle rods of various lengths, wheels, pulleys, locking clips, pin connectors, fasteners, spacers, washers, etc. Each of the construction elements has at least two holes of a same diameter, each hole having an associated concentric embossment formed therearound. The kit also includes a hand toy tool for tightening and loosening fasteners, which could also be used an accessory of the construction element. The kit further includes a container for holding the components thereof.

Abstract: A manual tool, particularly adapted for use with construction toys has a human-like configuration. The tool includes a handle that is shaped as a lower half of a human figure and a cap that is shaped as an upper half of a human figure, including a head. The handle together with the cap completes a human-like figure. A longitudinal shank having a driver member extends from an upper end of the handle. The cap has a head shaped member connected to a body. The head shaped member is rotatably connected to the upper end of the body and has a neck portion that frictionally engages the shank. The upper end of the handle engages with a lower end of the body and is provided with an alignment projection for engaging a complementary hole formed on the lower end of the body. The projection permits the handle to properly align with the cap to complete the human-like figure.