Patents by Inventor Wilfrid LeBlanc

Wilfrid LeBlanc 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).

  • Publication number: 20080189100
    Abstract: A method and system for improving speech quality may include estimating at least one component of a distorted portion of a speech signal from at least one component of an undistorted portion of the speech signal and reinforcing the component of the distorted portion based on the estimating. The components may include the pitch, spectral envelope and spectral energy of the speech signal. The undistorted portion of the speech signal may be delayed and the components of the distorted portion may be interpolated from the components of a delayed undistorted portion and a current undistorted portion of the speech signal. The components of the distorted portion of the speech signal may be extrapolated from a current undistorted portion of the speech signal. Components of the distorted portion of the speech signal may be estimated from frequency bands other than the frequency band affected by the distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Wilfrid LeBlanc, Mohammad Zad-Issa
  • Publication number: 20080151791
    Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and adapts its behavior based on the activity of the other functional components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20080123610
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a shared antenna control using the output of a voice activity detector are provided. A single radio chip for use within a wireless device may handle communication of a Bluetooth (BT) and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocol via a single antenna. Simultaneous reception via BT and WLAN channels may be enabled. The single radio chip may enable detection of voice activity in the BT channel and may reduce the BT transmission priority level some time after the voice activity indicates that the BT channel is not transmitting voice information to enable error concealment. Voice activity detection may be based on PCM samples in the BT channel. The single radio chip may transmit an ACK signal to an access point after the BT transmission priority level is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Prasanna Desai, Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20080049647
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of managing a communication system, wherein a decision regarding a level of activity at a first end is made based at least in part on the level of activity at the second end. In one embodiment, the energy level of a first-end audio signal is measured. The first end is declared voice-active if the first-end energy level is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. The first end is declared voice-inactive if the first-end energy level is less than the first threshold value. To determine the value of the first threshold value, the energy level of a second-end audio signal is measured. If the second-end energy level is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, the second end is declared voice-active, in which case the first threshold is maintained at a relatively high level. If the second-end energy level is less than the second threshold value, the second end is declared voice-inactive, in which case the first threshold is maintained at a relatively lower level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7333476
    Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and adapts its behavior based on the activity of the other functional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7333447
    Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send and receive voice packets to and from a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The transceiver includes a voice encoder, a packet transmitter, a packet receiver, a voice decoder and a far-end echo canceller. The voice encoder receives an ingress audio signal and encodes the audio signal to produce an ingress packet voice signal. The packet transmitter transmits the ingress packet voice signal over the network to the second packet voice transceiver. The packet receiver receives an egress packet voice signal transmitted over the network by the second packet voice transceiver. The voice decoder decodes the egress packet voice signal to produce an egress audio signal. The far-end echo canceller reduces echo that is present in the egress audio signal and that originated at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7263074
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of managing a communication system, wherein a decision regarding a level of activity at a first end is made based at least in part on the level of activity at the second end. In one embodiment, the energy level of a first-end audio signal is measured. The first end is declared voice-active if the first-end energy level is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. The first end is declared voice-inactive if the first-end energy level is less than the first threshold value. To determine the value of the first threshold value, the energy level of a second-end audio signal is measured. If the second-end energy level is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, the second end is declared voice-active, in which case the first threshold is maintained at a relatively high level. If the second-end energy level is less than the second threshold value, the second end is declared voice-inactive, in which case the first threshold is maintained at a relatively lower level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7254120
    Abstract: The present invention provides a data rate controller system for determining the coder used, and hence the data rate, for a plurality of channels in an associated network. Each channel provides statistical information about an associated signal to a central controller (or call/resource manager). The controller considers the information and sends control instructions to each channel for selecting an appropriate coder and/or data rate. The statistical information might include lost-frame rate, jitter, call event discrimination, and system resource utilization. By considering each channel from a centralized standpoint, the network can be optimized according to network capabilities and channel resource capabilities. A profile might also be used where each channel autonomously chooses a coder based upon background noise derived from the source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20070133417
    Abstract: Method of processing a transmitted encoded media data stream is received. If a data element arrives prior to, or at, a predetermined playout deadline, the data element is decoded, the media represented by the decoded data element is played, and the data element is provided to a decoder state machine to update a decoder state. If a data element arrives after the predetermined playout deadline, the data element is provided to the decoder state machine to update the decoder state. In one embodiment, if the specified data element fails to arrive by the playout deadline, a subsequently received data element is saved in memory. Then, if the specified data element arrives after the predetermined playout deadline, the specified data element and the saved, subsequently received, data element are provided to the decoder state machine to update the decoder state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20070127711
    Abstract: A system and method for provide a stable gain from an adaptive gain control device in a signal path. An echo canceller is also located in the signal path, and is used to provide performance information regarding losses in the signal. This performance information is fed to the automatic gain control device via a connection. The automatic gain control device thereafter uses the performance information to determine a maximum gain that might be provided based upon losses cause by echo conditions. The gain however is limited in order to provide for a stable system. The performance information includes a loss rate that includes a combination of the echo return loss and the echo return loss enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7177278
    Abstract: Method of processing a transmitted encoded media data stream is received. If a data element arrives prior to, or at, a predetermined playout deadline, the data element is decoded, the media represented by the decoded data element is played, and the data element is provided to a decoder state machine to update a decoder state. If a data element arrives after the predetermined playout deadline, the data element is provided to the decoder state machine to update the decoder state. In one embodiment, if the specified data element fails to arrive by the playout deadline, a subsequently received data element is saved in memory. Then, if the specified data element arrives after the predetermined playout deadline, the specified data element and the saved, subsequently received, data element are provided to the decoder state machine to update the decoder state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7164659
    Abstract: A system and method for provide a stable gain from an adaptive gain control device in a signal path. An echo canceller is also located in the signal path, and is used to provide performance information regarding losses in the signal. This performance information is fed to the automatic gain control device via a connection. The automatic gain control device thereafter uses the performance information to determine a maximum gain that might be provided based upon losses cause by echo conditions. The gain however is limited in order to provide for a stable system. The performance information includes a loss rate that includes a combination of the echo return loss and the echo return loss enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20050276411
    Abstract: System and method for processing communication signals in a communication system having a detector for detecting a parameter of a communication signal. A communication signal is provided to a non-linear processor (NLP) adapted to examine the signal and to decide whether or not to enter an active state based upon a parameter of the signal. If the NLP enters an active state, the NLP performs non-linear processing on the signal. The NLP communicates to the detector whether the NLP is active or inactive. If the NLP is active, a processing step of the detector is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6925174
    Abstract: System and method for processing communication signals in a communication system having a detector for detecting a parameter of a communication signal. A communication signal is provided to a non-linear processor (NLP) adapted to examine the signal and to decide whether or not to enter an active state based upon a parameter of the signal. If the NLP enters an active state, the NLP performs non-linear processing on the signal. The NLP communicates to the detector whether the NLP is active or inactive. If the NLP is active, a processing step of the detector is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20040170164
    Abstract: A method for operating a packet voice transceiver is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may compute one or more voice quality metrics during a voice call by using operational statistics that are generated or collected by packet voice transceiver functional elements. Based upon one or more values of the voice quality metric(s), it may modify system operation to optimize voice quality, and may log behavioral and performance information locally or transmit it to a remote location. Another embodiment of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Wilfrid LeBlanc, Darwin Rambo
  • Publication number: 20040141528
    Abstract: Methods for using communication network statistics in the operation of a real-time communication system are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide improved playback of real-time media streams by incorporating into the algorithms used for playback of the media stream network statistics typically calculated by some transport protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Wilfrid LeBlanc, Darwin Rambo
  • Publication number: 20040136447
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods supporting improved echo cancellation in a packet network is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may permit a split-band communication system operating in a narrowband mode to provide improved suppression of hybrid echo generated by the conversion of signals from a packet network to a two-wire analog circuit. By detecting the presence of signal characteristics outside of the relatively narrower bandwidth to be communicated, such an embodiment may more accurately detect the occurrence of speech received from a party on a relatively wider bandwidth communication circuit. The accurate detection of speech permits more effective suppression of any hybrid echo remaining after echo cancellation. An embodiment of the present invention may also have application in other systems that detect signals received via a path having a bandwidth greater than that to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20040120510
    Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and cancels echo or refrains from canceling echo based on the activity of the other functional components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20040120308
    Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and adapts its behavior based on the activity of the other functional components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20040057445
    Abstract: A packet voice communication system having a jitter buffer external to a voice processor. The external jitter buffer stores voice packets received from a packet network. In one embodiment, the voice processor extracts voice packets from the jitter buffer and processes the voice packets. A jitter buffer processor places an indicator in each voice packet it holds, the indicator being indicative of a length of time the voice packet was held in the jitter buffer. The voice processor adjusts the rate at which it extracts packets from the jitter buffer based upon the value of the indicator, extracting packets at a higher rate if holding times are high and extracting packets at a slower rate if holding times are low. In another embodiment, the jitter buffer transfers voice packets to the voice processor. The voice processor stores the received voice packets in a packet queue prior to processing the voice packets. The voice processor notifies the jitter buffer of how many packets are in the packet queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Wilfrid LeBlanc