Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones. Such a telephone includes a first microphone, a second microphone, a voice activity detector (VAD), a receiver module, and a signal processor. The first microphone outputs a first audio signal, which comprises a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component. The second microphone outputs a second audio signal. The VAD generates a voice activity signal responsive to a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal. The voice activity signal identifies time intervals in which the voice component of the near-end user is present in the first audio signal. The receiver module receives a third audio signal, which comprises a voice component of a far-end user. The signal processor modifies the third audio signal responsive to the voice activity signal.

Abstract: An echo reduction method stores a received audio information stream. A sound detection flag is activated following detection of locally generated sound. Output based on the received audio information stream is muted in response to the activating the sound detection flag. Rendering status of the received audio information stream is saved, in response to the activating the sound detection flag, to reduce loss of audio information. At least a portion of the stored received audio information stream is rendered following inactivation of the sound detection flag.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a reference signal on an array of antenna elements; using a received reference signal to find optimal weighting of the antenna elements to point a beam pattern of the antenna elements in the direction of a reference signal, thereby providing gain in the direction of the reference signal and attenuation in all other directions; adjusting a width of the beam pattern to cover an area of interest; acquiring and tracking interferers in the area of interest; reconstructing a component of interference from each of the interferers; and using the reconstructed component of interference to adaptively cancel interference from the interferers.

Abstract: A speaker module of a portable terminal and a method of execution of a speakerphone mode using the same are provided. The speaker module includes a nondirectional microphone, a directional microphone, at least one speaker, and a controller. The nondirectional microphone is applied to one side of the portable terminal. The directional microphone is applied to another side of the portable terminal. The at least one speaker is installed in the same direction near the directional microphone. When the portable terminal is in a speakerphone mode, the controller controls to detect voice signal levels and/or frequency characteristics input to the two microphones, sets a transmission/reception mode of the portable terminal, and mute-processes a corresponding microphone.

Abstract: The operation of a vehicle electronic module is influenced by vehicle-state received on a vehicle communication bus. The electronic module analyzes vehicle-state data that includes information about the vehicle's environment. The electronic module improves or maintains electronic module performance by adjusting communication processing parameters to improve driver or passenger communication.

Abstract: A method in a communications device includes the following operations. During a call, a process automatically detects that the device has moved from an at-the-ear position to an away-from-the-ear position. Based on the detection, a noise suppressor that operates upon an uplink signal for the call is signaled to change its noise suppression performance. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A communication device includes memory, an input interface, a processing module, and a transmitter. The processing module receives a digital signal from the input interface, wherein the digital signal includes a desired digital signal component and an undesired digital signal component. The processing module identifies one of a plurality of codebooks based on the undesired digital signal component. The processing module then identifies a codebook entry from the one of the plurality of codebooks based on the desired digital signal component to produce a selected codebook entry. The processing module then generates a coded signal based on the selected codebook entry, wherein the coded signal includes a substantially unattenuated representation of the desired digital signal component and an attenuated representation of the undesired digital signal component. The transmitter converts the coded signal into an outbound signal in accordance with a signaling protocol and transmits it.

Abstract: A voice communication end device performs quality checks to determine whether acoustic echo cancellation would be ineffective, such as due to noise or clock drift or discontinuities between incoming and outgoing voice channels. In the case where echo cancellation would prove ineffective, the device falls back on a tri-state voice switching operation that includes a bi-direction state in which both channels are on in full duplex operation, which provides a smoother transition switching between active channels. The tri-state voice switching supports both voluntary transitions where the active user voluntarily stops to yield the active channel, and forced transitions where the active user is forcedly interrupted by the other user speaking more loudly.

Abstract: In a speech device for a hands-free system in a vehicle, at least one microphone is arranged on a guide element encompassing a safety belt. The guide element is fixed to a free end of a holding element, along which there is arranged a first line section of a signal line and/or a supply line of the microphone. One attachable end of the holding element that is opposite the free end, can be fixed in particular to a vehicle seat associated with the safety belt by means of a detachable mechanical connection that comprises at least one electric contact for the microphone.

Abstract: This invention proposed an Echo Suppressor which can efficiently suppress both echoes and background noise without introducing “choppiness”. The Echo Suppressor System includes said two adaptive gains Gr(RSR) and Gn(NSR), said one adaptive zeros-filter A1(z) and said one adaptive poles-filter A2(z); wherein, thr gain Gr(RSR) is controlled by RSR (Residual echo level to Signal level Ratio); the gain Gn(NSR) is controlled by NSR (Noise signal level to current Signal (Tx) level Ratio); the filter A1(z) is converted from LSF1 obtained from the first modification of LSFTx (Line Spectral Frequencies of Tx signal); the filter A2(z) is converted from LSF2 obtained from the second modification of LSFTx.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising a number of microphones and loudspeakers, a hands-free set configured to receive a telephone signal from a remote party and to transmit a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones to the remote party; an in-vehicle communication system configured to receive a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones; receive the telephone signal; amplify the microphone signal to obtain at least one first output signal; output the at least one first output signal and/or a second output signal corresponding to the telephone signal to at least one of the loudspeakers; and wherein the signal processing systems is configured to detect speech activity in the telephone signal and to control the in-vehicle communication system to reduce amplification of the microphone signal by a damping factor, if it is detected that speech activity is present in the telephone signal.

Abstract: A wireless modem and noise cancellation method for the same for noise cancellation effectively cancels a noise signal induced from a device to which the wireless modem is connected. A primary antenna receives a radio signal that includes a first noise signal coming from a device to which the wireless modem is connected; a secondary antenna receives a second noise signal from the connected device; a noise signal adjuster for adjusting the second noise signal received by the secondary antenna using a correlation parameter between noise signals received by the primary antenna and the secondary antenna; and a noise remover subtracts the noise signal adjusted by the noise signal adjuster from the radio signal received by the primary antenna.

Abstract: An audio headset may comprise a case, near field microphone and far field microphone. A speaker, processor, memory, battery, charging interface and cradle detection circuit may be mounted to the case. Processor-executable instructions embodied in the memory, may be configured to implement a battery charging method. The headset may be shut off in response to placement of the headset in a charging cradle. The far-field microphone is turned on but not the near-field microphone. The battery may then be charged from the cradle. A headset having near-field and far-field microphones may be used to distinguish between user speech and competing sounds by generating signals from the sounds detected by each microphone and comparing the strengths of the signals. The signals may be processed as user speech if they are of comparable strength. Otherwise, the near-field signal may be processed as user speech and the far-field signal as competing sounds.

Abstract: A second microphone device of a mobile terminal, and more particularly, a second microphone device of a mobile terminal for preventing various limitations caused by mounting of a second microphone, is provided. The second microphone device includes an ear jack connector having an insertion space, a microphone hole connected at one end to the insertion space, and a second microphone connected at the other end of the microphone hole, thereby improving ambient noise removal performance of the mobile terminal without adversely affecting its appearance.

Abstract: An echo cancelling device includes an adaptive filter which synthesizes a spurious echo signal from a receiving signal, a first subtractor which generates an echo cancellation signal based on an input signal including a voice signal of a speaker and the spurious echo signal, and an error signal generating circuit which generates an error signal based on the input signal and the echo cancellation signal.

Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus includes a band signal component extraction unit for extracting signal components in a predetermined frequency band from an audio signal input by an audio collection unit for collecting at least an outgoing call audio upon an audio phone call, a stationary signal component extraction unit for extracting a stationary signal component from the signal components, a signal adjustment unit having a level adjustment function of adjusting an output signal level with respect to an input signal level and an input and output characteristics change function of changing input and output characteristics upon level adjustment in the level adjustment function through a control signal and configured to set an incoming call audio signal upon the audio phone call as the input signal, and a control signal generation unit for generating the control signal for changing the input and output characteristics by using the stationary signal component.

Abstract: A wireless headset has improved immunity to RF electromagnetic interference produced from wireless communications devices. A headset body is adapted to be worn by a user and includes a microphone and earpiece. An antenna receives wireless communication signals and passes them to RF and audio circuitry mounted within the headset body. The RF and audio circuitry include a Bluetooth module operatively connected to the antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals, an audio CODEC connected to the Bluetooth module, and audio connection lines connected between the CODEC and the earpiece and between the CODEC and the microphone. A filter is connected into each of the audio connection lines at the earpiece and microphone and operative for reducing the RF coupling from a mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: This method comprises the following steps in the frequency domain: a) estimating a probability that speech is present; b) estimating a spectral covariance matrix of the noise picked up by the sensors, this estimation being modulated by the probability that speech is present; c) estimating the transfer functions of the acoustic channels between the source of speech and at least some of the sensors relative to a reference constituted by the signal picked up by one of the sensors, this estimation being modulated by the probability that speech is present; d) calculating an optimal linear projector giving a single combined signal from the signals picked up by at least some of the sensors, from the spectral covariance matrix, and from the estimated transfer functions; and e) on the basis of the probability that speech is present and of the combined signal output from the projector, selectively reducing the noise by applying variable gain.

Abstract: A method for reducing spurs within a transmit signal is disclosed. A cancelling tone is determined. The cancelling tone is added to a baseband transmit signal in the digital domain to obtain a baseband transmit signal with cancelling tone. A spur in the transmit signal is reduced using the cancelling tone. The transmit signal with the reduced spur is transmitted using an antenna.

Abstract: A method for compensating signal distortion in an emitting payload including determining a compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; choosing an initial tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; acquiring an output signal of the emitting payload; based on the acquired output signal and on a reference signal, corresponding to an expected undistorted output signal, performing an estimation of a residual distortion transfer function of emitting payload; and based on the estimation of the residual distortion transfer function, computing an updated tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload. The estimation can be a black-box estimating and the reference signal can be generated on-purpose, and not measured from within the emitting payload.

Abstract: A wireless system including a first speaker and a second speaker, where the first and second speakers communicate with each other over a wireless link. In some configurations, the first speaker includes both a primary wireless interface for receiving audio from an audio source and a secondary wireless interface transmitting a portion of the audio to the second speaker. The speaker can incorporate Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to provide the wireless link between each other. The wireless system can be configured to synchronize audio output at the speakers, and can also include a second-speaker detection mechanism that permits the first speaker to be used in either a stand-alone mode, with audio output at only the first speaker, or full-headset mode, with audio output at both speakers when the second speaker is detected within wireless range of the first speaker.

Abstract: A method in a communications device includes the following operations. During a call, a process automatically detects that the device has moved from an at-the-ear position to an away-from-the-ear position. Based on the detection, a noise suppressor that operates upon an uplink signal for the call is signaled to change its noise suppression performance. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a microphone, a transceiver circuit, a loudspeaker, a sense element and a processing circuit. The microphone is configured to receive a first audio signal. The transceiver circuit is configured to communicate the first audio signal to a remote device and to receive a second audio signal from the remote device. The loudspeaker is configured to provide an audible signal based on the second audio signal. The sense element is configured to sense the audible signal provided by the loudspeaker. The sense element may be positioned at a distance from the loudspeaker different than a distance between the microphone and the loudspeaker. The processing circuit is configured to process at least one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal based on a sensed signal from the sense element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the volume on a mobile station earpiece based on reverse frame data rate. In an embodiment of the invention, a mobile station transmits a plurality of reverse frames over a specified period of time. For each frame in the plurality of reverse frames, the mobile station measures a reverse frame data rate. The mobile station then uses the measured reverse frame data rates to calculate an average reverse frame data rate for the reverse frames transmitted over the specified period of time. Next, the mobile station adjusts the volume level of an earpiece based at least in part on the average reverse frame data rate.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a mobile communication device includes a housing, a speaker, a microphone, a detecting unit, and a processing unit. The speaker is provided in the housing, and outputs an incoming voice according to an incoming voice signal. The microphone is provided in the housing. The microphone receives an outgoing voice and outputs an outgoing voice signal in response to reception of the outgoing voice. The detecting unit detects vibration of the housing and outputs a housing-vibration signal indicating the vibration of the housing. The processing unit performs echo cancellation to the outgoing voice signal based on the incoming voice signal and the housing-vibration signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for avoiding receiver interference is described herein. One or more potential interferers are determined and the frequency associated with the interferers is also determined A desired sampling frequency for the receiver is calculated to avoid the potential interferers.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing communications through a phone. A voice communication is received from a user of the phone. A secondary signal is received from an environment in proximity to the phone. The secondary signal is processed to determine an inverse signal in response to receiving the secondary signal. The inverse signal is combined with the voice communication and the secondary signal to destructively interfere with the secondary signal for allowing a receiving party to more effectively communicate with the user.

Abstract: In a data processing system, a method includes receiving samples of a send path input signal (Sin) and samples of a receive path input signal (Rin); in response to receiving each sample of the send path input signal, providing a double-talk indicator to indicate whether or not double-talk has been detected; using the double-talk indicator to determine a double-talk density within a predetermined number of samples of the send path input signal or the receive path input signal; and using the double-talk density to provide a heavy double-talk indicator which indicates whether or not heavy double-talk has been detected. In response to the heavy double-talk indicator indicating that heavy double-talk has been detected, a heavy double-talk mode may be entered.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided whereby a user of a mobile device can adaptively switch the mobile device from speakerphone mode to handset mode without needing to look at the mobile device or without the need to activate a button or key sequence. In a preferred embodiment, modules are provided in the mobile device which allow for the detection of a voice conversation, the sampling of the user's voice and the switching between the two modes of operation. If the user's voice volume is above a certain threshold the mobile device operates in handset mode. If the user's voice volume is below a certain threshold the mobile device operates in handset mode. Through the inclusion of the embodiments described herein, a mobile device can allow a user to safely and quickly switch from one mode of operation to the other without a requirement for additional hardware in the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for finding an estimate of the delay of a signal travelling between two points. A quantity is evaluated from the signal at a final number of time instants, at both a reference point and a reception point. The values are quantized by comparison with a threshold adapted to a typical magnitude of the quantity. If the quantized values from the reception point are shifted back by the true delay with respect to the quantized values from the referenced point, then certain co-occurrences of quantized values have very low probability. Hence, the best delay estimate is that shift which yields the least number of low-probability co-occurrences.

Abstract: A portable telephony device has a mobile phone housing. Integrated in the housing are memory to store a telephony module, an earphone type detect module, a headphone port, and a processor. The headphone port may be a wired headset jack to receive a mating wired headset plug, or it may be a communications subsystem that makes a wireless connection with a wireless headset. The earphone type detect module, when executed by the processor, is to determine what type of earphone or headset is connected to the headphone port. The telephony module when executed by the processor is to adjust a sidetone function of the device as a function of the determined type of earphone, and apply sidetone in accordance with said adjusted sidetone function. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: This includes systems and methods for accelerometer usage in a wireless headset. An accelerometer can be used to determine the location of a wireless headset. The determined location can be used to control and improve a noise cancellation system. In some embodiments, the determined location can be used in controlling the functions of buttons of the wireless headset. In some embodiments, the accelerometer can further be used to determine when the system is in use. If the system has not been in use for a predetermined amount of time, at least a portion of the wireless headset can be turned off to save power.

Abstract: This includes systems and methods for noise cancellation and power management in a wireless headset. The wireless headset can perform noise cancellation by using two or more omni-directional microphones to generate a noise canceling “cone.” Audio signals received outside of the cone can be filtered out. An accelerometer can be used to determine the location of the wireless headset and the system can then properly position the cone to face the user's voice and filter out other audio signals. Additionally, by monitoring the ambient noise, the system can save power by turning off the noise cancellation system when the amount of ambient noise is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A wireless headset has improved immunity to RF electromagnetic interference produced from wireless communications devices. A headset body is adapted to be worn by a user and includes a microphone and earpiece. An antenna receives wireless communication signals and passes them to RF and audio circuitry mounted within the headset body. The RF and audio circuitry include a Bluetooth module operatively connected to the antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals, an audio CODEC connected to the Bluetooth module, and audio connection lines connected between the CODEC and the earpiece and between the CODEC and the microphone. A filter is connected into each of the audio connection lines at the earpiece and microphone and operative for reducing the RF coupling from a mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: The method defines a user environment based on detected motion data and/or ambient noise data. The user environment is then used to apply an appropriate audio adjustment mode. In one embodiment, the user environment definition further includes location data. In one embodiment, the location data is obtained from one of: a global positioning system (GPS), and network triangulation.

Abstract: A radio system has silence periods in which wave transmission from a terminal is stopped and in which a base station measures external noise power. The base station includes a receiver for receiving a signal from the terminal, and a controller that has preset frequency information representing a frequency of diagnosing the receiver to a measurement frequency of external noise power, and diagnoses normality of the receiver by using one silence period out of plural silence periods on the basis of the frequency information while measuring the external noise power by using the other silence periods. When the receiver is diagnosed, the external noise cannot be measured during this silence period, and thus during this silence period the external noise measured during the just preceding silence period is held and applied as external noise under the diagnosis of the receiver.

Abstract: An audio handling device comprising: a source of audio data; a microphone; a loudspeaker; a transmitter for transmitting audio data; modification means for modifying the audio data; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the device, the control unit being capable of receiving signals from the microphone and configuring the conveying of audio data from the source to one or both of the loudspeaker and the transmitter; the control unit being capable of configuring the device such that during at least a probing period the modification means modifies audio data from the source and the modified audio data is transmitted by the transmitter, and being arranged to select in dependence on data dependent on signals received from the microphone whether to apply audio data from the source to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Constant phone-call quality is kept irrespective of setting of a tone adjusting function of a cellular phone under connection. There is provided a sound collector for collecting voices and converting the voices to a voice signal, a communication unit for communicating with a cellular phone terminal according to a predetermined communication protocol, and a reproducing unit for reproducing the voice signal received in the communication unit.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for adaptive interference filtering in a communications device are disclosed. The communications device may include a transmitter, a receiver, a duplexer coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and an adaptive filter disposed between the duplexer and the receiver. A processor may be configured to monitor cross modulation in the receiver between transmitter leakage through the duplexer and a jammer, and adapt the filter to vary its transmit signal rejection as a function of the cross modulation.

Abstract: A method and system for eliminating echo in a speaker-microphone communication system are provided.

Abstract: In a system having an adaptive filter block for receiving a reference signal and adapting to an input signal, and a block for detecting corruption of the input signal by an interference signal and in response limiting adaptation of the adaptive filter block, the improvement comprising delaying and applying the input signal to the adaptive filter block while applying the input signal to the block for detecting corruption without delay.

Abstract: A communication device includes memory, an input interface, a processing module, and a transmitter. The processing module receives a digital signal from the input interface, wherein the digital signal includes a desired digital signal component and an undesired digital signal component. The processing module identifies one of a plurality of codebooks based on the undesired digital signal component. The processing module then identifies a codebook entry from the one of the plurality of codebooks based on the desired digital signal component to produce a selected codebook entry. The processing module then generates a coded signal based on the selected codebook entry, wherein the coded signal includes a substantially unattenuated representation of the desired digital signal component and an attenuated representation of the undesired digital signal component. The transmitter converts the coded signal into an outbound signal in accordance with a signaling protocol and transmits it.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a main body, a communication unit, an earpiece, a mouthpiece, a comparison unit and a first driver. The communication unit generates a starting signal when the communication device and another communication device establish a connection. The earpiece rotates with respect to the main body. The mouthpiece receives ambient sound and determines an ambient noise level according to the collected ambient sound in response to the starting signal. The comparison unit determines whether the ambient noise level is equal to a predetermined value, and generates a first driving signal when the ambient noise level is not equal to the predetermined value. The first driver drives the earpiece to rotate toward an ear of a user of the mobile communication device in response to the first driving signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in various electronic devices and/or circuits to identify and mitigate to some extent various known and unknown interference signals that may appear in a received signal.

Abstract: A transmission circuit for radio frequency signals has a power mixer and includes a radio frequency input port, a first radio frequency output port, a second radio frequency output port, and a dummy load port. The transmission circuit also has a first switch unit and a second switch unit. The first switch unit is connected to the first radio frequency output port and outputs the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the first radio frequency output port or reflects the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the first radio frequency output port back to the first radio frequency output port. The second switch unit is connected to the second radio frequency output port and outputs the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the second radio frequency output port, or reflects the radio frequency signals which are emitted from the second radio frequency output port back to the second radio frequency output port.

Abstract: In a signal processing system, a set of channel signals from an array of sensors of different operating characteristics are processed in calibration circuitry that calculates individual average values of the channel signals and calculates an average of the individual average values of channel signals as a reference value. Reciprocal calculators calculate reciprocal values of the individual average values of the channel signals. Scaling circuitry scales the reciprocal values by the reference value to produce a set of amplitude calibration signals and scales the channel signals by the calibration signals respectively. As a result, the channel signals are normalized by their own average values and scaled by the reference value to produce a set of calibrated channel signals.

Abstract: In a receiving apparatus (100), a noise power estimation unit (107) estimates the noise power included in a received signal in the frequency domain. A channel characteristics calculation unit (105) estimates the channel characteristics in accordance with a reference signal included in the received signal. A tap coefficient calculation unit (108) calculates the tap coefficients for a filtering unit (109) in accordance with noise power included in the received signal and with an autocorrelation value for the channel characteristics. The filtering unit (109) calculates an estimated value for the channel characteristics via filtering processing on the channel characteristics in accordance with the tap coefficients.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus is provided. The mobile communication apparatus includes a speaker, a sound receiving unit, an audio signal processing unit, and a control unit. The sound receiving unit provides an audio signal based on external sounds. The audio signal processing unit is connected to the speaker and the sound receiving unit to receive the first audio signal from the sound receiving unit and output a coded audio signal to the speaker. The control unit is connected to the audio signal processing unit and provides a control signal, wherein the control signal corresponds to a pre-determined mode. The control unit controls the audio signal processing unit to stop outputting the first audio signal to the speaker based on a first control signal.

Abstract: In an echo processing method and device which can detect an accurate echo section without effects of a far end signal, an echo delay, and a reduction of an echo cancellation amount, a signal of a specified frequency band is generated in conformity with a near end signal, and the signal of the specified frequency band is added to the near end signal to form a transmitting signal. Receiving signals are separated into the signal of the specified frequency band and a signal of a band other than the specified frequency band. An echo section is detected based on the signal of the specified frequency band separated. An echo component in the signal of the band other than the specified frequency band is removed and a level of the echo component is detected based on the near end signal in the echo section.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for mitigating audible acknowledgement volume in a vehicle security system. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes measuring an amplitude of a valid signal, in response to receiving the valid signal; in response to determining the amplitude of the valid signal, comparing the amplitude to a first predetermined threshold; in response to the comparison, adjusting a volume setting of an audible acknowledgement; further adjusting the volume setting in response to measuring ambient noise of a surrounding location; and emitting the audible acknowledgement.