PATENT NUMBER
`PATENT NUMBER
`
`8383346
`6383345
`
`111111111111 1111111111 1111111111111111111111
`6363345
`6363345
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`U.S. UTILIW PATENT APPLICATION
`U.S. UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION
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`EXAMINER
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`FILED WITH; o DISK (CRF) o FICHE
`DrsK (cRF) flrrcHe
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`(Anached in pocket on right insiae flap)
`{Anached in pockst on dght insid€ tlap)
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`PREPARED AND APPROVED FOR ISSUE
`PREPARED AND APPROVED FOR ISSUE
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`I
`ORIGII{AL
`ORIGINAL
`GLASS I SUBCLASS
`CLASS
`SUBCLASS
`70q
`I aa,i'
`7()4"
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`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
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`tssurNG cLAsstFtcATtoN
`ISSUING CLASSIFICATION
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`cRoss REF€FEI{CE(S)
`,CROSS REF.,SRENCE(S)
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`CLASS
`CLASS
`-70 c4
`70 '-r
`
`SUBCL~S"(ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
`suBcLAsSr(oNE SUBCLASS PER BLOCX)
`
`233 ,9"ar
`233 v:2oJ-
`
`/ /
`
`o Continued on Issue Slip Inside File ~ckat ---
`,
`fl Continued on lssue Slip lnside File Jgckal *
`
`DRAWINGS
`DRAWINGS
`
`CLAIMgALLOWED
`CLA!'-'SALLOWED
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`' Sheets Drwg.
`, Sheets Drwg.
`(0
`l\r
`
`--
`
`Figs. Drwg.
`Figs. Drwg"
`{o
`/0
`-
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`Print Fig,
`Print Fig.
`.")
`;)....
`^
`
`(Assislsnt Examan6r)
`(Assistant Examiner)
`
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`
`,&,',
`Total CJFirn$
`I
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`T ; r : ;S
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`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILET'
`_L NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
`-)s~-
`lo-t ot o/
`! 0-1 ,,"
`,1, 6/
`/
`Richemond DOrv/
`Ftichemond Oory,{
`Primary Examir,n3r
`PrimaryExarnifler
`
`Print Claim for O.G.
`Print Claim for O.G.
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`ISSUE FEE
`ISSUE FEE
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`o TERMINAL
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`r--TTERMINAL
`DISCLAIMER
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`subsequent to " ______ (date)
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`o b) The term of this patent shall
`E U) fn" lerm of thls patent shall
`not extend beyond the expiration date
`of U,S Patent. No" - - - - - - .
`of U.S Patent. No.
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`--------
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`" - - - - - -
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`o c) The terminal ._months of
`fl c) The terminal
`of
`lhis palenl have been disclaimed.
`this patent have been disclaimed"
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`,ulf
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`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
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`WARNING:
`WARNING:
`The Information disclosed herein may be restricted. Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, 181 and 368.
`The information disclosed heroin may bo restricted. unaulhorizsd disclosure may be prohibited by tho united states code Tille 35, soctions t?2, 181 and 368,
`Possession outside the U,S. Patent & Trademark Office is restricted to aUlhorized employees and contractors only"
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`
`Fom PTS436A
`Form PTCl-436A
`(Rev. 6/98)
`(Rov. 6/98)
`
`;
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`r'x){.: ) j.rjiitil S,_...
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`-"',
`*0.
`(LABEL AREA)
`(LABEL AREA)
`
`lsms For
`
`{FACE)
`(FACE)
`
`\
`
`RTL345-1_1020-0001
`
`

`
`PA TENT APPLICATION
`PATENT APPLICATION
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111[1111
`09252874·
`.
`0925?87tn
`
`t'
`
`-
`ic549 U.S' PTo
`jc549 u. S. PTO
`09/252874
`09/2s28?{
`1 1111"11111111 ~"I 111111I111 1111 1111
`illlllllll
`ililIfilry!rut[|llu|!
`02/18/99
`
`CONTENTS
`CONTENTS
`Date received
`Date received
`(Incl. C. of M.)
`(lncl. C. of M.)
`or
`or
`Date Mailed
`Date Mailed
`
`r1161urwrnu$-nLL-
`
`Date received
`(Incl. C. of M.)
`or
`Date Mailed
`
`Application
`
`!- p"purt.
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`7€.
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`4 -/J- 17
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`68.
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`69.
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`~ .. ~_."'_ A_
`A*
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`(LEFr OUTSIDE)
`(LEFr OUTSIDE)
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`42. _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _
`42.
`43. ______ _ _ _
`44. __ ___ __ ___ __ _
`44.
`45. ____________ _
`45.
`46. ______ --;---_____ _
`46.
`47. ___ _____ __ _ -.,.--_
`47.
`48. _____ :....,-___ .....,_......:::-_
`48.
`49. ___ ___ ""--__ ""'~_.,.......,..:
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`17.
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`RTL345-1_1020-0002
`
`

`
`ISSTIE SLIP STAPT ; dtEA (for arJ.-"".' '.i r;-'ss references)
`rSSTTE SLIP STAP' ,: A'tEA (for 1\11·_"",', "3 ..,,"ss references)
`
`,--- -------- -~-.. -
`I
`POS!TION
`
`INITIALS
`
`10 NO.
`
`DATE
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`r'Ji
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`I
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`!
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`,1::21 ±LIT
`'? .- '-? 7
`."'7'"
`3-s/- rf
`3· 3/-
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`0 Cl
`"",'1
`""'t <..
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`N ................................. Non-elected
`Non-electild
`tI' """""""""""""""'" Rejected
`......,. Reiected
`................................. Interference
`I
`" ............................ ". Allowed
`.,....., lnterference
`........ Allowed
`(Through numeral) ... Canceled
`A ................................. Appeal
`........ APPeal
`(Through numeral)... Canceled
`o ................................. Objected
`............................... Restricted
`........0biected
`........ Restricted
`
`FEE DETERMINATION
`O.I.P.r:. CLASSIFIER
`FORMALITY REVIEW
`
`6/J}
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`~t;q
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`/
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`-;)vYllL
`I<-
`Ot'\l\,
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`N I A 0
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`Claim
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`Date
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`Claim
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`Date
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`Claim
`Claim
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`Date
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`-
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`6oo
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`c 's,
`(ij
`c 8
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`101
`~
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`104
`105
`106
`107
`100
`109
`10
`111
`112
`113
`114
`115
`116
`117
`118
`119
`120
`121
`22
`123
`124
`125
`26
`127
`128
`29
`130
`131
`32
`13
`13
`13
`3
`3
`38
`39
`40
`141
`14
`14
`144
`45
`46
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`14
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`10 7
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`1 9
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`11 11
`/2. 12
`I ~ 13
`IlL{ 14
`I) 15
`Ih 16
`17J 17
`~ 18
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`I
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`2.J-/20
`17 21
`
`\
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`11,1; 29
`2-" 30
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`2D 31
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`~L, 34
`l,.\ 35
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`1" 36
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`I~ 39
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`Ylf 41
`LtC 42
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`ul 44
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`lIl.{ 46
`U~ 47
`l.f 48
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`50
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`51
`52
`53
`54
`55
`56
`57
`58
`59
`60
`61
`62
`63
`64
`65
`66
`67
`68
`69
`70
`71
`72
`73
`74
`75
`76
`77
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`79
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`88
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`96
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`98
`99
`!loc
`
`If more than 150 claims or 10 actions
`lf more than 150 claims or 10 actions
`staple additional sheet here
`staple additional sheet here
`
`(LEFT INSIDE)
`(LEFT INSIDE)
`
`RTL345-1_1020-0003
`
`

`
`SEARCHED
`SEARCHED
`
`Class
`7ol.{
`
`Sub.
`Oa7\
`;)70
`ttD
`50D
`233
`2..33
`2oo
`20 0
`2olZof
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`2-bJ
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`Date
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`Exmr.
`
`j-- Zr<'o t
`
`SEARCH NOTES
`SEARCH NOTES
`trNcr-uolNa SEARCH STRATEGY)
`(INCLUDING SEARCH STRATEGY)
`
`Date
`
`Exmr.
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`JlLull
`to -Duoe I
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`Date
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`Class
`70'-1
`
`Sub.
`2. U
`2-"3 :>
`2 oJ-
`
`RTL345-1_1020-0004
`
`

`
`,l^'
`
`RTL345-1_1020-0005
`
`

`
`!
`
`I
`
`SERIAL NUMBEB
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`09/252,874
`09 l2E2 r874
`
`FILING DATE
`FILING DATE
`02/L8/ee
`02/18/99
`
`CLASS
`CLASS
`
`381
`381
`
`GROUP ART uNIT
`GROUP ART dNIT
`2743
`2743
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`670025-2800
`670025-2800
`
`JoSEPII UARASH' HAIFA, ISRMLt BARuCtl BERDUGo, KTRIAT-ATA 28OOO, ISRAEL.
`I-z JOSEPH MARASH, HAIFA, ISRAEL; BARUCH BERDUGO, KIRIAT-ATA 28000, ISRAEL.
`5
`:::i
`0..
`0.. «
`
`:r *CONTINUINC DOI.{ESTIC DAAA* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
`**CONTINUING DOMESTIC DATA*********************
`VERIFIED
`VERIFIED
`
`Ntv-< ,dlV)
`Nv< ,6M
`I
`'t
`*37 1 ( NAT, L STAGE ) DATA* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * rf * * *
`**371 (NAT'L STAGE) DATA*********************
`'t
`VERII'IED
`VERIFIED
`ilror , (lY'f
`
`/
`
`n/'
`
`/
`
`,/
`,/. .
`./
`
`* :hl'OREIGN APPLICAIIONS* * * * * * t, t, t t' t, t 1/
`**FOREIGN APPLICATIONS************
`vERrrrED
`/
`VERIFIED
`il',@
`
`/It,
`
`rF RaQurRED, FoRErcN FrtrNc LrcENsE cRANTED o)4o9/99 *t svet\,.6NTrry **
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING L~CENSE GRANTED 0 09/99 ** SMAL~NTITY ** ~ ~
`!gf9tS!-P-ri-o[rty clcimed
`tryes [76o
`Foreign PrioriW claimed
`Dyes ~o
`~ATE OR
`IND~~DENT
`SHEET¥
`TOTAL'
`SHEETS/
`TATE OR
`TOTAL
`INDEP€ISDENT
`35 USC 119 (edl conditions met Eiies^EpA EMet efter Ailowance
`ctAfMs
`35 USC 119 (a-d) conditions met O~~~ OMet mter Allowance i~UNTRY DRAWING
`CLAIMS
`CLAIMS
`DRAWING
`CLAIMS
`fouNrRY
`rtx
`Verified andAcknowledg*r***ffi}
`J
`10
`49
`ILX
`10
`49
`Ot!" ~
`3
`3
`Verified and Acknowledged
`IOlDalS
`THOUAS .' KO!{ALSKI
`THOMAS J KOWALSKI
`FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
`FROUI,TSR LA?IRENCE &
`HAUG
`745 FIFTH AVENUE
`745 FIFTH AVENUE
`NEW YORK NY 10151
`NEW YORK NY 10151
`
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`
`All Fees
`All Fees
`1.16 Fees (Filing)
`1.16 Fees {Filing)
`1.17 Fees tProcessing Ext. of time)
`1.17 Fees (Processing Ext. of time)
`1.18 Fees (Issue)
`1.18 Fees {lssue}
`Other ------
`Other
`Credit
`Credit
`
`SYSTEIIT, I.ISIHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CANCELLING NoIsE
`SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CANCELLING NOISE
`
`utJbF
`
`FILING FEE
`FILING FEE
`RECEIVED
`FECEIVED
`
`$664
`s654
`
`FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
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`to charge/credit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
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`for the following:
`NO.
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`RTL345-1_1020-0006
`
`

`
`FROIT{MER IJAWRENCE & HAUG tLP
`FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG LLP
`745 Fifth Avenue
`745 Fifth Avenue
`New York, New york 10151
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`Tel (212) 588-0800
`Fax (2L2) 588-0500
`Fax (212) 588-0500
`PATEMT APPTJTCATION TRAI{SMITTAT
`PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`Dat.e: February 19, l?99
`February 18,
`1999
`Date:
`Re:
`670025-"2800
`670025-2800
`Re:
`TO: THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`TO:
`Box PATENT APPLICATION
`Box PATENT APPLICATION
`Washington, D.C. 2O23I
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`F
`'1,
`
`cdi.*r-*K
`.- iuft-"
`''f-r
`*;-
`;ld
`
`Sir:
`Sir:
`with reference to the filing
`in the unj_ted states patent ancl
`With reference to the filing in the United States Patent and
`Trademark office of an application for patent j_n the name ofr
`Trademark Office of an application for patent in the name of:
`{IOSEPH MARiilSH and BARUCH BERDUGO
`JOSEPH MARASH and BARUCH BERDUGO
`ENTitled: SYSTEM. METIIOD AI{D APPARATUS FoR CAI{CEIIJING NoIsE
`entitled: SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CANCELLING NOISE
`The following are enclosed:
`The
`following are enclosed:
`X Specification {22 pages) and One page of Abstract (p" j i
`Specification (22 pages) and One Page of Abstract (p. i
`K
`49 Claims (including 3 independent -laims; pp. 23-31-)
`X
`49 Claims (including ~ independent claims; pp. 23-31)
`K
`X
`10 Sheets of Drawings.(Figs. 1, 2,3, 4,5,-5A, 6,7,
`10 Sheets of Drawings ,(Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, SA, 6, 7,
`K
`8, 9)
`8, 9)
`unsigned Declarati-on and power of Attorney (2 pages)
`Unsigned Declaration and Power of Attorney (2 pages)
`The. f iling fee will be paid 1ater, in response t.o a
`The filing fee will be paid later, in response to a
`Notice to File Missing parts. Kindly accord the
`Notice to File Missing Parts. Kindly accord the
`applj-cation a February 18, 199g f iling dat.e and addres;,
`application a February 18, 1998 filing date and addres
`all communicat.ions to the undersigned at the address
`all communications to the undersigned at the address
`above.
`above.
`Respectfully submitted
`A~Y_fO~ ftp . an
`Respectfully sUb~mitted'
`.
`an
`,
`By: ~::f%-
`Kowalski, Reg. No. 32,147
`Thomas ~. Kowalskl, Reg. No. 32,147
`Thomas
`
`xx
`
`I !
`I.
`i
`r
`
`EXPRESS MAII
`EXPRESS MAIL
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`DateofDeDoait @
`Date of Deposit
`February 18, 1999
`I hereby-cirtifyTEFtnrs paper or fee is being
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee is being
`deposited rith the United SLaEes postal Service
`deposited with the United States Postal Service
`n&<press Mail PosC Office to Addresseen Seryice
`"Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" Service
`under 37 CFR 1.10 on the dat.e indi-caced above and
`under 37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and
`is add ssed to the Assistant Commissioner for Patents,
`Washi
`",~D\C. r0231, BOX NEW PATENT APPLICATION
`~ () ,1-
`VI l1't)~
`
`Eure of person ma
`
`RTL345-1_1020-0007
`
`

`
`IN TIIE I'NITED STATES PATEIIT ATiTD TRADEMARK OFFICE
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`APPLICATION FOR IJETTERS PATEIW
`APPLICATION FOR LETTERS PATENT
`
`Tit,Ie:
`Title:
`Inventors:
`Inventors:
`
`SYSTEITI, I,IETHOD AlrD APPARAIUS FOR CAIICELLING NOISE
`SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CANCELLING NOISE
`'Joseph Marash, Baruch Berdugo
`Joseph Marash, Baruch Berdugo
`
`specification and one page of Abstract (page i)
`22 pages
`~ pages specification and one page of Abstract (page i)
`(3 Independent; on pages 23-3L)
`49 Claim
`~ Claim (3 Independent; on pages 23-31)
`of Figs. (Figs. l--5, 5A, 6-9)
`-!lL sheets
`~ sheets of Figs. (Figs. 1-5, SA, 6-9)
`
`EXPRESS MAII,
`EXPRESS MAIL
`
`Mailing Label Number ~~t79(..3J HS.
`("}>7 9
`Date of Deposit e~ 7
`I hereby certify that this pa-p o:tEts being ,
`deposited with the United States Postal Service
`"Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" Service
`under 37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and
`is addresged bo the Assl"stant Comi.ssioner of
`is addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of
`, Washington, D.C. 20231
`Patents
`rade rks, Washington. D.C. 20231
`M.\A.f') \
`
`Thomas J. Kowafski
`Thomas J. Kowalski
`Registration No. 32,t47
`Registration No. 32,147
`I. Marc Asperas
`I. Marc Asperas
`Registration No. 37,274
`Registration No. 37,274
`FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG LLP
`FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG LLP
`745 Fifth Avenue
`745 Fifth Avenue
`New York, New York 10151
`New York, New York 10151
`(2L2) s88-0800
`(212) 588-0800
`
`MARCA\2800.APP (IMA: car)
`MARCA\2800.APP (IMA:car)
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`RTL345-1_1020-0008
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`

`
`PATENT
`PATENT
`670025-28OO
`670025-2800
`
`5
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`RELATED APPI,ICATIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
`RELATED APPLICATIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
`The following applications and patent (s) are cited and
`The following applications and patent(s) are cited and
`hereby herein incorporated by reference: U.S. Patent Serial No.
`hereby herein incorporated by reference: u.s. Patent Serial No.
`og/a30,923 filed August 6, 1-998, U.S. Patent serial No.
`09/130,923 filed August 6, 1998, U.S. Patent Serial No.
`'l , 1-998, U. S. PatenL Serial No. 09/059, 503
`Og /A55,7Ag f iled April
`09/055,709 filed April 7, 1998, U.S. Patent Serial No. 09/059,503
`filed April 13, 1998, U.S. Patent Serial No. 08/840,1-59 filed
`filed April 13, 1998, U.S. Patent Serial No. 08/840,159 filed
`!4, 19g'.7, U.S. PaLent Serial No. og/I30,923 filed August 6,
`April
`April 14, 1997, U.S. Patent Serial No. 09/130,923 filed August 6,
`L998, U.S. Patent Serial No. 08/672,899 now issued U.S. Patent
`1998, U.S. Patent Serial No. 08/672,899 now issued U.S. Patent"
`No. 5,825,898 issued October 20, 1-998. And, al-t documents cited
`1e:
`1fJ No.5, 825, 898 issued October 20, 1998. And, all documents cited
`herein are incorporated herein by reference, ds are documents
`herein are incorporated herein by reference, as are documents
`cited or referenced in documents cited herein-
`cited or referenced in documents cited herein.
`FIELD OF THE IIiIVENTION.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION.
`The presenL invention relates to noise cancellation and
`The present invention relates to noise cancellation and
`to noise cancellation and
`reduction and, more specifically,
`reduction and, more specifically, to noise cancellation and
`reduction using spectral subtraction.
`reduction using spectral subtraction.
`
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`BACKGROITIID OF THE INVEMTTON.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
`Ambient noise added to speech degrades the performance
`Ambient noise added to speech degrades the performance
`of speech processing algorithms. Such processing algorithms may
`of speech processing algorithms. Such processing algorithms may
`include dictation, voice activation, voice compression and oLher
`include dictation, voice activation, voice compression and other
`systems. In such systems, it is desired to reduce the noise and
`systems.
`In such systems, it is desired to reduce the noise and
`improve the signal to noise rat.io (S/N ratio) without effecting
`improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) without effecting
`the speech and its characteristics.
`the speech and its characteristics.
`Near field noise canceling microphones provide a
`Near field noise canceling microphones provide a
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`PATENT
`PATENT
`67002s -2800
`670025-2800
`satisfactory solut.ion but require that the microphone in the
`satisfactory solution but require that the microphone in the
`this
`proximity of the voice source (e.g., mouth). In many cases,
`In many cases, this
`proximity of the voice source (e.g., mouth).
`is achieved. by mounting the microphone on a boom of a headset
`is achieved by mounting the microphone on a boom of a headset
`which situates the microphone at the end of a boom proximate
`the
`which situates the microphone at the end of a boom proximate the
`mouth of the wearer. However, t.he headset has proven to be
`mouth of the wearer. However, the headset has proven to be
`either uncomfortable to wear or too restricting for operation
`either uncomfortable to wear or too restricting for operation in,
`for example, an automobile.
`for example, an automobile.
`Microphone array t.echnology in general, and adaptive
`Microphone array technology in general, and adaptive
`beamforming arrays in particular, handle severe directional
`beamforming arrays in particular, handle severe directional
`noises in the most efficient way. These systems map the noise
`noises in the most efficient way. These systems map the noise
`f iel-d and. create nul-ls towards t.he noise sources. The number of
`field and create nulls towards the noise sources. The number of
`nulls is limited by the number of microphone elements and
`nulls is limited by the number of microphone elements and
`processing power. Such arrays have the benefit of hands-free
`processing power. Such arrays have the benefit of hands-free
`operation without the necessity of a headset.
`operation without the necessity of a headset.
`However, when the noise sources are diffused, Lhe
`However, when the noise sources are diffused, the
`performance of t.he adaptive system will be reduced Lo the
`performance of the adaptive system will be reduced to the
`perfornance of a regular delay and sum microphone array, which is
`performance of a regular delay and sum microphone array, which is
`not always satisfactory. This is the case where t.he environment
`not always satisfactory. This is the case where the environment
`is quite reverberant, such as when Lhe noises are strongly'
`is quite reverberant, such as when the noises are strongly
`reflected from the wal1s of a room and reach the array from an
`reflected from the walls of a room and reach the array from an
`infinite number of directions. Such is also the case in a car
`infinite number of directions. Such
`is also the case in a car
`environment for some of t.he noises radiated from the car chassis.
`environment for some of the noises radiated from the car chassis.
`
`OBiTECTS AI{D SI'MMARY OF THE IN1TENTION
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The spectral subtraction technique provides a solution
`The spectral subtraction technique provides a solution
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`PATENT
`PATENT
`670025-2800
`670025-2800
`to furt.her reduce the noise by estimating the noise magnitude
`to further reduce the noise by estimating the noise magnitude
`spectrum of the polluted signal. The t.echnique estimates the
`spectrum of the polluted signal. The technique estimates the
`magnitude spectral level of t.he noise by measuring it during non-
`magnitude spectral level of the noise by measuring it during non-
`speech time intervals det.ected. by a voice switch, and then
`speech time intervals detected by a voice switch, and then
`subt.racting the noise magnit.ude spectrum f rom t.he signal. This
`subtracting the noise magnitude spectrum from the signal. This
`method, described in detail tn Suppression of Acoustic Noise in
`method, described in detail in Suppression of Acoustic Noise in
`Speech Using Speetral Subtraction, (Steven F Bo7l, IEEE ASSP-27
`Speech Using Spectral Subtraction, (Steven F Boll, IEEE ASSP-27
`NO.2 Apri7, 7g7g), achieves good results for stationary diffused
`NO.2 April, 1979), achieves good results for stationary diffused
`noises t.hat are not correlated with the speech signal. The
`noises that are not correlated with the speech signal. The
`spectral subtraction method, however, creates artifacts,
`spectral subtraction method, however, creates artifacts,
`sometimes described as musical noise, that may reduce the
`sometimes described as musical noise, that may reduce the
`'perf ormance of t.he speech algorithm (such as vocoders or voice
`'performance of the speech algorithm (such as vocoders or voice
`activat,ion) if the spectral subtraction is uncontrolled. In
`activation) if the spectral subtraction is uncontrolled.
`In
`addit.ion, the spectral subtraction method assumes erroneously
`addition, the spectral subtraction method assumes erroneously
`that. the voice switch accuralely det.ects the presence of speech
`that the voice switch accurately detects the presence of speech
`and locates t.he non-speech t.ime intervals. This assumption is
`and locates the non-speech time intervals. This assumption is
`to achieve or
`reasonable for off-]ine systems but difficult
`reasonable for off-line systems but difficult to achieve or
`obt.ain in real time systems.
`obtain in real time systems.
`the noise magnitude spectrum is
`More particularly,
`More particularly, the noise magnitude spectrum is
`esLimated by performing an FFT of 255 points of the non-speech
`estimated by performing an FFT of 256 points of the non-speech
`time intervals and computing the energy of each frequency bin.
`time intervals and computing the energy of each frequency bin.
`The FFT is performed after the time domain signal is multiplied
`The FFT is performed after the time domain signal is multiplied
`by a shading window (Hanning or other) with an overlap of 50?.
`by a shading window (Hanning or other) with an overlap of 50%.
`The energy of eaeh frequency bin is averaged with neighboring FFT
`The energy of each frequency bin is averaged with neighboring FFT
`time frames. The number of frames is not determined but. depends
`time frames. The number of frames is not determined but depends
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`PATENT
`PATENT
`670425-2800
`670025-2800
`on the stability of the noise. For a stationary noise, it is
`on the stability of the noise. For a stationary noise, it is
`preferred that many frames are averaged to obtain better noise
`preferred that many frames are averaged to obtain better noise
`estimation. For a non-stationary noise, a long averaging may be
`estimation. For a non-stationary noise, a long averaging may be
`harmful. Problemati-ca1ly, there is no means to know a-priori
`harmful. Problematically, there is no means to know a-priori
`whether the noise is stat.ionary or non-statj-onary.
`whether the noise is stationary or non-stationary.
`Assuming the noise magnitude spectrum estimat.ion is
`Assuming the noise magnitude spectrum estimation is
`calculated, the input signal is multiplied by a shading window
`calculated, the input signal is multiplied by a shading window
`(Hanning or other), an FFT is performed (255 points or other)
`(Hanning or other), an FFT is performed (256 points or other)
`with an overlap of 50? and the magnitude of each bin is averaged
`with an overlap of 50% and the magnitude of each bin is averaged
`over 2-3 FFT frames. ?he noise magini-tude spectrum is then
`over 2-3 FFT frames. The noise magnitude spectrum is then
`subtracted from the signal magnitude. rf the result is negat.J-ve,
`subtracted from the signal magnitude.
`If the result is negative,
`the val-ue is replaced by a zero (Half Wave Rectification).
`ft is
`the value is replaced by a zero (Half Wave Rectification).
`It is
`recommended, however, to further reduce the resi-dual noise
`recommended, however,
`to further reduce the residual noise
`present duri-ng non-speech int.ervals by replacing low values with
`present during non-speech intervals by replacing low values with
`a minimum value (or zero) or by at.tenuating the residual noise by
`a minimum value (or zero) or by attenuating the residual noise by
`3odB. The resurting output is the noise free magnitude spectrum.
`30dB. The resulting output is the noise free magnitude spectrum.
`The spectral complex dat.a is reconstructed by applying
`The spectral complex data is reconstructed by applying
`the phase information of the relevant bin of the signal's FFT
`the phase information of the relevant bin of the signal's FFT
`with the noise free magnitude. An IFFT process is then performed
`with the noise free magnitude. An IFFT process is then performed
`on the complex data to obtain t.he noise f ree time domain dat.a.
`on the complex data to obtain the noise free time domain data.
`The t.ime domain resulLs are overlapped and summed with the
`The time domain results are overlapped and summed with the
`previous frame's results t.o compensate for the overlap process of
`previous frame's results to compensate for the overlap process of
`the FFT.
`the FFT.
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`several problems associated with the system
`There are
`There are several problems associated with the system
`described. First,
`the syst.em assumes that there is a prior
`described. First, the system assumes that there is a prior
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`PATENT
`PATENT
`67 0425- 2800
`670025-2800
`knowledge of the speech and non-speech time intervals. A voice
`knowledge of the speech and non-speech time intervals. A voice
`switch is not pract.ical to detect those periods. Theoretically,
`switch is not practical
`to detect those periods. Theoretically,
`a voice swit.ch det.ects the presence of the speech by measuring
`a voice switch detects the presence of the speech by measuring
`the energy level and comparing it to a threshold. If the
`the energy level and comparing it to a threshold.
`If the
`threshold is too high, there is a risk that some voice time
`threshold is too high, there is a risk that some voice time
`intervals might be regarded as a non-speech time int.erval and the
`intervals might be regarded as a non-speech time interval and the
`system will regard voice information as noise. The result is-
`system will regard voice information as noise. The result is o
`voice distortion, especially in poor signal to noise ratio cases.
`voice distortion, especially in poor signal to noise ratio cases.
`Tf, on the other hand, the threshold is too low, there is a risk
`If, on the other hand, the threshold is too low, there is a risk
`that t.he non-speech intervals will be too short especially in
`that the non-speech intervals will be too short especially in
`poor signal to noise raLio cases and in cases where the voice is
`poor signal to noise ratio cases and in cases where the voice is
`continuous with little
`intermission.
`continuous with little intermission.
`Another problem is t.hat. the magnitude cal-culation of
`Another problem is that the magnitude calculation of
`the FFT result is quite complex. This j-nvol-ves sguare and square
`the FFT result is quite complex. This involves square and sqll:are
`root calculations which are very expensive in terms of
`root calculations which are very expensive in terms of
`computation load. Yet another problem is t.he association of the
`computation load. Yet another problem is the association of the
`phase information to t.he noise free magnit.ude spectrum in order
`phase information to the noise free magnitude spectrum in order
`to obtain the information for the IFFT. This process requires
`to obtain the info~ation for the IFFT. This process requires
`the calculation of the phase, the storage of the informat.ion, and
`the calculation of the phase, the storage of the information, and
`applying the information to the magnitude dat.a - al-l are
`applying the information to the magnitude data - all are
`expensive in terms of computat.ion and memory requirements.
`expensive in terms of computation and memory requirements.
`Another problem i-s the estimation of the noise spectral
`Another problem is the estimation of the noise spectral
`magnitude. The FFT process is a poor and unstable estimator of
`magnitude. The FFT process is a poor and unstable estimator of
`energy. The averaging-over-time of frames contributes
`energy. The averaging-over-time of frames contributes
`insufficiently Lo t.he stability. Shortening the length of the
`insufficiently to the stability. Shortening the length of the
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`PATENT
`PATENT
`670025 -2800
`670025-2800
`FFT results in a wider bandwidth of each bin and better stability
`FFT results in a wider bandwidth of each bin and better stability
`but reduces the performance of the system. Averaging-over-time,
`but reduces the performance of the system. Averaging-over-time,
`moreover, smears the data and, for t.his reason, cannot be
`moreover, smears the data and, for this reason, cannot be
`extended to more than a few frames. This means that the noise
`extended to more than a few frames. This means that the noise
`estimat.ion process proposed is not sufficienLly stable.
`estimation process proposed is not sufficiently stable.
`It is t.herefore an object of this invention to provide
`It is there~ore an object of this invention to provide
`a spectral subtraction system that has a simple,.YeL efficient
`a spectral subtraction system that has a simple, yet efficient
`mechanism, to estimate the noise magnitude spectrum even in poor
`mechanism, to estimate the noise magnitude spectrum even in poor
`signal-to-noise ratio situations and in continuous fast speech
`signal-to-noise ratio situations and in continuous fast speech
`cases.
`cases.
`
`It is another object of this invent.ion to provide an
`It is another object of this invention to provide an
`efficient mechanism that. can perform the magnitude estimation
`efficient mechanism that can perform the magnitude estimation
`with littLe cost, and will overcome the probfem of phase
`with little cost, and will overcome the problem of phase
`association.
`association.
`It is yet another object of this invention Lo provide a
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
`stable mechanism to estimate t.he noisei spectral magnitude wit.hout
`stable mechanism to estimate the noise· spectral magnitude without
`the smearing of the dat.a
`the smearing of the data.
`In accordance wit.h t.he foregoing objectives, the
`In accordance with the foregoing objectives, the
`present invention provides a system that correctly determines the
`present invention provides a system that correctly determines the
`non-speech segments of t.he audio signal t.hereby preventing
`non-speech segments of the audio signal thereby preventing
`erroneous processing of the noise canceling signal during the
`erroneous processing of the noise canceling signal during the
`speech segments. In the preferred embodiment, the present
`speech segments.
`In the preferred embodiment, the present
`invention obviates the need for a voice switch by precisely
`invention obviates the need for a voice switch by precisely
`d.etermining t.he non-speech segments using a separate threshold
`determining the non-speech segments using a separate threshold
`detector for each frequency bin. The threshol-d detector
`detector for each frequency bin. The threshold detector
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