Keyword detection in continuous speech using continuous asynchronous correlation

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said processor means comprises: input means for separating the continuous speech signal into a plurality of preselected frequency components; and parameter means responsive to the plurality of preselected frequency components for developing the plurality of spectral estimates.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein said parameter means comprises: first means responsive to the plurality of preselected frequency components for producing a plurality of associated detected signals; and second means responsive to the plurality of associated detected signals for developing the plurality of spectral estimates.

Claim 5

The system of claim 2 wherein said generator means comprises: means responsive to the plurality of spectral estimates for developing time division multiplexed spectral estimates; and conversion means for developing the digitized spectral parameters in response to the time division multiplexed spectral estimates.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 wherein said correlation means comprises: second memory means for storing the digitized spectral parameters during a first mode of operation and for sequentially reading out sequences of digitized spectral parameters during a second mode of operation; and means for sequentially and asynchronously correlating each of the prestored dyad and triad subelement signals during the second mode of operation with a correspondingly long sequence of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop a corresponding correlation data signal for each prestored subelement signal, the amplitude of each correlation data signal being indicative of the closeness of match between its associated prestored subelement signal and the corresponding sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 8

The system of claim 4 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 9

The system of claim 4 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing a summed output signal by summing the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the summed output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the summed output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of a summed output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8 wherein said correlation means comprises: second memory means for storing the digitized spectral parameters during a first mode of operation and for sequentially reading out sequences of digitized spectral parameters during a second mode of operation; and means for sequentially and asynchronously correlating each of the prestored dyad and triad subelement signals during the second mode of operation with a correspondingly long sequence of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop a corresponding correlation data signal for each prestored subelement signal, the amplitude of each correlation data signal being indicative of the closeness of match between its associated prestored subelement signal and the corresponding sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 11

The system of claim 2 wherein said correlation means comprises: second memory means for storing the digitized spectral parameters during a first mode of operation and for sequentially reading out sequences of digitized spectral parameters during a second mode of operation; and means for sequentially and asynchronously correlating each of the prestored dyad and triad subelement signals during the second mode of operation with a correspondingly long sequence of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop a corresponding correlation data signal for each prestored subelement signal, the amplitude of each correlation data signal being indicative of the closeness of match between its associated prestored subelement signal and the corresponding sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 12

The system of claim 10 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 10 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 14

The system of claim 2 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision cutput whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 15

The system of claim 2 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 16

The system of claim 1 wherein said generator means comprises: means responsive to the plurality of spectral parameters for developing time division multiplexed spectral estimates therefrom; and conversion means for developing the digitized spectral parameters in response to the time division multiplexed spectral estimates.

Claim 17

The system of claim 15 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 18

The system of claim 15 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a treshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 19

The system of claim 15 wherein said correlation means comprises: second memory means for storing the digitized spectral parameters during a first mode of operation and for sequentially reading out sequences of digitized spectral parameters during a second mode of operation; and means for sequentially and asynchronously correlating each of the prestored dyad and triad subelement signals during the second mode of operation with a correspondingly long sequence of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop a corresponding correlation data signal for each prestored subelement signal, the amplitude of each correlation data signal being indicative of the closeness of match between its associated prestored subelement signal and the corresponding sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 20

The system of claim 18 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 21

The system of claim 18 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 22

The system of claim 1 wherein said correlation means comprises: second memory means for storing the digitized spectral parameters during a first mode of operation and for sequentially reading out sequences of digitized spectral parameters during a second mode of operation; and means for sequentially and asynchronously correlating each of the prestored dyad and triad subelement signals during the second mode of operation with a correspondingly long sequence of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop a corresponding correlation data signal for each prestored subelement signal, the amplitude of each correlation data signal being indicative of the closeness of match between its associated prestored subelement signal and the corresponding sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 23

The system of claim 21 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak value of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 24

The system of claim 21 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 25

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 26

The system of claim 1 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 29

The system of claim 26 wherein each said decision means comprises: a plurality of storage means for storing respective sequences of predetermined ones of the correlation data signals, each of said storage means having an associated window encompassing a preselected sequence of previously stored correlation data signals associated with that said storage means; a plurality of maximum detectors respectively coupled to said windows of said plurality of storage means for respectively developing the peak values of signals within said windows; a combiner for combining another predetermined one of the correlation data signals with the peak values of signals from said plurality of maximum detectors to develop a final decision function; and a threshold gate for developing an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of the final decision function exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 30

The system of claim 26 wherein said decision means comprises: a preselected number N of sequentially coupled signal units, each of said signal units comprising: a storage circuit for storing a sequence of signals, said storage circuit having a window substantially encompassing its total signal storage capacity; a maximum detector coupled to said window of said storage circuit for detecting the peak value of the signals stored within said window; and a combiner for developing an output signal by combining the peak value from said maximum detector with a preselected one of the correlation data signals; and a threshold gate, the first one of said sequentially coupled signal units storing a sequence of a first preselected one of the correlation data signals, a sequence of the output signals of each said combiner in the first N-1 combiners being applied to and stored in said storage circuit in the following one of said signal units, a sequence of the output signals of the Nth one of said combiners being applied to said threshold gate, said threshold gate generating an occurrence decision output whenever the amplitude of an output signal from the Nth one of said combiners exceeds that of a decision threshold signal, said occurrence decision output being indicative of the detection of the keyword associated with said decision means.

Claim 35

The system of claim 30 wherein said generating means comprises: means for producing a plurality of continuous spectral estimates from the continuous speech; and means for converting the continuous spectral estimates into the continuous sequence of digitized spectral parameters.

Claim 36

A machine method for asynchronously detecting at least one preselected keyword in an input continuous speech signal comprising the steps of: generating periodically a plurality of digitized spectral parameters from the input continuous speech signal; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelement signals associated with said at least one preselected keyword with continuous sequences of pluralities of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously produce a plurality of continuous correlation data signals; and developing an occurrence decision output signal for each associated keyword that is detected in an associated sequence of correlation data signals.

Claim 37

A machine method for asynchronously detecting at least one preselected keyword in an input continuous speech signal comprising the steps of: generating periodically a plurality of digitized spectral parameters from the input continuous speech signal; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelement signals associated with said at least one preselected keyword with continuous sequences of pluralities of digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously produce a plurality of continuous correlation data signals; and developing an occurrence decision output signal for each associated keyword that is detected in an associated sequence of correlation data signals.

Claim 38

A machine method for asynchronously detecting at least one preselected keyword in an input continuous speech signal comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of spectral estimates continuously from the input continuous speech signal; generating digitized spectral parameters periodically from the plurality of spectral estimates; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelements associated with said at least one preselected keyword with continuous sequences of the digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously produce a plurality of continuous correlation data signals; and developing an occurrence decision output signal for each associated keyword that is detected in an associated sequence of correlation data signals.

Claim 39

A machine method for asynchronously detecting at least one preselected keyword in an input continuous speech signal comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of spectral estimates continuously from the input continuous speech signal; generating digitized spectral parameters periodically from the plurality of spectral estimates; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelements associated with said at least one preselected keyword with continuous sequences of the digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously produce a plurality of continuous correlation data signals; and developing an occurrence decision output signal for each associated keyword that is detected in an associated sequence of correlation data signals.

Claim 40

A machine method for asynchronously detecting preselected keywords in continuous speech comprising the steps of: producing a continuous sequence of digitized spectral parameters from the continuous speech; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelements associated with the preselected keywords with the digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop respective correlation data signals; and developing an output signal indicative of the detection of a keyword whenever an associated sequence of correlation data signals develops a function signal having an amplitude greater than a predetermined threshold level.

Claim 41

A machine method for asynchronously detecting preselected keywords in continuous speech comprising the steps of: producing a continuous sequence of digitized spectral parameters from the continuous speech; correlating asynchronously each of a plurality of preselected ones of dyad and triad subelements associated with the preselected keywords with the digitized spectral parameters to asynchronously develop respective correlation data signals; and developing an output signal indicative of the detection of a keyword whenever an associated sequence of correlation data signals develops a function signal having an amplitude greater than a predetermined threshold level.

Claim 42

The machine method of claim 34 wherein said producing step comprises the steps of: generating a plurality of continuous analog spectral estimates from the continuous speech; and converting the continuous analog spectral estimates into a continuous sequence of digitized spectral parameters.