US5054078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus to suspend speech
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1990-03-05
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Granted: 1991-10-01
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Expires: 2010-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A communication device (10) comprises an input for receiving a first audio signal (12) and an input (36) for receiving a second audio signal. The communication device (10) also includes a circular buffer (34) for storing the output digital audio signal (12) and for producing an output audio signal (20). The communication device (10) determines whether at least a portion of the output audio signal (20) is present in the second audio signal. If such a portion is present, the communication device (10) subtracts the portion of the output audio signal (20) from the second audio signal, to produce a third audio signal (26). A threshold detector, responsive to the third audio signal, produces a first control signal, when the level of the third audio signal increases to at least a first predetermined level, and a second control signal, when the level of the third audio signal decreases to a value lower than a second predetermined level, where the second predetermined level is lower than the first predetermined level. Finally, a buffer control (22 ) causes the buffer (34) to suspend production of the output audio signal in response to the first control signal, and causes the buffer (34) to resume production of the audio signal (12), in response to the second control signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric R. Schorman
- 👤 Kevin M. Laird
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:03
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A communication device, comprising: means for receiving a first audio signal; means for receiving a second audio signal; a buffer for storing the first audio signal at an input rate, and for producing an output audio signal at an output rate; determining means for determining whether at least a portion of the output audio signal is present in the second audio signal; subtracting means for subtracting the portion of the output audio signal from the second audio signal, to produce a third audio signal; threshold detection means responsive to the third audio signal, for producing a first control signal when the third audio signal increases at least to a first predetermined level, and for producing a second control signal when the third audio signal decreases below a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being lower than the first predetermined level; and buffer control means for causing the buffer to suspend production of the output audio signal in response to the first control signal, and for causing the buffer to resume production of the output audio signal, in response to the second control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A communication device, comprising: means for receiving a first audio signal; means for receiving a second audio signal; a buffer for storing the first audio signal at an input rate, and for producing an output audio signal at an output rate; determining means for determining whether at least a portion of the output audio signal is present in the second audio signal; subtracting means for subtracting the portion of the output audio signal from the second audio signal, to produce a third audio signal; threshold detection means responsive to the third audio signal, for producing a first control signal when the third audio signal increases at least to a first predetermined level, and for producing a second control signal when the third audio signal decreases below a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being lower than the first predetermined level; and buffer control means for causing the buffer to suspend production of the output audio signal in response to the first control signal, and for causing the buffer to resume production of the output audio signal, in response to the second control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The communication device of claim 1, further comprising: an analog-to-digital converter for converting the first audio signal into digital form before the first audio signal is stored in the buffer; a digital-to-analog converter for converting the output audio signal to analog form, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the second audio signal into digital form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input rate is equal to the output rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the output rate is greater than the input rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the buffer control means controls the output rate of the buffer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the second audio signal is noise produced by a source different from the source of the first audio signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the second audio signal is a voice command produced by a source different from the source of the first audio signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a radio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The communication device of claim 1, wherein the determining means comprises a correlator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communication device of claim 4, wherein the buffer control means locates pauses in the first audio signal and removes the pauses during production of the output audio signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The communication device of claim 5, wherein the buffer control means causes the output rate to be greater than the input rate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for suspending the production of an audio signal, comprising the steps of: receiving a first audio signal; receiving a second audio signal; storing the first audio signal in a buffer, at an input rate; producing an output audio signal at an output rate; removing at least a portion of any of the output audio signal present in the second audio signal, to produce a third audio signal; producing a first control signal when the third audio signal increases at least to a first predetermined level; producing a second control signal when the third audio signal decreases below a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being lower than the first predetermined level; causing the buffer to suspend production of the output audio signal in response to the first control signal; and causing the buffer to resume production of the output audio signal, in response to the second control signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for suspending the production of an audio signal, comprising the steps of: receiving a first audio signal; receiving a second audio signal; storing the first audio signal in a buffer, at an input rate; producing an output audio signal at an output rate; removing at least a portion of any of the output audio signal present in the second audio signal, to produce a third audio signal; producing a first control signal when the third audio signal increases at least to a first predetermined level; producing a second control signal when the third audio signal decreases below a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being lower than the first predetermined level; causing the buffer to suspend production of the output audio signal in response to the first control signal; and causing the buffer to resume production of the output audio signal, in response to the second control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: converting the first audio signal into digital form; and converting the second audio signal into digital form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of causing the input rate to be equal to the output rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of causing the output rate to be greater than the input rate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the second audio signal is noise produced by a source different from the source of the first audio signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the second audio signal is a voice command produced by a source different from the source of the first audio signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of locating pauses in the first audio signal and removing the pauses during production of the output audio signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-30 | 1995-04-01 | 1995-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-30 | 1999-04-01 | 1999-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-04-01 | 2003-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |