Clarence S H Chu

Title: The Innovations of Clarence S H Chu

Introduction

Clarence S H Chu is a notable inventor based in Vancouver, Canada. He has made significant contributions to the field of voice signal processing, holding a total of 6 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the intelligibility of speech signals in noisy environments, which has important applications in communication technology.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents involves voice signal enhancement. This innovation includes systems, methods, and devices designed to improve the clarity of a target speech signal by utilizing targeted voice model-based processing of a noisy audible signal. In certain implementations, an amplitude-independent voice proximity function is employed to reduce signal components of the noisy audible signal that are unlikely to be associated with the target speech signal, while accentuating the target speech signal itself. The system identifies the target speech signal as a near-field signal by detecting a prominent train of glottal pulses within the noisy audible signal. Furthermore, the technology performs computational auditory scene analysis by converting the noisy signal into narrowband time-frequency units, selectively enhancing those associated with the target speech signal.

Another significant patent by Chu focuses on voice activity detection and pitch estimation. This innovation includes systems, methods, and devices that detect voice activity in an audible signal by identifying glottal pulses. The dominant frequency of these glottal pulses is perceived as the intonation pattern or melody of natural speech, commonly referred to as pitch. Given that spoken communication often occurs amidst noise and interference, the detection of voice activity is enhanced by dividing the frequency spectrum associated with human speech into multiple sub-bands. This allows for the identification of glottal pulses that dominate the noise in specific sub-bands, and the analysis can also provide a pitch estimate of the detected voice activity.

Career Highlights

Clarence S H Chu is currently associated with Malaspina Labs, Inc., where he continues to innovate in the field of voice processing technology. His work has garnered attention for its practical applications in improving communication systems.

Collaborations

He has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Pierre Zakarauskas and Alexander Escott, contributing to advancements in their shared field of expertise.

Conclusion

Clarence S H Chu's contributions to voice signal processing through his innovative patents have significantly impacted the way we understand and enhance speech communication in noisy environments. His work continues to pave the way for advancements in