Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc.

Daniel Bryan Kelly

David C Iglehart

Leland A Lester

David E Bryant

Tave P Dunn

A method and system for distinguishing valid DTMF signals from spurious DTMF noise includes detecting signals having a first signal component indicative of DTMF signals and having a second signal component having frequencies unrelated to DTMF frequencies. The second component is utilized in isolation from the DTMF frequencies of the first signal component. The analysis includes determining a signal level representative of the second signal component. If the signal level exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the first signal component is determined to be spurious noise. On the other hand, if the signal level is below the threshold level, the first signal component is passed to a DTMF-responsive system, such as a voicemail system or a voice response unit. Optionally, the operation includes requesting confirmation of the signal of interest, if the signal level of the second signal component falls within a range which includes the threshold level as its upper limit.

Method and system for distinguishing valid DTMF signals from spurious

A housing (100) for a unidirectional microphone (102) is described which has an enclosure (104, 106) for holding the unidirectional microphone. The enclosure has a first plurality of apertures (108, 110, 114) for transmitting acoustic energy to the front and back of the unidirectional microphone. An assembly (116) is movably coupled to the enclosure which, in a first position, facilitates transmission of acoustic energy to both the front and the back of the unidirectional microphone via a first subset of the first plurality of apertures thereby facilitating unidirectional operation. In a second position the assembly inhibits transmission of acoustic energy to the back of the unidirectional microphone by blocking a second subset of the plurality of apertures thereby facilitating omnidirectional operation.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Daniel Bryan Kelly