Plantronics, Inc.

Leif Hakan Claesson

Keith A McMillen

David M Roberts

Richard Hodges

Keith Edwards

Sreevathsa G Sreenivasa Reddy

Methods and apparatus are described for use with a near-end telephone. The near-end telephone is operable to generate an outgoing signal directed to a far-end telephone and to receive an incoming signal generated at least in part by the far-end telephone. A first signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a first signal level associated with the outgoing signal with reference to the first signal level. A second signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a second signal level associated with the incoming signal with reference to the second signal level. The first and second signal processors are further operable to control a loop gain to inhibit loop instability.

Techniques for improving telephone audio quality

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a dynamics processor includes a non-linear automatic gain control (AGC) responsive to an input audio signal comprised of a plurality of frequency components, each frequency component having associated therewith an amplitude, said non-linear AGC adaptive to develop a modified gain audio signal. A multiband cross-over device is responsive to the modified gain audio signal and is adaptive to generate 'n' number of signals, each of said 'n' signals having an amplitude and further having a unique frequency band associated therewith. The dynamics processor further includes &#x2018;n&#x2019; number of processing blocks, each of which is responsive to a respective one of said &#x2018;n&#x2019; signals for modifying the amplitude of the &#x2018;n&#x2019; signals to develop modified &#x2018;n&#x2019; signals; and a mixer device is responsive to said modified &#x2018;n&#x2019; signals and adaptive to combine the same, wherein the amplitude of the plurality of frequencies associated with the audio signal is modified in real-time thereby enhancing the audibility of the audio signal.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Leif Hakan Claesson