Verizon Services Corporation

Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

Patricia V Hatton

James E Curry

Alexander I McAllister

Frank C Cheston, Iii

The spatial sound conference system enables participants in a teleconference to distinguish between speakers even during periods of interruption and overtalk, identify speakers based on spatial location cues, understand low volume speech, and block out background noise using spatial sound information. Spatial sound information may be captured using microphones positioned at the ear locations of a dummy head at a conference table, or spatial sound information may be added to a participant's monaural audio signal using head-related transfer functions. Head-related transfer functions simulate the frequency response of audio signals across the head from one ear to the other ear to create a spatial location for a sound. Spatial sound is transmitted across a communication channel, such as ISDN, and reproduced using spatially disposed loudspeakers positioned at the ears of a participant. By inserting a spatial sound component in a teleconference, a speaker other than the loudest speaker may be heard during periods of interruption and overtalk. Additionally, speakers may be more readily identified when they have a spatial sound position, and the perception of background noise is reduced.

Spatial sound conference system and method

A unified message platform system integrates voice recognition and dialing capabilities with directory systems, including automated telephone directory systems and private database directory systems, to enable a user to access stored directory information related to an intended recipient of a message. The unified message platform system prompts the user to speak the name of the party intended as the recipient of a message, and the type of address information to be accessed, for example fax number, e-mail address, home address, etc. The unified message platform system analyzes the input speech information, determines the appropriate database to be accessed, and accesses either local directory databases, or remote directory databases via a local area or wide area packet switched network. For remote directory databases such as private corporate directory databases, the unified message platform system also interacts with the remote directory databases to ensure compliance with any security protocols of the remote directory databases. The unified message platform, upon obtaining the requested information, either announces the information in an audible format, or uses the requested information, for example to place a call to the station corresponding to the requested information.

System for obtaining forwarding information for electronic system using speech recognition

Spatial sound conference system and apparatus

A voice mail system today offers a user the option to forward a message that he or she has reviewed, alone or along with a message recorded by the user. However, to forward the message, the voice mail system needs to receive the telephone number of the party intended as the recipient of the forwarded message. To eliminate the need for manual output of the destination telephone number, the voice mail system is coupled for communication with a voice responsive directory service system. The directory service system or alternatively the voice mail system prompts the user to speak the name of the party intended as the recipient of the forwarded message. The directory service system analyzes the input speech information, identifies a desired destination and retrieves the number for that destination. The directory service system may announce the number to the user, for manual input to the voice mail system. Preferably, the directory service system supplies the number directly to the voice mail system. The voice mail system uses the number to forward the message.

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Laurel, MD, United States of America

Patricia V Hatton