Toru Nagano

Title: Toru Nagano: Innovator in Acoustic Technology

Introduction

Toru Nagano is a prominent inventor based in Tokyo, Japan, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of acoustics. With a remarkable portfolio of 25 patents, he has made a lasting impact on audio technology, enhancing the way sound data is processed and utilized in various applications.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations, Nagano is credited with two noteworthy patents. The first is "Acoustic data augmentation with mixed normalization factors," which introduces a method, computer system, and computer program product for audio data augmentation. This patent outlines a process where sets of audio data from different sources are obtained, and respective normalization factors are calculated. By mixing these normalization factors, a mixed normalization factor is created, allowing for improved training data generation for acoustic models.

The second patent, "Expansion of a question and answer database," describes a system and method to enhance the accuracy of Q&A document extraction. This innovative approach involves obtaining sets of Q&A documents and their corresponding speech recognition results, then integrating extracted repetition parts from the speech recognition outcomes into the relevant Q&A documents, thus expanding the database for improved accuracy.

Career Highlights

Toru Nagano has had a distinguished career, with key roles in notable companies such as IBM and Nuance Communications, Inc. His work at these organizations has allowed him to collaborate on groundbreaking technologies in the fields of speech recognition and audio processing.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Nagano has collaborated with esteemed colleagues, including Gakuto Kurata and Masayuki A. Suzuki. These partnerships have fostered innovation and enhanced the development of his patent contributions, leading to advancements in the acoustic domain.

Conclusion

Toru Nagano’s continuous pursuit of innovation in acoustic technology has established him as a leading inventor in his field. With his expertise reflected in his extensive patent portfolio, he continues to influence the future of audio data processing and related technologies, ensuring that advancements in this area remain at the forefront of research and application.