The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2000
Carol Espy-Wilson, Cambridge, MA (US);
Trustees of Boston University, Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
In electrolaryngeal speech, an excitation signal is provided by means of a buzzer held against the neck. The buzzer is usually operated at a constant frequency. While such Transcutaneous Artificial Larynges (TALs) provide a means for verbal communication for people who are unable to use their own, the monotone F pattern results in poor speech quality. In the present invention, cepstral analysis is used to replace the original F contour of the TAL speech with a normal F pattern. Spectral analysis shows that this substitution results in two changes: (a) a varying F contour and (b) removal of steady background noise due to the leakage of acoustic energy. Perceptual tests were conducted to assess speech, before and after cepstral processing, produced by four laryngectomized speakers (2 males and 2 females). All speakers used the Servox TAL. The results indicate a clear preference for the processed speech.