Method and apparatus for improving listener differentiation of talkers during a conference call
US6882971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2250/62
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and associated apparatus for indicating the voice of each talker from a plurality of talkers to be heard by a listener. The method uses a signal that is transmitted over a telecommunications system. The method includes projecting the voice from each one of the plurality of talkers to the listener. A talker indicator is provided proximate to the listener. Talker identification information is generated in the talker indicator that can be used to indicate the identity of each talker who is speaking at any given time to the listener. A device is coupled to the talker indicator that can transmit the voice signal from each talker to the listener. In different aspects, the talker identification information can include such varied indicators as audio, video, or an announcement combined with a temporally compressed voice signal. In another aspect, an emotographic figure is displayed to the listener that each represent a distinct talker. The mood of each emotographic is somehow configured to reflect the mode of the talker, as indicated by the talker's voice.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.