Method and system for masking speech
US7505898B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04K2203/12
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A simple and efficient method for producing an obfuscated speech signal which may be used to mask a stream of speech, is disclosed. A speech signal representing the speech stream to be masked is obtained. The speech signal is then temporally partitioned into segments, preferably corresponding to phonemes within the speech stream. The segments are then stored in a memory, and some or all of the segments are subsequently selected, retrieved, and assembled into an obfuscated speech signal representing an unintelligible speech stream that, when combined with the speech signal or reproduced and combined with the speech stream, provides a masking effect. While the presently preferred embodiment finds application most readily in an open plan office, embodiments suitable for use in restaurants, classrooms, and in telecommunications systems are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.