Eliot M Case

US Patent:

6335973, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Oct 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/956677

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO

Assignee:

Qwest Communications International Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

H03G 300

US Classification:

381 61, 381 98

Abstract:

A system and method for improving clarity of an audio signal selects frequencies of the audio signal for processing and adds even harmonic distortion to the selected frequencies, preferably, of at least the second order. The system and method are particularly suited for hearing aid, voice messaging, and telephony applications. In addition, the system and method may be applied to other very low bandwidth signals, such as data compressed audio signals, computer voice files, computer audio files, and numerous other technologies which have an audio response less than normal human perception. The technique also applies to the use of perceptually coded audio.

US Patent:

6463405, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/771790

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO 80227

International Classification:

G10L 1902

US Classification:

704206, 704258

Abstract:

A method, system and product are provided for loss-less encoding of a digital signal representing an audible sound. The method includes dividing the digital signal into a plurality of frames, dividing each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of subbands, and assigning each of the plurality of subbands an indicator selected from the group consisting of positive, zero, and negative, wherein the indicator selected is based on a polarity and a magnitude of the subband. The method further includes assigning each of the plurality of subbands one of a plurality of scale factors, wherein each scale factor represents a sound level range of at most two decibels, and generating a digital word for each of the plurality of frames, each digital word having a scale factor section including the scale factors for the plurality of subbands in the frame, and a sample data section including the indicators for the plurality of subbands in the frame. The system includes a sampler, a filter and control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

US Patent:

6477496, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/772591

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO 80227

International Classification:

G10L 1304

US Classification:

704272, 704209, 704261

Abstract:

A method, system and product are provided for synthesizing sound using encoded audio signals having a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having a scale factor and sample data associated therewith. The method includes selecting a spectral envelope, and selecting a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having sample data associated therewith. The method also includes generating a synthetic encoded audio signal having a plurality of frequency subbands, the subbands having the selected spectral envelope and the selected sample data. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

US Patent:

6516299, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/771462

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO

Assignee:

Qwest Communication International, Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

G10L 2100

US Classification:

704500, 7042001

Abstract:

A method, system and product for modifying the dynamic range of an encoded audio signal. The method includes receiving the encoded audio signal, the encoded audio signal having a first set of scale factors associated with a first dynamic range, and identifying a playback destination for the encoded audio signal, the playback destination having a second dynamic range. The method also includes mapping the first set of scale factors to a second set of scale factors associated with the second dynamic range, and replacing the first set of scale factors in the encoded audio signal with the second set of scale factors to create a modified encoded audio signal for decoding and reassembly at the playback destination. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

US Patent:

6782365, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/771469

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO

Assignee:

Qwest Communications International Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

G10L 2100

US Classification:

704278

Abstract:

A graphic interface system and product are provided for editing an encoded audio signal. The system includes a receiver for receiving an encoded audio signal having multiple frequency subbands, as well as control logic operative to generate a spectral graph of the encoded audio signal, the spectral graph including an amplitude of each frequency subband as a function of time, and to mark a selectable edit point of the encoded audio signal. The system also includes a display unit for displaying the spectral graph including the edit point marked, and an input device for selecting the edit point. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions recorded thereon.

US Patent:

6862568, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Mar 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/818208

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Qwest Communications International, Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

G10L013/08
G10L021/00

US Classification:

704260, 704268, 704278

Abstract:

A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The method comprises generating voice data based on a sequence of voice recordings by concatenating adjacent recordings in the sequence of voice recordings. Concatenating a first recording and a second recording adjacent to the first recording includes manipulating the ending sonic feature of the first recording to determine a first recording switch point, manipulating the starting sonic feature of the second recording to determine a second recording switch point, and synchronizing the first recording switch point and the second recording switch point.

US Patent:

6871178, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/818968

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO, US
Judith L. Weirauch - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Qwest Communications International, Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

G10L013/02

US Classification:

704260, 704258

Abstract:

A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The digital voice library includes a plurality of speech items and a corresponding plurality of voice recordings. Each speech item corresponds to at least one available voice recording. Multiple voice recordings that correspond to a single speech item represent various inflections of that single speech item. The method includes receiving text data, converting the text data into a sequence of speech items in accordance with the digital voice library. The method further includes establishing multiple voice recordings in the digital voice library that correspond to a single inflection of a single speech item, for a plurality of inflections of a plurality of speech items, that represent various ligatures for the single inflection of the single speech item with adjacent speech items.

US Patent:

6907119, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Mar 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/802068

Inventors:

Eliot M. Case - Denver CO, US
Carl W. Pacheco - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Qwest Communications International, Inc. - Denver CO

International Classification:

H04M003/42
H04M001/64
H04M003/00
H04M005/00

US Classification:

37921801, 379 8804, 37926502

Abstract:

Automated business directory assistance routes a call for directory assistance to a speech recognizer which determines the type of assistance requested. If the request is for business information, the requested information is automatically retrieved. Otherwise, the call is routed to a call center.