Jonathan S Allen

US Patent:

55241484, Jun 4, 1996

Filed:

May 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/443509

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Mountainside NJ
Donald J. Youtkus - Scotch Plains NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04B 1500

US Classification:

379391

Abstract:

An automated method for modifying a speech signal in a telephone network by applying a gain factor which is a function of the level of background noise at a given destination, and transmitting the modified speech signal to the destination. The gain applied may be a function of both the background noise level and the original speech signal. Either a linear or a non-linear (e. g. , compressed) amplification of the original speech signal may be performed, where a compressed amplification results in the higher level portions of the speech signal being amplified by a smaller gain factor than lower level portions. The speech signal may be separated into a plurality of subbands, each resultant subband signal being individually modified in accordance with the present invention. In this case, each subband speech signal is amplified by a gain factor based on a corresponding subband noise signal, generated by separating the background noise signal into a corresponding plurality of subbands. The individual modified subband signals may then be combined to form the resultant modified speech signal.

US Patent:

55398065, Jul 23, 1996

Filed:

Sep 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/311647

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Mountainside NJ
John C. Songrady - Washington Crossing PA

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 300

US Classification:

379 52

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving the clarity and intelligibility of incoming speech in a telephone connection. Improved sound quality is provided by automatically selecting, or enabling the selection of, an appropriate sound enhancement for a particular individual at a given telephone number. Sound enhancements applied to calls originating from or terminating at a given telephone station are determined on a call-by-call basis. The sound enhancement set at the beginning of a telephone call can be changed mid-call to a different sound enhancement. Thus, different occupants of a household may select their own sound enhancement, or may select no enhancement at all.

US Patent:

58481729, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Nov 22, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/755506

Inventors:

Jonathan Brandon Allen - Mountainside NJ
John Charles Baumhauer - Indianapolis IN
James Edward West - Plainfield NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381356

Abstract:

A monolithic second order gradient (SOG) microphone structure employs acoustic transmission lines wherein the acoustic phase delay along each of the acoustic transmission lines is in direct proportion to the length of each of the acoustic transmission lines and, where this is effected by the use of an acoustic impedance element placed within each acoustic transmission line that has an acoustic impedance related to the acoustic impedance of the associated acoustic transmission line. In one embodiment, the acoustic impedance element has a specific acoustic impedance substantially matched to the specific acoustic characteristic resistance of the acoustic transmission line. Various embodiments may utilize acoustic or electrical subtraction of the signals in the acoustic transmission lines to realize the desired directional sound pickup.

US Patent:

44425406, Apr 10, 1984

Filed:

Jun 4, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/270543

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Westfield NJ

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G10L 100

US Classification:

381 31

Abstract:

A system for interpolating digital data signals to a frequency band above analog speech signals in a common transmission channel is disclosed. The system utilizes short time frequency analysis techniques to determine the cutoff frequency of the speech signal. Data signals temporarily held in storage within the system are thereafter modulated into an unused frequency band of the transmission channel above that needed for speech signals. The combined speech and data signals in the system are sent to a receiver which relays the respective speech and data signals to their appropriate locations. This system is compatible with digital signal processing techniques using Fast Fourier Transform Technology in conjunction with solid state logic elements.

US Patent:

44171021, Nov 22, 1983

Filed:

Jun 4, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/270542

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Westfield NJ

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G10L 100

US Classification:

364513

Abstract:

Improved digital encoding of an input speech signal for transmission uses an adaptive low-pass filter and adaptive coder responsive to the total spectral energy of the input signal, thereby providing reduced coder bit rate at constant coder noise, or conversely reduced coder noise at constant bit rate.

US Patent:

55264190, Jun 11, 1996

Filed:

Dec 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/175038

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Mountainside NJ
Donald J. Youtkus - Scotch Plains NJ

Assignee:

At&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 160

US Classification:

379387

Abstract:

An automated method for modifying a speech signal communicated over a telephone network by applying a gain factor in a telephone set before any side tone is added thereto. The gain factor is a function of a received signal indicative of the background noise at the location of the telephone set. The gain applied may be a function of both the background noise level and the original speech signal. Either a linear or a non-linear (e. g. , compressed) amplification of the original speech signal may be performed, where a compressed amplification results in the higher level portions of the speech signal being amplified by a smaller gain factor than lower level portions. The speech signal may be separated into a plurality of subbands, each resultant subband signal being individually modified in accordance with the present invention. In this case, each subband speech signal is amplified by a gain factor based on a corresponding subband noise signal, generated by separating the background noise signal into a corresponding plurality of subbands. The individual modified subband signals may then be combined to form the resultant modified speech signal.

US Patent:

57373892, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Dec 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/573743

Inventors:

Jonathan Brandon Allen - Mountainside NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - Middletown NJ

International Classification:

H04M 124
H04M 308
H04M 322

US Classification:

379 1

Abstract:

A "loudness balance" procedure is used to determine the amount of dynamic range for syllabic compression loss in an individual's cochlea. In particular, an individual is asked to adjust a set of tone volumes, which are played to them, until the tone volumes sound equally loud. Based on the adjustments performed by the individual, a compression ratio is determined for that individual over at least one frequency band. The determined compression ratio is then subsequently used by a telecommunications system to provide an individual-specific sound enhancement in a telephone call. As a result, the individual-specific sound enhancement particularly compensates for an amount of hearing loss unique to that individual.

US Patent:

54855152, Jan 16, 1996

Filed:

Dec 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/175095

Inventors:

Jonathan B. Allen - Mountainside NJ
Donald J. Youtkus - Scotch Plains NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 908

US Classification:

379391

Abstract:

An automated method for modifying a speech signal in a telephone network by applying a gain factor which is a function of the level of background noise at a given destination, and transmitting the modified speech signal to the destination. The gain applied may be a function of both the background noise level and the original speech signal. Either a linear or a non-linear (e. g. , compressed) amplification of the original speech signal may be performed, where a compressed amplification results in the higher level portions of the speech signal being amplified by a smaller gain factor than lower level portions. The speech signal may be separated into a plurality of subbands, each resultant subband signal being individually modified in accordance with the present invention. In this case, each subband speech signal is amplified by a gain factor based on a corresponding subband noise signal, generated by separating the background noise signal into a corresponding plurality of subbands. The individual modified subband signals may then be combined to form the resultant modified speech signal.