Method and system for estimation of a source of a voice signal

Details Method and system for estimation of a source of a voice signal Method and system for estimation of a source of a voice signal

1998-12-21

2001-03-27

Hudspeth, David (Department: 2641)

Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language

Speech signal processing

Application

C704S251000, C379S088190

Reexamination Certificate

active

06208970

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to estimating origins of a voice signal, and more particularly to a method and system used to estimate if a voice signal is formed by a machine or a human. The method and system are particularly well suited for use in an automated telephone call establishment system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated call establishment systems, often referred to as telephone dial systems, are known in the art. These systems are often used to deliver pre-recorded messages or connect call handling agents to telephone subscribers. Typically, such systems automatically dial pre-identified telephone subscribers and present the pre-recorded message or call handling agents to the subscribers once a placed call has been answered.
Call progress analysis techniques are often used to assess if a call has been answered, and if so, if the call has been answered by a human or machine. If the call is answered by a machine, it may be undesirable to connect a call handling agent to the call, instead a specific pre-recorded message might be played or the call may disconnected. Similarly, calls answered by a human may be transferred to an agent, or presented with a different pre-recorded message.
Typically, such techniques rely on call progress tones generated by telephony equipment related to a far end subscriber. Often such call progress tones are unavailable, or imperceptible. Other techniques analyze the energy of a far-end call signal. However, such techniques cannot typically distinguish a live human voice from a pre-recorded voice, as is often generated by an answering machine; interactive voice response (“IVR”) unit, or the like.
Accordingly, an improved technique that may be used in assessing call progress in a call establishment system, and that may estimate the source of a far-end voice signal that may originate with a live human or a machine is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, speech recognition techniques are applied to a voice signal to estimate whether the voice signal likely originates with a live human or a machine.
In accordance with the present invention, a voice signal is received at a computing device, preferably as a result of an established call connection. Speech recognition is applied to the voice signal to form indicators of recognized spoken words in the voice signal. The formed indicators are compared to one or more stored indicators identifying words likely generated by a machine or a human. As a result of the comparison an estimate if the voice signal is more likely formed by a machine or a human is made.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a call may be classified as likely originating with a machine voice source or a human voice source by counting the number of words in the voice signal prior to a significant pause.
Preferably, speech recognition is combined with receipt and recognition of conventional call progress indicators to estimate if a call connection has been made to a machine or human.
Advantageously, call progress analysis in call establishment systems is improved significantly through use of the present invention.


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patent: 5644624 (1997-07-01), Caldwell
patent: 5724420 (1998-03-01), Torgrim

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