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  Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile deviceUSPTO Application #: 20070036370Title: Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device Abstract: A mobile device includes an air conduction microphone and an alternative sensor that provides an alternative sensor signal indicative of speech. A communication interface permits the mobile device to communicate directly with other mobile devices. (end of abstract)
Agent: Westman Champlin (microsoft Corporation) - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Randy Phyllis Granovetter, Michael J. Sinclair, Zhengyou Zhang, Zicheng Liu USPTO Applicaton #: 20070036370 - Class: 381311000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems And Devices, Binaural And Stereophonic, Stereo Speaker Arrangement, Stereo Earphone, Wireless Or For Use In Diverse The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070036370. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/962,954, filed on Oct. 12, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to mobile devices. In particular, the present invention relates to multi-sensory mobile devices. [0003] Mobile hand-held devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants that provide phone functions or accept speech input are often used in adverse noise environments such as busy streets, restaurants, airports, and cars. The strong ambient noise in these environments can obscure the user's speech and make it difficult to understand what the person is saying. In addition, it severely degrades speech recognition accuracy. [0004] While noise filtering systems have been developed that attempt to remove noise based on a model of the noise, these systems have not been able to remove all of the noise. In particular, many of these systems have found it difficult to remove noise that consists of other people speaking in the background. One reason for this is that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for these systems to determine that a speech signal received by a microphone came from someone other than the person using the mobile device. [0005] For phone headsets, which are kept in position on the user's head by looping the headset over the user's head or ear, systems have been developed that provide more robust noise filtering by relying on additional types of sensors in the headset. In one example, a bone conduction sensor is placed on one end of the head set and is pressed into contact with the skin covering the users skull, ear, or mandible by the resilience of the headset. The bone conduction sensor detects vibrations in the skull, ear or mandible that are created when the user speaks. Using the signal from the bone conduction sensor, this system is able to better identify when the user is speaking and as a result is better able to filter noise in the speech signal. [0006] Although such systems work well for headsets, headsets have been limited to communicating along a wired connection to a phone. As such, their use in broader communication applications is limited. In addition, a headset is visually unattractive (big and bulky) as well as uncomfortable to wear for all day and as a result, users are unlikely to want to leave them in place during the day. This makes headsets cumbersome to use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] A mobile device is provided that includes an air conduction microphone and an alternative sensor that provides an alternative sensor signal indicative of speech. A communication interface permits the mobile device to communicate directly with other mobile devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. [0009] FIG. 2 shows the phone of FIG. 1 in position on the left side of a user's head. [0010] FIG. 3 shows the phone of FIG. 1 in position on the right side of a user's head. [0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a bone conduction microphone. [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an alternative bone-conduction microphone under one embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of a necklace embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 8 is a back view of the necklace embodiment of FIG. 7. [0016] FIG. 9 shows the necklace embodiment of FIG. 7 positioned on a user. [0017] FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a bracelet/watch embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 11 is block diagram of a mobile device under one embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a general speech processing system of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing possible communication connection of mobile devices of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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