Virtual presence
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorHoward Bubb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and terminal for facilitating a “virtual presence” allows users on a communication network to simply begin speaking through other users. A system immediately detects the destination party's name, and begins routing the audio signal to a particular destination without any noticeable call set-up. Additionally, the system performs pitch corrected speed control in order to allow the detection and processing of a speech pattern without causing delay to an end user.
Claims16
A terminal for facilitating a virtual presence between an originating entity and a destination entity, said terminal comprising:
- a memory for storing an incoming speech segment from an originating entity;
- a signal processor for processing said incoming speech segment and for determining a destination entity address from said incoming speech segment;
- transmission means for transmitting said speech segment in a pitch corrected increased speed mode for a duration determined by said signal processor, and for then automatically switching to a mode to transmit a second speech segment at normal speed;
- and
- whereby a setup delay is invisible to both parties.
A virtual presence server comprising:
- memory for storing an incoming speech segment from an originating entity, said speech segment being received over a data network;
- a signal processor for processing said incoming speech segment and for determining a destination entity from said incoming speech segment;
- transmission means for establishing a virtual circuit between said originating entity and said destination entity, and for transmitting said speech segment and speech received subsequent to said speech segment in a pitch corrected speed control format for a duration determined by said processor, and then automatically switching to a mode that does not include pitch corrected speed control.
A virtual presence network comprising;
- a plurality of audio terminals;
- a signal processor connected to the network for accepting a speech segment from at least one of said terminals and for recognizing an intended destination for the speech segment;
- means for transmitting address identifying indicia of an originating of said at least one terminal to said destination so as to automatically authorize or reject said speech segment;
- means for conveying the speech to an intended recipient at said destination only if an originator of said speech segment is authorized by said destination entity.
A pitch corrected speed control and analysis device for speech comprising;
- a processor for recognizing information contained within a segment of speech;
- and
- means for transmitting the segment in pitch corrected speed control mode only for an amount of time sufficient to eliminate any delay required to recognize said information contained, and for ceasing pitch corrected speed control thereafter.
A method of establishing a voice communication between an originating entity and a destination entity over a data network, the method comprising:
- speaking a phrase at an originating terminal, the phrase having as its beginning a name of the destination entity with which communication is desired;
- ascertaining a network address for said destination entity from said phrase;
- entering said phrase into a buffer;
- establishing communication between said an originating entity and said destination entity;
- transmitting the phrase from the buffer to the ascertained network address at a pitch controlled increased speed;
- and
- continuing to speak at said originating terminal without waiting while said communication is established.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.