Communication device and method for endpointing speech utterances

A method for endpointing speech utterances, wherein the speech utterances have a start endpoint and an end endpoint, comprising the steps of:

• (a) analyzing a speech signal to determine speech waveform parameters within a speech acquisition window, wherein the speech waveform parameters include a cumulative frame energy, an energy centroid of the speech waveform, and a total window energy;
• (b) identifying a potential start endpoint by analyzing frames in the speech acquisition window that precede the energy centroid;
• and
• (c) validating the potential start endpoint is the start endpoint by comparing the cumulative frame energy at the potential start endpoint to the total window energy.

A radiotelephone, comprising:

• at least one microprocessor for endpointing speech utterances, wherein the speech utterances have a start endpoint and an end endpoint, the at least one microprocessor having a speech/noise classifier,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor analyzes a speech signal to determine speech waveform parameters within a speech acquisition window, wherein the speech waveform parameters include a cumulative frame energy, an energy centroid of the speech waveform, and a total window energy,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor validates the energy centroid is within a speech region of the speech acquisition window,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor identifies a potential start endpoint by analyzing frames in the speech acquisition window that precede the energy centroid,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor validates the potential start endpoint is the start endpoint by comparing the cumulative frame energy at the potential start endpoint to the total window energy,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor identifies a potential end endpoint by analyzing frames in the speech acquisition window that follow the energy centroid,
• wherein the at least one microprocessor validates the potential end endpoint is the end endpoint by comparing the cumulative frame energy at the potential end endpoint to the total window energy;
• and
• a microphone for providing the speech signal to the at least one microprocessor;
• audio circuitry operatively connected to the microphone and at least one microprocessor, the audio circuitry having an analog-to-digital converter;
• and
• a memory operatively connected to the at least one microprocessor.