Method and apparatus for improved voice activity detection in a packet voice network

A method for performing voice activity detection comprising:

• a) receiving an input signal derived from audio information, the input signal including a plurality of frames, each frame containing either one of active audio information and passive audio information;
• b) processing the input signal for generating an output signal capable to acquire at least two possible states, namely a first state and a second state, the first state being indicative of an input signal containing active audio information, the second state being indicative of an input signal containing passive audio information, the processing including:
• i) for one or more frames received and containing active audio information, computing a hangover time period, the computing including determining whether the hangover time period has a fixed duration or a variable duration on the basis of characteristics of the active audio information contained in the one or more frames;
• ii) detecting a frame received at said input subsequently to the one or more frames containing active audio information, that contains passive audio information;
• and
• iii) causing the output signal to acquire the second state after the expiry of the computed hangover time period from the detecting of the frame containing passive audio information.

A voice activity detection apparatus, comprising:

• a) input means for receiving an input signal derived from audio information, the input signal including a plurality of frames, each frame containing either one of active audio information and passive audio information;
• b) processing means for processing the input signal for generating an output signal capable to acquire at least two possible states, namely a first state and a second state, said first state being indicative of an input signal containing active audio information, said second state being indicative of an input signal containing passive audio information, said processing means being operative to:
• i) for one or more frames received at said input means and containing active audio information, compute a hangover time period, the computation including determining whether the hangover time period has a fixed duration or a variable duration, the determining being done on the basis of characteristics of the active audio information contained in the one or more frames;
• ii) detecting a frame received at said input means subsequently to the one or more frames containing the active audio information, that contains passive audio information;
• and
• iii) causing the output signal to acquire said second state after the expiry of the computed hangover time period from the detecting of the frame containing the passive audio information.