Speaking period detection device, voice recognition processing device, transmission system, signal level control device and speaking period detection method

A speaking period detection method comprising:

• detecting an electromyography (EMG) from a pair of electrodes provided on a portion of the case of a terminal used by a speaker for speaking, the portion being in contact with the speaker's skin while the speaker is speaking;
• detecting a speaking period, by comparing a value obtained from a feature amount extracted from the EMG detected with a predetermined threshold to detect a speech start timing and a speech end timing of the speaking period;
• and
• counting the result of the comparison of the value obtained from the feature amount with the predetermined threshold,
• wherein the speaking period is determined only when a count value of the counter exceeds a predetermined value, and
• wherein the feature amount is any one of a root mean square (RMS) value, an average relative variation (ARV) value, an integrated electro muscle graphy (iEMG), a frequency spectrum of an EMG, and the number of crossings with a threshold value.

A mobile terminal comprising:

• a speaking period detection device;
• and
• a pair of electrodes provided on a portion, of the mobile terminal, in contact with a facial skin surface of a speaker who is speaking,
• the speaking period detection device comprising:
• an electromyography (EMG) detection unit for detecting an EMG from the pair of electrodes;
• a speaking period detection unit for detecting a speaking period, by comparing a value obtained from a feature amount extracted from the EMG detected by the EMG detection unit with a predetermined threshold to detect a speech start timing and a speech end timing of the speaking period;
• and
• a counter for counting the result of the comparison of the value obtained from the feature amount with the predetermined threshold,
• wherein the speaking period detection unit determines the speaking period only when a count value of the counter exceeds a predetermined value.