Method and apparatus for transmitting user-customized high- quality, low- bit-rate speech

摘要

A method and apparatus for improving the quality and transmission rates of speech is presented. Upon connection of a call with a receiving terminal, a communication unit (12, 26, 28, 42, 57, 54, 60) reads a dynamic user-specific speech characteristics model (SCM) table and user- specific input stimulus table and sends them to an appropriate point in the connection path with the receiving terminal. As normal voice conversation begins, the user's speech is collected into speech frames. The speech frames are compared to input stimuli entries in the user- specific input stimulus table, and are used to calculate SCMs which are compared to dynamic user-specific SCM table entries in the dynamic user- specific SCM table to generate an encoded bit stream. Simultaneously, speech characteristics statistics are collected and analyzed in view of multiple available generic SCMs to update and improve the dynamic user- specific SCM table during the progress of the call to closely track changes in the user's voice.