A method for utilizing validity constraints in a speech endpoint detector comprises a validity manager that may utilize a pulse width module to validate utterances that include a plurality of energy pulses during a certain time period. The validity manager also may utilize a minimum power module to ensure that speech energy below a pre-determined level is not classified as a valid utterance. In addition the validity manager may use a duration module to ensure that valid utterances fall within a specified duration. Finally, the validity manager may utilize a short-utterance minimum power module to specifically distinguish an utterance of short duration from background noise based on the energy level of the short utterance.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to, and claims priority in, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/160,809, entitled "Method For Utilizing Validity Constraints In A Speech Endpoint Detector," filed on Oct. 21, 1999. This application is a continuation-in-part to, and claims priority in, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/957,875, entitled "Method For Implementing A Speech Recognition System For Use During Conditions With Background Noise," filed on Oct. 20, 1997, now U.S. Pat. 6,216,103, and a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/176,178, entitled "Method For Suppressing Background Noise In A Speech Detection System," filed on Oct. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. 6,230,122 entitled "Speech Detection With Noise Suppression Based On Principal Components Analysis. All of the foregoing related applications are commonly assigned, and are hereby incorporated by reference.
