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Detecting Speech Without Microphones

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the this-kind-of-wierds-me-out dept.

kyle90 writes "New Scientist is reporting on a new way of detecting speech without using microphones, using electrodes places on the neck that measure muscle activity and nerve impulses. Apparently the user doesn't even need to speak the words out loud in order for them to be detected. This looks like pretty neat technology; if used with cell phones it could give the user a little more privacy, and the rest of us a little more peace and quiet."

6 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Anybody ever read Ender's Game? by Nate4D · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This sounds almost exactly like the subvocalization technology that Ender uses to communicate with Jane in the later books.

    As those who've read it will remember, silent communication while around others can lead to a whole new set of problems all it's own... Especially when it's apparent that you're communicating, but not what you're saying.

    --
    "Oh, I like geeks way better than I like humans." - Mari Sarris
  2. Expletive NOT deleted by G4from128k · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is a great idea until you mutter some expletive under your breath while talking to your boss. I can also foresee some embarrassments for those that can't read without moving their lips.

    --
    Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
  3. Vocal cords by DaLukester · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My first question is this: The vocal cords are resonators, they move because air is moving over them. If the cords aren't making any noise, it's because they aren't moving. If they aren't moving how does this system pick up their movement. If you have to sub vocalise (ie mumble quietly to yourself) then how is this different from the throat mike that has been around for ages. Very skimpy article for the New Scientist (all new, no science)

    --
    It is easier to square the circle than to get round a mathematician. A.De Morgan 1872
    1. Re:Vocal cords by wik · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I'm also suspicious. The distinction between many sounds is the placement or movement of the tongue. For instance, I can whisper and be understandable without moving my vocal cords. They describe this device as something that "detects" speech by observing the vocal cords, not the tongue. How does it work?

      Also, it sounds like the speech is recognized and converted into words in this system (as in Sphyinx or commercial voice recognition software?). The accuracy of even the best voice recognition software is still too poor to be used in general applications (and requires a fast P4 to do the recognition in real-time). It'll be a while before any cell phones carry this.

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  4. Re:Huh? by CSMastermind · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The process of speech is one that involves several steps, you must inhale, make your vocal cords viberate, exhale through the viberating vocal cords, and then use your mouth and tounge to shape the air as it's going out to produce a certain sound. Any one of these steps can be done by itself but it won't produce speech. It's the same way you can "mouth" words to a freind who's sitting on the opposite side of a quite room, you are saying the words...just very quitely so that nobody can hear them.

  5. Bone-induction Mics by LordMyren · · Score: 4, Interesting

    aircraft pilots have been using bone-induction mic's since WWII; there's no other way to block out the background noise. this is interesting because it reads from the nervous system directly

    are there any good bone-induction mics for cell phone / portable usage? i spent a while looking a couple years back and turned up two things, both of which were ear-mounted. i'd much rather a throat mounted system; i imagine its much better able to pick up sound.