Audio Stream Splitting for PSAP Call Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency call-takers at PSAPs face challenges in handling Open Line calls, where callers cannot speak or communicate effectively, leading to difficulties in assessing situations and potentially dangerous or resource-wasting responses.
Innovation Solution
The system splits incoming audio streams into two instances, optimizing speech intelligibility for the call-taker and background sound analysis for automated or manual processing, using sound libraries and visual displays to aid in immediate decision-making and resource dispatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the audio stream is transmitted without modification to the call-taker, then the call-taker receives the complete original audio, but the call-taker cannot effectively perform both speech intelligibility assessment and background sound identification simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The audio stream is divided into two separate instances: one optimized for speech intelligibility delivery to the call-taker, and another analyzed for background sound identification. This segmentation allows each processed stream to be specialized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between maintaining speech quality and enabling background analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
Background sound information is extracted from the mixed audio stream through automated analysis of a separate audio instance. This extraction enables the call-taker to focus on speech communication while the system independently identifies background sounds such as gunfire, alarms, or other emergency indicators.
2Measurement precision
If digital signal processing optimizes the audio stream for speech intelligibility, then speech understanding is improved, but background sound analysis becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates two separate processing paths from the audio stream: one optimized for speech intelligibility with appropriate DSP filtering and enhancement, and another preserved for background sound analysis. By segmenting the processing, each path can be optimized for its specific detection task without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality optimizations are applied to different portions of the audio processing system. The speech-optimized stream receives filtering and enhancement tailored for human speech frequencies and characteristics, while the background analysis stream maintains broader frequency response and different processing characteristics suitable for detecting environmental sounds.
3Loss of information
If the call-taker must identify both speech and background sounds manually, then comprehensive information gathering is possible, but response time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated background sound identification and analysis without requiring manual intervention from the call-taker. The automated process independently analyzes the audio stream, identifies background sounds, and presents relevant information to the call-taker, allowing the call-taker to focus on speech communication while the system handles background analysis autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the call-taker by presenting identified background sound information in the user interface. This feedback mechanism allows the call-taker to receive processed intelligence about background conditions (such as detected gunfire or alarms) without having to manually analyze the audio, thereby maintaining information completeness while improving response speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided such that a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) may utilize a new model to handle Open Line emergency calls, including audio optimization, automation, analysis, and presentation. Embodiments of the present disclosure assist with the difficult task of identifying background noise while trying to listen and talk to a caller, and give the best possible audio from the caller to the emergency call-taker or dispatcher. More particularly, an audio stream is split into at least two instances, with a first instance being optimized for speech intelligibility and provided to a call-taker or dispatcher and a second instance being provided for background sound analysis. Accordingly, the new PSAP Open Line model may allow for significantly more efficient emergency assessment, location, and management of resources.