Noise-Vocoded Speech Signal Generation for Foreign Language Learning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foreign language learning methods are inefficient in activating brain regions beyond those typically used for speech perception and production, limiting the effectiveness of language learning in a globalized world.
Innovation Solution
A foreign language learning apparatus that generates Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound by degrading frequency band signals of a speech signal, activating additional brain regions through noise degradation, and adjusting difficulty and frequency bands based on learner response, forming new neural networks for language learning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional speech signals are used for foreign language learning, then speech perception is maintained, but brain activation is limited to typical speech regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the frequency band parameters of the speech signal. The speech signal is divided into multiple frequency bands (e.g., 4 bands: 0-600Hz, 600-1500Hz, 1500-2500Hz, 2500-4000Hz) and noise is added to each band independently, changing the spectral parameters while preserving temporal envelope information. This activates additional brain regions beyond those used for normal speech processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of noise degradation into a beneficial learning tool. By intentionally degrading the speech signal with noise across different frequency bands, the system stimulates broader brain region activation and enhances foreign language learning effectiveness, turning what would normally be interference into a useful training mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If noise degradation is applied to speech signals, then brain activation is enhanced, but speech intelligibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively adding noise to only certain frequency bands while leaving others relatively intact or applying different noise levels. This partial degradation approach provides enough challenge to activate additional brain regions while maintaining sufficient speech intelligibility for effective learning. The noise addition is controlled and selective rather than comprehensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the speech signal into multiple frequency bands and applies noise degradation independently to each segment. This segmentation allows different portions of the speech spectrum to be processed differently, with some bands providing stronger neural stimulation while others maintain better speech fidelity, achieving a balance between brain activation and intelligibility.
3Productivity
If fixed difficulty level is used in foreign language learning, then learning structure is simple, but learning efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the difficulty level adjustable and adaptable. The system can dynamically change the number of frequency bands, the noise level in each band, and the speech rate based on learner progress and performance. This dynamic adjustment optimizes learning efficiency by matching the challenge level to the learner's current ability, preventing both boredom and overwhelming difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor learner performance and use this information to adjust the learning parameters. Based on feedback from the learner's responses and progress, the system automatically modifies the noise degradation level, frequency band configuration, and speech material difficulty, creating an adaptive learning loop that continuously optimizes for learning efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The increasing globalization of the world necessitates further strengthening of foreign language learning policies. The brain's foreign language recognition activity is enhanced and effective foreign language learning is enabled by extracting signals of prescribed bands from a speech signal in a foreign language using a first bandpass filter section having two or more bandpass filters, extracting the envelopes of each frequency band signal using envelope extraction sections having envelope extractors, applying a noise source signal to a second bandpass filter section having two or more bandpass filters and extracting noise signals corresponding to the prescribed bands, multiplying the outputs of the first bandpass filter section and the second bandpass filter section in multiplication sections, summing up the outputs of the multiplication sections in an addition section to produce a Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signal, and presenting the Noise-Vocoded Speech Sound signals for listening.