Patent Abstract:
Headsets having corresponding audio adapters and methods comprise: a microphone configured to generate analog audio for a voice call; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog audio to digital audio; a voice activity detector configured to detect speech in the digital audio; a processor configured to i) determine a temporal characteristic of the speech, and ii) generate a message based on the temporal characteristic of the speech and a temporal characteristic of the voice call; and a transmitter configured to transmit the message.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to the field of audio processing. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to analysis of voice calls. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This background section is provided for the purpose of generally describing the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
         [0003]    Customer calls into a business can often be emotional events. The customer is calling for help to solve a problem. If a customer and an employee are having difficulty in reaching an agreed resolution the call may become problematic. Keeping a customer, and solving the customer&#39;s problem, are very important to repeat business opportunities. Therefore it is desirable to identify problematic customer calls. 
         [0004]    Some conventional approaches employ software to analyze the content of the call in an attempt to identify words or phrases that may indicate a problem call. However, such approaches tend to be processor-intensive, and so cannot be applied in real time. In addition, the required software may be prohibitively expensive to purchase. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a headset comprising: a microphone configured to generate analog audio for a voice call; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog audio to digital audio; a voice activity detector configured to detect speech in the digital audio; a processor configured to i) determine a temporal characteristic of the speech, and ii) generate a message based on the temporal characteristic of the speech and a temporal characteristic of the voice call; and a transmitter configured to transmit the message. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the headset may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine an interval elapsing between i) transfer of the voice call to the headset, and ii) occurrence of the speech; and the message describes the interval. In some embodiments, the transmitter is further configured to transmit the digital audio. In some embodiments, wherein the voice activity detector is a first voice activity detector, wherein the audio is first audio, and wherein the speech is first speech, the headset further comprises: a receiver configured to receive second digital audio; and a voice activity detector configured to detect second speech in the second digital audio; wherein the processor is further configured to determine the temporal characteristic of the voice call based on the second speech. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine at least one of: a first parameter representing a duration of contemporaneous occurrence of the first speech and the second speech, a second parameter representing a ratio of i) a duration of the first speech and ii) a duration of the second speech, and a third parameter representing a duration of no speech and at least one of iii) a duration of the first speech and iv) a duration of the second speech; and the message includes at least one of the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter. In some embodiments, wherein the analog audio is first analog audio, the headset further comprises: a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the second digital audio to second analog audio; and a speaker configured to generate sound based on the second analog audio. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech; and the message describes the amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech. 
         [0007]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an audio adapter comprising: a headset interface configured to receive analog audio for a voice call; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog audio to digital audio; a voice activity detector configured to detect speech in the digital audio; a processor configured to i) determine a temporal characteristic of the speech, and ii) generate a message based on the temporal characteristic of the speech and a temporal characteristic of the voice call; and a host interface configured to transmit the message. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the audio adapter may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine an interval elapsing between i) transfer of the voice call to the audio adapter, and ii) occurrence of the speech; and the message describes the interval. In some embodiments, the host interface is further configured to transmit the digital audio. In some embodiments, wherein the audio is first audio, and wherein the speech is first speech, the audio adapter further comprises: a second voice activity detector configured to detect second speech in the second digital audio; wherein the processor is further configured to determine the temporal characteristic of the voice call based on the second speech. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine at least one of: a first parameter representing a duration of contemporaneous occurrence of the first speech and the second speech; a second parameter representing a ratio of i) a duration of the first speech and ii) a duration of the second speech; and a third parameter representing a duration of no speech and at least one of iii) a duration of the first speech and iv) a duration of the second speech; and the message includes at least one of the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter. Some embodiments comprise a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the second digital audio to second analog audio. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech; and the message describes the amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech. 
         [0009]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a method for a headset comprising: generating analog audio for a voice call; converting the analog audio to digital audio; detecting speech in the digital audio; determining a temporal characteristic of the speech; generating a message based on the temporal characteristic of the speech and a temporal characteristic of the voice call; and transmitting the message. 
         [0010]    Embodiments of the method may include one or more of the following features. determining an interval elapsing between i) transfer of the voice call to the headset, and ii) occurrence of the speech; and describing the interval in the message. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, wherein the audio is first audio, and wherein the speech is first speech, the method further comprises: receiving second digital audio; detecting second speech in the second digital audio, and determining the temporal characteristic of the voice call based on the second speech. Some embodiments comprise determining at least one of a first parameter representing a duration of contemporaneous occurrence of the first speech and the second speech, a second parameter representing a ratio of i) a duration of the first speech and ii) a duration of the second speech, and a third parameter representing a duration of no speech and at least one of iii) a duration of the first speech and iv) a duration of the second speech; and including at least one of the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter in the message. In some embodiments, wherein the analog audio is first analog audio, the method further comprises: converting the second digital audio to second analog audio; and providing the second analog audio to a speaker of the headset. Some embodiments comprise determining amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech; and describing the amplitudes of the first speech and the second speech in the message. 
         [0012]    The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows elements of a contact center according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows elements of the active headset of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows elements of the audio adapter of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a process for the active headset and audio adapter of  FIGS. 1-3  according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in this specification indicates the number of the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide communication devices and methods for temporal analysis of voice calls. While some conventional approaches to voice call analysis examine the content of the speech in a voice call, the described embodiments examine the timing of the speech. While the disclosed embodiments are described in context of a voice call between a customer and a customer service agent, the described techniques are applicable to any voice call, and to any number of voice call participants. And while the disclosed embodiments are variously described as implemented in a headset, or in an audio adapter for connecting a headset with a host, the described techniques may be applied to other suitable communication devices. Other features are contemplated as well. 
         [0019]    Several useful metrics may be collected by temporal analysis of a voice call. Any of these metrics may be used to identify a problematic voice call. One such metric, which may be referred to as “crosstalk” or “doubletalk,” refers to events where the customer and the customer service agent speak at the same time. The occurrence of crosstalk, or duration of crosstalk in excess of a selected threshold, may be used to trigger an alert message to be sent from the communication device to a supervisor. In addition, an indicator of the crosstalk may be displayed on a monitor for the customer service agent. 
         [0020]    Another voice call metric that may be collected by temporal analysis of a voice call, which may be referred to as “talk vs. listen,” measures the amounts or relative amounts of conversation contributed by each party to a voice call or portion of a voice call, and may be expressed as a ratio. Some customer service calls are expected to be driven primarily by the customer, others by the customer service agent. The “talk vs. listen” metric can be used to determine best practices for a particular call type, for a particular customer type, and the like, based on successful customer contacts. The amount of silence during the voice call may also be incorporated into these metrics. For example, the metrics may include a ratio of customer speech amount to silence, a ratio of total speech amount to silence, and the like. These metrics may be compared to established baselines to assist with coaching and improvement of customer service agent performance. 
         [0021]    Another voice call metric that may be collected by temporal analysis of a voice call measures a speed of response of a customer service agent in answering a customer service call. For example, the metric may describe an interval elapsing between transfer of a voice call to the headset of the customer service agent and occurrence of speech in the voice call. In most cases, the agent will speak first, but in some cases, the customer may speak first. The metric may identify the first speaker. The transfer of the call to the agent may be initiated by an automatic call distributor or by the agent, for example by a button press on the agent&#39;s headset. 
         [0022]    In various embodiments, these metrics may be reported routinely by a communication device to a host, by push or pull technology, for action in real time or later analysis. In some embodiments, a metric exceeding a selected threshold may trigger the communication device to send a message to the host, for example to a supervisor for immediate action or for routine reporting. The message may include the metrics collected. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows elements of a contact center  100  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiment elements of the contact center  100  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of contact center  100  may be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. As another example, various elements of the contact center  100  may be implemented as one or more digital signal processors. In the present disclosure, the contact center  100  is described in terms of an agent in a call center. However, the techniques described herein are applicable to any headset user in any environment. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the contact center  100  may include an interactive voice response (IVR) system  102 , an automatic call distributor  104 , a customer relationship management (CRM) system  106 , and a personal computer (PC)  108 . A contact center agent may use an active headset  110  connected directly to the PC  108 , or may use a passive headset  112  connected to the PC  108  by an audio adapter  114 . The active headset  110  may be wired or wireless. 
         [0025]    The agent may log on using the PC  108 , and in some cases, the CRM system  106 . The logon may be automated. For example, the PC  108 , and in some cases the CRM system  106 , may recognize a serial number of the headset  110 ,  112  as belonging to the agent, and therefore automatically logon the agent. 
         [0026]    The IVR system  102  may receive calls from a call network  116 , provide voice prompts to the customer, and based on responses to the voice prompts, route the call to the ACD  104 . The ACD  104  may route the call to an agent selected on the basis of factors such as the agent&#39;s availability and areas of expertise. 
         [0027]    The active headset  110  or the audio adapter  114  may determine audio characteristics of the speech in the call, including temporal characteristics of the speech, and generate messages describing the determined audio characteristics. For example, the message may include measures of how often the customer and agent are speaking at the same time (that is, “crosstalk”), a ratio of the time during which the customer is speaking and the time during which the agent is speaking (that is, “talk vs. listen”), how fast the agent answers the call, and the like. The messages are sent to the PC  108 , where they may be augmented by other data such as agent ID, time of day, and the like. The messages may be collected in a database  118  that may reside locally or remotely, and may be sent to the agent or a supervisor. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows elements of the active headset  110  of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiment elements of the active headset  110  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of the active headset  110  may be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. As another example, various elements of the active headset  110  may be implemented as one or more digital signal processors. Various elements of the active headset  110  may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits. In the present disclosure, the active headset  110  is described in terms of an agent in a call center. However, the techniques described herein are applicable to any headset user in any environment. And while in the described embodiment the active headset  110  is connected to the PC  108  by a universal serial bus (USB) cable, the described techniques apply to other wired headsets and wireless headsets as well. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the active headset  110  includes a USB interface  202 , a digital signal processor (DSP)  204 , a processor  214 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  216 , a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  218 , an audio interface  220 , a speaker  222 , a microphone  224 , and a control  226 . 
         [0030]    The USB interface  202  may implement a USB protocol for communication with the PC  108 . The USB interface  202  may include a transmitter (TX)  234  and a receiver (RX)  236 . The audio interface  220  may provide signal conditioning for audio provided to the speaker  222  and audio received from the microphone  224 . The DSP  204  may perform volume control, equalization, sample rate conversion, noise reduction, sound pressure limitation, and the like. The DSP  204  may include one or more voice activity detectors (VAD). In particular, the DSP  204  may include a receive voice activity detector (RX VAD)  240  and a transmit voice activity detector (TX VAD)  244 . The RX VAD  240  may provide a signal  242  that indicates whether speech is present in the audio received from the USB interface  202 . The TX VAD  244  may provide a signal  246  that indicates whether speech is present in the audio received from the audio interface  220 . For example, each signal  242 ,  246  may be a binary signal, with one value representing the presence of speech and the other value representing the absence of speech. The signals  242 ,  246  of the VADS  240 ,  244  may be used by the processor  214  to determine the timing of the speech of the customer and the timing of the speech of the agent. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows elements of the audio adapter  114  of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiment elements of the audio adapter  114  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of the audio adapter  114  may be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. As another example, various elements of the audio adapter  114  may be implemented as one or more digital signal processors. In the present disclosure, the audio adapter  114  is described in terms of an agent in a call center. However, the techniques described herein are applicable to any headset user in any environment. And while in the described embodiment the audio adapter  114  is connected to the PC  108  by a universal serial bus (USB) cable, the described techniques apply to other connections as well. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the audio adapter  114  includes a USB interface  302 , a digital signal processor (DSP)  304 , a processor  314 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  316 , a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  318 , and an audio interface  320 . Each of the elements of the audio adapter  114  may be implemented in a manner similar to corresponding elements of the active headset  110  as described with reference to  FIG. 2  above, and may operate in a similar manner. 
         [0033]    The DSP  304  may include one or more voice activity detectors (VAD). In particular, the DSP  304  may include a receive voice activity detector (RX VAD)  340  and a transmit voice activity detector (TX VAD)  344 . The RX VAD  340  may provide a signal  342  that indicates whether speech is present in the audio received from the USB interface  402 . The TX VAD  344  may provide a signal  346  that indicates whether speech is present in the audio received from the audio interface  320 . For example, each signal  342 ,  346  may be a binary signal, with one value representing the presence of speech and the other value representing the absence of speech. The signals  342 ,  346  of the VADS  340 ,  344  may be used by the processor  314  to determine the timing of the speech of the customer and the timing of the speech of the agent. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a process  400  for the active headset  110  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  according to one embodiment. The audio adapter  114  of  FIGS. 1 and 3  may implement a similar process. Although in the described embodiments the elements of process  400  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, in various embodiments, some or all of the elements of process  400  can be executed in a different order, concurrently, and the like. Also some elements of process  400  may not be performed, and may not be executed immediately after each other. In addition, some or all of the elements of process  400  can be performed automatically, that is, without human intervention. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , at  402 , a voice call may be transferred to the active headset  110 . In some embodiments, the call may be transferred automatically by the ACD  104 . In some embodiments, the agent may transfer the call, for example by pressing the control  226  on the active headset  110 . At  404 , the active headset  110  may detect the transfer of the voice call. In the case of a call transferred automatically by the ACD  104 , the active headset  110  may detect a zip tone or the like that is provided by the ACD  104 . In the case of a call transferred by the agent, the active headset  110  may detect a press of the control  226 . 
         [0036]    At  406 , the active headset  110  may detect speech. The RX VAD  240  may detect speech by the customer. In particular, the receiver  236  may receive digital audio. The RX VAD  240  may detect speech in the digital audio, and may output a signal  242  indicating speech detection. For example, the signal  242  may be a binary flag. 
         [0037]    The TX VAD  244  may detect speech by the agent. In particular, the microphone  224  may generate analog audio responsive to the voice of the agent. The ADC  216  may convert the analog audio to digital audio. The TX VAD  244  may detect speech in the digital audio, and may output a signal  246  indicating speech detection. For example, the signal  246  may be a binary flag. 
         [0038]    At  408 , the processor  214  may determine temporal characteristics of the voice call based on the signals  242 ,  246  produced by the VADs  240 ,  244 . At  410 , the processor  214  may generate a message based on the temporal characteristic of the speech and a temporal characteristic of the voice call. The message may be generated routinely, in response to the value of a temporal characteristic exceeding a threshold, or the like. At  412 , the transmitter  234  may transmit the message. 
         [0039]    The message may include measures of the speed of response of the agent in answering the call, crosstalk, talk vs. listen, and the like. For example, the processor  214  may determine a measure of the speed of response of the agent in answering the call by determine an interval elapsing between transfer of the voice call to the active headset  110  and occurrence of the speech of the agent. The processor  214  may determine a measure of crosstalk by determining a duration of contemporaneous occurrence of the agent&#39;s speech and the customer&#39;s speech. The processor  214  may determine a measure of talk vs. listen by determining a ratio of a duration of the agent&#39;s speech and a duration of the customer&#39;s speech over a selected period. The processor  214  may determine a duration of no speech and a duration of the agent&#39;s speech and/or a duration of the customer&#39;s speech. The processor  214  may determine other temporal measures of the speech as well. 
         [0040]    In other embodiments, each message may include measures of how much time was spent in one or more states since the last message. The states may include one or more of talk, listen, silence, crosstalk, responding to a call, and the like. In such embodiments, the PC  108  may determine the measures of speed of response of the agent in answering calls, crosstalk, talk vs. listen, and the like, based on the messages. The messages may be transmitted to the PC  108  periodically. 
         [0041]    The processor  214  may also determine non-temporal measures of the speech. For example, the processor may determine amplitudes of the agent&#39;s speech and/or the customer&#39;s speech. The processor  214  may determine other non-temporal measures of the speech as well. 
         [0042]    The PC  108  may add metadata to the message. For example, the metadata may include a timestamp representing the time and date of the call, a userid for the agent, and other information such as the length of the call, the identity of the customer, the subject of the call, and the like. This metadata may be provided by the PC  108 , the IVR system  102 , the ACD  104 , and the CRM system  106 . 
         [0043]    The message may be sent directly to a supervisor of the agent for immediate action. 
         [0044]    The message may be sent to the agent. For example, the PC  108  may display the measures of the call on a monitor for the agent. The message may be stored in the database  118 . 
         [0045]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor. The described processes can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, processors receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer includes one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks; optical disks, and solid-state disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). As used herein, the term “module” may refer to any of the above implementations. 
         [0046]    A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6