Method of estimating the pitch of a speech signal using previous estimates, use of the method, and a device adapted therefor

摘要

A method of estimating the pitch of a speech signal (2) comprises the steps of dividing the signal into segments, calculating for each segment a conformity function, and detecting peaks in the conformity function. Further, an average of pitch estimates from previous segments is calculated; for each peak the difference between its position and the average is calculated; and the position of the peak having the smallest difference is used as an estimate of the pitch. In this way a method less complex than prior art methods, and thus suitable for small digital signal processors, is provided. The method also avoids the pitch halving situation. When previously detected pitch period estimates are available, a small difference is expected between the correct pitch period and the average of the previous pitch periods. A similar device is also provided.