A method to detect and analyze cough parameters remotely and in the background through the user's device in everyday life. The method involves consecutive or selective execution of 4 stages, which solve a variety of the following tasks: Detection of coughing events in sound, in environmental noise. Separation of the sound containing the cough into the sound of the cough and the rest of the sounds, even when extraneous sounds occurred during the cough. Identify the user by the sound of the cough to prevent analyzing the sounds of the cough that do not belong to the user (for example when another person coughs nearby). Assessment of cough characteristics (wet/dry, severity, duration, number of spasms, etc.). The method can work on wearable devices, smart devices, personal computers, laptops in 24/7 mode or in a selected range of time, and has a high energy efficiency.

A method to detect and analyze cough parameters remotely and in the background through the user's device in everyday life. The method involves consecutive or selective execution of 4 stages, which solve a variety of the following tasks: Detection of coughing events in sound, in environmental noise. Separation of the sound containing the cough into the sound of the cough and the rest of the sounds, even when extraneous sounds occurred during the cough. Identify the user by the sound of the cough to prevent analyzing the sounds of the cough that do not belong to the user (for example when another person coughs nearby). Assessment of cough characteristics (wet/dry, severity, duration, number of spasms, etc.). The method can work on wearable devices, smart devices, personal computers, laptops in 24/7 mode or in a selected range of time, and has a high energy efficiency.

Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes a network interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the network interface, a speech signal that represents speech uttered by a subject, the speech including one or more speech segments, divide the speech signal into multiple frames, such that one or more sequences of the frames represent the speech segments, respectively, compute respective estimated total volumes of air exhaled by the subject while the speech segments were uttered, by, for each of the sequences, computing respective estimated flow rates of air exhaled by the subject during the frames belonging to the sequence and, based on the estimated flow rates, computing a respective one of the estimated total volumes of air, and, in response to the estimated total volumes of air, generate an alert. Other embodiments are also described.

Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes a network interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the network interface, a speech signal that represents speech uttered by a subject, the speech including one or more speech segments, divide the speech signal into multiple frames, such that one or more sequences of the frames represent the speech segments, respectively, compute respective estimated total volumes of air exhaled by the subject while the speech segments were uttered, by, for each of the sequences, computing respective estimated flow rates of air exhaled by the subject during the frames belonging to the sequence and, based on the estimated flow rates, computing a respective one of the estimated total volumes of air, and, in response to the estimated total volumes of air, generate an alert. Other embodiments are also described.

A method includes obtaining one or more speech models, each model including one or more acoustic states and, provided that the model includes multiple acoustic states, allowed transitions therebetween. The method further includes receiving a speech sample produced by a subject while a physiological state of the subject was unknown. The method further includes mapping at least one sample portion of the speech sample to a respective one of the speech models, by computing a plurality of feature vectors quantifying acoustic features of different respective portions of the sample portion, and mapping the feature vectors to respective acoustic states included in the speech model such that a total distance between the feature vectors and the respective acoustic states is minimized. The method further includes, in response to mapping the sample portion to the speech model, communicating an output indicating the physiological state of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

A method includes obtaining one or more speech models, each model including one or more acoustic states and, provided that the model includes multiple acoustic states, allowed transitions therebetween. The method further includes receiving a speech sample produced by a subject while a physiological state of the subject was unknown. The method further includes mapping at least one sample portion of the speech sample to a respective one of the speech models, by computing a plurality of feature vectors quantifying acoustic features of different respective portions of the sample portion, and mapping the feature vectors to respective acoustic states included in the speech model such that a total distance between the feature vectors and the respective acoustic states is minimized. The method further includes, in response to mapping the sample portion to the speech model, communicating an output indicating the physiological state of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Systems and methods are disclosed configured to detect impairment issues, and via an interlock device, inhibit operation of an item of equipment when impairment is detected. The interlock device may comprise a solid state relay, an electromechanical relay, and/or a solenoid. The interlock device may perform power isolation and/or may use a mechanism, such as a rotating cam or gear, to immobilize a control and/or other components. Based on detected impairment, a determination is made as to whether the interlock is to be activated or deactivated.

Systems and methods are disclosed configured to detect impairment issues, and via an interlock device, inhibit operation of an item of equipment when impairment is detected. The interlock device may comprise a solid state relay, an electromechanical relay, and/or a solenoid. The interlock device may perform power isolation and/or may use a mechanism, such as a rotating cam or gear, to immobilize a control and/or other components. Based on detected impairment, a determination is made as to whether the interlock is to be activated or deactivated.

A computer-generated dialog session is customized for a user having a pathology characterized at least in part by a speech pathology. The user's speech is analyzed for spans of speech in which the starts and ends of the spans satisfy predetermined thresholds of time. Customization occurs by altering at least one of the following configurable parameters: (a) a threshold minimum signal strength of speech (dB) to consider as the start of the span of speech; (b) an adjustment factor by which signal strengths of background noise increases between consecutive spans of speech; (c) a threshold between signal strength during the span of speech and signal strength during the span of non-speech; (d) a start speech time threshold; and (e) an end speech time threshold.

A computer-generated dialog session is customized for a user having a pathology characterized at least in part by a speech pathology. The user's speech is analyzed for spans of speech in which the starts and ends of the spans satisfy predetermined thresholds of time. Customization occurs by altering at least one of the following configurable parameters: (a) a threshold minimum signal strength of speech (dB) to consider as the start of the span of speech; (b) an adjustment factor by which signal strengths of background noise increases between consecutive spans of speech; (c) a threshold between signal strength during the span of speech and signal strength during the span of non-speech; (d) a start speech time threshold; and (e) an end speech time threshold.