You can tell when you hear someone is really angry—and get out of the way. Now Sigard, a new software package developed by Sound Intelligence, can also detect verbal aggression with a high level of accuracy.
Combined with closed circuit television systems, Sigard can quickly notify security personnel about loud, angry people in outdoor public spaces, public transportation, nightclubs and bars.
Here's how it
works. A single analysis computer accepts sensor input from a variety
of locations. Once the software detects a verbally aggressive human voice,
it activates the camera associated with that sensor, bringing it to a
security guard's attention. This helps cut down on the number of people
needed to monitor CCTVs.
Sigard Sound
Intelligence software imitates the way that humans deal with sound,
splitting it into different frequencies with varying amounts of energy.
Just as a person can immediately detect anger and aggression in the
midst of background noise, Sound Intelligence software "listens" for the same parameters that humans use in detecting aggressive speech.
This system is
already in place in a few locations in the Netherlands. Police in the
UK are also considering installing the system. \ source
By Bill Christensen
