SOURCE NORMALIZATION TRAINING FOR HMM MODELING OF SPEECH

A maximum likelihood (ML) linear regression (LR) solution to environment normalization is provided where the environment is modeled as a hidden (non-observable) variable. By application of an expectation maximization algorithm and extension of Baum-Welch forward and backward variables (Steps 23a–23d) a source normalization is achieved such that it is not necessary to label a database in terms of environment such as speaker identity, channel, microphone and noise type.