Statistical Techniques for Talker Identification

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of work on statistical formulations and analyses associated with the problem of identifying persons on the basis of spectral energy representations of acoustical utterances. The investigation has been largely empirical and the paper focuses on the statistical techniques and strategies that have been developed in the context of analyzing two sizeable bodies of data. The problems and procedures to be discussed include: (i) data condensation and representation; (ii) efficient and practical criteria for classification and discrimination; and (iii) strategies for automatic identification of talkers in relatively large populations.