Nuance Communications, Inc.
Watermarking of Synthetic Speech

Abstract:

An audio watermark is embedded in synthetic speech, such as synthetic speech created using text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis. Such audio watermarks can, for example, be used to increase the accuracy of voice biometric (VB) and other systems in distinguishing synthetic speech from human speech. In addition to its use in voice biometrics, such audio watermarking can prevent misuse of human quality TTS, or other synthetic speech, in a variety of other contexts, such as incriminating recordings, spam messages, contact center denial of service, and protection of personal information in contact centers not utilizing VB.