A device and system to remotely detect vocalizations of speech. The skin
located on the throat region of a speaking person or a reflective layer
on the skin on the throat region vibrates in response to vocalizations of
speech by the person. The vibrating skin or reflective layer is
reflective of impinging radiation. A laser Doppler vibrometer transmits
radiation onto the vibrating skin or the covering reflective layer and
receives reflected radiation from the vibrating skin or reflective layer.
The laser Doppler vibrometer generates voltage output signals that are
representative of the speech causing the vibrations. A target tracker
directs the impinging radiation and detects the reflected radiation to
pass between the throat region and the laser Doppler vibrometer and
includes a processor that removes non-speech signal artifacts from the
voltage output signals. An interconnected audio speaker reproduces the
speech from the voltage output signals.