JPH05188983A - Speech synthesis system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a speech synthesizing function which can be connected to a computer having a small number of connectors at the same time with other equipments and can be used for many kind of computers in common. CONSTITUTION:This speech synthesis system 2 has a function 200 for inputting an electronic document, a function 203 which converts the electronic document into the control signal of a speech synthesizer, a speech synthesis part 204 which synthesizes a speech with the output of the converting function, and a function 205 which outputs the speech synthesized by the speech synthesis part so that the function for inputting the electronic document has a switch part 201 selects one or both of a connecting circuit for the converting function 203 and a circuit 7 passing the electric document to the outside as it is at the same time; and the format of the electronic document is the same as the electronic document format to a printer device and the connector of the circuit for inputting the electric document has the same type 6 as the connector type for the printer device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a speech synthesis system, and more particularly, to improvement of a system for connecting to a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Kana on computers such as workstations, personal computers, word processors, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art A technique of converting an electronic document described in a notation including kanji / symbols into voice and synthesizing it for output is being widely used in various fields. For example, it is used in various ways such as confirmation of input results to a word processor, output of search documents, and output of e-mail via telephone. Especially for visually impaired people, it is playing an important role.

A technique for converting and synthesizing an electronic document described in a notation including kana / kanji / symbols into voice and outputting the voice is described below.
It is common to convert kana / kanji / symbols into phonetic symbols, and then convert them into control signals for a speech synthesizer, and control the speech synthesizer to convert them into speech. Of these, the part that converts kana / kanji / symbols into phonetic symbols is configured by software on a computer, and is converted into a voice synthesizer control signal, and the function that controls the voice synthesizer and converts it into voice is dedicated. Often realized by the device.

[0004]

In this case, the software for converting the kana / kanji / symbols into phonetic symbols differs depending on the target computer, and the phonetic symbols and the connection signal to the speech synthesizer are different. The format is based on the symbol system unique to the manufacturer of the speech synthesizer, and is currently lacking in versatility.

Also, due to the nature of voice, its use is often intended for individual users, and the computers used therein are often small, and these small computers have a small number of connectors with external equipment. It is difficult to connect many types of equipment. Especially when used by visually impaired people, the voice synthesis function is indispensable, and it is necessary that the results of work using a computer can be used by healthy people as well. It is also essential to have a connection.

[0006] A first object of the present invention is to provide a voice synthesizing function in a form capable of simultaneously connecting other devices to a computer having a small number of connectors.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a voice synthesizing function which can be commonly used for many kinds of computers.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a circuit for capturing an electronic document described in a standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., and speech synthesis from the electronic sentence Circuit having a function of converting into a control signal of a speech device, a voice synthesizing unit for synthesizing a voice by the output from the converting function, and a function of outputting a synthetic voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit, and fetching the electronic text Constructed a voice synthesis system having a switch section for selecting either a circuit for connecting to the conversion function or a circuit for passing the electronic text as it is to the outside, or both at the same time.

As another method, an electronic circuit including a switch unit for selecting either a circuit for connecting to the conversion function or a circuit for directly passing a pre-electronized sentence to the outside, or both of them at the same time. A circuit for capturing a sentence converts a digitized sentence into a control signal for a voice synthesizer, a voice synthesizer for synthesizing a voice by an output from the converting function, and a synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. The voice synthesis system is configured so that it has a part that has an output function and an independent housing.

Further, the format of the electronic text is configured to be the same as the electronic text format for the printer.

The form of the connector of the circuit for fetching the electronic text is the same as the form of the connector to the printer.

[0012]

[Function] By a circuit for capturing an electronic document described in standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., a function for converting an electronic text into a control signal for a speech synthesizer, and an output from the conversion function It has a voice synthesizer that synthesizes voice and a function that outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer.The circuit that captures the electronic text is either a connection circuit to the conversion function or the electronic text does not pass through as it is. Configure the speech synthesis system so that it has a switch that selects either one of the circuits to be activated, or both at the same time, or, as another method, a connection circuit to the conversion function or an electronic text as it is. A circuit that takes in an electronic text composed of a switch section that selects either one of the circuits to pass through or both at the same time converts the electronic text into a control signal for a speech synthesizer. Function, a voice synthesis unit that synthesizes voice by output from the conversion function, a unit that outputs synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit, and a voice synthesis system that is composed of an independent housing. By
It is possible to connect other devices to a computer with a small number of connectors at the same time.

Further, a circuit for taking in an electronic document described in a standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., and a function for converting the electronic text into a control signal for a speech synthesizer,
It has a voice synthesis unit that synthesizes voice by output from the conversion function and a function that outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit, and the format of the electronic text is the same as the electronic text format to the printer device. The connection condition of the printer device of many kinds of computers is now standardized by configuring the connector type of the circuit for capturing electronic text to be the same as the connector type to the printer device. So it can be commonly used for many kinds of computers.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a utilization system for explaining a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a connector 4 of the computer 1 to the printer device 3 and a connector 4 of the printer device 3 to the computer 1 for connecting and using a normal computer (workstation / personal computer / word processor, etc.) 1 and the printer device 3 are used. 5, the voice synthesizing system 2 according to the first embodiment can be inserted, and the connector 4 to the printer device 3 of the computer 1 is a connector 6 to the computer 1 of the voice synthesizing system 2 according to the first embodiment. And connection cable 8
Then, the connector 7 of the voice synthesis system 2 to the printer device 3 and the connector 5 of the printer device 3 to the computer 1 are respectively connected by a connection cable 9.

With this and a switch function which will be described later, either the printer device 3 or the voice synthesizing system 2 can be selected, and the information of the same format from the computer 1 can be used by both the printer device 3 and the voice synthesizing system 2. Is configured.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a utilization system for explaining the second embodiment. In FIG. 2, a normal computer (workstation / personal computer /
A switch unit 201B in the configuration of the second embodiment between the connector 4 of the computer 1 to the printer device and the connector 5 of the printer device 3 to the computer 1 for connecting and using the word processor 1) and the printer device 3.
The output 10B of the switch unit 201B is connected to be input to the voice synthesis system 2B according to the second embodiment, and the connector 4 to the printer device 3 of the computer 1 is connected with the switch unit 201B according to the second embodiment. With the connector 6B and the connection cable 8B to the computer 1 of
Connector 7B of the switch unit 201B to the printer device 3
And the connector 5 of the printer device 3 to the computer 1 are connected by a connection cable 9B.

In this case, one of the printer device 3 and the voice synthesis system 2 is selected by the switch function of the switch unit 201B, and the information of the same format from the computer 1 is sent to the printer device 3 and the voice synthesis system 2 without any information. Is also configured to be used. The format of the connector 6 / 6B of the circuit for fetching the electronic text is also the same as that of the connector format 5 to the printer device 3. Also,
The format of the computerized text is configured to be the same as the format of the computerized text for the printer device 3. However, the specific configuration of these is already available in a normal computer (workstation / personal computer / word processor, etc.) currently in use. It can be the same as the one used.

Next, the internal structure of the speech synthesis system 2 according to the first embodiment and the case where the speech synthesis function is used will be described. The first embodiment up to the function of converting an electronic text into a control signal of a voice synthesizer, a voice synthesizing unit for synthesizing a voice by an output from the converting function, and a function of outputting a synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit And the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the internal structure of the speech synthesis system. In FIG. 3, a digitized document sent from the computer 1 and described in a standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc. captures the digitized document and passes through the switch unit 201 of the function unit 200 to input the input electronic document. It is sent to the voice synthesizer control signal conversion unit 203 via the encoded document buffer 206. The voice synthesizer control signal conversion unit 203 is composed of a general-purpose microprocessor. According to the program, the inputted electronic text in the input electronic text buffer 206 is parsed, and Kanji / symbols are read as necessary. Is added, and further information such as accent is added using dictionary information and the like. Based on the information such as the syntactic analysis result, reading, and accent, the length of the written sound and the pitch of the voice are obtained by a preset rule, and further converted into control parameters for synthesis of the speech synthesizer, The control parameter is sent to the voice synthesizer according to the time information, the synthesizer operates, the voice is synthesized in accordance with the synthesized voice, and the synthesized voice output unit 205 outputs the voice as voice.

Since a more detailed processing method from the electronic document described in the standard notation to the voice synthesizer and the conversion into the voice is already widely known inside and outside, there is no need to introduce it again. Let's see For example, NTT Research Practical Report Vol. 32, No. 11, pages 2243 to 227.
On page 9, one method was reported in detail, and several products have already been put on the market.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the switch unit 201 / 201B of the voice synthesis system of the embodiment. Only one signal line is shown to make the figure easier to see, but in reality, multiple signal lines are arranged in parallel.

The first switch contact 401 and the second switch contact 402 are configured to operate in accordance with the switch control signal 202. switch·
The control signal 202 may be manually operated like a normal switch or may be electrically supplied from the outside.

When the contacts are selected as a and a ', the connector 6 / 6B to the computer and the voice synthesis control signal conversion unit 203 are connected and only the voice synthesis function operates.

When b or b'is selected, the connector 6 / 6B to the computer is the voice synthesis control signal conversion unit 203.
And the printer device 3 are simultaneously selected, and both the voice synthesis function and the printer function are activated. In this case, various response signals from the voice synthesis system and the printer to the computer are collectively returned by the AND circuit. Since this point can be easily realized and the drawing becomes complicated, the illustration is omitted in the drawing.

When the contacts are selected as c and c ', the connector 6 / 6B to the computer is connected only to the printer device 3 and not to the voice synthesizing function, so that only the normal printer function operates.

[0026]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION A circuit for capturing an electronic document described in a standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., a function for converting an electronic text into a control signal for a speech synthesizer, and a conversion function It has a voice synthesizer that synthesizes voice by output and a function that outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer.
The voice synthesis system is configured so that the circuit that takes in the electronic text has either a connection circuit to the conversion function or a circuit that allows the electronic text to pass through to the outside, or a switch that selects both of them at the same time. Or
As another method, either a circuit for connecting to the conversion function or a circuit for passing the electronic text directly to the outside, or a circuit for capturing the electronic text that consists of a switch section that selects both at the same time A function that converts a narrated sentence into a control signal of a voice synthesizer, a voice synthesizing unit that synthesizes voice by the output from the converting function, and a unit that includes a function that outputs a synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit By configuring the speech synthesis system to consist of a housing, it became possible to connect other devices to a computer with few connectors at the same time.

Further, a circuit for taking in an electronic document described in a standard notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., and a function for converting an electronic document into a control signal for a speech synthesizer,
It has a voice synthesis unit that synthesizes voice by output from the conversion function and a function that outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit, and the format of the electronic text is the same as the electronic text format to the printer device. The connection condition of the printer device of many kinds of computers is now standardized by configuring the connector type of the circuit for capturing electronic text to be the same as the connector type to the printer device. So it became common to many kinds of computers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a usage system for explaining a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a usage system for explaining a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a voice synthesis system for explaining an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a switch according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Computer, 2 ... Voice synthesis system, 3 ... Printer device, 4-7 ... Connector, 8, 9 ... Cable.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A circuit for capturing an electronic document described in a notation including kana, kanji, symbols, etc., a function for converting the electronic text into a control signal for a speech synthesizer, and an output from the conversion function. With a voice synthesizing unit for synthesizing voice by, and a function for outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit, the circuit for capturing the electronic text is a connection circuit to the conversion function, or the electronic text A voice synthesizing system having a switch section for selecting either one of the circuits that pass through as it is or both of them at the same time. 2. The computerized text according to claim 1, comprising either a connection circuit to the conversion function or a circuit that allows the pre-computerized text to pass through to the outside as it is, or a switch section for selecting both of them at the same time. A circuit for taking in a function of converting the electronic text into a control signal of a voice synthesizer, a voice synthesizing unit for synthesizing a voice by an output from the converting function, and a synthetic voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit. A voice synthesis system that consists of a housing that is independent of the functions that perform 3. The voice synthesis system according to claim 1, wherein the format of the electronic text is the same as the electronic text format for the printer device. 4. The voice synthesizing system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the format of the connector of the circuit for fetching the electronic text is the same as the format of the connector to the printer device.