JPH0627999A - Speech storage and reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input, add, alter, and modify a speech message with the same sound quality at all times. CONSTITUTION:The speech storage and reproduction systems is equipped with a text speech converting device 11 which converts a character string showing message contents into a speech signal and a storage part 204 which stores the speech information obtained by the conversion of the text speech converting means 11, and the message contents are converted by the text speech converting device 11 into the speech signal of invariably the same sound quality, which is inputted to the storage part 204 to perform the addition. alternation, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention accumulates messages,
The present invention relates to an audio storage / playback system that outputs audio as needed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a voice accumulation / reproduction device for performing voice accumulation / reproduction interacts with a human as if by voice when retrieving information stored in a computer such as a deposit balance inquiry or a transfer inquiry using a telephone. It is used to create such an environment. Such a usage mode is often used in other fields. The voice storage / reproduction device is also used in an answering machine used in a general home.
This voice storage and playback device, like an answering machine,
It is convenient when you turn into a human and talk to the other person.

Voice messages stored in the voice storage / playback apparatus are classified into two types according to their characteristics. One is a message output from the voice storage / playback device to carry out a dialogue with the other party or to notify the result, and the other is a message from the other party to be input as seen in an answering machine. is there. Depending on the device, it may not be necessary to store the message from the other party, but if the message output from the voice storage / playback device is not stored, the dialogue cannot be established.

Particularly, the part relating to the present invention is a part for storing and reproducing a message output from the device, and a conventional voice storing and reproducing device will be described in this regard. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional audio storage / playback apparatus 200.

In FIG. 2, 201 is an input terminal for inputting voice, 202 is an AD converter for converting the voice signal input as an analog signal into a digital signal, and 203 is a digital voice signal such as ADPCM. A compression unit for compressing information using a compression technique, a storage unit 204 for storing the information-compressed audio signal, and a storage unit 2 for storage 205.
Reference numeral 04 is a decompression unit for restoring the compressed digital audio signal to the original digital signal, 206 is a DA conversion unit for converting the restored digital signal into an audible analog signal, and 207 is an output terminal for outputting the restored analog signal. , 210 are controllers for controlling the whole.

In creating a message to be output from the voice storage / reproduction device 200, first, a person (voice person) generates the content of a message to be created and converts it into an analog signal. Then, this analog signal is input from the input terminal 201, converted into a compressed digital signal (voice signal) through the AD conversion unit 202 and the compression unit 203, and the storage unit 2
Store in 04. Furthermore, when adding a new message, the same voice person inputs the message content from the input terminal 202 in the same manner.

The message output from the audio accumulating / reproducing apparatus usually consists of two or more contents (messages). Therefore, a message number is added to each message, and the controller 210 manages where in the storage unit 204 the voice data corresponding to this message number is stored.

When outputting the message, the controller 210 inputs the message number, so that the controller 210 decompresses the compressed data of the message corresponding to the message number stored in the storage unit 204 into the decompression unit 20.
Send to 5. The compressed data sent to the decompression unit 205 is decompressed and output from the DA conversion unit 206 as an analog audio signal. Even when a plurality of message numbers are input to the controller 210, similar processing is sequentially performed.

[0009]

By the way, when inputting a message to the voice accumulating / reproducing apparatus 200, it is not always necessary that the same voice person is used. However, in many voice accumulating / reproducing apparatuses, a plurality of messages are usually joined together. However, there is a problem that discomfort due to different speakers is extremely great.

Further, even with the same speaker, the sound quality changes with the passage of time, and the same problem as described above occurs.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a voice storing / reproducing system capable of always storing and reproducing a message with the same sound quality.

[0012]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention relates to a voice storing / reproducing system for storing a message and outputting a voice if necessary.

In such a voice storage / reproduction system, a text-to-speech conversion means for converting a character string representing the contents of a message into a sound signal and a storage means for storing the sound information converted by the text-sound conversion means are provided. Characterize.

The voice information stored in the storage means is a digital signal obtained by converting the analog signal converted by the text-to-speech conversion means by AD conversion processing or directly obtained by the text-speech conversion means. Is desirable.

Further, it is desirable to compress this digital signal.

[0016]

By converting the content of the message into a voice signal by the text-to-speech conversion means and inputting it to the storage means, it is possible to constantly generate and store voice information of the same quality.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A device according to the voice storage / playback system of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "voice storage / playback device") is connected to the text-to-voice conversion device 11 as a text-to-speech conversion means. It is composed of a device main body group 300 for inputting voice information from the device 11, and a connecting means 100 for connecting the text-to-speech conversion device 11 and the device main body group 300.

Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes a character input terminal for inputting character information. The text-to-speech converter 11 inputs a kana-kana-masashi sentence and outputs an audible voice signal.
The pitch, accent position, loudness, and length of a voice are automatically calculated from a character string, and a voice with an intonation like a normal person's conversation is generated. If a message is created using this text-to-speech conversion device 11, it is possible to always obtain the same voice as that of a message already input for addition or correction of a new message. Reference numeral 12 is a voice output terminal for outputting the voice of the text-to-speech converter 11.

The apparatus main body group 300 is composed of a plurality of apparatus main bodies 301 to 303 having the same structure as that of the conventional audio accumulating / reproducing apparatus.
It consists of The specific configurations of the apparatus main bodies 301 to 303 are the same as those of the conventional technique, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given here and the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection means 100 is for inputting the information output from the audio output terminal 12 to the apparatus main bodies 301 to 303. For example, when the information output from the audio output terminal 12 is an analog signal, they are electrically connected to each other. If the information is a digital signal, it is a line for digital signals such as ISDN and other lines. Also,
In the case of analog signal, the tape recorder is connected to the connecting means 1
In the case of a digital signal as 00, information may be passed by using a floppy disk, a memory or the like as the connecting means 100. When the information is a digital signal, the AD conversion unit 202 of each of the device bodies 301 to 303 is omitted.

In creating a voice message,
First, an example of a kanji or kana magic sentence representing the contents of a message is input to the text-to-speech converter through the character input terminal 10. The text-to-speech conversion device 11 outputs a voice from the voice output terminal 12 in the form of an analog signal or a digital signal by reading the incoming character string. The information output from the audio output terminal 12 is input from the input terminal 201 of each of the apparatus main bodies 301 to 303 via the connecting means 100. It should be noted that all the information output from the audio output terminal 12 may be input to the apparatus main bodies 301 to 303, or may be input only to a specific apparatus main body.

In the apparatus main bodies 301 to 303, the voice information converted by the text-to-speech converter 11 is stored in the storage section 204 by the same operation as the above-mentioned conventional technique. Also, in the case of message output, the output terminal 2 is used in the same manner as in the prior art.
It outputs from 07.

As described above, the text-to-speech conversion device 11
Since the message information is input by using, it is possible to always input, change, and correct the voice message with the same sound quality.

Further, for example, if a telephone line is used as the connecting means 100, the voice information processed by one text-to-speech converter 11 can be supplied to a plurality of apparatus bodies 301 to 303, and many people can use the text-speech converter 11 as a source. Can be shared. As a result, even if an expensive text-to-speech conversion device is used, the cost for one device body can be reduced.

Further, the text-to-speech converter 11 can be provided without changing the conventional system configuration.

In the present embodiment, the character string input to the text-to-speech conversion device 11 is a kanji-kana-maji character string. However, depending on the type of device, reading, accent position, voice pitch, There is also an apparatus that outputs a voice by inputting a special character string representing the generation speed or the like. However, even with such a device, it suffices to input the corresponding input information, and therefore the device configuration of the present embodiment does not change.

Further, in the present embodiment, the apparatus main bodies 301 to 301
Although three 03 are provided, one, two, or four or more devices may be provided.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the message information is input by using the text-to-speech conversion means, it is possible to always input, change or modify a voice message with the same sound quality. become.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an audio storage / playback system of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to a conventional audio storage / playback system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 text-to-speech converter 100 connection means 300 device body group 301-303 device body

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A voice-to-speech conversion system for storing a message and outputting a voice as necessary, and a text-to-speech conversion unit for converting a character string representing a message content into a voice signal, and the text-to-speech conversion unit. And a storage means for storing voice information. 2. The audio information stored in the storage means is:
2. The voice storage / playback system according to claim 1, wherein the analog signal converted by the text-to-speech conversion means is a digital signal converted by AD conversion processing. 3. The audio information stored in the storage means is:
3. The audio storage / playback system according to claim 2, wherein the information is information obtained by compressing a digital signal converted by AD conversion processing. 4. The audio information stored in the storage means is:
The voice storage and reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the voice signal is a digital signal obtained by the text-to-speech conversion means. 5. The voice information stored in the storage means is:
5. The voice storage / playback system according to claim 4, wherein the information is information obtained by compressing a digital signal by the text-to-speech conversion means.