JPH1145099A - Detecting method for output state of voice synthesizing device, voice output control method and voice synthesizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detecting method for output state of a voice synthesizing device which can detect a reproduction finish point of a voice phrase without using an output signal from an IC for synthesizing a voice and to realize announcement with a smooth voice thereby. SOLUTION: A voice synthesizing device measures phrase length of an outputted voice phrase when a voice message consisting of plural voice phrase (phrase 1, phrase 2), and it is discriminated whether or not this measured phrase length reaches the reference phrase length previously set corresponding to a voice phrase in the output, thereby detecting the output state of the voice phrase. And reproduction of a succeeding phrase 2 is started at a point of time of detecting the finish of reproduction of the phrase 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an utterance control device for a speech synthesizer, and more particularly, to monitoring the output status of a speech message output from a speech synthesizer and smoothing the continuously output speech messages. Related technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, audio waveforms are not recorded as they are,
2. Description of the Related Art Speech synthesizers that record digital data in units of voice elements (voice phrases) such as words and syllables and reproduce these voice phrases alone or in combination as text information (voice messages) composed of analog signals have become widespread. Recently, a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) for remotely controlling a water heater has been proposed which includes this type of voice synthesizer.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a remote controller provided with such a voice synthesizing apparatus normally inputs a predetermined hot water supply operation instruction to input means including switches for remote control. Then, based on this instruction, the remote controller control unit (control means) is configured to output a sounding instruction for instructing a voice synthesis IC (voice synthesizing means) for performing voice synthesis to start reproduction of a voice message. The voice synthesizing IC reproduces a voice message corresponding to the instruction input by the input means in the form of an analog signal on the basis of the sounding instruction, and outputs the voice message to the outside of the remote control via a voice amplification means and a speaker (loudspeaker). To output a voice message composed of an audible sound to the user.

[0004] Then, when the voice message output here is composed of a plurality of continuous voice phrases, or when a plurality of voice messages are continuously output, the voice phrases are continuously reproduced. If it is necessary to prevent the voice message from being confused, an end detection signal indicating that the reproduction of the voice phrase has ended when the voice synthesizing IC has finished reproducing the one voice phrase is sent to the above. The controller is configured to output to the control means, and the remote controller control unit issues a sounding instruction of a voice phrase following the reception of the end detection signal to prevent confusion of the message due to the superposition of the voice phrase.

[0005]

However, such a conventional method has the following problems.

(1) That is, in the configuration in which the next sounding command is issued after the end detection signal is received, for example, when noise is present on the transmission line of the end detection signal, during reproduction of one voice phrase, A pronunciation command may be issued by mistake to instruct the playback of the next voice phrase, and the effects of such noise may cause the playback of the voice phrase to be interrupted or the playback of a different phrase to be started. The playback of voice messages was sometimes confused.

(2) Further, in the above-described conventional configuration, the voice synthesis IC is always in a state in which a sound generation instruction can be received, that is, in an operation state (set state). Causes a problem that a voice message is reproduced or a meaningless message is reproduced even though there is no sounding command from the control means.

(3) Further, even in a normal state in which the voice synthesizing IC does not run away, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the voice amplifying means is always in an amplifying operation state, the internal noise of the voice amplifying means is reduced. There is also a problem that noise is output from the speaker to the outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to detect the end of reproduction of a voice phrase without depending on an output signal from a voice synthesis IC. A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting an output state of a speech synthesis apparatus, and to provide a speech output control method and a speech synthesis apparatus which realize a smoother announcement by speech.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting an output state of a voice synthesizing apparatus, comprising: a control means for outputting a sounding command in response to a voice message output request; A voice synthesizing unit that outputs a predetermined message as a voice signal based on a sounding instruction from the control unit; a voice amplifying unit that amplifies a voice signal output from the voice synthesizing unit; And a loudspeaker for transmitting the audio signal to the outside as an audible sound, measuring a phrase length of a voice phrase constituting a voice message output from the voice synthesizer, and determining the measured phrase length with the relevant phrase length. The output status of the voice message can be detected by determining whether or not the reference phrase length set for the voice phrase has been reached. The features.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when detecting the output state of a voice message emitted from the loudspeaker, the time information required from the start to the end of the reproduction of the voice phrase constituting the voice message is determined in advance by the reference phrase length. When the playback of the voice phrase is started by the voice synthesizing means, the measurement of the phrase length of the voice phrase being played back is started at the same time as the start, and the measured phrase length becomes the reference phrase length. At this point, it is determined that the reproduction of the voice phrase has ended. In other words, according to the first aspect, the end point of the voice phrase to be reproduced is detected by monitoring the time of the voice phrase inside the control unit without using the end detection signal from the voice synthesis unit as in the related art. Is uniquely determined by

Here, the phrase length means the lapse of time from the start to the end of one voice phrase constituting the voice message, and the reference phrase length is necessary for reproducing the one voice phrase. When a plurality of types of voice phrases are output from the voice synthesis means, a plurality of reference phrase lengths are set for each voice phrase output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voice output control method for a voice synthesizing apparatus, wherein when a voice message is composed of a plurality of phrases, the output of one phrase is completed by the method of the first aspect. At the time of detection, the reproduction of the following phrase is started. In other words, according to the audio output control method of the second aspect, when the audio phrases are continuously reproduced, the end point of each reproduced audio phrase is detected without depending on the end detection signal from the audio synthesizing means. Therefore, continuous continuous reproduction of the voice phrase is possible without being affected by noise or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voice synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for outputting a sounding command in response to a voice message output request; A voice synthesizing unit that outputs the signal as a signal; a voice amplifying unit that amplifies the voice signal output from the voice synthesizing unit; and a loudspeaker that transmits the voice signal amplified by the voice amplifying unit to the outside as an audible sound. In the voice synthesizing device, the control unit includes a clock unit that measures a phrase length of the voice message output from the voice synthesis unit, and a storage unit that stores a reference phrase length corresponding to the voice message.
The output state of the voice message is detected by comparing the phrase length of the voice message measured by the timing means with a reference phrase length stored in advance corresponding to the voice message.

That is, a voice synthesizing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a voice synthesizing device for realizing the output situation detecting method of the voice synthesizing device according to the first aspect, and measures a phrase length of a voice phrase. It is provided with a timing means and a storage means for storing the reference phrase length.

Further, the speech synthesizing apparatus according to claim 4 is
When the voice synthesizing unit outputs one voice message while another voice message is requested, the control unit causes the one voice message being output to be preferentially output, and the one voice message is output. After the output of the message is completed, a sounding instruction corresponding to the other voice message is output.

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the output of another voice message is requested while the voice synthesizing means is reproducing one voice message, the output of the other voice message is performed. The voice message that is currently being output is output in priority to the other, so that the output of one voice message is not interrupted halfway, and the output of another voice message after the output of one voice message ends. Is started, voice messages requested to be output can be reproduced in order.

Further, the speech synthesizing apparatus according to claim 5 is
The voice synthesizing means is always kept in a reset state so that the function does not operate during a standby state until a sounding command is input from the control means, and the function is activated when the sounding command is input. It is set in a possible state, and is configured to return to a reset state at the end of the voice message with a delay from the reference frame length. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the function of the voice synthesizing unit itself is stopped during the standby state until the sound generation command is input, so that malfunction of the voice synthesizing unit can be prevented. In addition, since the state of this set is maintained for a longer time than the reference phrase length at the end of the voice message, when output of another voice message is requested successively to one voice message, the state is maintained between both voice messages. The voice synthesizer is never reset.
Therefore, continuous voice messages can be smoothly reproduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the voice synthesizing apparatus, the voice amplifying unit holds the voice amplifying unit in a stopped state so as not to perform the amplifying operation during a standby state until a sound generation command is input from the control unit. It is configured that when the sounding command is input, the sound signal is started up in a state capable of performing an amplification operation, and at the end of the voice message, the sound message is returned to a stopped state with a delay from the reference frame length. Features. That is, according to the invention described in claim 6, the voice amplifying means starts the amplifying operation at the start of the voice synthesis by the voice synthesizing means, and continues the amplifying operation for a fixed time after the end of the voice message. Therefore, when there is no voice message, the amplification operation is not performed, the noise is not amplified and output when there is no signal, and another voice message is output continuously after one voice message. Since the on / off operation of the voice amplifying means is not performed between both voice messages, it is possible to avoid the generation of noise due to the on / off of the voice amplifying means.

Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising the voice synthesizing device according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the apparatus comprises an audible sound other than the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing means. In the case where the notification means is provided, the control means is also configured to be able to control the audible sound output by the notification means, and the voice synthesis means outputs an audible sound request to the notification means while outputting one voice message. When there is, the one voice message being output is preferentially output, and the audible sound is output from the notification means after the output of the one voice message is completed. And Therefore, according to the invention of claim 7, similarly to the invention of claim 4, the output of the one voice message is interrupted by another voice message or the output of an audible sound during the output of one voice message. Is not performed, and another voice message or audible sound is output after the output of the one voice message, so that the voice message or audible sound output requested to be output can be reproduced in order.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) provided with a voice synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention and having a function of transmitting the operation contents and operation status of the water heater 1 to an operator by voice message. And more specifically,
It comprises a remote controller 2 installed in a bathroom and a remote controller 3 installed in a room other than the bathroom such as a kitchen.

The remote controllers 2 and 3 and the control unit (not shown) of the water heater 1 are connected to the transmission line 4 respectively.
As will be described later, control signals for hot water supply control are mutually transmitted and received via the transmission line 4, and power is supplied from the hot water supply device 1 to each of the remote controllers 2, 3. I have. The transmission line 4 is also used as a transmission line of a communication line between the remote controllers 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the remote controller 2 or 3. The remote controllers 2 and 3 are capable of remotely controlling the hot water supply operation of the water heater 1, respectively. It has an intercom function so that voice calls can be made. And this remote control 2,3
A power supply separating means 5 for separating power supplied from the hot water supply device 1 via the transmission path 4 and supplying the power to each part of the remote controller; an input means 6 for performing key input to the remote controllers 2 and 3;
Display means 7 for displaying the contents of the key input and the operation status of the hot water supply apparatus 1; communication means 8 for realizing the intercom function between the remote controllers 2 and 3; Notification means 9 for notifying a sound or the like, and a remote control control section 1 for controlling the operation of each section
0, and a voice synthesizing device A for uttering a voice message in response to an input operation of the input means 6 or the like.

The power supply separating means 5 is for separating the power supply superimposed and transmitted on the transmission line 4 for transmitting a control signal and the like from the control signal in the water heater 1.
The power separated by the power separating means 5 is supplied as drive power for each part of the remote controllers 2 and 3. The transmission path 4 is formed by a so-called two-core transmission line such as a coaxial cable. The input means 6 is connected to input switches 6a to 6d (see FIG. 1) for the operator of the remote controllers 2 and 3 to instruct the hot water supply apparatus 1 to perform various hot water supply operations. When the input switch groups 6 a to 6 d are operated, the input operation is detected and transmitted to the remote control unit 10. For example, in the case of the remote controller 2 shown in FIG. 1, various hot water supply operation commands set by the priority switch 6a, the hot water supply temperature setting switch 6b, the bath automatic operation switch 6c, and the bath temperature setting switch 6d are sent to the remote control controller 10. Is transmitted. The display means 7
Input switch groups 6a to 6d detected by the input means 6
For displaying the operation status of the water heater 1 and the operation status of the hot water supply device 1 input from the remote control unit 10 (for example, the temperature of hot water from a shower or a caran or the status of combustion operation).
Specifically, it controls the operation of the display unit 71 for performing these displays.

As described above, the communication means 8 is for realizing the intercom function between the remote controllers 2 and 3, and uses the transmission line 4 provided between the remote controllers 2 and 3 as a communication line. Other than that, it has almost the same configuration as a conventionally known intercom. That is, the communication means 8 includes a microphone 81 and the microphone 81.
A transmitting means (not shown) for modulating a voice signal inputted to the transmission line 4 and transmitting the modulated signal onto the transmission line 4; In addition to receiving means (not shown) for converting the signal into a signal,
There is provided a destination calling means (indicated by a call switch 82 in FIG. 1) for notifying the destination remote controller of the interphone call. When the destination calling means 82 is operated, the destination remote control generates and amplifies a ringing sound signal in the notifying means 9 described later. An audible tone is sent to the outside to inform the call. In the remote control of the other party, the call switch 82
By operating, the ringing tone is stopped, and thereafter, it is possible to communicate with the remote controller on the calling side via the microphone 81 and the speaker 13.

The notifying means 9 generates the above-mentioned ringing sound signal for notifying the calling of the intercom, and also generates a notifying signal generating means (not shown) for generating an alarm sounding signal when the operation of the water heater 1 is abnormal. ) And amplifying means (not shown) for amplifying the signal generated there. Further, the remote control controller 10 is configured by a microcomputer, and is configured to control the operation of each of the remote controllers 2 and 3 according to the stored control program. In the present embodiment, the remote control unit 10 also serves as a control unit of the voice synthesizer A described later.

The voice synthesizing apparatus A includes the remote control controller 10 as a control means as described above, and a voice synthesizing IC (speech synthesizing means) 11 storing a plurality of types of voice messages as digital data; I
An audio amplifying circuit (audio amplifying means) 12 for amplifying an audio signal output from C11; a speaker (loudspeaker means) 13 for sending the amplified audio signal to the outside of the apparatus as an audio message composed of an audible sound; An audio amplifier power supply circuit 14 for supplying power to the amplifier circuit 12 is constituted as a main part. Further, the remote controller control section 10 stores a timer 15 for measuring a phrase length of a voice message described later and a reference phrase length. And storage means 16 for performing the operation.

The voice message synthesized by the voice synthesizer A may be, for example, as shown in FIG.
In addition to voice messages composed of a single voice phrase, such as "Kyuto Onga" and "Henkosaku", one voice message ("Kyuutou There is something that constitutes ""

Therefore, in the following, a specific configuration and a voice reproducing operation of the voice synthesizer A will be described with reference to a schematic configuration diagram of FIG. 2 and a timing chart of FIG. The timing chart of FIG. 3 shows a case where the output voice message is composed of two continuous voice phrases (phrase 1 and phrase 2).

A : Voice message playback start operation, that is, first, the remote control unit 10 operates when the input switch groups 6a to 6d constituting the input means 6 are operated or when the water heater 1 performs a predetermined water heater operation. It is configured to output a sounding command requesting the voice synthesizing IC 11 to output a voice message when it is completed. More specifically, the sounding command includes an address signal (see FIG. 3 (a)) for specifying an address where a voice phrase constituting a voice message is stored, and a voice control signal (FIG. 3 (c)) for instructing the start of sounding. Reference).

On the other hand, the voice synthesizing IC 11 is always kept in a reset state so that its function does not operate in a standby state until a sound generation command is input from the remote control unit 10. This is the voice synthesis IC 11
This is to prevent generation of an unnecessary voice signal due to runaway of the vehicle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a sounding command is issued from the remote control unit 10, the voice synthesizing IC 11 is output prior to the output of the sounding command from the remote control unit 10.
A reset release signal for releasing the reset state is sent out, and the voice synthesizing IC 11 is set to an operable state (see FIG. 3B).

The voice amplifier 12 starts amplifying a voice signal as the voice synthesis IC 11 starts reproducing a voice message.
That is, in the present embodiment, similarly to the case of the voice synthesizing IC 11, the voice amplifying circuit 12 is configured not to perform the amplifying operation until the sound generation command is issued. This is because unnecessary noise is amplified and not emitted from the speaker 13 when there is no noise.
Therefore, in the audio amplifier circuit 12, when a sound generation command is issued from the remote control unit 10, a power supply for an audio amplifier for supplying a drive power source for the audio amplification circuit 12 before the remote control unit 10 outputs the sound generation command. An amplifier power supply control signal (see FIG. 3 (f)) for instructing the power supply to start up is output to the circuit 14, and the audio amplifier power supply circuit 14 receiving the power supply control signal supplies power to the audio amplifier circuit 12. Is configured to start.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the reproduction of the voice message is started, the voice synthesizing IC 11 is shifted from the reset state to the set state prior to the reproduction, and the output voice signal is output. Since the audio amplifier circuit 12 that amplifies the audio signal shifts to the operating state, unnecessary emission of noise is prevented when there is no output request for the audio message.

B: Monitoring of output status of voice message and
Voice Output Control When the reproduction of the voice message is started as described above, the output status of the voice message is detected for each voice phrase output status.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3D, when the voice synthesizing IC 11 starts reproducing the phrase 1, the timer 15 provided in the remote controller 10 starts counting, and the reproducing time of the phrase 1 is started. Start measuring (phrase length). The start of the measurement by the timer 15 is performed in synchronization with the voice control signal.

When detecting the end point of the output of the phrase 1, the time required for the reproduction of the phrase 1 is stored in advance in the storage means 16 as a reference phrase length, and the count in the time counting means 15 is used as the reference phrase length. Is determined to be the completion of phrase 1 output. That is, it is determined whether or not the output of the currently reproduced voice phrase 1 has been completed, based on whether or not the phrase length measured by the timer 15 has reached the reference phrase length.

Thus, in the case where the phrase 2 needs to be reproduced successively to the phrase 1, in the present embodiment, the remote controller 1
0 indicates the phrase 1 by monitoring the playback time of the phrase 1
At the point in time when it is determined that the reproduction of the phrase 2 has been completed, a voice control signal requesting the reproduction of the following phrase 2 is uttered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reproduction operation of the phrase 2 immediately following the lapse of the time of the frame 1 can be performed, so that the voice message composed of a plurality of voice phrases can be reproduced without stagnation. (See FIG. 3 (d)). Moreover, in this manner, since the termination detection signal is received and the phrase 2 is not reproduced as in the related art, it is possible to prevent the repeated reproduction of the voice phrase due to the noise utterance.

In this case, the data stored in the storage means 16 as the reference phrase length is, for each voice phrase,
That is, in the case of the example in FIG. 4 described above, for example, each voice phrase such as “I'll make a snowy day” or “Kyu-to-andoh” is measured and stored individually.

C: Interruption control of other voice messages and the like As described above, according to the present invention, it is easy to detect the output status of the voice phrase reproduced by the voice synthesis IC 11 by monitoring the reproduction time of the voice phrase. Because it can be determined to
Utilizing this, the remote control unit 10 can perform the following control operation.

That is, while the voice synthesizing IC 11 is outputting one voice message (voice phrase), the input switches 6a to 6d are operated, or the water heater 1 requests to output another voice message. If there is, the remote controller control unit 10 can be configured to output one voice message that is currently being output in preference to another voice message that has been requested to output later. In other words, during the output of one voice message, the output request of another voice message is prevented from being interrupted, and when the output of one voice message is completed, the pronunciation command corresponding to the other voice message is output. ,
Even when a plurality of voice message output requests are made at the same time, voice messages can be output in order and smoothly.

Further, in the case where the remote controllers 2 and 3 have an intercom function as in the present embodiment, similarly to the above, during the output of one voice message, the voice is given priority over the generation of the ringing tone from the notification means 9. Preferably, a message is output and a ringing tone is generated after the output of the voice message is completed. The notification means 9
The same applies to other notification outputs (various alarm sounds).

D: Reproduction end operation of voice message In the present invention, one voice message is reproduced in preference to another voice message in this way. The operation when reproduction of a voice message is completed will be described below. I do.

That is, when the phrase 1 and the phrase 2 are continuously reproduced as described above and the reproduction of one voice message is completed, in the present embodiment, the voice synthesis IC 11 and the voice amplification circuit 12 are reset. ,
The state is returned to the state of the amplification stop, and each of them is configured to return to the state of the reset and the state of the amplification stop later than the reference phrase length of the last reproduced audio phrase (phrase 2 in the illustrated example). Is done.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (f), the time when the reproduction of the phrase 2 is completed is determined by the timing unit 15 when the reference phrase length of the phrase 2 is reached. In this state, the voice synthesis IC is immediately used.
When the audio amplifier 11 and the audio amplifier circuit are returned to the reset and stopped states, for example, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
For example, when a new output request for phrase 3 is made with a slight time difference from the completion of phrase 2, the reproduction start operation of the above-mentioned voice message is restarted. In this case, the voice amplifier circuit 12 When the signal rises from the off state to the on state, noise may be caused by the rise, or noise from the voice synthesis IC 11 may be similarly generated. That is, especially the audio amplifier circuit 1
In the second embodiment, since the power is turned on / off in the present embodiment, the noise at that time is such that the listener can easily hear the noise as noise, and gives an uncomfortable feeling to the remote controller operator. .

Therefore, in the present invention, in order to eliminate such discomfort, the resetting of the voice synthesizing IC 11 and the shift of the voice amplifying circuit 12 to the operation stop state are performed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (f), the phrase 2
Is performed after a lapse of the reference phrase length.
In other words, by making these set state and amplifying operation state last longer than the reference phrase length of the voice message, even when a sound generation request is made slightly behind the last voice message as in phrase 3, the noise is not affected. This allows smooth playback of voice messages without the occurrence of voice messages.

In the illustrated example, the audio amplification circuit 1
2 is configured to return to the reset state of the voice synthesizing IC 11 after the operation of the voice amplifying circuit 11 is stopped. This is to prevent amplification at 12, and it is a matter of course that the setting of the delay time of both can be appropriately changed in design.

The above-described embodiment is merely for showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the voice synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a remote controller of a hot water supply apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other home appliances such as air conditioners and voice synthesizing apparatuses are provided. Applicable to all devices where the device is used.

In the above embodiment, the audio amplifier circuit 1
The transition to the operation stop and the operation start of 2 is realized by the on / off control of the audio amplifier power supply circuit 14, but may be performed by other methods such as volume adjustment of the audio amplifier circuit 12.

[0051]

As described in detail above, according to the output status detecting method, the voice output control method and the voice synthesizing device of the voice synthesizing apparatus of the present invention, the output status of the voice message reproduced by the voice synthesizing means is monitored. Is performed by monitoring the time of voice phrases, so that even when a voice message is composed of a plurality of voice phrases or when a plurality of voice messages are continuously reproduced, there is no malfunction due to noise or the like, and Continuous voice messages can be played smoothly without stagnation.

Further, even when an output request for another voice message or the like is made while one voice message is being output, one voice message being output is output with priority. Confusion with other voice messages can be prevented, and since other voice messages and the like made during the output of one voice message are played back after the completion of playback of one voice message, the listener can leak the voice messages etc. in order. I can hear it.

Further, the voice amplifying means and the voice synthesizing means,
Since the reset or the amplification operation is stopped with a delay after the completion of the reproduction of the voice message, unpleasant noise caused by runaway of the voice synthesis means or internal noise of the voice amplification means may be transmitted to the outside. Is suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote control system of a water heater to which a voice synthesizing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote controller incorporating a speech synthesizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of various signals illustrating a method for detecting an output state of a voice message and a method for controlling a voice output in the remote controller.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a voice message in the remote controller.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional speech synthesizer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hot water supply device 2, 3 remote control 4 transmission line 5 power supply separation means 6 input means 7 display means 8 communication means 9 notification means 10 remote control control unit (control means) 11 voice synthesis IC (voice synthesis means) 12 voice amplification circuit (voice) Amplifying means) 13 Speaker (loudspeaking means) 14 Power supply circuit for voice amplifier 15 Clocking means 16 Storage means A Voice synthesizer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Hamaya 93, Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. Noritz

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A control means for outputting a sounding command in response to a voice message output request, a voice synthesizing means for outputting a predetermined message as a voice signal based on a sounding command from the control means, and the voice synthesizing means A voice amplifying means for amplifying a voice signal output from the voice amplifier, and a loudspeaker means for transmitting the voice signal amplified by the voice amplifying means to the outside as an audible sound, wherein the voice output from the voice synthesis means is provided. The phrase length of the voice phrase constituting the message is measured, and it is determined whether or not the measured phrase length has reached the reference phrase length set corresponding to the voice phrase, thereby outputting the voice message. A method for detecting an utterance state of a speech synthesizer, comprising detecting a state. 2. The audio system according to claim 1, wherein when the voice message is composed of a plurality of phrases, when the completion of the output of one phrase is detected by the method of claim 1, reproduction of the subsequent phrase is started. An audio output control method for a synthesizer. 3. A control means for outputting a sounding command in response to a voice message output request, a voice synthesizing means for outputting a predetermined message as a voice signal based on a sounding command from the control means, and the voice synthesizing means. A voice amplifying means for amplifying a voice signal output from the voice amplifying means, and a loudspeaker means for transmitting the voice signal amplified by the voice amplifying means to the outside as audible sound, wherein the control means comprises: And a storage means for storing a reference phrase length corresponding to the voice message, wherein the phrase length of the voice message measured by the time measurement means is determined in advance. Compare the reference phrase length stored corresponding to the voice message and detect the output status of the voice message Speech synthesis apparatus according to claim Rukoto. 4. The control means, when the voice synthesis means outputs one voice message while another voice message is output, gives priority to the one voice message being output. 4. The speech synthesizer according to claim 3, wherein after outputting the one voice message is completed, a pronunciation command corresponding to the other voice message is output. 5. The voice synthesizing unit is always kept in a reset state so that its function does not operate during a standby state until a sounding command is input from the control unit, and the sound generating command is input. 4. The voice according to claim 3, wherein the function is set to an operable state at a time, and at the end of the voice message, the function returns to a reset state with a delay from the reference frame length. Synthesizer. 6. The sound amplification means is held in a stopped state so as not to perform the amplification operation during a standby state until a sounding command is input from the control means, and the sounding command is input. 4. The voice according to claim 3, wherein the voice message is started up at a time when an amplifying operation is possible, and at the end of the voice message, the voice message is returned to a stop state with a delay from the reference frame length. Synthesizer. 7. A device comprising the voice synthesizing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the device includes a notification unit using an audible sound other than the voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit. The control means is also configured to be able to control the audible sound output by the notifying means. If the audible sound output request is issued to the notifying means while the voice synthesizing means is outputting one voice message, the output is performed. A voice synthesizing apparatus characterized in that one of the voice messages is preferentially output, and the audible sound is output from the notification means after the output of the one voice message is completed.