Unified Messaging System With Automatic Language Identification For Text-To-Speech Conversion

A method of providing language-based conversion of an original text message into speech for a user comprising the following steps:

• a. retrieving the original text message;
• b. automatically generating a language identifier corresponding to the original text message;
• and
• c. translating the original text message into a translated text message in a user selected language based upon the language identifier.

A messaging system for converting a text message into computer generated speech, the system comprising:

• a. means for storing the text message;
• b. means for automatically generating a language identifier corresponding to the text message wherein the means for automatically generating is coupled to the means for storing;
• and
• c. a text to speech engine coupled to the means for storing wherein the text to speech engine converts the text message into the computer generated speech based upon the language identifier.

A voice messaging system for providing voice messaging services to a set of subscribers, the voice messaging system comprising:

• a. means for retrieving a text message;
• b. means for automatically generating a language identifier corresponding to the text message;
• c. means for converting the text message into computer-generated speech based upon the language identifier;
• and
• d. means for playing the computer-generated speech to a subscriber.

A method of operating language-based conversion of a present text message into speech, the method comprising the following steps:

• a. retrieving the present text message;
• b. automatically generating a language identifier corresponding to the present text message;
• c. selecting an appropriate text-to-speech engine in response to the language identifier;
• d. converting the present text message directly into computer-generated speech in response to the appropriate text-to-speech engine;
• and
• e. playing the computer generated speech to a subscriber.