Text-to-speech converter of a facsimile graphic image
AssigneeBerkeley Speech Technologies, Inc.
InventorsSara O'Malley, Michael H. O'Malley, Elisabeth Peters
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Abstract
A computer system is described that includes a capability to receive and store graphic images from remote facsimile machines. The system includes a software that can convert graphic images of textual material into an ASCII coded file so that either keywords or the coverted text may be converted to speech giving the addressee-user the ability to review incoming facsimiles from a remote telephone. The system includes a relay capability, the capability to print on command and to originate facsimiles either from text files or scanned papers.
Claims28
A device for converting a graphic image of into spoken words, the graphic image represented by a single string of data composed of an ordered set of pixels, where each pixel may be represented by a binary bit, the device comprising:
- computer data means for manipulating strings of data;
- storage means for storing the graphic image in binary form as a single string of data, at least some of said graphic image representing written words;
- recognition means for recognizing, assembling and processing at least portions of the graphic image into groups of coded characters each coded character represented by a plurality of more than one but less than nine binary bits and each coded character capable of being manipulated as a separate string of data by the computer data means;
- and
- text-to-speech means for converting the groups of coded characters into spoken words.
A computerized system for converting to the spoken word a series of graphic images of textual material represented by a set pixels, where each pixel represents the presence or absence of shade of gray and wherein each pixel may be represented by a binary code, the computerized system comprising
- a processor including operating system means for manipulating binary coded strings of data;
- memory means responsive to the processor;
- for receiving, storing, and making available to the processor binary coded strings of data;
- means for receiving binary representations of a series of graphic images at least some of said graphic images representing written words;
- recognition means responsive to the processor for assembling and converting at least a portion of received binary representations of said series of graphic images into coded characters capable of being manipulated by said processor;
- and
- text-to-speech means for converting groups of coded characters into spoken words.
A device for converting a graphic image of textual material represented by a set of pixels where each pixel may be presented in a binary code into spoken words comprising:
- computer data means for manipulating strings of data;
- first storage means for storing a graphic image in binary form, at least some of said graphic image representing written words;
- recognition means for assembly and processing at least portions of the stored graphic image into coded characters each character capable of being manipulated by the computer data means;
- second storage means for storing recorded spoken words;
- text-to-speech means for converting the groups of coded characters into spoken words;
- and,
- mixing means for serially mixing recorded spoken words with the spoken words obtained from converting groups of coded characters.
A computerized system for converting to spoken words a series of graphic images of textural material represented by a set of pixels, where each pixel represents the presence or absence of a shade of grey and wherein each pixel may be represented by a binary code, the computerized system comprising:
- a processor including operating systems means for manipulating binary coded strings of data;
- memory means responsive to the processor;
- for receiving storing and making available to the processor binary coded strings of date;
- means for receiving binary representations of the series of graphic images at least some of said graphic images representing written words;
- recognition means responsive to the processor for assembling and converting at least a portion of the received binary representations of said series of graphic images into coded characters capable of being manipulated by said processors;
- text-to-speech means for converting groups of coded. characters into spoken words in a particular language;
- input means for inputting textual matter in a character by character manner, each of said characters uniquely represented by a group of at least five binary digits;
- text-to-graphic conversion means for converting groups of binary digits representing characters to strings of binary digits representing a graphic depiction of the inputed textual matter;
- said means for receiving binary representations further including means for transmitting a graphic image to a remote site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.