Voice output apparatus and a method thereof
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsTakashi Itoh, Chieko Asakawa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
When a user depresses a normal mode key 180 of a key pad 18 the computer 16 provides a voice signal which reads text data aloud at a normal speed (for example, a speed at which an announcer reads aloud news in radio broadcasting). When the user depresses a fast feed mode key 182, the computer 16 converts only a section of the text data at a speed (1.5 to 3 times the normal speed) which will enable the user to understand the content to a voice signal. other sections (skipping section) are converted to a voice signal of a speed (skipping speed, 3 or more times the normal speed) at which the user can grasp at least the length and the tome of the text data regardless of whether or not it is audible to the user.
Claims18
A voice output apparatus comprising:
- dividing means for dividing text data into a plurality of first and second sections;
- and
- voice output means for converting the text data of each of said sections to a voice signal at speeds differing in the sections, said voice output means for converting said first sections of said divided text data to voice signals at a normal first speed while converting a first portion of said second sections of said divided text data to voice signals at a second fast forward speed which is faster than said first speed but still comprehensible and another portion at a third skipping speed above the limit of comprehension which portions are selected and combined so that the text can be audibly reviewed quickly and understandably.
A voice output method comprising the steps of:
- dividing text data into first and second sections,
- converting each of said first and second sections to a voice signal of a speed differing in the first and second sections converting said first sections of said divided text data to a voice signal of a normal first speed while converting said second sections of said divided text data into voice data at different speeds in different portions one portion to a second fast forward speed which is faster than said first speed but still comprehensible and another portion to a third skipping speed beyond the limit of comprehension:
- and
- selecting and combining the sections and portions in segments that enable the text to be audibly comprehended quickly.
A computer readable program on a recording medium with software for causing a computer to execute the steps of:
- dividing text data into first and second sections;
- and
- converting each of said first and second sections all to a voice signal at speeds differing from each other when audibly outputting them, converting said first sections of said divided text data to a voice signal at a normal first speed while converting said second sections of said divided text data to a voice signal of a second speed which is faster than said first speed and at least partially incomprehensible so that the total text data is converted to voice signals
- selecting and combining the sections to permit rapid understanding of the vocalized text data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.