Intelligent text-to-speech synthesis

A computing apparatus for synthesizing speech from input text, the computing apparatus comprising:

• a retriever configured to retrieve the input text entered into the computing apparatus;
• a transformer configured to automatically transform the input text based on the semantics of at least one word of the input text and based on the context of the input text to generate a formatted text, wherein the transformer is configured to automatically add an audio rendering effect to the input text based on the semantics of at least one word, the audio rendering effect comprising background music, special effect sounds, and context sensitive sounds;
• and
• a modifier configured to modify the formatted text to fit the requirements of a text-to-speech software engine.

A method of synthesizing speech from input text, the method comprising:

• retrieving the input text entered into a computing system;
• transforming the input text based on the semantics of at least one word of the input text and at least one characteristic of a profile of a user to generate a formatted text, the transforming step being automatic and dependent upon the context of the input text, wherein the step of transforming includes adding an audio rendering effect to the input text based on the semantics of at least one word, the audio rendering effect comprising background music, special effect sounds, and context sensitive sounds;
• and
• modifying the formatted text to fit the requirements of a text-to-speech software engine.

A method of synthesizing speech from input text, the method comprising:

• retrieving the input text entered into a computing system;
• transforming automatically the input text based on the semantics of at least one word of the input text and at least one characteristic of a hardware engine to generate a formatted text;
• and
• modifying the formatted text to fit the requirements of a text-to-speech software engine and the hardware engine.

A method of synthesizing speech from input text, the method comprising:

• retrieving the input text entered into a computing system;
• transforming the input text based on the semantics of at least one word of the input text to generate a formatted text for speech synthesis, wherein the transforming step is automatic and depends upon the context of the input text, wherein the semantics are generated using a database mapping technique, wherein the database mapping technique provides additional information relating to said at least one word;
• and,
• modifying the formatted text to fit the requirements of a text-to-speech software engine.