WO2000058964A1

WO2000058964A1 - An apparatus for reproducing digital voice

Info

Publication number: WO2000058964A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000270
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Kwon Jun
Original assignee: Trust & Obey Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-03-29
Filing date: 2000-03-28
Publication date: 2000-10-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information device, which converts those data stored in the form of digital signs in a memory device into analog signs audible to the ear like human voice, thereby facilitating the availability of a vast quantity of information through reproduction into voice of the literal text input by the computer keyboard, data recorded in voice of information printed in type in books or magazines, and such other data originally in letters but rendered digital by means of the scanner and optical character reader (OCR). The apparatus for reproducing digital voice of the present invention consists of a memory medium and a reproduction device proper, the data stored in the memory medium being information converted into human voice, literal data input by the computer keyboard, vocal data in human voice, and such other literal data as are converted from type into digital signs by the scanner and optical character reader. For the memory medium, such semiconductor memories as ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, and FRAM (ferroelectrics random access memory) along with such other recording media as compact disks can be made use of.

Description

An Apparatus for reproducing digital voice

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing digital voice, and particularly to an apparatus for reproduction, which can output such vocal data as are stored in a given memory device and other literal data in a digital form, by converting them into audible voice.

Background Art

By means of reproducing such data as the literal data input by the computer keyboard, such vocal data as are converted from printing in type in books and magazines, and such data as are provided by a memory device which stores literal data converted from material in type by the scanner or the optical character reader (OCR), viz. by means of reproducing all these the present invention facilitates the availability of a vast quantity of information.

Advance of electronic communications industry and progress of such information implements as internet and other communication facilities along with that of the peripheral software industry are resulting in a change, in conveyance of information between individuals, from exchange of printed media to that of electronic documents — transforming conventional office rooms to paperless ones.

In conveyance of information for the masses, viz. newspapers, magazines, books, however, the greatest majority is still making use of printed media, and in the cases where the information is of a tremendous quantity an enormous space will be required for its storage, not to say of the forbidding difficulty in carrying it on a person for its advantageous use.

As a consequence, an electronic book capable for reproduction of such data in the form of images as literal data in type and pictorials by means of a display device has been under assiduous study as a new information medium at home and abroad in these days.

Since such a portable medium as electronic book, however, is for reading, it invariably requires a display device of a certain magnitude, and also requires an input-output drive like the keyboard of a computer, entailing a size, weight, and production cost bordering on those for a portable computer called the note-book. When such a one is put to use in a transportation means, it will piteously shake, aggravating fatigue of the user's eye — a serious drawback.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is intended to provide an apparatus for reproducing digital voice, that is, for converting literal information into human voice audible to the ear for comprehension.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a reproduction device which can change the memory media which store compressed digital vocal information from one to another with ease.

Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus which can supply information to persons who are not enabled to read literal data, too, by means of converting such literal information in a changed form of vocal information.

Still another objective is to provide an apparatus which converts literal information alone into vocal information for storage, and can reproduce it at need, thereby to provide an apparatus of relatively simple construction.

A fifth objective is to provide an apparatus for reproducing digital voice, which receives literal information input by the computer keyboard and reproduces it into vocal information.

A sixth objective is to provide an apparatus which can reproduce literal information in print by converting it into vocal information by means of a device synthesizing it into vocal (TTS: text to speech), thereby to provide an apparatus of simple construction.

A seventh objective is to provide an apparatus for reproducing digital voice, the apparatus having an interface connector, equipped to it, capable for connection with other, extraneous implements so as to make it easy to exchange the data in a memory medium for any in another medium.

To achieve all these objectives, the apparatus of the present invention characteristically consists of a memory medium for storage of data, a restoration section for converting the data stored in the memory medium into vocal data, an output section for playing in audible voice the vocal data provided from the restoration section, and a control section which, by choice of the user, outputs signals for control of both the re-production section and output section.

A particular characteristic feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that the data stored in the memory medium is literal text data.

Another particular characteristic feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that the data stored in memory medium are compressed vocal data.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of the apparatus for reproducing digital voice of the present invention with other implements. Symbols for Main Components in Drawings

110: memory and interface connector section

120: restoration section

130: output section

140: control section

300: extraneous input section

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Below, the construction of the apparatus for reproducing digital voice of the present invention is described together with its functions, the attached diagrams being made reference to when need be. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the apparatus for reproducing digital voice of the present invention.

The apparatus consists of an interface connector section 111 for connection with other implements, a memory medium 112 storing compressed digital voice data made by conversion of letters into sounds, a restoration section 120 for restoration of the vocal data stored in the memory medium 112 from digital to analog data, an output section 130 for conversion of the data provided by the restoration section 120 into audible voice perceptible to the user, and a control section 140 to output signals, at the user's choice, for control of the restoration section 120 and the output section 130.

The interface connector section 111 can be materialized by the use of an infrared ray communication port, RS-232C and USB ports, and the like.

The memory medium stores vocal data, converted from literal data and com-pressed for storage, for the storage which such elements as semiconductor memory, compact disks, and the like can be made use of, and for the semiconductor memory such semiconductor elements as ordinary ROM, flash memory, or ferroelectrics random access memory can be used. To achieve the objectives of the present invention the memory medium has to be in a form which can be freely attached to or pulled out from the reproduction section, and as prerequisite needs to be easily exchangeable.

The restoration section 120 consists of a memory control 121 which reads the data in the memory medium selectively in obedience to the control signal from the control section 140 and of a digital-analog converter 123, which converts to analog signals and outputs the digital data provided by a decoder 122 which expands and re-stores the data provided through the memory control 121.

The output section 130 consists of a low pass filter 131 which receives analog data from the restoration section 120 and so filters out the high frequency wave signals mixed in the analog data that it can pass only the frequency waves belonging to the band audible to the user; an amplifier 132 which receives and amplifies the vocal signals filtered and passed by the low pass filter 131; and a speaker 133 which outputs the vocal signals amplified by the amplifier 132 by converting them into audible voices.

The control section 140 consists of an adjustment signal input section 141, which contains a number of adjusters to receive input of the user's desired adjustments, a system controller 142 which recognizes the signals provided by the adjustment signal input section

141 and outputs proper control signals, a frame address calculator 143 which tells the locations of digital data in answer to the control data from the system controller 142, and a panel section 144 which displays the adjustment signals provided by the adjustment signal input section 141 and the present state of operation of the reproduction device in a way understandable to the user. In case the memory medium be a compact disk a servo control (not illustrated) has to be attached for control of its drive.

The adjustment signal input section 141 is equipped with a function key as is usual with most reproduction devices for reproduction, stop, forward move, backward move, repetition within sections, etc. As the user presses the function key, the system controller

142 recognizes it and outputs proper control signals. Such a control signal is conveyed to the frame address calculator 143, and it controls the memory control 121 according to the results of the relevant address counting, thus determining the address of a relevant memory, detecting the position of the digital, and providing it.

In order that digital vocal data may be restored to their original magnitude the decoder 122 expands and restores to the original magnitude such digital vocal signals as have been compressed in a ratio of, say 1 : 16, whereby it is made possible to in-crease the time for output of the vocal information. The D-A converter 123 converts the restored digital vocal signals into analog vocal signals and outputs them to the low pass filter 131. The low pass filter 131 filters the unnecessary high frequency wave signal elements beyond the audible vocal zone off the provided analog vocal signals and passes the remaining analog vocal signals on to the amplifier 132. The amplifier 132 receives the filtered analog vocal signals, amplifies them, and provides them so as to be output through the speaker 133.

The system controller 142 can make use of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or the like, and has a function of controlling main components in the system.

For instance, if an input key works, this information processing element sends off a

PCM (pulse code modulation) signal to a proper element to induce action. In the case of restoration of an information signal, the system controller 142 sends off a status request command to the memory control 121 and receives compressed digital vocal data in a 16 bit format. At this time, in order to assign positions to the compressed digital vocal data a certain address is registered with a register inside the system controller 142.

The system controller 142 receives byte information stored in the form of files from the memory control 121 in regular order by means of the frame address calculator 143. In other words, the system controller 142 monitors conveyance of data and, when the D-A converter 123 gets ready, now reads data at a certain position by the bite unit, and conveys them to the decoder 122. The decoder 122 receives data in a unit of 28 and the like, expands them by means of pulse code modulation, and outputs them. The thus output signals are converted into analog signals by means of the D-A converter 123. The analog vocal signals which are output from the D-A converter 123 are cleared of the unnecessary noise by the low pass filter 131, amplified by the amplifier 132, and are output in the form of audible voice through the speaker 133. The system controller 142 contains a logic circuit, whereby, in case the earphone jack is inserted with an ear phone, detects this and stops operation of the speaker 133. In case the memory medium is a flash memory it can be connected with the reproducing device by means of a 68-pin PCMCIA connector or the like.

In case the memory medium is a compact disk the system control section 140 has to be equipped with a servo control device for control of the compact disk, and regarding the other matters, no further description is considered necessary since pertinent techniques are all already publicly known.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another example of embodiment of the present invention, and this example covers the case, where the data stored in the memory medium are literal data, unlike in Fig. 1. At this time, the literal data can be provided in compression, depending upon the different types of the memory media.

This embodiment consists of a memory medium storing literal data and a restoration section 220, the latter having functions including that of converting the digital literal data stored in the memory medium 212 into voice. The memory medium contains literal data entered by the computer keyboard and other digital literal data rendered from printed literal data.

The restoration section 220, unlike at the time of reproducing already digitalized vocal data, contains a TTS (text to speech) device 222 for conversion of digital literal data to vocal. Since the construction of the apparatus for reproducing digital voice, except for the TTS device 222, is the same as Fig. 1 , description of the memory medium, inter-face connector section 210, output section 230, and control section 240 is omitted.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating how the apparatus for reproducing digital voice of the present invention is connected with other, extraneous implements. Because the interface connector 211, easily connectable with extraneous implements, is in-stalled on the apparatus for reproducing digital voice, it is possible to down load necessary data for convenient use. For instance, by undertaking a processing of scanning the images of printed literal data and converting them into digital letters by an optical character reader (OCR) it is possible to make use of them in the form of digital literal data. At this time, the digital literal data are converted into voice by means of a TTS device 222.

Also by connecting a personal terminal device with the interface connector 211 of the apparatus for reproducing digital voice, it is possible to down load literal data on Internet of other information network service by the apparatus for their reproduction. Moreover, if a network device 315, connected with Internet and other data bases, is connected with the interface connector 211 of the apparatus, all the literal information such as those electronic letters on Internet, e-mail, could be down loaded for reproduction in voice.

Effects of Invention

As has been described above, the present invention, capable for reproducing in- formation rendered in digital data to be heard with the ear, makes it possible to reduce the size, weight, and production cost of the apparatus, while at the same time facilitating the availability of information even riding in a means of transport. In especial, in a vehicle the subject apparatus, unlike the existing electronic book which reproduces data on a visual monitor, can be free of disturbance in vision, even if it is inevitably subjected to shakes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice, comprising:

a memory medium for storing digital data;

a restoration section for restoring digital data stored in said memory medium into vocal data;

an output section for outputting said vocal signals provided by said restoration section in audible voice; and,

a control section for outputting signals so as to control said restoration section and said output section according as the user desires.

2. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 1, which is characterized in that said digital data stored in said memory medium are compressed vocal data.

3. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 2, wherein said restoration section comprises:

a memory controller for reading said digital data stored in said memory medium selectively in obedience to the control signals provided by said control section; a decoder for amplifying and restoring to their original magnitude said vocal data provided through said memory controller; and,

a D-A (digital-analog) converter for outputting the digital data provided by said decoder after converting them to analog signals.

4. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 1, wherein the digital data stored in said memory medium are literal text data and said restoration section comprises a TTS (text-to-speech) vocal synthesizer for converting said text data into vocal signals.

5. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 4, further comprises an interface connector for conveyance of data provided by other implements to said memory medium.

6. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 5, wherein said interface connector is an infrared ray communication port.

7. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 4, wherein said literal text data are such literal text data converted by means of an optical character reader from data which, in turn, have been converted to images by a scanner.

8. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 4, wherein said literal text data are provided by means of inputting means as the computer keyboard and others.

9. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 4, wherein said literal text data are provided by net- work devices.

10. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 5, wherein said literal text data are provided by a personal communication terminal device connected with said interface connector.

11. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to any one of Claims 1 through 10, wherein said control section comprising:

an adjustment signal input section having a number of adjustment keys to receive the input of the user's desires for control;

a system controller for recognizing signals provided by said adjustment signal input section and outputting relevant control signals; and,

a frame address calculator for providing address information of digital data in obedience to the control signals transmitted from said system controller.

12. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to any one of Claims 1 through 10, wherein said output section comprising:

a low pass filter for filtering off high frequency band signals mixed in the analog data provided by said D-A (digital-analog) converter and passing only the remaining signals as belong to the band audible to human ear;

an amplifier for receiving the vocal signals passed on by said low pass filter and amplifying them; and

a speaker for outputting the vocal signals amplified by said amplifier after converting them to audible voice.

13. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 1, wherein said memory medium is a semiconductor memory device.

14. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 1, wherein said memory medium is a compact disk.

15. An apparatus for reproducing digital voice according to Claim 14, wherein said control section further comprises a servo control section for driving said compact disk.