Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The method includes receiving and expanding text data to form a sequence of text and pseudo words. The sequence of text and pseudo words is converted into a sequence of speech items, and the sequence of speech items is converted into a sequence of voice recordings. The method includes generating voice data on the sequence of voice recordings by concatenating adjacent recordings in the sequence of voice recordings.

Abstract: A method of training a computer system via human voice input from a human teacher is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes presenting a text spelling of an unknown word and receiving a human voice pronunciation of the unknown word. A phonetic spelling of the unknown word is determined. The text spelling is associated with the phonetic spelling to allow a text to speech engine to correctly pronounce the unknown word in the future when presented with the text spelling of the unknown word.

Abstract: A computer to telephone interface card comprises a plurality of audio data input ports, a mixer, and a converter. The mixer receives audio input data from audio data input ports and, in real-time, generates a mixed audio output data signal at the mixer output. The converter has an output connecting to a phone line to generate and provide mixed audio output to the phone line based on the audio input data received at the plurality of audio data input ports.

Abstract: A method for concatenating a series of electronic voice segments encoded according to a source modeled algorithm is provided. The source modeled algorithm includes an excitation function such as a pitch function. The method includes evaluating an excitation function of the segments to be concatenated. The method further includes combining the segments into a sequence. The method further includes altering the excitation function such that the decoded sequence more accurately represents human speech. The alteration may include adjusting the pitch excitation function across one or more concatenation points. The alteration may also include adjusting the pitch excitation function across the sequence to more accurately reflect the content of the sequence. The source modeled algorithm may be a linear predictive algorithm such as Code Excited Linear Prediction (CELP) or Linear Predictive Coding (LCP). A system for concatenating a series of electronic voice segments is also provided.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The digital voice library includes a plurality of speech items including words and syllables and a corresponding plurality of voice recordings. Each speech item corresponds to at least one available voice recording. The method comprises training the digital voice library to associate each syllable speech item with a literal text syllable of the particular syllable speech item.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. Multiple voice recordings correspond to a single speech item and represent various inflections of that single speech item. The method includes determining syllable count and impact value for each speech item in a sequence of speech items. A desired inflection for each speech item is determined based on the syllable count and the impact value and further based on a set of playback rules. A sequence of voice recordings is determined by determining a voice recording for each speech item based on the desired inflection and based on the available voice recordings that correspond to the particular speech item. Voice data are generated based on a sequence of voice recordings by concatenating adjacent recordings in the sequence of voice recordings.

Abstract: A method of making a digital voice library utilized for converting text to concatenated voice in accordance with a set of playback rules includes generating a complex tone that reflects a particular inflection required for a particular voice recording of a particular speech item. The complex tone is composed of portions of a recording of a voice talent uttering a vocal sequence. The voice talent is recorded reciting the particular speech item to make the particular voice recording. The voice talent uses the complex tone as a guide to allow the voice talent to recite the particular speech item in accordance with the particular inflection.

Abstract: Automated business directory assistance routes a call for directory assistance to a speech recognizer which determines the type of assistance requested. If the request is for business information, the requested information is automatically retrieved. Otherwise, the call is routed to a call center.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The digital voice library includes a plurality of speech items and a corresponding plurality of voice recordings. Each speech item corresponds to at least one available voice recording. Multiple voice recordings that correspond to a single speech item represent various inflections of that single speech item. The method includes receiving text data, converting the text data into a sequence of speech items in accordance with the digital voice library. The method further includes establishing multiple voice recordings in the digital voice library that correspond to a single inflection of a single speech item, for a plurality of inflections of a plurality of speech items, that represent various ligatures for the single inflection of the single speech item with adjacent speech items.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The method comprises generating voice data based on a sequence of voice recordings by concatenating adjacent recordings in the sequence of voice recordings. Concatenating a first recording and a second recording adjacent to the first recording includes manipulating the ending sonic feature of the first recording to determine a first recording switch point, manipulating the starting sonic feature of the second recording to determine a second recording switch point, and synchronizing the first recording switch point and the second recording switch point.

Abstract: A graphic interface system and product are provided for editing an encoded audio signal. The system includes a receiver for receiving an encoded audio signal having multiple frequency subbands, as well as control logic operative to generate a spectral graph of the encoded audio signal, the spectral graph including an amplitude of each frequency subband as a function of time, and to mark a selectable edit point of the encoded audio signal. The system also includes a display unit for displaying the spectral graph including the edit point marked, and an input device for selecting the edit point. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions recorded thereon.

Abstract: A method for concatenating a series of electronic voice segments encoded according to a source modeled algorithm is provided. The source modeled algorithm includes an excitation function such as a pitch function. The method includes evaluating an excitation function of the segments to be concatenated. The method further includes combining the segments into a sequence. The method further includes altering the excitation function such that the decoded sequence more accurately represents human speech. The alteration may include adjusting the pitch excitation function across one or more concatenation points. The alteration may also include adjusting the pitch excit across the sequence to more accurately reflect the content of the sequence. The source modeled algorithm may be a linear predictive algorithm such as Code Excited Linear Prediction (CELP) or Linear Predictive Coding (LCP). A system for concatenating a series of electronic voice segments is also provided.

Abstract: A method of training a computer system via human voice input from a human teacher is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes presenting a text spelling of an unknown word and receiving a human voice pronunciation of the unknown word. A phonetic spelling of the unknown word is determined. The text spelling is associated with the phonetic spelling to allow a text to speech engine to correctly pronounce the unknown word in the future when presented with the text spelling of the unknown word.

Abstract: A method, system and product for modifying the dynamic range of an encoded audio signal. The method includes receiving the encoded audio signal, the encoded audio signal having a first set of scale factors associated with a first dynamic range, and identifying a playback destination for the encoded audio signal, the playback destination having a second dynamic range. The method also includes mapping the first set of scale factors to a second set of scale factors associated with the second dynamic range, and replacing the first set of scale factors in the encoded audio signal with the second set of scale factors to create a modified encoded audio signal for decoding and reassembly at the playback destination. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of making a digital voice library utilized for converting text to concatenated voice in accordance with a set of playback rules includes generating a complex tone that reflects a particular inflection required for a particular voice recording of a particular speech item. The complex tone is composed of portions of a recording of a voice talent uttering a vocal sequence. The voice talent is recorded reciting the particular speech item to make the particular voice recording. The voice talent uses the complex tone as a guide to allow the voice talent to recite the particular speech item in accordance with the particular inflection.

Abstract: A method, system and product are provided for synthesizing sound using encoded audio signals having a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having a scale factor and sample data associated therewith. The method includes selecting a spectral envelope, and selecting a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having sample data associated therewith. The method also includes generating a synthetic encoded audio signal having a plurality of frequency subbands, the subbands having the selected spectral envelope and the selected sample data. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

Abstract: A method, system and product are provided for loss-less encoding of a digital signal representing an audible sound. The method includes dividing the digital signal into a plurality of frames, dividing each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of subbands, and assigning each of the plurality of subbands an indicator selected from the group consisting of positive, zero, and negative, wherein the indicator selected is based on a polarity and a magnitude of the subband. The method further includes assigning each of the plurality of subbands one of a plurality of scale factors, wherein each scale factor represents a sound level range of at most two decibels, and generating a digital word for each of the plurality of frames, each digital word having a scale factor section including the scale factors for the plurality of subbands in the frame, and a sample data section including the indicators for the plurality of subbands in the frame.

Abstract: Automated business directory assistance routes a call for directory assistance to a speech recognizer which determines the type of assistance requested. If the request is for business information, the requested information is automatically retrieved. Otherwise, the call is routed to a call center.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The digital voice library includes a plurality of speech items and a corresponding plurality of voice recordings. Each speech item corresponds to at least one available voice recording. Multiple voice recordings that correspond to a single speech item represent various inflections of that single speech item. The method includes receiving text data, converting the text data into a sequence of speech items in accordance with the digital voice library. The method further includes establishing multiple voice recordings in the digital voice library that correspond to a single inflection of a single speech item, for a plurality of inflections of a plurality of speech items, that represent various ligatures for the single inflection of the single speech item with adjacent speech items.

Abstract: A method for converting text to concatenated voice by utilizing a digital voice library and a set of playback rules is provided. The method includes receiving and expanding text data to form a sequence of text and pseudo words. The sequence of text and pseudo words is converted into a sequence of speech items, and the sequence of speech items is converted into a sequence of voice recordings. The method includes generating voice data on the sequence of voice recordings by concatenating adjacent recordings in the sequence of voice recordings.