Abstract: An apparatus for reading out textual information with synthesized speech comprises: a buffer memory 24 for buffering character codes of textual information; a keyword/ read-out region storing unit 22 which stores previously specified keyword and region of the textual information, the region being to be read out and including the keyword; a read-out region retrieving unit 23 which retrieves the keyword from the buffered character codes, and which, when the keyword exists, causes character codes corresponding to the read-out region, to be outputted from the buffer memory 24; a speech synthesizing unit 26 which converts the outputted character codes into a synthesized speech signal; and a loudspeaker 14 for outputting the synthesized speech signal in the form of synthesized speech.

Abstract: A speech synthesis apparatus for synthesizing speech from text data, having a voice characteristic, a tone, a rhythm, etc. which corresponds to the contents of edition on the text data displayed on a screen, by converting a volume, a speed, a pitch, a voice characteristic, etc. of a voice on judging the contents of the edition, such as an edition of a size, a spacing, a font and so on of a character, on the text data displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A karaoke apparatus, a speech reproducing apparatus and a medium on which is recorded a computer program used therefor which output narration of synthesized speech including a requested song name, a requester's name or the like together with an introduction or an interlude of a song, thereby to relieve the boredom of participants during the introduction or the interlude, or the apparatus and the medium which synthesize speech of a chorus, or convert a characteristic of speech input thorough a microphone into a speech characteristic of a professional singer or the like thereby to excite participants.

Abstract: A speech synthesis apparatus for synthesizing speech to read out a text in place of a reader at a speed corresponding to a set time and the text volume, a medium on which is recorded a computer program for reading out a text in place of a reader, an apparatus for calculating time necessary for a reader to finish reading out a text on the basis of the reader's speech characteristic data of a prescribed word or sentence, and a medium on which is recorded a computer program for calculating the read out time.

Abstract: In a voice speed converting system according to the present invention, an input sound signal is subjected to voice speed conversion processing by a voice speed conversion processing device. Output from the voice speed conversion processing device is written to a ring memory. Data written to the ring memory are read out at a predetermined speed. The amount of stored data in the ring memory is calculated on the basis of a write signal and a read signal for the ring memory by stored data amount calculating device. The voice speed converting device includes a section judging device that judges which of a voice section and a silence section corresponds to the input sound signal. The input sound signal is subjected to compression and expansion processing or deletion processing, in response to an output of the section judging device and an output of the stored data amount calculating device by a signal processing device.