Abstract: A speech synthesis apparatus for outputting synthesized speech on the basis of a parameter sequence of a speech waveform includes a parameter generation unit which generates a parameter sequence for speech synthesis on the basis of a character sequence input by a character sequence input unit, and stores the generated parameter sequence in a parameter storage unit. A waveform generation unit is also provided that generates pitch waveforms each for one pitch period on the basis of synthesis parameters and pitch scales included in the parameter sequence, and generates a speech waveform by connecting the generated pitch waveforms in accordance with frame lengths set by a frame length setting unit.

Abstract: A document inputting apparatus or speech outputting apparatus inputs and displays document data, specifies accent information, pronunciation information and syllable-length information of words or characters of the document data. The apparatus displays the document data in accordance with the specified information so that information such as the accent positions or accent intensities can be recognized. Thus formed document data is stored in a memory with the accent information, the pronunciation information or the syllable-length information. Upon reading the document data from the memory and outputting it as speech, the specified information is referred to for speech synthesizing, thus outputting speech corresponding to the correct pronunciation.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for synchronized audiovisual output has synchronizing signal bits which are assigned to bits of each sound data, represented by a 16-bit PCM code. A predetermined bit of the assigned bits having the least influence upon the human auditory sense is extracted as a synchronizing signal bit for synchronization of the image data output and sound output.

Abstract: A speech synthesis method and apparatus for synthesizing speech from a character series comprising a text and pitch information. The apparatus includes a parameter generator for generating power spectrum envelopes as parameters of a speech waveform to be synthesized representing the input text in accordance with the input character series. The apparatus also includes a pitch waveform generator for generating pitch waveforms whose period equals the pitch specified by the pitch information. The pitch waveform generator generates the pitch waveforms from the input pitch information and the power spectrum envelopes generated by the parameter generator. Also provided is a speech waveform output device for outputting the speech waveform obtained by connecting the generated pitch waveforms.

Abstract: A speech synthesis method and a speech synthesis apparatus includes a system for synthesis by rule that prevents the quality of synthesized speech from deteriorating and for reducing the number of calculations that are required for the generation of a speech waveform. The speech synthesis apparatus includes a character series input section, for inputting a character series as phonetic text, a pitch waveform generator, for generating a pitch waveform by calculating a product of a matrix, which has been acquired for each pitch, and the character series, which is input by the character series input section, and a device for connecting pitch waveforms that are generated by the pitch waveform generator and for providing a speech waveform. The calculation method for the generation of such a pitch waveform provides a great reduction in the number of calculations that are required.