EP0059880A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Text-to-speech synthesis system
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1982-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A text-to-speech synthesis system receives digital code representative of characters from a local or remote source, and converts those character codes into speech. A set of allophone rules (16) is contained in a memory and each incoming character set is matched with the proper character set to describe the sound of that particular character set. A microcontroller (17) is dedicated to the comparison procedure which provides allophonic code when a match is made. The allophonic code is provided to a speech producing system which has a system microcontroller (11) for controlling the retrievel, from a read-only memory (12), of digital signals representative of the individual allophone parameters. The addresses at which such allophone parameters are located are directly related to the allophonic code. A dedicated microcontroller (13) concatenates the digital signals representative of the allophone parameters, including code indicating stress and intonation patterns for the allophones. The allophones are divided into a plurality of frames with one digital position indicating whether the frame is the last frame in the allophone, in which event an extra frame is introduced to provide smoothing between allophones when no stop is present and when the present allophone is voiced and the subsequent allophone is voiced, or when the present allophone is unvoiced and the subsequent allophone is unvoiced. A linear predictive coding speech synthesizer (14) receives the digital signals and provides analog signals corresponding thereto to a loud speaker (15) to produce speechlike sounds with stress and intonation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kun-Shan Lin
- 👤 Kathleen M. Goudie
- 👤 Gene A. Frantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10L; G10L13/00; G10L13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A text-to-speech synthesis system, having audible output means, for synthesizing speech from digital characters comprising: (a) means for receiving the digital character; (b) speech unit rule means, for storing parameter encod- ; ing, coded signals corresponding to the digital characters; (c) rules processor means, for searching the speech unit rule means to provide parameter encoding,, coded signals corresponding to the digital characters; and (d) speech producing means, connected to receive the coded signals and to produce speech-like sound.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A text-to-speech synthesis system, having audible output means, for synthesizing speech from digital characters comprising: (a) means for receiving the digital character; (b) speech unit rule means, for storing parameter encod- ; ing, coded signals corresponding to the digital characters; (c) rules processor means, for searching the speech unit rule means to provide parameter encoding,, coded signals corresponding to the digital characters; and (d) speech producing means, connected to receive the coded signals and to produce speech-like sound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the speech unit rule means comprises digital storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the digital storage means comprises a read-only memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the rules processor means comprises a rules microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
- 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the speech unit rule means further comprises a plurality of rules stored in a common section of the read-only memory for each of the digital characters that may be input to the system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the rules comprise units of speech representative of the digital characters that are each assigned a parameter encoding code determined by the character and the neighboring characters on each side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the rules microprocessor comprises means for searching a common section corresponding to an input digital character set until a match is found and for providing the assigned code for the matched character set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the speech producing means comprises: (d) (i) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of unit of speech; (ii) means for concatenating the digital signals for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the unit of speech wherein the unit of speech comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (iii) LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (iv) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transitions between the units of speech.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the parameter encoding library means comprises a read-only-memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective coded signals, the contents at each address including parameters of a unit of speech.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the speech producing means comprises: (d) (i) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (ii) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (v) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the parameter encoding library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective coded signals, the contents at each address including parameters of a unit of speech.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A text-to-speech synthesis system, having audible output means, for. synthesizing speech from digital characters, comprising: (a) means for receiving the digital characters; (b) allophone rule means, for storing allophonic code signals coresponding to the digital characters; (c) rules processor means, for searching the allophone rule means to provide an allophonic code corresponding to the digital characters; and (d) speech producing means, connected to receive the coded signals and to produce speech-like sound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A text-to-speech synthesis system, having audible output means, for. synthesizing speech from digital characters, comprising: (a) means for receiving the digital characters; (b) allophone rule means, for storing allophonic code signals coresponding to the digital characters; (c) rules processor means, for searching the allophone rule means to provide an allophonic code corresponding to the digital characters; and (d) speech producing means, connected to receive the coded signals and to produce speech-like sound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the allophone rule means comprises digital storage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the digital storage means comprises a read-only memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the rules processor means comprises a rules microprocessor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the speech allophone rule means further comprises a plurality of rules stored in a common section of the read-only memory for each of the digital characters that may be input to the system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the rules comprise allophonic codes representative of the digital character sets that are each assigned an allophonic code determined by the character set.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the rules microprocessor comprises means for searching a common section corresponding to an input digital character set until a match is found and for providing the assigned code for the matched character set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
112 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the speech producing means comprises: (d) (i) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (ii) means for concatenating the digital signals, for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the allophone wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (iii) speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (iv) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the speech producing means comprises: (d) (i) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative.of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (ii) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (v) semiconductor, integrated circuit speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the content in each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the speech producing means comprises: (d) (i) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (ii) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (iii) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means for'receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals = corresponding to the allophones to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the means for concatenating comprises means for designating pitch to the allophone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a base pitch as modified by an operator-inserted coded primary or secondary stress.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the base pitch comprises a descending gradient for a statement and an ascending gradient for a question.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 29 wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a delta pitch for limiting the amplitude of the primary or secondary stress.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 30 wherein each frame comprises a signal indicating whether or not the frame is the end of the allophone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the smoothing means comprises means for selectively inserting an additional frame after the last frame in the allophone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the smoothing means further comprises means for identifying the current allophone and the subsequent allophone as voiced or unvoiced, or stop.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the means for selectively inserting an additional frame is activated when no stop is present, and the current allophone and the subsequent allophone are both voiced or both unvoiced.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for producing speech from digital characters in a system having a semiconductor, integrated circuit, speech synthesizer and audible output means, comprising: (a) storing rules for units of speech; (b) searching the rules for a match to an input digital character set; (c) providing a coded signal for the matched character set; (d) storing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (e) reading out the digital signals at the addresses corresponding to the coded signals; (f) concatenating the digital signals read out; (g) digitally coding desired pitch and intonation to the concatenated digital signals; and (h) transmitting the concatenated digital signals to the speech synthesizer for speech synthesis and application to the audible output means to produce speech.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for producing speech from digital characters in a system having a semiconductor, integrated circuit, speech synthesizer and audible output means, comprising: (a) storing rules for units of speech; (b) searching the rules for a match to an input digital character set; (c) providing a coded signal for the matched character set; (d) storing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (e) reading out the digital signals at the addresses corresponding to the coded signals; (f) concatenating the digital signals read out; (g) digitally coding desired pitch and intonation to the concatenated digital signals; and (h) transmitting the concatenated digital signals to the speech synthesizer for speech synthesis and application to the audible output means to produce speech.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of, following step (g), selectively smoothing transitions between units of speech.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the units of speech are allophones.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving parameter encoding, coded signals and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the coded signals, via audible output means, comprising: (a) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the unit of speech wherein the unit of speech comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (c) LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transitions between the units of speech.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving parameter encoding, coded signals and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the coded signals, via audible output means, comprising: (a) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the unit of speech wherein the unit of speech comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (c) LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transitions between the units of speech.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electronic speech producing system of claim 38 wherein the parameter encoding library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective coded signals, the contents at each address including parameters of a unit of speech.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving parameter encoding, coded signals and for pro- ducirig speech-like sounds corresponding to the coded signals, via audible output means, comprising: (a) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving parameter encoding, coded signals and for pro- ducirig speech-like sounds corresponding to the coded signals, via audible output means, comprising: (a) parameter encoding library means, responsive to the coded signals for providing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals, corresponding to the digital signals, to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 40 further comprising: (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transitions between the units of speech.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electronic speech producing system of claim 41 wherein the parameter encoding library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective coded signals, the contents at each address including parameters of a unit of speech.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the means for concatenating comprises means for designating pitch to the unit of speech.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 43 wherein the unit of speech comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
124 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals, for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the allophone wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (c) speech synthesizing means, for receiving digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
124 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals, for designating stress and intonation patterns and for designating pitch to the allophone wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame; (c) speech synthesizing means, for receiving digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor, integrated circuit speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic, speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor, integrated circuit speech synthesizing means, for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the digital signals to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 47 further comprising: (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the allophone: library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the means for concatenating comprises means for designating pitch to the allophone.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electronic speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals, for designating stress and intonation patterns, and for designating pitch to the allophone, wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a base pitch as modified by an operator-inserted, coded primary or secondary stress; (c) LPC speech synthesizing means for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals representative of the allophone to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electronic speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals, for designating stress and intonation patterns, and for designating pitch to the allophone, wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a base pitch as modified by an operator-inserted, coded primary or secondary stress; (c) LPC speech synthesizing means for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals representative of the allophone to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation; and (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 54 wherein the base pitch comprises a descending gradient for a statement and an ascending gradient for a question.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 55 wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a delta pitch for limiting the amplitude of the primary or secondary stress modification.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible .output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the allophones to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic speech producing system for receiving allophonic code and for producing speech-like sounds corresponding to the allophonic code via audible .output means, comprising: (a) allophone library means, responsive to the allophonic code for providing digital signals representative of allophones, corresponding to the allophonic code; (b) means for concatenating the digital signals and for designating stress and intonation patterns; and (c) semiconductor integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizing means for receiving the digital signals and for providing analog signals corresponding to the allophones to the audible output means to produce speech-like sounds with stress and intonation.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 57 further comprising: (d) smoothing means for selectively smoothing the transition between the allophones.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 58 wherein the allophone library means comprises a read-only memory having storage addresses corresponding to the respective allophonic code, the contents at each address including parameters of an allophone
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 58 wherein the means for concatenating comprises means for designating pitch to the allophone.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 60 wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a base pitch as modified by an operator-inserted, coded primary or secondary stress.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 61 wherein the allophone comprises a plurality of frames and wherein pitch is designated for each frame.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 62 wherein the base pitch comprises a descending gradient for a statement and an ascending gradient for a question.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 63 wherein the means for designating pitch includes means for designating a delta pitch for limiting the amplitude of the primary or secondary stress.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 64 wherein each frame comprises a signal indicating whether or not the frame is the end of the allophone.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 65 wherein the smoothing means comprises means for selectively inserting an additional frame after the last frame in an allophone.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 66 wherein the smoothing means further comprises means for identifying the current allophone and the subsequent allophone as voiced or unvoiced, or stop.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 66 wherein the means for selectively inserting an additional frame is activated when no stop is present, and the current allophone and the subsequent allophone are both voiced or both unvoiced.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of producing speech from coded signals in a system having a semiconductor, integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizer and audible output means comprising the steps of: (a) storing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) reading out the digital signals at the addresses corresponding to respective coded signals; (c) concatenating the digital signals read out; (d) digitally coding desired pitch and intonation to the concatenated digital signals; and (e) transmitting the concatenated digital signals and the digital coding to the speech synthesizer for speech synthesis and application to the audible output means to produce speech.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of producing speech from coded signals in a system having a semiconductor, integrated circuit, LPC speech synthesizer and audible output means comprising the steps of: (a) storing digital signals representative of parameters of units of speech; (b) reading out the digital signals at the addresses corresponding to respective coded signals; (c) concatenating the digital signals read out; (d) digitally coding desired pitch and intonation to the concatenated digital signals; and (e) transmitting the concatenated digital signals and the digital coding to the speech synthesizer for speech synthesis and application to the audible output means to produce speech.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 69 further comprising the step of, following step (d), selectively smoothing transitions between units of speech.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 70 wherein the units of speech are allophones.
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