US3830977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speech-systhesiser
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1972-03-03
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-03-03
Abstract
Abstract In a synthesiser which, for each sampling period, reconstitutes a language element by means of three sinusoidal components obtained with the help of variable-frequency generators and variable-attenuators, those components are simultaneously subject to predetermined rephasing operations carried out at an auxiliary frequency identified with the pitch frequency (or frequency of vibration of the voice) at the time of emission of vowels or voiced consonants. This auxiliary frequency is delivered by a further variable-frequency generator. In addition, the signal representing the sum of these components is amplitude-modulated by a modulating signal at the auxiliary frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 C Dechaux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:50
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
A speech synthesiser comprising means for receiving for each one of successive sampling periods, first digital signals representative of the amplitude of n formants in a speech wave, n being an integer greater than 1, second digital signals representative of the frequencies of said n formants, and an auxiliary digital signal representative of an auxiliary frequency which, for the time intervals correSponding in said speech wave to the emission of vowels and voiced consonants, is the pitch frequency, said synthesiser comprising: n variable-frequency signal generators having respective outputs, said n signal generators being signal generators of the shift register and resistance network type, each one of said n signal generators comprising a shift register having stages and a shift pulse input, said shift register of each one of said n signal generators having a further input for resetting its stages to predetermined states; n amplitude-control devices respectively coupled to said outputs of said n signal generators, and having respective amplitude control inputs and respective outputs; means for deriving from said first signals n amplitude control signals and respectively applying them to said amplitude control inputs of said n amplitude control devices; a frequency control circuit for deriving from each one of said second digital signals a series of pulses having a recurrence frequency proportional to the frequency of which this digital signal is representative and applying the n series of pulses respectively to the shift pulse inputs of said n signal generators; a further control circuit for deriving from said auxiliary signal, at least when said auxiliary signal is representative of said pitch frequency, phase control pulses at said pitch frequency and simultaneously applying them to said further inputs of said n signal generators for resetting each one of said signal generators to a fixed phase; and an adder having n inputs respectively coupled to said outputs of said n amplitude control devices and an output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
A speech synthesiser comprising means for receiving for each one of successive sampling periods, first digital signals representative of the amplitude of n formants in a speech wave, n being an integer greater than 1, second digital signals representative of the frequencies of said n formants, and an auxiliary digital signal representative of an auxiliary frequency which, for the time intervals correSponding in said speech wave to the emission of vowels and voiced consonants, is the pitch frequency, said synthesiser comprising: n variable-frequency signal generators having respective outputs, said n signal generators being signal generators of the shift register and resistance network type, each one of said n signal generators comprising a shift register having stages and a shift pulse input, said shift register of each one of said n signal generators having a further input for resetting its stages to predetermined states; n amplitude-control devices respectively coupled to said outputs of said n signal generators, and having respective amplitude control inputs and respective outputs; means for deriving from said first signals n amplitude control signals and respectively applying them to said amplitude control inputs of said n amplitude control devices; a frequency control circuit for deriving from each one of said second digital signals a series of pulses having a recurrence frequency proportional to the frequency of which this digital signal is representative and applying the n series of pulses respectively to the shift pulse inputs of said n signal generators; a further control circuit for deriving from said auxiliary signal, at least when said auxiliary signal is representative of said pitch frequency, phase control pulses at said pitch frequency and simultaneously applying them to said further inputs of said n signal generators for resetting each one of said signal generators to a fixed phase; and an adder having n inputs respectively coupled to said outputs of said n amplitude control devices and an output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
A speech synthesiser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said further control circuit comprises a further signal generator, having an output, for deriving from said auxiliary signal a modulation signal at said auxiliary frequency, said further signal generator being of the shift register and resistance network type and comprising a shift register having stages and a shift pulse input, means for deriving from said auxiliary signal a further series of pulses having a recurrence frequency proportional to said auxiliary frequency and applying said further series to said shift pulse input of said further signal generator, and decoding means coupled to said stages of said further signal generator for generating said phase control pulses at the instants when the value of said modulation signal passes through a minimum; said speech synthesiser further including an amplitude modulator having a carrier input coupled to said output of said adder and a modulation input coupled to said output of said further signal generator for receiving said modulation signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |