US3928722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Audio message generating apparatus used for query-reply system
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1973-07-16
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1993-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for generating the audio message used for a query and reply system. This apparatus is intended especially to provide the audio reply message composed of a fixed word and a variable word by using a relatively small capacity memory device and comprises a magnetic drum in which a sample of the audio waveform of the fixed word and the control signals specifying the fixed word are recorded, a high speed read-out core memory device in which the pitch pattern informations of the variable word are recorded, and a core memory device in which speech segment information constituting the variable word are recorded, the sample signals of the magnetic drum being read out sequentially by the control signal making the voice or sound of the reply sentence made by the signal processing device to produce an audio message corresponding to the fixed word, the variable word detected by said magnetic drum being turned into a pitchcontrolled sound or voice by relying upon the information recorded in said two core memories, the variable word being introduced into the audio message composed of the fixed word.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Nakata
- 👤 Akira Ichikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10L; G10L13/00; G10L13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for generating a replying voice signal composed of at least one variable word and a plurality of fixed words forming a reply sentence comprising: a. first memory means for recording a plurality of reply sentences each in the form of word signals corresponding to the voice waveform of each of the fixed words of the reply sentence and control signals having first and second values to designate the position of a fixed or variable word in an output reply sentence; b. data processing means responsive to a control input for initiating reading out of a selected reply sentence from said first memory means, including means for converting said reply sentence signals into audio signals; c. pitch pattern information memory means for recording pitch patterns of each variable word; d. voice segment memory means for recording a series of voice segment waveforms associated with each variable word; and e. control circuit means responsive to said control signals from said first memory means designating each variable word for reading out pitch patterns from said pitch pattern information memorY means and voice segment waveforms from said voice segment memory means, including means for introducing the voice signal formed of the pitch pattern information and voice segment waveforms of the variable word amongst the word signals of the reply sentence composed of the fixed words applied to said converting means of said data processing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for generating a replying voice signal composed of at least one variable word and a plurality of fixed words forming a reply sentence comprising: a. first memory means for recording a plurality of reply sentences each in the form of word signals corresponding to the voice waveform of each of the fixed words of the reply sentence and control signals having first and second values to designate the position of a fixed or variable word in an output reply sentence; b. data processing means responsive to a control input for initiating reading out of a selected reply sentence from said first memory means, including means for converting said reply sentence signals into audio signals; c. pitch pattern information memory means for recording pitch patterns of each variable word; d. voice segment memory means for recording a series of voice segment waveforms associated with each variable word; and e. control circuit means responsive to said control signals from said first memory means designating each variable word for reading out pitch patterns from said pitch pattern information memorY means and voice segment waveforms from said voice segment memory means, including means for introducing the voice signal formed of the pitch pattern information and voice segment waveforms of the variable word amongst the word signals of the reply sentence composed of the fixed words applied to said converting means of said data processing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first memory means is comprised of a magnetic drum, and said pitch pattern information memory means and voice segment memory means are core memories capable of random access.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said control circuit means includes a wave decoder connected to said data processing means to detect whether a fixed word or a variable word is to be selected and first gating means connected to said wave decoder to inhibit the transmission of fixed words from said magnetic drum when a variable word is designated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control circuit means includes a buffer memory connected to said data processing means to store the control signals associated with a designated variable word and an address decoder connected to said buffer memory to decode the address of selected voice segment waveforms in said voice segment memory means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a first address counter is connected to the output of said address decoder and a readout control circuit is connected to said first address counter and said voice segment memory means to effect read-out of said selected voice segment waveforms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a pitch pattern decoder is connected to said buffer memory to receive selected pitch designations and a second address counter is connected to said pitch pattern decoder and said pitch pattern information memory means for controlling the read-out of stored pitch pattern information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said pitch pattern memory means includes a second read-out control circuit controlled by said second address counter, and further including a pitch counter responsive to the output of said second read-out control circuit for controlling said first address counter.
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) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |