JP4721399B2 - Audio output device, audio output method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an audio output device that outputs audio to a speaker, an audio output method, and a program .

  Conventionally, voice synthesizers have been mainly installed in public equipment such as vending machines and automatic ticket gates, but the number of devices with voice synthesizer functions has been increasing. The range of voice synthesis functions has been expanded to consumer products. Equipped with such a speech synthesis function, efforts are being made to further improve user interface in devices used at the individual level.

  On the other hand, in the above devices, functions are being compounded. For example, in car navigation systems, in addition to the function of route guidance, products having an audio function and an Internet browsing function equipped with a network connection function have appeared, and functions are being compounded.

  This tendency is the same for telephones and the like, and in addition to the conventional telephone function, functions other than the telephone such as a network connection function and a scheduler function are combined.

  A function utilizing speech synthesis is installed in each function that is combinedly mounted on these telephones and the like, and the speech synthesis function provided in the device is used for multiple purposes.

  For example, when the relationship between the composite function of a telephone and the voice synthesis function is given, the telephone function is, for example, reading a voice when receiving a call, reading a voice of a telephone directory, or the like.

  As a scheduler function, there is a schedule notification function. Furthermore, as a network connection function, a homepage reading function, a mail reading function and the like are provided as a voice synthesis function.

  Next, the prior art will be described more specifically.

  First, in speech synthesis processing, a method is known in which field information of a document stored in a document database is estimated, and a recognition dictionary used in character recognition processing is switched according to the estimated field information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this conventional example, it becomes necessary to examine the contents of the reading target document in advance.

  Also, a configuration is known in which a speaker-specific word dictionary is switched from input speaker information at the time of speech-synthesizing analysis at the time of speech synthesis processing (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, in the speech synthesis process, it is known to read out the contents held in advance by the program itself by switching the dictionary and reading the words to be read out for each task in a specific function in the device called the game program (for example, (See Patent Document 3).
JP-A-8-63478 JP 2000-187495 A JP 2001-34282 A

  The voice synthesis function installed in the device may have a user dictionary function.

  Even in a language having Japanese readings, such as Japanese, for example, the phrase “three parts” is “mitsube” as the reading of the person's name, and “sanbu” in other senses.

  In terms of the telephone function, it is desirable to read “when you receive a call from Mitsube-san” when you receive an incoming call, and “dial to Mitsube-san” when you dial.

  However, if it is registered in the user dictionary of the speech synthesis function so that it reads “three parts” = “mitsube”, it will read out optimally as a telephone function, but if the device reads the homepage in conjunction with the speech synthesis function If it has a function, for example, the content of the homepage that “applications need three copies” will be read out as “applications need to be found”, and the content cannot be conveyed correctly.

  On the other hand, even in a language that does not have a reading such as English, for example, the phrase “Elizabeth” may be called “Beth” or “Liz” by the nickname when considered as a personal name. If considered as a name, the nickname is not used and it remains "Elizabeth".

  Similarly to the above description, if the user dictionary function is registered to read “Elizabeth” = “Liz”, for example, the telephone function reads “calling from Liz” at the time of reading when receiving an incoming call. The phrase “The City of Elizabeth” as a place name is read out as “The City of Liz” and does not become the correct reading contents.

  In other words, devices that have multiple functions, especially the ability to read the contents that are browsed online without having the words to be read in advance inside the device, and the enormous scope that cannot be held in the device in advance, such as the phone book function There is a problem that a device having a function of reading out and reading aloud words as phonebook data cannot be read out correctly.

  As described above, with respect to reading a word, the properties are different from each other, such as a function that reads a reading word in a huge target range, a function that reads private contents, and a function that reads general contents that are not private. In a device having a plurality of functions in the device, the contents of the user dictionary commonly used in the device are reflected in common for each function, and depending on the phrases registered in the user dictionary, There is a problem that bad functions occur.

The present invention provides an audio output device, an audio output method, and a program capable of outputting an audio by reflecting an appropriate reading method to a plurality of functions corresponding to an audio output function. Objective.

The voice output device according to the present invention performs a voice output unit for outputting voice to a speaker and a specific word or phrase when executing any one of a plurality of functions corresponding to the function of outputting voice by the voice output unit. Based on the information indicating the specific reading method registered by the user, whether or not to reflect the specific reading method on the output of the voice is selected according to the function to be executed, so that the voice output means corresponds to the function. Control means for outputting the voice, and when the function to be executed is a function capable of registering a personal name, the control means reflects a method for reading a specific personal name registered by the user, The voice corresponding to the individual name is output, and the control means executes one of a plurality of functions capable of registering the individual name and outputs the voice corresponding to one specific personal name. By referring to the above information, any one of the plurality of functions is reflected to reflect one specific reading method registered by the user for the one individual name. And outputting a sound corresponding to the personal name .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that an audio | voice can be output by reflecting an appropriate reading method with respect to the several function corresponding to the function which outputs an audio | voice.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a cordless telephone-equipped facsimile apparatus FS1 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The cordless telephone-equipped facsimile apparatus FS1 includes a parent machine 1 and a child machine 15 of the facsimile machine.

  The base unit 1 includes a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a display unit 4, a memory 5, a voice synthesis processing unit 6, a communication unit 7, a control unit 8, an operation unit 9, and a voice memory 10. , D / A conversion unit 11, handset 12, wireless I / F unit 23, speaker 13, and audio path control unit 14.

  The reading unit 2 reads a document, and includes a detachable scanner that scans line by line. The recording unit 3 prints out various reports such as image signals and device constants.

  The display unit 4 displays the status of the apparatus, such as guidance for operations such as registration, various warnings, time, etc. Also, based on the caller information that arrives from the line at the time of incoming call, the telephone number and name of the other party To display.

  The memory 5 is an area for holding various data, and stores a telephone book registered by the user, various apparatus settings, FAX reception data, voice data of voice mail, and the like. In the telephone book, “name” (free input), “Yomigana”, “telephone number”, “mail address” and “URL” of the other party are stored in association with each other.

  The speech synthesis processing unit 6 performs language analysis on the input sentence, converts it into acoustic information, converts it into a digital signal, and outputs it. The communication unit 7 includes a modem, an NCU (network control unit), and the like, and is connected to the communication network to exchange communication data.

  The control unit 8 includes a microprocessor element and the like, and controls the entire facsimile apparatus FS1 according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown). Through the operation unit 9, the operator performs phone book registration and device setting, and the contents are stored in the memory 5.

  The D / A conversion unit 11 converts the digital signal output from the speech synthesis process into an analog signal at a constant cycle, and outputs the analog signal. The handset 12 is used for a call. The wireless I / F unit 23 is an interface unit for performing wireless communication with the child device 15, and exchanges commands and data between the parent device 1 and the child device 15 together with voice.

  The speaker 13 outputs a monitor sound of an external line or an internal line, a ringing melody, a voice read out by voice synthesis, or the like. The voice path control unit 14 connects the voice input / output terminal and the line input / output terminal from the parent device handset 12, and similarly connects the voice input / output terminal from the parent device handset 12 to the voice input / output terminal of the child device 15. Although not shown, the output terminal of the melody sound source of the main unit 1 is connected to the speaker 13, the D / A converter 11 and the speaker 13 are connected, or the D / A converter 11 and the line are connected. For example, various audio devices are connected to each other.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 15 has the radio | wireless I / F part 16, the memory 17, the microphone 18, the control part 19, the speaker 20, the operation part 21, and the display part 22. FIG. The wireless I / F unit 16 is an interface unit for performing wireless communication with the parent device 1 and exchanges commands and data between the parent device 1 and the child device 15 together with voice.

  The memory 17 stores data received from the parent device 1 via the wireless I / F unit 16 and stores various setting values that allow the user to select the incoming melody of the child device 15.

  The microphone 18 is used when making a call, and is also used when inputting voice or recognizing voice.

  The control part 19 consists of a microprocessor element etc., and controls the whole subunit | mobile_unit 15 according to the program stored in ROM which is not shown in figure. The speaker 20 is used when making a call.

  The operation unit 21 is used when the operator performs detailed settings such as the reception volume and ringtone of the handset 15 or the phone book registration dedicated to the handset 15. The display unit 22 displays the telephone number of the other party by the dial display on the handset 15 or the number display function, and displays the voice recognition result received from the base unit 1 to the operator.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic process when a sentence is input in the speech synthesis process.

  Among the functions in the speech synthesis processing unit 6, the flow of processing realized by using the language analysis unit 202, the reading dictionary data 203, and the acoustic processing unit 205 is simplified and described in FIG. is there.

  When the input sentence 201 to be read out is given to the speech synthesis processing unit 6, the language analyzing unit 202 refers to the reading dictionary data 203, divides the input sentence into units of accent phrases, and the divided accents. The acoustic information in which information such as accent and pose is added to the phrase is converted into phonetic data 204 expressed by text or frame.

  When this phonetic data is input to the acoustic processing unit 205, it is converted into phoneme piece data expressed with a resolution of 8 bits, and a digital signal 206 can be obtained.

  If the phonetic data can be prepared in advance, the language analysis unit 202 does not need to execute the above process.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the example shown in FIG. 2 excluding the processing in the language analysis unit 202.

  For example, when the user tries to perform facsimile transmission in the facsimile apparatus FS1, when a guidance “start transmission” is played, a kanji / kana mixed sentence such as {start transmission} is processed by voice processing. It is not necessary to give to the part, but in the form of the phonetic data 301 to which information such as an accent and a pose is given {Soshino / Kaishishi / Ma's. } Is given to the acoustic processing unit 302, whereby a desired digital signal 303 can be obtained. Here, the acoustic processing unit 302 is the same as the acoustic processing unit 205.

  In the first embodiment, the contents to be read out are expressed by text surrounded by {}. In other words, when speech synthesis processing is performed on a sentence whose contents to be read out, such as guidance, if a plurality of patterns of phonetic data are stored in the ROM inside the facsimile apparatus FS1, language analysis processing is skipped. Can read and read in the correct way.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic process for performing a process reflecting the contents of the user dictionary when the input is a sentence in the speech synthesis process.

  First, the speech synthesis processing unit 6 is provided with a language analysis unit 402, reading dictionary data 403, user dictionary data 404, a soft switch 405, and an acoustic processing unit 407, and the contents of the user dictionary are also reflected. The configuration for performing the processing is simplified and shown in FIG.

  Then, when the input sentence 401 to be read out is given to the speech synthesis processing unit 6, the language analysis unit 402 refers to the reading dictionary data 403, divides the input sentence 401 into units of accent phrases, and user dictionary data If the soft switch 405 for selecting whether to use 404 is ON, the contents of the user dictionary data 404 are prioritized over the reading dictionary data 403 and the input sentence 401 is analyzed.

  On the contrary, if the soft switch 405 is OFF, the input sentence 401 is analyzed without reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404, and phonetic data is created. Then, the acoustic information provided with information such as accent and pose is converted into phonetic data 406 represented by text and frames. When the converted phonetic data 406 is input to the sound processing unit 407, it is converted into phoneme piece data expressed with a resolution of 8 bits, and a digital signal 408 is obtained.

  The soft switch 405 is switched before performing the speech synthesis process by a higher-level function using speech synthesis (for example, a WEB or MAIL application as shown in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 5 shows whether the speech synthesis processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed by reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404 or performing the speech synthesis processing without reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement switched for every operation | movement mounted in the facsimile apparatus FS1.

  First, the case where the operation group 501 that does not use the user dictionary data 404 uses the speech synthesis function will be described.

  In the operation group 501 that does not use the user dictionary data 404, for example, in a WEB application, in general, rather than browsing private information about a user who uses the facsimile apparatus FS1, newspapers, shopping information, weather forecasts, government offices, etc. The main purpose is to browse public information and mass media information.

  For this reason, when the user dictionary data 404 is set so that a specific personal name or the like is used as a special reading method for the device, and the contents are read out, a problem occurs. For example, in the case of registering to read “three parts” = “mitsube” in the user dictionary data 404 of the speech synthesis function as described above, the telephone function performs the optimum reading, but the city hall For example, on the homepage, the text “Application must have three copies” will be read out as “Application must be read” and cannot be conveyed correctly.

  For this reason, when the WEB application is operated, the switch 405 for selecting whether to use the user dictionary data 404 is turned off, and the user dictionary use flag 503 is turned off.

  Next, in the speech synthesis process, the user dictionary use flag 503 is referred to and processed.

  5, in the process 506 of the language analysis unit 402 part of the process shown in FIG. 4, when the user dictionary use flag 503 is turned on by referring to the ON / OFF of the user dictionary use flag 503, the process in the language analysis unit 402 is performed. In addition to referring to the reading dictionary data 403, the user dictionary data 404 is also referred to. At this time, by increasing the priority of the contents of the user dictionary data 404, it is possible to output a sound reflecting the registered contents of the user.

  That is, if the user dictionary data 404 is registered as “Sanbu” = “Mitsube”, the speech synthesis is such that “Sanbu” is not read as “Sanbu” but is read as “Mitsube”. Process.

  When the user dictionary use flag 503 is OFF, in the process of the language analysis unit 402, only the read-out dictionary data 403 is referred to and the speech synthesis process is performed. That is, even if registration of “three parts” = “mitsube” is performed in the user dictionary data 404, a speech synthesis process is performed in which “three parts” reads “sanbu”.

  Similar to the operation of the WEB application, the operation group that does not use the user dictionary data 404 includes, for example, a copy application and a mail application. These processes are also the same as described above, and each operation is performed. In this case, the switch 405 for selecting whether or not to use the user dictionary data 404 is turned OFF, and the speech synthesis process accompanying the operation of each application is processed without using the user dictionary data 404.

  An example of the operation group 502 that uses the user dictionary data 404 is a telephone directory application.

  In this case, if the user dictionary data 404 has been registered as “three parts” = “mitsube”, “three parts” is read as “mitsube”, and the voice synthesis is “dial to three parts”. When performing the process, the process reads out “Dial to Mitsube”.

  In the operation group 502 that uses the user dictionary data 404, generally, private contents relating to the user using the facsimile apparatus FS1 are often registered in the user dictionary data 404, and telephone related functions such as a telephone directory and incoming calls are often used. And mail-related functions.

  When operating these functions, the switch 405 for selecting whether to use the user dictionary data 404 is turned on, the user dictionary use flag 503 is turned on, and then the user dictionary use flag 503 is set in the speech synthesis process. The language analysis unit 402 refers to the user dictionary data 404, reads out the contents registered in the user dictionary data 404, and processes them with higher priority than the contents registered in the reading dictionary.

  The first embodiment is an example in which a process for referring to or not referring to the user dictionary data 404 is switched by the user dictionary use flag 503 in the speech synthesis process, but both processes are switched by other means. Also good.

  For example, the speech synthesis module itself is divided into two modules: a module that refers to the user dictionary data 404 and a module that does not refer to the user dictionary data 404, and which module is called instead of setting a flag in the application. You may make it judge.

  Here, the mail application assigns mail delivered from a destination not included in a mail address registered in advance in a device (not shown) as an operation group not using the user dictionary data 404, and the mail address is assigned to the device. A mail distributed from a pre-registered destination is an application assigned as an operation group that uses the user dictionary data 404 (executes the operation group 502 that uses the user dictionary data 404).

Further, in applications other than the mail application, for example, an incoming call application, an incoming call from a partner not registered in the device is assigned as an operation group not using the user dictionary data 404, and the partner is registered in the device in advance. An incoming call received from a certain destination may be assigned as an operation group using the user dictionary data 404. Similarly, when a phone book function is called, when a partner who is not registered in advance in the device is selected, the user dictionary data 404 is assigned as an operation group not used, and the destination is registered in the device in advance. May be assigned as an operation group using the user dictionary data 404.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, unlike the example described in FIG. 5, when the user dictionary data 404 is used, the voice synthesis process is performed according to the process illustrated in FIG. 2, and when the user dictionary data 404 is not used, the second embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. Speech synthesis processing is performed in accordance with a method for performing speech synthesis processing.

  That is, for functions that do not use the user dictionary data 404, phonetic data 406 is input instead of inputting a document as a target for speech synthesis. As a result, it is possible to perform a speech reading process without reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404.

  First, in the operation group 601 that does not use the user dictionary data 404, the switch 405 for selecting whether to use the user dictionary data 404 is turned off, and the user dictionary use flag 603 is turned off. In the operation group 602 that uses the user dictionary data 404, the switch 405 for selecting whether to use the user dictionary data 404 is turned on, and the user dictionary use flag 603 is turned on.

  Next, a speech synthesis process is started, the state of the user dictionary use flag 603 is determined, and if the user dictionary use flag 603 is OFF (S1), the process proceeds to a phonetic text reading process (S2). If the user dictionary use flag 603 is ON (S1), the process proceeds to a text reading process (S3).

  When the phonetic text reading process (S2) is executed, the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed. Here, for example, the functions installed in the apparatus are a copy function and a FAX transmission function, and a voice guidance for prompting document setting or error cancellation is transmitted, and a voice for prompting dial input or document transmission mode is transmitted. Executes a process of sending guidance with the speech synthesis function.

  For these voice guidance, if the contents of the user dictionary data 404 are reflected, the voice guidance has a different meaning, so the phonetic text reading process (S2) prepared in advance in the apparatus is executed.

  When the document text reading process (S3) is executed, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed, the control switch 405 reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404 is turned on, and the voice reading process is performed.

  Here, for example, the function installed in the device is a character that reads out a character string that is not included in the device in advance, such as reading out a WEB application, a mail function, a telephone function, etc. It is a function.

  In other words, the embodiment includes a plurality of user dictionaries for associating a specific word with a specific reading and a voice synthesizing function for performing voice reading using a voice synthesizing process. Of these, an example of a speech synthesizer having control means for selecting whether to reflect the user dictionary when one speech synthesizer function is called and for reading out the speech.

  In addition, in the control method of the speech synthesizer that uses the user dictionary for reading out a specific word by associating a specific reading with a specific word, the above embodiment includes a step of providing a plurality of voice reading functions, A control method for a speech synthesizer, comprising: a control step of selecting whether to reflect the user dictionary when calling one speech synthesis function among speech synthesis functions, and reading out the speech It is an example.

Moreover, the said Example can be grasped | ascertained as invention of a program. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, in a program for synthesizing speech using a user dictionary for reading a specific word in association with a specific reading, a procedure including a plurality of voice reading functions, and the plurality of voices It is an example of a program that causes a computer to execute a control procedure for selecting whether to reflect the user dictionary and calling out a voice when one voice synthesis function is called out of the synthesis functions.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a facsimile machine FS1 with a cordless telephone that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process at the time of inputting a text in a speech synthesis process. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation excluding processing in a language analysis unit 202 in the example illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating basic processing for performing processing while reflecting the contents of a user dictionary when input is a text in speech synthesis processing. In the voice synthesizing process shown in FIG. 4, the facsimile apparatus FS1 determines whether the voice synthesizing process is performed by reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404 or the voice synthesizing process is performed without reflecting the contents of the user dictionary data 404. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement switched for every mounted operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing of Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

FS1 ... a facsimile machine with a cordless telephone,
1 ... Master unit,
6 ... speech synthesis processing unit,
8 ... control unit,
15 ... child machine,
19 ... control unit,
202, 402 ... language analysis unit,
203, 403 ... Reading dictionary data,
205, 302, 407 ... sound processing unit,
404 ... user dictionary data,
405 ... Soft switch,
503, 603... User dictionary use flag.

Claims (7)

Sound output means for outputting sound to a speaker;
The specific reading method based on information indicating the specific reading method registered by the user for a specific word or phrase when executing any of a plurality of functions corresponding to the function of outputting voice by the voice output unit Control means for causing the sound output means to output sound corresponding to the function by selecting whether or not to be reflected in the sound output according to the function to be executed;
Have
When the function to be executed is a function capable of registering a personal name, the control means reflects a method for reading a specific personal name registered by the user, and outputs a voice corresponding to the personal name,
Further, the control means refers to the plurality of functions by referring to the information when any of a plurality of functions capable of registering a personal name is executed and a sound corresponding to one specific personal name is output. No matter which one of the above is executed, a specific one reading method registered by the user is reflected on the one individual name, and a sound corresponding to the individual name is output. Audio output device. In claim 1,
The function capable of registering the personal name includes at least one of a mail function, a phone book function, and a telephone call function,
The control means outputs a voice reflecting a reading method registered by a user when executing any one of the mail function, the telephone directory function, and the telephone incoming call function. Output device. In claim 2 ,
When executing the mail function, the control means causes the device to output a voice reflecting a reading method registered by the user for a mail delivered from a mail address registered in advance in the voice output device, An audio output device characterized in that an e-mail delivered from an e-mail address not registered in advance outputs audio without reflecting a specific reading method registered by a user . In claim 2 ,
When executing the above incoming call function or the above phone book function,
The control means outputs a voice reflecting the reading method registered by the user when reading a target phone number registered in the voice output device in advance, and a phone number not registered in advance There audio output apparatus characterized by outputting the sound not reflect how reading registered by the user in the case of performing the reading of interest. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plurality of functions include a copy function,
The voice output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means outputs a voice without reflecting a reading method registered by a user when executing the copy function among the plurality of functions . An audio output method in an audio output device having a plurality of functions corresponding to the function of outputting audio,
When executing any of the above functions, whether or not to reflect the specific reading method in the audio output based on the information indicating the specific reading method registered by the user for the specific phrase A control step to be selected according to the function to be performed;
An audio output step for outputting audio corresponding to the function to a speaker according to the selection in the control step;
Have
In the above control step, if the function to be executed is a function capable of registering a personal name, an audio output corresponding to the personal name reflecting the reading method of the specific personal name registered by the user is selected,
In the voice output step, when any one of a plurality of functions capable of registering a personal name is executed to output a voice corresponding to one specific personal name, the plurality of functions are referred to by referring to the information. In any case, the voice corresponding to the personal name is output by reflecting one specific reading method registered by the user with respect to the single personal name. Audio output method. A program for executing an audio output method in an audio output device having a plurality of functions corresponding to a function of outputting audio,
When executing any of the above functions, whether or not to reflect the specific reading method on the audio output based on information indicating the specific reading method registered by the user for the specific phrase A control step to be selected according to the function to be performed;
An audio output step for outputting audio corresponding to the function to a speaker according to the selection in the control step;
Have
In the above control step, if the function to be executed is a function capable of registering a personal name, an audio output corresponding to the personal name reflecting the reading method of the specific personal name registered by the user is selected,
In the voice output process, when any one of a plurality of functions capable of registering a personal name is executed to output a voice corresponding to one specific personal name, the plurality of functions are referred to by referring to the information. No matter which one of the above is executed, a computer is provided with a voice output method for reflecting a single specific reading method registered by the user for the one personal name and outputting a voice corresponding to the personal name. A program to make it run.

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