Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Synthesis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2002-06-25
Chawan, Vijay B (Department: 2654)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Synthesis
C704S258000, C704S007000, C704S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06411931
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a character data converting apparatus for converting character data, which has been supplied, e.g., via public telephone communications lines, into audio data, and a method of such conversion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a character data converting apparatus for converting to audio data form, specified by indicator data, character data which has been supplied from outside and stored in a storage unit, thus enabling fast identification and retrieval of desired information in the character data, and a method of such conversion.
BACKGROUND ART
There have widely been used electronic mail system equipped apparatuses for transmitting and receiving character data via a communication means such as a public telephone line or the integrated service digital network (ISDN).
Such apparatuses include dataprocessors, e.g., personal computers and personal digital assistants, and communications devices such as hand-held telephones where character data are received from a communication means such as a public telephone line and converted into audio data which are then released out. The audio data released the such an apparatus or device is converted into an analog audio signal which is transmitted to an electric-to-acoustic converter such as a loudspeaker or an earphone for emitting as audible sound.
Character data transmitted as electronic mails are received in the form of files of unit information and stored in the storage unit of a data processor such as a personal computer or a personal digital assistant. When the conversion of the received character data into audio data is desired, a corresponding file stored in the storage unit is picked up and the character data contained in the file is converted to audio data which is then transmitted to the electric-to-acoustic converter.
The character data in a single file include the address of the sender and the date and time of receipt of its electronic mail. The character data received also include other data which is not required for emitting as audible sound.
For readily identifying the character data received or particular information in the character data, it is desired at the receiver side to convert substantially dedicated, audible character data to its audio data form.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a character data converting apparatus capable of selectively converting a dedicated unit, specified by the receiver, of the character data supplied via a communication means and a method of such conversion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a character data converting apparatus for converting a specific unit of the character data received, which is dedicated for releasing in the form of audio data, while not converting the other character data which is not dedicated nor designed for conversion to audio data and a method of such conversion.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a character data converting apparatus capable of identifying the character data supplied via a communication means and stored in a storage unit from their audible form within a short time and a method of such conversion.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a character data converting apparatus capable of readily picking up a dedicated unit of the character data supplied from a communication means and stored in a storage unit and converting it to audio data and a method of such conversion.
For achievement of the above object, a character data converting apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing character data supplied; an operating unit manipulated by the user; and a control unit responsive to the entry of command from the operating unit for producing indicator data indicative of unwanted portions of the character data stored in the storage unit, which is not required for conversion to audio data, and converting other than the unwanted portions specified by the indicator data of the character data read out from the storage unit into its audio data form.
The control unit may have a data converter for converting the character data read out from the storage unit into its audio data form.
The apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise an acoustic converting unit for converting the audio data released from of the data converter into audible sound.
The indicator data produced by the control unit may be adapted for, in response to the entry of command from the operating unit, not converting at least a corresponding portion of the character data read out from the storage unit, which represents punctuation marks, into its audio data form.
Also, the control unit may convert the character data into its audio data form through discretely repeating the reading of a corresponding quantity of the character data from the storage unit in response to the entry of command from the operating unit, hence enabling quick identification of the character data.
Moreover, the control unit may repeat the conversion of a corresponding quantity of the character data read out from the storage unit, which is allocated after the character data of a punctuation mark, into its audio data form.
Moreover, the control unit may convert the character data read out from the storage unit to its audio data form except a start or end portion of the character data.
A method of converting character data according to the present invention comprises the steps of: producing an indicator data indicative of unwanted portions of the character data stored in a storage unit, which are not required for conversion into audio data, in response to the entry of command from an operating unit; and converting other than the unwanted portions specified by the indicator data of the character data read out from the storage unit into its audio data form.
Another character data converting apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing character data supplied; an operating unit manipulated by the user; and a control unit responsive to the entry of command from the operating unit for producing an indicator data indicative of unwanted portions of the character data stored in the storage unit, which are not required for conversion to audio data, comparing the indicator data with the character data read out from the storage unit, and converting a particular portion of the character data which is not identical to the unwanted portions specified by the indicator data into its audio data form.
Another method of converting character data according to the present invention comprises the steps of: producing an indicator data indicative of unwanted portions of the character data stored in a storage unit, which are not required for conversion into audio data, in response to the entry of command from an operating unit; comparing the indicator data with the character data read out from the storage unit; and converting a particular portion of the character data which is not identical to the unwanted portions specified by the indicator data into its audio data form.
A further method of converting character data according to the present invention comprises the steps of: comparing the character data supplied with at least an indicator data which is indicative of an unwanted portion of the character data required for no conversion into audio data; repeating the conversion of the other portion of the character data which follows the unwanted portion of the character data specified by the indicator data until it is found that another portion of the character data corresponds to the indicator data; and converting the audio data to audible sound for emission.
In the further method of converting character data, when it is found that one portion of the character data corresponds to the indicator data, the other portion of the character data following the one portion specified by the character data may be converted into its audio data form and this action may be repeated unti
Chawan Vijay B
Maioli Jay H.
Sony Corporation
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