Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1995-04-25
2001-06-12
Korzuch, William R. (Department: 2641)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246984
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device having user interface means, coupled for communication both
with functionality means for executing a main function of the device, and
with message reproducing means which are ancillary to the functionality means and activatable via said user interface means, for reproducing an optional message providing an elaboration upon an aspect current in said functionality means.
An example of such a device is a device with an on line help facility, another example is a device for multimedia file reproduction. In such devices, the message reproducing means provide a supporting function: they assist the user in using the main function of the device, which is performed by the functionality means. The message reproduction means provide for example for the reproduction of annotations to a document being displayed, or of on line help messages. Devices with an on line help facility ancillary to functionality means include for example a computer, a videorecorder, a cd-player, a remote control unit to a consumer apparatus etcetera.
In the devices to which the invention relates, the message reproducing means are ancillary and provide optional elaboration of an aspect current in the functionality means. In the context of the present application this has the technical meaning that the functionality means are independent of the message reproducing means; in particular, the message reproducing means are arranged for reproducing messages that will not be reproduced during normal operation of the functionality means, and they are ready to respond to activation simultaneously (at least effectively so for the purposes of the user) as the functionality means are active, or at least activatable. Normal communication with the functionality means and their operation does not necessarily require the activation of the message reproduction means.
It is advantageous to use audible —i.e. speech— form for reproducing the message, as this leaves the users' eyes free, for example to look at buttons for communication with the functionality means as the help information mentions them.
Because, in the device to which the invention relates, the message has only an assisting nature, it should occupy as little as possible of the users time. Due to their inherently sequential nature, devices which provide for spoken messages of an ancillary nature have had heretofore only limited use in the art, because they have the disadvantage that the messages must either be short, containing little information or long, containing, for example, a long explanation or several independent items. In the latter case, before reaching the required item, the user often has to waste time in listening to a part of the spoken message which contains information which is already known, or which is not relevant at the particular moment that the spoken message is reproduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Amongst others, it is an object of the invention to provide for a system which gives the user a control facility to search with increased speed for desired information within the message.
According to the invention, this object is realized because the device is characterized, in that said message reproduction means are selectively activatable via said human interface means for rendering said message in speech form at least either according to a first standard velocity or to a second, time saving velocity, respectively. The user is thus given control over the velocity of reproduction of the message.
The velocity is adjustable at least to two different values: normal and time saving (fast), but more levels of adjustment may be provided, or adjustment may be continuous.
By providing for modification to a time saving velocity which is a substantial factor, e.g. more than 20 percent, faster than the normal velocity the search process can be speeded up by the user. If the range of velocity adjustment is moreover made to encompass decreased velocities, this will also allow the user to adjust the velocity for optimal understanding of critical passages; in fact this may also be useful in itself, that is, even without control of increased velocities.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized, in that said message provides help information about control communication to the functionality means, the user interface means comprising message selection means, for selecting the message from a plurality of messages on the basis of a received identification of a control communication command. In this way desired passages in spoken help information about control commands are made more rapidly accessible. Such help functions are particularly useful for stand alone household appliances.
A further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized, in that it comprises retrieving means for retrieving said message from a multimedia file, the retrieving means being controlled by pointing means, for receiving a location pointed at in a visual display part of said multimedia file. Thus, access to specific passages in annotations associated with locations in visual documents is sped up.
A further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized, in that the user interface means comprise control means, for switching between said first and second velocities during reproduction of said speech output. This enables the user to adapt the reproduction velocity to his or her needs. Desired passages can be reproduced at normal velocity for improved understanding.
There exist a great many possibilities to adjust the velocity of speech reproduction of the text message. An advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized, in that the message reproducing means are arranged for, during rendering at said time saving velocity, skipping reproduction of parts of the message.
A further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized, in that the message reproducing means are arranged for retrieving a mark point stored to identify a location marking the end of one of said parts in the message and for, after said skipping, resuming reproduction at said mark point. By resuming reproduction at a specific mark point skipping is made selective, ensuring reproduction of a word useful for locating a passage. In the device, the mark point or, if needed a plurality of mark points, is stored in association with the message, and it identifies for example the location of a headword of a paragraph or another keyword in the message. The device may provide for further mark points to identify the start of skipping, but this may also be left under control of the user.
In a preferred embodiment of the device or reproduction system according to the invention, the message reproducing means are arranged for continuous reproduction of the message in speech form at normal and/or time saving velocity. This will make it easier to locate a desired passage during search. Continuous speech reproduction of the text message at an increased rate can be realized for example in sampled speech, simply by reproducing in increased number of samples per unit time.
In another embodiment of the device or reproduction system according to the invention, the message reproducing means are arranged for keeping a pitch period of the message in speech form independent of velocity. This makes it even easier to locate a desired passage during search at modified velocity, and when the reproduction is slowed down from its normal velocity, the understandability is also good. The pitch of the text message in speech form can for example be kept unchanged when a speech synthesizer with modifiable speech rate is used. Alternatively, a speech compression/expansion technique, like the Pitch Synchronous Overlap and Add technique, known per se from European patent application number 0363233, incorporated herein by way of reference, may be used; as this technique is applicable to recorded spoken utterances, its use has the advantage that a user can easily add help informatio
Biren Steven R.
Korzuch William R.
U.S. Philips Corporation
Wieland Susan
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