Text Interface Device and Method in Voice Communication

• US 20120284024A1
• Filed: 05/03/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Padmanabhan Mahalingam
• Original Assignee: Padmanabhan Mahalingam
• Inventors: Mahalingam, Padmanabhan
• Granted Patent: US 9,237,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/235
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/027 Concept to speech synthesisers; Generation of natural phrases from machine-based concepts generation of parameters for speech synthesis out of text G10L13/08
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2021/0575 Aids for the handicapped in speaking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72478 for hearing-impaired users

Abstract

A computerized communication device has a display screen, a mechanism for a user to select words or phrases displayed on the display screen, and software executing from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a function for providing audio signal output in a connected voice-telephone call from the text words or phrases selected by a user.

Claims

1. A computerized communication device comprising:

a display screen;

a mechanism for a user to select words or phrases displayed on the display screen; and

software executing from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a function for providing audio signal output in a connected voice-telephone call from the text words or phrases selected by a user.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising pre-recorded voice files associated with individual ones of the words or phrases displayed for the user to select, wherein the software provides the audio signal output by an association of the displayed text with the appropriate voice file, and plays the voice file as the audio signal output.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the software comprises a text-to-voice application, and uses that application to provide audio signal output from text selected by the user.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the software comprises a voice-to-text application, uses that application to convert incoming audio signals of a connected voice telephone call to text, and displays that text as incoming words or comments in a first portion of the display screen.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein words or comments for selection by the user are displayed in a second portion of the display screen, and wherein, after the user selects a word or response motivated by displayed text in the first portion of the display screen, the next incoming audio signals, converted to text, replaces the previously displayed text from incoming audio signals.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the software comprises functions for parsing the incoming audio signals or the text derived from the incoming audio signals, and uses the results from the parsing to choose text to be displayed for the user to select for outgoing audio signals.

7. A method for implementing audio signal communication in a connected voice telephone call, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying on a display screen of a computerized communication device text words or phrases for a user to select as output audio in the connected call;

(b) converting the words or phrases selected by the user to audio signals; and

(c) providing the audio signals converted from the words or phrases as audio signal output in the connected voice telephone call.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the conversion of selected text to audio output is accomplished by selecting associated, p[re-recorded voice files, and playing those files as output in the connected voice telephone call.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the conversion of selected text to audio output is accomplished by calling a text-to-voice application, and using that application to provide audio signal output from text selected by the user.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein incoming audio signals are converted to text by calling a voice-to-text application, and displaying that text as incoming words or comments in a first portion of the display screen.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein words or comments for selection by the user are displayed in a second portion of the display screen, and wherein, after the user selects a word or response motivated by displayed text in the first portion of the display screen, the next incoming audio signals, converted to text, replace the previously displayed text from incoming audio signals.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the device parses incoming audio signals or text derived from the incoming audio signals, and uses the results from the parsing to choose text to be displayed for the user to select for outgoing audio signals.