Speech synthesizer method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. Speech synthesizer apparatus comprising:
- control means for controlling enunciation of a number of voice messages;
memory means for storing digital representations of a plurality of audible sounds, where each voice message includes one or more of said audible sounds;
counter means coupled to the control means to respond to signals from the control means by sequentially counting through addresses in the memory means to a starting address for a particular audible sound; and
synthesizer means for accessing data at an audible sound starting address and converting that data into an audible sound.
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Abstract
A speech synthesizer control circuit for use in a vehicle. The circuit includes a number of features which provide cost effectiveness while maintaining speech synthesizer reliability. One feature of the invention is use of a counter circuit interposed between a control circuit and a memory where messages are stored. The counter is controllably clocked by the controller to create an address within the memory for a particular message. Other features of the invention include control of speech volume, chime generation, and voltage protocals in the speech synthesizer control circuit.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Speech synthesizer apparatus comprising:
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control means for controlling enunciation of a number of voice messages; memory means for storing digital representations of a plurality of audible sounds, where each voice message includes one or more of said audible sounds; counter means coupled to the control means to respond to signals from the control means by sequentially counting through addresses in the memory means to a starting address for a particular audible sound; and synthesizer means for accessing data at an audible sound starting address and converting that data into an audible sound. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In a motor vehicle control system including a speech processor for generating audible messages for a user concerning a status of said motor vehicle, said control system including one or more integrated circuits for monitoring the status of said vehicle and determining which messages are to be enunciated by the speech processor, power circuitry for generating operating voltages for both the speech processor and the integrated circuits comprising:
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power means coupled to a vehicle battery and vehicle ignition, said power means responsive to said ignition for generating regulated first and second positive voltages above a vehicle ground voltage, where said voltage is less than said second voltage and functions as a control system ground potential for the speech synthesizer and integrated circuits in said control system; and voltage control means for transmitting output signals from the control system to other vehicle systems, said voltage control means including level shifting means to convert signals from the control system at said first voltage to vehicle ground. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. In a vehicle control system having control means to monitor the status of a vehicle condition, chime generating circuitry comprising:
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amplifier means having two inputs and an output, said output producing a signal dependent on the relative size and polarity of the two inputs; means for controlling the relative magnitude of a voltage across said inputs; and means for alternating the polarity of said inputs at a frequency to produce a bi-polar output at a frequency in the audible range. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for generating an audible message with a speech synthesizer unit, said unit having message segments stored in a memory unit, comprising the steps of:
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determing an appropriate message for generation by said speech synthesizer unit; calculating one or more starting addresses within the memory unit to compose said message; clocking a memory select counter to produce memory address signals corresponding to said one or more starting addresses; and transmitting said message segments from the memory unit to the synthesizer subsequent to the clocking step. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. Speech synthesizer apparatus comprising:
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a speech synthesizer for converting digital message signals into analog speech signals; a synthesizer controller having means for controlling the synthesizer and a least one communications port for sending and receiving communications signals related to synthesizer operations; and said synthesizer controller including status checking means for determining appropriate intervals to send communications signals by comparing a test signal transmitted from the port with a signal received at said port to determine interference with other communications signal sources. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification