Speech synchronized animation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for producing and displaying randomly-accessible animated objects having synchronized audio and visual features, said apparatus comprising:
- a program-controlled microprocessor;
integrator means, coupled to the microprocessor, for producing signals representing encoded elements of sound and encoded elements of constituent object parts in response to command signals from the microprocessor;
sound emitting means, coupled to the microprocessor and to the integrator means for producing sound in response to the signals representing encoded elements of sound; and
display means coupled to the microprocessor, to the integrator means and sound emitting means for producing visual images of the animated objects in response to the signals representing encoded elements of constituent object parts, the visual images of the animated objects being synchronized with the sound.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing randomly-accessible animated objects having synchronous audio and visual features suitable for use as an education system or video entertainment system is provided. The speech sounds and the associated visual and behavioral characteristics of language are broken into their constituent parts to produce encoded communication patterns and characteristics associated with speech. In response to coded input signal representing speech sounds or combinations of a speechsounds forming words, a coded model is constructed including a voice and animated visual image having synchronized audio and associated visual characteristics to speak the sound or words which were input. A user is presented with a viewing screen having several rows of what are perceived to be domino-like tiles each inscribed with one or more letters. An animated character including a talking head is also displayed on the screen. The user selects tiles with a mouse or other input device and moves the tiles about the screen to form words or other combinations of letters. As a tile is selected, the animated character pronounces the name and sound of the letter inscribed on the tile. When words are formed, the animated character pronounces the words or the sound of the character combinations formed.
275 Citations
33 Claims
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1. Apparatus for producing and displaying randomly-accessible animated objects having synchronized audio and visual features, said apparatus comprising:
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a program-controlled microprocessor; integrator means, coupled to the microprocessor, for producing signals representing encoded elements of sound and encoded elements of constituent object parts in response to command signals from the microprocessor; sound emitting means, coupled to the microprocessor and to the integrator means for producing sound in response to the signals representing encoded elements of sound; and display means coupled to the microprocessor, to the integrator means and sound emitting means for producing visual images of the animated objects in response to the signals representing encoded elements of constituent object parts, the visual images of the animated objects being synchronized with the sound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
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18. A method for producing an displaying randomly-accessible animated objects having synchronized audio and visual features, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a set of first signals representing encoded elements of sound and encoded elements of constituent object parts; generating a set of second signals in response to said set of first signals, said set of second signals representing images of animated objects composed of said constituent object parts; electronically synthesizing a voice in response to said set of first signals pronouncing said elements of sound represented by said set of first signals; and generating a video output and displaying the images of said animated objects represented by the said set of second signals, the display of said images of animated objects synchronized with said synthesized elements of sound.
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22. A method of instruction for teaching language skills or the like comprising the steps of:
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displaying a plurality of first animated images on a screen, each of said first animated images having at least one of a plurality of graphic symbols inscribed thereon, each of said plurality of symbols associated with speech sound; receiving an input signal and selecting at least one of said first animated images in response to said input signal; generating electronically a voice sound pronouncing the associated speech sound of the symbols inscribed on said selected one of said first animated images; and displaying a second animated image on said screen, said second animated image including a talking head having facial features, said second animated image responsive to said input signal for displaying an animated sequence of body movements including movements of head and facial features simulating the speaking of said associated speech sound in synchrony with said voice sound. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for producing animated orthographic objects in combination with at least one animated character having synchronized audio and visual characteristics associated with the orthographic objects, said system comprising:
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a program-controlled microprocessor; integrator means coupled to the microprocessor, responsive to command signals from the microprocessor for producing first signals representing encoded elements of sound and second signals representing encoded rules mapping said elements of sound to associated constituent object parts and behavior traits; first animation means coupled to the integrator means and to the microprocessor, responsive to said first signals for generating a first encoded model representative of said animated orthographic object; second animation means coupled to the integrator means and to the microprocessor responsive to said second signals for generating a second encoded model representative of said animated character; sound emitting means, coupled to the microprocessor and to the integrator means for producing sound in response to said first signals representing encoded elements of sound; and display means coupled to the microprocessor and to the first and second animation means, said display means responsive to said first encoded model for producing and displaying visual images of said animated orthographic object, said display means responsive to said second encoded model for producing and displaying visual images of said animated character in synchrony with the sound. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification