Graphical user interface and method for modifying pronunciations in text-to-speech and speech recognition systems
First Claim
1. A method implemented on a computer for allowing a user to set a pronunciation of a string of characters, the method comprising:
- storing in a memory device pronunciation data for a plurality of strings of characters to be used by a computing system for pronouncing the strings of characters;
receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of a set of one or more characters in a particular one of the strings of characters;
retrieving from a database accessible by the computer a plurality of sample words representing different possible pronunciations of the selected character set and displaying the retrieved samples;
receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of one of the displayed sample words; and
updating the pronunciation data in said memory device corresponding to the particular string of characters in accordance with a pronunciation of the selected character set in the sample word selected by the user.
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Abstract
A method and user interface which allow users to make decisions about how to pronounce words and parts of words based on audio cues and common words with well known pronunciations. Users input or select words for which they want to set or modify pronunciations. To set the pronunciation of a given letter or letter combination in the word, the user selects the letters and is presented with a list of common words whose pronunciations, or portions thereof, are substantially identical to possible pronunciations of the selected letters. The list of sample, common words is ordered based on frequency of correlation in common usage, the most common being designated as the default sample word, and the user is first presented with a subset of the words in the list which are most likely to be selected. In addition, the present invention allows for storage in the dictionary of several different pronunciations for the same word, to allow for contextual differences and individual preferences.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method implemented on a computer for allowing a user to set a pronunciation of a string of characters, the method comprising:
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storing in a memory device pronunciation data for a plurality of strings of characters to be used by a computing system for pronouncing the strings of characters; receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of a set of one or more characters in a particular one of the strings of characters; retrieving from a database accessible by the computer a plurality of sample words representing different possible pronunciations of the selected character set and displaying the retrieved samples; receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of one of the displayed sample words; and updating the pronunciation data in said memory device corresponding to the particular string of characters in accordance with a pronunciation of the selected character set in the sample word selected by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium storing program code for, when executed, causing a computer to perform a graphical user interface method for allowing a user to set a pronunciation of a string of characters, the article of manufacture comprising:
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program code for storing in a memory device pronunciation data for a plurality of strings of characters to be used by a computing system for pronouncing the strings of characters; program code for receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of a set of one or more characters in a particular one of the strings of characters; retrieving from a database accessible by the computer a plurality of sample words representing different possible pronunciations of the selected character set and displaying the retrieved sample words; program code for receiving via a user interface a selection by a user of one of the displayed sample words; and updating the pronunciation data in said memory device corresponding to the particular string of characters in accordance with a pronunciation of the selected character set in the sample word selected by the user. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A graphical user interface system for allowing a user to modify a pronunciation of a string of characters, the system comprising:
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a dictionary database stored on a memory device comprising a plurality of first character strings and associated pronunciation records; a pronunciation database stored on a memory device comprising a plurality of second character strings each comprising one or more characters and each associated with a plurality of words, each word having one or more characters which are pronounced in the word in substantially identical fashion to one manner in which the associated second character string may be pronounced; an input/output system for allowing a user to select one of the first character strings from the dictionary database, to select a set of one or more characters from the selected string, and to select one of the words in the pronunciation database; and a programmable controller for updating said dictionary database to reflect a pronunciation of the selected first string of characters in accordance with a pronunciation of the selected character set in the selected one of the words.
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Specification