Communications system providing automatic text-to-speech conversion features and related methods

• US 8,086,289 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: May, Darrell Reginald, Gagne, Alain R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US13/081,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20110184739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 455/563, 455/550.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.2, 455/412.2, 455/414.4, 704/E19.007
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/047 Architecture of speech synthesisers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.

Claims

1. A wireless communications device comprising:

a headset output configured to establish a headset connection;

a wireless transceiver; and

a controller coupled to said wireless transceiver and said headset output and configured to

receive at least one text message,

switch to a hands-free audio message mode based upon determining establishment of the headset connection, and

when in the hands-free audio message mode, output at least one audio message comprising speech generated from the at least one received text message via said headset output.

2. The wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said headset output comprises a wireless headset output.

3. The wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said headset output comprises a wired headset output.

4. The wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprising a user interface device coupled to said controller;

and wherein said controller is further configured to switch to the hands-free audio message mode based upon an audio message mode command provided via said user interface device.

5. The wireless communications device of claim 4 wherein said user interface device comprises a keypad.

6. The wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprising a text-to-speech module configured to convert the at least one text message to the at least one audio message.

7. The wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprising a display coupled to said controller for displaying the at least one text message.

8. A wireless communications device comprising:

a wireless headset output configured to establish a wireless headset connection;

a wireless transceiver; and

a controller coupled to said wireless transceiver and said wireless headset output and configured to

receive at least one text message,

switch to a hands-free audio message mode based upon determining establishment of the wireless headset connection, and

when in the hands-free audio message mode, output at least one audio message comprising speech generated from the at least one received text message via said wireless headset output; and

a display coupled to said controller for displaying the at least one text message.

9. The wireless communications device of claim 8 further comprising a user interface device coupled to said controller;

and wherein said controller is further configured to switch to the hands-free audio message mode based upon an audio message mode command provided via said user interface device.

10. The wireless communications device of claim 9 wherein said user interface device comprises a keypad.

11. The wireless communications device of claim 8 further comprising a text-to-speech module configured to convert the at least one text message to the at least one audio message.

12. A wireless communications device comprising:

a wired headset output configured to establish a wired headset connection;

a wireless transceiver; and

a controller coupled to said wireless transceiver and said wired headset output and configured to

receive at least one text message,

switch to a hands-free audio message mode based upon determining establishment of the wired headset connection, and

when in the hands-free audio message mode, output at least one audio message comprising speech generated from the at least one received text message via said wired headset output; and

a display coupled to said controller for displaying the at least one text message.

13. The wireless communications device of claim 12 further comprising a user interface device coupled to said controller;

and wherein said controller is further configured to switch to the hands-free audio message mode based upon an audio message mode command provided via said user interface device.

14. The wireless communications device of claim 13 wherein said user interface device comprises a keypad.

15. The wireless communications device of claim 12 further comprising a text-to-speech module configured to convert the at least one text message to the at least one audio message.

16. A method for using a wireless communications device comprising a headset output, the method comprising:

receiving at least one text message using the wireless communications device;

switching the wireless communications device to a hands-free audio message mode based upon determining establishment of a connection with the headset output; and

when the wireless communications device is in the hands-free audio message mode, outputting at least one audio message comprising speech generated from the at least one received text message via the headset output.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the headset output comprises a wireless headset output.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the headset output comprises a wired headset output.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the wireless communications device further comprises a user interface device;

and further comprising switching to the hands-free audio message mode based upon an audio message mode command provided via the user interface device.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising converting the at least one text message to the at least one audio message prior to outputting.