Method and apparatus for converting voice characteristics of synthesized speech
US4624012A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1982 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L21/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for converting voice characteristics of synthesized speech from a single applied source of synthesized speech in a manner obtaining modified voice characteristics pertaining to the apparent age and/or sex of the speaker. The apparatus is capable of altering the voice characteristics of synthesized speech to obtain modified voice sounds simulating child-like, teenage, adult, aged and sexual preference characteristics by control of vocal track parameters including pitch period, vocal tract model, and speech data rate. A source of synthesized speech having a predetermined pitch period, a predetermined vocal tract model, and a predetermined speech rate is separated into the respective speech parameters. The values of pitch, the speech data frame length, and the speech data rate are then varied in a preselected manner to modify the voice characteristics of the synthesized speech from the source thereof. Thereafter, the changed speech data parameters are re-combined into a modified synthesized speech data format having different voice characteristics with respect to the synthesized speech from the source, and an audio signal representative of human speech is generate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.