Distributed TTS Engine with Unified Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Text-to-speech (TTS) systems face challenges in managing storage space on client devices like mobile phones and electronic book readers, where limited resources restrict the number of voices and languages that can be locally installed, and network latency is a concern when accessing remote TTS systems.
Innovation Solution
A distributed TTS system with a single interface allows for flexible configuration, where some components are installed on the client device and others on a remote server, enabling local synthesis without a network connection while accessing a broader range of voices and languages remotely, and optimizing voice storage based on usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a TTS system is installed locally on a client device, then speech synthesis can be performed without network connection, but storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The TTS system is segmented into two parts: a local TTS engine that performs speech synthesis processing, and remote voice data stored on servers. The local engine contains only the synthesis algorithms and text processing components, while the voice models are distributed to remote servers. This segmentation allows the client device to perform TTS functionality with minimal local storage while maintaining the ability to synthesize speech.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voices and languages are stored locally, then voice selection versatility increases, but storage space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal access to multiple voices and languages through a single local TTS engine that can access remotely stored voice data. The local engine is designed to work with any voice model, whether stored locally or remotely, allowing the same software to provide diverse voice options without requiring separate installations for each voice or language.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote server acts as an intermediary between the local TTS engine and the voice data. The server stores multiple voice models and languages, and the local engine requests and receives voice data from the server as needed. This intermediary approach allows the client device to access a wide variety of voices and languages without storing them all locally, resolving the contradiction between versatility and storage space.
3Quantity of substance
If a remote TTS system is used, then storage space on client device is reduced, but network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Voice data is downloaded and cached on the remote server in advance, so when TTS synthesis is requested, the local engine can quickly retrieve and process the pre-prepared voice models. The system performs preliminary actions (preparing and caching voice data on servers) to reduce the time needed during actual speech synthesis operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If TTS components are distributed between local and remote systems, then system flexibility increases, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal TTS engine that can operate in multiple configurations: accessing local voice data, accessing remote voice data, or a combination of both. The same engine and interface work regardless of where the voice data is stored, providing a unified, simple interface that abstracts away the complexity of the distributed architecture from the end user.
Data Source
AI summary
Features are disclosed for providing a consistent interface for local and distributed text to speech (TTS) systems. Some portions of the TTS system, such as voices and TTS engine components, may be installed on a client device, and some may be present on a remote system accessible via a network link. Determinations can be made regarding which TTS system components to implement on the client device and which to implement on the remote server. The consistent interface facilitates connecting to or otherwise employing the TTS system through use of the same methods and techniques regardless of the which TTS system configuration is implemented.