Embedded Voice Output Using Pre-Stored Speech Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speech synthesis methods for household appliances, such as food processors, are technically complex and expensive, requiring significant hardware resources that are often not feasible in these devices, leading to limited and costly voice output options, which complicates operation, especially for visually impaired users.
Innovation Solution
A method that pre-stores language segments in a persistent information object using position information for identification and retrieval, allowing for efficient generation and output of voice output, even with limited hardware, by utilizing a file system or database for data management and storage, enabling quick and resource-saving voice output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modern text-to-speech systems are used for speech synthesis in household appliances, then high-quality and flexible voice output is achieved, but the hardware requirements and production costs become too high for typical embedded systems in these appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the speech output into pre-recorded language segments stored in an information object, rather than generating speech synthetically in real-time. This segmentation allows the system to use simple playback of stored segments instead of complex speech synthesis hardware, resolving the contradiction between voice quality and hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-recording and storing language segments in an information object before runtime. The segments are prepared in advance with position information embedded, allowing the embedded system to simply retrieve and play back segments rather than perform complex synthesis operations, thus achieving quality voice output with minimal hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If speech synthesis methods are implemented in household appliances, then voice output functionality is provided, but the processing power and memory requirements exceed the capabilities of typical embedded systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by storing pre-recorded language segments in an information object within the embedded system. Instead of implementing complex speech synthesis algorithms that require high processing power, the system copies and plays back pre-prepared audio segments, achieving voice output functionality with minimal processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Language segments are prepared in advance with position information embedded in the information object. This preliminary preparation allows the embedded system to efficiently retrieve and play back segments without requiring complex real-time processing, thus providing versatile voice output with limited processing power
3Adaptability or versatility
If distributed data storage is used for speech segments, then data management flexibility is improved, but retrieval speed and system reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all language segments into a single information object stored in the embedded system's memory, rather than distributing segments across multiple files or locations. This consolidation enables fast retrieval through direct access using position information while maintaining reliability, as the single structured object ensures all segments are available and properly organized
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for generating an acoustic voice output, in particular in a household appliance (10), preferably in an electric motor-operated food processor (10) with a mixing vessel (24) and an agitator in the mixing vessel (24).