Phrase Transformation Rules for Natural Text-to-Speech

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional text-to-speech conversion methods often produce unnatural-sounding audio phrases due to a word-for-word conversion approach, which can be improved by analyzing and transforming text phrases to better match natural speech patterns.

Innovation Solution

Generating phrase transformation rules by analyzing features of source and target phrases to determine a mapping between words, allowing for the transformation of text phrases into more natural-sounding audio phrases, such as modifying word forms or reducing phrase length while retaining essence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If word-for-word text-to-speech conversion is used, then the conversion process is simple and straightforward, but the generated audio phrases sound unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of conversion processVSAvoidnaturalness of audio output
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary text processing by generating phrase transformation rules that rewrite text phrases before conversion to speech. This preliminary action modifies the text structure to match natural speech patterns, ensuring the audio output sounds natural while maintaining the simplicity of the overall conversion process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary text transformation layer between the input text and the speech synthesis. This intermediary component generates transformed text phrases that serve as a bridge, converting unnatural word-for-word text into natural-sounding speech without requiring complex direct text-to-audio transformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If phrase transformation rules are generated by analyzing feature sets of source and target phrases, then the accuracy of phrase transformation is improved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of word mappingVSAvoidcomplexity of feature analysis process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the text processing task into distinct components: extracting features from source phrases, extracting features from target phrases, determining word mappings, and generating transformation rules. This segmentation allows accurate feature analysis while managing complexity through modular processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transforming text phrases according to identified patterns and rules. By modifying textual parameters (word forms, phrase structure, punctuation) based on the analyzed feature sets, the system achieves accurate transformation without requiring overly complex processing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If text phrases are transformed to match natural speech patterns, then the quality of text-to-speech conversion is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of audio outputVSAvoidprocessing time for text transformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs text transformation as a preliminary action before speech synthesis. By pre-processing and generating phrase transformation rules in advance, the actual speech conversion can proceed more quickly, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high audio quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-service by automatically generating and applying phrase transformation rules without requiring manual intervention. This automation allows rapid transformation of text phrases while maintaining quality, as the system learns and applies patterns efficiently on its own

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9898448B2Method for text processing
Publication Date: 2018.02.20 Y E HUB ARMENIA LLC
  • US9898448B2 patent drawing
  • US9898448B2 patent drawing
  • US9898448B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for text processing executable at a computing device, comprising appreciating a source phrase comprised of source words; appreciating a target phrase comprised of target words; associating a respective source word feature set with each one of the source words; associating a respective target word feature set with each one of the target words; analyzing source word feature sets and target word feature sets; and based on the analysis, generating one or more phrase transformation rules for transforming the source phrase into the target phrase. Also a server and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions for carrying out the method.