Speech Synthesis Device User Dictionary Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multifunctional devices with speech-synthesis capabilities face challenges in accurately reading aloud data due to the influence of user dictionaries on pronunciation and meaning, particularly when handling phrases with multiple meanings or uses across different functions, leading to errors in data interpretation.

Innovation Solution

A speech-synthesis device with a control unit that determines whether to use a user dictionary based on the current function being employed, allowing for context-specific pronunciation and meaning interpretation, thereby ensuring accurate read-aloud processing across various functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a user dictionary is used to provide personalized pronunciation for phrases, then the speech-synthesis accuracy for personal names and specific terms is improved, but the ability to accurately read aloud phrases with multiple meanings across different functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeech-synthesis accuracyVSAvoidcontext-aware pronunciation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between dictionary modes (user dictionary and standard dictionary) based on the operational context. The control unit determines which dictionary to use by detecting the current function being executed, allowing the system to adapt its pronunciation rules dynamically rather than using a fixed dictionary configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different dictionary characteristics to different functional contexts. Specifically, the user dictionary is activated only for functions where personalized pronunciation is appropriate (such as telephone functions with contact names), while the standard dictionary is used for functions where literal or contextual pronunciation is needed (such as web browsing or general information display).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the speech-synthesis function is integrated into multiple device functions, then the device versatility is improved, but the reliability of data interpretation across different functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddata interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the speech-synthesis functionality into context-aware modules. The control unit separates the decision-making process into distinct steps: detecting the current function, determining the appropriate dictionary mode, and then executing the speech synthesis. This segmentation allows each function to maintain its own interpretation rules while sharing the common speech-synthesis infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8234117B2Speech-synthesis device having user dictionary control

Publication Date: 2012.07.31 CANON KK

AI summary

In a speech-synthesis device, it is possible to determine whether or not a user dictionary that supports processing for reading aloud a specific phrase associated with specific reading should be used. The speech-synthesis device includes a speech-synthesis unit configured to perform read-aloud processing, a user dictionary provided to support processing for reading aloud a specific phrase associated with specific reading, and a control unit that includes a plurality of functions achieved by using information about the read-aloud processing, that determines whether or not the user dictionary should be used according to which of the functions is used so as to perform the read-aloud processing, and that makes the speech-synthesis unit perform the read-aloud processing.