US3794753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Synthesis of speech from a magnetic tape matrix storage of phonetic segments
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-16
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1991-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Phonetic sounds are recorded on several magnetic tapes, each tape storing a number of different phonetic sounds. A matrix of magnetic heads reads the tapes. Multiplexing of the signals from the heads is obtained and the phonetic sounds thereby combine to produce speech by a key board adapted to be worn by the user. When a key is depressed, the tape, on which is recorded phonetic sounds corresponding to the key, is driven. One of the heads reads the segment of the driven tape on which the selected sound is recorded. The outputs of the heads are combined in a play-back amplifier and fed to an external speaker which may be worn, as on the neck of the user. The user may be a person whose larynx has been removed.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10L; G10L13/00; G10L13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Speech producing apparatus which comprises: a. a plurality of separate record mediums, b. each of said record mediums having a group of speech sounds recorded longitudinally thereof, and each sound being located in a separate successive segment thereon, each of said record mediums having a group of speech sounds recorded thereon which do not follow each other successively in ordinary speech, c. means for individually selecting separate ones of said sounds to make up words of speech to be produced, d. means operated by said selecting means for simultaneously scanning each segment on any of said plurality of record mediums, and e. means also operated by said selecting means for reproducing only one of said segments on which said selected sound is recorded whereby different ones of said plurality of recording mediums can be successively scanned and different ones of said speech sounds reproduced in rapid succession so as to make up the words of speech.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Speech producing apparatus which comprises: a. a plurality of separate record mediums, b. each of said record mediums having a group of speech sounds recorded longitudinally thereof, and each sound being located in a separate successive segment thereon, each of said record mediums having a group of speech sounds recorded thereon which do not follow each other successively in ordinary speech, c. means for individually selecting separate ones of said sounds to make up words of speech to be produced, d. means operated by said selecting means for simultaneously scanning each segment on any of said plurality of record mediums, and e. means also operated by said selecting means for reproducing only one of said segments on which said selected sound is recorded whereby different ones of said plurality of recording mediums can be successively scanned and different ones of said speech sounds reproduced in rapid succession so as to make up the words of speech.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said speech sounds are phonetic sounds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said record mediums are separate magnetic tapes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scanning means includes a plurality of groups of pick-up means each corresponding to a different one of said sounds in each group and each pick-up means in each group being spaced along the one of said plurality of record mediums on which its respective group is recorded for scanning the segment of said record medium in which its corresponding sound is recorded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of recording mediums are each a separate magnetic tape strip, said strips being disposed in side-by-side relationship, and wherein said pick-up means are each different magnetic heads, said heads being disposed in a matrix containing a plurality of rows of said heads each along a different one of said tape strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of record mediums are a plurality of equal lengths of magnetic tape, and wherein said scanning means includes a plurality of groups magnetic heads, each corresponding to a different sound in each of said groups, and means for translating said tapes individually such that the segment thereof on which said sounds are stored moves across its corresponding magnetic head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said translating means includes a capstan extending across all of said tapes, and means for separately engaging different ones of said tape into driving relationship with said capstan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said engaging means includes a plurality of pinch rollers, and means for maintaining said pinch rollers, in contact with said tapes for predetermined periods of time whereby the portions of said tapes having said sounds thereon can traverse said heads whereby to enable reproduction of said sounds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said capstan has a surface of vinyl material, and wherein said engaging means is disposed for applying light pressure against tape in a direction toward said capstan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 including stop means for limiting the travel of said tapes, said stop means being disposed on said tapes near the end thereof which is driven toward said capstan, whereby said tapes can lift said engaging means away from said capstan at the limit of the travel of said tapes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said engaging means for each tape includes a pressure shoe disposed at an angle of about 45* with respect to the direction of travel of said tape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selecting means is a keyboard having a plurality of manually operable keys each for a different one of said sounds, and a separate pair of switch means operated by each of said keys for respectively operating said scanning means and said reproducing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said keyboard is adapted to be carried at the waist of a person using the speech apparatus, whereby to leave the hands of the person free when the apparatus is not in use.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said keyboard has a plurality of rows of button keys, each corresponding to a different one of said phonetic sounds, and a pair of bar keys at opposite ends of said rows of buttons each for a different consonant sound, whereby to permit use of the thumbs for pluralizing certain sounds and so that simultaneous sounds can be produced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said plurality of record mediums are a plurality of separate magnetic tapes, and said scanning means includes a matrix of magnetic heads arranged in a plurality of rows and each row being disposed along a separate one of said tapes with each head in spaced relationship with a different one of said segments, each of said switches corresponding to a different one of said heads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said switch means pairs each have two normally open contacts, means operated by one of said contacts when closed to translate the tape scanned by the head to which said switch corresponds, and means operated by the other of said contacts when closed to enable the reproduction of said sound scanned by the head to which said switch corresponds.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said apparatus includes a housing having said keyboard, said switch matrix, said tapes, said head matrix, an amplifier, and a battery holder all being mounted in said housing, a loudspeaker connected to the output of said amplifier, said housing and said loudspeaker all being adapted to be worn by the person making use of said apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |