Paul S. Breedlove

Electronic learning aid or game having synthesized speech

An electronic talking learning aid is disclosed. The learning aid includes a speech synthesis circuit which, in the embodiment disclosed, includes a digital lattice filter circuit, a voiced/unvoiced speech excitation circuit, a speech parameter interpolator, an input parameter decoder, a digital-to-analog converter circuit and associated timing circuits. The learing aid is also provided with a controller and at least one memory for storing digitized speech parameters as well as other digital data. This other digital data may represent, for instance, correct answers to questions posed by the talking learning aid. A keyboard or other response insertion device is provided to permit an operator to input his or her answers to the questions posed by the learning aid. In the disclosed embodiment, the talking learning aid asks the operator to input the correct spelling of a spoken word and informs the operator whether or not the response was correct.

Electronic handheld translator having miniature electronic speech synthesis chip

An electronic handheld talking translator including a speech synthesis integrated circuit device. The speech synthesis integrated circuit device includes a digital filter, a voiced/unvoiced excitation circuit, a speech parameter interpolator, an input parameter decoder, a digital-to-analog converter, a speaker and associated timing circuits. A non-volatile memory stores digital data representative of the correct spellings of selected words in a foreign language and the model vocal tract control data necessary to control the speech synthesis circuit in a manner to cause the selected words to be audibly pronounced by the translator.