EPSON Speech IC Speech Guide Creation Tool User Guide

Transcription

1 EPSON Speech IC User Guide Rev.1.21

2 NOTICE No part of this material may be reproduced or duplicated in any form or by any means without the written permission of Seiko Epson. Seiko Epson reserves the right to make changes to this material without notice. Seiko Epson does not assume any liability of any kind arising out of any inaccuracies contained in this material or due to its application or use in any product or circuit and, further, there is no representation that this material is applicable to products requiring high level reliability, such as, medical products. Moreover, no license to any intellectual property rights is granted by implication or otherwise, and there is no representation or warranty that anything made in accordance with this material will be free from any patent or copyright infringement of a third party. This material or portions thereof may contain technology or the subject relating to strategic products under the control of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law of Japan and may require an export license from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or other approval from another government agency. All brands or product names mentioned herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION , All rights reserved.

3 Table of Contents 1. Overview Preparations Operating environment Glossary Installation License agreement Installing the software Uninstalling the software MAC address (physical address) notification User KEYCODE registration Procedure for Using the Registering the Speech Guide project Registering sentences Editing phrase pronunciation Editing sentences and phrases Creating the ROM image file For EOV sound format For ERV sound format Other screens Setting window Sound Setting window Custom user dictionary Editing output audio Pause insertion Speed change Altering the pitch Break insertion Volume change Pronunciation text Voice Guidance Creation Tool Support Functions Voice library Sample projects EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation i

4 1. Overview 1. Overview EPSON Speech IC Release 2 (hereinafter referred to as this tool ) is used to create voice guidance functions which are in high demand for various applications in household appliances and other fields. This tool lets users create guidance voice files and ROM files on a PC running Windows, eliminating the need for studio recordings and human voice actors. This tool is loaned to clients using or evaluating products in the EPSON Speech IC series. This user guide corresponds to the Ver1.2 English version of this tool. See Chapter 2 for information on installing this tool. See Chapter 3 for operating procedures. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 1

5 2. Preparations 2. Preparations 2.1 Operating environment Given below are the operating requirements for this tool. IBM PC/AT or fully compatible computer This tool runs on Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4, Windows XP Home/Professional SP2, and Windows Vista (32-bit). The IBM PC/AT or fully compatible computer must have the following specifications: Supported OS Windows 2000 (SP4) Windows XP Home/ Professional (SP2) CPU RAM Windows Vista (32-bit) Recommended 2.0 GHz or better 2.0 GHz or better 2.0 GHz or better Minimum Pentium GHz Pentium GHz Pentium GHz Recommended Minimum 512 MB Minimum 1.0 GB Minimum 1.0 GB Minimum 256 MB 512 MB 1.0 GB Requires CD-ROM drive. Installation requires at least 900 MB of free space on the hard disk drive. Installation requires administrative privileges for the computer in question. 2 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

6 2. Preparations 2.2 Glossary The terms used in this guide are defined below: No. Term Definition 1 Sentence A sentence used for voice guidance Ex. You have selected Quick Wash, duration is 35 minutes. 2 Phrase A part of a sentence used for voice guidance Ex. You have selected, Quick Wash, duration is, 35 minutes. 3 KEYCODE Unique ID consisting of letters and numbers assigned to each client purchasing the Speech IC 4 Sound format Sound format having data structure using KEYCODE as the key. The audio can only be used and played back on a Speech IC or in this tool. 5 Compressed audio file An audio file saved in the selected sound format (e.g., EOV) 6 Audio file phrase A phrase registered as a compressed audio or WAV file. A phrase registered by specifying an audio file in Step 2 (described later). 7 Sentence phrase A phrase not registered as an audio file phrase. A phrase registered by entering a sentence in Step 1 or 2 (described later). 8 Component phrase A phrase that is a component of a sentence. A phrase automatically set to be saved in a ROM image file. Also called a used phrase. 9 Unused phrase A phrase that is not a component phrase. A phrase not used for a sentence. To save an unused phrase in a ROM image file, select it on Add phrase in ROM image file dialog box. 10 Voice text Description format for describing audio data output 11 PS ID ID of phrase separated from sentence 12 PU ID ID of additional phrase registered by user 13 Delay value A delay in playback of phrase on the IC EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 3

7 2. Preparations 2.3 Installation License agreement Use of this tool constitutes acceptance of the terms of the software license agreement. Do not install or use the licensed software if you do not accept the terms of the license agreement Installing the software To install this tool, use the installer found on the CD-ROMs provided (two-cd set). (1) Start Windows. (Close all other applications.) (2) Insert CD-ROM DISK1 into the drive to view its contents. (3) Double-click setup.exe in DISK1 to start the installer. (4) The ESPER2Eng InstallShield Wizard will appear. Click the Next button to proceed. (5) Confirm the displayed installation location. To change the location, click Browse button to display the Select file dialog box. To proceed with installation, click the Next button. * In the Select file dialog box, select a folder in which to install this tool from the list or enter the appropriate pathname into the Folder text box. Click the OK button. 4 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

8 2. Preparations (6) The InstallShield Wizard is now ready to install this tool. Click the Install button to continue with installation. (7) The Wizard will start the installation process. (8) Installation is complete. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 5

9 2. Preparations Uninstalling the software To uninstall the software, use the installer application found on the CD-ROMs provided (two-cd set) or the Add or Remove Programs application in the Control Panel. (1) Start Windows. (Close all other applications.) (2) Insert CD-ROM DISK1 into the drive to view its contents. (3) Double-click setup.exe in DISK1 to start the installer. (4) ESPER2Eng InstallShield Wizard will appear. Click the Yes button to proceed. * When uninstalling using the Control Panel, select ESPER2Eng in Add or Remove Programs list and click the Remove button. You will be prompted by a message reading Are you sure you want to completely remove ESPER2Eng and all of its components? Click the Yes button to start the uninstall process. (5) The InstallShield Wizard will begin the uninstall process. (6) The uninstall is complete. 6 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

10 2. Preparations MAC address (physical address) notification Before using this tool, please provide us with the MAC address of the PC on which you plan to install the tool so that we can issue the appropriate license file for that specific MAC address. Please note that the software will not function properly unless you have completed this procedure. The following procedure provides us with your MAC address and allows your system to recognize the issued license file. (1) Launch this tool. (2) Select Help > About to display the About ESPER2 dialog box. Please provide us with the 12-digit character string that appears in the MAC Address field in the dialog box. (3) Upon receiving this address, we will issue a license file with the name verification.txt. Place this file in the directory indicated below to have the system recognize it. Install directory\esper2\kate\data-common\verify\ EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 7

11 2. Preparations User KEYCODE registration Data created using this tool must be incorporated into EPSON Speech IC series products or used solely for evaluations. To prevent use for other purposes, data is output in a proprietary Epson format and can be played back only using products in the EPSON Speech IC series. To use voice data created in the Proprietary Epson format on this tool for an EPSON Speech IC series product, the same KEYCODE must be registered in advance for both the tool and the product. Follow the procedure given below to register this KEYCODE in this tool. (1) KEYCODE (8-digit hexadecimal number) is issued by us. (2) Launch this tool. A shortcut to ESPER2 Eng should appear on the Windows desktop. Double-click the shortcut. The executable files are located in InstallDirectory\ESPER2\Kate\bin. (3) From the tool menu, select Tool > KEY CODE registration. (4) The KEYCODE registration window appears. Enter the KEYCODE issued and click OK. * If the entered KEYCODE is incorrect, the error message shown at left will appear. * Audio data cannot be created if the KEYCODE is incorrect. 8 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

12 3. Procedure for Using the 3. Procedure for Using the When a voice guidance sentence is input, this tool divides the input sentence into several components and converts them into voice data. These voice files can be output from the speaker of a PC via the standard Windows audio drivers or stored as a file in the proprietary Epson format (see Section 3.4). Files in the proprietary Epson format have EOV (*.eov) or ERV (*.erv) file extensions. This tool provides various customization features. Speed and pitch can be adjusted phoneme by phoneme using a text editing application. A word and the corresponding pronunciation can be registered into the custom user dictionary using functions such as pronunciation input, phonetic representation, and audio effect input. Operating procedures are divided into the following steps: 1. Startup: Registering Speech Guide project 2. Step 1: Registering sentences 3. Step 2: Editing phrase pronunciation 4. Step 3: Editing sentences and phrases 5. Step 4: Creating the ROM image file EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 9

13 3. Procedure for Using the 3.1 Registering the Speech Guide project Once this tool has started up, the Register Speech Guide project dialog box will appear. Enter the project name, then select a location at which to store the project, as follows: (1) Launch this tool. (2) The dialog box shown at left will appear. Click the New radio button. Enter the project name into the box next to Project and enter a storage location next to Folder. You can enter a location by clicking the Browse button to display a dialog box and selecting the location from the dialog box. (3) In the directory specified in Folder, a directory with the same name previously entered as the Project name will be created. Project files will be stored here. (4) Select a Speech IC from the IC pull-down list. The sound format is selected in conjunction with the Speech IC. (5) Click the OK button. (6) The screen will open. * Do not rename the project folder created. The name must match the names of the project files (excluding file extensions) inside the folder. To rename, save under a different name. 10 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

14 3. Procedure for Using the 3.2 Registering sentences Step 1 lets you register the contents of voice guidance (sentences) with the Speech IC. Design sentences effectively so that the character strings (phrases) that make up each sentence are stored as ROM image files and can be used in as many combinations as possible. Sentences are registered as follows: (1) Click the Step 1 tab in the screen for the tool. (2) The screen shown at left will appear. Click the New button at the bottom. If several sentences have already been registered and you would like to register a sentence among them, click the Insert button. (3) S_0001 will appear in the ID cell corresponding to the row. Double-click in the row Sentence cell. (4) The sentence input editor will appear. Enter the contents of voice guidance. In the example to the left, the content entered is You have selected Quick Wash/duration is 35 minutes. The forward slash is used to divide a sentence into phrases. (5) After entering the sentence, press the Return key or click anywhere outside the selected cell. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 11

15 3. Procedure for Using the You can also register a sentence by copying a character string from Excel or from a text editing application and pasting it into this tool. Copied selections that include line feeds are regarded as multiple sentences delimited by each line feed. The registration is performed as follows: (1) When copying and pasting from Excel, each cell is registered as one phrase. (2) Select cells from Excel and copy them as shown at left. (3) Paste the copied cells to the Sentence list under the Step 1 tab of this tool. The cells will appear as shown at left. The delimiter character is inserted automatically to make sentence registration easier and faster. A registered sentence can be moved or deleted as follows: (1) Click the sentence you want to move. 12 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

16 3. Procedure for Using the (2) The selected sentence is highlighted. Click the Up or Down button to the right of the screen. The example to the left shows the up button being clicked. (3) The selected sentence is moved up. (4) To delete a sentence, select the sentence and click the Delete button. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 13

17 3. Procedure for Using the (5) A message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to perform the delete. Deletions cannot be undeleted. To delete the sentence, click the Yes button. (6) The selected sentence is deleted, as shown at left. When a sentence has been registered, its internal ID is automatically assigned to the sentence. You can enter your own ID in the User ID cell as follows: (1) Double-click the User ID cell for the sentence for which you want to enter a User ID. 14 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

18 3. Procedure for Using the (2) The User ID input editor shown at left appears. Enter a character string of up to 32 characters. UID_0001 is entered in the example. (3) After entering the ID, press the Return key or click anywhere outside the selected cell. You can play back a registered sentence to check the audio as follows: (1) Click the sentence you want to play. (2) Click the Play button at the bottom right of the screen to play the audio. Here you can only check the audio. If you note problems with pronunciation, edit the audio file in Step 2. (3) To interrupt audio playback, click the Stop button. The Stop button is enabled only during audio playback. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 15

19 3. Procedure for Using the 3.3 Editing phrase pronunciation In Step 2, the sentences registered in Step 1 are automatically divided into phrases based on the division indicated by the forward slash ( / ) delimiter. Step 2 lets you edit the pronunciation of these phrases. It also lets you add new phrases. Edit pronunciation as follows: (1) In the screen for the tool, select the Step 2 tab. (2) The screen shown at left appears. It shows a list of component phrases taken from the sentences registered in Step 1. (3) Select a phrase whose pronunciation you wish to edit and click the Edit button. (4) The Phrase Edit dialog box shown at left will appear. (5) The phrase in the Phrase box cannot be edited if the phrase was created automatically from a sentence registered in Step Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

20 3. Procedure for Using the (6) Just as with sentence ID in Step 1, you can enter a User ID for the phrase of up to 32 characters. UID_Phrase_0001 is entered in the example. (7) The pronunciation of the phrase can be edited in the Pronunciation box. It shows the phrase by default. (8) For example, to adjust speed, select the letters in the Pronunciation box. ( Quick Wash, is selected in the example shown.) (9) Available speeds are provided as buttons under Speed. Click the button corresponding to the desired speed. (10) As shown at left, tags for speed adjustment are inserted into the Pronounce box. (11) The speed may be changed by modifying the number 95 in the Pronounce box within the range indicated for Speed. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 17

21 3. Procedure for Using the (12) Click the Play button at the bottom to play the audio and check the edit results. (13) Click the Stop button to interrupt audio playback. The Stop button is enabled only during audio playback. (14) If the Pronunciation box is blank, no registration is made. (15) To confirm the edits, click the OK button. Click Cancel button to discard all edits. 18 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

22 3. Procedure for Using the If a phrase is obtained automatically as a component of a sentence entered in Step 1, it is assigned IDs in the format PS_xxxx. These are called PS phrases. The user can also add phrases. Such phrases are assigned IDs in the format PU_xxxx; these are called PU phrases. There are two ways to create a PU phrase: entering text and importing a WAV file, e.g., audio effects. A PU phrase is created as follows: (1) Click the New button in Step 2. (2) The Phrase Edit dialog box will appear. Enter appropriate information into the Phrase and Pronunciation boxes. If these boxes are blank, no registration occurs. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 19

23 3. Procedure for Using the (3) In the example shown at left, Thank you. is entered in the Phrase box, UID_Phrase_0002 in the User ID box, and Thank you. with tags for a speed of 95 and a pause value of 100 in the Pronounce box. (4) To confirm the edits, click the OK button. Click the Cancel button to discard all edits. (5) Click the OK button to add the registered phrase to the list. (6) To register a phrase from a WAV file, click the Import button to the right of the screen. 20 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

24 3. Procedure for Using the (7) Select WAV from the Files of type list and select an audio effect. Chime01.wav is selected in the example shown. (8) Click the Open button. (9) The audio effect is registered as a phrase. (10) Click the Edit button to edit the parameters. (11) If you create a phrase by importing an audio file, the Sound File Phrase Edit dialog box will appear. (12) You can edit Phrase, User ID, Volume, and Bitrate. (13) To confirm the edits, click the OK button. Click the Cancel button to discard all edits. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 21

25 3. Procedure for Using the * The items displayed in the Sound File Phrase Edit dialog box will appear as given below, depending on the combination of the IC sound format and format of the audio file imported. EOV ERV IC sound format Imported audio Sound File Phrase Edit dialog box items file Phrase User ID Volume Bit rate EOV WAV ERV WAV * The WAV file that can be imported into this tool is limited to the one made by the following formats. - channels: mono or stereo - quantization bit: 16bit - sampling frequency: 16kHz kHz (EOV format) from sampling frequency set in this tool to 44.1kHz (ERV format) 22 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

26 3. Procedure for Using the 3.4 Editing sentences and phrases Step 3 lets you edit the composition of a registered sentence. For example, an audio effect registered in Step 2 can be inserted before the sentence, or a phrase can be replaced with an adjusted phrase. The time between the phrases can also be adjusted. A sentence is edited as follows: (1) Select the Step 3 tab in the screen for the tool. (2) The screen shown at left appears. The Sentence list shows the contents of Step 1. The Phrase list will show the contents of Step 2. The phrases highlighted in light green in the Phrase list indicate that they are used in the sentences. (3) The Edit Composed Phrase area in the middle is used to perform edits in Step 3. It shows the phrases used in the selected sentence in the Sentence list. The composition of the sentence is edited here. (4) As an example, insert an audio effect registered in Step 2. (5) The sentence S_0001 is selected in the Sentence list, and its component phrases are listed in the Edit Composed Phrase area. (6) Drag PU_0002 Chime01 from Phrase list to the Edit Composed Phrase area. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 23

27 3. Procedure for Using the (7) Drop Chime01 at PS_0001 You have selected at the top of the list in the Edit Composed Phrase area. (8) As shown at left, the audio effect is inserted in front of the sentence You have selected Quick Wash, duration is 35 minutes. (9) You can also insert a phrase by selecting with the mouse. (10) Select a phrase in the Phrase list. 24 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

28 3. Procedure for Using the (11) Right-click at the position where you want to insert the phrase in the Edit Composed Phrase area. In the example, click the top of the list. (12) The menu will pop up. Select Insert. (13) As shown at left, the audio effect is inserted in front of the sentence You have selected Quick Wash, duration is 35 minutes. (14) Select Add from the right-click menu to add the phrase to the bottom of the list. (15) Select Delete to remove the phrase from the list. A phrase cannot be deleted if doing so would make the number of phrases less than the original number of component phrases. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 25

29 3. Procedure for Using the Phrases used in other sentences can be added and inserted into a sentence. The procedure is described below. (1) Sentence S_0001 is selected in the Sentence List, and the component phrase list is shown in the Edit Composed Phrase area. (2) Drag S_0003 from the Sentence List. (3) Drop it at the end of the list in the Edit Composed Phrase area. (4) As shown at left, the component phrase S_0003 is added. 26 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

30 3. Procedure for Using the Described below is the procedure for setting up a delay time between phrases when playing back the sentence. A delay is the time before a phrase is played. (1) In the example, a delay will be set up for the audio effect at the top of the list in the Edit Composed Phrase area. The current delay value is 100. This means that the sentence will be played back after a delay of 100 ms. Change this to 0. (2) As shown at left, select the top phrase and click the Delay button. (3) You can select a delay value between 0 and 2,000 ms (in 25-ms steps). (4) Here, 0 is set as an example. (5) Click the OK button to confirm the edit. (6) As shown at left, the delay value for the top phrase is set to 0. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 27

31 3. Procedure for Using the (7) Play the sentence to check the effect of the delay. (8) Select You have selected Quick Wash, duration is 35 minutes. in the Sentence list. (9) Click the Play button at the bottom right of the screen to play back the sentence. This step also lets you edit phrase pronunciation as shown in Step 2. The procedure is described below. (1) In the Edit Composed Phrase area, select a phrase whose pronunciation you wish to edit. You have selected is selected in the example shown. (2) Click the Edit button at the bottom center. 28 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

32 3. Procedure for Using the (3) As in Step 2, the Phrase Edit dialog box will appear. Phrase and User ID cannot be edited here. To edit these parameters, go to Step 2. (4) Click the OK button to confirm the edits and close the dialog box. (5) Select an audio file phrase and press the Edit button to display the Phrase Edit audio file dialog box. Phrase and User ID cannot be edited here. To edit these parameters, go to Step 2. (6) Click the OK button to confirm the edits and close the dialog box. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 29

33 3. Procedure for Using the Phrases to be stored in the ROM image file can be specified by sentence using the Sentence List checkboxes. The checkboxes are selected by default, so that the sentences will be stored in the ROM image file. Clearing the checkbox cancels storage of the sentence to the ROM image file. Note however that the sentence will still be stored in the ROM image file if it is used as a component phrase in other sentences. The procedure is as shown below. (1) In this example, uncheck the checkbox for S_0001. (2) PS_0003, which is not used as a component phrase, is also removed along with S_0001 from the phrases stored in the ROM image file. 30 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

34 3. Procedure for Using the 3.5 Creating the ROM image file For EOV sound format Step 4, the final step, lets you create a ROM image file for the Speech IC. The ROM image files are created as shown below depending on whether or not a Speech IC ROM is present. ROM Output file name Description Yes ROMImage_YYMMDD_HHMMSS.bin ROM image file. YYMMDD_HHMMSS contains the date and time the file was created. ROMImage.h Header file containing offset values for each phrase within the ROM image file. No isc_audiodec_decode_req_general.c Phrase data definition file for use as C source. Full version.* isc_audiodec_decode_req_simple.c Phrase data definition file for use as C source. Abridged version. * * For details of how to use ROM image files, refer to the S1V3034x Series Message Protocol Specification. The following files are created in addition to ROM image files. No. Output file Description 1 Sequence file File describing commands required for sentence playback. Transmitting these commands as described in the sequence file enables audio reproduction. The file is output both in text format, which can be read, and in binary format, which provides the actual commands to be transmitted. tseq extension (text version) seq extension (binary version) Two files are also output for use as C source. isc_sequencer_config_req.c (full version)* isc_sequencer_config_req_simple.c (abridged version)* 2 Listing file File containing names of the compressed audio files corresponding to the file numbers in the sequence file. 3 Compressed audio file Compressed audio file for a phrase to be stored in a ROM image file. The name of the compressed audio file is written in the listing file. * For details of how to use ROM image files, refer to the S1V3034x Series Message Protocol Specification. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 31

35 3. Procedure for Using the In a ROM image file, you can also store independent phrases not used in any sentence. A ROM image file is created as follows: 1. Check whether a sentence can be stored in the Speech IC ROM. If not, shorten the sentence and check once again. 2. If no problems are found, create a ROM image file as follows: (1) Select the Step 4 tab in the screen for the tool. (2) The screen shown at left will appear. The list shows only the phrases required to compose the sentences registered in Step 1. These phrases are stored in a ROM image file. (3) Click the Size Check button at the bottom center of the screen. (4) The check result as shown at left will appear. Make sure no error message appears under Status. (5) Information on files to be created is displayed, showing the location where each file will be created. (6) If the Status indicates that it is possible to create a ROM image file, you can create a ROM image file. 32 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

36 3. Procedure for Using the (7) To create a ROM image file, click the ROM image file creation button at the bottom center. (8) After you create a ROM image file, the Status will indicate that the ROM image file has been created. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 33

37 3. Procedure for Using the Let s add a phrase not used for any sentence to a ROM image file. The procedure is described below. (1) Click the Add button under Phrases into ROM image file. (2) A list of phrases not stored in ROM image files appears. (3) Click the checkbox to the left of the phrase to add the phrase to the ROM image file. If you uncheck the checkbox for a phrase, the phrase is not added to the ROM image file. (4) In the example, the checkbox for the phrase Thank you. is clicked. (5) Click the OK button to confirm the edit. 34 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

38 3. Procedure for Using the (6) As shown at left, the checked phrase Thank you. is added to the list. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 35

39 3. Procedure for Using the For ERV sound format Step 4 is the final step. When the sound format is ERV, the following files can be created in addition to compressed audio files. The ROM image files are created using Sound tool. No. Output file Description 1 Sentence + phrase CSV file CSV file containing information about the sentence and its component phrases. Created in same folder as audio files. Filename is ERV_List.csv. The audio file creation procedure is given below. (1) Select the Step 4 tab in the screen for the tool. (2) The screen shown to the left will appear. The list shows only the phrases required to compose the sentences registered in Step 1. These phrases will be created as an audio file. (3) Click the Make Sound File button at the bottom center of the screen. (4) A message indicating that the audio file has been created will appear under Status once the audio file has been created. 36 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

40 3. Procedure for Using the 3.6 Other screens Operation of the other screens is explained in the following sections Setting window This window lets you edit the project, font size used in editing, and the compressed audio file format parameters. The project parameters are edited as follows: (1) Select Setting from the Tool menu. (2) As shown at left, the Setting window appears. (3) The target Speech IC can be modified using the IC pull-down list. (4) The sound format is selected in conjunction with the IC. (5) After an edit is made, the Apply button is enabled. Click the Apply button to provisionally confirm the edit. Clicking OK button will confirm the edit and close the window. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 37

41 3. Procedure for Using the (6) Let s change Speech IC. As shown at left, select another Speech IC. (7) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and to close the window. (8) The explanation next to the Speech IC will be changed to that for the new Speech IC. Use it for confirmation of its ROM capacity. (9) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and to close the window. (10) As shown at left, the name of Speech IC on the screen has been changed to the new one. * The IC can only be changed to an IC of the same sound format. 38 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

42 3. Procedure for Using the When using external flash memory, the size can be specified for the ROM image file created in Step 4. The procedure is as shown below. (1) As shown at left, select Setting from the Tool menu. (2) The Setting window is displayed as shown at left. (3) Select External Flash ROM in IC information using the IC pull-down menu. The ROM Size button is enabled. (4) Click the ROM Size button. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 39

43 3. Procedure for Using the (5) Enter the ROM size. In the example shown at left, the size is entered as 1024 bytes. (6) Click the OK button to enter the settings and close the window. (7) As shown at left, the ROM size entered in the IC information is displayed. (8) Click the OK button to enter the IC changes and close the window. * This setting is retained in the application used. It must be set for each operating configuration. 40 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

44 3. Procedure for Using the Font size used for letter entry in editing is changeable between 9 and 12 points. The procedure is described below: (1) Select Setting from the Tool menu. (2) The Setting window appears, as shown at left. (3) Select the ESPER2 tab. (4) Select a font size from the pull-down Font Size list. 12 point is selected in the example shown to the left. (5) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and close the window. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 41

45 3. Procedure for Using the (6) As shown at left, the font size changes to 12 point. Set the default delay value. When you enter a sentence in Step 1, the initial delay value set for dividing into phrases can be set in the range from 0 to 2,000 ms (in 25-ms steps). (1) Select Setting from the Tool menu, as shown to the left. (2) The Setting window appears, as shown to the left. (3) Select the ESPER2 tab. 42 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

46 3. Procedure for Using the (4) Modify the delay default value. It is changed to 200 ms in the example shown to the left. (5) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and close the window. (6) Enter the sentence in Step 1. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 43

47 3. Procedure for Using the (7) Display Step 3. The default delay value is set to 200 ms, as shown to the left. 44 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

48 3. Procedure for Using the Next, set the compressed audio file format. The format can be either the proprietary Epson EOV or ERV format. The setting for the sound format selected can be changed. The procedure for setting EOV format is shown below. * Select an IC with EOV sound format. (1) Select Setting from the Tool menu. (2) The Setting window appears, as shown at left. (3) Select the EOV tab. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 45

49 3. Procedure for Using the (4) The EOV parameters will appear. (5) The Sampling Frequency is set to 16 KHz. (6) The bitrate can be changed using Bitrate pull-down list. (7) Check the Enable checkbox under Cut-off frequency to change the cut-off frequency. Moving the slider towards High will make audio clearer at higher frequencies. Moving the slider towards Low will make the audio clearer at lower frequencies. (8) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and to close the window. The EOV encoder incorporated into this tool uses a variable bitrate (VBR) to optimize audio output. This means the data is not output at a specified bitrate. * The following tables give the settings for the parameters selectable in (6) and (7) above. Bitrate EOV 16 khz 16 kbps 24 kbps 32 kbps 40 kbps Cut-off frequency ON/OFF Cut-off frequency EOV 16 khz OFF - ON 8000 Hz 7000 Hz 6000 Hz 5000 Hz 4000 Hz * In EOV format, the Sampling Frequency is fixed to 16 KHz. 46 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

50 3. Procedure for Using the The procedure for setting ERV format is shown below. * Select an IC with ERV sound format. (1) Select Setting from the Tool menu, as shown to the left. (2) The Setting window will appear, as shown to the left. (3) Select the ERV tag. (4) The ERV parameters will appear, as shown to the left. (5) Use the Sampling Frequency pull-down menu to change settings. (6) Use the bit/sample pull-down menu to change settings. (7) Click the OK button to confirm the edit and close the window. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 47

51 3. Procedure for Using the * The combinations of parameters that can be set in steps (5) and (6) are shown below. Quantization bit ERV 4 khz ERV 8 khz ERV 12 khz ERV 16 khz 8 bit/sample 10 bit/sample 8F bit/sample * The quantization bit 8F setting is used for board checking. 48 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

52 3. Procedure for Using the Sound Setting window This window lets you edit parameters for the audio used for voice guidance. You can also use this window to make frequently used settings. This procedure is given below: (1) Select Sound Setting from the Tool menu as shown at left. (2) The Sound Setting window appears. (3) Volume, Speed 1, and Pitch 1 are standard functions. (4) Speed 2 and Pitch 2 are optional functions.* EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 49

53 3. Procedure for Using the (5) You can check audio output under the current settings. Enter the letters in the Phrase box under Sound check, then click the Play button. (6) Click the OK button to confirm the current project audio settings. (7) Settings can also be registered as preset values, independently of the project. Up to 16 presets can be registered. (8) After making all adjustments, enter a name into the Preset box under which to save the settings as shown at left. Sample is entered in this example. (9) Click Set button. A preset named Sample is saved. The parameter settings are saved as a preset only and not saved as project audio settings. To save it as project audio settings as well, click the OK button at the window bottom right. * We will ask whether the client requires the optional functions Speed 2 and Pitch 2 before concluding a contract. 50 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

54 3. Procedure for Using the Custom user dictionary This tool lets the user create a custom user dictionary. This function lets you register words and the corresponding pronunciations. The function also lets you register how words are read from the dictionary and add accent(s) to registered words. The custom user dictionary is used as follows: Example 1: N.Y. is pronounced en-why by default. To have it pronounced New York, add the two words, New and York, to the registered alphabet. (1) Register a phrase in Step 2. Enter N.Y. in the Phrase and Pronunciation boxes. The combination is currently pronounced en-why but should be pronounced New York. (2) To change the pronunciation, select User-Dictionary from the Tool menu. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 51

55 3. Procedure for Using the (3) The English User Dictionary Editor opens. * Right-click on the window to change the language to Japanese or Korean. (4) Click the Add Word button. (5) The Add Word window appears. Select the Alphabet radio button and enter N.Y. into the Source box and New York into the Target box, then click the Read button to check the pronunciation. The audio will be output from the speaker. If the pronunciation sounds unnatural, adjust the Target pronunciation. If the pronunciation is satisfactory, click the OK button. 52 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

56 3. Procedure for Using the (6) N.Y. will be added to Word Information. To check the pronunciation once again, click Read Word at the bottom right. To adjust the pronunciation, click Modify Word. Click Delete Word to delete. (7) To add more words, click Add Word. The Add Word window will open once again. Repeat the procedure described above. (8) Click File Save under File Information to save the pronunciation as a csv file at the location indicated by File Path and to add it to the custom user dictionary. Click the Close button. * Dictionary information can be saved as multiple csv files. Click File Save As to save the file to any path under any name. (9) The system will now pronounce the phrase N.Y. as New York. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 53

57 3. Procedure for Using the Example 2: N.Y. is pronounced en-why by default. To have it pronounced New York, add the pronunciation symbols, to the registered alphabet. (1) Enter N.Y. in the text box. It will be pronounced en-why. Select User-Dictionary from the Tool menu. (2) The English User Dictionary Editor opens. * Right-click on the window to change the language to Japanese or Korean. (3) Click the Add Word button. 54 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

58 3. Procedure for Using the (4) The Add Word window appears. Enter N.Y. in the Source box. (5) Select the Pronunciation Symbol radio button to display the pronunciation symbol buttons. Enter the symbols for the pronunciation in the Target box by clicking the symbol buttons. Click the Read button to review the pronunciation in the audio output from the speaker. If the pronunciation sounds unnatural, adjust the Target pronunciation. If the pronunciation is satisfactory, click the OK button. (6) N.Y. is added to Word Information. To check the pronunciation once again, click Read Word at the bottom right. To adjust the pronunciation, click Modify Word. To delete, click Delete Word. (7) To add more words, click Add Word to display the Add Word window once again. Repeat the procedure above. (8) Click File Save under File Information to save the pronunciation as a csv file at the location indicated by File Path and to add it to the custom user dictionary. Click the Close button. * Dictionary information can be saved as multiple csv files. Select File Save As to save the file in any path under any name. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 55

59 3. Procedure for Using the (9) The system will now pronounce the phrase N.Y. as New York. 56 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

60 3. Procedure for Using the 3.7 Editing output audio This tool provides the following editing functions for outputting audio: Pause insertion Speed change Altering the pitch Break insertion Volume change Monotone number readout Pronunciation input Each function can be combined with other functions. The functions are explained in detail in the following sections Pause insertion This function lets you insert a pause of an arbitrary length anywhere in a sentence. A pause is inserted as follows: Example: Insert a pause of 500 ms between Good and morning in Hello. Good morning. (1) In Step 2, click the New button. (2) Phrase Edit dialog box will appear. Enter Hello. Good morning. in Phrase and Pronunciation boxes. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 57

61 3. Procedure for Using the (3) In the Pronunciation box, move the cursor to the position where you want to insert a pause. In the example, the cursor is placed between Good and morning. (4) Click the 500 button under Pause. (5) As shown at left, a tag <vtml_pause time= 500 /> is inserted at the position where the pause is to be inserted. (6) The parameter in <vtml_pause time= 500 /> can be adjusted using a text editing application within the range from 0 to msec, in 1 msec increments. (7) Click the Play button at the bottom to check the audio. * If you insert a pause, the words immediately before and after the pause are recognized as separate words and may sound unnatural when heard together. For example, if you insert a pause between mor and ning, the two syllables will be recognized as separate words, not as the single word morning. 58 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

62 3. Procedure for Using the Speed change The speed of the whole sentence can be adjusted in the Sound Setting window, as described in Section This section discusses word-by-word or letter-by-letter changes in speed. The procedure is described below: Example: Change the speed for Good in Hello. Good morning. to 95% of the regular speed. (1) Select a phrase(s), word(s) or letter(s) for which the speed is to be changed in the Pronounce box. In the example, Good is selected. (2) Click the 95 button under Speed. (3) The area in which the speed is to be changed will be sandwiched between the tags <vtml_speed value= 95 > and </vtml_speed>. (4) The parameter in <vtml_speed value= 95 > can be adjusted using a text editing application within the range from 50 to 400%, in 1% increments. (5) Click the Play button at the bottom to check the audio. * If you change the speed of part of a sentence, the selected area and the words immediately before and after are recognized as separate words and may sound unnatural when heard together. For example, if you change the speed for mor, mor and ning will be recognized as separate words, not as the single word morning. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 59

63 3. Procedure for Using the Altering the pitch The pitch of the whole sentence can be adjusted in the Sound Setting window, as described in Section This section discusses word-by-word or letter-by-letter changes in pitch. The procedure is described below: Example: Alter the pitch for Good in Hello. Good morning. to 115% of the regular pitch (i.e., make the voice higher). (1) Select a phrase(s), word(s) or letter(s) for which the pitch is to be altered in the Pronunciation box. In the example, Good is selected. (2) Click the 115 button under Pitch. (3) The area in which the pitch is altered will be sandwiched between the tags <vtml_pitch value= 115 > and </vtml_pitch>. (4) The parameter in <vtml_pitch value= 115 > can be adjusted using a text editing application within the range from 50 to 200%, in 1% increments. (5) Click the Play button at the bottom to check the audio. * If you alter the pitch of part of a sentence, the selected area and the words immediately before and after are recognized as separate words and may sound unnatural when heard together. For example, if you alter the pitch for the letters Go, Go and od will be recognized as separate words, not as the single word Good. 60 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

64 3. Procedure for Using the Break insertion This function lets you insert a break of arbitrary length anywhere in a sentence. A pause is inserted as follows: Example: Insert a break of approximately the length of a comma pause between Good and morning in Hello. Good morning. (1) In the Pronunciation box, move the cursor to the position where you want to insert a break. In the example, the cursor is placed between Good and morning. (2) Click the L button under Break. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 61

65 3. Procedure for Using the (3) The tag <vtml_break level= 2 /> will be inserted to insert a break at that position. (4) The break length can be selected from LL, L, M and S. LL is approximately the length of a comma pause (equivalent to vtml_pause time= 750 ). S is equivalent to no break. M is intermediate between L and S. L is intermediate between LL and M. S and M are not quantitatively determined lengths and depend on the words before and after the break. Use the following definitions as a guide: LL: Read with more obvious break. L: Read with obvious break. M: Read with slight break. S: Read without break. (5) Click the Play button at the bottom to check the audio. * If you insert a break, the words immediately before and after the break are recognized as separate words and may sound unnatural when heard together. For example, if a break is inserted between Go and od, the two syllables will be recognized as separate words, not as the single word Good. 62 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

66 3. Procedure for Using the Volume change The volume of the whole sentence can be adjusted in the Sound Setting window, as described in Section This section discusses word-by-word or letter-by-letter changes in volume. The procedure is described below: Example: Change the volume for Good in Hello. Good morning. to 300% of the regular volume (i.e., increase the volume for this selection). (1) Select a phrase(s), word(s) or letter(s) for which the volume is to be changed in the Pronunciation box. In the example, Good is selected. (2) Click the 300 button under Volume. (3) The area in which the volume is to be changed will be sandwiched between the tags <vtml_volume value= 300 > and </vtml_volume>. (4) The parameter in <vtml_volume value= 300 > can be adjusted using a text editing application within the range from 0 to 500%, in 1% increments. However, depending on the sentence content and value set for vtml_volume, this may result in saturation. The maximum vtml_volume value guaranteed not to produce saturation is 100%. (5) Click the Play button at the bottom to check the audio. EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 63

67 3. Procedure for Using the * If you change the volume of part of a sentence, the selected area and the words immediately before and after are recognized as separate words and may sound unnatural when heard together. For example, if you change the volume for Go, Go and od will be recognized as separate words, not as a single word Good. 64 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

68 3. Procedure for Using the Pronunciation text To enter a desired pronunciation, select the sentence or phrase to be modified. Enter pronunciations as described below. Example: N.Y. is pronounced en-why by default. To have it pronounced New York, add the two words, New and York, to the registered alphabet. (1) Enter N.Y. in the Phrase and Pronunciation boxes. (2) Select the phrase or word for which the pronunciation is to be changed in the Pronunciation box. (Here, N.Y. is selected.) EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 65

69 3. Procedure for Using the (3) Enter the pronunciation symbols by clicking the symbol buttons displayed to the right-hand side of the screen for the desired pronunciation in the Pronunciation Text box. Click the Play button to check the pronunciation in the audio output through the speaker. You can adjust the pronunciation if it sounds unnatural. (4) Click the << button if the pronunciation is satisfactory. 66 Seiko Epson Corporation EPSON Speech IC

70 3. Procedure for Using the (5) The tags <vtml_phoneme alphabet= x-cmu ph= N UW1 Y AO1 R K >N.Y.</vtml_phoneme> are inserted in the Pronunciation box, as shown to the left. Instead of using phonetic symbol buttons, you can also enter pronunciations via the keyboard or specify pronunciations directly using the vtml_phoneme tags. The correlation between the buttons, keyboard input, and phrases contained in the vtml_phoneme tags are shown below. Table 3.1 Vowel pronunciation symbol specifications Pronunciation symbol button Keyboard input Pronunciation symbol! AA0 1 AA1 Q AA2 # AO0 3 AO 1 S AO 2 % AH0 5 AH1 U F AH2 EH0 6 EH1 V EH2 AH0 7 AH1 W AH2 EPSON Speech IC Seiko Epson Corporation 67