TNT
Copyright 1981
by VOTRAX
- TYPE 'N TALK, TNT :Operator's Manual
- The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is
believed to be correct in all respects. Votrax, however, assumes no
responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Furthermore, such
information pertaining to the product described does not convey any
license or rights to the purchaser under the copyright and patent rights
of Votrax.
The copyrighted TYPE 'N TALK text to speech software is of proprietary
nature and is thus prohibited from being copied in any form, symbolic or
numeric, on any printable or machine/computer readable medium.
Votrax reserves the right to change specifications at any time without
notice.
Because its applications are virtually unlimited, it is impossible to
foresee all the uses to which Type 'N Talk may be put. The user should
carefully follow and double-check the instructions in this Manual and
double-check any system or application using the Type 'N Talk. Dangerous
uses must be avoided.
TYPE 'N TALK is a trademark of Votrax.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION.........................................PAGE
Introduction |
1 |
Physical Description |
2 |
Interconnections |
4 |
---- Power |
4 |
---- Audio |
4 |
----- RS232 |
|
Installation |
7 |
Operation |
8 |
----- Inputting Data |
8 |
----- Unit Assignment/Selection |
9 |
----- Mode Selection |
11 |
----- Commands |
14 |
----- Vocabulary Programming |
15 |
----- Correcting Mispronounced Vocabulary |
17 |
---------- Misspelling Words |
17 |
---------- Separating Words |
21 |
------ Phonetic Programming |
22 |
---------- Operation |
22 |
---------- Phonetic Alphabet |
22 |
----------Procedure & Example |
23 |
Configurations |
25 |
----- Single Unit - Dedicated Channel |
26 |
----- Single Unit - Shared Channel (daisy chain) |
26 |
----- Multiple Unit - Shared Channel (daisy chain) |
26 |
Specifications |
27 |
APPENDICES |
28 |
LIST OF FIGURES |
iv |
LIST OF TABLES |
iv |
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE.........................................PAGE
Figure 1. |
TYPE 'N TALK Unit - Front View |
2 |
Figure 2. |
TNT Front Panel |
3 |
Figure 3. |
TNT Back Panel |
3 |
Figure 4. |
RS-232 Cable Configuration |
5 |
Figure 5. |
Block Diagram of a TNT |
12 |
Figure 6. |
TNT Configurations |
25 |
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE.........................................PAGE
Table 1. |
Baud Selection Switches |
7 |
Table 2. |
Unit Assignment/Selection Codes |
10 |
Table 3. |
Mode Control Codes |
11 |
Table 4. |
Consonants With More Than One Pronunciation |
18 |
Table 5. |
Letter Sequences Producing Long Vowel Sounds |
19 |
Table 6. |
Diphthong Letter Sequences |
19 |
Table 7. |
Letter Sequences Producing Short Vowel Sounds |
19 |
- INTRODUCTION
- TYPE 'N TALK (TNT) is a text-to-speech synthesizer. A revolutionary
new voice output device, TNT is as easy to program as typing data or
programs into a computer. TNT is a small, light weight unit that may be
interfaced to computer, modem, or any RS-232 compatible serial device.
It contains a VOTRAX SC01 phoneme synthesizer chip and a text-to-speech
translation system. Functioning as a voice output device, TNT may be
utilized in a variety of different applications from Computer Aided
Instruction (CAl) to warning or prompting signals in any existing (or
new) software program. One or more TNT units (up to 8) can be linked
together (daisy chained) in order to provide multiple voice outputs from
a single computer interface. TNT is a totally self-contained
text-to-speech synthesizer; therefore, it will not slow down the
throughput of the user's computer doing time consuming text
translations. With this responsibility oft-loaded to a TNT, the user's
computer is free to perform other tasks while speech is in process.
The vocabulary spoken by TNT is of the user's unrestricted design. This
is because a text-to-speech synthesizer creates speech from a set of
rules describing English, rather than from a set of prestored
utterances. In other words, text-to-speech has an unlimited vocabulary
repertoire. This vocabulary can be inserted directly into the user's
software programs similar to the way statements for activating a printer
or CRT are written. This eliminates the need for any extra memory, RAM
or ROM, usually required for prestored vocabulary techniques. Also, it
is possible to use a standard high level computer anguage to directly
drive a TNT unit. The versatility of use of the TNT is unlimited.
The text that follows is intended to describe TNT's functions and
operations. Implementation of a particular TNT configuration is to be
determined by the user.
- Physical Description
- The TYPE 'N TALK device is packaged in a smal, light weight case no
larger than a portable cassette recorder. Dimensionally, TNT requires no
more than 7.7" x 5.2" x 3.1" (19.3 mm x 12.3 mm x 6.5 mm) of space. It
weights approximately 2 lbs. (896 g.)
Figure 1. Type 'N Talk Unit - Front View
- Two voice control knobs, VOLUME and FREQUENCY, are located on the
left front panel of TNT (See Figure 2). Referring to Figure 3, all other
operational switches, jacks, and connector ports are located on the
back panel of the unit. Note that the ON/OFF push button switch is in
the farthest left position on the back panel The POWER jack, located to
the right of the ON/OFF switch, will accept only a 5-pronged DIN
connector, differentiating it from all other jacks An RS-232 SERlAL PORT
is in the center of the back panel. To the right of this port is the
BAUD SELECT switch and the SPEAKER jack respectively.
Figure 2/3. TNT Front/Back Panel
- INTERCONNECTIONS
- POWER
A special TNT power connector is provided which attaches directly to the
TNT unit. The power connector receptacle is located on the back panel.
Note: The power receptacle will only accept the 5-pronged DIN connector
provided. Any 110 volt AC outlet is appropriate for the transformer end
of the connector.
- AUDIO (Speaker)
Attach any 8 ohm speaker to the TNT unit for audio output. The SPEAKER
jack is on the back panel of the unit.
- RS-232 (Interface)
TNT uses an RS-232C interface for receiving text and sending phonetic
data from, and to, a user's computer. It is possible to configure a TNT
with the user's equipment in several ways (See CONFIGURATIONS). To
assure proper data transfer to TNT, the use of the RTS signal from the
unit is required. This signal will tell the transmitting computer or
device,that TNT is not ready to accept data. Likewise, TNT will not
transmit data if the CTS signa from a computer or device is not TRUE.
The DCD (Data Carrier Detect) signal is used with a modem to prevent TNT
from speaking "gibberish" as a result of invalid data being received
during carrier loss conditions. If a modem is not used then this input
should be tied to +12 volts or the DTR (Data Terminal Ready) output on
TNT. Similarly, if TNT is used in a receive-only mode, then its CTS
(Clear To Send) input should also be tied to +12 volts or DTR.
NOTE: Failure to connect DCD and CTS to the proper levels will prevent
TNT from operating properly.
Figure 4/4a. RS-232 Cable Configurations
- INSTALLATION
- To interface the TNT unit to a computer, modem, or other RS-232
compatible serial device, a connector cable must be obtained (see RS-232
Interface section). Connect this cable in the SERIAL PORT on the back
panel of the unit. This cable is then connected to the user's computer
and to any additional equipment being used. Set the BAUD select switch
on the back of TNT for the desired data rate (See TABLE 1). Only one
switch may be closed at a time.
Connect the power transformer's DIN connector to the back of TNT, then
plug the other end into a 110 volt AC outlet. Push the ON/OFF button to
the ON position. The unit will say "SYSTEM READY" when the power switch
is pushed to the ON position ONLY it the RS-232 signals from the
computer indicate that the computer is also ready. TNT may be powered-up
without the computer being READY, but there will be no audio feedback
from TNT to indicate that it is operational.
Table 1 Baud Selection Switches
- OPERATION
- INPUTTING DATA
Data in the form of ASCII codes can be sent to TNT whenever the
handshake line (RTS) indicates that it is not busy (logical 0). This
data is classified in three ways: mode controls/commands, speech data,
and null data. Mode controls and commands are discussed in their own
sections below. Speech data is broken down into two classes: text and
phonetic. All data types, with the exception of a Unit Select sequence,
can only affect TNT when its input switch is ON (see UNIT SELECTION).
- TEXT
Text is defined as any printable ASCII character that was not preceded
by an ESCAPE code (see NULL DATA), or a phoneme delimiter. All text
received is stored in the input buffer until it is spoken. Of all the
printable characters, only a subset produces audible speech. This subset
includes the characters:
"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"
"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789."
The rest of the printable characters produce durations of silence or
have no effect.
- PHONETIC
Phonetic data is defined to be any printable character enclosed by
phoneme delimiters (see APPENDIX B for Phoneme Table). The phoneme start
and stop delimiters are the "~" and the "?" characters respectively.
Phonetic data is stored in the input buffer along with text (they can be
mixed). When data in the input buffer is being spoken, phonetic data is
routed directly to the output queue, bypassing the text-to-speech
translator (refer to FIGURE 5).
- NULL DATA
Certain ASCII characters will have no effect on the operation of TNT;
however, they will be ECHOed if this option is selected. The codes are
as follows:
1) Any non-printable character that is not specified in the COMMANDS
section with the exception of the ESCAPE code.
2) Any character preceded by an ESCAPE code that is not specified in the
UNIT ASSIGNMENT/SELECTION and MODE CONTROLS sections.
SPECIAL CASE: The sequences ESCAPE, "Y" and ESCAPE, "=" cause the next
two characters received to be ignored. These four characters are used
for cursor addressing found on several commercially available video
terminals.
- UNIT ASSIGNMENT/SELECTION
Data can be selectively sent to a particular TNT unit in a daisy chain.
This has value when the user desires to send different data to a TNT
than to a printer/terminal, or other TNT units. All TNT's will have a
unit number (UN IT-NUM) associated with it. Upon power-up all TNT units
automatically assume the UNIT-NUM 0. This can be changed by the user to
any number 0-7 via the codes shown below. An assignment or selection
code must be preceded by the ESCAPE code in order to validate it.
When a TNT receives an assignment code it will store the corresponding
UNIT-NUM as its own. It then adds one to the assignment code and
transmits this downline. In essence, the TNT units are counting off.
This allows multiple TNT units in a daisy chain to all be assigned with
only one assignment code sent from the user's computer.
After an assignment has been made all units will be deselected (switch 2
in FIGURE 5 is OFF). When a particular unit receives its UNIT-NUM, it
will become selected (switch 2 is ON) and transmit UNIT-NUM 0 downline.
Only the TNT unit corresponding to the last sent UNIT-NUM will be
selected at any time!
Table 2 Unit Assignment/Selection Codes
- MODE SELECTION
There are several optional modes of operation for a TNT that can be
selected using control codes. These modes can be dynamically set in
accordance with the user's application. TABLE 3 lists the various
control codes along with a mnemonic descriptor of the feature. They will
be discussed further below. To invoke a particular mode, an ESCAPE code
(HEX 1 B, DECIMAL 27) followed by the corrsponding mode control code
must be sent to a TNT while its input mode is ON.
NOTE: If the TIMER is enabled then an ESCAPE code must be followed by
any code within the timer interval (about 3-4 seconds) or TNT will
lock-up and must be powered-down.
A block diagram showing data flow within a TNT is given in FIGURE 5.
This figure will aid the reader in understanding the effect of the mode
controls as they are described in detail below.
Table 3 Mode Control Codes
*indicates automatic power-up selections
Figure 5 Block Diagram of a TNT
with the software controlled switches at their
power-up positions
- NOTE: When PSEND Switch #3 is ON, the phoneme code stream from the
text-to-speech translator is routed to DATA OUT (TD). This is not
depicted in the above diagram.
- The output queue allows the text-to-speech translator to
accumulate up to 128 phonemes ahead of where the voice synthesizer is
currently at (approximately 12 seconds of speech). This allows TNT to
input subsequent messages while other ones are output pending.
- The input buffer can hold more than 750 characters which is
approximately one minute of speech. At 9600 baud this buffer takes less
than one second to fill.
- PSEND ON
When this mode is selected, all phoneme codes resulting from a
translation of the input buffer are directed to the TD output of the
TNT's RS-232 interface. This feature allows the user's computer to
collect the phoneme codes corresponding to the text that's sent to the
TNT, and to create a phonetic library or change the phonemes for
diflerent pronunciation.
- PSEND OFF
This is the standard mode of operation where all phonemes generated from
the input buffer are placed into the output queue where they can be
removed by the speech synthesizer upon demand.
- ECHO
This feature is used to selectively (ON/OFF) relay data received by a
TNT unit to the next unit or peripheral in a daisy chain. Refer to
Switch #1 in
FIGURE 5 for a graphical description.
- CAPS ON
In this mode capitalized letters are treated in two diflerent manners.
It only the first letter of a word is capitalized, such as a proper noun
would be, then the word is translated by the text-to-speech algorithm.
When two or more letters are capitalized at the beginning of a word,
then the whole word is spelled out, letter by letter. This automatically
separates acronyms, which are capitalized, from an English text string.
For example:
the words "TIN" and &BOB&
are pronounced &tee eye en" and "bee owe bee"
the words "Tin" and "Bob"
are pronounced "tin" and "bob"
- CAPS OFF
This mode is useful for systems that can only use upper case characters.
All upper case characters are folded into their lower case equivalent
so all text is translated and not spelled out. Mixed upper and lower
case text is treated as all lower case.
- TIMER OFF
While text is being sent to TNT, if more than approximately 4 seconds
elapses after the last character was received, the text in the input
bufler is translated and spoken. This input timer is useful when ONLINE
applications send a prompting message without being followed by a
carriage return (this is the talk control character). If for any reason
this timer feature is not desired it can be disabled with the TIMER OFF
command.
- RESET
This command resets all TNT modes and assignment number to their
power-up settings.
- COMMANDS
BACKSPACE (HEX 8): This command has the eflect of deleting the last
character in the input buffer.
TALK-CLR (HEX D): This command (carriage return=CR) will cause the data
in the input bufler to be spoken, then cleared. There are two alternate
ways that TALK-CLR can be executed without sending a CR. The first is
the result of an input buffer full condition. The second is the result
of the input timer expiring (see TIMER OFF). When text is being
translated, data input will momentarily be halted by the RTS signal
going TRUE.
STOP-TALK (BREAK = RD spacing for more than one data frame): This
command (condition) causes all pending speech output to be cancelled.
- VOCABULARY PROGRAMMING
To program vocabulary into the computer, the user must first be familiar
with the computer language in which the programs are to be written. For
the purpose of this manual, BASIC will be referenced throughout. lt is
assumed that the user is familiar enough with their own computer's
language so as to be able to adapt the general information shown in this
manual to the appropriate syntactical structure for their programming
language.
Vocabulary may be entered into the user's computer the same way in which
other data or programs are entered. The messages may be typed in as
literal statements, using standard English text. This is exemplified in
several one-line samples of hypothetical BASIC programs shown below:
e.g. 100 PRINT#-2, "Hello, my name is Votrax"
e.g. 200 A$="That is incorrect": PRINT #-2,AS
e.g. 300 IF I$="blue" THEN PRINT #-2,I$; "is
correct" ELSE PRINT #-2,"The color ";I$;" is wrong. Try again."
- VOCABULARY PROGRAMMING continued
The above examples would have TNT connected to a serial port that is
accessed by the command PRINT #-2. In general, data transfer to TNT can
occur via the same commands or device drivers used to send data to a
CRT, a printer, or a tape drive.
Vocabulary programming is as simple as typing a sentence. The greater
task is deciding where in the software program to put the vocabulary
and, also, when to activate TNT. Once users have predefined their
vocabulary in their software program, ii can be sent to any 1 or more
output systems simply by defining it within that same software. The user
need only beome familiar with the computer's command to write this
directive. For example, if the voice output is to be used in an
error-prompting scheme, the message might be written:
PRINT "Warning. Disc drive not ready."
The software may be programmed to send this message to TNT and/or a
printer for output whenever an attempt is made to use the disc drive
before it is ready.
If the computer is functioning as a Computer Aided Instruction (CAl)
system, the software may be adjusted so that the messages intended for
display on a CRT will, instead, be spoken by TNT. This will free the CRT
for displaying other, more visually appropriate, material.
A TNT advantage is that it can speak messages independently of what is
happening with other output devices. It can verbally draw attention to a
specific piece of information that otherwise might be lost in a visual
presentation. This could eliminate the errors made by a user who is
searching a long, crowded listing for a single piece of data.
Below is a hypothetical example of a software
program using TNT output:
100 RESTORE
110 FOR x = 1 to 3 : READ Q$,A$
120 PRINT Q$ : PRINT #-2, Q$
130 INPUT R$: IF R$<>A$ THEN PRINT #-2,R$; "is
wrong. Try again . . .": GOTO 120
140 PRINT "*** CORRECT ***"
150 PRINT #-2,R$;"is correct."
160 NEXT X : STOP
200 REM------- DATA TABLE -----------
210 DATA "How many bits are in a byte?", "8"
220 DATA "How many bytes are in a K or memory?",
"1024"
230 DATA "RAM stands for?", "Random access memory"
- Because every application of a TNT unit is different, users must
create a specific set of vocabulary to accommodate their individual
voice output needs. The examples above are very brief agendas intended
to inspire creative use of TNT by its new owner.
- CORRECTING MISPRONOUNCED VOCABULARY
As you are undoubtedly already aware, the TNT translation system is the
most compact system of its kind. In order to accommodate its unlimited
vocabulary capabilities while maintaining its small size and low cost,
the text-to-speech translator's design is extremely concentrated. A
number of words may not be produced with the most acceptable
pronunciations. However, the user may easily correct pronunciation
errors by following one of several procedures: misspell the word,
separate the word into smaller component parts, or phonetically program
the word (create a sound sequence). The first two techniques are
explained below. Phonetic Programming is handled in its own section
immediately following.
- Misspelling Words
The first and simplest procedure for correcting mispronounced words is
to misspell them. For example, the first vowel sound in the word
"english" is not accurately pronounced by TNT. To correct this, the user
might misspell the word as "inglish." This letter sequence will produce
an acceptable pronunciation of the sample word. The concept behind the
misspelling process is that the user already has a command of the
language and this knowledge will assist in determining which letter
combinations will produce the desired sounds. In the example, the
pronunciation of "... ing" is known from its use as a verb form ending.
Since this letter sequence produces the sounds needed for "english," a
quick substitution is made.
- CONSONANTS: In most cases, the consonant sounds are easily
identified by their letter symbols. The user, however, needs to be
auditorially aware of those occasions when a consonant can be pronounced
in two different ways. For example, the letter "c" is pronounced either
like a "k" or an "s". When a pronunciation error involving the letter
"c" occurs, simply substitute it with a "k" or an "s". The table below
will identify several other letters with double pronunciations.
Table 4 Consonants with more than one pronunciation
- VOWELS: Correcting the pronunciation of the vowels involves
more substitution efforts than those used for the consonants. This is
because there are only 5 vowel letters to represent 18 different vowel
sounds. Spelling rules accommodate this situation by combining the vowel
(and, occasionally, the consonants) letters in many different ways in
order to achieve the specific sounds. There are 3 categories of vowel
sounds defined within the American English spelling system: short vowel
sounds, long vowel sounds, and diphthongs (2 vowel sounds in sequence
spoken as a single unit). Some long vowels overlap with diphthongs but
the user need only be concerned about what letter sequences are required
to say the sounds they desire.
- LONG VOWELS: One spelling rule known by most is when a
vowel letter is doubled, it will usually produce a long vowel sound. The
word "keep," for example, has a long "e" vowel sound. Therefore, when
TNT pronounces the word "read" like "red," the user may quickly replace
the "ea" with "ee" ("reed") to achieve the appropriate pronunciation for
the present tense form of this word. Examples of other letter sequences
that produce long vowel and diphthong sounds may be found in the table
below. The user may experiment with these sequences whenever the need
exists.
Table 5/6 Letter Sequences (Long Vowel/Diphthongs)
- SHORT VOWELS: To create a short vowel sound, the user may
have to manipulate the consonants that follow the vowel. For single
syllable words with short vowel sounds, TNT has a high degree of
pronunciation accuracy. The words "bat," "spot," and "net" are produced
correctly. To maintain the short vowel sounds when adding more syllables
to these words, the user. already knows to double the consonant before
adding ".....er," "..... ing, or "....ed": "batter," "spotted" and
"netting." Without the double consonant, the vowel sound is
automatically assumed to be long. To misspell the word "definition" to
get a short vowel pronunciation of "e," double the "f": "deffinition."
Refer to the table below for other short vowel examples.
Table 7 Letter Sequences Producing Short Vowels
Sounds
- Reiterating the spelling rules necessary to solve all the user's
mispronunciation problems would require an enormous number of pages.
However, the user will quickly begin to recall many other letter/sound
sequences once the pronunciation tables have been reviewed. A list of
words known to be mispronounced by TNT are presented in APPENDIX A. Each
word has one misspelled version listed with it. From this list,
patterns for correcting mispronounced words NOT listed may be elicited.
The user should not be limited to just those versions listed. There may
be more than one letter sequence which produces the same sound sequence.
The APPENDIX will act as a guide for this purpose.
- Separating Words
- Another technique used to correct mispronounced words is to separate
the words into 2 or more smaller segments. This procedure is used
effectively for words with a structure like "baseball." To avoid the
error in this example, type "baseball" as 2 words: "base ball." Other
words with similar structures that may be adjusted with this technique
are:
"typewriter" - "type writer"
"output" - "out put"
"everyone" - "every one"
- Separating Words continued
- As the user's vocabulary needs increase, it will become evident how
both the misspelling and word separation techniques will have combined
use. To correct "computer," for example, separate the word into two
segments at an appropriate boundary: "com puter." Now, misspell the
second segment:
"com pewter."
- As an experiment, enter each of the following words into the
computer.
Enter both the correctly spelled and incorrectly spelled versions of
each.
Listen for the pronunciation error in the first, and note the letter
changes
made in the second to produce the more acceptable pronunciation heard.
"definition-deffinition"
"country-kuntry"
"today-tuday"
"ware-wayr"
"shoes-shoos"
"replace-reeplace"
"capacity-cuppacity"
"baseball-base ball"
- PHONETIC PROGRAMMING
There are some instances where words cannot be corrected utilizing the
forementioned techniques. This situation may occur with Proper Names and
English words based in a foreign language. The user may then wish to
access the phoneme synthesizer directly to create a phonetic version
(sound sequence) of a word.
- Phonetic Programming - Operation
To access the phoneme synthesizer, bypassing the TNT translator, the
user must type the "~" character. This creates a Phoneme Block into
which ASCII characters (representing phoneme characters) may be
inserted. If the "~" character does not exist on the user's computer,
another character may be defined in soffware to take over this function.
The "~" character acts as a prompt for the computer to send all the
data that follows the "~" directly to the synthesizer. Once all the
ASCII (Phoneme) characters desired have been inserted, a "?" must be
typed to end the string. This, again, is the computer's prompt to return
to the mode of sending data through the translator. A Phoneme Block may
be created anywhere in the literal statement that contains the
vocabulary program.
- Phonetic Alphabet
Every speech sound (phoneme) in English is represented by an
alphanumeric symbol known as a Phonetic Character or Symbol, TNT
utilizes the VOTRAX Phonetic Symbols. One symbol could be a single
letter character:
/E/ = long "e" vowel sound. Another symbol could be an alphanumeric
symbol: /EH3/ = short "e" unstressed vowel sound. Note that phonetic
characters are enclosed in slash marks to differentiate them from the
standard alphabet characters when both occur in running text. In order
to make the phonetic symbol system compatible with a computer, every
phoneme symbol is represented by a single ASCII character. The user
types into the computer only the ASCII character that represents the
phoneme when programming phonetically. A Phoneme Conversion Chart is
provided in APPENDIX B. Each Phonetic Symbol is listed along with its
associated ASCII character. Example words to define the pronunciations
are also listed.
- Phonetic Programming - Procedure & Example
When all other techniques are unsuitable for correcting pronunciations,
the user may create a word phonetically. First, identify the number and
type of sounds contained in the word. There will be at least one vowel
sound in every English word. However, a vowel is usually combined with
one or more consonant sounds. It may help the user to speak the word
aloud in order to identify the sounds. Next, match each of the sounds
identified with the appropriate symbol from the Phoneme Conversion
Chart. Now create a Phoneme Block in the vocabulary program (see
Phonetic Programming Operation for creating Phoneme Blocks). Insert the
selected ASCII characters into the Phoneme Block in the appropriate
order. Once the sequence has been completely inserted, type a "?" to
end the Block.
Following the procedure outlined above, phonetically
program the name "Robert":
1. say the name "Robert"
2. # of vowel sounds = 2 ("o" and "er")
3. # of consonant sounds 3 ("r," "b," & "t")
4. match the sounds in 2, & 3, with characters
in Phonetic Conversion Chart (APPENDIX B)
5. phonetic characters = /R, AH, B, ER, T/
6. ASCII characters = K, d, N, z, j
7. create Phoneme Block (type "~")
8. insert ASCII character sequence (type KdNzj)
9. end Phoneme Block (type " ? ")
10.activate speak command ("Robert" spoken)
- Phonetic Programming - Procedure & Example continued
- The same procedure may be used to create any word in the English
language. The most familiar pronunciations are names. A good exercise
for practicing phonetic programming is to sequence the sounds necessary
to pronounce one's own name, or other familiar names of people or
places.
Refer to APPENDIX B frequently to become familiar with the sounds
available for programming and the characters that represent them.
Again, it should not be beyond the creativity of the user to substitute a
word that is not acceptably pronounced with another word more suitable
for the auditory environment.
Additional assistance may be provided by a standard dictionary, where
every word entry is phonetically represented. Each dictionary uses their
own phonetic symbol system. Conversion charts for translating the
dictionary symbols into sounds are usually located in the front section
of the publications. The user must engage in a matching procedure to
convert the dictionary's pronunciation suggestions into TNT characters.
CONFIGURATIONS
TNT maybe configured in 3 different ways:
Figure 6 TNT Configurations
- Configurations
- In a dedicated channel configuration (SDC), a single TNT unit may be
interfaced to either a computer or a modem. This configuration is best
used when no other TNT or serial peripherals are attached to the user's
computer.
- With the shared channel configurations (SSC and MSC), multiple
serial devices may share a single RS-232C serial data channel. This
saves the cost of adding additional RS-232C interfaces to the user's
computer if one already exists.
- An SSC configuration can be operated in two ways. The first way
is to verbally repeat data being sent to a terminal/printer. This has
use in systems where it is undesirable to modify existing software in
order to add voice output. Another use is in ONLINE applications where
information is interactively being accessed from a large data base and
sent to a terminal.
- The second way of using an SSC configuration is to send
independent message packets to the TNT and terminal/printer. An example
of this use is when a CRT is filled with information and the computer
would like to prornpt the user without destroying any portion of the
screen. The CRT terminal can be de-selected while the TNT is speaking a
prompting message (see ECHO OFF and UNIT SELECTION).
- In an MSC configuration two to eight TNT units can be linked
together (daisy chained) with a computer and a terminal. Independent
message packets are sent to each TNT and terminal using unit select
codes (see UNIT
SELECTION).
SPECIFICATIONS
Physical
Width |
7.7 inches (19.3 mm) |
Depth |
5.2 inches (12.3 mm) |
Height |
3.1 inches (6.5 mm) |
Weight |
2 lbs. (0.896 Kg. |
Environment
Temperature |
Operating |
40 to 100 degrees F (4 to 38 degrees C) |
|
Storage |
- 35 to 150 degrees F (-37 to 65 degrees C) |
Humidity |
Operating |
20% to 90% (no condensation) |
|
Storage |
5% to 95% (no condensation) |
Electrical
Power |
Input to transformer* |
120 VAC, 60Hz, 20 W |
|
Input to TNT* (see note below) |
- pins 1-3, 26 VAC, 180 mA |
|
|
- pin 2, 20 VDC, 50 mA |
|
|
- pin 4 is 0 volt reference |
Interface |
RS-232C compatible, 75-9600 baud |
Frame bits = 1 start, 8 data, 1 stop |
Audio |
1 watt into 8 ohm speaker |
AC coupled |
* USE ONLY VOTRAX APPROVED TRANSFORMER PART
#01p-1224B
APPENDIX A
VOCABULARY PROGRAMMING
Pronunciation Correction Guide
Word List |
Correction |
Word List |
Correction |
advertisement |
advertise ment |
everyone |
every one |
baseball |
base ball |
extensive |
extensiv |
beautiful |
butiful |
generator |
generayter |
break |
brake |
goto |
go to |
breakfast |
brekfest |
item |
ightem |
bringing |
bring mg |
machine |
mosheen |
calculation |
cal culation |
machinery |
mosheenery |
capacity |
cuppacity |
output |
out put |
cassette |
case et |
paste |
payst |
certain |
certin |
phoneme |
phone eem |
character |
kerekter |
procedures |
prowceejers |
children |
chilldren |
program |
prowg ram |
circuit |
cirkit |
promise |
promiss |
clients |
clyents |
pronunciation |
pronunsiation |
clothes |
doze |
radio |
radeo |
close |
near by |
replace |
reeplace |
color |
cuhler |
requirement |
require ment |
comfortable |
comfterble |
rodeo |
rowdeo |
customer |
custummer |
scissors |
scizors |
data |
dayta |
shoes |
shooz |
definition |
deffinition |
singer |
sing er |
delete |
deleet |
software |
softwayr |
easiest |
easy est |
specify |
specifuy |
english |
inglish |
today |
tuday |
equivalent |
eequivalent |
typewriter |
type writer |
|
|
|
|
error |
airor |
vocabulary |
vowcabulary |
error |
mistake |
ware |
wair |
Appendix B Phoneme Conversion Chart
Appendix B1 Phoneme Conversion Chart
- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION REGULATION STATEMENT
This unit generates radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions
- it may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has
been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of
FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this unit does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the unit OFF and ON, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by following one or more
of the following measures:
(1) reorient the receiving antenna;
(2) relocate the unit with respect to the receiver;
(3) move the unit away from the receiver;
(4) plug the unit into a different outlet so that the unit and receiver
are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may
find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications
Commission helpful: "How to Identify and Resolve Radi~TV Interference
Problems." This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington D.C. 20402, Stock #004-000-00345-4.
- LIMITED WARRANTY
We warrant, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of shipment
to the original purchaser, that all Votrax products are free from
defects in workmanship and materials under normal use and service,
provided the equipment is used in accordance with the user's manual.
This Warranty shall be void if the product case is opened or modified.
If any failure to conform to this Warranty appears during the thirty
(30) day period, we will correct the defect by either suitable repair or
replacement, at our option and at our expense, if you return the
product, transportation prepaid, to Votrax Division of Federal Screw
Works, 500 Stephenson Highway, Troy, Michigan 48084. We will pay the
cost of returning the repaired or replaced equipment to you. Any product
modification or repair other than that authorized by us in writing will
void this Limited Warranty.
THE DURATION OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IM-PLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS, IS LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF
THE LIMITED WARRANTY WE MAKE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
ALL WARRANTIES OF MER-CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
EXCEED-ING THE DURATION OF THE LIMITED WARRANTY ARE DISCLAIMED.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
ARISING FROM ANY PRODUCT DEFECT. Some states do not allow exclusion or
the limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This Warranty gives you specific legal rights and
- you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
This Limited Warranty does not apply if the product is used for
commercial purposes.
VOTRAX DIVISION
FEDERAL SCREW WORKS
|