(19)
(11) EP 0 643 380 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
24.05.1995 Bulletin 1995/21

(43) Date of publication A2:
15.03.1995 Bulletin 1995/11

(21) Application number: 94114160.8

(22) Date of filing: 08.09.1994
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6G10L 3/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE DK NL SE

(30) Priority: 10.09.1993 JP 225449/93
19.07.1994 JP 167232/94

(71) Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Nejime, Yoshito, Hitachi Koyasudai
    Hachioji-shi (JP)
  • Kumagai, Yukio
    Tokorozawa-shi (JP)
  • Takamiya, Tadashi
    Nakaminato-shi (JP)
  • Kawauchi, Yasunori
    Mito-shi (JP)
  • Hataoka, Nobuo
    Tsukui-gun, Kanagawa-ken (JP)
  • Morikawa, Juichi
    Katsuta-shi (JP)

(74) Representative: Strehl Schübel-Hopf Groening & Partner 
Maximilianstrasse 54
80538 München
80538 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Speech speed conversion method and apparatus


    (57) The speed of an input speech is changed without changing the pitch of the input speech. Raw data of a speech are stored so that the speed of the speech can be modulated continuously on the basis of the raw data.
    A speech speed conversion apparatus includes a unit (321, 10, 7, 5) for inputting speech, a speech speed conversion unit (11) for changing the speed of the input speech, and a unit (6, 8, 9, 325) for supplying the output of the speech speed conversion unit as output speech to listener's ears. The apparatus further includes a speech speed conversion switch (3, 4) so that speech with changed speed of the input speech is delivered in a period in which the conversion switch is turned on, whereas speech without change of the input speech is delivered when the conversion switch is turned off.







    Search report