Patent Publication Number: US-2005137869-A1

Title: Method supporting text-to-speech navigation and multimedia device using the same

Description:
This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0092468 filed on Dec. 17, 2003 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a method supporting text-to-speech (TTS) navigation and a multimedia device using the same and, more particularly, to a method for providing information on multimedia files by use of voice signals at a multimedia device such as a multimedia player instead of image signals displayed through a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen and a multimedia device using the method.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the operation between a multimedia device and a host device in the prior art.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , in order to play a multimedia file, a download management unit  17  stores the multimedia file, which has been stored in a multimedia storage unit  10  of the host device  1 , in a multimedia file storage unit of the multimedia device  3 .  
      The multimedia file stored in the multimedia device  3  is played through a multimedia output unit  36  by allowing a user to manipulate a functional button, such as a Next/Previous button, of a User Interface (UI) processing unit  30 .  
      However, when intending to select a desired media file according to the prior art, the user has no choice but to observe and search the desired media file through a character displayer of the UI unit, or to directly play and confirm the desired media file only though the corresponding content.  
      In addition, when the multimedia device has a built-in device for generating a Text-To-Speech (TTS) voice file, for example for providing TTS navigation, as disclosed in Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-0048357, the production cost is increased, moreover the multimedia device requires a high-powered processor and mass storage space to provide the TTS navigation ensuring high voice quality.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To address the above-indicated problems, it is, therefore, an objective of the invention to provide a multimedia device that does not require a separate device or cost for the TTS navigation, so that a user of the multimedia device is able to search a multimedia file while hearing a voice without seeing a screen.  
      To achieve these objectives, consistent with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a multimedia device supporting text-to-speech navigation. The multimedia device comprises a storage unit for analyzing at least one multimedia file and storing both at least one text-to-speech voice file generated and received from a host device and the multimedia file, a user interface processing unit providing a user interface and receiving a command of a user to make it possible to search information on the file, and a data read unit reading the text-to-speech voice file from the storage unit according to a control of the user interface processing unit in order to output the text-to-speech voice file.  
      Consistent with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing text-to-speech navigation at a multimedia device consistent with the exemplary embodiment of the invention. The method comprises the step of analyzing information on a stored multimedia file to generate a text-to-speech voice file, receiving the generated text-to-speech voice file from a host device, storing the received text-to-speech voice file, and searching the stored text-to-speech voice file according to selection of a user, and the step of outputting the searched text-to-speech voice file. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an operation between a multimedia device and a host device in the prior art;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a host device needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a storage mode by which a text-to-speech voice file of a separate storage unit is stored consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating components needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating components of a host device needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating components needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a storage mode at a multimedia storage section of a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a host device needed to provide TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating the operation for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a host device needed to provide TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary of the invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating the process of downloading a file from a host device consistent with exemplary embodiments of the invention; and  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating the operation for providing TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT  
      Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
      Multimedia devices are divided into two kinds according to a type of a storage unit for storing the multimedia file.  
      One kind of multimedia device is one having a separate storage unit (write-enable compact disc (CD)) like a CD player. In this case, the following description will be made regarding the multimedia device with reference to FIGS.  2  to  4 , and regarding the operation of the multimedia device with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  
      The other kind of multimedia device refers to one providing direct online connection to the host device to transmit a file through a download manager like an MP3 player. In this case, the following description will be made regarding the multimedia device with reference to FIGS.  5  to  7 , and regarding an operation of the multimedia device with reference to FIGS.  10  to  12 .  
      Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a host device needed to support TTS navigation at the multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the components of the host device  1  needed to support TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the separate storage unit, are comprised of a multimedia storage unit  10 , a multimedia read unit  12 , a multimedia information analysis unit  14 , a TTS file generation unit  16 , and a multimedia record unit  18 .  
      The multimedia storage unit  10  receives and stores the multimedia file stored in the separate storage unit  5  of the multimedia device.  
      The multimedia read unit  12  reads meta data, such as a file name, information of a header and so on, through the multimedia file stored in the multimedia storage unit  10 .  
      The multimedia information analysis unit  14  receives the meta data which the multimedia read unit  12  has read to generate a TTS voice file by means of the TTS file generation unit  16 .  
      The multimedia record unit  18  records and stores the generated TTS voice file in the separate storage unit  5 .  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a storage mode by which a TTS voice file of a separate storage unit is stored consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , a general multimedia file group  20  is stored in a root directory or its subordinate directories in a file format. Files for providing TTS navigation may be realized in such a manner that they are stored in a file system having the same file format as the general multimedia file. For example, both a file group  22  having information on either a name of each TTS voice file or its stored location and a TTS voice file group  24  of the information are stored in a single or multiple file format of a prescribed directory like the mode in which the general multimedia file  20  is stored. In this manner, when the TTS voice files are stored in the separate storage unit such as a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) at the multimedia device having the separate storage unit, for example at the MP3 CD player, a multimedia CD in which the TTS voice files are stored together with their information is also executed at another MP3 CD player capable of outputting the general multimedia files by forcing the file system to follow the generation standard of the defined file system, such as ISO 9660, so that it is possible to secure compatibility between the multimedia devices.  
      Further, when voice guidance information of the multimedia file as well as the TTS voice file for directory information is required, it is possible to add the TTS voice file for the directory information. For example, in case that the number of multimedia files is increased on the CD, there is a possibility of inconvenience in searching and outputting a specific multimedia file while the user hears the voice guidance information of the TTS voice file. In this case, if the TTS voice file for the directory information is added, the user can retrieve the directory while hearing the voice guidance information of the TTS voice file.  
      The TTS voice file, whether it contains the directory information or not, may be realized in such a manner that it is stored in a buffer memory of the multimedia device.  
      The buffer memory, in the case of the portable CD player, is used to pre-store a particular part of multimedia information against a shock caused by a user in action. Generally, the multimedia file stored in the buffer memory is used when such a shock is applied to the CD player and thus the multimedia file may not be read smoothly out from a CD rotating at a high speed. Further, the buffer memory is hardly used on retrieving. Hence, in the case where the TTS voice files are stored in the buffer memory in advance, the user is able to rapidly search the multimedia information contained in the CD while hearing the voice guidance information.  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating components needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the multimedia device  3  which has the separate storage unit and supports TTS navigation includes a separate storage unit  5  storing a TTS voice file, a UI processing unit  30  receiving user information and controlling the operation of the multimedia device, a data read unit  32  reading out data from the separate storage unit  5 , and a multimedia output unit  34  outputting a signal of the TTS voice file.  
      The UI processing unit  30  consists of a UI section  300  and a UI control section  302 . The UI section  300  provides a user interface for a user and functions to receive the resultant command of the user. The UI control section  302  interprets input information of the user, and reads the TTS voice file stored in the separate storage unit  5  by means of a TTS voice file read section  320  of the data read unit  32 , so that the UI control section  302  makes it possible to search information on the file.  
      The data read unit  32  includes the TTS voice file read section  320  and a multimedia data read section  322 . The TTS voice file read section  320  functions to read the TTS voice file from the separate storage unit  5  according to the control of the UI control section  302  over the input command of the UI section  300 . The multimedia data read section  322  reads the TTS voice file from the separate storage unit  5 .  
      The multimedia output unit  34  outputs the TTS voice file.  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating components of a host device needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , the components of the host device  1  needed to support TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the built-in storage unit, are comprised of a multimedia storage unit  10 , a multimedia read unit  12 , a multimedia information analysis unit  14 , a TTS file generation unit  16 , and a download management unit  17 .  
      The multimedia storage unit  10  reads and stores the multimedia file stored in a built-in storage unit  38  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the multimedia device  3 .  
      The download management unit  17  records and stores the TTS voice file in the built-in storage unit  38 .  
      The multimedia read unit  12 , the multimedia information analysis unit  14  and the TTS file generation unit  16  are the same configuration as that described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating components needed to support TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , the multimedia device which has the built-in storage unit and supports the TTS navigation includes a built-in storage unit  38  storing a TTS voice file, a UI processing unit  30  receiving user information and controlling the operation of the multimedia device, a data read unit  32  reading out data from the built-in storage unit  38 , and a multimedia output unit  34  outputting the TTS voice file.  
      The data read unit  32  includes a TTS voice file read section  320  and a multimedia data read section  322 . The TTS voice file read section  320  functions to read the TTS voice file from the built-in storage unit  38  according to the control of a UI control section  302  of the UI processing unit  30  on the input command of a UI section  300  of the UI processing unit  30 . The multimedia data read section  322  reads the TTS voice file from the built-in storage unit  38 .  
      The built-in storage unit  38  includes a download management section  380 , a multimedia record section  382  and a multimedia storage section  384 .  
      The download management section  380  takes charge of transmission of the TTS voice file from the host device  1 . A process of transmitting the TTS voice file will be described below with reference to  FIG. 11 .  
      The multimedia record section  382  records the TTS voice file received from the host device  1  in the multimedia storage section  384 .  
      The multimedia storage section  384  is comprised of a multimedia file directory  3840 , a TTS voice file storage part  3842 , and a multimedia file storage part  3844 . See  FIG. 7 .  
      The UI processing unit  30  and the multimedia output unit  34  are the same configuration as that described with reference to  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a storage mode at a multimedia storage section of a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , the multimedia files, the TTS voice files and the multimedia file directory  3840  are stored in the multimedia storage section  384 . The TTS voice files are stored in the TTS voice file storage part  3842 . The general multimedia files are stored in the multimedia file storage part  3844 . It is the TTS voice file that provides meta data (e.g., a title, an album name, a manufacturer etc.) of the multimedia file in the form of speech. This may be realized either through a memory that is physically separated from the TTS voice file storage part  3842 , or through separation of a storage area in the memory.  
      The multimedia file directory  3840  refers to a table containing information not only on a name of the multimedia file and its storage location but also on a storage location of the TTS voice file, in which these information are used to provide a service for the TTS navigation. The multimedia file directory  3840  has a conceptual structure, which may be realized into the table form as well as another form (e.g., a tree form, a connection list, and so forth) capable of expressing information of the name, the storage location etc.  
      It is possible to realize the multimedia file directory  3840  to be stored in a memory area, which is distinguished from a memory area in which the multimedia file or the TTS voice file is stored. Information of the multimedia file directory  3840  allows the name and storage location of the multimedia file, the storage location of the TTS voice file, etc. which are stored in the storage section in reality to be rapidly searched.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a host device needed to provide TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , the operation of the host device for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the separate storage unit includes a step S 80  of extracting information on files, a step S 82  of generating a TTS voice file, a step S 84  of storing the files, and a step S 86  of terminating the recording of the files.  
      The step S 80  of extracting information on files consists of a step S 802  of reading files stored in the storage unit  10  and a step S 804  of extracting the information on the files.  
      The step S 82  of generating a TTS voice file consists of a step of, at the multimedia read unit  12 , analyzing information on a name or header of the multimedia file to generate a meta file in a text format, and a step of, at the TTS file generation unit  16 , generating the TTS voice file from the meta file.  
      In the step S 84  of storing the files, the generated TTS voice file and multimedia file as well as location information representing locations of the TTS voice file and the multimedia file are recorded in the separate storage unit  5 .  
      The step S 86  of terminating the recording of the files terminates the recording of the files when there is no multimedia file to be recorded.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating operation for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having a separate storage unit consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , the operation for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the separate storage includes a step S 902  of receiving input information of a user from the UI processing unit  30 , a step S 904  of, at the UI control section  302 , analyzing the input information of the user to extract information on the location of a TTS voice file, a step S 906  of outputting the TTS voice file based on the extracted information to inform the user of information on the TTS voice file, a step S 908  of receiving a command of the user according to the information on the TTS voice file, and a step S 910  of playing the multimedia file of the information according to selection of the user.  
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a host device needed to provide TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 10 , the operation of the host device for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the built-in storage unit includes a step S 100  of extracting information on files, a step S 102  of generating a TTS voice file, a step S 104  of storing the files, and a step S 106  of terminating the recording of the files.  
      The step S 100  of extracting information on files consists of a step S 1002  of reading files from the multimedia storage unit  10  of the host device and a step S 1004  of extracting the information on the files. In the step S 104  of storing the files, the generated TTS voice file is recorded in the built-in storage unit  38 . The step S 102  of generating the TTS voice file and the step S 106  of terminating the recording of the files are the same configuration as that described with reference to  FIG. 8 .  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating a process of downloading a file from a host device consistent with exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 11 , the process of downloading the file from the host device includes a step S 1102  of receiving a TTS voice file, a multimedia file and location information representing locations of the TTS voice file and multimedia file from the host device  1 , a step  1104  of recording the received files in the built-in storage unit, a step S 1106  of determining whether there is a file to be received, and a step  1108  of terminating the recording of the files when there is no file to be received.  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating the operation for providing TTS navigation at a multimedia device having a built-in storage unit consistent with another exemplary of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 12 , the operation for providing TTS navigation at the multimedia device having the built-in storage unit  38  includes a step S 1200  of receiving input information of a user from the UI processing unit  30 , a step S 1202  of, at the UI control section  302 , analyzing the input information of the user to extract information on the location of a TTS voice file, a step S 1204  of outputting the TTS voice file to inform the user of information on the TTS voice file, a step S 1206  of receiving a command of the user according to the information on the TTS voice file, and a step S 1208  of playing the multimedia file of the information according to selection of the user.  
      According to the invention, it is possible to provide the multimedia device that does not require a separate device or cost for the TTS navigation, so that a user of the multimedia device is able to search the multimedia file while hearing a desired voice without seeing a screen.  
      While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.