Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for reading out textual information with synthesized speech comprises: a buffer memory 24 for buffering character codes of textual information; a keyword/ read-out region storing unit 22 which stores previously specified keyword and region of the textual information, the region being to be read out and including the keyword; a read-out region retrieving unit 23 which retrieves the keyword from the buffered character codes, and which, when the keyword exists, causes character codes corresponding to the read-out region, to be outputted from the buffer memory 24; a speech synthesizing unit 26 which converts the outputted character codes into a synthesized speech signal; and a loudspeaker 14 for outputting the synthesized speech signal in the form of synthesized speech. In textual information of various kinds such as textual information received by a teletext multiplex FM radio, or that of an electronic newspaper, only a portion which relates to a keyword that is previously specified by the user is sounded with synthesized speech, thereby enabling the user to obtain only required information.

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First Claim