TECHNOLOGY FOR RESPONDING TO REMARKS USING SPEECH SYNTHESIS

摘要

The present invention is provided with: a voice input section (102) that receives a remark (a question) via a voice signal; a reply creation section (110) that creates a voice sequence of a reply (response) to the remark; a pitch analysis section (106) that analyzes the pitch of a first segment (e.g., word ending) of the remark; and a voice generation section (a voice synthesis section (112), etc.) that generates a reply, in the form of voice, represented by the voice sequence. The voice generation section controls the pitch of the entire reply in such a manner that the pitch of a second segment (e.g., word ending) of the reply assumes a predetermined pitch (e.g., five degrees down) with respect to the pitch of the first segment of the remark. Such arrangements can realize synthesis of replying voice capable of giving a natural feel to the user.