Directory assistance for the visually impaired

The authors describe a text-to-phonetic speech algorithm for IBM Personal System/2 computers which allows visually impaired telephone operators to provide directory assistance to telephone subscribers. Prior to this project, each trained operator accessed a mainframe database containing over 30000 records to locate requested information. The cost of maintaining the mainframe database as well as its inflexible interface led to the development of a user interface based on a text to speech algorithm customized for the IBM PS/2. Effective text-to-phonetic translation is accomplished in real time using the string manipulation abilities of the 80286 microprocessor and address tables.<>