IPOX

IPO/Oxford
All-Prosodic Speech Synthesis Architecture

Copyright (C) 1994-1995 by Arthur Dirksen/IPO and John Coleman/OUPL
All rights reserved.


Pre-release Version July 1995


1.   System requirements

In order to install and use the IPOX software package, you need a PC 
(preferably a fast 486) running Windows 3.1 or higher, with about 1.5 MB of 
free hard disk space. Sound output requires a 16-bit Windows-compatible sound 
card, such as the Soundblaster 16.


2.  Installation

The IPOX software package is distributed in a single compressed file, 
ipox.zip. In order to unpack the software, you must use the shareware program 
pkunzip.exe, which is available on many ftp sites. To install the software, 
proceed as follows:

1. Create a directory \ipox (or any other name) on your hard disk, and copy 
the file ipox.zip to it.

2. Unpack ipox.zip with the following command:

	pkunzip -d ipox

Notes:
- It is assumed that the pkunzip program is in your DOS path.
- The use of the -d switch is necessary to assure creation of directories 
stored in ipox.zip.

3. If you have not already done so, start Windows. Then, run the program 
\ipox\bin\setup.exe. This will create a Program Group for the IPOX 
executables.

4. Optionally, install \ipox\bin\play.exe as the program that is run when you 
double-click a .wav file in the File Manager. (Consult your Windows Manual on 
how to do this). The main advantage of using this program is that it merely 
plays the sound file, without bothering about a graphic user interface. This 
allows you to quickly play a range of sound files from within the File 
Manager.


3.  Documentation

The IPOX software consist of the following programs:

	ipox.exe 	: the IPOX synthesizer
	irc.exe 	: the IPOX rule compiler
	kpe.exe  	: a graphic parameter editor for the Klatt synthesizer
	play.exe 	: a utility program to play Windows .wav files

These programs are located in the \ipox\bin directory. There are no printed 
manuals. Instead, documentation is provided in the form of Windows Hypertext 
Help files, which can be consulted from within each application. It is 
possible, however, to print selected pages from these Help files.

The directory \ipox\english contains compiled grammars illustrating the use of 
IPOX for synthesis of British English. This is still very much work in 
progress. Source code is provided for only some of these files.

4.  License agreement

The IPOX software and documentation is made freely available for evaluation 
and non-profit research purposes. However, this does not mean that the 
software is public domain, and a number of restrictions and disclaimers apply, 
as stated below. The acceptance and use of this software implies acceptance of 
the terms of this license agreement. Failure to do so is interpreted as a 
violation of our copyright, which we hereby assert.

Availability
A copy of the software can be obtained by downloading the file ipox.zip from 
one of the following sources, preferably by using a WWW-browser such as Mosaic 
or Netscape:

	ftp://chico.phon.ox.ac.uk/pub/ipox/
	http://www.tue.nl/ipo/people/adirksen/ipox/

Restrictions
1. A copy of the software can only be obtained from the sources specified 
above. It is not allowed to pass on copies to third parties without the 
explicit permission of the authors. This includes uploading the software to an 
anonymous ftp site or WWW-server, inclusion of the software on CD-ROMs, etc.
2. Each user is required to register his copy with the authors, either by 
filling in the on-line form, or by sending electronic mail to 
ipox@ouplsun.phon.ox.ac.uk. We need to know your full name, affiliation and 
email adress, as well as whether or not you want to be kept informed of 
updates to the software.

Disclaimers
1. The current version of the software is rather preliminary. A full 
implementation of the architecture that we have in mind requires considerable 
more work, as well as solutions to a number of problems.
2. No guarantee is given that the software is fit for a particular purpose, or 
that it is free of errors.
3. The authors reserve the right to withdraw or alter the terms for access to 
the IPOX software in the future.


5.  Support

All comments, questions and further enquiries must be sent by electronic mail 
to ipox@ouplsun.phon.ox.ac.uk. Please note that we cannot quarantee a prompt 
response.