エンファシス/株式会社アレックス List of Products and Services

The "Sodiac VD14/P" is a voice IC solution that can add voice guidance functionality to piezoelectric buzzers. By integrating it into home appliances and alarms, it enables voice output instead of the traditional "beep beep" buzzer sound, providing users with clearer notifications and guidance. [Usage Examples] ■ Thermometer: Reading out the temperature ■ Refrigerator: Alert sound for an open door → Voice guidance saying "The door is open" ■ Rice Cooker: Alert sound for cooking completion → Voice guidance saying "The rice is ready" ■ Robot Vacuum: Voice guidance reporting issues such as "An object is stuck in the suction inlet" and "Low battery" *For more details, please refer to the materials by clicking the "Download Catalog" button. Audio samples for listening can be accessed via the links in the materials.

• Sound Parts

The "Sodiac Series" is a voice middleware that allows for the construction of high-quality voice guidance systems without the need for voice LSI. One of the lineup, "Sodiac for Piezo," is optimized for piezo speakers and includes a built-in digital filter. It enables the introduction of voice guidance at low cost while keeping existing buzzers in products such as refrigerators and rice cookers. Additionally, we offer support that includes voice production. Not only do we handle recordings, but our dedicated director also edits the voice data to ensure that it can be played back with natural intonation for each word. 【Features】 ■ Capable of building a voice guidance system at low cost ■ Can be installed in dynamic speakers, buzzers, alarms, etc. ■ Contributes to high added value with easily understandable voice through speech rate conversion ■ Comprehensive support available, including narrator arrangement and voice production ■ A lineup of products that can be selected according to application *You can view materials that include a catalog and links to audio samples for listening from the download button below. Please feel free to contact us with any inquiries.

• Software (middle, driver, security, etc.)

"Sodiac Basic" is a lightweight and multifunctional audio middleware that allows for the playback of high-quality audio equivalent to voice LSI using only middleware. It ensures audio quality equivalent to voice LSI, eliminating the need for voice LSI and enabling significant cost reductions. By implementing it on general-purpose microcontrollers, there is no need for countermeasures against voice LSI discontinuation. It is a lightweight and compact middleware (ROM: 4-6 Kbyte, RAM: 100-200 byte). 【Features】 ■ Countermeasures against discontinuation ■ Reduction of audio system costs ■ Speech speed conversion function *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Voice Recognition Software

"Sodiac for Piezo" is a voice middleware optimized for piezo speakers. Thanks to its unique audio technology, it achieves sound quality and volume that approaches dynamic speakers. The speech rate conversion feature enhances product value by providing easily understandable speech for an aging society. It is a lightweight and compact middleware (ROM: 4–6Kbyte, RAM: 100–200byte). 【Features】 ■ Built-in digital filter ■ Cost reduction for audio systems ■ Speech rate conversion function *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Voice Recognition Software

"Sodiac for Piezo Lite" is a voice middleware for piezo speakers designed for low-volume audio applications. With proprietary voice technology, it achieves sound quality and volume comparable to dynamic speakers. A free alarm voice library (20 phrases) is provided. It features an ultra-lightweight and compact design (ROM: 2kbyte, RAM: 100byte, PWM: 2 ports). 【Features】 ■ Provides a dedicated H-bridge circuit for piezo speakers ■ Reduces component count and cost with built-in digital filters ■ Voice data compression function (compression using ADPCM) *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Voice Recognition Software

The "Sodiac VD14/P" is a high-quality voice IC solution that implements voice LSI equivalent functions on the low-power microcontroller "RL78/G22" manufactured by Renesas Electronics. The product enhances value by providing easily understandable speech for an aging society through speech speed conversion and pitch conversion. It is also compatible with piezo speakers (piezo buzzers). 【Features】 ■ Voice LSI replacement (cost reduction, no need for discontinuation measures) ■ Melody mixing function ■ Speech speed and pitch conversion functions *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Software (middle, driver, security, etc.)

The "Sodiac VD04" is a high-quality audio IC solution that implements voice LSI equivalent functions on Renesas' RL78 microcontroller. By incorporating a digital filter, it reduces the number of components and costs. It offers a variety of interfaces for host I/F (SPI, UART, parallel, SW input). The ability to convert speech speed enhances the product's value by providing easily understandable audio for an aging society. 【Features】 ■ Replacement for discontinued voice LSI ■ Cost reduction for audio systems ■ Speech speed conversion function *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Voice Recognition Software

The "Sodiac VD07" is a high-quality voice IC solution that implements voice LSI equivalent functions on a HOLTEK microcontroller. It offers a high degree of freedom in sampling frequency (8 to 16 kHz, in 1 kHz steps). With a built-in speaker amplifier (1.0W max, 5V / 8Ω), it allows for a reduction in component count and costs. 【Features】 ■ Replacement for discontinued voice LSI ■ Cost reduction for voice systems ■ Built-in speaker amplifier *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Voice Recognition Software

"Voice Update" is a service that allows you to switch the voice guidance embedded in the product to your preferred voice. It also supports switching to recorded voices of customers. You can specify voice types such as anime character voices, calm female voices, and strong male voices, as well as specify melodies. 【Services Offered】 ■ Narrator arrangement / Voice production ■ Circuit and PCB design / Acoustic design / Acoustic consulting ■ Voice middleware / Voice IC provision ■ Mass production support *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other contract services
• Voice Recognition Software

"Sound Create" is a one-stop service where you can request everything from narrator selection to studio recording and audio data editing for audio production. We propose narrators with voice qualities that match your products from a large selection of narrators (including general narration, characters, and multilingual support [with experience in 24 languages]). Under the supervision of our clients, we conduct uniform and high-quality audio recordings directed by audio production professionals. 【Audio Production Process】 ■ Selection of narrators (including TTS) and creation of recording scripts ■ Audio recording in our in-house studio ■ Noise removal, volume adjustment, auditory adjustment, and editing for audio recombination of recorded audio *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Other contract services

"Board Design" is a service that provides total support for the development of voice output systems, including circuit and PCB design related to audio, as well as acoustic design and sound quality improvement consulting. In acoustic design, we propose speaker installation positions and methods that do not compromise sound quality. In sound quality improvement consulting, we offer suggestions for improving sound sources, investigating and proposing improvements for noise-generating circuits, and addressing issues such as rattling and muffled sounds. 【Features】 ■ High-quality circuit design ■ Acoustic design ■ Sound quality improvement consulting *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Circuit board design and manufacturing

"Manufacturing" is a service that provides mass production of voice boards and writing of voice data, as well as a serial flash ROM writer. We support writing voice data to serial flash ROMs (Renesas, Winbond, ISSI, AMIC, etc.). Additionally, we can arrange ROMs, write non-voice data (programs, image data, etc.), and write to microcontrollers. 【Services Offered】 ■ Narrator arrangement / Voice production ■ Circuit and PCB design / Acoustic design / Acoustic consulting ■ Voice middleware and voice IC provision ■ Mass production support *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Circuit board design and manufacturing

Emphasis has been involved in the development of "embedded systems" for video-related equipment and automotive-related devices since its establishment. In recent years, we have also been challenging ourselves to develop system devices that support various IT societies by leveraging our image processing technology. Among these, we have accumulated expertise in areas such as cameras, medical devices, and automotive-related equipment, utilizing Emphasis's embedded technology. We aim to incorporate the advanced image processing technology and the latest AI we have cultivated into our own product, "iSwitch," adding it as a new pillar, and strive to become a "professional group" in embedded technology and manufacturing. Additionally, in the Kansai region, we will expand our business scope to include the development of business applications and the design, construction, and operation of IT infrastructure, taking on new initiatives. The various devices and systems that support your daily life may be powered by the technology that Emphasis possesses.

• Embedded system design service

We would like to introduce our "Obstacle Detection Device for Visually Impaired Individuals." While pressing either of the buttons on the sides, if an obstacle is detected within 4 meters in the direction the device is facing, it will notify you with vibrations and sound. You can start detection by pressing either side button, and no matter how you hold it, the sound is easily audible from multiple holes. 【Features】 ■ Detects obstacles within 4 meters ■ Notifies with vibrations and sound ■ Sound is easily audible from multiple holes ■ Detection starts by pressing either side button *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other measurement, recording and measuring instruments

Traditionally, "operation support switches" for communication and other purposes have included contact-type, electrostatic, photoelectric, breath-operated, piezoelectric, balloon-type, and others. The choice of switch type is based on usability according to the progression of the medical condition and the physical capabilities of the user. However, due to changes in the medical condition, it may be unavoidable to replace the switch. Progressive muscular atrophy diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which is a neurodegenerative disease, eventually lead to the inability to move all muscles. However, eye movements (eyeballs and eyelids) often remain functional until the end. By utilizing this eye movement capability, individuals who have been passively waiting can actively call for help and operate devices around them. We developed the "Eye Switch" with the hope of assisting in the joy of being able to do what was previously impossible.

• Embedded system design service