Adding Voice Feedback to Accessories

Ok, this may sound trivial to some people, but I would like to add voice feedback to a couple of accessories. This will fall into the WBIC (Why? Because I Can) category. I would like it to play a voice when I switch on an accessory. For example, when I arm Nitrous I would like it to say "Nitrous Armed" in the interior of the car. What is the best way to go about doing this mod?

You can use a voice recorder chip (similar to the non-cassette type answering machines) that can record your own voice. Or you can download (probably serially [SPI, I2C protocol]) a digitized voice from free software that generates voices directly. I don't remember the exact part, but digikey.com may have it. I don't know if there is another simple way to do it. But then you would need the IC to output to a small speaker under cirtain conditions. For example, 1 pin on the IC would 'listen' for an input (i.e. a hi input -- signaling you flipped a switch) then outputing an addressed line to the speaker. You may need additional combinational logic or a mux depending on how many different outputs you are looking for. But remember, for each 'voice command', you will need to know it's size, and how many data registers it would consume. A microcontroller would help alleviate all this addressing. That may have been too complicated, but that is all I can think of. I hope an easier way surfaces, if I think of one, I will post again. Good Luck, DXAV

Check out digikey for ISD1200 Series voice chips. Up to 80 addressable blocks, and up to 12 sec records. Preamps, and ADC/DAC all handled within. Also has pushbutton playback (for your switch application). $5 for the chip, and only a little extra support circuitry. Good idea, everyone, or no? DXAV

So with one chip I can have 80 different phrases?

Sorry for such a convoluted answer. But, basically you can. Just check the PDF documentation, with your username, I will assume you know about coding and addressing memory. Good luck, DXAV

No, I don't know anything about programming. Think Coffee and Computer Geek. :)

Yeah, that is basically the same chip I mentioned earlier. Are you going to try using it? Good luck, DXAV