DE4101200A1 - Communication system with users connected by central exchange - provides electronic mail from information dictated then converted to text and transmitted as letter - Google Patents

Abstract

Transmitter and receiver sets (9) are assigned to each user to provide replay and dictate functions. Information dictated by the user is transmitted to the central exchange (4) via a direct communication connection and, from there, to selected users to receive the information. Each susbscriber has a display to show notices received via ISDN in text form. The display can also indicate contents, number of received texts sending data etc. The use of video tape offers high reproduction quality and large capacity. Linkage can be via radio, e.g. for mobile system, cable or optical fibres. USE/ADVANTAGE - Simplified system for e.g. telephone systems, mail services, telefac, teletext, telex etc.

Description

The invention relates to a communication system send and receive assigned to each user advises as well as with a central (especially server).

Communication systems are known. There are ver different types, for example telephone systems, post office letter services, fax, telex, teletex etc.

It is also known to provide information within a office organization using a dictation machine to save on a medium, which then - for game in a writing office - in a writing text implemented and sent by post.

The invention has for its object this Simplify dictation system.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by that the transmitting and receiving devices each have a how dergabe- and have a dictation function, wherein information dictated by the user on the direk th way of a communication link (for example cable connection) to the head office and from there to selectable other users for reception are telable. This system eliminates  First the dictated medium (for the magnetic tape) to the typing office, then add the corresponding letter text there which is then sent to the recipient, for example, via Mail or fax, etc. passed on becomes. Rather, according to the invention, the dictated Text directly from the sending and receiving device to the Central via direct communication link (to Cable or fiber optic), which then a conversion of the language into the correspond the text and the forwarding of the text in ge the desired form to the recipient.

According to a further development of the invention, it is provided hen that incoming information through the headquarters selected users directly, i.e. again via Wire or fiber optic connection for transmission and emp gear can be transmitted. For example the information as a text of a letter, so this text is converted into language at the headquarters which is then sent to the user.

In particular, it is provided that the information transmission digital, especially via ISDN, he follows. Incoming images (e.g. fax / text fax or Telex / Teletex) are then digital Form to the headquarters. Also the broadcast and work Receiving devices with the center preferably on digital basis.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment game a converter is provided, which is before preferably located in the headquarters. This translator converts incoming texts (e.g. fax, Mail, etc.) in synthetic language, which then  to the sending and receiving device of the respective Be user is forwarded. This is preferred wisely provided that incoming images (in particular letters, fax, etc.) scanned by a scanner be and that the converter from the sampled Information that synthetic language generates.

It is also provided that a transmission and Information given by a receiving device corresponding setting on the send and receive area advises from the head office in the appropriate form, especially in ISDN-Teletex, ISDN-Telex, ISDN-Fax and / or mail and converted from there is sent.

The center instructs preferably to create Letter mail or the like on a printer.

In particular it can be provided that the Be User dictated language initially at headquarters translated into synthetic language and then on processed or sent.

The drawing illustrates the invention with reference to of an embodiment.

The figure shows a communication system 1 , which is composed of different components. For example, an ISDN 2 (integrated services digital network) is provided. This can be used to transmit telex / teletex and / or fax / text fax.

A letter mail system 3 is also connected. ISDN 2 and letter post system 3 thus lead to external locations / users, that is, to communication participants who are usually relatively far away in space.

The communication system 1 also has a central 4 , which either works completely automatically and / or is additionally or alternatively formed by a secretariat 5 or contains it. In the control center 4 , a converter 6 is provided, which is designed as a text server 7 and is used to convert images (for example fax, letter mail) to texts and / or texts to synthetic language, etc. Furthermore, a central unit 8 (PBX) is provided, which is connected to the ISDN 2 .

The central unit 8 is also connected via cable or glass fiber to a large number of transmitting and receiving devices 9 . A printer / scanner 10 is also provided, which is also connected to the central unit 8 . The secretariat 5 is connected to the central unit 8 with its communication devices (for example computer with screen and keyboard and telephone). Each transmitting and receiving device 9 has a dictation device 11 . Furthermore, a telephone 12 can also be provided at each user place.

A PBX / text server function is possible during operation. Texts that are received via ISDN 2 (Teletex, Telex, Fax) or via letter mail system 3 or via other media, not shown, arrive at the central office 4 . The text server 7 converts images (fax, letter mail) into text using a scanner 10 . These texts and texts, which come from text services (Teletex, Telex, etc.), are converted into synthetic language by the converter 6 and distributed on the basis of the distribution lists recognized by the text server 7 to the connected devices, namely the dictation devices 10 of the transmitting and receiving devices 9 and are therefore available to the user.

A dictation machine function is also provided. The respective user uses his dictation machine 11 to record information for reply letters, comments etc., which are then transmitted to the text server 7 and / or to the secretariat 5 . The user can make a setting on the corresponding dictation machine 11 which determines the further processing of the information to be sent. For example, it is possible to specify that the information is to be sent by ISDN teletex or by ISDN fax or by letter, etc. The conversion of the spoken language into texts takes place completely or largely automatically in the text server 7 , possibly controlled by the secretariat 5 .

The dictation machines 11 are devices which are connected to the central office 4 / secretariat 5 via ISDN. The dictation device 11 can form a separate unit or it can be an additional module on / in the ISDN telephone 12 , which is connected to this telephone via an extended X interface. The dictation machine 11 is comparable in size to commercial Dik animal devices. In addition to the known, usual input (recording) of texts, it can be loaded with information received by mail, etc. It is thus also possible that existing information is output at the desired dictation machine 9 in the control center 4 or in the secretariat 5 .

It is also possible to call up the existing texts, which are administered separately, which is preferably done with the aid of digital storage (in particular 8 mm videotape), on the dictation machine 9 and to provide appropriate comments (recording additional texts).

According to a particular embodiment, it is not necessary that the transmitting and receiving devices 9 be found in a building or the like, but it can also be a mobile processing of the incoming and outgoing information, for example in an airplane or in a vehicle (with light speech).

The communication system 1 allows the management of texts with the aid of a directory system, which enables the language texts to be easily found on the transmitting and receiving device 9 . Using the button function, a desired language text can be found by skipping, skipping forwards / backwards, direct selection of texts / text passages. Texts and comments can be issued separately or as a mixture. The language texts are transmitted digitally via ISDN as voice or text blocks; this transfer can be done in formatted form. The device can be remotely controlled via ISDN using commands, e.g. delete, insert, annotate. For these functions, it is possible to provide an access protection mechanism (authorization function).

Each transceiver 9 preferably has a display which allows the display of notes received in text form via ISDN. In addition, a table of contents, number of texts contained, date of posting etc. can be shown on this display.

The digital transmission and recording, preferably wise on videotape, allows high reproduction quality and also an extraordinarily large one Capacity. So it is easily possible to get one Record over several hours.

The device according to the invention can also on other communication facilities (e.g. Mo telephone) can be connected.

Claims (9)

1. Communication system with each user assigned transmitting and receiving device and with a center, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving devices ( 9 ) each have a playback and a dictation function, information dictated by the user via a direct communication link to the center ( 4 ) and from there to other users who can be selected for reception. 2. Communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that on the central ( 4 ) incoming information selectable users are transmitted directly to the transceiver. 3. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information transmission takes place digitally, in particular via ISDN ( 2 ). 4. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an implementer zer ( 6 ) belonging to the center ( 4 ) and which receives images (fax, letter from the scanner) and / or texts from text services (teletex, telex etc. ) translated into synthetic language. 5. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outgoing image (in particular letter, fax) is scanned by a scanner ( 10 ) and the converter ( 6 ) generates the synthetic language therefrom. 6. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center ( 4 ) for creating texts, in particular letter mail, has a printer ( 10 ). 7. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from a transmitting and receiving device ( 9 ) delivered in formations by a corresponding setting on the transmitting and receiving device ( 9 ) from the control center ( 4 ) in an appropriate form (in particular ISDN / Teletex, ISDN / Telex, ISDN / Fax, letter post). 8. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a transmitting and receiving device ( 9 ) dictated language is converted into synthetic language by the converter ( 6 ) and / or is converted into texts, the synthetic language or the texts then be forwarded in the appropriate form to the receiver from the control center ( 4 ). 9. Communication system according to one of the previous existing claims, characterized in that the direct communication link between headquarters  and transmitting and receiving device a radio, cable or fiber optic connection.