JP3215606B2 - E-mail voice conversion service system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail service system, and more particularly to an electronic mail voice conversion service system suitable for efficiently performing an electronic mail service by voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, e-mail services for exchanging information between terminals such as personal computers via a computer network have been developed. In particular, for example, in a voice mail service (e-mail voice conversion service) as described on pages 2720 to 2721 of the Electronic Information and Communication Handbook edited by the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (1988, published by Ohmsha), telephone terminals and voice It is possible to exchange information by voice via a data terminal (workstation, personal computer) or the like having a generating function.

[0003] A technique in which a user uses a telecommunication system in a communication network to read out the contents of an electronic mail from a telephone terminal by voice will be described below. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system for providing a conventional e-mail voice conversion service. In FIG. 8, reference numerals 1 and 1a denote data terminals having a voice generation function 1b, 2 denotes an e-mail device having an e-mail management function 2a, and 3 denotes a data terminal 1a.
A signal line connecting the electronic mail device 2 and the interface conversion device 5; a signal line 4 connecting the data terminal 1 and the interface conversion device 6; And the telephone line 7, and the interface conversion device 6 connects the signal line 4 and the telephone line 8. And the telephone line 7,
Reference numeral 8 is accommodated in a communication network 9 together with other telephone lines not shown.

[0004] In the electronic mail voice conversion service system having such a configuration, the data terminal 1 is connected to the signal lines 4 to 4.
The operation of taking out an e-mail from the e-mail device 2 and converting it into voice via the path of the interface conversion device 6 to the telephone line 8 to the communication network 9 to the telephone line 7 to the interface conversion device 5 to the signal line 3 will be described with reference to FIG. explain.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional electronic mail voice conversion service in the system shown in FIG. In response to the e-mail service user's e-mail device connection instruction, the data terminal 1 is turned on (signal line 4-)
Interface conversion device 6-(telephone line 8-) Communication network 9
電話 (telephone line 7 接 続) A connection command is transmitted to the electronic mail device 2 through the path of the interface conversion device 5 (〜signal line 3). If the connection is possible, the electronic mail device 2 transmits the connection response to the data terminal 1 by following the same route as the connection command in reverse.

Next, the data terminal 1 sends a mail read command to the electronic mail device 2 along the same route as the connection command.
The e-mail device 2 extracts the e-mail addressed to the user from the e-mail management function 2a shown in FIG. 8, and transmits the e-mail to the data terminal 1 along the same route as the connection response. The data terminal 1 converts the mail into voice using the voice conversion function 1b shown in FIG. 8 and makes the user hear it. In the case of the data terminal 1a in FIG. 8, the electronic mail is extracted from the electronic mail device 2 through the signal line 3, and is converted into voice.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of another conventional electronic mail voice conversion service system. This system provides an electronic mail voice service via a data terminal and a telephone terminal.
Have the data terminals 10, 10a having the connection configuration shown in FIG.
In addition, telephone terminals 11 and 11a are connected via a telephone line 12, a communication network 9 and a telephone line 13. The telephone mail device 14 is provided with a voice generation function 14b and a telephone connection function 14c for controlling connection with the telephone terminals 11 and 11a.

That is, the data terminal 10a is connected to the electronic mail device 14 through the signal line 3, and the data terminal 10 is connected to the signal line 4, the interface converter 6, the telephone line 8, the communication network 9, the telephone line 7, and the like. Each of the telephone terminals 11, 11a, which are connected via the interface conversion device 5 to the signal line 3, and which are closest to the data terminals 10, 10a.
Are connected by a route from a telephone line 12 to a communication network 9 to a telephone line 13. The e-mail device 14 converts the e-mail stored in the e-mail management function 14a into voice by the voice generation function 14b, and converts it into a telephone connection function 14c.
To the telephone terminals 11 and 11a connected via the.
The operation of the electronic mail voice conversion service via the data terminal 10 and the telephone terminal 11 will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional electronic mail voice conversion service in the system shown in FIG. First, in response to an e-mail device connection instruction from an e-mail service user, the data terminal 10
Is a connection command to the e-mail device 14 via a path from the (signal line 4) to the interface converter 6 to the (telephone line 8) to the communication network 9 to the (telephone line 7) to the interface converter 5 (to the signal line 3). Send The e-mail device 14
If the connection is possible, the connection response is transmitted to the data terminal 10 by following the same route as the connection command in reverse. Next, when the user makes a call from the telephone terminal 11, the telephone terminal 11 and the electronic mail device 14 are connected via the path from the telephone line 12 to the communication network 9 to the telephone line 13 in FIG.

In this way, with the data terminal 10 and the telephone terminal 11 connected to the electronic mail device 14,
When the user sends a mail read command from the data terminal 10 to the e-mail device 14 along the same route as the connection command,
The e-mail device 14 takes out the mail addressed to the user from the mail management function 14a, converts it into voice by the voice generation function 14b, and converts the voice to the telephone line 13 to the communication network 9 to the telephone line 12 in FIG. The e-mail is sent to the telephone terminal 11 via the route, and the user is heard to hear the contents of the e-mail.

Next, in the conventional e-mail voice conversion service system shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, when mail addressed to the user arrives at the e-mail devices 2 and 14, the e-mail devices 2 and 14 For example, the data terminals 1 and 10 are notified of the arrival of mail to the data terminals 1 and 10 via the signal line 3, the interface converter 5, the telephone line 7, the communication network 9, the telephone line 8, the interface converter 6, and the signal line 4. A description will be given of a conventional technology regarding an electronic mail arrival notification service.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional electronic mail arrival notification service. The user of the e-mail service sends a signal from the data terminals 1 and 10 (from the signal line 4) to the interface converter 6 (from the telephone line 8).
Communication network 9-(telephone line 7-) Interface converter 5
When the connection command is transmitted to the e-mail devices 2 and 14 via the path of (to the signal line 3), the e-mail devices 2 and 14 follow the connection response in the reverse direction if the connection is possible. To the data terminals 1 and 10. At this time, if the mail addressed to the user has already arrived at the e-mail devices 2 and 14, the e-mail devices 2 and 14 send a mail arrival notification to the data terminals 1 and 10 through the same route as the connection response. The data terminals 1 and 10 display the mail arrival notification on a monitor or the like to notify the user of the mail arrival.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, in the conventional e-mail service technology, a data terminal is required to read out the mail managed by the e-mail device. In addition, in order to convert the mail into voice, the data terminal or the e-mail device needs to be provided with a voice generation function. That is, the e-mail service user can use a data terminal for reading e-mail,
It is necessary to provide a data terminal with a voice generation function for converting mail into voice, which increases the cost of using the service. Alternatively, in order to provide an e-mail voice conversion service, the e-mail service provider needs to provide the e-mail device with a voice generation function, which increases the cost of the service system.

The arrival of the e-mail is notified when the service user connects to the e-mail device or during the connection. Therefore, when the service user is not connected to the e-mail device, the e-mail is sent. Arrivals cannot be confirmed.
Furthermore, when an e-mail service user uses an e-mail voice conversion service on a data terminal with a voice generation function, the execution procedure of the service should be adjusted by the user or the data terminal provider according to the usage pattern of the user. Must be set for all data terminals. In addition, when the e-mail service provider provides an e-mail voice conversion service using an e-mail device with a voice generation function, the e-mail service provider sets the execution procedure of the service according to the usage form of the user. Must be set for all e-mail devices and for all users accommodated in the e-mail devices.

[0015]

The problems to be solved in the prior art are that a data terminal is required to read an electronic mail and that a data terminal is required to convert the mail into voice. Alternatively, the e-mail device needs to have a voice generation function, and the service user cannot confirm the arrival of the e-mail when the data terminal is not connected to the e-mail device. When using the e-mail voice conversion service with a data terminal with a service, the user or the data terminal provider must set the execution procedure of the service for all data terminals according to the user's usage pattern Further, when providing an e-mail voice conversion service with an e-mail device having a voice generation function, the e-mail service The execution procedure of the service, in accordance with the usage of the user, for all e-mail device, and is that must be set for all the users accommodated in the electronic mail system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the related art, reduce the use cost and provision cost of an e-mail service,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail voice conversion service system that can prevent a user from losing an e-mail, and can reduce the work of manually setting an e-mail voice conversion service for each user.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic mail voice conversion service system according to the present invention comprises:
(1) means for controlling the line connection with a plurality of telephone terminals, means for controlling the line connection with a plurality of e-mail devices, and text information in the form of text data addressed to the connected telephone terminals, And a means for converting the acquired text data in the form of text data into a voice. The telephone terminal is connected to a public line. Via the e-mail voice converter,
In the e-mail voice conversion service system in which the voice converted e-mail is provided, the e-mail voice conversion device includes a service control station that centrally registers execution procedure information for each user of the e-mail voice conversion service. Based on the execution procedure information registered in the service control station,
A common connection function independent of a user of the e-mail voice conversion service including at least line connection control with the plurality of telephone terminals, line connection control with the plurality of e-mail devices, and voice conversion of the e-mail information And a special exchange having a centralized exchange. (2) In the e-mail voice conversion service system according to the above (1), the e-mail device includes:
Means for sending a connection request to the e-mail voice conversion device when new e-mail information arrives, the e-mail voice conversion device having received the connection request, after connecting to the e-mail device, While receiving the new e-mail information from the mail device, the pre-registered telephone terminal of the new e-mail information is extracted, a call is connected to the extracted destination telephone terminal, and the connection is established. It is characterized in that the received new electronic mail information is voice-converted and transmitted to a telephone terminal. In addition, (3) the above (2)
In the e-mail voice conversion service system described in the above, the e-mail voice conversion device, in the non-delivery state including at least the case where the telephone terminal of the call connection destination is busy or out, or the case where the responder is not a user When it is determined that there is, a means for calling a mobile terminal set in advance corresponding to the telephone terminal of the calling connection destination, and new electronic mail information received from the electronic mail device is transmitted to the mobile terminal by text data. Means for transmitting in a format. (4) In the electronic mail voice conversion service system according to the above (1) to (3),
The service control station is connected to a plurality of the special exchanges via a signaling network.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, by providing an electronic mail voice conversion device, a user of an electronic mail service can read an electronic mail by voice using only a normal telephone terminal. That is, when the user sends a connection request from the nearest telephone terminal to the e-mail voice conversion device, the e-mail voice conversion device connects the e-mail device to which the user belongs, and connects the user to the e-mail device. If there is an e-mail to, the e-mail is received. Then, the e-mail voice conversion device converts the e-mail into voice using a voice generation function, sends the voice to a telephone terminal, and allows the user to hear it. As described above, the user of the e-mail service can obtain the e-mail service at a low cost only with a normal telephone terminal without using a data terminal and a voice generation function which are conventionally required. Also,
The e-mail service provider does not need to provide a telephone connection function or a voice generation function in the e-mail device, and can operate the service at low cost.

The electronic mail device notifies the electronic mail voice conversion device every time a new electronic mail arrives,
Based on this notification, the e-mail voice conversion device calls the telephone terminal that is the destination of the e-mail, and sends the voice-converted e-mail to a valid user. If the telephone terminal is busy or there is no response (off-hook signal) after a predetermined period of time at the time of calling from the e-mail voice conversion device to the telephone terminal, If it is not specified (authorized user),
The e-mail voice converter transfers the e-mail to a mobile terminal such as a pager or a mobile phone which is set and registered in advance, and displays the electronic mail on the pager or the like. Thus, the user of the electronic mail service can surely receive the electronic mail without forgetting to obtain the electronic mail.

Further, the e-mail voice converter is divided into a special exchange and a service control office.
Centralized common functions that do not depend on e-mail voice conversion service users, such as e-mail voice conversion function and telephone line connection function, and centralize execution procedure information for each e-mail voice conversion service user in the service control station Provided.
The special exchange and the service control station may be connected via a signal line. As described above, by providing common functions in the special exchange centrally and providing execution procedure information for each user in the service control office, the provider of the e-mail voice conversion service can reduce the equipment cost. In addition to this, it is possible to reduce the work of setting the e-mail voice conversion service execution procedure information.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration according to the present invention of the electronic mail voice conversion service system of the present invention. The e-mail voice conversion service system of the present embodiment includes an e-mail device 2 having a mail management function 2a for storing received e-mails and the like, and an interface conversion device 5 for connecting the e-mail device 2 to a telephone line 7. And a communication network 9 accommodating a telephone terminal 11 connected to the telephone line 12 via telephone lines 16 and 17.
A special exchange 15 and a service control station 20 which constitute an electronic mail voice conversion apparatus according to the present invention are provided, and a pager apparatus station (PB in the figure) for connecting a pager (pager, PT in the figure) terminal 22 is connected. 23) are provided. Further, the special exchange 15 and the service control station 20 are connected via signal lines 18 and 21 and a signal network. In this example, although not shown, a plurality of e-mail devices, telephone terminals, pager terminals, special exchanges, and the like are provided.

The special exchange 15 has a telephone connection function 15a for controlling the line connection between the telephone terminals 11, a speech generation function 15b for synthesizing arbitrary words, and an interface conversion function 15c for controlling the line connection between the electronic mail devices 2. Mail management function 1 for storing e-mail from e-mail device 2
5d, a control function 15e for controlling the overall operation of the special exchange 15 and a communication control function 15f for controlling the line connection between the service control stations 20 are provided. Also,
The service control station 20 registers a service procedure and service information corresponding to each user of the e-mail service, and gives an instruction to the special exchange 15 based on the service procedure and the service information. In this embodiment, the pager terminal 22 is registered in the service control station 20 as an e-mail transfer destination when the telephone terminal 11 cannot be used because the telephone terminal 11 is busy.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the electronic mail voice conversion apparatus according to the present invention is divided into the special exchange 15 and the service control office 20, and the signal lines 18, 21 and the signal network 19 are provided.
It is configured to be connected via a. The special exchange 15 has a telephone connection function 15a, a voice generation function 15b,
Interface conversion function 15c, mail management function 15d
Common functions that do not depend on service users are provided in a concentrated manner, and the service control station 20 is provided with execution procedure information for each service user in a concentrated manner. Thereby, the provider of the e-mail voice conversion service can reduce the equipment cost and the setting work of the e-mail voice conversion service execution procedure information.

The operation of the electronic mail voice conversion service system having such a configuration will be described below. When the user of the e-mail service transmits a connection signal from the telephone terminal 11 to the special exchange 15, the special exchange 15
Makes an inquiry to the service control station 20 about the next processing. In response to the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the service procedure and the service information corresponding to the service user, determines the next process, and returns an instruction to the special exchange 15. The special exchange 15 transmits a connection response signal to the telephone terminal 11 of the service user and transmits a connection signal to the e-mail device 2 to which the service user belongs in accordance with an instruction from the service control station 20. Then, after receiving the connection response signal from the e-mail device 2, it inquires the service control station 20 about the next process.

The service control station 20 communicates with the special exchange 1
In response to the inquiry from 5, the next process is determined with reference to the service procedure and service information corresponding to the service user, and an instruction is returned to the special exchange 15. The special exchange 15 instructs the electronic mail device 2 to transfer an electronic mail addressed to the service user according to the instruction from the service control office 20, and the electronic mail device 2 sends the electronic mail addressed to the managed service user. The e-mail is transmitted to the mail management function 15d of the special exchange 15.

The special exchange 15 saves the received e-mail in text data format in the mail management function 15d, and then inquires the service control office 20 about the next processing. The service control station 20 instructs the special exchange 15 to convert the content of the e-mail into voice. In accordance with an instruction from the service control station 20, the special exchange 15 transfers the e-mail in the text data format stored in the mail management function 15d to the voice generation function 15b, and converts the content into voice. Transmit to the telephone terminal 11. In this way, the service user can use the telephone terminal 11
Using Nimi, you can receive a voice-based e-mail service.

Next, an electronic mail arrival notification operation according to the present invention will be described. When a new electronic mail addressed to the service user arrives, the electronic mail device 2 transmits a connection signal to the special exchange 15. The special exchange 15
The service control station 20 inquires about the next processing, and in response to the inquiry from the special exchange 15, determines the next processing by referring to the service procedure and the service information corresponding to the service user. And special exchange 1
Reply to 5 The special exchange 15 transmits a connection response signal to the electronic mail device 2 in accordance with an instruction from the service control office 20 to make a connection.
Sends an e-mail addressed to the service user under management to the mail management function 15d of the special exchange 15.

After storing the received e-mail in text data format in the mail management function 15d, the special exchange 15 inquires the service control station 20 about the next processing. In response to the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the service information corresponding to the service user and returns a connection instruction to the telephone terminal 11 registered in advance by the service user. The special exchange 15 transmits a connection signal to the designated telephone terminal 11 by the call connection function according to the instruction from the service control station 20, and
After receiving the connection response signal from the
Inquire about next processing. If the designated telephone terminal 11 that has transmitted the connection signal is busy or does not receive the connection response signal for a certain period of time, the special exchange 1
5 notifies the service control station 20 of the fact and inquires about the next processing.

First, when the special exchange 15 receives the connection response signal from the telephone terminal 11, the service exchange 2
0 indicates a responder confirmation process in response to an inquiry from the special exchange 15. The special exchange 15 instructs the respondent to transmit confirmation data by voice information according to the instruction from the service control station 20, transmits the received confirmation data to the service control station 20, and performs the next processing. Inquire. The service control station 20 is the special exchange 1
5 is compared with the registration data in the service information corresponding to the service user.
Judging that the responder is the designated one, the special exchange 1
5 is instructed to convert the contents of the e-mail into voice. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the service control station 20, the special exchange 15 sends the stored e-mail in the text data format from the mail management function 15d to the voice generation function 15b.
After the content is converted into a voice, it is transmitted to the telephone terminal 11 of the service user. In this way, the service user can receive an e-mail by voice via the telephone terminal 11 every time a new e-mail arrives at the e-mail device.

The special exchange 15 sends the telephone terminal 11
Is notified, the service control station 20 refers to the service information corresponding to the service user and issues a connection instruction to the pager terminal 22 registered in advance by the service user. Reply. Special exchange 15
Transmits a connection signal to the pager terminal 22 via the pager device station 23 in accordance with an instruction from the service control station 20, receives a connection response signal from the pager terminal 22, and then stores the stored text data format electronic Send the contents of the email. Then, the pager terminal 22 displays the received e-mail content. In this way, the service user can reliably receive the e-mail newly arrived at the e-mail device.

If the result of comparison between the confirmation data from the responder and the registration data in the service information corresponding to the service user does not match, the service control station 20 determines that the responder is the designated person. Judge that it is not. Then, referring to the service information corresponding to the service user, and if the service user has registered the pager terminal number of the call destination in advance, the connection instruction to the pager terminal 22 is returned to the special exchange 15, If not registered, an instruction to disconnect from the telephone terminal 11 is issued. When receiving a connection instruction to the pager terminal 22 from the service control station 20, the special exchange 15 transmits a connection signal to the pager terminal 22, and after receiving the connection response signal, stores the saved e-mail in the text data format. Is sent to the pager terminal 22
To be displayed. When receiving an instruction to disconnect the connection with the telephone terminal 11, the special exchange 15 notifies the telephone terminal 11 to that effect by voice information and then disconnects.

The procedure for implementing such an electronic mail voice conversion service will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of the procedure of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG. This example shows a procedure for providing an e-mail service by voice to a user of an e-mail service using only a normal telephone terminal 11. It is transmitted to the exchange 15 via the communication network 9. Upon receiving the connection command from the telephone terminal 11, the special exchange 15 transmits a service inquiry to the service control station 20 via the signal network 19. Upon receiving the service inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the service procedure and the service information and sends a connection response to the telephone terminal 11 and a connection instruction to the electronic mail device 2 to the special exchange 15. Via the signal network 19.

The special exchange 15 transmits a connection response to the telephone terminal 11, and transmits a connection command to the electronic mail device 2 via the communication network 19 to the interface conversion device 5. If the connection is possible, the electronic mail device 2 transmits a connection response to the special exchange 15 via the interface conversion device 5 to the communication network 9. Upon receiving the connection response from the electronic mail device 2, the special exchange 15 sends a next processing inquiry to the service control station 20 via the signal network 19 to inquire about the next processing. Service control station 20
Receives the next processing inquiry from the special exchange 15, refers to the service procedure and service information, and sends an e-mail transfer command to the special exchange 15 as the next processing to the signal network 1.
9 to be transmitted.

The special exchange 15 transmits the received e-mail transfer command to the e-mail device 2 via the communication network 9 to the interface conversion device 5. Email device 2
Transmits the e-mail requested by the e-mail transfer command to the special exchange 15 via the interface conversion device 5 to the communication network 9. The special exchange 15 is an electronic mail device 2
When the e-mail is received from the service control station 20, the next processing inquiry is transmitted to the service control station 20 via the signal network 19 in order to inquire about the next processing. The service control station 20
Upon receiving the next processing inquiry from the special exchange 15,
Referring to the service procedure and service information, the next step is to send an e-mail voice conversion command to the special exchange 15 via the signal network 19.
Send via.

The special exchange 15 has a mail management function 15d.
To the voice generation function 15b, and converts the text data of the e-mail into a voice. The special exchange 15 sends the voice to the telephone terminal 11 via the communication network 9 via the telephone connection function 15a, so that the service user can hear it. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user of the e-mail service can receive the e-mail service by voice at low cost using only the ordinary telephone terminal 11.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example according to the present invention between the special exchange and the service control office in FIG. Upon receiving the connection instruction from the telephone terminal of the user of the e-mail service (step 301), the special exchange 15 performs the next processing on the service control station 2.
0 is inquired (step 302). Upon receiving the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the service user who issued the connection command, determines the next process (step 303), and sends the instruction to the special exchange. 15 (step 304).
Here, a connection instruction for the electronic mail device is transmitted.

The special exchange 15 connects to the e-mail device based on the received e-mail device connection command (step 305), and then inquires of the service control station 20 about the next processing (step 306). The service control station 20
When the next inquiry from the special exchange 15 is received, the next processing is determined by referring to the data corresponding to the service user who issued the connection command in the same manner as the previous time (step 3).
07), and transmits the instruction to the special exchange 15 (step 308). Here, an e-mail transfer command to the e-mail device is transmitted.

The special exchange 15 transfers the e-mail from the e-mail device based on the received e-mail transfer command (step 309), and inquires of the service control station 20 about the next processing (step 310). Upon receiving the next inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the service user who issued the connection instruction and determines the next processing in the same manner as the previous time (step S1). 311), the instruction is sent to the special exchange 15
(Step 312). Here, an e-mail voice conversion command is transmitted. The special exchange 15 converts the e-mail transferred from the e-mail device into voice based on the received e-mail voice conversion command (step 309). The special exchange 15 sends the converted voice information to the telephone terminal for the service user to hear.

As described above, upon receiving the connection command from the service user's telephone terminal, the special exchange 15 inquires the service control station 20 about the next processing. Then, the special exchange 15 proceeds with the process according to the instruction from the service control station 20, and makes an inquiry to the service control station 20 every time the process is completed. This processing flow
This is repeated until the service control station 20 instructs the end of the service processing. Further, each time the service control station 20 receives the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the service user who issued the connection command, determines the next process, and sends the instruction to the special exchange. 15 to be sent. This processing flow is repeated until the next processing of the service user data is completed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the electronic mail voice conversion service system shown in FIG. 1 for notifying the arrival of an electronic mail will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of the procedure of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG. This example shows a procedure of an e-mail voice conversion service including an e-mail arrival notification. The e-mail device 2 issues a connection command when a new e-mail arrives at a user of the e-mail service. To the special exchange 15 via the interface conversion device 5 to the communication network 9.

Upon receiving the connection command, the special exchange 15 sends a signal (service inquiry) to the service control station 20 to inquire about the next process via the signal network 19. Upon receiving the service inquiry signal, the service control station 20 refers to the registered service procedure and service information and sends a connection response signal to the electronic mail device 2 to the special exchange 15 via the signal network 19. Send. The special exchange 15 transmits a connection response signal to the electronic mail device 2 via the communication network 9 to the interface conversion device 5 according to the instruction of the service control station 20. After the connection with the special exchange 15 is completed, the electronic mail device 2
The e-mail is forwarded to the special exchange 15.

After receiving the e-mail, the special exchange 15 saves the e-mail in the mail management function 15d, and inquires of the service control station 20 via the signal network 19 about the next processing. As a next process, the service control station 20 instructs the special exchange 15 via the signal network 19 to transmit a connection command to the telephone terminal 11 specified by the user of the e-mail service. In accordance with the instruction, the special exchange 15 transmits a connection command to the designated telephone terminal 11 via the communication network 9 via the telephone connection function 15a. In response to the connection command, the telephone terminal 11 transmits a connection response to the communication network 9.
It is transmitted to the special exchange 15 via.

After receiving the connection response, the special exchange 15 makes an inquiry to the service control station 20 via the signaling network 19 for the next processing. The service control station 20 instructs the responding party confirmation processing to the special exchange 15 via the signal network 19 as the next processing. The special exchange 15 follows the instruction,
Sends a confirmation data request command to the designated telephone terminal 11 to the communication network 9.
Send via The responder of the telephone terminal 11 transmits confirmation data to the special exchange 15 via the communication network 9 therefrom.
The special exchange 15 transmits the confirmation data and the inquiry about the next process to the service control station 20 via the signal network 19.

From the confirmation data, the service control station 20
After confirming that the responder is the designated person, the control unit 15 instructs the special exchange 15 to transmit an e-mail voice conversion command via the signal network 19. The special exchange 15 has a mail management function 15
The text data of the e-mail is transferred from d to the voice conversion function 15b, and the e-mail is converted into voice. Then, the special exchange 15 sends the voice to the telephone terminal 11 via the telephone connection function 15a to the communication network 9 to make it available to the e-mail service user.

In the above-described present invention, in the case where the telephone terminal 11 is busy or does not answer, or the responder is not a designated person, in the above-described waiting for a response in the connection processing of the special exchange 15 with the telephone terminal 11. Such an operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a third example of the procedure of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG.
In this example, in the e-mail arrival notification service procedure of FIG. 4, when the special exchange 15 waits for a connection response from the telephone terminal 11, the special exchange 15 receives the busy notification of the telephone terminal 11 from the communication network 9. Or an operation example when no response is detected for a certain period of time. In this case, the special exchange 15
Sends a notification to the service control station 20 via the signaling network 19 that the telephone terminal 11 is busy or no response and inquires about the next process.

Upon receiving the notification and the inquiry, the service control station 20 instructs the special exchange 15 via the signal network 19 to call the pager terminal 22 specified by the electronic mail service user as the next processing. Special exchange 1
5 transmits to the pager device station 23 a call command of the pager terminal 22 on which the content of the e-mail is placed according to the instruction of the service control station 20. The pager device station 23, in accordance with the instruction, sets the pager terminal 22 designated by the service user.
And causes the pager terminal 22 to display the contents of the e-mail. Since the pager terminal 22 can be used in this way, the service user can reliably receive the e-mail arrival notification service.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a fourth example of the procedure of the electronic mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the electronic mail voice conversion service system in FIG. In this example, in the e-mail arrival notification service procedure of FIG.
This figure shows an operation procedure when a data mismatch is detected in the responder confirmation processing by the service control station 20. In this case, the service control station 20 performs the following processing of the special exchange station 15 so that the e-mail user If the pager terminal number of the call destination has been registered in advance, the registered pager terminal 2
2 is instructed to the special exchange 15 via the signaling network 19. Then, in accordance with the instruction of the service control station 20, the special exchange 15 transmits to the pager apparatus station 23 a call command of the pager terminal 22 on which the content of the e-mail is placed. The pager device station 23 calls the pager terminal 22 specified by the user in accordance with the instruction, and causes the pager terminal 22 to display the contents of the e-mail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second processing operation example according to the present invention between the special exchange and the service control station in FIG. This example shows a processing operation based on a connection command sent from an e-mail device that has received a new e-mail. When the special exchange 15 receives a connection command from an e-mail device (step 701),
The next processing is inquired of the service control station 20 (step 702). Upon receiving the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the e-mail device service user of the e-mail destination, determines the next process (step 703), and gives the instruction. The message is transmitted to the special exchange 15 (step 704). Here, a connection instruction for the electronic mail device is transmitted.

The special exchange 15 sends a connection response to the e-mail device based on the received e-mail device connection command (step 705), and receives an e-mail from the e-mail device (step 706). Thereafter, the next process is inquired of the service control station 20 (step 7).
07). Upon receiving the next inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the e-mail service user of the e-mail destination, determines the next processing (step 708), and instructs the next processing. To the special exchange 1
5 (step 709). Here, a connection command to the telephone terminal is transmitted.

The special exchange 15 connects the telephone terminal based on the received telephone terminal connection command (step 71).
0), and inquire of the service control station 20 about the next processing (step 711). Upon receiving this inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the destination e-mail service user and determines the next process in the same manner as the previous time (step 712).
The instruction is transmitted to the special exchange 15 (step 71).
3). Here, the responder confirmation command is transmitted. The special exchange 15 collects respondent confirmation data from the telephone terminal based on the received respondent confirmation command (step 71).
4) Inquiring of the next process to the service control station 20 together with the transmission of the confirmation data (step 715).

Upon receiving the confirmation data and the inquiry from the special exchange 15, the service control station 20 refers to the data corresponding to the destination e-mail service user, and first checks whether the responder is the designated person. (Step 7
16) Then, the next process is determined (step 71).
7), and sends the instruction to the special exchange 15 (step 718). Here, an e-mail voice conversion command is transmitted. The special exchange 15 converts the e-mail received from the e-mail device into voice based on the received voice conversion command (step 719). The special exchange 15 sends the converted voice information to the telephone terminal so that the user of the electronic mail service can hear the converted voice information.

As described above, when the special exchange 15 receives the connection command from the e-mail device that has received the new e-mail, the special exchange 15 inquires the service control station 20 about the next processing. After that, the special exchange 15 proceeds with the process according to the instruction from the service control station 20 and makes an inquiry to the service control station 20 every time the process is completed. This processing flow is repeated until the service control station 20 instructs the service end processing. The service control station 20 is connected to the special exchange 15
Every time an inquiry is received, the next processing is determined by referring to the data corresponding to the e-mail service user of the e-mail destination, and the instruction is transmitted to the special exchange 15.
This flow is repeated until the next process of the user data ends the service.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, in the electronic mail voice conversion service system according to the present embodiment, the user of the electronic mail service can access the nearest terminal without possessing the data terminal and the voice generating function. The electronic mail service can be used at a low cost by reading out the electronic mail by voice using the telephone terminal. In addition, the e-mail service user is notified of the arrival of the e-mail by a telephone terminal or a pager every time the e-mail arrives. ,
You can receive e-mails in letters.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, FIG.
5 describes an embodiment in which the pager terminal 22 is called, but the call destination is not only the pager terminal 22 but also a car phone, a mobile phone, or a personal handy phone (P
It is also possible to specify another mobile terminal such as HS).
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
5 and the service control station 20 are connected via the communication network 19, but the function of the service control station 20 may be provided in the special exchange 15.

[0054]

According to the present invention, in the e-mail voice conversion service system, a data terminal for reading out the e-mail is not required, and a voice generation function for converting the e-mail into voice is provided by the data terminal or the like. There is no need to provide an e-mail device, and the service user can receive e-mail every time an e-mail arrives at the e-mail device. In addition, the user, the data terminal provider, or the e-mail service provider It is not necessary for the user to set the service execution procedure according to the user's usage pattern, reducing the use and provision costs of the e-mail service, preventing omission of the user's e-mail acquisition,
Further, it is possible to reduce the work load of the execution midway setting for each user of the e-mail voice conversion service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a configuration according to the present invention of an electronic mail voice conversion service system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of an electronic mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the electronic mail voice conversion service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example according to the present invention between the special exchange and the service control station in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure.

FIG. 5 is a third diagram of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure.

FIG. 6 is a fourth diagram of the e-mail voice conversion service according to the present invention of the e-mail voice conversion service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second processing operation example according to the present invention between the special exchange and the service control station in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system for providing a conventional e-mail voice conversion service.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional electronic mail voice conversion service in the system shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of another conventional e-mail voice conversion service system.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional e-mail voice conversion service in the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure example of a conventional electronic mail arrival notification service.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a: data terminal, 1b: voice generation function, 2: e-mail device, 2a: e-mail management function, 3, 4: signal line, 5, 6: interface conversion device, 7, 8, 1
2, 13, 16, 17: telephone line, 9: communication network, 10,
10a: data terminal, 11, 11a: telephone terminal, 14:
E-mail device, 14a: mail management function, 14b: voice generation function, 14c: telephone connection function, 15: special exchange, 15a: telephone connection function, 15b: voice generation function, 1
5c: interface conversion function, 15d: mail management function, 15e: control function, 15f: communication control function, 18,
21: signal line, 19: signal network, 20: service control station, 22: pager terminal, 23: pager device station.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/42-3/58

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A means for controlling line connection with a plurality of telephone terminals; a means for controlling line connection with a plurality of electronic mail devices; and e-mail information in text data format addressed to the connected telephone terminals. An e-mail voice conversion device having at least means for obtaining from the connected e-mail device, and means for converting the obtained e-mail information in text data format to voice, wherein the telephone terminal is connected to a public line An e-mail voice conversion service system in which an e-mail converted to voice is provided via the e-mail voice conversion apparatus provided above, wherein the e-mail voice conversion apparatus executes for each user of the e-mail voice conversion service. A service control station for centrally registering procedure information; and the plurality of service control stations based on the execution procedure information registered in the service control station. Concentrate on common control functions independent of users of the e-mail voice conversion service including at least line connection control with the telephone terminal, line connection control with the plurality of e-mail devices, and voice conversion of the e-mail information An e-mail voice conversion service system, further comprising a special switching center. 2. The electronic mail voice conversion server according to claim 1.
In the screw system, The above e-mail device is used when new e-mail information arrives
To send a connection request to the e-mail voice converter
Having a step, The e-mail voice converter receiving the connection request,
After connecting with the above e-mail device,
Receive the new e-mail information and
The phone terminal of the destination registered in advance for the e-mail information
The call is connected to the extracted destination telephone terminal, and the connection is established.
The new e-mail information received
E-mail sound characterized by transmitting voice after converting
Voice conversion service system. 3. The electronic mail voice conversion server according to claim 2,
Service system smell hand, The e-mail voice conversion device is a telephone for the call connection destination.
The terminal is busy or out of service or the responder is not the user
Is determined to be a non-reachable state including at least
It is set in advance according to the telephone terminal to which the call is connected.
Means for calling a mobile terminal, The mobile terminal receives the new e-mail received from the e-mail device.
Means for sending e-mail information in the form of text data;
E-mail voice conversion server, further comprising:
Service system. 4. The power supply according to claim 1, wherein
In the child mail voice conversion service system, The service control station is connected to the plurality of special services via a signaling network.
E-mail voice conversion characterized by connecting to an exchange
Service system.