JP3443834B2 - Voice storage device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice storage device which is connected to an analog or digital telephone line and records / plays back a voice message via the telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a voice storage device using an analog telephone line, for example, an answering machine is available. However, the demand as information storage means has rapidly increased with the increase in the amount of information. Furthermore, by developing a voice storage device that accumulates messages via telephones in the office and manages them in an integrated manner to improve communication efficiency and reduce the troublesome work associated with telephones, the market is gradually increasing. Is expanding. In such a voice storage device, the voice guidance layered according to the code input from the touch-tone phone is reproduced, and the user who accesses the voice storage device hears the voice guidance and receives a desired service or Information can be selected. In particular, a voice storage device that allows the user to blow voice guidance with his or her own voice and program a service corresponding to the entered code is
Since various voice message services can be provided to customers according to the purpose of the company or office from which the device was purchased, various applications are expected.

A conventional voice storage device connected to an analog line will be described below. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a conventional voice storage device. 1 is a line interface unit connected to an analog line for controlling the line and separating input / output, and 2 is an analog electric signal output from the line interface unit 1. An encoding unit 3 for converting the data into digital data and outputting a digital signal in which information is compressed if necessary, 3 is a decoding unit for returning the digital signal to an analog signal and outputting it to the line interface unit 1, 4 is a voice signal. A voice buffer 5 for temporarily storing the digital signal output from the encoding unit 2 during recording and a digital signal input to the decoding unit 3 for reproducing the message is provided via a telephone line 5. A DT which detects a DTMF signal sent thereto and outputs a signal corresponding to each DTMF signal
An MF detection unit, 6 is a line control unit that controls the line interface unit 1 to manage voice input / output and line control, and 7 is a line interface unit 1 in response to a command from the line control unit 7.
A DTMF output section for outputting a DTMF signal, a voice message storage section 8 for storing the voice data stored in the voice buffer 4, a 9 for reading a digital signal from the voice message storage section 8, and a voice message storage section 8 A voice data control unit 10 for storing digital signals records voice data while exchanging information with the above-mentioned means of each line.
A central control unit that performs reproduction, 11 is a message management unit that manages a storage position of a voice message and information accompanying the message, and 12 is a storage position of a plurality of voice guidances, a message that is reproduced when a push button is pressed, and a service to be provided. Voice guidance management table with registered information, 1
Reference numeral 3 is a mailbox management table in which information about mailboxes owned by each subscriber is registered.

With respect to the voice storage device configured as described above, the operation during programming will be briefly described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, when the system administrator calls a voice mail device in which a message as shown in FIG. 4 is registered to program,
When a telephone call is first made (step 1), the line interface unit 1 connects the telephone line, and the central control unit 10 is notified via the line control unit 6 that the line has been connected. Reference numeral 10 requests the voice guidance management unit 12 to output the first voice guidance code. Upon receiving this, the voice guidance management unit 12 notifies the message storage unit 8 of the storage location of the voice data of the corresponding guidance,
The audio data is output and stored in the audio buffer 4 via the audio data control unit 9. The above voice data is converted into an analog electric signal by the decoding unit 3 and then output to the telephone line via the line interface unit 1 to announce the first voice guidance to the administrator (step 2, for example, "here. Message center. Please select a service ... "). Here, when the number and password (for example, [*] [9] [9] [9] [password]) indicating the system administrator are input by the push button of the telephone (step 3), it is shown in FIG. The DTMF detection unit 5
The MF signal is detected and a corresponding code string is output to the central control unit 10 via the line control unit 6, and the central control unit 10 displays a system message (step 41, for example, "Program Press the number keys to hear the next level of guidance. If you need to make changes, enter [#]. ")
Is output to the administrator. Next, the voice guidance of the top menu is played (Step 5, "This is the message center. Please select a service ...
・)), When the administrator presses the number button (step 6, eg [3]), the currently registered voice guidance # 3 is played back (step 5, “We will send product information. If you press the number button (step 6, for example, [1]), the voice guidance # 31 will be played back (step 5, “For today ’s food guide” We will deliver fresh food today ...
・. )). Here, when the administrator presses [#] to cancel the current guidance and replace it with new guidance (step 7), a system message for selecting a process is output as shown in FIG. 17 (step 9). ,
"Press 1 to record a new guidance, 2 to delete a guidance, 3 to register a message recording service, and 4 to register an extension transfer service.
When you finish updating, press [*]. )), When the administrator inputs the button [1] (step 10), a system message prompting recording is played (step 1).
1, "I will update the guidance 31. Please give me a new voice guidance.") When the administrator speaks the new guidance (Step 12, "Today is dairy products ... If you want to be, please press 1.
Connect to the grocery section. )), The voice is converted into digital data by the encoding unit 2 and then stored in the voice buffer 4, and when the buffer is full, the central control unit 10 transmits the voice data to the voice message via the voice data control unit. Information stored in the storage unit 9 and associated with this guidance (voice guidance number, message storage position)
Is recorded in the voice guidance management table 12. When the recording is completed, a system message for processing selection is output again (step 9). Here, the customer presses the button [1]
In order to register the guidance to be announced when is pressed, the administrator once enters [*] to interrupt the update mode (step 13), and the guidance # 31 is announced (step 5, "Today, Dairy products ...
If you want to know more information, please press 1. Connect to the grocery section. )). Continuing with Figure 1
If you press [1] as shown in 8, unregistered message # 3
A system message requesting recording of 11 is announced (step 14, "guidance # 311 is not registered. Please record voice guidance."), And the recording of guidance is started. Thereafter, the voice data spoken by the administrator is stored in the voice message storage unit 10 (step 15) and the guidance information is recorded in the voice guidance management table 12 in the same procedure as the recording of the guidance # 31. When the registration of the guidance is completed, as shown in FIG.
A system message for processing selection is output (step 9), and when [4] is input here (step 16), a system message prompting the input of the extension number of the transfer destination is announced (step 17, "extension of the transfer destination"). Enter the number and press [#]. "), And the administrator enters the extension number (step 18, eg [1] [2] [2].
[#]), The central control unit 10 records the service number and extension number indicating the transfer service in the voice guidance management table 12.

When registering a message recording service,
For example, if the administrator wants to assign a recording service to node # 39, the administrator presses the button [*] (step 13),
Return to review message # 311 (step 5),
After pressing [*] twice to return to node # 3 and then pressing buttons [9] and [#], updating of # 39 starts (step 9). If button [3] is input here (step 1)
9) A system message prompting you to enter the mailbox number of the recording destination is announced (Step 20, "Enter the box number to record the message and press [#]."), And the administrator enters the box number. When entered (step 21, eg [5] [0] [0] [#]),
The central control unit 10 stores the service number and the box number representing the message recording service in the voice guidance management table 1
Record in 2. The form of the finally registered message and service is shown in FIG.

Next, the operation when a general user (customer) calls a voice storage device to receive a service is shown in FIG.
Description will be given along the flowchart of FIG. When the customer calls the voice mail device (step 22), the voice guidance "This is a message center. Please select a service ..." in the top menu is announced (step 23), and here When the customer presses the button [3] on the telephone (step 24), the voice guidance #
3 (Step 25, "We will deliver product information. 1 for food information, .... Please press 9 for ordering."), And then press [9] (Step 26) Voice Guidance # 39 will be played (step 27, "We accept your order. Please give us your name and ID, then the item name and the number of your order.") here,
When the user speaks the order message (step 28),
The voice is converted into digital data by the encoding unit 2 and then stored in the voice buffer 4, and when the buffer is full, the central control unit 10 transfers the voice data to the voice message storage unit 9 via the voice data control unit. The information associated with the message (for example, message number, recording date and time) is recorded in the mailbox management table 13, and the storage location of the message is recorded in the message management unit 11. After recording, message # 3 is played again (step 2
5) If you press [1] here (step 29), the voice guidance # 31 will display (step 30, "Today's dairy products .... If you want to know more information, press 1. Please connect to the grocery section. ") When playback is performed and [1] is pressed at the end (step 31), the central control unit 10 reads the extension number registered in the voice guidance management table 12 and the line The transfer request and a code indicating the extension number are sent to the control unit 6, and the line control unit 6 receiving the code causes the line interface 1 to output a flash signal, and further the DTMF output unit 7 outputs the extension number to the line via the line interface 1. The corresponding DTMF string is output and the transfer process is performed (step 32).

The message recorded by the customer according to the above procedure is heard by the owner (subscriber) of the recording destination mailbox in the following procedure according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, when the subscriber calls the voice storage device (step 33), the guidance of the top menu is announced (step 34, "This is a message center. Please select a service ...") , When the code indicating the subscriber, the mailbox number, and the password ([*] [5] [0] [0] [password]) are entered by the push button (step 35),
The DTMF detection unit 5 detects the DTMF signal and outputs the corresponding code string to the central control unit 10 via the line control unit 6, and the central control unit 10 sends a system message indicating that the subscriber service has been entered (for example, "You have received n messages. Your message.", Step 36) is played back, and the number of the voice message recorded in the mailbox of this subscriber is retrieved from the mailbox management table 13 and its storage location. Is output from the message management unit 11, and the message data stored in the message storage unit 8 is output from the line interface unit 1 via the voice data control unit 9, the voice buffer 4, and the decoding unit 3 (step 37).

As described above, the hierarchical voice guidance and services according to the use of the office or the store are programmed from the touch-tone phone by the system administrator, and the customer sends a message in accordance with the program created by the administrator. You can listen to it, record it, or call a specific extension.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned voice storage device, since the means programmed by the system administrator himself is limited to the telephone, the work of updating the voice guidance and changing the service is sequentially performed from the telephone. There was a problem that many steps and confirmation time had to be spent because the program was repeated by repeating confirmation while listening to the voice information.

The present invention solves the above problems and provides a voice storage device capable of specifying a service to be updated and voice guidance by a simple procedure on a terminal connected to the device and allowing a simple and quick program. It is an object.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention displays a terminal interface section connected to an external terminal and a current push button and voice guidance correspondence status on the terminal, a terminal control unit for receiving a command from the terminal, a service program control unit to advance the program in response to a command from the terminal provided, program
In terminal mode, the terminal control unit
Corresponding to the control signal and voice guidance according to the command of
Status is displayed on the terminal and service / program control
The department manages key operations to replace the new guidance by the administrator.
When you perform the work, a message prompting you to record will be played and the administrator will
Audio data input via the handset.
Stored in the voice message storage along with the button information
It is configured as follows.

[0012]

According to the present invention, with the above configuration, the service allocation status can be easily grasped on the terminal connected to the voice storage device, and the service or voice guidance to be updated can be selected by a simple procedure. It is intended to provide a programmable voice storage device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a voice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a line interface unit, 15 is an encoding unit, 16 is a decoding unit, 17 is a voice buffer, 18 is a DTMF detection unit, 19 is a line control unit, 20 is a DTMF output unit, 21 is a voice message storage unit, 22 is a voice data control unit, 23 is a central control unit, 24
Is a message management unit, 25 is a voice guidance management table, and 26 is a mailbox management table. The above operations are similar to those of the conventional example. What is different from the conventional example is a terminal interface 27 connected to an external terminal, and a terminal control unit 28 for transmitting characters to the external terminal connected to the terminal interface 27 and reading a code input from the terminal. A service / program control unit 29 that reads the registration form of the service registered in the voice guidance management table 25 and outputs the read form to the terminal screen in a predetermined format, or changes the service form in response to a command from the terminal.
That is the point.

The procedures for the service for the customer and the message listening service for the subscriber of the voice storage device configured as described above are exactly the same as the conventional example. Below, FIG.
The operation of programming the voice storage device registered as described above as shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 2, when the system administrator calls the voice storage device (step 38), the voice guidance (step 39, "This is a message center. Please select a service." In the top menu.・ ・
・ ・ ”) Is announced, and the number and password (for example, [*] [9] indicating that you are the system administrator here are announced.
[9] [9] [password]) is input by the push button of the telephone (step 40).

In FIG. 3, the DTMF detecting section 18 detects the DTMF signal and outputs a corresponding code string to the central control section 23 via the line control section 19 and the central control section 23.
Outputs a program start request to the service program control unit 29, and at the same time a system message indicating that the program mode has been entered (step 41, for example, "Start program. Select a node with the cursor keys. Please press the function key. ") Is output to the administrator. Upon receiving the start request, the service / program control unit 29 reads the service registration status from the voice guidance management unit 25, outputs a screen showing the guidance and the service registration status to the terminal control unit 28, and via the terminal interface 27. Display on the terminal (step 42, FIG. 6). Next, the highlighted voice guidance of the top menu is played back (Step 43, "This is the message center. Please select a service ..."), where the administrator selects the terminal. When the cursor key [↓] is pressed (step 44), the signal is received by the terminal control unit 28 via the terminal interface 27, and the code corresponding to the cursor key is sent to the service program control unit 29. The service / program control unit 29 receiving this code is the terminal control unit 2
The line currently highlighted in 8 is returned to the normal display, the control code for highlighting the line of node # 1 is output to the terminal control unit 28, and the line of node # 1 on the screen of the terminal is highlighted. (Step 42). At this time, the currently registered voice guidance # 1 is reproduced at the same time under the control of the central control unit 23 (step 43, “1 for sales department, 2 for public relations person ...”). Further, when the administrator presses the cursor key [↓] five times (step 40), the line of node # 31 is highlighted (FIG. 7), and at the same time the currently registered voice guidance # 31 is reproduced (step 43). , "I will send you information about today's groceries. Today, fresh food ..."). Here, to cancel the current guidance and replace it with new guidance,
When the administrator presses the [F1] key of the terminal (step 45), the system message for prompting recording is reproduced in FIG. 8 (step 50, "Guidance # 31,
I will update. Get new voice guidance. ]), The administrator speaks new guidance into the handset (step 5).
1, "Today's dairy products .... If you want to know more information, please press 1. I will connect you to the grocery section.") The information (voice guidance number, message storage position) that is stored in the voice message storage unit 21 and is associated with the message is recorded in the voice guidance management table 25. When the recording is completed, the updated voice guidance of the node # 31 that is highlighted again is played back (Step 43, "Today is a dairy product .... If you want to know more information, Please press 1. We will connect you to the grocery section. "). Here, when the administrator presses the [F5] key of the terminal (step 48), a system message requesting the input of the last digit of the node to be added upon registration of the additional node is announced as shown in FIG. 9 ( Step 52, "Please enter a new acceptance key"), message # 3 announced when the customer receiving the service presses button [1] on the telephone.
When the administrator inputs [1] from the terminal to add 11 (step 53), the service / program controller 29 registers the new node # 311 in the voice guidance management table 25, and then the central controller 23. After making the request and playing the system guidance requesting the recording of voice guidance # 311 (step 54, "Register guidance # 311. Please give new voice guidance."), Then enter recording. When the administrator speaks new guidance to the handset (step 55), the voice data is stored in the voice message storage unit 21 in the same procedure as the conventional example, and the information (voice guidance number, message storage position) associated with the message is stored. It is recorded in the voice guidance management table 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the administrator inputs the [F4] key on the terminal (step 4
7) A system message prompting you to enter the transfer destination extension number is announced (step 56, "Enter the transfer destination extension number and press the return key."), And the administrator inputs the extension number from the terminal. Then (step T2, for example, [1] [2] [2] [Return]),
The service program control unit 29 receives this signal via the terminal interface 27 and the terminal control unit 28, and records the service number and extension number indicating the transfer service in the voice guidance management table 25 (FIG. 1).
2).

When registering a message recording service,
For example, to assign a recording service to the node # 39, select the node # 39 with the cursor keys (step 44) and press the [F3] key (step 46) to record as shown in FIG. A system message is announced prompting you to enter the previous mailbox number (step 58, "Enter the box number to record the message and press Return."), And the administrator enters the box number from the terminal. (Step 59, for example [5] [0] [0] [Retur
n]), the service / program control unit 29 records the service number and the box number representing the message recording service in the voice guidance management table 25 (FIG. 13).

[0019]

As described above, the present invention is connected to an external terminal to display the current service and voice guidance registration status on the terminal and to receive a command from the terminal, and the terminal control unit. By providing a service / program control unit that advances the program according to the command of, the service allocation status can be easily grasped on the terminal connected to the voice storage device, and the service to be updated and voice guidance can be performed with a simple procedure. It is possible to provide a voice storage device that can be selected and that allows easy and quick programming.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the voice storage device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the voice storage device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a registration message in a conventional example and an example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a registration message in a conventional example and an example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a registration initial screen of a voice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a registration screen of the voice storage device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing updating of registration guidance of the voice storage device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing additional node registration of the voice storage device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing transfer service registration of the voice storage device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing registration of a message recording service of the voice storage device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen when registering a transfer service of the voice storage device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when registering a recording service of the voice storage device.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a conventional voice storage device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a program procedure of the voice storage device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing service programming of the voice storage device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing service guidance update of the voice storage device.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing guidance update registration of the voice storage device.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a service operation of the voice storage device.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a message listening procedure of the voice storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 line interface section 15 Encoding section 16 Decoding unit 17 audio buffer 18 DTMF detector 19 Line control unit 20 DTMF output section 21 message storage 22 Voice data control unit 23 Central control unit 24 Message Management Department 25 Voice guidance management section 26 Mailbox Management Department 27 Terminal Interface 28 Terminal control unit 29 Service Program Control Department

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Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A line control unit connected to a communication line for closing and opening the communication line, a control signal detecting unit for detecting a control signal such as a DTMF signal sent via the communication line, and the line. A recording control unit that records a voice message received from the communication line through the control unit to a voice message storage unit, a message management unit that manages a storage position of the message recorded in the voice message storage unit, and the voice message storage unit A playback control unit for playing back a message recorded in a unit and transferring it to the line control unit, and the recording control unit for performing overall control such as recording / playback of a voice message by a control signal from the control signal detection unit.・ Central control unit that controls the playback control unit and line control unit, and a voice guide that hierarchically manages the messages corresponding to each button of the touch-tone phone. A service management unit, a terminal interface for connecting to an external terminal, a terminal control unit for receiving commands from the terminal, and a service / program control unit for recording the correspondence between messages and push buttons. The voice guidance management unit has a management table that describes the storage location of the voice guidance that is announced to the caller via the communication line, and controls it while connected to the caller via the communication line. Announces voice guidance in response to signal input, and in the program mode, the terminal control unit
The current control according to the command from the terminal
Signal and voice guidance correspondence status on the terminal
The service program control section is displayed by the administrator.
Record when key operation is performed to replace with new guidance
Play a message prompting the
Push button information corresponding to the voice data input
A voice storage device which stores the voice message in the voice message storage unit . 2. A mailbox management unit for managing information about subscribers to a mailbox and a message addressed to the subscriber, and a management table held by the voice guidance management unit, together with the storage location of the voice guidance, the entered button. The voice content according to claim 1, wherein the service content defined for each is described, the voice guidance of the next layer is announced in response to the input from the touch-tone telephone, and the user's message is recorded in a predesignated mailbox. Storage device. 3. A DT for outputting a DTMF signal to a line control section
The MF output unit outputs the DTMF signal to the line to transfer the telephone, and the central control unit that controls the DTMF output unit / line control unit and the voice guidance management unit have a voice guidance in a management table. The service content defined for each input button is described together with the storage position of the button, the voice guidance of the next layer is announced according to the input from the touch-tone phone, and the user is connected to the extension specified in advance. The voice storage device according to claim 1. 4. The voice storage device according to claim 2, wherein the voice guidance of the next layer is announced in response to the input from the touch-tone telephone, and the message of the caller is recorded in the mailbox designated by the caller. 5. The voice storage device according to claim 1, wherein the voice guidance of the next layer is announced in response to the input from the touch-tone telephone, and the user is connected to the extension designated by the caller.