JP2008048126A - Cellular phone having function of generating announcement for answering machine and system of generating announcement for answering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cellular phone system which can generate an announcement for an answering machine capable of correctly notifying an opposite party of information about the reason of not answering a phone call, and can register the announcement in an answering machine center when the power supply of the cellular phone is turned off because a user attends a conference or other reasons. <P>SOLUTION: An operation of rejecting incoming calls in the cellular phone in such a case that the power supply of the cellular phone is turned off, thereby causing the function of creating an announcement for answering machine to work. The creating means proposes a previously stored template to a user. The user utilizes the proposed template to create an announcement sentence for answering machine. The created announcement sentence is sound-synthesized to create an announcement and registered in an answering machine center. With this configuration, the user can create the appropriate announcement for answering machine with a simple operation and register it in the answering machine center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and in particular, when a mobile phone needs to be turned off in a place where reception of a mobile phone is prohibited, such as a hospital, the user can set an appropriate answering machine announcement. Is.

  A mobile phone can respond to a call from a caller without being limited by location or time because of its portability. However, it may not be desirable to have a conversation because of time or place. For example, you must refrain from using the phone in situations that cause trouble for others, such as concert venues and important meetings. Conventionally, there are a method of forcibly avoiding an incoming call by shutting off the power of the mobile phone at a place or time when an incoming call is not preferable, or a method of providing a silent incoming call display (silent call) function such as a vibrator on the mobile phone. However, with these configurations, the user of the incoming mobile phone may not be able to respond to incoming calls for a long time, the caller cannot grasp the situation, and repeats outgoing calls continuously, causing unnecessary outgoing calls It becomes.

As a method for solving the above problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-030105, a mobile phone is provided with a response hold mode for holding a response to an incoming call and a storage medium for storing a message voice. In such a state, a configuration is disclosed in which an incoming call is automatically received in response to an incoming call, and a response message stored in a message voice storage medium is output by voice response means to respond to the caller.
In addition, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-122675, multiple voice response messages such as “I am on the train right now, just answer yes or no”, “I will call you later”, etc. Recording means capable of recording, a key operation section for selecting a voice response message recorded in the recording means during a call, and a voice operation message selected by the key operation section. And a voice response message recording / playback apparatus having a transmission means that transmits a reproduced voice response message immediately after the operation of the key operation unit to enable a response during a call, Describes a configuration that makes it possible to respond silently to the caller by appropriately selecting and playing back the message recorded in the voice response message recording / playback device. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-030105 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-122675 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-111683

  The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-030105 functions only when the response hold mode is set. In addition, this configuration allows the user to arbitrarily store the response message in the storage medium, but to change the response message according to the situation such as during a meeting or riding on a train, change the voice message each time Therefore, it is difficult to respond flexibly. In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-122675, a voice response message recording / playback device is connected to a voice input terminal of a mobile phone, and an incoming call response is performed by voice reproduced from the playback device. Therefore, when there is an incoming call, the responder operates the off-hook key of the mobile phone to enter a call state, and then makes a call by selecting and playing a desired response message from the voice response message recording / playback device, Finally, the call state must be terminated by operating the on-hook key.

In addition, there is a configuration in which an answering machine (answering machine) center is provided to notify the caller and record a message when the incoming mobile phone cannot respond due to a power-off or the like. However, even with this configuration, the notification that the call cannot be made is based on an announcement prepared in advance in the system and cannot be changed according to the user's situation. Therefore, the caller cannot know the time when the call can be made, and repeats useless calls.
The present invention enables a user to arbitrarily set an announcement of an answering machine transmitted to a caller when an incoming call from a mobile phone is not possible in a hospital or during a meeting. With this configuration, it is possible to convey an appropriate announcement according to the situation to the caller.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, when an operation for disabling mobile phone calls such as turning off the power is performed, the user creates an answering machine announcement and registers it in the answering machine center. It is possible. With the configuration of the present invention, the user can send an announcement appropriate to the situation to the caller. In addition, the present invention allows a mobile phone or center to have means for generating an announcement to be registered in the answering machine center, and enables a desired announcement to be generated and registered by a simple operation.

When you cannot make a call on a mobile phone, you can register the answering machine announcement in accordance with the situation in the answering center so that the caller can be notified of the reason why the call cannot be made. No longer repeats unnecessary calls.
In addition, it is possible to prepare a plurality of methods for generating announcements and to select and generate a method suitable for the announcement to be generated.

  FIG. 1 is a processing flow for turning off the power of the mobile phone, and FIG. 2 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the processing flow. A cellular phone is usually provided with one power key. The power is turned off by pressing the power key while the power is on, and the power is turned on when the power key is pressed while the power is off. In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the power key is pressed to turn off the power, if the pressing is completed within a short time, for example, 3 seconds or less, a normal power-off process is executed, and the power is immediately turned off. On the other hand, when the power key is kept pressed for a long time, for example, 3 seconds or more, a process for generating an answering machine announcement and registering it in the answering machine center is started. The flow shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.

Step 100: If it is detected that the power key is continuously pressed and the power is on for a long time, for example, 3 seconds or more, the process proceeds to Step 101. When the power key is pressed for 3 seconds or less, a normal process for turning off the power (not shown) is executed. In this case, a default announcement registered in advance in the answering machine center is used for the announcement for the answering machine.
Step 101: When the power key is kept pressed for a long time, the mobile phone starts processing for generating and registering an announcement for an answering machine. When the generation registration process is started, 210 in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit, and it is reconfirmed to the user whether or not to perform generation registration of the announcement. If [No] 211 is selected in the display of 210 in FIG.
Step 102: The mobile phone is turned off (220 in FIG. 2). A new announcement is not registered in the answering machine center, and voice data set in advance in the answering machine center is used as a response announcement.
Step 103: When [Yes] 212 is selected in 210 of FIG. 2, the process proceeds to Step 103, and 230 of FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone. In display 230, a list of announcement generation methods available to the user is displayed. The user designates a method to be used from the displayed list using a cursor key or a numeric keypad. Reference numeral 230 in FIG. 2 is an example in which “voice recording”, which is a method of recording voice uttered by the user and using it as an announcement for an answering machine, is selected. In addition, “default selection”, “text input”, and “schedule linkage” are shown. Details of these methods will be described later. When the user selects “voice recording”, the mobile phone displays a recording screen 240 on the display unit, acquires voice from the microphone for transmission, and performs A / D conversion. The control unit compresses the A / D converted signal by a predetermined method to generate an audio data file.
Step 104: When the user finishes speaking or terminates voice recording, the display on the mobile phone is changed to 250 in FIG. 2, and the play key 252, the redo key (return key) 251, and the end key (OK key). 253 is displayed. When the user operates the end key 253, the recorded voice data is registered in the answering machine.
Step 105: When the audio data registration is completed, the power of the mobile phone is turned off (220 in FIG. 2).

  The power supply control unit functions even in the power-off state, and when it is detected that the power button is pressed in the power-off state, the power supply control unit starts a power-on process. When the power of the mobile phone is turned on and normal processing is possible, the announcement for the answering machine registered in the answering server becomes unnecessary. Therefore, when the power-on process ends, the control unit performs a process of invalidating the announcement registered by the user in the answering machine. FIG. 3 shows a processing flow when the mobile phone is turned on.

Step 300: Upon detecting that the power button has been pressed, the power control unit turns on the power of the mobile phone.
Step 301: When the power-on processing is completed and the function of the mobile phone is restored, the mobile phone is connected to the answering machine in order to investigate whether or not the announcement for answering machine is registered.
Step 302: Investigate the own area of the answering machine and determine whether there is an answering machine announcement registered by the user. When there is no user-registered answering machine announcement, the process proceeds to step 306, where the mobile phone is set to a standby state. When there is a user-registered answering machine announcement, the process proceeds to step 303.
Step 303: The control unit of the mobile phone displays guidance for inquiring that there is an answering machine announcement registered by the user and whether or not to delete the announcement, and waits for the user's key input.
Step 304: If the user gives an instruction not to delete the registered answering machine announcement, that is, an instruction to store the registered announcement on the answering machine server, the process proceeds to step 306, and the mobile phone is set in a standby state. . If the user gives an instruction to delete the registered answering machine announcement, the process proceeds to step 305.
Step 305: The mobile phone instructs the answering machine to delete the answering machine announcement registered by the user. The answering machine deletes the announcement and returns the announcement setting to the default state. The mobile phone proceeds to step 306 and enters a standby state.

  In step 103 of FIG. 1, 230 of FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone, and a method that can be used for creating an answering machine announcement is presented. The user selects a desired method from the presented methods. In the present embodiment, “voice recording” for recording and using a user's utterance, “default selection” for generating an announcement using a format provided by a mobile phone or a server, and synthesizing a sentence input by the user. Four methods are provided: “text input” for generating announcements, and “schedule linkage” for generating announcements using user schedule data stored in a mobile phone or server. Each method will be described below.

[Voice recording]
When the user selects “voice recording” at 230 in FIG. 2 (231), the control unit of the mobile phone displays on the display unit the start of recording illustrated in FIG. Start recording audio input from the speaking microphone. Fig. 4-2 is a schematic diagram of a mobile phone that performs the "voice recording" function.
Terminal input reception unit 401: The terminal input reception unit performs a key operation of the mobile phone.
Input processing unit 402: Analyzes a command by a key operation and performs processing in the mobile phone.
Setting method selection unit 404: Selects a setting method for the answering machine.
Power supply control unit 406: A part for controlling the power supply. When the answering machine setting is completed, a signal to that effect is received and the power supply unit is instructed to turn off the power.
Power supply unit 407: Receives a signal from the power supply control unit and turns the power on and off. Data display unit 408: Displays data on the screen in response to a command from the display update processing unit.
Display update processing unit 409: Obtains a result of analyzing and processing the user's terminal operation, and updates the screen display.
Voice recording unit 411: A / D-converts the voice input from the microphone for transmission 410 of the mobile phone, performs a process such as compression, and stores it in the voice buffer.
Transmission file generation unit 414: Generates a file in a format that can be sent to the server by combining the announcement file and the user ID.
User data storage unit 415: Stores user identifiers required for files sent to the server.
File transmission unit 416: Sends the generated announcement file to the answering machine for setting.

FIG. 4-3 is a voice recording processing flow, which will be described with reference to the configuration shown in FIG. 4-2.
Step 420: When the input processing unit 402 detects that the user has selected [voice recording] on the display 230 in FIG. 2, the setting method selection unit 404 displays 240 in FIG. 2 to indicate that the user is recording. In addition, the voice recording unit 411 is instructed to record voice.
Step 421: The voice recording unit 411 performs A / D conversion on the voice input from the microphone 410 for transmission, performs processing such as compression, and records it in the voice buffer.
Step 422: The control unit 403 checks whether or not the end key has been operated, and continues recording in step 421 until the end key is operated. When it is detected that the end key is operated, the recording is instructed to end.
Step 423: The control unit 403 displays 250 in FIG. 2 and waits for an instruction from the user.
Step 424: When the user instructs “reproduction” of the display 250 in step 423, the process proceeds to step 424, and the sound recorded in step 421 is reproduced. When the reproduction ends, the process returns to step 423 and waits for an instruction from the user.
Step 425: When the user instructs “return” on the display 250 in step 423, the process proceeds to step 425, the recorded voice is erased, the process returns to step 421, and recording is performed again.
Step 426: When the user instructs “OK” on the display 250 in Step 423, the process proceeds to Step 426. At the same step, the transmission file generation unit 414 is activated, reads information such as the telephone number and user ID recorded in the user data storage unit 415, and associates with the audio data recorded in the audio buffer of the audio recording unit 411. Or, generate a transmission file by compositing.
Step 427: The transmission file generated by the transmission file generation unit 414 is transmitted to the answering machine 417 via the file transmission unit 416. The answering machine 417 separates or extracts information such as a user ID and voice data from the received file and registers the voice data as an answering machine announcement.
Step 428: When it is confirmed that the transmission is completed, the control unit 403 performs processing for turning off the power, and controls the power supply unit 407 via the power supply control unit 406 to turn off the power.

  The user's own voice can be used as an announcement for voice mail when the user selects [Voice recording] on the menu screen 230 for voice mail displayed when the mobile phone is turned off. . The configuration shown in FIG. 4-2 is a configuration in which the mobile phone performs A / D conversion, compression, and transmission to the answering machine. However, the voice uttered by the user may be transmitted to the answering server, and the answering server may change the voice data into the answering message format and register the voice data.

[Default selection]
When the user selects “default selection” in the display 230 of FIG. 2, a default selection procedure for generating an announcement for the user using a default announcement sentence provided by the mobile phone is started. FIGS. 5-1 to 5-5 show a procedure for generating an announcement by “default selection”.
“Default selection” indicates that the mobile phone presents a predetermined announcement sentence to the user, and the user changes the changeable part, such as the date and time, the reason for turning off the power, among the elements constituting the announcement sentence. To generate the desired text. The generated sentence is converted into a voice announcement for voice mail and registered using a reading function by voice synthesis possessed by the cellular phone or the voice mail server.

Figure 5-1 shows a display example for creating an announcement sentence by “default selection”. A display 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes windows 501, 504, and 505 for displaying items selected by the user and a fixed sentence 502. When the pull-down mark 503 of the selection item windows 501 and 505 is designated, a plurality of options are displayed. Options such as “Driving” and “In-hospital” are displayed in the window 501, and options such as “Let me later ...”, “Dial tone ...”, “Loop from here…”, etc. are displayed in the window 505 ing. In the state where the options are displayed in a pull-down manner, the target option is indicated by the cursor and determined.
In addition, when there is no appropriate option, it is possible to use a character input unit to input characters. A window 504 is used to input time, and is input using a keypad numeric keypad. When the selection and input are completed, the user operates the confirmation key to instruct that the creation of the sentence is completed. In response to this instruction, the control unit of the mobile phone creates a voice announcement by synthesizing the confirmed text and registers it in the answering machine center.

  In the default selection, the mobile phone provides a default announcement text. The default announcement sentence is a mobile phone as a template that consists of a changed part displayed as windows 501, 504, and 505 in FIG. 5-1, and a fixed part displayed as a fixed sentence 502 in FIG. Is remembered. Fig. 5-2 shows an example of a template, and Fig. 5-3 shows an example in which characters are assigned to elements constituting the template.

  A template is composed of a plurality of sets. A set is a unit that constitutes an announcement sentence, and an announcement sentence is created by combining one or more sets. A template 510 shown in FIG. 5-2 includes four sets of sets A to D. For example, “From 13:30 to 15:00 will not be able to answer the call because of a meeting.” Is “From 13:30” to “15:00” “For a meeting” or “I cannot answer the call” 4 Suppose that it consists of two sets. By combining “From 13:30” and “I can't answer the call”, the message “I can't answer the call from 13:30” is composed, and “Until 15:00” and “For meeting” By combining and changing, the message “Meeting until 15:00” is composed.

A set consists of one or more elements. In the example of FIG. 5-2, the set A is composed of three elements A1 to A3. The set B is composed of one element B1. An element is a minimum unit constituting the content of an announcement, and the user selects and inputs a character for each element.
The above-mentioned set “From 13:30” is composed of three elements of “13:00”, “30 minutes”, and “From”, and “For meeting” is two elements of “Conference” and “For” It is composed of
The set and element separation and classification are appropriately determined in consideration of the announcement sentence and convenience when the user selects.

Elements are classified into five types: “fixed”, “free input”, “required input”, “selection”, and “required selection”.
Fixed: Elements whose contents are determined in advance and cannot be changed by the user. Other elements are variable elements that can be selected or entered by the user or person.
Free input: The user can freely input the contents.
Mandatory input: The user must enter the content.
Selection: The content can be selected from multiple options.
Mandatory selection: It is mandatory to select content from multiple options.

Of the five elements “13:00”, “30 minutes”, and “From”, the two elements “13:00” and “30 minutes” are selection elements for the user to select a number, and “From” indicates the user. It is a fixed element that cannot be changed by
One element can be composed of a plurality of sub-elements. Elements composed of a plurality of sub-elements (hereinafter referred to as “subsets”) are handled with the same concept as a set. For example, the aforementioned element “13 o'clock” is a subset composed of two sub-elements “13” and “hour”.

  FIG. 5-3 shows one set 520 constituting the template. The set 520 is for inputting a start time, and is composed of three elements of element 1 “□□ hour”, element 2 “□□ minutes”, and element 3 “because it is”. “From □□ hour □□ minutes”. Element 1 is a subset, and is composed of a sub-element 524 that is a selected part “□□” and a sub-element 525 that is a fixed part “hour”. Element 2 is also a subset, and is composed of a sub-element 526 that is a selected part “□□” and a sub-element 527 that is a fixed part “minute”.

The elements that make up the set or the sub elements that make up the subset, but the set or subset is not selected when no significant characters are entered in the first element or sub element that the user should select or enter Is not included in the message text.
FIG. 5-3 (b) is an example in which “10” is input to the sub-element 524 of the set 520 shown in FIG. Since “10” is input to the first sub-element 524 of the subset 1, the subset 1, that is, the element 1 is regarded as a valid element. Since the first sub-element 526 of subset 2 is not input, subset 2 or element 2 is not regarded as a valid element. Since the element 1 which is the first element to be input by the user among the elements constituting the set 520 is a valid element, the set 520 is regarded as a valid set and is incorporated in a message sentence. Among the three elements constituting the set 520, the effective elements are element 1 and element 3 which is a fixed element. Therefore, the sentence to be incorporated into the message sentence from this set is “from 10:00”.
The above example is an example of a subset in which an element is composed of a plurality of sub-elements, but a configuration in which the sub-element is a subset composed of a plurality of sub-elements is also possible.

  FIG. 5-4 is a diagram showing a correspondence between the input screen displayed on the mobile phone and the template. The control unit of the mobile phone generates an input screen for the user to select and input a sentence from the template, and displays it on the display unit. Fig. 5-4 (a) shows an example of an input screen using a template. In this figure, all the input screens are displayed in one display image. However, if the display part of the mobile phone is too small to display all the input screens as one display image, the images are displayed vertically. Or scroll horizontally to display the required part. FIG. 5-4 (a) is a diagram showing the concept of the template, and the template exemplified here is composed of eight sets A to H.

A display 531 on the display screen (a) is a display corresponding to the set A, and the set A includes an element 1 which is one selection element. In the element 1 of the set A, several sentences such as “Thank you for calling” are prepared in advance and displayed in the display 531 window by a method such as pull-down. When the user does not need this item, select the option “(blank)”. Elements for which white space is selected are not used in the announcement sentence.
The display 532 is a display corresponding to the set B, and the set B includes an element 1 that is a free input element and an element 2 that is a fixed element. The user enters the target character string from the key in element 1. In the figure, the characters “Matsumoto” are entered. It is possible that the user does not input anything into the free input element and is left blank.
A display 533 is a display corresponding to the set C, and the set C includes an element 1 which is a fixed element. This fixed element 1 is preliminarily set with the sentence “Imaima” and is used for the announcement sentence.
A display 534 is a display corresponding to the set D, and the set D includes an element 1 that is a selected element and an element 2 that is a fixed element in which “for” is set in advance. In the selection element 1, sentences such as “during driving”, “in hospital”, and “in train” are prepared as options in advance. Further, this selection element 1 can be unselected, and the choice includes “(blank)”.
A display 535 is a display corresponding to the set E. The set E includes five elements, element 1 to element 5, and element 1 and element 2 constitute a first subset, and element 3 and element 4 constitute a second subset. Element 5 is a fixed element in which “kara” is set. The example in Fig. 5-4 is an example in which the user determines that setting of the start time is not necessary, and “(blank)” is set in the selection element 1 of the first subset and the selection element 3 of the second subset. is there.
A display 536 is a display corresponding to the set F. The set F is composed of five elements 1 to 5, and like the set E, the elements 1 and 2 constitute the first subset, and the elements 3 and 4 constitute the second subset. Element 5 is a fixed element in which “to” is set. In the example shown in Fig. 5-4, the user sets the final time to 15:00, so enter "15" in selection element 1 of the first subset and "(blank)" in selection element 3 of the second subset. This is an example of setting.
A display 537 is a display corresponding to the set G, and includes one essential selection element 1. In this mandatory selection element 1, sentences such as “Power is turned off” and “Cannot receive a call” are prepared as options in advance. Element 1 is an indispensable selection element, and it is indispensable to set any sentence. Therefore, there is no “(blank)” option. In the figure, “I cannot receive a call” is selected.
A display 538 is a display corresponding to the set H, and includes one selection element. In the selection element 1, characters such as “Please try again later” and “Please leave a message after the dial tone” are prepared as options together with “(blank)”. In the figure, “Please try again later” is selected.

  When the user instructs “default selection” on the screen 230 in FIG. 2, the control unit of the mobile phone presents the input screen according to the template to the user as shown in FIG. 5-4 (a). When necessary input is completed, the user operates the key to instruct completion of input. The control unit instructed to complete the input combines the data input by the user and the template to create a data structure shown in FIG. 5-4 (b). Next, the control unit deletes unnecessary portions from the data structure, extracts necessary portions, and generates an announcement sentence. FIG. 5-5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating an announcement sentence using a template, and FIG. 5-6 is a diagram illustrating a sentence and a message sentence of each set generated by the flow. The flow of FIG. 5-5 will be described below.

Step 550: When the user instructs the end of the input, the control unit creates a data structure shown in FIG. 5-4 (b) from the input data and the template, and creates an announcement sentence buffer for storing the announcement sentence. Secure and initialize.
Step 551: A set is sequentially extracted from the data structure of FIG. 5-4 (b) one by one from the head and analyzed. At first, set A is taken out.
Step 552: The first variable element to be selected or input by the user is extracted from the elements constituting the analysis target set, and it is determined whether or not the element is “blank”. If the user leaves the first variable blank, the set is considered an unnecessary set and is not included in the announcement. When a significant character is selected or set for the first variable element, the process proceeds to step 553 to perform processing for incorporating the set into the announcement sentence. If the first selected element is blank, the set is discarded and the process proceeds to step 557 to process the next set.
Step 553: A set buffer for extracting and combining valid elements or subsets from the set is secured and initialized.
Step 554: The effective elements from the set, that is, the variable elements and the fixed elements for which data is set by the user are sequentially extracted from the head of the set, stored in the set buffer secured in step 553, and combined.
Step 555: Step 554 is repeated until all elements constituting the set are completed.
Step 556: Combine the sentence stored in the set buffer with the announcement sentence buffer.
Step 557: When it is determined in step 552 that the set is discarded, or when processing of one set is completed in step 556, the process proceeds to step 557, and it is determined whether or not the next set exists in the set. If so, return to step 551 to process the next set.
Step 558: When it is determined in step 557 that all sets have been processed, the flow ends. At this time, an announcement sentence created by the user is stored in the announcement sentence buffer.

Fig. 5-6 shows the set statement stored in the set buffer created from the data structure shown in Fig. 5-4 (b) and the message statement stored in the announcement statement buffer. .
If “(blank)” is selected for the first variable element of the set, or no data is entered, the entire set is not selected. “(Blank)” is selected for element 1 which is the first variable element of set A, and the entire set A is not used for the announcement sentence. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step 552 to step 557 in FIG. 5-5, and processing of the next set, set B, is started.
In the set B, since the character “Matsumoto” is set in the element 1 which is the first selection element, the set B is an effective set. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step 552 to step 553 in FIG. 5-5 to assemble a sentence. Element 2 is a fixed element and “is” is set. Therefore, the sentence “Matsumoto is” that combines element 1 and element 2 is extracted from set B and stored in the set buffer.
The set C is composed of one fixed element 1 and a sentence “now” is preset. Accordingly, the element 1 “Now” is extracted from the set C and stored in the set buffer.
In the set D, “running” is selected as the first selection element 1. Therefore, the sentence “during driving” that combines element 1 and element 2 is extracted and stored in the set buffer.
In the set E, “blank” is selected as element 1 which is the first selected element. Therefore, the entire set E is not selected and is not used for the announcement sentence.
In the set F, “15” is input to the element 1 which is the first selected element. Therefore, the first subset is “15:00” when element 1 and element 2 are combined. It is not entered in element 3, which is the first element of the second subset. Therefore, the second subset consisting of element 3 and element 4 is not selected. Accordingly, in the set F, the sentence “until 15:00” obtained by combining the first subset and the element 5 is extracted and stored in the set buffer.
The set G is composed of one mandatory selection element 1 and is set to “cannot receive a call”. Accordingly, the set G is extracted as “cannot receive a call” and is stored in the set buffer.
Set H is set to element 1 "Please try again later". Therefore, “Please try again later” is extracted and stored in the set buffer.
Since the sentences are extracted from sets A to H and stored in the set buffer, they are combined in the announcement buffer in the order of the set, and the desired announcement sentence is “Matsumoto. Can't receive. Please try again later. "Is generated.

  The announcement sentence generated in the announcement sentence buffer is converted into voice by using the voice synthesis function and registered in the answering machine. Concerning the generation of voice data, a voice synthesis function is provided in the mobile phone, the voice data of the announcement is registered in the answering machine, and a voice synthesis function is provided in the voice mail server, and the announcement text is sent from the mobile phone to the voice mail server. There is a configuration in which announcement voice data is generated and registered using a voice synthesis function provided in the answering machine. Fig. 6-1 and Fig. 6-2 show the configuration and processing flow in which the voice synthesis function is provided in the mobile phone, and Fig. 7-1 and Fig. 7-2 show the configuration in which the voice synthesis function is provided in the answering machine. It is an example.

FIG. 6-1 is a configuration example in which the mobile phone has a voice synthesis function. Compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 4-2, the audio recording unit 411 in FIG. 4-2 does not operate, and the announcement data storage unit 610 and the announcement generation unit 611 in FIG. The difference is that the customization selection unit 605 of the control unit 603 (the control unit 403 in FIG. 4-2) functions. The outline of each part that functions newly in Fig. 6-1 is as follows.
Customize selection unit 605: When the default selection setting is selected, an announcement element is selected from options registered by default.
Announcement data storage unit 610: Stores all announcement elements (parameters / sounds) necessary for the default selection setting.
Announcement generation unit 611: Analyzes the contents selected by the setting method selection unit, extracts necessary data based on the contents, assembles them according to the analysis results, and generates an announcement.

FIG. 6-2 is a processing flow in a mobile phone having a speech synthesis function, and the outline is as follows.
Step 650: When the input processing unit 602 detects that the user has designated “default selection” (231) while the display 230 of FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 608, the setting method selection unit 603 selects the setting method. Unit 604 instructs customization selection unit 605 to start default selection.
Step 651: The customization selection unit 605 reads a template stored in advance in the storage device, displays the template shown in FIG. 5-1 (FIG. 5-4 (a)), and supports the selection and input by the user.
Step 652: The user designates and inputs a target sentence by using the cursor keys to indicate the selected element portion of the display screen. When the user instructs the end of input, the process proceeds to step 654.
Step 653: The sentence specified and input by the user is inserted into the corresponding element part of the template, and the process returns to Step 652.
Step 654: When the user instructs the end of input, the customization selecting unit 605 passes the created template data structure ((b) of FIG. 5-4) to the selection analyzing unit 613 of the announcement generating unit 611. The selection analysis unit 613 extracts an element used for the announcement from the data structure according to the procedure described in FIGS. 5-5 and 5-6, and generates an announcement sentence in the announcement buffer.
Step 655: The selection analysis unit 613 that has generated the announcement sentence passes the announcement sentence to the audio file extraction unit 612. The voice file extraction unit 612 generates voice data by synthesizing the announcement sentence using the voice file stored in the announcement data storage unit 610.
Step 656: The generated audio data is reproduced from the speaker by the audio reproducing means of the mobile phone.
Step 657: The user confirms the reproduced voice, and when reconfiguration is necessary, instructs the redo, and returns to Step 652. If there is no problem with the reproduced audio, the audio data is passed to the transmission file generating unit 614 and the process proceeds to step 658.
Step 658: The transmission file generation unit 614 reads information such as a telephone number and a user ID recorded in the user data storage unit 615, and synthesizes it with the audio data passed from the announcement generation unit 611 to generate a transmission file. .
Step 659: The transmission file generated by the transmission file generation unit 614 is transmitted to the answering machine 617 via the file transmission unit 616.
Step 660: When it is confirmed that the transmission is completed, the control unit 603 performs processing for turning off the power, such as displaying power off, and the process proceeds to step 661, and the power supply unit 607 is connected via the power control unit 606. Control the power off.

FIG. 7-1 shows a configuration example in which the voice synthesis function is provided in the answering machine. The portable terminal 700 is different in that it does not include the portable terminal 600, the announcement data storage unit 610, and the audio file extraction unit 612 shown in FIG. 6-1, but the other configurations are the same. The outline of the configuration of the answering machine is as follows.
File receiving unit 731: The server receives the file sent from the portable terminal and passes it to the analyzing unit.
File analysis unit 732: Analyzes the announcement file received by the file reception unit, and extracts text and ID by the text extraction unit 734 and ID extraction unit 733.
Announcement setting unit 736: Announcement voice file generated by the voice synthesis unit and the user ID are set in the answering machine to function as an answering machine announcement. Speech synthesis unit 735: Announcement text extracted by the file analysis unit Then, the speech synthesis engine of the speech synthesis unit synthesizes the speech to generate an announcement speech file.

FIG. 7-2 is a processing flow of a configuration example in which the voice synthesis function is provided in the answering machine.
Steps 750 to 754 are the same process as steps 650 to 654 in FIG. In steps 650 to 653, the user inputs necessary items using the template, and in step 754, the selection analysis unit of the announcement generation unit 711 extracts the announcement sentence from the template into the announcement buffer.
Step 755: The announcement sentence extracted in the announcement buffer is passed to the transmission file generation unit 714. The transmission file generation unit 714 reads information such as a telephone number and a user ID recorded in the user data storage unit 715, combines the information with the announcement sentence passed from the announcement generation unit 711, and generates a transmission file.
Step 756: The transmission file generated by the transmission file generation unit 714 is transmitted to the answering machine 730 via the file transmission unit 716.
Step 757: The file receiving unit 731 of the answering machine 730 receives the transmission data from the mobile phone and passes it to the file analyzing unit 732.
Step 758: The ID extraction unit 733 of the file analysis unit 732 separates information such as a telephone number and a user ID from the received file, and makes preparations such as securing an area for setting a voice announcement.
Step 759: The text extraction unit 734 of the file analysis unit 732 extracts the announcement sentence stored in the text format from the received file and transmits it to the speech synthesis unit 735.
Step 760: The speech synthesizer 735 analyzes the announcement sentence, performs speech synthesis with reference to a speech file (not shown), and creates a speech file. The generated audio file is returned to the file analysis unit 732.
Step 760: The file analysis unit 732 passes the audio file to the announcement setting unit 736. Announcement setting unit 736 stores the voice file in the area prepared in step 758 and registers it as a message for voice mail. When registration is completed, the mobile phone is notified of registration completion.
Step 761: When it is confirmed that the transmission is completed, the control unit 703 of the mobile phone performs a process for turning off the power, and proceeds to Step 762 to control the power supply unit 707 via the power supply control unit 706 to supply power. Turn off.

  By providing the voice synthesizing function in the answering machine, it is not necessary to provide voice synthesizing means, voice files, etc. in the mobile phone, and the mobile phone can be simplified. Further, by providing a voice synthesis function in the answering machine, it is possible to perform advanced voice synthesis and obtain a high-quality voice announcement. The configuration shown in FIG. 7-2 is a configuration in which the voice synthesized by the answering machine is immediately registered as an answering message. However, it is also possible to return the synthesized voice to the mobile phone and register it as an answering message after confirmation by the user.

[Text input]
When “text input” is selected in the display 230 of FIG. 2, a procedure is started in which the user inputs an announcement sentence using character input means such as a kanji conversion function to generate an announcement. FIG. 8-1 is a diagram of the display unit when “text input” is selected. The display unit 800 displays a display notifying that the announcement sentence is input and a window 801 for the user to input the announcement sentence. For example, when the user operates the end key to instruct the end of input, the control unit of the mobile phone converts the announcement sentence into a voice announcement using the speech synthesis function and registers it in the answering machine.

FIG. 8-2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which an answering machine announcement is generated by a text input method and registered in the answering server. This figure shows a configuration example in which a voice synthesis function is provided in the answering machine. Compared with the configuration for executing “default selection” shown in FIG. 7-1, the customization selection unit 705 in FIG. 7-1 does not function. Instead, the text generation unit 815 of FIG. 8-2 functions, the announcement generation unit 711 of FIG. 7-1 does not function, and the announcement sentence generated by the text generation unit 815 of the control unit 813 of FIG. The difference is that it is passed to the transmission file generation unit 824.
FIG. 8-3 is a processing flow based on “text input”. The processing flow will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 8-2.
Step 850: When the user instructs “text input” in the state where the display 818 of FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 818, the setting method selection unit 814 of the control unit 813 instructs the text generation unit 815 of the announcement sentence by text input. Instruct the start of creation.
Step 851: The text generation unit 815 displays the screen 800 shown in FIG. Also, a text buffer for announcement is secured, and a cursor (prompt) is displayed on the window 801 to prompt the user to input.
Step 852: The terminal input reception unit 811 and the input processing unit 812 determine the user's key operation, and when the end key is operated, the process proceeds to step 854. When the input key relates to text processing such as character input and cursor keys, the process proceeds to step 853.
Step 853: The input characters are stored in the text buffer, the display of the data display unit 818 is updated, and the process returns to step 852.
Step 854: The announcement sentence extracted in the announcement buffer is transferred to the transmission file generation unit 824, and is combined with information such as a telephone number and a user ID recorded in the user data storage unit 825 to generate a transmission file. .
Step 855: The transmission file generated by the transmission file generation unit 824 is transmitted to the answering machine 830 via the file transmission unit 826.
Step 856: The file receiver 831 of the answering machine 830 passes the received transmission data to the file analyzer 832.
Step 857: The text extraction unit 834 of the file analysis unit 832 extracts the announcement sentence stored in the text format from the received file and transmits it to the speech synthesis unit 835.
Step 858: The voice synthesis unit 835 analyzes the announcement sentence, performs voice synthesis with reference to a voice file (not shown), and creates a voice file. The generated audio file is returned to the file analysis unit 832.
Step 859: The file analysis unit 832 passes the audio file to the announcement setting unit 836. Announcement setting unit 836 registers the audio file as an answering message for the mobile phone. When registration is completed, the mobile phone is notified of registration completion.
Step 860: When it is confirmed that the transmission is completed, the control unit 813 of the mobile phone performs a process for turning off the power, proceeds to Step 861, and controls the power supply unit 817 via the power supply control unit 816 to control the power supply. Turn off.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 is a configuration in which an announcement sentence is created by a mobile phone, and the announcement sentence is converted into an audio file by the voice synthesizing means of the answering machine. As shown in Fig. 6-1, an announcement data storage unit for storing voice files in the mobile phone and an announcement generation unit having a voice synthesis function are provided, and the announcement sentence is converted into a voice file by the mobile phone, and the converted voice A configuration is also possible in which a file is transmitted to the answering machine and registered.
Further, the processing flow of FIG. 8-2 is a configuration in which the voice synthesized by the answering machine is immediately registered as an answering message. However, it is also possible to return the synthesized voice to the mobile phone and register it as an answering message after confirmation by the user.

[Schedule linkage]
When the user selects “schedule link” on the display 230 in FIG. 2, a schedule link procedure for generating a user announcement using the schedule management function data provided by the mobile phone is started. Figures 9-1 to 9-3 are diagrams showing the procedure for generating an announcement sentence from the data of the schedule management function. Figures 9-4 and 9-5 show the answering machine announcements by "schedule linkage". It is a figure which shows the structure registered into an electric power center.
The schedule data includes a subject, date, start time, end time, comments, and the like, and the user registers the schedule by setting each item according to a format provided by the schedule management function. Announcement sentence generation by “schedule linkage” is based on the schedule management function data in which schedules that cause the mobile phone to be disabled, such as turning off the power, in mobile phones with the schedule management function. It automatically generates an answering machine announcement.
FIG. 9-1 illustrates a display unit when an announcement sentence is generated from schedule data. 901 in the figure is an example of schedule data, and includes items of [subject name] [location] [category] [start date] [start time] [end time] [content]. An announcement sentence created from the schedule data is displayed in 902. This figure is an example of generating an announcement sentence from information registered in the items of [Category] [End time].

Fig. 9-1 (a) shows the default announcement sentence "Because of (A), you cannot make a call until (B). Please give me a message after the dial tone." Insert “Outing” and “16” extracted from the [Category] and [Ending Time] sections of the schedule data in (B), and “You can't answer the phone until 16:00 because you are out. Is an illustration of the message “Please give me a message” and display it in the window 903 of the display unit.
Figure 9-1 (b) extracts the words “movie” and “21” from the [Category] and [End time] sections of the schedule data. The announcement sentence “is generated and displayed in the window 903. A window 904 for inputting characters is provided in the window 903, and the user can input an additional announcement sentence.
Figure 9-1 (c) extracts the words “work” and “12” from the [Category] and [End time] sections of the schedule data. The announcement sentence “is generated and displayed in the window 903. In the example shown in the figure, additional announcements such as “After dial tone ...” and “Contact us later ...” are prepared in advance and displayed in a pull-down window 905 in the window 903 and selected by the user. It is a configuration.

FIG. 9-2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which an answering machine announcement is generated by a schedule-linked method and registered in the answering server. This figure shows a configuration example in which a voice synthesis function is provided in the answering machine. Compared with the configuration for executing “default selection” shown in FIG. 7-1, the customization selection unit 705 in FIG. 7-1 does not function. When it is detected that the user has designated “schedule linkage”, the setting method selection unit 934 of the control unit 933 in FIG. 9-2 starts a mechanism for generating an announcement sentence from the schedule data of the announcement generation unit 940. Is different.
FIG. 9-3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of generating an announcement sentence from schedule data in the announcement generation unit 940, and FIG. 9-4 is a diagram illustrating an entire processing flow based on “schedule linkage”.

The outline of the flow (Figure 9-3) for generating an announcement sentence from schedule data is as follows.
Step 911: When the user selects “schedule linkage” on the display 230 in FIG. 2, the setting method selection unit 934 instructs the announcement generation unit 940 to start processing for generating an announcement sentence from schedule data. The data extraction unit 941 of the announcement generation unit 940 acquires the current date and time from the clock mechanism of the mobile phone.
Step 912: Based on the acquired current date and time, the latest schedule of the current date and time is searched from the schedule data.
Step 913: The searched schedule is displayed on the display unit.
Step 914: The user determines whether or not the retrieved and displayed schedule is an announcement creation target. If it is correct, the process proceeds to step 916; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 815.
Step 915: Since the displayed schedule is not an announcement creation target, the user instructs to search for the next schedule. Based on this instruction, the control unit retrieves the next schedule and returns to step 913.
Step 916: When the displayed schedule is a schedule for which an announcement is to be created, the user instructs confirmation. In response to this instruction, the data analysis unit 942 extracts necessary information from the data of the confirmed schedule and generates an announcement sentence. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 9-1 (a), "Outing" and "16" are extracted from the items of [Category] and [Ending time], and the announcement sentence "You cannot go out until 16:00 for going out""Please give me a message after the dial tone." The generated announcement sentence is displayed on the display unit and waits for confirmation by the user.
Step 917: When the announcement sentence created by the data analysis unit 942 needs to be corrected, the user proceeds to Step 920 and operates the key to correct the announcement sentence. In the example shown in FIG. 9-1 (b), a necessary sentence is input to the input window 913. In the example shown in FIG. 9-1 (c), an announcement sentence is selected from the pull-down window 914.
Step 918: When the user instructs confirmation of the announcement sentence, the control unit stores the decided announcement sentence in the text buffer.

The outline of the process flow (Figure 9-4) based on “schedule linkage” is as follows.
Step 970: When the display 230 in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 938 and detecting that the user has instructed (231) “schedule interlocking”, the setting method selection unit 934 of the control unit 933 performs the announcement generation unit 940. Instructs to create an announcement sentence using schedule data.
Step 971: The data extraction unit 941 of the announcement generation unit 940 secures a text buffer for the announcement sentence, and starts generating the announcement sentence using the schedule data.
Step 972: The flow for generating the announcement sentence from the schedule data shown in FIG. 9-3 is executed. With this process, the announcement sentence is stored in the text buffer for the announcement sentence.
Step 975: The announcement sentence extracted in the text buffer for the announcement sentence is passed to the transmission file generation unit 944, and is combined with information such as the telephone number and user ID recorded in the user data storage unit 945 to generate the transmission file. Generated.
Step 976: The transmission file generated by the transmission file generation unit 944 is transmitted to the answering machine 950 via the file transmission unit 946.
Step 977: The file reception unit 951 of the answering machine 950 receives the transmission data from the mobile phone and passes it to the file analysis unit 952.
Step 978: The ID extraction unit 953 of the file analysis unit 952 separates information such as a telephone number and a user ID from the received file, and makes preparations such as securing an area for setting a voice announcement.
Step 979: The text extraction unit 954 of the file analysis unit 952 extracts an announcement sentence in text format from the received file and transmits it to the speech synthesis unit 955. The voice synthesizer 955 analyzes the announcement sentence, performs voice synthesis with reference to a voice file (not shown), and creates a voice file. The generated audio file is returned to the file analysis unit 952.
Step 980: The file analysis unit 952 passes the audio file to the announcement setting unit 956. The announcement setting unit 956 stores the voice file in the area prepared in step 978 and registers it as a message for answering machine. When registration is completed, the mobile phone is notified of registration completion.
Step 981: When it is confirmed that the transmission is completed, the control unit 933 of the mobile phone performs a process for turning off the power, proceeds to Step 982, and controls the power supply unit 937 via the power supply control unit 936 to control the power supply. Turn off.

The configuration shown in FIG. 9-2 is a configuration in which an announcement sentence is created on the mobile phone, and the announcement sentence is converted into an audio file by the voice synthesizing means of the answering machine. As shown in Fig. 6-1, an announcement data storage unit for storing voice files in the mobile phone and an announcement generation unit having a voice synthesis function are provided, and the announcement sentence is converted into a voice file by the mobile phone, and the converted voice A configuration is also possible in which a file is transmitted to the answering machine and registered.
Further, the processing flow of FIG. 9-4 is a configuration in which the voice synthesized by the answering machine is immediately registered as an answering message. However, it is also possible to return the synthesized voice to the mobile phone and register it as an answering message after confirmation by the user.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of communication in the answering machine announcement setting system according to the present invention, which is in the area of the second base station 1024 from the caller mobile phone 1010 in the area of the first base station 1021. In this example, a call is made to the recipient's mobile phone 1030.
(1) When the user of the mobile phone 1030 turns off the power of the mobile phone for a reason such as a meeting, the user sends the created voice mail of the answering machine announcement and the identifier of the receiver to the answering machine center 1026. Set the announcement.
(2) The caller dials the recipient's number from the mobile phone 1010 and makes a call.
(3) to (6) Since the receiver's mobile phone 1030 is powered off, the location cannot be specified by the HLR (Home Location Register) 1025. The first exchange 1022 that could not identify the position of the mobile phone 1030 connects the outgoing call from the mobile phone 1010 to the answering center 1026.
(7) The answering machine center 1026 plays the voice mail of the answering machine announcement set by the receiver in the above (1) to the sender.
(8) The caller who has heard the announcement for answering machine records a message at the answering machine center.
(9) When the user of the mobile phone 1030 turns on the power, the mobile phone 1030 is connected to the answering machine center 1026 and deletes the answering machine announcement set in (1).
(10) If the caller's message is recorded, request the playback of the recorded message.
(11) The answering machine center 1026 plays the recorded message toward the mobile phone 1030.

  The present invention creates an answering machine announcement that informs the user of information such as the reason why the user cannot answer the call when the mobile phone cannot be received due to a reason such as attending a meeting, and registers it in the answering machine center The present invention provides a mobile phone system. In response to an instruction to disable incoming calls of the mobile phone, such as turning off the power, a function for creating an announcement for answering machine operates. The user creates a message for answering machine using the announcement creation function provided by the mobile phone. The created message for answering machine is registered in the answering machine center (answering machine center) and notified to the caller. In addition, when it is detected that the incoming function of the mobile phone has been restored, such as turning on the power of the mobile phone, a process for automatically connecting to the answering machine and invalidating the registered message for answering is performed. Made. With this configuration, it is possible to transmit an appropriate voice message to the caller.

In one aspect of the present invention, as an announcement creation function, a method for recording a voice generated by a user to create an answering machine announcement, a method for synthesizing an announcement sentence created by a user and creating an announcement, etc. The method is provided. The user can select an appropriate method from the provided methods and create an appropriate answering machine announcement.
The announcement creation function presents a template stored in advance to the user. The user creates an announcement for answering machine using the presented template. Create an announcement by synthesizing the created announcement sentence and register it in the Voice Mail Center.
In yet another embodiment, the schedule data of the designated date and time is read from the schedule management means of the mobile phone. Data such as the scheduled disclosure time and end time is extracted from the read schedule data to create an announcement for answering machine. Create an announcement by synthesizing the created announcement sentence and register it in the Voice Mail Center.

Flow chart for creating an answering machine announcement according to the present invention Transition diagram of display screen when creating an answering machine announcement according to the present invention Operation flow diagram when the mobile phone is turned on Illustration of the display screen during "Voice recording" Functional block diagram for performing "voice recording" "Voice recording" process flow chart Figure of the display screen while executing "Default selection" Diagram showing template for "Default selection" Diagram showing template for "Default selection" Diagram showing template for "Default selection" Template analysis process flow diagram Diagram showing template analysis results First functional block diagram for executing “default selection” First processing flow diagram of “default selection” Second functional block diagram for executing “default selection” Second processing flow diagram of “default selection” Figure of the display screen during "Text input" Functional block diagram for executing "Text Input" Process flow of "Text input" Figure of the display screen during execution of “Schedule Link” Functional block diagram for executing "schedule linkage" Process flow diagram of schedule data analysis "Schedule linkage" processing flow diagram System diagram of announcement for answering service according to the present invention

Claims (6)

A mobile phone having message creation means, wherein the message creation means comprises:
Template storage means for storing elements that compose a message sentence, and templates that define the combination of elements;
Template display means for reading and displaying the template from the template storage means in response to an instruction to create a message sentence;
A character input means for associating the input character data with the element of the template;
Message sentence extracting means for extracting a message sentence from the template in response to an instruction to end character input;
Speech synthesis means for converting the message sentence extracted by the message sentence extraction means into speech;
Transmitting means for transmitting the voice message synthesized by the voice synthesizing means to an answering machine center;
A mobile phone characterized by comprising: A mobile phone having message creation means, wherein the message creation means comprises:
Template storage means for storing elements that compose a message sentence, and templates that define the combination of elements;
Template display means for reading and displaying the template from the template storage means in response to an instruction to create a message sentence;
A character input means for associating the input character data with the element of the template;
Message sentence extracting means for extracting a message sentence from the template in response to an instruction to end character input;
A mobile phone characterized in that the message text extracted by the message text extraction means is transmitted to an answering machine center and converted into a voice message at the answering service center. The mobile phone according to claim 1 or 2,
2. The cellular phone according to claim 1, wherein the template includes a variable element for a user to input character data and a fixed element in which character data is set in advance. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein
A mobile phone, wherein a plurality of options are set in advance in at least some of the variable elements. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein:
The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the message is created in response to an instruction not to receive a call. The mobile phone according to claim 5,
The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the instruction to disable the incoming call is an instruction to turn off the power.

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