GB2120043A - Solid state voice generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

A solid state voice generation system for use with a telephone set has a control unit (1) with a ROM in which is stored digitally the fixed portion of a call diversion message, plus the digital values of the digits 1, 2...9, 0. The subscriber operates a RECORD button and then keys in the number to which calls are to be diverted. This number is stored in another memory in the unit (1). When an incoming call is detected by loop detector (4) a timer is started and if it times out before the set is off-hooked, the fixed part of the message plus the digital values for the wanted number are read from the memories in the control unit and sent to a voice generator (9). This latter does a digital-analog conversion and sends the result via the telephone set (10) to the line (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Solid state voice generating system This invention relates to a voice generation system for use with a telephone set.

Systems now used forvoice generation fall into the following categories: a) Automatic answering equipmentwhich use magnetictapes,eitherto record a message for subsequenttransmission to a caller, orto record a message from a caller. Such equipments are electromechanical, and thus have low reliability and high maintenance cost.

b) Commonly-used solid state voice generators, which use miniprocessoror microcomputers, and semiconductor or magnetic memories, to record messages digitally. These messages are generated in oral form, under control of the microprocessor or microcomputer, and are used in vocai answer units for large computers or data system.

c) Specialized solid state voice generators, which use microcomputer or specialized large scale integration (LSI) circuits. The text is recorded digitally in a Read Only Memory (ROM), and consistofa fewwords, normally following an obliged sequence, for a specific purpose.

d) Call diverters,which are used with thetele- phone set, in which the subscriber has two lines assigned when he is going to be absent, the number of the line to which the call is to be re-routed is dialed; on receiving a call through one of the assigned lines, when the subscriber being absent, the set automati cally off-hooks, connect the other line, calls the previously-dialed number and extends or deviates the call to the new number.

Note that the term dialling as used herein includes the use of a push-button set.

According to the present invention, there is provided a solid state voice generation system for use with a telephone set, in which a control unit on reception of a subscriber's directory number in responseto operation of, for instance, a dialing unit stores that number in a memory in which the control unit is kept in operative state, waiting for the sending ofthe received numerical information; in which the control unit has digitally stored in memory parameters of a message previously recorded and para meters of the ten digits (1,2,3 9,0), in which when a message isto be sent the control unit successively obtains from the memorythe parameters for the fixed portion ofthe message and the number previously recorded from the dialling unitandsendsthemtoa voice generator, in which from the information thus sentto itthe voice generator assembles a message which includes the fixed portion and the number and feeds that message to a digital to analog converter that converts this digital information into intelligible voiceform, in which the message in voice form is amplified (if necessary) in the telephone unit and sent to the telephone line and/o r to the handset, in which when the system detects the receipt of calling current for that telephone set, the control unit starts a set timer, in which if when the timer times outthe set has not off-hooked, the control unit causes seizure of the line and the sending of the message, in which after the message has been sent one or more times, the telephone set is returned to its idle state, so that it can receive new calls and repeat the operation, and in which if before the timer times out an off-hooking is detected, the voice generating system is disconnected.

Thus our invention refers to a solid state voice generation system for telephone use which allows the desired message to be recorded by push-buttons; has high reliability, easy and cheap maintenance, as well as low cost. Such a device can be placed in a telephone set, and may include line control functions, and can also be used as a call diverter.

In this last case, it has the advantage of not needing two telephone lines to fulfil this function, which reduces transmission losses also the calling subscriber, may decide whether or not to call the new number, so thatthe call is always charged to said calling subscriber. Last, as will be seen, and due to the voice generation, it is suitable for blind users.

Three embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1,2 and 3. A device embodying the invention may either be included in the subscriber telephone set, as in Fig. 1, or exterior thereto, as in Fig.

2. In Fig. 2 block 12 contains the elements of blocks 9, 10,11 and 14 of Fig. 1.Thus block 12 in Fig. 2 representsthe telephone set, whence these are required a line amplifier7,foradapting the signal from the digital/analog converter6tothe required levels and impedances. This function is accomplished in the telephone unit 10, when the device is in the subscriber set.

Fig. 3 is an embodiment ofthe invention for use by a blind subscriber. Fig. lisa block diagram of the system when included in a push telephone set, whether the push button unit be decimal or multifrequency. The subscriber set accomplishes all and each of the functions of a standard set, plus functionsto be described. If the subscriber is going to be absent, and he knows the number at which he wishes to be located, and desires two record that number, for a new communication with any subscriber making a call, he adopts the following procedure, called RECORDING.

The subscriber of the set with the present device operates one ofthe special push-buttons marked with the sign (*) or # then he dials the directory number of the setwhere he will be found, using the appropriate push-buttons, and finishes the RECORDING by operating again one ofthetwo special push buttons.

If at the end ofthe above operation, the subscriber wishes to check whether it has been correctly registered, he lifts the handset and operates one of the special push-buttons. Automatically, he hears the following message, called a NOTICE; "Please call number so and so ; this number being that recorded by him. The message may be as stated above, or any other similar. If the number does not coincide, the handset must be replaced and the RECORDING operation repeated. A RECORDING operation is cancelled (i.e. the number of information erased and the NOTICE message not generated) by simply operating one of the two special push-buttons, designated ERASE.

If while the subscriber is absent, a call arrives at his set, the operation is as follows. First, on receiving the ringing current, there is timed a preset time T1 atthe end of which, if the handset has not been lifted, the procedure called GUIDING ANSWER occurs. In this, the line is seized by closing the loop, and after waiting afurthertimeT2, that may be pre-set, a NOTICE message which may be heard by the caller is generated. This message is repeated a preset number oftimes, at the end ofwhich the line is opened and disconnected. The line remains in this condition until a new call is received, and then the above operation is repeated, until erasure occurs and a new RECORD ING operation is made.

In Fig. 1,the normaltelephoneoperations usethe handset 11 telephone unit 10which may be electronic (active), or passive and which sends and receives the spoken information, the subscriber line or loop 13, the bell 14,the push-button unit 2, and the signal generator9, which generates either multi-frequency signals or break impulses.

During the RECORDING operation, when the sub scriber operates one ofthe special push-buttons marked * on## ofthe push-button unit 2, control unit 1,which includes a microprocessor with its associated components or one or more special LSI integrated circuits, responds to the push-button operation and starts a process embracing scanning of the buttons and sequential recording in its memory of each ofthe operated buttons; detection of the "end of recording operation" push-button; and activation of a NOTICE, or GUIDING ANSWER operation, orSTAND-BYcondi- tion.

If while in this condition the subscriber off-hooks and operates one of the two special push-buttons, the operation ofthe NOTICE message operation starts.

Thus the loopcurrent/calling current detector4 detects a modification of the loop cu rrent due to the line closure on off-hooking and informs the control unit 1.

This unit next detects the operation of a special push-button, waits a pre-set time T3, and excites the voice generator 5. Firstthe control unit 1 emits the required parameters to generate a fix word sequence, found in indelible form stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) in the control unit. This sequence is the same as that mentioned in the NOTICE message, until it reachesthe previously recorded number.Thenthe number generation takes place, which is variable sequence. The parameters of the ten digits 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 y 9 are previously stored in the ROM, and control unit 1 under control ofthe number stored in its memory successively obtains the parameter of those numbersfromthe ROM andsendsthemtothe voice generator 5.

This voice generator5 may use any of the usual voice synthesis techniques. It may use phonemes digitally stored in DPCM orAdaptive DPCM (Differential Pulse Code Modulation orAdaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation), Partial Autocorrelation Techniques, Predictive Lineal Coding Techniques, or any other adequate form. In any case it takes the parameters ofthe words to be generated, stored in the ROM in the Control Unit 1, accomplishes with them the appropriate handling, and feeds them to a digital/analog converter 6.This converts the digital information into intelligible voice, which, in turn, is amplified in the telephone unit 10 and sent to the line 13 and to the handset 11 so that the subscriber can hear and checkthatthe recorded information is correct.On receiving a call, and depending on the previous programming.The NOTICE message is given one or more times, being repeated a pre-set numberoftimes,and being disconnected when ended.

If after RECORDING operation the call and loop current detector4 detects ringing current the device operates as follows. The control unit 1 receives from the loop detectorthe information that a call is being received, evaluates it and starts a pre-settimer forT1. If before the T1, detector 4 detects off hooking, the device is disconnected. However, if time T ends without detecting an off hooking, unit 1 operates the loop control unit3, and seizes the line, to close the loop. Next, it generates the NOTICE message, and opens the loop to ending the call, and is disconnected, being readyto receive a newcall.

If the control unit 1 detects the operation ofthe special push-button for ERASE, it erases the recorded number, and disconnects the call current detection. A new RECORDING operation can then be done to set it in service again.

Fig. 1 also includes block 8, supply source, which uses rechargable or non-rechargable batteries, or is connected to the mains, or both.

The operation of Fig. 2 is substantiallythe same as that of Fig. 1. If the system is going to be used in a set for use by blind people, see Fig. 3, the operation is as follows. On off-hooking, and each time a pushbutton is operated, besides generating the corresponding signalling to the exchange, corresponding spoken information is generated towards the handset. To do this, when the subscriber off-hooks, line current is supplied. On each pushbutton operation the signall- ing generator9 detects that operation and via the telephone unit lOgeneratesthe multifrequencysignals, orthrough loop control unit3 generates dial pulses which latter is optional and only used when break impulse signalling is used.

Atthe sametime, control unit 1 detectsthe pushbuttons and generates the parameters stored in its ROM forthewanted number. These parameters are fed to the voice generatorS to produce the desired word, and are converted into analog form in the Digital/Analog converter,which through thetele- phone unit 10 provides the information to the blind person via the handset.

In an alternative, on the subscriber operating the pushbuttons, the information aboutthe dialed number is orally sentto the subscriber. Atthe same time, the information is stored, and after the subscriber has checked that the number is correct, he operates one of the special pushbuttons,to cause the corresponding signallingtowardsthe exchange. The operation is similar; the only difference being that the control unit 1,when the subscriber dials, holdsthe information towards the exchange, storing the dialed number. At the same time, in the same way as above, it generates the oral information through the handset. After detecting the operation of the control push-button, it releases the stored information, exciting the signall ing generator9 sending the information to the exchange.

Claims (6)

1. A solid state voice generation system for use ; with a telephone set, in which a control unit on reception of a subscriber's directory number in response to operation of, for instance, a dialing unit stores that number in a memory in which the control unit is kept in operative state, waiting for the sending ofthe received numerical information; in which the control unit has digitallystored in memory para meters of a message previously recorded and para meters oftheten digits (1,2,3 9,0), in which when a message is to be sent the control unit successively obtains from the memory the parameters for the fixed portion of the message and the number previously recorded from the dialling unit and sends them to a voice generator, in which from the information thus senttoitthevoicegeneratorassemblesa message I which includes the fixed portion and the number and feeds that message to a digital to analog converter that converts this digital information into intelligible voiceform, in which, the message in voiceform is aplified (if necessary) in the telephone unit and sent to the telephone line and/orto the handset, in which when the system detects the receipt of calling current forthattelephone set, the control unit starts a set timer in which if when the timertimes out the set has not off-hooked the control unit causes seizure ofthe line and the sending of the message, in which after the message has been sent one or more times, the telephone set is returned to its idle state, so that it can receive new calls and repeatthe operation, and in which if before the timertimes out an off-hooking is detected,the voice generating system isdiscon nected.

2. A system according to claim 1, and in which under control of the pushbutton unitthe subscriber maycheckthe numbers he recorded in the memory, and can modify it if it is not correct.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, and in which undercontrol ofthe pushbutton unit, the subscriber orders to the control unit to disconnect the calling current detection, and to erase from its memory the previously recorded number, thus disconnecting the voice generating system.

4. Asystem according to claim 1,2 or3, and in which when the telephone set is used to make a call, the system detects the operation of each pushbutton and provides the subscriber, through the handset, with oral information about the operated push button, besides generating the signal corresponding to each operated pushbutton, towards the exchange.

5. A system according to claim 1,2,3 or4, and which on operating the pushbutton when the subscri ber makes a call, the system retransmits to the handset the oral information of the dialed number, storing that information, and after checking that the dialed number is correct, releases the information, exciting the signalling generator which sends to the exchange the signals of the complete number.

6. Asolid state voice generating system to be used with telephone set, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1,2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.