JP2000209309A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device which can easily set the reference to separate the noises from the voices and also can easily change the set reference. SOLUTION: This communication device 10 includes a recognition means 45 which measures the levels of external voices inputted via a microphone 27 and also recognizes the voices exceeding a prescribed voice level among these external voices, the automatic closing means (32 and 46) which close automatically a circuit based on the recognition result of the means 45 while receiving a calling signal from the circuit, the switching means (16 and 32) which switches the current mode to a level setting mode to set a reference level for the means 45 to recognize voices, the voice level setting means (16 and 32) which set the voice levels based on the manual input when the level setting mode is set and a level display means 18 which displays visually the levels of external voices inputted via the microphone 27 and also the voice levels which are set by the voice level setting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device,
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device in which a reference for separating noise and voice can be easily set and the set reference can be easily understood.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, telephone apparatuses with a voice recognition function have been developed which have a voice recognition function and can automatically close a line by voice response without picking up a telephone when a call is received.

In such a telephone device with a voice recognition function, an expected noise level is set in advance to separate noise from voice, and when voice exceeding this noise level is input from a microphone, In many cases, it is determined that a response has been received and the line is automatically closed.

[0004] In some cases, a user can set an audio level as a reference for separating noise from audio.

[0005]

However, the conventional setting of the sound level is performed as an internal process of the apparatus in accordance with the setting operation of the user. For this reason, it was difficult for the user to know what audio level was set. There is also a problem that it is difficult for the user to understand how much audio level should be set to separate noise and audio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device in which a reference for separating noise and voice can be easily set, and the set reference can be easily understood. It is in.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to claim 1 measures a sound level of an external sound input by a microphone and outputs a predetermined sound from the external sound. Voice recognition means for recognizing external voice exceeding a level, automatic closing means for automatically closing a line based on a recognition result of the voice recognition means while receiving a call signal from the line, Switching means for switching to a level setting mode for setting the audio level serving as a reference for voice recognition in the recognition means, and audio level setting for setting the audio level based on a manual input when switched to the level setting mode Means for visually displaying an audio level of an external audio input by the microphone and an audio level set by the audio level setting means. Those having a display unit.

According to the communication device of the first aspect, since both the audio level of the external audio and the set audio level are visually displayed on the level display means, the two are visually compared. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to immediately understand how much audio level should be set to separate noise and audio. For this reason, the audio level setting operation by the audio level setting means is facilitated. Also, the set audio level can be easily understood by the user.

In particular, when the user inputs a voice from a microphone, the voice level of the voice is also visually displayed as the voice level of the external voice, so that the user's voice level is compared with the voice level of the surrounding noise. It can be done visually. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the voice level serving as a reference for voice recognition to, for example, an appropriate level between the voice level of noise and the voice level of one's own voice.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the level display means is set by an audio level of an external audio input by the microphone and the audio level setting means. The audio levels are displayed side by side.

According to the communication device of the second aspect, since the audio level of the external audio and the set audio level are displayed side by side, the comparison between the two can be performed more easily and reliably. In addition, it is possible to set an audio level serving as a reference for audio recognition while visually confirming the audio level of the external audio (in this case, the audio level of the noise and the audio level of the input voice of the user are shared). Therefore, while simplifying the configuration of the display means, it is easier to set a sound level that is a reference for separating noise and sound, and to easily understand the level of the set sound level and the sound level of the external sound. A device can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect, the external sound is a first external sound input by the microphone and the first external sound. A second external audio input by the microphone after the input of the audio and higher than an audio level of the first external audio, wherein the level display means includes: an audio level of the first external audio; Are displayed side by side as the audio level of the external audio.

According to the communication device of the third aspect, the first external sound and the second external sound higher than the first external sound are displayed side by side on the level display means, so that the surrounding noise can be reduced. The audio level and the audio level of the user's audio can be compared side by side. For this reason, by arranging and comparing the two, it is possible to grasp at a glance how much audio level should be set as a reference, and it becomes easier to perform the audio level setting operation.

[0014]

Next, a communication device according to the present invention will be described.
The case where the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 10 comprises
It comprises a main body 12 and a receiver 28 installed on the left side of the main body 12. The receiver 28 is connected to the main body 12 by a cord (not shown). A speaker 26 is provided on the right side of the main body 12. A key input section 16 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the main body 12, an LCD 18 is provided at the left rear of the key input section 16, and a microphone 27 is provided at the right rear. Furthermore, LC
At the rear of the D18 and the microphone 27,
0 is provided, and the original inserted therefrom is read by a scanner 52 (see FIG. 3) inside the main body 12, and then is provided on the front surface of the main body 12 and below the key input unit 16. It is discharged from the discharge port 14. At the rear of the document insertion slot 20, a recording paper holder 24 capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers is detachably attached. The recording paper supplied from the recording paper holder 24 and used for printing is discharged from a recording paper discharge port 22 provided below the document discharge port 14.

Such a facsimile machine 10 is similar to that shown in FIG.
Has an electrical structure as shown in the block diagram of FIG. That is, CPU 32, ROM 34, EEPROM 36, R
AM 38, image memory 40, audio memory 42, timer 4
3, sensor 44, voice recognition unit 45, network control unit (hereinafter, referred to as "NCU") 46, modem 48, buffer 50, scanner 52, encoding unit 5
4, decryption unit 56, printer 58, key input unit 16, L
A CD 18 and amplifiers 60 and 61 are provided and connected to each other via a system bus 30. Also, NCU4
The receiver 6 and the telephone line 64 are connected to 6.
A modem 48 is also connected. The speaker 26 is connected to the amplifier 60, and the microphone 27 is connected to the amplifier 61.
Is connected.

More specifically, the CPU 32 controls each unit connected via the system bus 30. This CPU
The control program executed at 32 and various data necessary for executing the control program are stored in the ROM 34, EE
It is stored in the PROM 36.

Here, the control programs stored in the ROM 34 include, for example, a level setting program for setting a voice level serving as a reference for voice recognition in the voice recognition unit 45, and a level setting program for executing the level setting program. There are a mode switching program for switching to a mode, an automatic closing program for automatically closing a line based on a voice recognition result of the voice recognition unit 45, and the like.
In addition, various data such as sound data and numerical data referred to in the processing in the CPU 32, the voice recognition unit 45, and the like are
Stored in the ROM 34.

The EEPROM 36 stores voice level data, speed dial data, data for outputting various voice messages, and the like.

The RAM 38 stores the voice fetched from the receiver 28, the microphone 27, and the telephone line 64 via the NCU 46, and also temporarily stores various data when the CPU 32 executes the operation.

The image memory 40 stores a communication history, image data, and a bit image for printing, and the voice memory 42 stores a response message sent to the partner device and an incoming message sent from the partner device. Remember the message.
The timer 43 measures the current time. The sensor 44 detects the open / closed state of the recording paper cover.

The voice recognition section 45 recognizes a voice exceeding a predetermined voice level from voices captured by the microphone 27. The voice recognition unit 45 is, for example, a voice L
It can be composed of SI or the like.

The NCU 46 transmits and receives signals to and from a not-shown partner device connected via the telephone lines 64 and 66 and the exchange 62.

The modem 48 modulates and modulates communication data such as image data and audio data transmitted and received by the NCU 46.
Perform demodulation. The buffer 50 temporarily stores data including encoded image information transmitted / received to / from the partner device. The scanner 52 reads, as image data, characters / graphics written on the reading surface of the document inserted into the document insertion slot 20, and the encoding unit 54 encodes the image data read by the scanner 52. On the other hand, the decryption unit 56
Reads out the image data stored in the buffer 50 or the image memory 40 and decodes it. Printer 58
Prints the decrypted data on recording paper. The key input unit 16 includes numeric keys and function keys, and enables various setting operations, telephone number input operations, and the like using these keys. The amplifier 60 amplifies a sound signal to be output as a ringing sound or a call sound on the speaker 26, and the amplifier 61 amplifies an external sound captured by the microphone 27.

In this embodiment, the microphone 27 corresponds to a microphone, and the voice recognition unit 45 corresponds to voice recognition means. Further, the CPU 32 and the key input unit 16 correspond to a switching unit and an audio level setting unit, and the LCD 18 corresponds to a level display unit. And
The CPU 32 and the NCU 46 correspond to automatic closing means.

In such a facsimile apparatus 10, a voice level serving as a reference for voice recognition in the voice recognition unit 45 is set according to a procedure shown in a flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 4, at the time of start, the facsimile machine 10 is in a reception standby state. In this state, when the mode is switched to the level setting mode (S1), the surrounding external sound is taken in by the microphone 27, the sound level is measured, and the result is set as a noise level on the LCD.
The image is displayed on 18 (S2). The external sound captured by the microphone 27 in S2 corresponds to a first external sound.

The display screen of the LCD 18 at this time is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (A). FIG. 1 shows the LC in this embodiment.
It is a figure showing the example of D display.

In FIG. 1A, "noise level"
The rectangles arranged in a line to the right of the display indicate that the noise level is 1
This memory is represented by 0 levels, and indicates that the level increases by one level as the number of filled rectangles increases by one.
Therefore, in the case of this example, the noise level is 2.

Incidentally, switching to the level setting mode is as follows.
In accordance with a mode switching program stored in the ROM 34, the CPU
32. Further, the audio level of the audio captured by the microphone 27 is measured by the audio recognition unit 45 and stored in the RAM 38. Further, the image display on the LCD 18 is performed by a program stored in the ROM 34,
It is executed under the control of the CPU 32 based on data stored in the EEPROM 36, the RAM 38, and the like.

Next, it is determined whether or not a voice having a voice level higher than the noise level has been input (S3). If no voice has been input (S3: NO), an input instruction for prompting voice input from the microphone 27 is issued. A message is output (S10). The determination in S3 is performed by the CPU 32 according to a program stored in the ROM 34. The specific content and output form of the input instruction message, such as display output and voice output, are not particularly limited as long as the user is prompted to input a voice, for example, "Please input voice." Note that the external sound measured in S3 is the second
Is equivalent to the external voice.

If a voice having a level higher than the noise level is input in S3 (S3: YES), the input level is set to LC
An image is displayed on D18 (S4). LCD1 at this time
8 is shown in FIG. 1 (B). In the case of the illustrated example, the input level is 8.

After displaying the input level for a predetermined time, an audio level setting screen is displayed on the LCD 18 (S5). At this time, in the present embodiment, the currently set audio level is displayed, and the setting can be changed by input from the key input unit 16. For this reason, the level setting for separating the noise level and the input level can be easily visually set. Specifically, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, the currently set audio level is 5.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a voice level setting input has been made using the key input section 16 (S6). If an input has been made (S6: YES), L is determined based on the input.
The audio level display on the CD 18 is changed (S
7). Then, when an input indicating a determination is made from the key input unit 16 (S8: YES), a sound level is newly set based on the input made in S6, and stored as sound level data in the EEPROM 36 (S9). . At this time, the old audio level data is stored in the EEPROM 36.
Deleted from On the other hand, when there is no input indicating the determination in S8 (S8: NO), the level setting mode ends without newly setting the audio level. In this case, the setting of the audio level displayed in S5 will live as it is. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of audio level data are stored in advance, and audio level data corresponding to the set level is selected.

If there is no input for setting the audio level in S6 (S6: NO), it is determined whether or not the current audio level setting displayed in S5 needs to be changed. This is performed (S11). Specifically, for example, the CPU 32 determines whether or not an audio level intermediate between the noise level and the input level is set according to a determination program stored in the ROM 34. In the case of the illustrated example, it is determined whether or not the audio level is in the range of 3 to 7. If the setting needs to be changed (S11: YE
S) For example, a setting instruction message that prompts the user to set the audio level, such as "Please set the audio level", is output (S12), and the process returns to S6. If the setting change is unnecessary (S11: NO), the level setting mode is ended without changing the current audio level. The specific content and output form of the message in S12 are not particularly limited.

Then, speech recognition is performed based on the speech level set by such a procedure. In the facsimile apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when a voice signal exceeding a set voice level is recognized by the voice recognition unit 45 when a call signal is received through the line 64, the line closing program stored in the ROM 34 CPU 32 based on
As a result, the line is automatically closed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when setting the audio level, the ambient noise level and the user's audio level can be visually compared, so that an appropriate audio level can be easily determined as a reference for audio recognition. Can be set. In particular, since the noise level and the input level are displayed as images on the LCD 18, it is easy to grasp the levels of the two, and what level of audio level should be set to separate the noise and the voice response and to reliably recognize the voice response. You can immediately decide whether you want to get it. Furthermore, since the set audio level is also displayed as an image, the set audio level can be easily understood by the user, and the desired audio level can be easily set.

Further, in this embodiment, since the current audio level setting is displayed in S5 of FIG. 4, it is possible to visually determine what audio level is currently set. Further, if there is no audio level setting input in S6, it is determined whether or not setting change is necessary. If there is no need for setting change, the level setting mode is terminated as it is, so that unnecessary work can be omitted. . When a setting change is required, a setting instruction message is output, so that voice recognition is performed based on an inappropriate voice level, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the facsimile apparatus 10 malfunctions.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and various modifications are possible.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, after using the LCD 100 having a wider display area than the LCD 18 to display the noise level and the input level side by side (FIG. 5A), the audio level can be displayed (FIG. 5A). FIG. 5 (B). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the LCD display. FIG.
In the case (A), since the noise level and the input level can be compared without actually relying on the memory while actually confirming it visually, it is possible to more quickly determine an appropriate audio level range. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, when displaying a determination result of whether or not the audio level is appropriate together with the display of the audio level, an inappropriate audio level is set due to a user error. Can be prevented. Note that such determination is made by the CPU 32 based on a program stored in the ROM 34.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the level may be displayed by a numeral instead of a memory. This FIG.
It is a figure which shows another example of CD display. In the case of FIG. 6, since the space required for displaying each level is small, while using the LCD 110 having a relatively narrow display area,
All of the noise level, the input level, and the audio level can be displayed side by side. For this reason, the level relationship between the set voice level and the external voice such as noise and user voice can be easily understood, and the voice level can be set more easily and reliably. Therefore, usability can be improved while suppressing an increase in cost.

It is also possible to omit the user's voice input and the display of the input level based on the voice input when setting the voice level. Even in this case, if the external noise level and the set audio level are visually displayed,
It is possible to easily set a voice level at which noise is not erroneously recognized.

[0044]

As described above, according to the communication device of the first aspect, both the audio level of the external audio and the set audio level are visually displayed on the level display means. It is possible to visually compare the two, and it becomes easy to set the sound level by the sound level setting means. Also, the set audio level can be easily understood by the user.

According to the communication device of the second aspect, since the audio level of the external audio and the audio level to be set are displayed side by side, the audio level serving as a reference for separating noise and audio is further set. It is possible to obtain a communication device that is easy to understand and can easily understand the level of the set audio level and the audio level of the external audio.

According to the communication device of the third aspect, the first external sound and the second external sound higher than the first external sound are displayed side by side on the level display means, so that the surrounding noise can be reduced. The audio level and the audio level of the user's audio can be compared side by side. For this reason, by arranging and comparing the two, it is possible to grasp at a glance how much audio level should be set as a reference, and it becomes easier to perform the audio level setting operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LCD display according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sound level setting procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the LCD display.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another example of the LCD display.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Key input unit (switching means, voice level setting means) 18 LCD (level display means) 27 Microphone 32 CPU (automatic closing means, switching means, voice level setting means) 45 Voice recognition unit (voice recognition means) 46 NCU ( Automatic closing means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A voice recognition means for recognizing voice of an external voice exceeding a predetermined voice level from the external voice while measuring a voice level of the external voice input by a microphone, and a call signal from a line. An automatic closing unit for automatically closing a line based on a recognition result of the voice recognition unit during reception; and a level setting mode for setting the voice level serving as a reference for voice recognition in the voice recognition unit. Switching means for switching to the level setting mode; audio level setting means for setting the audio level based on manual input when the mode is switched to the level setting mode; and audio level of the external audio input by the microphone and the audio level setting And a level display means for visually displaying an audio level set by the means. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the level display unit displays the audio level of the external audio input by the microphone and the audio level set by the audio level setting unit side by side. A communication device, characterized in that: 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external sound is input by the microphone.
, And a second external voice that is input by the microphone after the input of the first external voice and is higher than a voice level of the first external voice, the level display unit includes: A communication device, wherein an audio level of an external audio and an audio level of the second external audio are displayed side by side as an audio level of the external audio.