JP2001005634A - Electronic mail receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easily knowable the contents of mail by outputting the contents of the received mail in the form of a voice signal when an operation means for voice conversion is operated. SOLUTION: Mail received by an electronic mail receiving means 103 is stored in a storage means 104 and then the contents of the received mail can be confirmed even in a congested place, for example, on a train. A converting means or a circuit for converting mail information to a voice signal as a voice reading-aloud means 105 is put in operation by pressing a corresponding key among keys assigned to a keyboard 101. When an earphone connection sensing means 106 senses the attachment or detachment of an earphone, a control circuit 107 controls the start and end of the operation of the converting means 105 for converting the mail information into the voice signal. A voice reading-aloud environment setting means 108 inputs a condition for setting an object such as whether the earphone insertion/extraction voice reading-aloud control means 107 is put in operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic mail receiving apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the size of computers has been reduced, and computers with an emphasis on portability have become widespread. A computer emphasizing portability (hereinafter, referred to as a “portable terminal”) has almost the same functions as a normal computer, and has features that are convenient to carry, such as reducing the weight of the main body.

[0003] As a conventional "portable terminal", there is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-152955.

Many of such portable terminals can send and receive e-mails such as e-mails through portable telephones and public lines. Because you can send and receive information on the go,
It is one of the main uses of mobile terminals.

[0005]

It is desirable that the contents of the mail of the electronic mail receiving device can be easily known.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows the user to easily know the contents of a mail.

[0007]

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an e-mail receiving apparatus having an input section for inputting data and a liquid crystal display section for displaying data. Storage means for storing the contents of the e-mail, voice signal conversion means for converting the contents of the e-mail stored in the storage means into voice signals, operation means for voice conversion, and reception according to the operation of the operation means for voice conversion This is solved by outputting the contents of the e-mail as an audio signal.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of an electronic mail receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a portable terminal in this embodiment, and this portable terminal. 101 is a keyboard, 102
Is an LCD screen, 103 is an e-mail receiving means including both hardware such as a modem and software such as mail software, 104 is a storage means such as a memory or a hard disk, and 105 is a voice reading means for reading the mail received by the 103 That is, means or a circuit for converting mail information into an audio signal, and means 106 for detecting whether an operation for requesting the output of an audio signal of an email has been performed. The operation of this type of switch may be detected, or the removal and insertion of an earphone plug may be detected. Further, a remote control switch of an earphone, which is generally referred to as a hand switch of an earphone used in a tape recorder, an MD, or the like, may be used. As an example, in this embodiment, reference numeral 106 denotes an earphone connection detecting means for detecting that the earphone has been attached / detached for the operation of converting to sound. Of course, the circuit 106 may be a circuit for sensing the operation of the remote control switch of the earphone.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a control circuit for converting the mail information into an audio signal or controlling the start and end of the circuit 105 when the attachment / detachment of the earphone is detected at 106; Let's call it tentatively. Reference numeral 108 denotes a unit for inputting a condition for selecting whether or not to perform the operation of the control circuit 107. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the unit is referred to as a voice reading environment setting unit. Reference numeral 109 denotes an earphone that outputs the voice read out by 105, 110 denotes a CPU that controls each unit, and 111 denotes a power supply that supplies power to each unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the portable terminal of this embodiment in a state where the display unit is opened. 201 is a keyboard for data input, 202 is a liquid crystal screen for data display, a tablet is placed on the liquid crystal, and when the operator touches the screen, the touched coordinates can be detected from the tablet. It is like that. A pen 203 is used to indicate a selected position on the tablet, that is, to instruct or select an operation. Reference numeral 204 denotes a power switch. 205 is an earphone. 206 connects to a mobile phone or a public line,
A cable for sending and receiving mail. Reference numeral 207 denotes an earphone plug insertion port to which an earphone is attached. 2
Reference numeral 08 denotes an operation switch for instructing / selecting voice conversion of a recorded mail, that is, a button switch used for performing an operation instruction / selection for voice reading processing. It is a structure that operates when it is shifted to the surroundings such as "press down", and is devised so that it does not operate even if it is pressed. 104, 105, 106, 1 in the basic block diagram
07, 108 and 110 are stored inside the main body below the keyboard.

First, the operator connects the cable 206 to a line for connecting to the Internet, for example, a mobile phone for connecting to the Internet. An operation area for performing e-mail, for example, an icon displayed on the liquid crystal screen 202 is selected to start mail software. In this embodiment, an e-mail sent to the user is received, that is, the e-mail is taken into the portable terminal shown in FIG. The above is the function of the e-mail receiving means 103 in FIG.

[0013] The received mail is stored in the storage means 104. Therefore, even if the mail software is terminated thereafter, the mail stored in the storage means 104 is stored as it is. The above operation is the same as a general e-mail receiving method. This operation is often performed while looking at the screen,
The user can open the main body screen before going out or even while going out, and can perform the operation at a place where the mobile terminal can be easily operated. As described above, if the e-mail is stored in the storage means in the portable terminal of FIG.
For example, the contents of the received mail can be confirmed even on a train or the like. The liquid crystal display can be used in an open state or in a closed state. For example, when the apparatus is used with the liquid crystal display section opened, the operation of the voice reading means 105 is started because the keys for executing the functions are assigned to the keyboard 101. Then, the mail reading means or the circuit 105 for converting mail information into a voice signal, which is a voice reading means, is operated.

FIG. 3 shows a screen on which the means for converting mail information into a voice signal or the circuit 105, which is a voice reading means, is activated. In the display area 304, the mail to be read out is read from the storage unit 104 in a predetermined order and displayed. Here, the “start” button 3 which is the first operation area
When the user designates or selects 01, speech reading of the character string in the display area 304 starts. When the reading of one mail displayed in the display area 304 is completed, the mail stored in the storage unit is read again by pointing or selecting the “next mail” button 303 which is the second operation area. , In the display area 304. At this time, the sentence that has already been read is not read from the storage means. In this manner, by alternately instructing or selecting “next mail” and “start”, the mail can be read aloud sequentially, that is, output as an audio signal. "End" button 3, which is the third operation area
02, ie, by selecting, the voice reading means 10
5 ends the operation. The above is the main operation method when executing while reading the voice reading means on the screen. In the above description, the “next mail” button 303 is selected after the reading of the mail displayed in the display area 304 is completed.
Is selected, the reading is interrupted at this point, the next mail is read, and the next mail is read.

By the way, there is a case where it is difficult to perform the voice reading aloud function while watching the screen, such as in a train outside. Or you may want to know the contents of the email more easily. In order to solve these, for example, by inserting the earphone 205 into the earphone socket of 207, or by operating the remote control of the earphone with a remote control, that is, there is no operation output that opened the screen as described above An embodiment in which a reading operation can be performed by a simpler operation (which will be described below with reference to an example of inserting an earphone but may be a remote control operation of another earphone or other forms) may be described below.

First of all, it is simplest to operate by connecting an earphone at a place where an instruction can be made while watching the screen in advance, that is, at a place where an operation content can be selected. The remote control of the earphone is the next simplest), and it is necessary to set to start playback (output as an audio signal).

This setting method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For simplicity of description, an embodiment will be described below using an earphone connection, but the same applies to a case where an earphone remote control is used instead of the earphone connection.

As described above, when the operation switch 208, which is a key for executing this function, is depressed in order to start the program of the voice reading process, in step 901 the "voice signal by connecting the earphone" It is determined whether the flag of “Start conversion to” is “ON”, which is one state. In the reading aloud (output of the audio signal), referring to the information of 605 <start playback by connecting earphones>, that is, the input operating conditions, this information is “ON”, that is, (specified information such as connection of earphones). Under the condition that an audio signal is output by an operation) or in addition to the above, if the voice reading process is started by connecting an earphone, the voice reading process of the specified file, that is, the specified mail is performed in step 907.

In the voice reading process, a plurality of specified mails or text files are read continuously in a predetermined order. A method of specifying a mail and a text file will be described later as a process of setting a voice reading environment.

On the other hand, if the condition of step 901 is not satisfied, a speech reading initial screen is displayed in step 902. In this case, the operation is performed using the display screen of FIG. 3 in which the above-described display on the liquid crystal screen 202 is performed, that is, the reading function is performed while watching the screen. In the screen of FIG. 3, in step 903, an input instruction, that is, a selection is made from the user. Here, the “start” button 30 which is the first operation area
When 1 is selected, the mail files specified in step 905 are voice-converted in order and output.

When FIG. 3 is displayed in step 903, the fourth
(Option 403 in this embodiment), a menu in option 403 appears as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, it appears in the form of a pull-down menu. Next, “environment setting” 4 which is one form of “condition setting”
When 04 is selected, the condition setting in step 904 is performed. In this embodiment, this condition setting is referred to as environment setting.

Regarding the environment setting processing as input of conditions,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
Is displayed, in this embodiment, a voice reading environment setting initial screen. First instruction area 50 indicated as "Reading mail folder" 501 in FIG.
Checking or operating 1 indicates that the mail in the mail folder, that is, the received mail is instructed or selected to be converted into a voice signal (to be read out).

In the column 504, the designated mail folder is registered by using the "Add" and "Remove" buttons. Above, for the sake of simplicity, only the conversion of the received mail to a voice signal (simplified expression is described as "reading out") was described, but various other files can be subjected to "reading out". . The mail in the reception folder displayed in the area 504 is the reception mail described so far. When "Inbox" is selected and the display "Add" to be read is selected, the mails recorded in "Inbox" will be read. Conversely, even if the mail in the inbox has been read out,
Select "Receive folder" and then select "Remove" to exclude from the target. Similarly, the “send folder” records mails to be sent, and allows the user to select whether or not to target them. “Sent” means a folder in which sent mails are recorded, and it is possible to select whether or not to target these mails.

When the user checks or selects "Read a designated folder" 502, the user instructs that the text file in the designated folder is read aloud. In the field 505, the target file name of 502, that is, the path (recording destination) of the designated folder is registered. In “start playback by connecting earphones” in 503, to start continuous playback by connecting earphones, check or select the check box here.

At step 1002, 501, 502, 50
If the field of 3 is clicked or selected, step 10 is executed.
At 03, it is determined whether the corresponding column is checked or selected. If the corresponding column is not checked or selected, the corresponding column is checked or selected at step 1004, and if the corresponding column is checked, In step 1005, the check, that is, the selection of the corresponding column is removed.

When "OK" indicating the end of the input of confirmation or approval on the screen of FIG.
In step 1006, information of each item of 501 to 505 is
It is stored in a table on a storage device as shown in FIG.
When "Cancel" is indicated or selected on the screen in FIG. 5, nothing is newly stored in the table on the storage device in FIG. 6, that is, the condition is not changed, and the voice reading environment setting process ends. I do. Note that 501, 502,
If none of the items 503 is selected, there is no text-to-speech target, so no text-to-speech is performed.

In the case of the screen example shown in FIG.
Since 03 has been selected, it has been indicated or selected that the mail in the SV2 reception folder is to be read out, and the setting to start continuous playback when an earphone is connected is set as the voice reading environment. It will be done.

When the conditions shown in FIG. 5 are set, step 1007 shown in FIG. 10 is executed. This is the condition setting in FIG. 11, and is called a voice adjustment dialog in this embodiment. This dialog may be displayed as a submenu as 406 below 405 when the display 403 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, and may be displayed when this display is selected so that conditions can be set. By doing so, it is possible to open FIG. 11 which is a setting screen for easier understanding. In the dialog shown in FIG. 11, whether the voice to be read is male or female can be selected by selecting the display 1102. Display 1
When 102 is selected, “male” and “female” are displayed in order 110
4, the content displayed on the display 1104 is selected when the display "OK" is selected. The reading speed can be set on the display 1106. Similarly, the inflection is on display 1108, the tone is on display 1110, and the volume is 1
112 can be set. As for the setting method, when the mark as the display 1106 is moved to the right with the pen 203, the reading speed increases, and when the mark is moved to the left, the reading speed decreases. When the mark as the display 1108 is moved rightward with the pen 203, the intonation becomes stronger, and when the mark is moved leftward, the intonation becomes weaker. When the mark as the display 1110 is moved rightward with the pen 203, the timbre increases, and when the mark is moved leftward, the timbre decreases. Moving the mark of the display 1112 to the right with the pen 203 increases the volume, and moving the mark to the left decreases the volume. When "Trial" as the display 1114 is selected, the display 1104, 1106, 110
The determined sound is output from the earphone based on the condition settings of 8, 11,10, and 1112. This sound can be heard and further adjusted. After the input of the condition setting is completed, if the display "OK" indicating confirmation or approval or the end of the input is selected, the setting condition is recorded as a table in the storage means 104 of FIG.

In the voice reading function, menus 401 "file", 402 "operation", etc. shown in the screen of FIG. 4 are included in step 906, but they are not directly related to the present invention, so that the description of this function is omitted. I do.

The display 405 is a submenu of the display 403, and means a function of "dictionary setting". This display 40
When 3 is selected and then display 405 is selected, the screen of FIG. 12 is displayed. This screen is a screen for inputting a pronunciation method. The dictionary folder display 1202 displays the folder of the file in which the dictionary is to be recorded. This folder can be changed by selecting 1204. The content of 1206 such as a word table registered by the user and the input content of FIG. 13 are recorded in the folder.

When display 1210 "Add" is selected, FIG.
Is displayed. In FIG. 13, a word is input in an area 1302, and a reading method is input in an area 1304 in, for example, katakana or hiragana. Area 13
In 06, the accent position is input by the number of characters from the left of the reading. If no input is made, "none" is displayed on the display 1308. If the input is reversed, the display "None" disappears automatically. When the display 1310 is selected, test reading is performed, that is, sound is output from an earphone or a speaker as a sound signal. Thus, the input can be changed to an optimum input. For input and change, an area is selected with the pen 203 and then input from the pen 203 or the keyboard. When the display "OK" indicating confirmation, approval, or completion of input is selected, the above conditions are recorded in the recording means. After that, the words input to the area 1302 are read according to the reading input to the area 1304.
It is pronounced with an accent of 6.

Returning to FIG. 12, when a word in the word list 1208 is selected and a display 1212 "Delete" is selected, the input content of the selected word according to FIG. 13 is deleted. That is, it is erased from the recording means. When a word in the word list 1208 is selected and the display 1214 “change” is selected, FIG. 13 is displayed in a state where the input content of the selected word is input in each area of FIG. Here, the contents to be changed are inputted in the corresponding area, and when the display "OK" is selected, the changed contents are recorded in the recording means, and the change is completed. Display 121
6. When "trial reading" is selected, the selected word is output as voice. In this way, it is possible to register, delete, or change how to read a word. A display 1218 is provided as a method for easily inputting the reading of the sender, that is, the other party.
When "Read Address Book" is selected, a record list of addresses is input as input on the screen of FIG. 13, and the phonetic name of the first and last names is handled in the same manner as input as how to read area 1304. A record list of addresses can be read at once, which is very convenient. Also, for example, the display 1216
You can test the pronunciation of the list read by "trial reading" and change it, greatly improving usability. When the input is completed, "OK" indicating the end of the operation such as confirmation, approval, input, or change is selected, and the operation in FIG. 12 ends. If the user selects the "cancel" display, the operation ends without any change.

Next, an embodiment of a function when an earphone is actually connected (the same is true even when a remote control for the earphone is used) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process when the earphone is attached. First, in step 701, reference is made to whether “start playback by connecting earphones” in the storage device is “ON” meaning “ON”, that is, condition setting. This information is information that is set in the above-described speech-reading environment setting process, and exists in the storage device in association with another upper portion as indicated by 605 in FIG. If “start playback by connecting earphones” is OFF (meaning not to perform) in step 701, the processing when the earphones are attached is terminated. If "start playback by connecting earphones" is ON in step 701, it is checked whether the main power of the portable terminal is ON in step 702. If the main power is OFF, the main power is turned on in step 703. Is performed. When the main power supply is turned on, the voice reading process is started in step 704. As described above, the speech-to-speech process is executed according to the flow shown in FIG.
7, the continuous reproduction of the designated file is executed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when the earphone is removed. First, in step 801, it is checked whether or not the voice-to-speech process is running. If the voice reading process is not running, the process for removing the earphone ends. If the voice reading process is being started in step 801, the voice reading process is terminated in step 802, and the main power supply is turned off in step 803.
The processing when the earphone is detached with the FF is ended.

Although the detailed description is omitted, while the main body of the portable terminal is closed (even if no instruction or selection is made from the keyboard), the button is pressed once, for example, using the button switch 208 during the voice reading process. When the button is operated, the voice reading process is stopped, and when the button is operated twice, an operation such as proceeding to the next mail can be performed. That is, reading start and end may be controlled by the number of times of operation of the button switch 208, or the operation during reading may be ended and the operation may be shifted to the reading operation of the next mail. This method is also easy to use. In addition, it is also possible to control the start and end of the reading operation, the operation during the reading operation, and the transition to the reading operation of the next mail by the operation such as the remote control of the earphone with the remote control. This is also very convenient.

FIG. 14 shows a screen for setting the contents of the above-mentioned reading, which may be displayed on the display 406 as a submenu of the menu of the display 403 in FIG. 4, and this screen may be displayed by selecting this. To read the header of the email, select area 1402, and further, each item of the header, subject,
Sender, destination, destination of CC, destination of BCC, transmission date,
Set whether to read the size (capacity), type (including urgent or not) of the mail, whether it is a reply, and whether or not there is an attached document. When each of the display areas is selected with the pen 203, for example, a check mark or the like is input or erased in each of the areas, and a condition as to whether or not to read aloud can be input (set). Whether to read out the URL or mail address in the text can also be set depending on whether or not the display 1404 or 1406 is selected.

A display 1408 indicates whether or not to output an auxiliary sound.
By selecting an area 1408 with the pen 203, it is possible to select whether or not to input a mark, and to set whether or not to emit a sound. When an auxiliary sound is generated, the relationship with the operation is set by whether or not areas 1408, 1410, 1412, and 1414 are selected. An area 1408 emits a sound at the start of the conversion process to the audio signal or at the start of each mail. The area 1410 emits a sound at the end of the conversion process into the audio signal or at the end of the reading of each mail. The area 1412 emits a sound at the start of the operation when reading back to the previous mail. Area 1414 emits a sound when interrupting the current reading and proceeding to the next mail. The content of each sound is area 14
It can be selected by setting from 16 to 1422. When the input is completed, the input contents can be registered in the recording device 104 with a display 1426 "OK". If the user selects "cancel" in display 1428, this operation ends without changing the setting. By the operation described with reference to FIG. 14, the mail can be checked without opening the display screen as described above, and the operation can be performed while confirming the status of the operation by sound. The above operation is also effective, for example, by operating a remote control attached to the earphone. A remote control attached to an earphone often has a small display means, but there are various situations where it is difficult to see the display, such as when traveling on a train. There is an effect that the operation can be performed accurately even in such a situation.

As described above, the voice reading function is activated when the earphone is attached, and the voice reading function is terminated when the earphone is removed, even if the user does not operate the keyboard or the like while looking at the screen of the portable terminal. It is very convenient.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage means for storing a text file such as an electronic mail, the voice reading means for reading a character string of the text file stored in the storage means, and the plug of the earphone are connected to the earphone. When the earphone connection detecting means detects that the earphone is connected to the plug outlet, and when the earphone connection detecting means detects that the earphone is connected, the main power of the apparatus is turned on to start reading out voice, When the earphone connection detecting means detects that the earphone is unplugged while the voice reading process is being performed, the voice reading process is terminated and the main power of the apparatus is turned off. A text-to-speech environment setting means for setting whether to control the start and end of text-to-speech by inserting and removing By obtain, it is frequently paid a lot of effect.

In the above embodiment, when starting and ending the voice reading function, the portable terminal is taken out of the bag,
By attaching / detaching the earphone to / from the portable terminal without instructing or selecting an operation from a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, the voice reading function can be started and ended, and the operation burden on the user can be reduced. It can also be operated with the remote control of the earphone, and has the same effect.

[0041]

As described above, the voice-to-speech apparatus of the present invention allows the user to check the contents of the mail by voice when the earphone is attached or detached or by operating the remote control of the earphone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a voice reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a voice reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a voice reading process;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a voice reading process;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a voice reading environment setting process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of voice reading environment information on a storage device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow when earphones are attached.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when an earphone is removed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a voice reading process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of a voice reading environment setting process.

FIG. 11 is a screen for inputting an audio adjustment condition that is a condition for conversion to an audio signal.

FIG. 12 is a screen for inputting a sound generation method which is a condition for conversion to an audio signal.

FIG. 13 is a screen for inputting a reading method.

FIG. 14 is a screen for setting an auxiliary sound generation condition.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Jun Ito 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B089 GA25 JA31 KA01 KC26 KH15 LB13 in Electrification Equipment Division, Taga Headquarters, Hitachi, Ltd. LB14 5E501 AA04 AB16 BA05 CA04 CA08 CB02 CB05 EA10 FA03 FA05 FA32

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An e-mail receiving apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting data; and a liquid crystal display unit for displaying data, wherein the storage unit stores contents of the e-mail; Voice signal converting means for converting the content of the stored e-mail into a voice signal; operating means for voice conversion; and e-mail reception for outputting the content of the received mail as a voice signal in response to operation of the operating means for voice conversion. apparatus. 2. An electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sound conversion operation means uses a means for detecting that an earphone plug is inserted into or removed from an earphone plug insertion port, and inserts the earphone. An e-mail receiving device that outputs the content of the received e-mail as an audio signal in accordance with the e-mail. 3. The electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a main power supply of the electronic mail receiving apparatus is turned on in response to the insertion operation of the earphone, and the content of the received mail is output as an audio signal. Receiver. 4. The electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the earphone is unplugged while the voice reading operation is being performed, the sound signal output process is terminated and the main power supply is turned off. An e-mail receiving device, comprising: 5. An e-mail receiving apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting data; and a liquid crystal display unit for displaying data, wherein the storage unit stores contents of the e-mail; Voice signal converting means for converting the content of the stored e-mail into a voice signal, operating means for voice conversion, and outputting the content of the received mail as a voice signal in response to operation of the operating means for voice conversion And displaying a setting screen as to whether or not to perform an operation of outputting with the audio signal according to the operation means of the audio conversion, and performing an operation of outputting with the audio signal based on the setting of the screen. Email receiver.