JP2001086246A - Audio storage device, control method therefor and audio response service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit a comfortably audible audio signal without problems, such as the amplification of noises by changing the volume of the audio signal transmitted from the side of transmission, in response to a request from the side of a terminal. SOLUTION: An audio storage device 20 is composed of an audio storage part 21 for storing audio signals, such as voice messages or music, a level change signal detecting part 22 for detecting a level change signal transmitted from opposite terminal equipment 12 on the opposite side via a communication line 11 and a variable output audio level control part 23 for variably setting (increasing/decreasing) an output audio level, corresponding to the detected level change signal or the like. According to this constitution, the output level of the audio signal transmitted to the opposite terminal 12 can be changed automatically corresponding to the level change signal from the opposite terminal 12 connected to a center system 13 and easy to listen voice messages or music can be provided to the opposite terminal 12, without problems such as the amplification of noises on the communication line 11 or exchange.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice storage device, a control method thereof, and a voice response service system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a voice response service system for transmitting various voice messages and the like to a partner terminal via a telephone network or the like has been used. A voice storage device is provided on the center device side that provides such a voice response service, and various voice messages are stored in the voice storage device in advance. When a terminal such as a subscriber's telephone is connected to the center device via the telephone network, a voice message is read from the voice storage device and transmitted to the partner terminal via the telephone network.

[0003]

Conventionally, when the volume of a voice message or music arrived from a center device is low due to the influence of a telephone line or the like, the user listens with patience as it is or the voice is not heard. It was necessary to repeat the call several times until sound was heard. If the terminal such as a telephone has a function of amplifying the volume of a received signal, the volume can be increased to increase the volume of the sound. However, in this case, the noise of the telephone line and the switching system is also amplified, which sometimes makes it difficult to hear.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and enables the volume of an audio signal transmitted from a transmission side to be changed in response to a request from a terminal side, thereby solving problems such as noise amplification. It is an object of the present invention to provide a voice storage device capable of transmitting a voice signal that is easy to hear without inviting, a control method thereof, and a voice response service system.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an audio storage device connected to a communication line and having a function of transmitting a predetermined audio signal to a partner terminal via the communication line. A voice storage unit that stores the voice signal, a detection unit that detects a volume change request transmitted from the partner terminal via the communication line, and a volume change request detected by the detection unit, An audio output level changing means for variably setting an output level of an audio signal to be transmitted to a partner terminal via a communication line.

This audio storage device is provided with a function of automatically setting the output level of an audio signal to be transmitted to a partner terminal in response to a volume change request from the partner terminal. , It is possible to provide an easy-to-listen voice message or the like to the partner terminal without inviting.

Further, by detecting a predetermined push button signal or dial pulse signal transmitted from the partner terminal as the volume change request, it is possible to use a normal terminal device such as a telephone as it is. Become. Further, by providing a voice recognition means for recognizing a voice signal from the partner terminal, it is possible to detect a predetermined voice signal from the partner terminal as a volume change request.

The audio output level changing means uses a circuit for variably setting the volume of the analog audio signal, a digital arithmetic means for performing a predetermined digital arithmetic processing on the digital audio signal read from the audio storage means, and the like. Can be realized.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a voice response service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This voice response service system is for providing a service of transmitting voice signals such as various voice messages and music to a partner terminal via a telephone line network or the like, and includes a communication line 11 such as a telephone line network, It comprises a terminal device 12 such as a telephone and a center device 13. The center device 13 is provided with a voice storage device 20 for providing a voice response service, and the voice storage device 20 transmits a voice message such as a voice message or music to the terminal device 12 on the partner side.

As shown in the figure, the voice storage device 20 stores a voice storage unit 21 for storing voice signals such as voice messages and music, and a level transmitted from the other terminal device 12 via the communication line 11. It comprises a level change signal detection section 22 for detecting a change signal, an output audio level variable control section 23 for variably setting (increase / decrease) the output audio level according to the detected level change signal, and the like. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically change the output level of the audio signal to be transmitted to the partner terminal 12 in response to the level change signal from the partner terminal 12 connected to the center device 13, and to reduce the noise of the communication line 11 and the switching equipment. It is possible to provide an easy-to-listen voice message or music to the partner terminal 12 without causing a problem such as amplification due to the above.

FIG. 2 shows a first specific configuration example of the voice storage device 20.

This configuration is an example of a case where a level change request from the partner terminal 12 is detected using a PB (push button) signal. As shown in FIG.
Network control unit (NCU) 201, output amplifier circuit 202, input amplifier circuit 203, audio input / output circuit 20
4, a CPU 205, and an audio memory 206.

The NCU 201 provides a connection interface with a telephone line. In addition to a calling / receiving function, the NCU 201 transmits an output audio signal amplified by the output amplifier circuit 202 to the partner terminal 12 via the telephone line. It has a function of receiving an audio signal from the partner terminal 12 via a telephone line and outputting it to the input amplifier circuit 203.

The audio input / output circuit 204 is for transmitting and receiving an audio signal between the CPU 205 and the terminal 12, and the μ-law sent from the CPU 205.
A voice CODEC 207 for converting digital voice data of a system or the like into an analog signal, and conversely, converting a voice signal received from a telephone line into digital voice data.
And an attenuator (ATT) 208 for adjusting the output level of the output audio signal, and a PB detection circuit 2 for receiving a PB signal input from a telephone line and detecting a level change request.
09.

In this embodiment, for example, "2" of the PB signal
Is used as a level change request to raise the sound by 3 dB, and “8” of the PB signal is used as a level change request to lower the sound by 3 dB.

In the voice memory 206, a plurality of voice messages, music data, and the like are recorded as digital voice data of a μ-law system or the like. The CPU 205 issues an instruction based on a voice signal from the partner terminal 12 or a PB
In response to an instruction using a signal or the like, necessary audio data is read from the audio memory 206 and output to the audio input / output circuit 204. Also, during a call, the PB detection circuit
When "2" or "8" of the B signal is detected, C
The PU 205 controls the attenuator (ATT) 208 to change the volume of the output audio signal.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, PB
The operation of the voice storage device 20 using a (push button) signal as a level change request will be described.

First, an incoming call is received from the terminal 12 such as a telephone through the telephone line 11 to the voice storage device 20. In response to the incoming call, the CPU 205 of the voice storage device 20 reads digital voice data for transmitting voice to the telephone line 11 from the voice memory 206, accesses the voice CODEC 207 through the CPU bus, and transfers the digital voice data ( Step S101). The digital audio data is converted into an analog signal by the audio CODEC 207, and then the ATT 208, the output amplifier circuit 202, the NCU 201
And transmitted via the telephone line 11 to the terminal 12 on the calling side.

When the terminal 12 determines that the voice is low, when the terminal 12 transmits the PB signal “2”, it is transmitted to the voice input / output circuit 204 through the telephone line 11, the NCU 201 and the input amplifier 203. , PB detection circuit 20
9 is detected as a level change request (step S1).
02 YES). The level change request of the PB signal "2" is P
B detection circuit 209 notifies CPU 205
It is determined by 205 whether the request is a level up request or a level down request (step S103). Here, since the PB signal is “2”, the CPU 205
Determines that this is a level up request, and controls the ATT 208 to raise the audio signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current audio signal transmission level (step S104).

On the other hand, if the received PB signal is "8", the CPU 205 controls the ATT 208 to lower the audio signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current audio signal transmission level (step S105).

By automatically adjusting the audio signal transmission level by such control, it is possible to provide a sound that is easy to hear.

FIG. 3 shows a second specific configuration example of the voice storage device 20.

This configuration is an example of a case where a level change request from the partner terminal 12 is detected using a DP (dial pulse) signal. As shown in FIG.
Network control unit (NCU) 301, output amplifier circuit 302, input amplifier circuit 303, audio input / output circuit 30
4, a CPU 305, and an audio memory 306.

The NCU 301 is for providing a connection interface with a telephone line. In addition to a calling / receiving function, the NCU 301 transmits an output audio signal amplified by the output amplifier circuit 302 to the partner terminal 12 via the telephone line. It has a function of receiving an audio signal from the partner terminal 12 via a telephone line and outputting it to the input amplifier circuit 303. further,
The NCU 301 is provided with a dial pulse detection unit 307 for receiving a DP signal and detecting a level change request. In this example, for example, “2” of the DP signal is used as a level change request for raising the sound by 3 dB, and “8” of the DP signal is used as a level change request for lowering the sound by 3 dB.

The audio input / output circuit 304 is for transmitting and receiving an audio signal between the CPU 305 and the terminal 12, and the μ-law sent from the CPU 305.
A voice CODEC 308 that converts digital voice data of a system or the like into an analog signal, and conversely converts a voice signal received from a telephone line into digital voice data.
And an attenuator (ATT) 309 for adjusting the output level of the output audio signal.

In the voice memory 306, a plurality of voice messages and music data are recorded as digital voice data of a μ-law system or the like. The CPU 305 receives an instruction by a voice signal from the partner terminal 12 or a PB
In response to an instruction using a signal or the like, necessary audio data is read from the audio memory 306 and output to the audio input / output circuit 304. During a call, the DP detection unit 307 sets the DP.
If "2" or "8" of the signal is detected, CP
The U 305 controls the attenuator (ATT) 309 to change the volume of the output audio signal.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, DP
The operation of the voice storage device 20 using a (dial pulse) signal as a level change request will be described.

First, an incoming call is received from the terminal 12 such as a telephone through the telephone line 11 to the voice storage device 20. In response to the incoming call, the CPU 305 of the voice storage device 20 reads digital voice data for transmitting voice to the telephone line 11 from the voice memory 306, and accesses the voice CODEC 307 through the CPU bus to transfer the digital voice data ( Step S101). The digital audio data is converted into an analog signal by the audio CODEC 308, and then the ATT 309, the output amplifier circuit 302, the NCU 301
And transmitted via the telephone line 11 to the terminal 12 on the calling side.

When the terminal 12 determines that the voice is low, when the terminal 12 sends the DP signal “2”, it is transmitted to the NCU 301 via the telephone line 11 and is transmitted to the NCU 301.
The level is detected as a level change request by the DP detection unit 307 in the CU 301 (YES in step S102). The level change request of the DP signal “2” is sent from the DP detector 307 to the CP.
U305 is notified, and the CPU 305 determines whether the request is a level up request or a level down request (step S103). Here, since the DP signal is “2”, the CPU 305 determines that the request is a level up request, and controls the ATT 309 to increase the audio signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current audio signal transmission level (step S104).

On the other hand, if the received DP signal is "8", the CPU 305 controls the ATT 309 to lower the audio signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current audio signal transmission level (step S105).

By automatically adjusting the audio signal transmission level by such control, it is possible to provide a sound that is easy to hear.

FIG. 4 shows a third specific configuration example of the voice storage device 20.

This configuration uses the voice recognition to perform communication with the partner terminal 1.
This is an example of detecting a level change request from the network control unit (NCU) 401, an output amplifier circuit 402, an input amplifier circuit 403, an audio input / output circuit 404, CPU 405,
And an audio memory 406.

The NCU 401 is for providing a connection interface with a telephone line. In addition to an outgoing / incoming / receiving function, the NCU 401 transmits an output audio signal amplified by the output amplifying circuit 402 to the partner terminal 12 via the telephone line. It has a function of receiving an audio signal from the partner terminal 12 via a telephone line and outputting it to the input amplifier circuit 403.

The voice input / output circuit 404 is for transmitting and receiving a voice signal between the CPU 405 and the partner terminal 12, and the μ-law sent from the CPU 405.
A voice CODEC 407 for converting digital voice data of a system or the like into an analog signal, and conversely, converting a voice signal received from a telephone line into digital voice data.
And an attenuator (ATT) 408 for adjusting the output level of the output audio signal, and an audio recognition circuit 409 for recognizing the audio signal input from the telephone line.

In the present embodiment, for example, the audio from the terminal 12 called "audio volume up" outputs the output audio signal by 3 dB.
The audio signal from the terminal 12 called “audio volume down” is used as a level change request to lower the output audio signal by 3 dB.

In the voice memory 406, a plurality of voice messages, music data, and the like are recorded as digital voice data of a μ-law system or the like. The CPU 405 receives an instruction by a voice signal from the partner terminal 12 or a PB
In response to an instruction using a signal or the like, necessary audio data is read from the audio memory 406 and output to the audio input / output circuit 404. When the voice recognition circuit 409 recognizes the voice “voice volume up” or “voice volume down” during a call, the CPU 405
Controls the attenuator (ATT) 408 to change the volume of the output audio signal.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of changing the audio output level using the level change instruction from the partner terminal 12 using audio will be described.

First, an incoming call is received from the terminal 12 such as a telephone through the telephone line 11 to the voice storage device 20. In response to the incoming call, the CPU 405 of the voice storage device 20 reads digital voice data for transmitting voice to the telephone line 11 from the voice memory 206, and accesses the voice CODEC 407 through the CPU bus to transfer the digital voice data ( Step S101). The digital audio data is converted into an analog signal by the audio CODEC 407, and then the ATT 408, the output amplifier circuit 402, the NCU 401
And transmitted via the telephone line 11 to the terminal 12 on the calling side.

When the terminal 12 determines that the voice is low, if the voice from the terminal 12 indicates “volume up”, the voice is transmitted to the telephone line 11 and the NCU 40.
1. Audio input / output circuit 404 through input amplification circuit 403
And is recognized as a level change request by the voice recognition circuit 409 (YES in step S102). The voice recognition circuit 409 notifies the CPU 405 of the voice recognition result of "volume up", and the CPU 405 determines whether the request is a level up request or a level down request (step S103). Here, since the recognized voice is “voice volume up”, the CPU 405 determines that it is a level up request,
The ATT 408 is controlled to increase the audio signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current audio signal transmission level (step S104).

On the other hand, if the recognized voice is "voice volume down", the CPU 405 controls the ATT 408 to lower the voice signal transmission level by 3 dB from the current voice signal transmission level (step S105).

By automatically adjusting the audio signal transmission level by such control, it is possible to provide a sound that is easy to hear.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the case where the transmission level of the analog audio signal is increased or decreased by the attenuator has been described. However, the digital audio data read from the audio memory is transmitted to the CPU or the audio input / output circuit. DSP within
(Digital Signal Processo
r) by digital processing
The transmission level of the audio signal may be changed without changing the digital signal. When a digital line is used as the communication line 11, the process of converting to an analog signal becomes unnecessary, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

When a digital line is used as the communication line 11, voice signals such as voice messages and music are recorded in advance in a predetermined storage device in the voice storage device 20 as analog voice signals, and are read out. The transmission level of the analog audio signal can be changed in an analog manner by an attenuator of an analog circuit.

Further, the configuration of the voice storage device 20 of the present embodiment can be applied to, for example, a telephone having an answering machine function. This allows you to listen to voicemail messages from other telephones via the telephone line,
The volume of a voice message sent from the answering machine can be remotely controlled. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a communication system using a wireless communication line such as a mobile phone as well as a wired one.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The volume of the audio signal transmitted from the transmission side can be increased or decreased in response to a request from the terminal side, so that an audio signal that is easy to hear can be transmitted without causing a problem such as amplification of noise.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice response service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a first configuration of a voice storage device used in the voice response service system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a second configuration of the voice storage device used in the voice response service system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing a third configuration of the voice storage device used in the voice response service system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each sound storage device of FIGS. 1 to 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Communication line 12 ... Terminal device 13 ... Center device 20 ... Voice storage device 204, 304, 404 ... Voice input / output circuit 205, 305, 405 ... CPU 206, 306, 406 ... Voice memory 208, 309, 408 ... Attenuator 209 ... PB detection circuit 307 ... DP detection unit 409 ... Speech recognition circuit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shuji Takahashi 1-3-3 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo F-term in Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (reference) 5K015 AA04 AA06 AA07 GA07 GA13 5K024 AA72 AA76 BB02 BB05 CC01 DD01 EE01 EE09 FF06

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An audio storage device connected to a communication line and having a function of transmitting a predetermined audio signal to a partner terminal via the communication line, wherein: an audio storage means for storing the audio signal; Detecting means for detecting a volume change request transmitted from the other terminal via the communication line, and in response to the volume change request detected by the detecting means, an output level of an audio signal transmitted to the other terminal via the communication line. And a voice output level changing means for variably setting the voice output level. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects a predetermined push button signal or dial pulse signal transmitted from the partner terminal via the communication line as the volume change request. Voice storage device. 3. The detecting means includes a voice recognizing means for recognizing a voice signal transmitted from the partner terminal, and transmits a predetermined voice signal transmitted from the partner terminal using the voice recognition means to the volume change request. The voice storage device according to claim 1, wherein the voice storage device detects the voice. 4. The audio storage device according to claim 1, wherein said audio output level changing means comprises a circuit for variably setting the volume of an analog audio signal. 5. A digital audio signal is recorded in the audio storage means, and the audio output level changing means performs a predetermined digital operation process on the digital audio signal read from the audio storage means. 2. The voice storage device according to claim 1, wherein the voice storage device comprises digital operation means. 6. A control method of a voice storage device for transmitting a voice signal stored in advance to a partner terminal via a communication line, wherein a volume change request transmitted from the partner terminal via the communication line is provided. A control method characterized by detecting and variably setting an output level of an audio signal to be transmitted to a partner terminal via the communication line in response to the detected volume change request. 7. A voice response service system for transmitting a voice signal previously stored in the voice storage device to the terminal device by connecting the terminal device to the voice storage device via a communication line. Means for transmitting a volume change request to the audio storage device from; and in response to the volume change request transmitted to the audio storage device,
Means for variably setting an output level of an audio signal transmitted from the audio storage device to the terminal device via the communication line.