JP2002152387A - Information conversion communication method, information conversion communication system, conversion server and program record medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information conversion communication technology capable of providing services in which a desirable conversion is made to speech information by instructions from a user to transmit. SOLUTION: A personal computer comprises a microphone, a speaker and a function of transmission by IP packeting speech and can be connected to an IP network. A telephone set is connected to a telephone network connected to the IP network. When transmitting between the mutual personal computers, between the mutual telephone sets, and between the personal computer and the telephone set, by use of the personal computer or the telephone set, the personal computer or the telephone set transmits speech information to a conversion server connected to the IP network by way of the network, and after the conversion server makes a desirable conversion, it transmits the information to the personal computer or the telephone set by IP packeting or as the speech information. The conversion contains a translation of foreign languages, text formation of the speech information or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information conversion communication method, an information conversion communication system, a conversion server, and a program recording medium capable of providing auxiliary information for voice communication such as translation information of voice information in a foreign language. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a communication partner is a foreigner,
It may be necessary to have a foreign language conversation over the phone. Although rudimentary, a translation program based on speech recognition, a program for converting speech information into text, and the like are also commercially available. If these are used, a conversation in a foreign language can be obtained as translated speech or converted text.

[0003] However, these programs are still rudimentary, but very expensive, and it is uneconomical for each individual to have a translation program or conversion program that is used only rarely. After recording once,
Some programs must be used offline, which is extremely inconvenient.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an information conversion communication method and an information conversion communication method capable of providing a service for performing desired conversion on voice information and transmitting the same in accordance with an instruction from a user. A conversion communication system and a conversion server are provided.

[0005]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information conversion communication method, comprising: a personal computer having a function of making a microphone, a speaker, and voice into an IP packet and communicating; Or, when using the personal computer and a telephone connected to a telephone network connected to an IP network and performing communication between personal computers, between telephones, or between a personal computer and a telephone, the personal computer or the telephone The voice information is transmitted to the conversion server connected to the IP network via the network, and after the conversion server performs a desired conversion, the information is converted into an IP packet or transmitted to a personal computer or a telephone as voice information. It is characterized by the following.

[0006] In the information conversion communication method of the present invention, the conversion includes translation of a foreign language, conversion of voice information into text, and the like. If these conversions are charged, a fee may be collected based on the user's address.

Further, an information conversion communication system according to the present invention comprises:
It includes an IP network, personal computers of a plurality of users connected to the IP network, and a conversion server connected to the IP network, wherein the conversion server has a function of converting voice information.

[0008] Another information conversion communication system according to the present invention comprises:
P network, a telephone network connected to the IP network, personal computers of a plurality of users connected to the IP network, telephones of a plurality of users connected to the telephone network, and a conversion server connected to the IP network The conversion server has a function of converting voice information.

Further, the conversion server of the present invention comprises: billing original data, translation and text conversion program, home page display program and data, language selection and program calling function, translation and text conversion program execution section, home page display program execution section, And a processor and a storage device comprising an operating system,
It is characterized by converting voice information from a user according to a user's instruction.

A program recording medium for a conversion server according to the present invention stores a homepage display program and data, a language selection and program calling function, and a translation and text conversion program.

[0011]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 4 show the configuration of a first embodiment of the information conversion communication system of the present invention.
2. P of users 105 and 106 connected to IP network 102
C (Personal Computer) 101 and 104, and IP
It includes a conversion server 103 connected to the network 102.

The transmitting side PC 101 and the receiving side PC 104 are both a processor and a storage device, an input / output control, a monitor,
It includes a keyboard, a speaker, a microphone, and a network interface unit, and the processor and the storage device include an operating system, a web browser, and an Internet voice communication program.

The conversion server 103 includes a processor and a storage device, an input / output control, a monitor, a keyboard, and a network interface unit. The processor and the storage device include an operating system, original billing data,
It includes a translation and text conversion program, a homepage display program and data, a language selection and program calling function, a translation and text conversion program execution unit, and a homepage display program execution unit. A translation and text conversion program is provided for each of a plurality of languages. The original billing data includes data such as a user address, a use program, a use start time, and a use end time. The network interface unit is connected to the IP network 102.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG. User 105 is the other user 106 and PC
It is assumed that a conversation is performed via the PC 101 and the PC 104. In a normal case, the PCs 101 and 104 have a function of performing voice communication using a microphone, a speaker, and an IP packet. P
The audio information collected by the C101 and 104 microphones is
The voice information is converted into IP packets by the voice information IP packetizing function in each PC, and is delivered to the PC 104 or 101 of the other party through a voice communication channel. The delivered IP packet is reproduced as voice by various functions including a device and software between the PCs and a speaker.

On the other hand, the conversion server 103 is loaded with programs such as a translation program and a conversion program.
The other user 106 is assumed to use a foreign language, and requests translation or conversion of the own language into the other user's foreign language and the other user's foreign language into their own language (step 30).
1) works as follows.

The user 105 accesses the home page of the conversion service in the conversion server 103 by specifying the URL using the web browser of the PC 101. Conversion server 103
Transmits the homepage data to the PC 101, and the web browser of the PC 101 displays the received homepage of the conversion service on the monitor. This home page contains the name of the program used and its contents (see FIG. 4).
(1)). According to the description of each program on the displayed homepage, when the user 105 clicks on the program name to be used (step 302), the homepage display program of the conversion server 103 uses the home and destination user addresses, foreign languages, etc. for use. A screen for inputting important information is displayed. When the user uses the screen to input necessary information (step 303), the web browser of the PC 101 transmits the input information to the homepage display program of the conversion server 103 ((2) in FIG. 4).

The conversion server 103 connects the PC 101 of the calling user and the conversion server 103 and the conversion server 103 and the PC 104 of the called user via the IP network based on the received information. Further, the homepage display program of the conversion server 103 activates a language selection and program calling function, calls a translation and text conversion program of a corresponding language based on the received information, and further executes a translation and text conversion program execution unit. Activate ((3) in FIG. 4). When the calling user 105 inputs voice information using the Internet voice communication program of the PC 101, the Internet voice communication program converts the voice information into an IP packet and transmits it to the translation and text conversion program of the conversion server 103 (step 304). (FIG. 4
(4)).

The conversion server 103 receives the IP packetized voice information transmitted from the originating PC 101 (step 30).
5), decrypt it and pass it to the translation and text conversion program execution unit. The translation and text conversion program execution unit translates or converts the decoded speech information by executing the translation and text conversion program of the corresponding language that has already been called (step 306), and converts the translated or converted information. It is converted into an IP packet and transmitted to the receiving side PC 104 (step 307). If it is specified that the original information before translation or conversion is required (step 308), the audio information before decoding is also transmitted to the receiving PC 104 (step 309) ((5) in FIG. 4). . In addition, the text conversion program execution unit records data such as a user address, a use program, a use start time, and a use end time related to translation or conversion in addition to the original billing data stored in the conversion server 103. .

The receiving side PC 104 receives the information transmitted from the conversion server 103 (step 310), and receives the received IP.
Decrypt and reproduce the packetized information (step 31
1). In the case of voice information, the voice information is reproduced by a speaker using the Internet voice communication program of the receiving side PC 104 as voice. In the case of the information converted into text, the information is displayed while scrolling in a text window using a text display program (not shown) of the receiving side PC 104.

When the receiving user 106 inputs voice information using the Internet voice communication program of the receiving PC 104 for a response, the Internet voice communication program converts the voice information into IP packets and converts the voice information into an IP packet.
It transmits to 103 (step 304) ((6) in FIG. 4).

The conversion server 103 receives the IP packetized voice information transmitted from the receiving side PC 104 (step 30).
5), decrypt it and pass it to the translation and text conversion program execution unit. The translation and text conversion program execution unit translates or converts the decoded speech information by executing the translation and text conversion program of the corresponding language that has already been called (step 306), and converts the translated or converted information. It is converted into an IP packet and transmitted to the transmitting side PC 101 (step 307). If it is specified that the original information before translation or conversion is required (step 308), the voice information before decoding is also transmitted to the transmitting side PC 101 (step 309) ((7) in FIG. 4). . In addition, the text conversion program execution unit records data such as a user address, a use program, a use start time, and a use end time related to translation or conversion in addition to the original billing data stored in the conversion server 103. .

The originating PC 101 receives the information transmitted from the conversion server 103 (step 310), and receives the received IP.
Decrypt and reproduce the packetized information (step 31
1). In the case of voice information, the voice information is reproduced by a speaker using the Internet voice communication program of the calling side PC 101 as voice. In the case of the information converted into text, the information is displayed while scrolling in a text window using a text display program (not shown) of the transmitting side PC 101. When communication ends (step
312), the user 105 notifies the conversion server 103 of the end (step 313).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the information conversion communication system of the present invention.
, A PC 101 of a user 105 connected to the IP network 102, telephones 201 and 202 of the users 105 and 106 connected to the telephone network 203, and a conversion server 103 connected to the IP network 102 including. PC 101 and conversion server 10
The configuration of 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. PC101 is
Conversion server 103 using a known URL via IP network 102
To access.

The conversion server 103 is loaded with programs such as a translation program and a conversion program. The conversion server 103 displays, on the PC 101, the name of the program used on the web or the like and the contents thereof. When the user 105 clicks on a program name to be used from the description of each program, a screen for inputting information necessary for use, such as a sending / receiving user address and a foreign language, is displayed. The user uses the screen to input necessary information, for example, translation between English and Japanese. In this embodiment, the telephones 201 and 2 are used as the calling and called user addresses.
Specify 02 phone number.

The conversion server 103 includes a telephone 201 and a conversion server.
A call connection is made between the communication server 103 and the conversion server 103 and the telephone 202. The voice information of telephones 201 and 202 is provided to translation server 103 using the call and translated, and brought to telephones 202 and 201, respectively, using the other call. When the communication is completed, the user 105 notifies the conversion server 103 of the end using the PC 101, or the telephones 201 and 202 release the call connection, and the conversion server 103 ends the translation process.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a user converts his voice into text. In this case, user 105
Accesses the conversion server 103 and converts the text information to PC1.
Receive at 01. The operation in this case is similar to that of the above-described embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the use of the conversion server program is charged. In this case, the user is charged for address information such as a telephone number.
Specifically, for example, a user is charged directly using a database that stores the correspondence between the user and the address information, or a request is made to a telephone company for agency collection. Alternatively, it may be an additional service of a communication service provider that provides an IP network, and may be used only by a user who has registered as an additional service member. In this case, when accessing the conversion server, the conversion server acquires the authentication password or the user address information and confirms the user qualification.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if each user does not install a translation or conversion program on his or her personal computer, it is possible to assist conversation using a foreign language network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an information conversion communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the information conversion communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention in detail.

[Description of Signs] 101, 104 Personal computer 102 IP network 103 Conversion server 105, 106 User 201, 202 Telephone 203 Telephone network

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04M 3/42 H04M 3/42 P 5K101 11/00 302 11/00 302 G10L 3/00 551C 551A F-term (reference) 5B091 AA03 BA03 CB12 CB32 CD03 5D015 KK02 5K015 AA06 AF09 GA00 5K024 AA74 CC01 EE09 FF05 5K051 BB01 CC01 CC02 GG02 HH27 5K101 KK15 MM07 NN07 NN16 NN18 RR05 UU19

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A microphone, a loudspeaker and a voice are transmitted over an IP.
A personal computer having a function of packetizing and connecting to an IP network, or a computer and I
When communication is performed between personal computers, between telephones, or between a personal computer and a telephone using a telephone connected to a telephone network connected to the P network, the personal computer or the telephone is connected to the IP via the network. Information that transmits voice information to a conversion server connected to a network, and after the conversion server performs a desired conversion, converts the information into IP packets or transmits the information as voice information to a personal computer or a telephone. Conversion communication method. 2. The information conversion communication method according to claim 1, wherein the desired conversion is a foreign language translation. 3. The information conversion communication method according to claim 1, wherein the desired conversion is conversion of audio information into text. 4. The information conversion communication method according to claim 1, wherein when the desired conversion is a fee, a fee is collected based on a user's address. 5. An IP network, personal computers of a plurality of users connected to the IP network, and a conversion server connected to the IP network, wherein the conversion server has a function of converting voice information. An information conversion communication system, characterized in that: 6. An IP network, a telephone network connected to the IP network,
A personal computer of a plurality of users connected to a P network, telephones of a plurality of users connected to a telephone network, and a conversion server connected to an IP network, wherein the conversion server has a function of converting voice information. An information conversion communication system, comprising: 7. The information conversion communication system according to claim 5, wherein the function of converting is a function of translating a foreign language. 8. The information conversion communication system according to claim 5, wherein the function of converting is a function of converting audio information into text. 9. An original billing data, a translation and text conversion program, a homepage display program and data,
It has a language selection and program calling function, a translation and text conversion program execution unit, a homepage display program execution unit, and a processor and a storage device including an operating system, and converts voice information from a user according to a user's instruction. The conversion server characterized by the above. 10. The program recording medium for a conversion server according to claim 9, wherein a homepage display program and data, a language selection and program calling function, and a translation and text conversion program are recorded.