JP2005072856A - Voice information converter, voice communication terminal, information management device, network facility, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice information converter, a voice communication terminal, an information management device, network facilities including these units, and programs by which voice information can be collectively managed in a local network and costs can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: A home gateway 5 is connected to a digital public network 4 and connected also to a digital private network 7. A digital control means 33 and an analog control means 37 acquire voice information provided to a telephone set 6 for communicating voice information with an external voice communication terminal through an analog public network 3. The voice information acquired by the digital control means 33 and the analog control means 37 is stored in a home storage means 35. Therefore the voice information can be integrally managed by a home LAN 1 which is a local network and the costs of a voice communication terminal unit, i.e. the home LAN 1, can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice information converter, a voice communication terminal, an information management device, network equipment including them, and a program for managing voice information.

  In the voice information storage system of the prior art, voice information from an analog telephone or the like is given to either the switching device or the data file server through a public telephone line. Dial information including information for designating the storage destination of the voice information is added to the voice information. Based on the dial information, the voice information is stored in either the exchange device or the data file server (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  In another conventional answering machine communication system, an answering machine message from a telephone is stored in an answering machine via a public telephone line. The voice mail server is connected to an Internet web server so that voice mail messages can be communicated. A user of a terminal connected to the Internet receives a message recording message via a web server (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In yet another prior art voice mail server device, the voice message is stored in the storage means of the telephone. When this voice message is reproduced by a personal computer, the voice message is given from the storage means to the mail server via the public telephone line and stored. The user of the personal computer receives the voice message from the mail server and reproduces the voice message (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-77397 A JP 2002-77394 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-164041

  In each of the prior arts disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the voice information is stored in a storage unit of a telephone or a server connected to the telephone through a public telephone line. Since the voice information stored in the means must be reproduced for each telephone, it takes time and is not convenient for the user. Furthermore, since storage means for storing voice information is required for each telephone, the cost of the telephone alone is increased. Also, when voice information is stored in an external server, it is not always possible for the user to play the voice information at any time due to the service being interrupted by maintenance, etc., or due to public line conditions. The nature is low. As described above, since the local network is not configured to centrally manage the voice information, the convenience is low and the cost cannot be reduced.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a voice information converter, a voice communication terminal and an information management apparatus, a network equipment and a program including them, which can collectively manage voice information in a local network and reduce costs. Is to provide.

The present invention is an information management device connected to a digital public line network and connected to a digital private line network,
Obtaining means for obtaining voice information given to a voice communication terminal communicating with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network;
Storage means for storing voice information acquired by the acquisition means,
The voice information includes voice given from an external voice communication terminal by communication with an external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by a user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. It is an information management device.

In the present invention, the voice communication terminal is connected to a digital private network,
The acquisition means acquires digital voice information from a voice communication terminal via a digital private line network.

The present invention is also an information management device connected to an analog public line network,
The voice communication terminal can communicate with the external voice communication terminal via the information management device,
Further comprising a communication state detection means and a digital conversion means,
The communication state detection means detects the communication state by the voice communication terminal,
The acquisition unit acquires analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network based on the detection result by the communication state detection unit,
The digital conversion means converts the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information,
The storage means stores digital audio information obtained by the conversion.

Further, in the present invention, the acquisition means can acquire voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals,
The storage means stores voice information given to each voice communication terminal so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal.

The present invention further includes information classification means for classifying voice information for each user,
The storage means stores voice information in a state classified for each user.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the information classification means classifies the voice information based on identification information including user specifying information representing a user given from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal.

Further, in the present invention, the storage means stores the read-out based on the read request from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal,
The voice information classified and stored for each user is stored so as to be readable based on a read request including the identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information.

The present invention also provides a voice communication terminal that communicates with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network,
Voice information given to the voice communication terminal and voice information stored in the storage means are read out in an information management apparatus connected to the digital public line network and digital private line network and provided with storage means for storing the voice information in a readable manner. A transmission means for transmitting the request;
A voice communication terminal comprising receiving means for receiving voice information from an information management device.

The present invention is also a voice communication terminal connected to the information management device via a digital private line,
The transmission means transmits digital audio information,
The receiving means receives digital audio information.

The present invention is a voice communication terminal directly connected to an analog public line network,
It further includes digital conversion means for converting analog audio information into digital audio information.

Further, the present invention is a voice communication terminal connected to another voice communication terminal via an analog private line network and connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal,
A communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state by another voice communication terminal via an analog private line network;
An acquisition means for acquiring voice information given to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network based on a detection result by the communication state detection means;
The voice information given to the other voice communication terminal includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user at the time of communication with the external voice communication terminal and at the time of non-communication. It is characterized by including.

The information management device further includes an information classification unit that classifies the voice information for each user based on identification information including user identification information representing the user, and the storage unit of the information management device uses Voice information is stored in a state classified by person,
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
The transmitting means transmits the identification information together with the voice information.

Further, according to the present invention, the information management device includes an information classification unit that classifies the voice information for each user based on the identification information, and the storage unit of the information management device performs the voice classification in a state classified for each user. Remember information,
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
The transmission means transmits the identification information together with the read request.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information.

The present invention also provides a network facility including an information management apparatus connected to a digital public line network and connected to a digital private line network, and a voice communication terminal communicating with an external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network Because
Information management device
Obtaining means for obtaining voice information given to the voice communication terminal;
Storage means for storing voice information acquired by the acquisition means,
Voice communication terminals
A transmission means for transmitting a voice information given to the voice communication terminal and a voice information read request stored in the storage means;
Receiving means for receiving voice information from the information management device,
The voice information includes voice given from an external voice communication terminal by communication with an external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by a user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. Network equipment.

In the present invention, the voice communication terminal is directly connected to the analog public network,
It further includes digital conversion means for converting analog audio information into digital audio information.

In the present invention, the voice communication terminal is connected to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network, and is connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal.
Further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring voice information given to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network;
The voice information given to the other voice communication terminal includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user at the time of communication with the external voice communication terminal and at the time of non-communication. It is characterized by including.

In the present invention, the information management device is connected to an analog public network,
The voice communication terminal can communicate with the external voice communication terminal via the information management device,
The information management device further includes communication state detection means and digital conversion means,
The communication state detection means detects the communication state by the voice communication terminal,
The acquisition unit acquires analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network based on the detection result by the communication state detection unit,
The digital conversion means converts the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information,
The storage means stores digital audio information obtained by the conversion.

  According to the present invention, the digital private line network is a wired line network constructed using a metallic cable.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the analog private line network and the digital private line network are wired circuit networks constructed by HomePNA.

According to the present invention, the digital private line network is a wireless line network.
According to the present invention, the digital private line network is constructed using a communication line that superimposes information on a power line that supplies power.

  According to the present invention, the digital private line network is constructed using a communication line for communicating information by an optical signal.

Further, in the present invention, the acquisition means can acquire voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals,
The storage means stores voice information given to each voice communication terminal so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal.

In the present invention, the information management device further includes information classification means for classifying the voice information for each user,
The storage means stores voice information in a state classified for each user.

According to the present invention, the information classification means classifies the voice information based on identification information including user identification information representing a user given from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal,
The voice communication terminal further includes input means for inputting identification information,
The transmitting means transmits the identification information together with the voice information.

Further, according to the present invention, in the state where the voice information is classified for each user, the storage unit is configured to perform voice corresponding to the identification information based on a read request including the identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. Store information readable,
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
The transmission means transmits the identification information together with the read request.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information.

  Further, the present invention communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network, and is provided in a voice communication terminal connected to a digital private line network, and converts analog voice information into digital voice information. Is a voice information converter.

  The present invention is a voice communication terminal that communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network and is connected to a digital private line network, and is connected to another voice communication terminal by an analog private line network. The voice information converter is provided in a voice communication terminal to convert analog voice information received from another voice communication terminal via an analog private line into digital voice information.

The present invention also provides an information management apparatus connected to a digital public line network, connected to a digital private line network, and further connected to an analog public line network in which a voice communication terminal communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal. A voice information converter provided,
A communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state by the voice communication terminal;
An acquisition means for acquiring analog voice information communicated by a voice communication terminal via an analog public line network based on a detection result by the communication state detection means;
An audio information converter comprising: digital conversion means for converting the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information.

  Further, the present invention is a program for realizing a computer as device control means for comprehensively controlling so that each means provided in the information management device can smoothly execute its function.

  In addition, the present invention is a program for realizing a computer as terminal control means that performs overall control so that each means provided in the voice communication terminal can smoothly execute its function.

  In addition, the present invention is a program for realizing a computer as facility control means that performs overall control so that each means provided in the network facility can smoothly execute its function.

  The present invention is also a program for realizing a computer as control means for controlling the voice information converter so that the function can be smoothly executed.

  According to the present invention, the information management apparatus is connected to the digital public line network and to the digital private line network. The information management device includes an acquisition unit and a storage unit. The voice information given to the voice communication terminal that communicates with the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network is acquired by the acquisition means. The voice information includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. The voice information acquired by the acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit.

  In this way, the voice information given to the voice communication terminal is stored in the storage means, and is comprehensively managed by the information management apparatus. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network by the user. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide the storage means in the voice communication terminal, the cost of the voice communication terminal alone can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the acquisition means acquires digital voice information from a voice communication terminal connected to the digital private line network via the digital private line network. As a result, voice information given from the external voice communication terminal to the voice communication terminal via the digital public line network can be comprehensively managed as digital voice information. Also, stored voice information can be read out using an external voice communication terminal via a digital public line network. In addition, since digital information is communicated between the information management apparatus and the voice communication terminal, the convenience can be improved by communicating voice information at a high speed.

  According to the present invention, the information management device further includes a communication state detection unit and an acquisition unit, and is connected to the analog public line network. The voice communication terminal communicates with the external voice communication terminal via this information management apparatus. During communication between the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal, the communication state detection means detects the communication state of the voice communication terminal. The digital conversion means acquires analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network based on the detection result by the communication state detection means. Analog voice information acquired by the digital conversion means is converted into digital voice information by the digital conversion means. Digital audio information obtained by the conversion is stored in the storage means.

  Thus, even if there is a voice communication terminal that does not have a means for converting voice information from analog to digital, the information management apparatus can convert the voice information into digital voice information instead of the voice communication terminal. Therefore, audio information can be managed in common as digital audio information. Furthermore, the processing load on the voice information of the voice communication terminal can be reduced. Also, voice information can be acquired using an external voice communication terminal via a digital public line network and an analog public line network. Therefore, convenience can be further improved.

  According to the invention, the voice information given to the plurality of voice communication terminals is acquired by the acquisition means. The acquired voice information is stored in the storage means so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal. In this way, the voice information can be stored in the storage means so that it can be read out from any of the voice communication terminals and the external voice communication terminal. As a result, it is possible to further improve convenience by eliminating the trouble of reading out the voice information stored for each voice communication terminal. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a storage means for each voice communication terminal, the cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the voice information is stored in the storage means in a state classified for each user by the information classification means, the voice information is managed in a comprehensive manner and then managed for each user. Can do.

  According to the invention, the voice information is classified by the information classification unit based on the identification information given from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. The identification information includes user specifying information representing a user. As a result, the voice information can be managed for each user after the voice information is comprehensively managed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the voice information is stored in the storage means so as to be readable based on a read request from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. The voice information classified and stored for each user is stored so as to be readable based on a read request including identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. Therefore, when reading out the voice information from the storage means, the user can read out only the necessary voice information without the trouble of identifying whether or not the voice information is necessary for himself. Furthermore, only a specific user who knows the identification information can handle the audio information, so that the audio information can be managed safely.

  According to the invention, the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information. By using this user identification information for reading voice information, leakage of the voice information can be prevented and high confidentiality can be obtained.

  According to the invention, the voice communication terminal communicates with the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network. Voice information given to the voice communication terminal is stored in a readable manner in the storage means of the information management apparatus connected to the digital public line network and the digital private line network. The voice information includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. The voice communication terminal transmits the voice information given to the voice communication terminal to the information management apparatus using the transmission means, so that the voice information is stored in the storage means of the information management apparatus. Furthermore, the voice communication terminal transmits a read request for the voice information stored in the storage unit to the information management device using the transmission unit. When the audio information is read from the storage unit based on the read request for the audio information stored in the storage unit, it is received by the receiving unit.

  In this way, the voice information given to the voice communication terminal is stored in the storage means, and is comprehensively managed by the information management apparatus. As a result, the voice information can be comprehensively managed in the local network by the user. Furthermore, voice information can be read out when the user desires in a local network by the user. This can improve convenience. Furthermore, the cost of the voice communication terminal alone can be reduced.

  According to the invention, the voice communication terminal connected to the information management apparatus via the digital private line network transmits the digital voice information by the transmitting means and receives the digital voice information by the receiving means. Accordingly, digital voice information can be communicated with the external voice communication terminal using the voice communication terminal via the information management apparatus connected to the digital public line network.

  According to the invention, the voice communication terminal directly connected to the analog public line network further includes digital conversion means. Analog voice information is converted into digital voice information by a digital conversion means. As described above, since the voice information is converted into digital voice information by the voice communication terminal before the voice information is stored, the processing load on the voice information of the information management apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since digital information is communicated between the information management apparatus and the voice communication terminal, the convenience can be improved by communicating voice information at a high speed.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal is connected to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network, and is connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal. This voice communication terminal detects the communication status of another voice communication terminal via the analog private line by the communication status detection means, and based on the detection result, the other voice is sent via the analog private line network by the acquisition means. Acquires voice information given to the communication terminal. The voice information given to the other voice communication terminal includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user at the time of communication with the external voice communication terminal and at the time of non-communication. Including. Thus, even when there are a plurality of voice communication terminals, the voice information can be flexibly handled so that the voice information is comprehensively managed. For example, if another voice communication terminal does not have means for transmitting digital voice information to the information management apparatus, the voice communication terminal is used to store the information in the information management apparatus instead of the other voice communication terminal. Can be made. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the audio information of the information management apparatus.

  According to the invention, the voice communication terminal further includes input means for inputting identification information including user specifying information representing the user. The voice information given to the voice communication terminal is transmitted by the transmission means together with the identification information. The voice information transmitted by the transmission unit is classified for each user based on the input identification information by the information classification unit of the information management apparatus. The voice information is stored in the storage means of the information management device in a state classified for each user. Thus, when the voice information is stored in the storage means, the user of the voice communication terminal can specify and store the voice information. Therefore, the voice information can be managed for each user after being comprehensively managed.

  According to the invention, the voice information is classified for each user based on the identification information by the information classification unit of the information management apparatus. The voice information is stored in the storage means of the information management device in a state classified for each user. When the voice communication terminal reads voice information from the storage means, identification information is input by the input means. The transmission means of the information communication terminal transmits identification information together with the read request. As a result, when the voice information is read from the storage means, the user can read out only the necessary voice information without the trouble of identifying whether or not the voice information is necessary for the user. Furthermore, only a specific user who knows the identification information can read out the audio information so that the audio information can be managed safely.

  According to the invention, the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information. By using this user identification information for reading voice information, leakage of the voice information can be prevented and high confidentiality can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the network facility includes an information management device and a voice communication terminal. The information management apparatus is connected to the digital public line network and to the digital private line network. The voice communication terminal communicates with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network. Voice information is given to the voice communication terminal. The voice information includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. When the voice communication terminal transmits the voice information given to the voice communication terminal using the transmission unit, the acquisition unit of the information management apparatus acquires the voice information. The acquired voice information is stored by the storage means of the information management device. When the voice communication terminal transmits a read request for the voice information stored in the storage means using the transmission means, the information management device transfers the voice information stored in the voice communication terminal based on the read request from the transmission means. Send to. The voice information from the information management device is received by the receiving means of the voice communication terminal.

  In this way, the voice information given to the voice communication terminal is stored in the storage means, and is comprehensively managed by the information management apparatus. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network by the user. Also, voice information can be read out via a digital public line network and a digital private line network using another voice communication terminal different from the own device, and convenience can be improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide the voice communication terminal with storage means, the cost of the voice communication terminal alone, and thus the entire network equipment can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal is directly connected to the analog public line. The analog voice information given to the voice communication terminal is converted into digital voice information by the digital conversion means of the voice communication terminal. As a result, it is possible to communicate with the information management apparatus using digital audio information. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the audio information of the information management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal is connected to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network, and is connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal. The voice communication terminal includes an acquisition unit. By this acquisition means, voice information given to other voice communication terminals is acquired via the analog private line network. As a result, even when there are a plurality of voice communication terminals, it is possible to flexibly cope so that voice information is managed in an integrated manner. For example, when another voice communication terminal does not have a means for transmitting voice information to the information management apparatus, the voice information is stored in the information management apparatus using the voice communication terminal instead of the other voice communication terminal. Can do. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network.

  According to the invention, the voice communication terminal is configured to be able to communicate with the external voice communication terminal via the information management apparatus connected to the analog public line network. When the voice communication terminal communicates with the external voice communication terminal, the communication state by the voice communication terminal is detected by the communication state detection means of the information management device. Based on the detection result, the analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network is acquired by the acquisition unit of the information management apparatus. The acquired analog audio information is converted into digital audio information by the digital conversion means of the information management device. Digital audio information obtained by this conversion is stored in the storage means.

  Thus, even if there is a voice communication terminal that does not have a means for converting voice information from analog to digital, the information management apparatus can convert the voice information into digital voice information instead of the voice communication terminal. Therefore, audio information can be managed in common as digital audio information. Furthermore, the processing load on the voice information of the voice communication terminal can be reduced. Also, voice information can be acquired using an external voice communication terminal via a digital public line network. Therefore, a highly convenient network facility can be realized.

  According to the present invention, since the digital private line network is a wired line network constructed using a metallic cable, it is possible to realize a highly convenient network facility by configuring the network facility at a low cost. it can.

  According to the present invention, the analog private line network and the digital private line network are wired circuit networks constructed by HomePNA. Thus, an analog private line network and a digital private line network can be constructed using a single indoor telephone wiring. Therefore, a highly convenient network facility can be realized.

  Further, according to the present invention, the digital private line network is a wireless line network, so that the degree of freedom of the arrangement positions of the voice communication terminal and the information management device is higher than that of the wired line network. High network equipment can be realized.

  Further, according to the present invention, the digital private line network is constructed using a communication line that superimposes information on a power line that supplies power, so that, for example, a power line infrastructure such as an outdoor distribution line or a domestic line can be effectively used. It is possible to realize a highly convenient network facility by using it.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the digital private line network is constructed using a communication line that communicates information by optical signals, so that highly convenient network equipment is realized by communicating voice information at high speed. be able to.

  According to the present invention, voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals is acquired by the acquisition means. The voice information given to each voice communication terminal is stored in the storage means so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network. Furthermore, since the stored voice information is read in response to a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal, the voice information can be read when the user desires, thereby improving convenience. Can do. Further, since it is not necessary to provide storage means for each voice communication terminal, it is possible to reduce the cost of each voice communication terminal alone, and thus the entire network equipment.

  Further, according to the present invention, the voice information is stored in the storage means in a state classified for each user by the information classification means of the information management device. As a result, the voice information can be managed for each user after being comprehensively managed.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal includes an input unit and a transmission unit. The voice information is transmitted by the transmission unit together with identification information including user specifying information representing the user input by the input unit. The transmitted voice information is classified by the information classification unit based on the identification information. Thus, when the voice information is stored in the storage means, the user of the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal can specify and store the voice information. Therefore, the voice information can be managed for each user after the voice information is comprehensively managed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the voice information is classified for each user, and the voice information corresponding to the identification information is read based on a read request including the identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. It is stored in the storage means as possible. The transmission unit transmits the identification information input by the input unit together with the read request. As a result, when the voice information is read from the storage means, the user can read out only the necessary voice information without the trouble of identifying whether or not the voice information is necessary for the user. Furthermore, only a specific user who knows the identification information can read out the audio information so that the audio information can be managed safely.

  According to the invention, the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information. By using this user identification information for reading voice information, leakage of the voice information can be prevented and high confidentiality can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal communicates voice information with the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network and is connected to the digital private line network. This voice communication terminal is provided with a voice information converter. This voice information converter converts analog voice information into digital voice information. As a result, communication can be performed between the voice communication terminal and the information management apparatus using digital voice information. Furthermore, the processing load on the voice information of the information management apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since digital information is communicated between the information management apparatus and the voice communication terminal, the convenience can be improved by communicating voice information at a high speed.

  According to the present invention, the voice communication terminal communicates voice information with the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network and is connected to the digital private line network. Furthermore, the voice communication terminal is connected to other voice communication terminals via an analog private network. This voice communication terminal is provided with a voice information converter. The voice information converter converts analog voice information received from another voice communication terminal via an analog private line into digital voice information.

  As a result, even when there are a plurality of voice communication terminals, it is possible to flexibly cope so that voice information is managed in an integrated manner. For example, if another voice communication terminal does not have means for transmitting digital voice information to the information management apparatus, the voice communication terminal is used to store the information in the information management apparatus instead of the other voice communication terminal. Can be made. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the audio information of the information management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the information management apparatus is connected to the digital public line network, connected to the digital private line network, and further connected to the analog public line network in which the voice communication terminal communicates voice information with the external voice communication terminal. Connected. This information management apparatus is provided with a voice information converter. The voice information converter includes a communication state detection unit, an acquisition unit, and a digital conversion unit. During communication by the voice communication terminal, the communication state is detected by the communication state detection means. Based on the detection result, the analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network is acquired by the acquisition means. The acquired analog audio information is converted into digital audio information by the digital conversion means.

  As a result, even when there are a plurality of voice communication terminals, it is possible to flexibly cope so that voice information is managed in an integrated manner. For example, when the voice communication terminal does not have a means for transmitting digital voice information to the information management apparatus, the voice management terminal may store the information management apparatus using a voice information converter instead of the voice communication terminal. it can. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the audio information of the information management apparatus.

  Further, according to the present invention, information that is highly convenient can be provided by a program for realizing a computer as device control means that performs overall control so that each means provided in the information management device can smoothly execute its functions. Management can be realized and costs can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, information that is highly convenient can be provided by a program for realizing a computer as terminal control means that performs overall control so that each means provided in the voice communication terminal can smoothly execute its functions. Management can be realized and costs can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, information management with high convenience is realized by a program for realizing a computer as facility control means for comprehensively controlling each means provided in the network facility so that the functions can be smoothly executed. As well as cost reduction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize highly convenient information management by a program for realizing a computer as a control means for controlling the voice information converter so that its function can be smoothly executed. Cost reduction can be achieved.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a home LAN 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the concept of the home LAN 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the home gateway 5. The home LAN 1 which is a network facility is a local area network (abbreviated as LAN) formed on the premises of a user's home and a small office. The home LAN 1 is connected to a communication terminal connected to an external network so that various types of information including voice information can be communicated via the public line network 2.

  The communication includes transmission and reception of information. The external network is a network different from the home LAN 1 and is a communication network formed outside the premises such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the home LAN 1 is a LAN formed in the user's home, that is, in the home. In the home LAN 1, various devices in the home are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

  The public line network 2 is a communication line network for transmitting information between the home LAN 1 and an external network. The public line network 2 includes an analog public line network 3 and a digital public line network 4. The analog public line network 3 is a communication line network for transmitting analog information. The analog public line network 3 is realized by a public telephone line network, for example, and an analog voice signal representing analog voice information is transmitted in a predetermined band.

  The digital public network 4 is a communication network for transmitting digital information. The digital public line network 4 is realized by an xDSL line network using, for example, xDSL (x Digital Subscriber Line) technology. In the digital public network 4, a digital audio signal representing digital audio information is transmitted in a predetermined band. The digital public network 4 is merely an example of the most frequently used xDSL network, and may be realized by, for example, an integrated services digital network (abbreviated as ISDN).

  The analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4 may each be composed of one line or may be composed of a plurality of lines. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4, it may be simply expressed as “public line network 2”.

  The home LAN 1 is formed by connecting various devices in the home including a telephone 6 to a home gateway 5 which is an information management device through a digital private line network 7 so that information can be communicated. The digital private line network 7 is a communication line network for transmitting digital information between devices connected to the home LAN 1 and provided in a premises such as a user's home.

  The telephone 6 as a voice communication terminal communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal (not shown) via the analog public line network 3. The external voice communication terminal is a communication terminal connected to an external network and capable of communicating voice information with the telephone 6 via the public line network 2. The telephone 6 is connected to an analog private line network 8 and communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the analog private line network 8 and the analog public line network 3. The analog private line network 8 is a communication line network for transmitting information as analog information, and an analog voice signal representing analog voice information is transmitted in a predetermined band. The analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8 are connected so that an analog voice signal can be transmitted. The digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8 may each be composed of a single line, or may be composed of a plurality of lines.

  The telephone 6 can communicate voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the home gateway 5. The telephone 6 includes a plurality of, in the present embodiment, two voice communication terminals, that is, a first telephone 6a and a second telephone 6b. At least one of the first telephone 6 a and the second telephone 6 b is connected to the home LAN 1 through the digital private line network 7 so that voice information can be communicated. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the first telephone set 6a and the second telephone set 6b, it may be simply expressed as “telephone 6”. A detailed description of the telephone 6 will be described later.

  In addition to the telephone 6, various devices in the home such as home appliances and electronic devices are connected to the home LAN 1 through a digital private line network 7 so as to communicate information. The devices in the home include lighting fixture 10, speaker 11, intercom 12, gas sensor 13, fire sensor 14, door opening / closing sensor 15, door locking sensor 16, door locking device 17, window opening / closing sensor 18, window locking sensor 19 and window. There is a locking device 20 or the like. Further, household devices include a personal computer (abbreviated PC) 21, a facsimile device 22, an audio device 23, a television 24, a microwave oven 25, a washing machine 26, an air conditioner 27, a refrigerator 28, and the like. Hereinafter, “personal computer 21” may be simply referred to as “personal computer 21”.

  In the home LAN 1, home devices are managed by the personal computer 21. The lighting fixture 10 is controlled to be turned on and off by the personal computer 21. The lighting fixture 10 is controlled by the personal computer 21 so that the brightness is controlled when it is turned on, and it is not forgotten to turn it off when sleeping or going out. The speaker 11 is a means for notifying the user of information by sound. The interphone 12 is a means for the visitor to notify the user by sound and for the visitor to talk to the user through the door.

  The gas sensor 13 is means for detecting a gas leak. The fire sensor 14 is a means for detecting smoke during a fire, for example. For example, when a gas leak or smoke is detected, an emergency announcement flows from the speaker 11 in response to an emergency alarm by the gas sensor 13 and the fire sensor 14. This informs the user that an emergency has occurred. At this time, automatic communication to the fire department is performed in parallel. When communication with the fire department becomes possible, voice information for automatic communication is transmitted, and the fire department and the address are notified to the fire department. The voice information for automatic contact is stored in advance in the storage means 35 of the home gateway 5 described later, for example. In addition, the user may give a command from the outside through the digital public line network 4 so as to automatically shut off the power source and the gas main plug according to various information from the detection means such as the gas sensor 13 and the fire sensor 14. it can.

  The door open / close sensor 15 is means for detecting whether or not the door is open, that is, the door open / closed state. The door locking sensor 16 is means for detecting whether or not the door is locked, that is, the door locking state. The door locking device 17 is a means for releasing the locking and locking state for the door, and releases the locking and locking state for the door based on a command from the personal computer 21 or the like. The door state can be centrally managed by the door opening / closing sensor 15, the door locking sensor 16, and the door locking device 17.

  Further, the user acquires information from the door opening / closing sensor 15 and the door locking sensor 16 from the outside via the digital public network 4, and locks the door locking device 17 based on the acquired information. The locked state can be released. The door may further be provided with means for opening and closing the door. As a result, the opening and closing of the door itself is automatically controlled by the personal computer 21.

  As with the door, various means for managing the state of the window are provided for the window. The window includes a window opening / closing sensor 18, a window locking sensor 19, and a window locking device 20. The window open / close sensor 18 is a means for detecting whether or not the window is open, that is, the open / close state of the window. The window locking sensor 19 is means for detecting whether or not the window is locked, that is, the locked state of the window. The window locking device 20 is a means for releasing the locking and locking state of the window, and releases the locking and locking state of the window based on a command from the personal computer 21 or the like.

  The window state can be centrally managed by the window opening / closing sensor 18, the window locking sensor 19, and the window locking device 20. In addition, the user acquires information from the window opening / closing sensor 18 and the window locking sensor 19 from the outside via the public network 2, and locks and locks the window locking device 20 based on the acquired information. The state can be released. The window may further be provided with a means for opening and closing the window. As a result, the opening and closing of the window itself is automatically controlled by the personal computer 21. The above-described fire sensor, gas sensor, door means, and window means allow the user to give a command from the outside via the public network 2 via the personal computer 21 and decode the command content by the personal computer 21. Controlled by.

  The facsimile device 22 is configured to be able to communicate image data with an external communication terminal via the digital public line network 4 and records, for example, on a sheet-like recording medium based on the image data. Further, the facsimile apparatus 22 which is also a voice communication terminal is configured to be able to communicate voice information with an external communication terminal via a home gateway 5 connected to the public network 2, and includes a handset and a slave unit used for a call. .

  The user can make a telephone communication with the other party using the handset and the slave unit of the facsimile apparatus 22. When communicating voice information between the facsimile apparatus 22 and an external communication terminal, the facsimile apparatus 22 communicates with an external voice communication terminal using at least one of an analog voice signal and a digital voice signal. The voice information given to the facsimile machine 22 is stored in the home storage means 35 of the home gateway 5 described later.

  The operations of the audio device 23, the television 24, the microwave oven 25, the washing machine 26, the air conditioner 27, and the refrigerator 28, which are household appliances, are centrally managed by the personal computer 21. These home appliances can be controlled from the inside and outside of the home by the user, and the operation state can be confirmed. In addition, when these home appliances are equipped with a display, various kinds of information such as an operation state are displayed on the display. The contents displayed on the display include, for example, a management state of stock food such as a set temperature of a refrigerator, and a display of a recipe for a microwave oven. In addition, an imaging unit may be provided in the refrigerator 28 or the like so that the management state of the stocked food can be confirmed on the video even when going out.

  An imaging means may be provided at the entrance. In this case, when the visitor operates the intercom 12, the image of the entrance image taken by the imaging means is displayed on, for example, a personal computer display, and the visitor can be confirmed before the user opens the door. . By configuring the home LAN 1 in this way, many convenient functions can be added.

  Information to these various devices in the home is transmitted via the digital private line network 7. The personal computer 21 is connected to the home LAN 1 because the personal computer 21 is widely used in many homes and can be used for information processing and communication with an external communication terminal. This is because it is most suitable for management. Further, when the personal computer 21 is connected to the home LAN 1, it is possible to read instructions and information to the personal computer 21 itself from the outside.

  The above-described home LAN 1 shown in FIG. 2 is in a fully equipped state among the currently conceivable configurations, and it is actually necessary to assume a more reduced configuration. In the reduced home LAN 1, the personal computer 21 may not be connected. In this case, the home gateway 5 performs the information processing work that the personal computer 21 is in charge of.

  Further, unlike the personal computer 21, the telephone 6 and the facsimile device 22 tend to be held for each individual in the family. As a result, a plurality of voice communication terminals such as the telephone 6 and the facsimile apparatus 22 are provided at home. In such a case, not all voice communication terminals are connected to the digital private line network 7, but it is necessary to assume that some voice communication terminals are connected only to the analog private line network 8. There is.

  The home gateway 5 connects various types of information including voice information between the home LAN 1 and an external network so that they can communicate with each other. The home gateway 5 is a means that is always used for communication between the home LAN 1 and an external network, even if the configuration of the home LAN 1 varies depending on the user. The home gateway 5 can manage various devices in the home even when there is no means such as the personal computer 21 for managing various devices in the home. The home gateway 5 has an interface with a plurality of types of communication lines, and when there are a plurality of networks in the home, the home gateways 5 are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

  The home gateway 5 is connected to the digital public line network 4 and to the digital private line network 7. In the present embodiment, the home gateway 5 is further connected to the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8.

  The home gateway 5 stores voice information given to the telephone 6. Either one of the first and second telephones 6a and 6b is communicably connected via only the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8, and the home gateway 5 is connected to the analog public line network 3. In this case, one of the other one of the first and second telephones 6a and 6b and the home gateway 5 acquires the voice information. The home gateway 5 includes a home control means 30, an audio information converter 31, a digital band pass circuit 32, a digital control means 33, a modem 34, and a home storage means 35.

  The home control means 30, which is a device control means, performs overall control so that each means of the home gateway 5 can smoothly execute its function. The voice information converter 31 is connected to the digital public line network 4 and is also connected to the digital private line network 7, and the telephone 6 is connected to the analog public line network 3 that communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal. Provided on the home gateway 5.

  The audio information converter 31 includes an analog band pass circuit 36 and an analog control means 37. The analog band pass circuit 36 is connected to the analog public line network 3. The analog band pass circuit 36 passes a signal in a predetermined band, that is, an analog voice signal that arrives via the analog public line network 3. The analog audio signal that has passed through the analog band pass circuit 36 is given to the analog control means 37.

  The analog control means 37 which is an acquisition means acquires voice information given to the telephone 6. In other words, the analog control unit 37 acquires the analog audio signal passed by the analog band pass circuit 36. The voice information is given to the telephone set 6 that communicates with the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3, and the voice given from the external voice communication terminal by the communication with the external voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal are communicated. And voice input by the user during non-communication. The analog control means 37 acquires voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals, that is, the first and second telephones 6a and 6b. Further, the analog control means 37 acquires an analog voice signal that arrives via the analog private line network 8.

  Further, the analog control means 37 which is also a digital conversion means converts the analog voice information from the analog band pass circuit 36 into digital voice information. The analog control means 37 converts the acquired analog audio signal into a digital audio signal and gives it to the home storage means 35. The analog control means 37 which is also a communication state detection means monitors the status of the analog public line network 3 via the analog band pass circuit 36.

  Further, the analog control means 37 is connected to the analog private line network 8 and monitors the status of the analog private line network 8. Thereby, the analog control means 37 detects the communication state of the analog voice signal by the telephone 6. The detection result by the analog control means 37 is given to the home control means 30. The home control unit 30 determines whether to acquire an analog audio signal based on the detection result by the analog control unit 37, and controls the analog control unit 37 based on the determination result.

  When there is no request for reading out voice information given to the telephone 6 and voice information stored in the home storage means 35 from the telephone 6, the home control means 30 causes the analog band-pass circuit 36 and the analog control means 37 to perform the above-described processing. Control not to do. At this time, voice information coming from the analog public network 3 is transmitted to the analog private network 8 as it is.

  The analog control means 37 detects the communication state in the analog public line network 3 in order to receive the voice information. For example, when the voice information reception request is detected, the analog control means 37 acquires the voice information that has passed through the analog band pass circuit 36. . The analog control means 37 converts the acquired analog voice information into digital voice information, and then gives it to the home storage means 35. As a result, the voice information is stored in the home storage means 35.

  When the analog control means 37 receives a request to read out the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 from the telephone 6, the voice information read out from the home storage means 35 is sent to the analog private line network 8 as an analog voice signal. Send. As a result, analog voice information is given to the telephone 6 connected to the analog private network 8.

  The modem 34 is a means for acquiring transmission source information relating to the sender such as a transmission source number and transmission destination information relating to the telephone 6 to which the voice information is transmitted. Based on the result obtained by the modem, the home control means 30 controls the analog control means 37 so as to give the voice information to the designated telephone 6.

  The digital band pass circuit 32 is connected to the digital public network 4. The digital band pass circuit 32 passes a signal in a predetermined band, that is, a digital audio signal that arrives via the digital public network 4. The digital audio signal that has passed through the digital band pass circuit 32 is given to the digital control means 33.

  The digital control means 33, which is an acquisition means, acquires voice information given to the telephone 6 that communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the digital public network 4. The digital control means 33 acquires voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals, that is, the first and second telephones 6a and 6b.

  The digital control means 33 that is also a communication state detection means monitors the status of the digital public line network 4 via the digital band pass circuit 32. Further, the digital control means 33 is connected to the digital private line network 8 and monitors the status of the digital private line network 8. Thereby, the digital control means 33 detects the communication state of the digital audio signal by the telephone 6. The detection result by the digital control means 33 is given to the home control means 30. The home control means 30 determines whether or not to acquire a digital audio signal based on the detection result by the digital control means 33, and controls the digital control means 33 based on this determination result.

  The digital control means 33 converts the signal from the digital bandpass circuit 32 into a communication protocol that can be communicated with the home LAN 1. In the digital private network 7, the digital audio signal is communicated according to a communication protocol such as VoHPNA and VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol). For example, when the digital private network 7 is realized by the HomePNA system, the digital control means 33 converts the voice signal protocol into a VoHPNA (Voice-over HomePNA) protocol. The VoHPNA and VoIP are digital voice service protocols.

  Further, the digital control means 33 detects a signal representing the transmission source information and the transmission destination information and gives it to the home control means 30. The home control unit 30 controls the digital control unit 33 so as to give voice information to the designated telephone 6 based on the transmission source information and the transmission destination information by the digital control unit 33. The digital control means 33 transmits the digital audio signal from the digital band pass circuit 32 to the digital private line network 7, whereby digital audio information is given to the telephone set 6 connected to the digital private line network 7.

  The home gateway 5 uses the digital band-pass circuit 32 and the digital control means 33 to acquire signals representing various types of information such as images in addition to digital audio signals, and converts them into protocols that can be communicated in the home LAN 1 Later, it is given to various devices in the home.

  Home storage means 35 as storage means stores voice information acquired by digital control means 33 and analog control means 37. The home storage means 35 stores a program for controlling each means of the home gateway 5 in addition to the voice information. The home storage unit 35 stores a digital audio signal from the digital control unit 33 and a digital audio signal obtained by conversion by the analog control unit 37. As a result, digital audio information is stored in the home storage means 35. The home storage means 35 is realized by, for example, a hard disk (abbreviation HD).

  The home storage means 35 stores voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals, that is, the first and second telephones 6a and 6b, in a readable manner based on a read request from each of the telephones 6a and 6b. The home storage means 35 has a common file area, in which digital audio information is stored in common in the first and second telephones 6a and 6b and can be received from either of the telephones 6a and 6b. Can be read.

  The home storage means 35 may have only a common file area, or may have an individual file area in which audio information is stored for each user in addition to the common file area. In the present embodiment, the home storage means 35 has an individual file area in addition to the common file area. The individual file area can be easily realized by dividing the storage area of the home storage unit 35 into a plurality of parts.

  The digital control means 33 and the analog control means 37 are also information classification means and classify voice information for each user. Identification information is added to the audio information acquired by the digital bandpass circuit 32 and the analog bandpass circuit 36. The identification information includes an identification number (ID number) and a password. The ID number that is the user specifying information represents the user and is used to classify the voice information for each user. The password which is the user authentication information is information for permitting reading of the voice information, and is used for enhancing confidentiality when the voice information is read from the home storage means 35. The digital control means 33 and the analog control means 37 classify the voice information based on the identification information acquired together with the voice information, specifically, the ID number, and give a classification signal representing the classification result to the home control means 30.

  Based on the classification signal, the home control means 30 controls the home storage means 35 so as to store the voice information in the storage area corresponding to the identification information added to the voice information. Thus, the audio information is stored in the individual file area of the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user. The voice information classified for each user is read from the home storage means 35 based on a read request including identification information from the telephone 6.

  When storing the audio information in the individual file area, the sender of the audio information designates which storage area of the individual file area to store. For example, the sender can store the voice information as a desired individual file by operating the sender's telephone 6 in accordance with the storage destination designation method by the announcement. As a signal for designating an individual file, for example, a DTMF (Dial Tone Multi Frequency) signal by operating a numeric keypad of the telephone 6 or the like is used. As described above, the sound information is distributed and stored for each of a plurality of users, so that the sound information can be managed for each user after being comprehensively managed.

  Further, instead of storing for each user, or in addition to storing for each user, voice information may be stored for each of the telephones 6a and 6b. When voice information is stored for each user and for each telephone 6a, 6b, it can be realized by further dividing each storage area of the individual file area for each telephone 6a, 6b. This can also improve convenience.

  In the public network 2 described above, depending on the transmission technology, a digital signal and an analog signal may be transmitted using the same communication line, such as an ADSL technology using an existing telephone line. In FIGS. 1 to 3 and the following drawings, the communication state is conceptually shown, and the analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4 may be separately shown for easy illustration. The analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4 may be constructed by one transmission medium like existing telephone lines, or may be constructed by mutually different transmission media.

The aforementioned digital private line network 7 is, for example, Home Phoneline.
It is a wired network constructed using a metallic cable, such as indoor telephone wiring used in the Networking Alliance (abbreviated as HomePNA) system. In this embodiment, the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8 are wired circuit networks constructed by HomePNA. In the HomePNA method, a band for transmitting a signal is divided into a voice band and a LAN band. The voice band is a band used when transmitting an analog voice signal during telephone communication. In the present embodiment, the analog voice signal is transmitted via the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8.

  The LAN band is a band used when transmitting a digital audio signal in the home LAN 1. The LAN band is, for example, a band in the HomePNA system. In the HomePNA system, the higher the frequency band, the greater the attenuation of the signal and the shorter the communicable distance. However, in the home LAN 1, various devices in the home can be communicated sufficiently. The distance between is set.

  Also, in the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8, depending on the transmission technology, there are cases where a digital signal and an analog signal are physically transmitted using one communication line, such as a metallic cable. . In FIGS. 1 to 3 and the following drawings, the communication state is conceptually shown, and the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8 may be shown separately for easy illustration. The digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8 may be constructed by one transmission medium such as a metallic cable, or may be constructed by mutually different transmission media.

  The digital private line network 7 may be constructed using a communication line that uses a power line system in which information is superimposed on a power line that supplies power instead of a metallic cable. In a communication line using the power line method, information is transmitted with a high frequency superimposed on a 50 Hz or 60 Hz power line. The digital private network 7 may be constructed using a communication line that communicates information by optical signals. In this case, information is transmitted by optical communication using an optical fiber.

  The digital private line network 7 may be a wireless line network instead of a wired line network. In this case, the digital private line network 7 is realized by, for example, a wireless line network using a Bluetooth system and a wireless line network based on a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, and IEEE802.11a. In the Bluetooth system, information is transmitted using a 2.4 GHz band ISM (Industrial Scientific Medecine) band. In the digital private line network 7 based on the Bluetooth system, each short-distance device is connected to be communicable wirelessly. By using the Bluetooth system, information communication in the home LAN 1 can be realized with low power and low price. In the wireless LAN standard called IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, information is transmitted using the ISM band of 2.4 [GHz] band as in the case of Bluetooth. In the wireless LAN standard called IEEE802.11a, information is transmitted using the 5.2 [GHz] band. As described above, the digital private line network 7 is realized by using various communication line networks, whereby a highly convenient home LAN 1 can be realized.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first telephone 6a. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second telephone 6b. The first telephone 6 a communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3. The first telephone 6a is connected to the second telephone 6b, which is another voice communication terminal, via the analog private line network 8, and is connected to the analog public line network 3 together with the second telephone 6b. The first telephone 6 a is connected to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7.

  The first telephone 6a includes a control means 40, a telephone band pass circuit 41, a telephone network control means 42, a modem 43, a LAN band pass circuit 44, a digital line control means 45, a storage means 46, a voice unit 47, and a cordless control circuit 48. , Input means 49, display means 50 and call means 51. The control means 40 performs overall control so that each means provided in the first telephone 6a can smoothly execute its function.

  The telephone band pass circuit 41 is connected to the analog public line network 3. The telephone band pass circuit 41 passes a signal in a predetermined band, that is, an analog voice signal that arrives via the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8. The analog voice signal that has passed through the telephone band pass circuit 41 is given to the telephone network control means 42.

  The telephone network control means 42, which is an acquisition means, acquires voice information given to the first telephone 6a. The telephone network control means 42 which is also a communication state detection means monitors the state of the analog private line network 8 via the telephone band pass circuit 41 and detects the communication state of the analog voice signal by the telephone 6. The detection result by the telephone network control means 42 is given to the control means 40. The control means 40 which is a terminal control means determines whether or not to acquire an analog voice signal based on the detection result by the telephone network control means 42, and controls the telephone network control means 42 based on this determination result.

  The telephone network control means 42 sets a communication path for making a call to one of the voice unit 47 and the cordless control circuit 48 and gives an analog voice signal from the analog private line network 8. For example, when the user operates one of a main body side communication unit 51a and a slave unit 51b, which will be described later, the telephone network control unit 42 outputs an analog voice signal to either the voice unit 47 or the cordless control circuit 48. It is controlled by the control means 40 so as to be given to one side. As a result, the analog voice signal from the telephone network control means 42 is given to one of the voice unit 47 and the cordless control circuit 48, and a call can be made.

  The telephone network control means 42 sends an analog voice signal based on the user's voice obtained by the calling means 51 via the telephone band-pass circuit 41 when the user is talking to another person via the analog public line network 3. To the analog private network 8. The transmitted analog voice signal is given to the home gateway 5 and then given to the external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3. The modem 43 is means for acquiring transmission source information including a transmission source number transmitted at 1200 [bps] for the transmission source display service.

  The LAN band pass circuit 44 is connected to the digital public network 4 through the digital private network 7. The LAN band passing circuit 44 passes a signal of a predetermined band, that is, a digital voice signal that arrives via the digital public line network 4 and the digital private line network 7. When the digital private line network 7 is, for example, a communication line network based on the HomePNA system, the LAN band passing circuit 44 passes a digital voice signal in a band used in the HomePNA system. The digital audio signal that has passed through the LAN band passing circuit 44 is given to the digital line control means 45.

  The digital line control means 45 which is an acquisition means acquires voice information given to the telephone 6. The digital line control means 45 converts the digital audio signal from the LAN band pass circuit 44 into an analog audio signal according to the communication protocol used in the digital private line network 7. The digital line control means 45 which is a digital conversion means converts analog voice information into digital voice information. The telephone network control means 42 gives the voice information to the digital line control means 45 when transmitting the voice information given to the first telephone 6 a to the digital private line network 7. The digital line control means 45 converts the given voice information from analog voice information to digital voice information and transmits it to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7.

  The digital line control means 45 converts the analog voice signal from the call means 51 into a digital voice signal according to a communication protocol used in the digital private line network 7. When the digital private line network 7 is, for example, a communication line network using the HomePNA system, the digital line control means 45 converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal according to VoHPNA (Voice-over HomePNA), and also converts the analog audio signal. Is converted into a digital audio signal. The VoHPNA is a digital voice service protocol in the HomePNA system. The digital line control means 45 transmits the digital audio signal obtained by the conversion to the digital private line network 7.

  The storage means 46 stores a program for operating each means of the first telephone 6a. The control unit 40, together with the program stored in the storage unit 46, includes input information from the input unit 49, information indicating the state from each unit of the first telephone 6a, and signals from the analog public line network 3. Based on various information, the operation of each means of the first telephone 6a is determined. After determining the operation of each means of the first telephone 6a, the control means 40 gives instructions to each means and gives an instruction to display information on the display means 50.

  The input means 49 has operation keys 49a and dial keys 49b for the user to input the telephone number of the other party. The user can give a command to the first telephone 6a by operating the operation keys 49a and the dial keys 49b including a recording button and a memo button. Based on the result of the input operation by the user, the control means 40 gives a command to each means for control.

  Furthermore, the input means 49 is means for inputting identification information including an ID number and a password. For example, when the telephone 6 is set for call recording and memo recording, which will be described later, the user can specify which area of the individual file area to store the sound information by operating the input means 49. it can. By the operation by the user, the control unit 40 controls the telephone network control unit 42 and the digital line control unit 45 to transmit identification information together with voice information or a read request.

  The display means 50 displays various information such as the operating state and guidance of the first telephone 6a. The user sets various parameters of the first telephone 6a by operating the operation keys 49a and the dial keys 49b of the input means while viewing the information displayed by the display means 50. When the first telephone 6a can handle information from an external network such as the Internet, the digital line control means 45 decodes the Internet information, creates display contents, and displays them on the display means 50.

  The voice unit 47 amplifies the analog voice signal and gives the amplified analog voice signal to the call means 51. The call means 51 is means for a user to make a call. The call means 51 outputs voice based on voice information from the external voice communication terminal, and acquires voice information based on voice input by the user. The call means 51 includes a main body side call means 51a and a slave unit 51b.

  The main body side call means 51a transmits voice based on the analog voice signal from the voice unit 47, and acquires the analog voice signal by receiving the voice of the user. The main body side call means 51 a gives the acquired analog voice signal to one of the telephone network control means 42 and the digital line control means 45 via the voice unit 47. When transmitting the acquired analog voice signal to the analog private line network 8, the main body side call means 51 a is controlled by the control means 40 to give the analog voice signal to the telephone network control means 42. Further, the main body side call means 51 a is controlled by the control means 40 to give the analog voice signal to the digital line control means 45 when the acquired analog voice signal is transmitted to the digital private line network 7.

  The main body side call means 51 a includes a handset 53, a speaker 54 and a microphone 55. The handset 53 is detachably provided from the main body of the first telephone 6a, and includes a microphone 53a for inputting sound and a speaker 53b for outputting sound. The speaker 54 and the microphone 55 are provided in the main body of the first telephone 6a. The speaker 54 outputs sound based on the given analog sound signal. The microphone 55 is a means for the user to input voice.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 51b is comprised so that communication with the 1st telephone 6a main body by a radio system is possible. There may be one or more slave units 51b. The cordless control circuit 48 is a device that controls a call using the handset 51b. The cordless control circuit 48 includes a cordless control unit, a compander unit, and a tuner (both not shown). The cordless control circuit 48 further includes an antenna 52.

  The cordless control unit searches for a call path for a call using the handset 51b and establishes a call path so that the first telephone 6a and the handset 51b can communicate voice information. The compander unit compresses a signal representing audio information and restores the compressed signal. The tuner transmits radio waves to the slave unit via the antenna 52 and receives radio waves from the slave unit via the antenna 52.

  For example, when the control means 40 gives a command to the cordless control circuit 48 so as to establish a communication path with the slave unit 51b, the cordless control circuit 48 senses the carrier of the control channel and frees up the control channel. Investigate. If there is a free control channel and communication is possible using the free control channel, the first telephone set 6a, that is, the base unit and the handset 51b are respectively used for communication identification (abbreviation ID) using this control channel. ) A signal is transmitted and an incoming communication identification signal is received. Hereinafter, the “communication identification signal” is referred to as a “communication ID signal”.

  Further, the confirmation of the communication ID signal of the child device 51b received by the parent device and the confirmation of the communication ID signal of the parent device received by the child device 51b are performed. Furthermore, confirmation of an empty channel for a call, designation of a control channel, setting of a speech path, and the like are performed. In this way, a communication path between the parent device and the child device 51b is established. When the call is finished, a process for ending the call is performed. The cordless control circuit 48 is responsible for all processing from establishment of a call between the parent device and the child device 51b to completion of the call.

  The second telephone 6b communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3. The second telephone 6b is connected to the first telephone 6a via the analog private line network 8. The second telephone 6b is configured to be able to communicate with an external voice communication terminal using only an analog voice signal. In other words, the second telephone set 6b is configured such that the first telephone set 6a does not include the LAN band pass circuit 44 and the digital line control means 45, and other configurations are the same. Therefore, in the second telephone set 6b, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first telephone set 6a, and the same descriptions are omitted.

  In the telephone 6, the telephone network control means 42 and the digital line control means 45, which are transmission means, send a request to read out the voice information given to the telephone 6 and the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 to the home gateway 5 and the own device. Send to a different phone.

  In the first telephone 6a, the telephone network control means 42 and the digital line control means 45 send the voice information given to the telephone 6 and the voice information read request stored in the home storage means 35 to the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line. The data is transmitted to the home gateway 5 via the network 8. In the second telephone 6b, the telephone network control means 42 sends a request to read out the voice information given to the telephone 6 and the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 via the analog private line network 8 to the home gateway 5 and the second telephone information. 1 is transmitted to the telephone 6a.

  In the telephone 6, the telephone network control means 42 and the digital line control means 45, which are also receiving means, receive voice information coming from the home gateway 5 in association with a read request for voice information stored in the home storage means 35. . The telephone network control means 42 receives voice information that has arrived from the home gateway 5 via the analog private line network 8 and passed through the telephone band pass circuit 41 in connection with a read request for stored voice information.

  The digital line control means 45 receives the voice information that has arrived from the home gateway 5 and passed through the LAN band pass circuit 44 via the digital private line network 7 in association with the read request of the stored voice information. In relation to the read request of the stored voice information, the voice information arriving from the home gateway 5 is received by the digital line control means 45 via the LAN band pass circuit 44 in the first telephone set 6a, and in the second telephone set 6b. It is received by the telephone network control means 42 via the telephone band pass circuit 41.

  The digital line control means 45 which is also a digital conversion means converts analog voice information into digital voice information. The digital line control means 45, which is also a voice information converter, communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3 and is connected to the digital private line network 7, that is, the first telephone 6a. Provided for converting analog audio information into digital audio information. The digital line control means 45 transmits digital audio information, that is, a digital audio signal. The LAN band pass circuit 44 receives digital audio information, that is, a digital audio signal.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the home gateway 5 and the telephone 6 when the second telephone 6b is set to record mail. For example, when the user is away from home or the like, an answering record is set to leave a message from the sender using the external voice communication terminal. In this case, the message from the sender is stored in the home storage means 35 as voice information. In step s0, when the second telephone 6b receives the ringer signal, which is a calling signal, a predetermined number of times, the processing procedure in the absence recording of the home gateway 5 and the telephone 6 is started, and the process proceeds to step s1.

  In step s1, the second telephone set 6b sends a signal representing the absence message to the outside via the analog private line network 8 and the analog public line network 3 in order to notify the sender that the user is away. Send to voice communication terminal. At this time, the second telephone 6b transmits an answering machine signal. The answering machine signal is a signal for requesting one of the home gateway 5 and the first telephone 6a to acquire voice information. When an answering machine signal is transmitted, a beep sound is transmitted to the transmitter, and the transmitter leaves a message after the beep sound.

  Specifically, the telephone network control means 42 of the second telephone 6 b transmits an answering machine signal to either the home gateway 5 or the first telephone 6 a via the analog private line network 8. As a result, a voice information acquisition request given from the external voice communication terminal to the second telephone set 6b is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the voice information acquisition request given to the second telephone 6b is transmitted to the first telephone 6a out of the home gateway 5 and the first telephone 6a. When an answering machine signal is transmitted in step s1, the process proceeds to step s2.

  In step s2, the first telephone set 6a detects an answering machine signal via the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42, and starts acquiring voice information. Since the second telephone 6a is not connected to the home LAN 1 and is connected only to the analog private network 8, the voice information from the external voice terminal is analog voice information. The telephone network control means 42 of the first telephone 6a acquires voice information given to another voice communication terminal, that is, the second telephone 6b via the analog private line network 8. The telephone network control means 42 of the first telephone 6a constantly monitors the analog private line network 8. When detecting the answering machine signal, the telephone network control means 42 recognizes the voice information acquisition request from the second telephone 6b, Start acquisition.

  Further, since the home gateway 5 is connected to the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8, when an answering machine signal is transmitted to the home gateway 5 in step s1, the home gateway 5 causes the second telephone 6b. Analog audio information given to the user, that is, an analog audio signal may be acquired.

  In step s2, when acquisition of voice information by the first telephone 6a is started, the process proceeds to step s3. In step s 3, the first telephone 6 a gives the voice information acquired via the analog private line network 8 to the home gateway 5. Specifically, the digital line control means 45 converts the acquired analog voice signal into a digital voice signal, and provides this digital voice signal to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7.

  When providing the digital voice signal to the home gateway 5, the digital line control means 45 provides the home gateway 5 with an identification signal representing the identification information input by the sender together with the digital voice signal. The home gateway 5 acquires the digital audio signal by the digital control means 33 and classifies it based on the identification signal, in other words, based on the ID number. The digital control means 33 gives the classification result to the home control means 30.

  When the acquired voice information is given to the home gateway 5 in step s3, the process proceeds to step s4. In step s4, the voice information from the first telephone 6a is stored in the home storage means 35. Based on the result of classification by the digital control means 33, the digital audio signal is stored in the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user. When the digital audio signal is stored in the home storage means 35 in step s4, the process proceeds to step s5.

  In step s5, the first telephone 6a determines whether or not the sender has disconnected the line. If the first telephone set 6a determines that the line is disconnected, the process proceeds to step s7. If the first telephone set 6a determines that the line is not disconnected, the process proceeds to step s6. In step s6, the first telephone 6a determines whether or not an answering record end signal is transmitted from the second telephone 6b. The answering record end signal is a signal for requesting to end the acquisition of the voice information. The second telephone 6 b transmits an answering record end signal by the telephone network control means 42 via the analog private line network 8. The first telephone set 6a proceeds to step s7 when detecting the answering record end signal, and proceeds to step s3 when the answering record end signal has not been detected yet.

  In step s5, when the line is not disconnected by the sender and no answering record end signal is transmitted from the second telephone 6b, acquisition of voice information by the first telephone 6a and home storage of the acquired voice information The storage in the means 35 is continuously performed.

  In step s7, the acquisition of the voice information by the first telephone 6a is finished, and the storage of the voice information by the home gateway 5 is finished. The home gateway 5 ends the storage of the voice information when, for example, the analog control unit 37 detects an answering record end signal or when it is determined that the line has been disconnected by the sender. The home gateway 5 may end the storage of the voice information when receiving a signal prompting the end of the storage from the digital line control means 45 of the first telephone 6a, for example. When the acquisition of the audio information and the storage of the audio information are completed in step s7, the process proceeds to step s8, and all the processes are completed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the home gateway 5 and the telephone 6 when call recording is performed using the second telephone 6b. Call recording is a process for storing voice information including voice input by a user during communication between the telephone 6 and an external voice terminal and voice given to the telephone 6 from the external voice terminal. Specifically, call recording is a process of recording the contents of a call while the user is calling. In step t0, when it becomes necessary for the user to record the call contents during the telephone communication using the second telephone 6b, the user operates the recording button of the operation key 49a of the second telephone 6b. When the recording button is operated by the user at step t0, the processing procedure for call recording is started, and the process proceeds to step t1.

  In step t1, the second telephone set 6b detects that the recording button has been operated by the telephone network control means 42, and generates a call recording signal. The call recording signal is a signal for requesting to acquire voice information, and is realized by a tonal signal, for example. The call recording signal is generated when the control unit 40 gives a command to the telephone network control unit 42 based on the input result from the input unit 49 when the user operates the recording button. When a call recording signal is generated in step t1, the process proceeds to step t2. In step t2, the second telephone 6b transmits the generated call recording signal. In the example of FIG. 1, since the second telephone 6 b is not connected to the home LAN 1, the call recording signal is transmitted via the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42.

  Specifically, the telephone network control means 42 of the second telephone 6 b transmits a call recording signal to either the home gateway 5 or the first telephone 6 a via the analog private line network 8. As a result, an acquisition request for audio information including audio during communication between the second telephone 6b and the external audio communication terminal is transmitted. When a call recording signal is transmitted in step t2, the process proceeds to step t3.

  In step t3, the first telephone 6a detects a call recording signal via the analog private line network 8 and acquires voice information. Since the second telephone 6b is not connected to the home LAN 1 and is connected only to the analog private network 8, the voice information by communication with the external voice communication terminal is analog voice information. The first telephone 6 a constantly monitors the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42. When the telephone network control means 42 of the first telephone 6a detects the call recording signal, it recognizes the voice information acquisition request from the second telephone 6b and starts acquiring the analog voice signal.

  Further, since the home gateway 5 is connected to the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8, when a call recording signal is transmitted to the home gateway 5 in step t2, the home gateway 5 causes the second telephone 6b to be transmitted. Analog audio information, that is, analog audio signals may be acquired through communication between the external audio communication terminal and the external audio communication terminal. If acquisition of voice information by the first telephone 6a is started in step t3, the process proceeds to step t4.

  In step t4, the first telephone 6a gives the acquired voice information to the home gateway 5. Specifically, the digital line control means 45 converts the acquired analog voice signal into a digital voice signal, and provides this digital voice signal to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7. When providing the digital voice signal to the home gateway 5, the digital line control means 45 provides the home gateway 5 with an identification signal representing the identification information input by the sender together with the digital voice signal. The home gateway 5 obtains the digital audio signal from the first telephone 6a by the digital control means 33 and classifies it based on the identification signal. The digital control means 33 gives the classification result to the home control means 30. The digital audio signal from the first telephone 6 a is stored in the home storage unit 35 in a state of being classified for each user based on the classification result by the digital control unit 33. In step t4, when the digital audio signal is given to the home gateway 5 and stored in the home storage means 35, the process proceeds to step t5.

  In step t5, the first telephone set 6a determines whether or not the call is finished. The first telephone 6a determines that the call has ended when it detects that the call has ended and the line has been released. In step t5, if it is determined by the first telephone 6a that the call has ended, the process proceeds to step t7. If it is determined that the call has not ended, the process proceeds to step t6.

  In step t6, the first telephone 6a determines whether or not the second telephone 6b has transmitted a recording end signal. The recording end signal is a signal requesting to end the acquisition and storage of audio information. The recording end signal is generated, for example, when the user operates a recording button. The recording end signal is realized by, for example, a tonal signal. The recording end signal is transmitted by the telephone network control means 42 to the first telephone 6a via the analog private line network 8. In step t6, when the first telephone set 6a detects a recording end signal via the analog private line network 8, the first telephone set 6a determines that the call recording may be ended, and proceeds to step t7. In step t6, when the first telephone set 6a has not detected the recording end signal, the first telephone set 6a determines that the call recording can be continued, and proceeds to step t5. If it is determined in step t5 that the call has not ended, and if a recording end signal is not detected in step t6, call recording is continued and voice information is stored in the home storage means 35.

  In step t7, the first telephone set 6a ends the acquisition of the voice information and ends giving the voice information to the home gateway. This completes the storage of the audio information in the home gateway. In step t7, when the acquisition and storage of the audio information is completed, the process proceeds to step t8 and all the processes are ended.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the home gateway 5 and the telephone 6 when memo recording is performed using the second telephone 6b. The memo recording is a process for storing voice information including voice input by the user when the telephone 6 and the external voice communication terminal are not in communication. Specifically, the memo recording is a process of leaving the contents that the user wants to leave by voice using the call means 51, and the same effect can be obtained as when the memo is left on paper. In step u0, when the user determines that it is necessary to record a memo, the user picks up the handset 53 of the second telephone set 6b to put it in an off-hook state, and operates the memo button of the operation key 49a of the second telephone set 6b. Normally, when the user picks up the handset 53 and seizes the line, a dial tone is sent from the exchange side. The user operates a key such as “#” of the dial key 49b to turn off the dial tone. In step u0, when the operator operates to start memo recording, the memo recording processing procedure is started, and the process proceeds to step u1.

  In step u1, the second telephone set 6b generates a memo recording signal when the telephone network control means 42 detects that the user has operated the memo button. The memo recording signal is a signal requesting to acquire voice information, and is realized by a tonal signal, for example. The memo recording signal is generated when the control means 40 gives a command to the telephone network control means 42 based on the input result from the input means 49 when the user operates the memo button.

  When a memo recording signal is generated in step u1, the process proceeds to step u2. In step u2, the second telephone set 6b transmits a dial signal generated according to the user's operation via the analog private line network 8, and turns off the dial tone. As a result, only the voice can be transmitted to the analog private network 8.

  Further, the second telephone 6b transmits the generated memo recording signal to the analog private line network 8. Specifically, the telephone network control means 42 of the second telephone 6b transmits a memo recording signal to either the home gateway 5 or the first telephone 6a via the analog private line network 8. As a result, a request to read out voice information given to the second telephone 6b is transmitted. When the memo recording signal is transmitted in step u2, the process proceeds to step u3.

  In step u3, the first telephone set 6a detects a memo recording signal via the analog private line network 8, and acquires voice information given to the second telephone set 6b by the user. Since the second telephone 6b is not connected to the home LAN 1 and is connected only to the analog private network 8, the voice information input by the user using the call means 51 is analog voice information. The first telephone 6a constantly monitors the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42. When the memo recording signal is detected, the first telephone 6a recognizes the voice information acquisition request from the second telephone 6b and Start acquisition.

  Since the home gateway 5 is connected to the analog public line network 3 and the analog private line network 8, when the memo recording signal is transmitted to the home gateway 5 in step u2, the home gateway 5 is changed by the user. 2 Analog audio information input to the telephone set 6b, that is, an analog audio signal may be acquired. In step u3, when acquisition of voice information by the first telephone 6a is started, the process proceeds to step u4.

  In step u4, the first telephone 6a gives the acquired voice information to the home gateway 5. Specifically, the digital line control means 45 converts the acquired analog voice signal into a digital voice signal, and provides this digital voice signal to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7. When providing the digital audio signal to the home gateway 5, the digital line control means 45 provides the home gateway 5 with an identification signal representing the identification information input by the user together with the digital audio signal.

  The home gateway 5 obtains the digital audio signal from the first telephone 6a by the digital control means 33 and classifies it based on the identification signal. The digital control means 33 gives the classification result to the home control means 30. The digital audio signal from the first telephone 6 a is stored in the home storage unit 35 in a state of being classified for each user based on the classification result by the digital control unit 33. In step u4, when the digital audio signal is given to the home gateway 5 and stored in the home storage means 35, the process proceeds to step u5.

  In step u5, the first telephone 6a determines whether or not the line has been released, and determines whether or not the second telephone 6b has transmitted a memo stop signal. The memo stop signal is a signal for requesting to stop acquisition and storage of audio information. The memo stop signal is generated, for example, when the user operates the memo button. The memo stop signal is realized by a tonal signal, for example. The memo stop signal is transmitted by the telephone network control means 42 to the first telephone 6a via the analog private line network 8.

  The first telephone set 6a determines that the line has been released when the second telephone set 6b is in an on-hook state. Further, when the first telephone 6a detects the memo end signal from the second telephone 6b, it determines that the memo recording has ended. If it is determined in step u5 that the line has been released or memo recording has been completed, the process proceeds to step u6. The process in step u5 continues to record the memo until the first telephone 6a detects that the line has been released and that the memo end signal has been transmitted.

  In step u6, the first telephone set 6a finishes obtaining the voice information and finishes giving the voice information to the home gateway 5. As a result, the storage of the audio information in the home gateway 5 is completed. In step u6, when the acquisition and storage of the audio information is completed, the process proceeds to step u7 and all the processes are ended.

  When the second telephone 6b is set to answering, voice recording and memo recording in this way, the voice information given to the second telephone 6b is given to the home gateway 5 in a concentrated manner and stored in the home storage means 35. The In this way, in the home LAN 1, the home gateway 5 that is necessarily required is in charge of storing voice information. As a result, the voice information can be managed in an integrated manner, and the managed voice information can be read using the telephone 6. Further, it is not necessary to provide a separate means for storing audio information. As a result, the cost of the home LAN 1 can be reduced, and the cost of the telephone 6 alone can be reduced.

  Even if the second telephone 6b is not connected to the digital private line network 7, either the home gateway 5 connected to the analog public line network 3 or the first telephone 6a acquires voice information instead. Then, it is stored in the home storage means 35. As a result, voice information given to each telephone can be managed in common as digital voice information.

  When the first telephone set 6a is set to record voice messages, call recordings, and memos, the first telephone set 6a acquires voice information, and if the voice information is analog voice information, the digital voice Convert to information. The first telephone 6 a transmits digital audio information to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7 and stores it in the home storage means 35. At this time, the home gateway 5 may acquire voice information given to the first telephone 6a and store it in the home storage means 35.

  In acquiring the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 using the first telephone 6 a, the first telephone 6 a uses the digital line control means 45 to send a read request via the digital private line network 7 to the home gateway. Send to 5. The home gateway 5 receives the read request for the stored audio information by the digital control means 33. At this time, identification information input by the user using the input unit 49 is transmitted from the digital line control unit 45 to the digital control unit 33 together with the read request.

  When the digital control means 33 receives the read request and the identification information, the home control means 30 reads the audio information stored corresponding to the identification information from the individual file area of the home storage means 35 based on the identification information. The digital control means 33 is controlled. The digital control means 33 gives the voice information read from the home storage means 35 to the telephone 6 as a digital voice signal via the digital private line network 7. The digital voice signal given to the first telephone 6a is acquired by the digital line control means 45, converted into an analog voice signal, and given to the calling means 51. Based on the analog voice signal, the call means 51 outputs as voice, thereby reproducing the voice information.

  When acquiring the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 using the second telephone set 6b, the second telephone set 6b sends a read request to the home network control means 42 via the analog private line network 8. The data is transmitted to either the gateway 5 or the first telephone 6a. When the stored voice information read request is transmitted from the second telephone 6 b to the home gateway 5, the home gateway 5 receives the voice information read request by the analog control means 37. At this time, identification information input by the user using the input means 49 is transmitted from the telephone network control means 42 to the analog control means 37 together with the read request.

  When the analog control unit 37 receives the read request and the identification information, the home control unit 30 reads out the audio information stored corresponding to the identification information from the individual file area of the home storage unit 35 based on the identification information. The analog control means 37 is controlled. The analog control unit 37 converts the digital audio information read from the home storage unit 35 into analog audio information.

  The analog control means 37 gives the analog voice information obtained by the conversion to the second telephone set 6b as an analog voice signal via the analog private line network 8. The analog voice signal given to the second telephone 6 b is acquired by the telephone network control means 42 and given to the call means 51. Based on the analog voice signal, the call means 51 outputs as voice, thereby reproducing the voice information.

  When a read request for stored voice information is transmitted from the second telephone 6b to the first telephone 6a, the first telephone 6a receives the read request by the telephone network control means 42. At this time, the second telephone 6b transmits the identification information together with the read request. The first telephone 6a further transmits a read request to the home gateway 5 through the digital private line network 7 based on the reception result. The home gateway 5 determines whether or not to permit reading of the voice information based on the password of the identification information. When reading is permitted, the home gateway 5 sends the voice information corresponding to the ID number through the digital private line network 7 based on the voice information read request stored by the first telephone 6a as described above. 1 is transmitted to the telephone 6a.

  The first telephone 6a acquires the voice information from the home gateway 5 by the digital line control means 45 and converts it into analog voice information. The first telephone 6a transmits the converted analog voice information to the second telephone 6b as an analog voice signal via the analog private line network 8. The second telephone 6b acquires the analog voice signal from the first telephone 6a by the telephone network control means 42 and outputs it as voice by the calling means 51.

  When the stored voice information is not stored in the home storage means 35 in response to the identification information input by the user when the stored voice information is read out, the home gateway 5 stores the stored voice information. Information indicating absence or input of identification information again is transmitted to the telephone set 6. Based on this information, the telephone 6 uses the call means 51 to output the information as voice and notify the user.

  In the present embodiment, the voice information in the second telephone 6b is acquired by the first telephone 6a and then transmitted to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7 to be stored. It may be configured to be acquired and stored by In this case, the second telephone 6 b transmits voice information to the home gateway 5 via the analog private line network 8. The home gateway 5 acquires the analog voice information from the second telephone 6 b by the analog control means 37. The home gateway 5 stores the acquired voice information in the home storage means 35 as digital voice information.

  The voice information stored in the home storage means 52 can be read by transmitting a read request to the home gateway 5 using an external voice communication terminal. During communication of a read request, identification information including an ID number and a password is input and transmitted by the user. The identification information may be input by the user after transmitting a request for transmitting the identification information to each voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal before the home gateway 5 transmits the voice information.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a home LAN 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the telephone set 60. In the home LAN 1A of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the home LAN 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. . In the present embodiment, the home gateway 5A is connected to the analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4 and to the digital private line network 7. Further, in the present embodiment, the first telephone set 60 a and the second telephone set 60 b are connected to the digital private line network 7. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the first telephone set 60a and the second telephone set 60b, it may be referred to as “telephone 60”. The telephone 60 can communicate with an external voice communication terminal via the home gateway 5A.

  The first and second telephones 60a and 60b include the remaining means excluding the telephone band-pass circuit 41 and the telephone network control means 42 among the means of the first telephone 6a of the first embodiment described above. The home gateway 5A and the telephone set 60 communicate with each other as digital audio signals through the digital private line network 7. The telephone 60 is not connected to the analog private line network 8, and the voice information given by the user using the call means 51, for example, the analog voice information given at the time of recording a memo, is obtained by the digital line control means 45. Acquire and convert to digital audio information. The converted voice information is transmitted to the home gateway 5A by the digital line control means 45 together with the identification information input by the user operating the input means 49.

  For example, when storing voice information including voice given from the external voice communication terminal to the telephone 60 via the public line network 2 and voice inputted by the user during communication with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating, That is, when the telephone set 60 is set to answering and call recording, the given voice information acquisition request is transmitted to the home gateway 5A by the digital line control means 45. When the voice information arrives as analog voice information, the home gateway 5A receives the voice information acquisition request given to the telephone 60, acquires the analog voice signal by the analog control means 37, and transmits the analog voice signal together. Classification based on identification information such as an identification number. The analog control unit 37 converts the acquired analog audio signal into a digital audio signal, and provides the home control unit 30 with the audio information classification result.

  When the voice information arrives as digital voice information, the home gateway 5A receives the voice information acquisition request given to the telephone 60, acquires the digital voice signal by the digital control means 33, and transmits it together with the digital voice signal. Classification based on identification information such as an identification number. The digital control means 33 gives the audio information classification result to the home control means 30.

  Based on the classification result, the home control unit 33 controls the digital control unit 33 and the analog control unit 37 so as to be stored in the individual file area of the home storage unit 35 as an individual file of the designated user. The digital control means 33 and the analog control means 37 give a digital audio signal to the home storage means 35 as an individual file for each user based on the control by the home control means 30. Digital audio information is stored in the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user based on identification information, specifically, an ID number.

  When acquiring the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 using the telephone 60, the telephone 60 transmits a read request to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7 by the digital line control means 45. . The home gateway 5 </ b> A receives the read request for the stored audio information by the digital control means 33. At this time, identification information such as an identification number and a password input by the user using the input unit 49 is transmitted from the digital line control unit 45 to the digital control unit 33 together with the read request.

  When the digital control unit 33 receives the read request and the identification information, the home control unit 30 determines whether or not to permit reading of the voice information based on the password. When the reading is permitted, the home control means 30 is configured to read the audio information stored corresponding to the ID number from the individual file area of the home storage means 35 based on the ID number of the identification information. 33 is controlled. The digital control means 33 gives the voice information read from the home storage means 35 to the telephone 60 as a digital voice signal via the digital private line network 7. The digital voice signal given to the telephone set 60 is acquired by the digital line control means 45 and converted into an analog voice signal and given to the call means 51. Based on the analog voice signal, the call means 51 outputs as voice, thereby reproducing the voice information.

  In the present embodiment, the voice information from the external voice communication terminal is once acquired by the telephone 60 by the digital line control means 45, and then the digital voice signal transmitted from the digital line control means 45 is used as the home storage means. 35 may be stored.

  Further, at the time of recording a memo, the voice information may be acquired by the home gateway 5A instead of being acquired by the telephone 60 and stored. In this case, the telephone set 60 transmits a voice information acquisition request to the home gateway 5A, and the home gateway 5A acquires and stores the voice information in accordance with the acquisition request.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a home LAN 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the home LAN 1B of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the home LANs 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted. The home gateway 5 of the present embodiment is connected to the analog public line network 3 and the digital public line network 4 as well as the digital private line network 7 and the analog line, similarly to the home gateway 5 of the first embodiment. Connected to the private network 8.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first telephone 61a and the second telephone 61b are connected to the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8. The first and second telephones 61a and 61b have the same configuration as the first telephone 6a of the first embodiment described above, but for convenience, reference numerals different from those of the first telephone 6a in the first embodiment are used. Attached. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the first telephone 61a and the second telephone 61b, it may be referred to as “telephone 61”. The telephone 61 can communicate with an external voice communication terminal via the home gateway 5.

  The telephone 61 has the same configuration as the first telephone 6a of the first embodiment described above. The home gateway 5A and the telephone set 61 communicate with each other as digital audio signals through the digital private line network 7. The telephone 60 obtains voice information given by the user using the calling means 51, for example, analog voice information given at the time of recording a memo by the digital line control means 45, and converts it into digital voice information. The converted voice information is transmitted to the home gateway 5 by the digital line control means 45 together with the identification information input by the user operating the input means 49.

  For example, when storing voice information including voice given from the external voice communication terminal to the telephone 61 via the public line network 2 and voice inputted by the user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating, That is, when the telephone 61 is set to answering and call recording, a voice information acquisition request is transmitted to the home gateway 5 by the digital line control means 45. When the voice information arrives as analog voice information, the home gateway 5 receives the voice information acquisition request given to the telephone 61, acquires the analog voice signal by the analog control means 37, and transmits the analog voice signal together. Classification based on identification information. The analog control unit 37 converts the acquired analog audio signal into a digital audio signal, and provides the home control unit 30 with the audio information classification result.

  When the voice information arrives as digital voice information, the home gateway 5 receives the voice information read request given to the telephone 61 and acquires the digital voice signal by the digital control means 33 and transmits it together with the digital voice signal. Classification based on identification information. The digital control means 33 gives the audio information classification result to the home control means 30.

  Based on the classification result, the home control unit 33 controls the digital control unit 33 and the analog control unit 37 so as to be stored in the individual file area of the home storage unit 35 as an individual file of the designated user. The digital control means 33 and the analog control means 37 give a digital audio signal to the home storage means 35 as an individual file for each user based on the control by the home control means 30. Digital audio information is stored in the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user based on the identification information.

  When acquiring the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 using the telephone 60, the telephone 61 transmits a read request to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7 by the digital line control means 45. . The home gateway 5 receives the read request for the stored audio information by the digital control means 33. At this time, identification information input by the user using the input unit 49 is transmitted from the digital line control unit 45 to the digital control unit 33 together with the read request.

  When the digital control unit 33 receives the read request and the identification information, the home control unit 30 determines whether or not to permit reading of the voice information based on the password. When the reading is permitted, the home control means 30 is configured to read the audio information stored corresponding to the ID number from the individual file area of the home storage means 35 based on the ID number of the identification information. 33 is controlled. The digital control means 33 gives the voice information read from the home storage means 35 to the telephone 60 as a digital voice signal via the digital private line network 7. The digital voice signal given to the telephone set 60 is acquired by the digital line control means 45 and converted into an analog voice signal and given to the call means 51. Based on the analog voice signal, the call means 51 outputs as voice, thereby reproducing the voice information.

  In the present embodiment, the telephone 61 is configured to acquire the voice information from the external voice communication terminal by transmitting the acquisition request at the home gateway 5. However, the telephone 61 is configured to acquire the telephone network control means 42 and the digital information. It may be acquired once by the line control means 45. In this case, when the voice information is analog voice information, the telephone network control means 42 converts the acquired analog voice information into digital voice information, and then gives it to the home gateway 5 for storage. When the voice information from the external voice communication terminal is digital voice information, the digital line control means 45 gives the acquired digital voice signal to the home gateway 5 for storage.

  Further, at the time of recording a memo, the voice information may be acquired by the home gateway 5 instead of being acquired by the telephone 61 and stored. In this case, the telephone 61 transmits a voice information acquisition request to the home gateway 5, and the home gateway 5 acquires and stores the voice information in accordance with the acquisition request.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a home LAN 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the home LAN 1C of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the home LANs 1, 1A, 1B of the first to third embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted. . In the present embodiment, the home gateway 5C is connected to the digital public line network 4 and to the digital private line network 7. The home gateway 5C is provided with the remaining means excluding the audio information converter 31 of the home gateway 5 of the first embodiment described above.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first telephone 62 a and the second telephone 62 b are connected to the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8. The first telephone 62 a and the second telephone 62 b are directly connected to the analog private line network 3 via the analog private line network 8 without going through the home gateway 5. The first and second telephones 62a and 62b have the same configuration as that of the first telephone 6a of the first embodiment described above. However, for convenience, reference numerals different from those of the first telephone 6a in the first embodiment are used. Attached. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the first telephone 62a and the second telephone 62b, it may be referred to as “telephone 62”.

  The telephone 62 can communicate digital voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the home gateway 5 connected to the digital public line network 4. The telephone 62 can directly communicate analog voice information with an external voice communication terminal via the analog public line network 3. When the user inputs voice using the call means 51, voice information given to the telephone 62 is acquired by the digital line control means 45 of the telephone 62. The digital line control means 45 converts the acquired analog voice information into digital voice information, and gives the converted voice information to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7. As described above, the home gateway 5 stores the audio information in the home storage unit 35 in a state of being classified for each user.

  Further, the voice information given to the telephone 62 when the user inputs voice using the call means 51 may be acquired and stored by the home gateway 5 as described above. In the case of voice mail recording and voice recording, the voice given from the external voice communication terminal via the digital public network 4 and the voice inputted by the user at the time of communication between the telephone 62 and the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. Is acquired by one of the home gateway 5C and the telephone set 62, as in the home LAN 1B in the third embodiment described above.

  The voice information from the external voice communication terminal arriving via the analog public line network 3 is not connected to the analog public line network 3 and the telephone 62 is connected to the digital private line network 7 because the home gateway 5C is connected to the digital private line network 7. After being acquired by 62 itself, it is given to the home gateway 5C through the digital private line network 7. Voice information arriving via the analog public line network 3 is acquired by the telephone network control means 42 via the telephone band pass circuit 41 based on the detection result of the communication state by the telephone network control means 42. The acquired voice information is given from the telephone network control means 42 to the digital line control means 45.

  The digital line control means 45 converts the analog voice information from the telephone network control means 42 into digital voice information, and sends the converted voice information to the home gateway 5 as a digital voice signal via the digital private line network 7. Send. The home gateway 5 acquires digital audio information as described above, and stores it in the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user.

  As described above, the telephone 62 transmits a read request and identification information via the digital private line network 7 and the home gateway 5 reads the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 based on the identification information. Then, the stored voice information is transmitted to the telephone set 62.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a home LAN 1D according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the home LAN 1D of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as the home LANs 1 and 1A to 1C of the first to fourth embodiments described above, and the same description is omitted. . In the home LAN 1D of the present embodiment, the configuration other than the configuration in which the first telephone 63a is not connected to the digital private line network 7 among the telephones 63 is the same as the home LAN 1C of the fourth embodiment described above. It is the same.

  The home gateway 5C is connected to the digital public line network 4 and to the digital private line network 7. The first telephone 63 a is not connected to the digital private line network 7 but is connected to the analog private line network 8. The second telephone 63 b is connected to the digital private line network 7 and the analog private line network 8. The first telephone 63 a and the second telephone 63 b are directly connected to the analog private line network 3 via the analog private line network 8 without going through the home gateway 5.

  The first telephone 63a has the same configuration as that of the second telephone 6b of the first embodiment described above. In FIG. 13, for convenience, a reference numeral different from that of the second telephone 6b of the first embodiment is attached. ing. The second telephone 63b has the same configuration as that of the first telephone 6a of the first embodiment described above. In FIG. 13, for convenience, the reference numeral different from that of the first telephone 6a in the first embodiment is attached. Hereinafter, when referring to at least one of the first telephone 63a and the second telephone 63b, it may be referred to as “telephone 63”.

  In the first telephone 63a, the voice information arriving via the analog public network 3 and the voice information given to the first telephone 63a when the user inputs voice using the call means 51 are the second It is acquired by the telephone 63 b and transmitted to the home gateway 5 via the digital private line network 7. The first telephone 63a transmits a voice information acquisition request to the second telephone 63b via the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42.

  The second telephone 63b acquires the acquisition request from the first telephone 63a by the telephone network control means 42, and detects the communication state of the first telephone 63a. The second telephone 63b acquires the voice information given to the first telephone 63a by the telephone network control means 42 via the telephone band pass circuit 41 based on the detection result of the communication state. In the second telephone 63b, the acquired voice information is given from the telephone network control means 42 to the digital line control means 45.

  The digital line control means 45 of the second telephone 63b converts the analog voice information from the telephone network control means 42 into digital voice information, and the converted voice information is converted into a digital voice signal via the digital private line network 7. To the home gateway 5. The home gateway 5 acquires digital audio information as described above, and stores it in the home storage means 35 in a state classified for each user.

  When the voice information stored in the home storage means 35 is read using the first telephone 63a, the telephone 63 connected to the digital private line network 7, that is, the second telephone 63b is connected only to the analog private line network 8. The voice information is acquired from the home gateway 5C instead of the telephone 63, that is, the first telephone 63a. The second telephone 63b uses the digital line control means 45 to convert the acquired digital voice information into analog voice information. The second telephone 63b transmits the converted analog voice information as an analog voice signal to the first telephone 63a via the analog private line network 8 by the telephone network control means 42. The first telephone 63a receives the analog voice signal by the telephone network control means 42, whereby the voice information is output as voice by the call means 51 and reproduced as described above.

  According to each of the embodiments described above, the voice information given to the telephone can be centrally stored in the home gateway, so that the voice information can be comprehensively managed in the local network by the user. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide the storage means in the telephone, the cost of the telephone alone can be reduced.

  In addition, according to each embodiment, stored voice information can be read using an external voice communication terminal, and convenience can be improved by communicating voice information at high speed.

  In addition, according to each embodiment, even if there is a telephone that does not have a means for converting audio information from analog to digital, it is converted by the home gateway and all audio information is commonly used as digital audio information. Can be managed. Furthermore, the processing load on the voice information of the telephone can be reduced. Also, voice information can be acquired using an external voice communication terminal.

  Further, according to each embodiment, voice information can be centrally stored on the home gateway from any of a plurality of telephones, and can be read and reproduced at any time. As a result, it is possible to further improve convenience by eliminating the trouble of reading out the stored voice information for each telephone. Further, since it is not necessary to provide storage means for each telephone, it is possible to reduce costs.

  Further, according to each embodiment, since voice information is classified and stored for each user, the voice information can be managed for each user after being comprehensively managed. Further, when the user reads out the sound information, it is possible to read out only the necessary sound information without the trouble of identifying whether the sound information is necessary for the user. Furthermore, only a specific user who knows the identification information can handle the audio information, so that the audio information can be managed safely.

  In addition, according to each embodiment, voice information can be managed in an integrated manner by using means that are always provided in a local network by a user. Furthermore, voice information can be read out when the user desires in a local network by the user. This can improve convenience. Furthermore, the cost of a single phone can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to each embodiment, even when there are a plurality of telephones, it is possible to flexibly cope with voice information so that it is managed in an integrated manner. For example, when other telephones do not have means for transmitting digital voice information to the information management apparatus, they can be stored in the home gateway using the telephone having the means instead of the other telephones. it can. As a result, voice information can be comprehensively managed in a local network. In addition, the processing load on the voice information of the home gateway can be reduced.

  Further, according to each embodiment, even when there is a voice communication terminal that does not have means for converting voice information from analog to digital, the home gateway can convert it into digital voice information instead of a telephone. it can. Therefore, audio information can be managed in common as digital audio information. Furthermore, the processing load on the voice information of the telephone can be reduced. Also, voice information can be acquired using an external voice communication terminal via a digital public line network. Therefore, a highly convenient network facility can be realized.

  In addition, according to each embodiment, voice information can be comprehensively managed so that the voice information can be read at any time from any telephone. Furthermore, since the stored voice information is read in response to a read request from each telephone, the voice information can be read when the user desires, thereby improving convenience. Further, it is possible to reduce the cost of each telephone unit, and thus the entire home LAN.

  In addition, according to each embodiment, the voice information can be managed for each user after being comprehensively managed. Further, according to the present invention, when reproducing based on audio information in a home LAN, the user does not have to identify whether or not the audio information is necessary for himself and reads out only the necessary audio information. be able to. Furthermore, only a specific user who knows the identification information can read out the audio information so that the audio information can be managed safely. Further, by using the identification number, it is possible to manage the voice information in a classified state, and by using the password, it is possible to prevent the voice information from being leaked to an outsider and to obtain high confidentiality.

  Further, according to each embodiment, since voice information is converted into digital voice information by a telephone and then transmitted to the home gateway, the processing load on the voice information of the home gateway can be reduced, and the voice information can be reduced. Convenience can be improved by communicating at high speed.

  Each above-mentioned embodiment is only illustration of this invention, and may change a structure within the range of invention. For example, a home LAN may be constructed by combining a wired network and a wireless network. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, instead of the home control means 30, it can be realized by a program so that each means of the home gateway 5 can smoothly execute its function by a computer. Good.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, instead of the control means 40, it may be realized by a program so that each means of the telephone can smoothly execute its function by a computer. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the computer can be realized by a program so that each means such as a home gateway and a telephone provided in the home LAN can smoothly execute its functions. Good. Also, means for converting analog voice information into digital voice information may be provided separately from the home gateway and the telephone, or may be realized by a program. By realizing the program in this way, it is possible to realize highly convenient information management and reduce costs.

It is a block diagram which shows a part of home LAN1 which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the concept of home LAN1. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home gateway 5. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st telephone 6a. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd telephone set 6b. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the home gateway 5 and the telephone set 6 when the 2nd telephone set 6b is set to an answering machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the home gateway 5 and the telephone set 6 when telephone call recording is performed using the 2nd telephone set 6b. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the home gateway 5 and the telephone 6 when a memo recording is performed using the 2nd telephone 6b. It is a block diagram which shows home LAN 1A in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a telephone 60. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows household LAN1B in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows household LAN1C in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows household LAN1D in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1A-1D Home LAN
3 Analog public line network 4 Digital public line network 5, 5A-5D Home gateway 6, 60-63 Telephone 7 Digital private line network 8 Analog private line network 33 Digital control means 35 Home storage means 37 Analog control means

Claims (36)

An information management device connected to a digital public network and connected to a digital private network,
Obtaining means for obtaining voice information given to a voice communication terminal communicating with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network;
Storage means for storing voice information acquired by the acquisition means,
The voice information includes voice given from an external voice communication terminal by communication with an external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by a user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. Information management device. The voice communication terminal is connected to a digital private network,
2. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires digital voice information from a voice communication terminal via a digital private line network. An information management device connected to an analog public network,
The voice communication terminal can communicate with the external voice communication terminal via the information management device,
Further comprising a communication state detection means and a digital conversion means,
The communication state detection means detects the communication state by the voice communication terminal,
The acquisition unit acquires analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network based on the detection result by the communication state detection unit,
The digital conversion means converts the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information,
3. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores digital audio information obtained by the conversion. The acquisition means can acquire voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals,
The storage means stores voice information given to each voice communication terminal so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal. The information management device described in 1. It further includes information classification means for classifying the voice information for each user,
The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the voice information in a state classified for each user.   6. The information management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information classification means classifies the voice information based on identification information including user identification information representing a user given from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. . The storage means stores the read-out based on the read request from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal,
7. The voice information classified and stored for each user is stored so as to be readable based on a read request including the identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal. Information management device.   8. The information management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of audio information. A voice communication terminal that communicates with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network,
Voice information given to the voice communication terminal and voice information stored in the storage means are read out in an information management apparatus connected to the digital public line network and digital private line network and provided with storage means for storing the voice information in a readable manner. A transmission means for transmitting the request;
A voice communication terminal comprising: receiving means for receiving voice information from the information management apparatus. A voice communication terminal connected to an information management device via a digital private line,
The transmission means transmits digital audio information,
10. The voice communication terminal according to claim 9, wherein the receiving means receives digital voice information. A voice communication terminal connected directly to an analog public network,
11. The voice communication terminal according to claim 9, further comprising digital conversion means for converting analog voice information into digital voice information. A voice communication terminal connected to another voice communication terminal via an analog private line network and connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal,
A communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state by another voice communication terminal via an analog private line network;
An acquisition means for acquiring voice information given to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network based on a detection result by the communication state detection means;
The voice information given to the other voice communication terminal includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user at the time of communication with the external voice communication terminal and at the time of non-communication. The voice communication terminal according to claim 9, wherein the voice communication terminal includes: The information management device includes information classification means for classifying voice information for each user based on identification information including user identification information representing the user, and the storage means of the information management device is classified for each user. Voice information is memorized
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
The voice communication terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the transmission means transmits the identification information together with the voice information. The information management device includes information classification means for classifying the voice information for each user based on the identification information, and the storage means of the information management device stores the voice information in a state classified for each user,
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
14. The voice communication terminal according to claim 13, wherein the transmitting means transmits the identification information together with the read request.   15. The voice communication terminal according to claim 14, wherein the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of voice information. A network facility including an information management device connected to a digital public line network and connected to a digital private line network, and a voice communication terminal communicating with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network,
Information management device
Obtaining means for obtaining voice information given to the voice communication terminal;
Storage means for storing voice information acquired by the acquisition means,
Voice communication terminals
A transmission means for transmitting a voice information given to the voice communication terminal and a voice information read request stored in the storage means;
Receiving means for receiving voice information from the information management device,
The voice information includes voice given from an external voice communication terminal by communication with an external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by a user when communicating with the external voice communication terminal and when not communicating. Network equipment. The voice communication terminal is directly connected to the analog public network,
17. The network equipment according to claim 16, further comprising digital conversion means for converting analog voice information into digital voice information. The voice communication terminal is connected to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network, and is connected to the analog public line network together with the other voice communication terminal.
Further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring voice information given to another voice communication terminal via the analog private line network;
The voice information given to the other voice communication terminal includes voice given from the external voice communication terminal by communication with the external voice communication terminal, and voice inputted by the user at the time of communication with the external voice communication terminal and at the time of non-communication. The network equipment according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by comprising: The information management device is connected to an analog public network,
The voice communication terminal can communicate with the external voice communication terminal via the information management device,
The information management device further includes communication state detection means and digital conversion means,
The communication state detection means detects the communication state by the voice communication terminal,
The acquisition unit acquires analog voice information communicated by the voice communication terminal via the analog public line network based on the detection result by the communication state detection unit,
The digital conversion means converts the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information,
19. The network equipment according to claim 16, wherein the storage means stores digital voice information obtained by the conversion.   20. The network equipment according to claim 16, wherein the digital private line network is a wired line network constructed using a metallic cable.   The network equipment according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the analog private line network and the digital private line network are wired circuit networks constructed by HomePNA.   20. The network equipment according to claim 16, wherein the digital private line network is a wireless line network.   20. The network equipment according to claim 16, wherein the digital private line network is constructed by using a communication line that superimposes information on a power line that supplies power.   The network equipment according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the digital private line network is constructed using a communication line for communicating information by an optical signal. The acquisition means can acquire voice information given to a plurality of voice communication terminals,
25. The storage means stores voice information given to each voice communication terminal so as to be readable based on a read request from each voice communication terminal and external voice communication terminal. Network equipment described in The information management device further includes information classification means for classifying the voice information for each user,
The network equipment according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the storage means stores the voice information in a state classified for each user. The information classification means classifies the voice information based on the identification information including the user specifying information representing the user given from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal,
The voice communication terminal further includes input means for inputting identification information,
27. The network equipment according to claim 26, wherein the transmitting means transmits the identification information together with the voice information. The storage means can read out the voice information corresponding to the identification information based on a read request including the identification information from the voice communication terminal and the external voice communication terminal in a state where the voice information is classified for each user. Remember,
It further includes an input means for inputting identification information,
28. The network equipment according to claim 27, wherein the transmitting means transmits the identification information together with the read request.   29. The network equipment according to claim 28, wherein the identification information includes user authentication information for permitting reading of voice information.   A voice information converter that communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network and converts analog voice information into digital voice information provided in a voice communication terminal connected to a digital private line network. .   A voice communication terminal that communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal via an analog public line network and is connected to a digital private line network, and is connected to another voice communication terminal via an analog private line network A voice information converter for converting analog voice information received from other voice communication terminals via an analog private line into digital voice information. Voice information conversion provided in an information management device connected to a digital public line network, connected to a digital private line network, and connected to an analog public line network in which a voice communication terminal communicates voice information with an external voice communication terminal A vessel,
A communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state by the voice communication terminal;
An acquisition means for acquiring analog voice information communicated by a voice communication terminal via an analog public line network based on a detection result by the communication state detection means;
An audio information converter comprising: digital conversion means for converting the acquired analog audio information into digital audio information.   The program for implement | achieving a computer as an apparatus control means to control collectively so that each means provided in the information management apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8 can perform the function smoothly.   The program for implement | achieving a computer as a terminal control means to control collectively so that each means provided in the audio | voice communication terminal in any one of Claims 9-15 can perform the function smoothly.   A program for realizing a computer as equipment control means for comprehensively controlling each means provided in the network equipment according to any one of claims 16 to 29 so that its function can be smoothly executed.   The program for implement | achieving a computer as a control means which controls so that the audio | voice information converter in any one of Claims 30-32 can perform the function smoothly.

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