JP2018011170A - Auto call system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain reliability in security and also to reliably notify an object person by telephone concerning an auto call system.SOLUTION: An auto call system 10 is connected to a client 100 via a VPN. When auto call indication information is received from the client 100 and a designated auto call date and time comes, data of a telephone number of an object person in a destination list and data related to telephone origination are transmitted to the client 100. A gateway 140 of the client 100 performs origination to a telephone set of the object person by a designated origination telephone number of an operator. When a speech state is started by the answer of the object person on a telephone, document data of a scenario is converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing so as to perform a telephone conversation by automatic voice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic call system, and more particularly to a server access type automatic call system that transmits an automatic message to a subject via a server in response to requests from a plurality of clients.

  In recent years, in the voice / telephone service business, an automatic call system that uses automatic voice to notify reminders for non-payers, confirmation of reservation status to customers, delivery guidance for home delivery companies, etc. has been adopted. 1). In this case, a client transmits data such as a document describing a list of persons to be called, an execution date and time of automatic call, and notification contents by automatic voice to a server via the Internet.

  In a server having an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) function, a TTS (Text to Speech) function, a SIP (Session Interaction Protocol) function, etc., the notification document is converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing, and the public telephone network (PSTN) Alternatively, a call is made to the target person's telephone through the IP network. When the target person enters the connection (call) state by taking a telephone call, automatic voice guidance is provided to the target person with synthesized speech.

Mitsubishi Electric Information Magazine “MELTOPIA” December 2015 (No. 212) Customer Report Case Study “KDDI Cloud Auto Call Case Study”

  There are various clients using the auto call service, but it is required to construct a strong security system in order to prevent leakage of information on the target person. In particular, when the client is an administrative system such as a municipality, the importance of the information is high, and the construction of a stricter security system is required. However, if autocall-related information including personal information such as a telephone number is simply transmitted via the Internet, there is a risk that the information may be stolen by a third party.

  On the other hand, when an automatic voice message is transmitted, when a call is received at the target person's telephone, the telephone number of the caller is usually displayed on the display unit of the telephone. However, if the target person sees the displayed telephone number and determines that it is an unknown third party, suspicious person, etc., he / she is refused to answer the call, and the message cannot be delivered to the target person.

  Accordingly, there is a need for an autocall system and method that provides a sufficient security function and ensures that the target person of the autocall can make a call.

  The autocall method of the present invention is an autocall system for an autocall system that connects to a plurality of clients via a closed network (for example, IPN), and includes an autocall designation date and time, a telephone number of a target person, and an automatic voice document. That is, the auto call information including the text describing the contents of the automatic voice is received from the client that has issued the auto call instruction (herein referred to as the auto call instruction client). When the auto call designation date and time is reached, the above telephone number data and data relating to the transmission are transmitted to the auto call instructing client, having the area code (area code) to which the auto call instructing client belongs, and the public telephone network or IP network. From the voice communication device to be connected, a call is made to a telephone set (to which a telephone number is assigned) corresponding to the telephone number (herein called a target person telephone). When a call state is established with the target person's telephone, the data of the document is converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing, and the voice call is made. For example, the voice communication device is installed in the jurisdiction of the auto call instruction client and can be configured by a voice gateway.

  The voice communication device can have a plurality of caller telephone numbers. Therefore, it is possible to make a call so that the subject person is notified of the caller telephone number designated by the auto call instruction client in consideration of the direct connection from the subject person to the person in charge.

  It is also possible to make a call from another voice communication device connected to the public telephone network or IP network having an area code to which the client specified by the auto call instruction client belongs. For example, a telephone having the area code Call the target person who owns the phone corresponding to the number.

  On the other hand, since the processing contents of the speech synthesis process differ depending on the language, the speech synthesis process for Japanese or the speech synthesis process for foreign language may be executed in accordance with the language designated by the auto call instruction client. The client's designated language can be determined based on the language style (such as site differences) at the time of auto call instruction, language information included in auto call information, and the like.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an auto call system connected to a plurality of clients via a closed network receives auto call information sent from a call control unit and an auto call instructing client, When the specified auto call date and time is included in the information, the auto call control unit that controls the call control unit to place and make calls and the automatic voice document data included in the auto call instruction information are converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing. A voice synthesis processing unit, and the call control unit has an area code to which the instructing client belongs based on the telephone number of the target person included in the autocall information, and is connected to a public telephone network or an IP network. , Make a call to the target person's telephone corresponding to the above telephone number, and the call control unit Becomes a speech state, based on the audio data generated by the speech synthesis process, make a call by automatic speech.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for autocall information including an autocall designation date and time, a telephone number of an object person, and an automatic voice document in an autocall system connected to a plurality of clients by a closed network. The step of receiving from the client of the instruction, the step of transmitting the data of the telephone number and the data related to the transmission to the auto call instruction client when the auto call designated date and time are reached, and the area code (area code) to which the instruction client belongs, When the voice communication device connected to the public telephone network or the IP network makes a call state between the target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number and the target telephone set, a voice synthesis process is performed to Converting the data into audio data, and the audio data And a step of making a call by automatic speech based.

  On the other hand, the auto call method derived from the viewpoint of making a call is that when the auto call designation date and time is reached, the telephone number data of the subject person and the data relating to the call are sent from the voice communication device designated by the auto call instruction client to the public telephone network or When a call is made to the target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number through the IP network and a call is established with the target telephone set, a call is made by automatic voice. The voice communication device designated by the auto call instruction client may be a voice communication device having a telephone number of an area code to which the client belongs, or a voice communication device having a telephone number of another area code. Good. In addition, in an auto call system including an auto call control unit and a call control unit, the telephone number data of the target person and the data related to transmission are transmitted from the voice communication device designated by the auto call instruction client to the public telephone network or IP network. It is possible to make a call to the target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number. Furthermore, when the auto call designation date and time is reached, the subject person corresponding to the above telephone number is transmitted from the voice communication device designated by the auto call instructing client through the public telephone network or the IP network. It is possible to provide a program that executes a step of making a call to a telephone and a step of making a telephone call by an automatic voice when a call state is established between the target person's telephones.

  According to such an invention, it is possible to make a call from a voice communication apparatus having the same area code as that of the target person's telephone, and the target person can notify the client's message without rejecting the call. For example, the voice communication device has an area code (area code) to which the auto call instruction client belongs, and is constituted by a voice communication device connected to a public telephone network or an IP network.

  The document data describing the contents of the automatic speech may be converted into synthesized speech by speech synthesis processing, or may be recorded speech, or a combination of synthesized speech and recorded speech. Further, an auto call system may be connected to a plurality of clients via a closed network, and data such as auto call information may be mutually communicated, or auto call information may be created on the auto call system side. For example, by directly receiving the telephone number of the target person's telephone from the client and the automatic voice document on the system side or receiving it via the network, the system can send the target person at the specified date and time through the telephone communication network owned or used by the system side. Is possible.

  On the other hand, the auto call method in another aspect derived from the viewpoint of speech synthesis processing is either the first speech synthesis processing for Japanese or the second speech synthesis processing for foreign language depending on the language specified by the client. One process is executed, the document data corresponding to the text describing the contents of the automatic voice is converted into voice data, and a call with automatic voice is performed based on the generated voice data. A voice synthesis process in one language may be executed for one person to be called by auto call, or the designated language may be switched and selected in the middle.

  As a result, a message can be notified to a target person (foreigner or the like) who is difficult to hear Japanese voice guidance. In addition, it is possible to construct a system that executes either a first speech synthesis process for Japanese or a second speech synthesis process for a foreign language in an auto call system including a call control unit and an auto call control unit. Yes, for example, a call control unit for Japanese and a call control unit for foreign languages are provided. Alternatively, it is possible to install speech synthesis processing engines of different languages in one call control unit.

  Such an autocall method and autocall system may be connected to a client via a closed network to send and send autocall information, or the autocall system side mainly inputs and sends autocall information. You may make it perform. The configuration of the auto call system, the exchange of auto call information from the client, the configuration of connection with the client, the configuration of outgoing calls, etc. are arbitrary, and the above-described plurality of electric field numbers may be selected.

  The language specified for the client may include language information in the auto-call information created by the client, or the client creation language such as the auto-call reservation screen is prepared for each language and is regarded as the client-specified language. You can also. Further, the language may be automatically determined on the side of the auto call system. For example, the selection can be made based on the family register information (whether or not the family register is held) of the person who is subject to autocall and the like.

  During a call with the target person, the first voice synthesis process and the second voice synthesis process may be switched according to a response from the target person. For example, when there is a response (tone signal or the like) from the target person for identity verification, it can be configured to switch. In this case, the call control units for Japanese and foreign languages may be switched, or the voice synthesis processing engine (software) may be switched.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the automatic call system and the method thereof, it is possible to reliably notify the target person by telephone while ensuring the security function.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the auto call network system containing an auto call system and a client. It is a block diagram of an auto call system and a client. It is the figure which showed the data communication at the time of the autocall execution between an autocall system, a client, and a subject. It is a flowchart of the automatic call reservation setting performed in PC arrange | positioned at the section of a client. It is a flowchart of the auto call control process performed in an auto call server.

  Hereinafter, an auto call system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an auto call network system including an auto call system and a client.

  The auto call system 10 includes an auto call call control server 20 and a call control server 30, and is connected to a plurality of clients 100, 200, 300,. Here, the plurality of clients are clients that are administrative entities, and specifically, the municipalities such as city halls and town halls are configured as clients.

  The client 100 includes a router 120, a gateway 140, and a personal computer (PC) 160, and is connected to the auto call system 10 by a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which is one of closed networks. That is, the client 100 can communicate with the auto call system 10 with the PC 160. Similarly, other clients are connected to the auto call system 10 by VPN.

  A plurality of clients 100, 200, 300,... Which are local governments such as municipalities are located in areas to which different area codes (area codes) are assigned. Here, for convenience, the area code of the client 100 is “00”, the area code of the client 200 is “01”, and the area code of the client is “02”. On the other hand, the client 100 'is a client that the client 100 designates as a telephone call place, and includes a router 120' and a gateway 140 '.

  The auto call system 10 can provide an auto call service to each client. Specifically, it is possible to make a phone call at a specified date and time to people such as those who have not paid taxes and other public taxes and those who are subject to a health checkup, and notify the contents of them by automatic voice. Each client creates in advance information (auto call information) including the document data in which the contents of the automatic voice are written, the telephone number of the person to be called, and the date and time of execution of the automatic call, and transmits the information to the automatic call system 10. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the auto call system 10 and the client 100. In the following description, the client 100 is described, but the other clients have the same configuration.

  The auto call system 10 includes a switch circuit 40 and a router 50 together with the auto call server 20 and the call control server 30. The auto call server 20 supplied with power from the power source 62 controls the call control server 30 to instruct a telephone call and an automatic voice call at a predetermined timing. The call control server 30 includes a first call control server 30A that supports Japanese automatic voice and a second call control server 30B that supports foreign language (English in this case) automatic voice. A program related to auto call execution is recorded in advance in a memory (not shown).

  The first call control server 30A and the second call control server 30B supplied with power from the power supply 64 generate synthesized speech through speech synthesis processing and exchange control signals (signals) to make and receive calls. Controls to make a voice call with the target person such as call, line connection and disconnection.

  The switch circuit 40 transmits data sent from the client 100 via the router 50 to the auto call server 20 or the first and second call control unit servers 30A and 30B. Signals output from the first and second call control servers 30A and 30B are output to the outside of the system via the ONU 60 that is a terminal device.

  As described above, the auto call system 10 is connected to the client 100 by the PVN functioning as a dedicated network that is not interfered by a third party, and the router 120 of the client 100 is specified in the auto call system 10. Further, packet communication by encryption is performed according to the IPsec method.

  The router 120 of the client 100 receives data from the autocall system 10 via the terminal device 110 and distributes the data to the personal computer (PC) 150, the gateway 140, and the like. The gateway 140 connected to the public telephone network (PSTN) converts data (signal) and voice data related to outgoing calls (hereinafter also called outgoing calls) sent from the call control server 30 into data corresponding to the PSTN. It functions as a voice communication device that performs outgoing calls and automatic voice calls. The outgoing call and automatic voice call by the gateway 140 are controlled by the call control server 30 of the automatic call system 10.

  In the client 100, different operations are performed in the section 100A and the section 100B. For example, section 100A corresponds to a health insurance fee collection section, and section 100B corresponds to a health support section. The section 100B includes a personal computer (PC) 150 as in the section 100A.

  The client 100 is located in a location belonging to the area code 01, and accordingly, a telephone number including the area code 01 at the head is assigned to the gateway 140. The gateway 140 has a plurality of telephone numbers, and can make a telephone call by switching the telephone number of the caller. When the telephone number selected or designated by the client is transmitted as the caller telephone number, the caller telephone number is displayed on the target person's telephone when the caller receives an incoming call. Here, sections 100A and 100B are configured to make calls using different telephone numbers.

  The client 100 ′ is a client subordinate to the client 100 and receives data related to outgoing calls and automatic voice calls from the call control server 30 through the terminal device 110 ′. The gateway 140 ′ can make outgoing calls and automatic voice calls through the PSTN.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data communication during execution of an auto call among the auto call system 10, the client 100, and a telephone target person. Similar data communication is performed in other clients.

  In the client 100, information such as health insurance collection and health examination regarding the residents of the client 100 is stored in the data management system 190, and the data management system 190 is not connected to a network accessible by an external unspecified person. . Also, the computers 160 and 150 installed in the section 100A and the section 100B of the client 100 are not connected to the data management system 190.

  An operator belonging to the section 100 </ b> A of the client 100 creates auto call information using the PC 160. The operator takes in the portable memory DM in which the destination of the person to be autocalled such as a nonpayee list is recorded in the PC 160 and reads out the data. Data stored in the data management system 190 is recorded in the portable memory DM.

  The operator opens a screen (site) for inputting and operating the content of the auto call instruction, specifies the date and time for executing the auto call, and inputs a document of a scenario (script) for automatic speech. Furthermore, a call telephone number for making a call is designated and selected. Data of auto call information including these contents is created as, for example, a CSV file and uploaded to the auto call system 10. Such auto-call information created on the client side can also be created in the section 100B.

  The auto call system 10 transmits data related to the call to the client 100 in accordance with the auto call designation date and time. The gateway 140 sequentially transmits to a target person (such as a delinquent) of an auto call through a public telephone network (PSTN). At this time, the gateway 140 makes a call using the telephone number of the section that executes the auto call. Note that the IP network and the gateway 140 may be connected.

  When the target person's telephone A1 is in an incoming (incoming) state and the target person makes a telephone call, an automatic voice call is performed based on the synthesized voice data sent from the auto call system 10. When the automatic voice call by the telephone A1 is completed, a call is made to the next telephone A2 and a call is made. The target person's telephones A1 and A2 may be either a fixed telephone or a mobile phone.

  In this way, when a call is made to the target person by automatic voice, the call is made from the gateway 140 installed in the client 100, and therefore the telephone number starting with the area code 01 is displayed on the display of the target telephones A1 and A2.

  By the way, when the client 100 is an administrative system such as a local government, there are various types of persons who receive autocall, such as those who have not paid taxes and other taxes and dues, and who are scheduled to undergo a health checkup. Is done. That is, the person who resides in the jurisdiction of the client 100 becomes the subject of autocall. Therefore, the person to be auto-called recognizes that the call is from the same municipality or a neighboring municipality having the same area code when viewing the display of the telephone number of the client 100 on his / her telephone.

  Generally, when a person receives a call from a party whose telephone number starts with an unfamiliar area code number, he / she hesitates to make a connection (connect). This is because it is determined that the other party (guidance from the service provider), which is not related to itself, is a wrong call. In particular, the call is likely to be rejected due to the caution against malicious calls such as special fraud.

  On the other hand, if a phone number starting with the same area code number as the local government where you live is displayed, even if you do not recognize that it is the phone number of the client 100 (the phone from the city hall), It is assumed that the call is from a related party (for example, an administrative service such as a beauty salon or a library), and there is not much trouble in making a call while connected.

  Therefore, when a telephone call is made from the gateway 140 of the client 100, when the target person's telephone A1 is placed in the incoming call state, the target person receives the telephone and proceeds to a call state, thereby starting an automatic voice call using synthesized voice. As a result, the target person confirms the message from the client 100.

  On the other hand, among the target persons, there are persons who make a call to the client 100 such as confirming detailed contents when receiving a call from the client 100. As described above, since the call is made by the telephone number of the section that executes the auto call, the person in charge of the section is directly connected to the telephone.

  Further, the client 100 can make a call by designating the client 100 ′ having the gateway 140 ′. For example, when the client 100 is born by the merger of two adjacent cities, the area code assigned to the old city remains as it is. The client 100 can make a call from the gateway 140 ′ by including the instruction data regarding the call from the gateway 140 ′ in the auto call information. When the client 100 is a government-designated city, an area code may be assigned to each ward in the city. Even in such a case, the call can be made from the gateway owned by the client having the telephone number of the area code of the area where the target person resides.

  For example, when an automatic call is made to a target person who lives in the old city of area code “10”, the area code “00” of the other old city that did not reside is more The area code “10” is familiar. Therefore, it is easy to realize a call state by making a call from the gateway 140 ′ to the target person living in the area corresponding to the area code “10”.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the auto call reservation setting process performed in the PC 160 arranged in the section 100A of the client 100. The operator of section 100A performs an input operation at an auto call reservation site provided by auto call system 10. The same reservation setting process can be performed in the PC 150 of the section 100B.

  The automatic call reservation setting screen is a screen for inputting an automatic voice scenario (script), and a frame for inputting intro guidance, ending guidance, question guidance, and the like is displayed. The operator writes a notification content document in these guidance frames. For example, in the intro guidance, enter "This is a city hall ...".

  Following that, there is also an intro guidance frame where you can enter a scenario to verify your identity. “If you are the person, press the * (rice) button on the phone and“ 1 ”. If not, please hang up. ... "can be written. In addition, the operator designates the date and time (for example, the morning time zone of a holiday) on the screen and executes a call corresponding to his / her section from a plurality of telephone numbers that can be transmitted by the gateway 140. Specify a number. Further, when making a call from the client 100 ′, an operation for selecting a gateway as a transmission target device is performed. The operator performs necessary input operations such as document input, date and time designation, and caller telephone number designation.

  On the other hand, when an automatic call reservation is set, an automatic call can be implemented even for a subject who is difficult to communicate in Japanese. For example, if a foreigner has lived in the jurisdiction area of the client 100 for a long time (when registering as a resident), it is desirable to use autocall because it cannot be read even if notified in writing. Even if you send an automatic voice message in words, you cannot understand the speech. For such subjects, an automatic voice call is made in a foreign language (English).

  By the way, since the alphabet of course can be input at the input unit (keyboard) of the PC 160, an English scenario document can be created even on the automatic call reservation setting screen for Japanese. However, since the synthesized speech obtained by Japanese speech synthesis processing is synthesized speech based on Japanese pronunciation and intonation, native foreigners can understand the content even if they hear the synthesized speech. difficult. For example, when the alphabet “Water” is entered on the setting screen for Japanese, the sound is pronounced “water” in katakana notation. However, the native pronunciation is close to “Waler” in katakana notation.

  That is, even if automatic speech in English is performed using the first call control server 30A having a speech synthesis processing function for Japanese, it is converted into synthesized speech with pronunciation and intonation that seems to be Japanese (cannot be spoken natively). End up. Therefore, it is necessary to perform automatic English speech on the subject who cannot understand Japanese speech based on the second call control server 30B having a speech processing function for foreign languages.

  The PC 160 can switch between a site that displays a Japanese input screen and a site that displays an English input screen. In the case of English screen display, an English input such as “This is the City Hall of...” Is input to the intro guidance frame. The operator switches the input screen according to the target person. Here, the destination lists of the target person who sends the automatic voice in English and the target person who sends the automatic voice in Japanese are recorded separately in the portable memory DM, and the operator selects the type of the destination list data. Switch the input screen based on.

  When the automatic call reservation setting screen in the language designated by the operator is displayed (S101 to S104), the operator performs an operation for inputting a scenario document. Then, when a reservation execution operation is performed (S105), list data, scenario document data, auto call designation date and time, caller telephone number, etc., auto call information data are uploaded. At the same time, a reservation completion screen is displayed on the PC 160 (S106).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the automatic call control process executed in the automatic call server 20.

  When the auto call information is received from the client, execution of auto call by the call control server according to the designated language is set, and the standby state is set (S201 to S204). That is, the automatic call is set by the call control server of the language corresponding to the reservation setting screen on which the input operation has been performed, among the first call control server 30A for Japanese and the second call control server 30B for foreign language. .

  When the automatic call designation date / time is reached (S205), the call control server according to the designated language transmits the data of the telephone number of the first target person in the destination list and the data related to the transmission to the client 100 (S206). In the gateway 140, based on the telephone number data of the target person, a call is made toward the target person's telephone by a caller telephone number designated by the operator (a signal is output). When an automatic call is executed to a subject of a telephone number having the same area code as the area code “10” of the client 100 ′, the IP address of the gateway 140 ′ is designated, and the telephone number data, outgoing data, etc. And sent to the gateway 140 ′ of the client 100 ′. If the gateway 140 'has a plurality of telephone numbers, the telephone numbers can be selected at the time of automatic call reservation.

  When an incoming call is made on the target person's telephone and a call state is established (S207), a voice synthesis process for converting document data into voice data is performed (S208). The speech synthesis process here is performed by a corpus-based speech synthesis (CTTS) method. Specifically, a prosodic model and a speech database necessary for speech synthesis are created in advance by speech corpus construction technology, and prosody information is estimated from the analysis result of text data (scenario document data) using a prosodic model, A set of phoneme waveforms that most closely matches the information is selected from the speech database to obtain a synthesized sound. Thereby, an automatic speech can be performed by the expressive voice with the same real voice feeling as a person.

  When the call ends, data of the autocall execution result such as the call time, call time, and disconnection reason (call disconnection, no response, etc.) at that time is collected and recorded in the autocall server 20 (S210). In addition, confirmation information (such as lost payment slip, direct debit request, etc.) included in the tone signal sent by the response operation of the subject is also collected.

  When the call is completed for one target person, the call is sent to the next target person. Steps S <b> 206 to S <b> 209 are repeated until the phone calls for all the persons on the destination list are completed. If the target person does not respond after making a call for a certain period of time, the telephone is forcibly disconnected and the telephone is sent to the next target person.

  After the auto call for all the target persons is completed, the operator can download the auto call execution result (transmission result) information from the client 100. When there is a download request, the autocall system 10 transmits the recorded autocall execution result data to the client 100. The client can analyze the response rate of the subject based on this data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the autocall system 10 connected to the client 100 by the VPN, when the autocall information is received from the client 100 and the designated autocall date and time is reached, the telephone number of the target person in the destination list And the data related to the telephone call are transmitted to the client 100. The gateway 140 of the client 100 makes a call to the target person's telephone so that the telephone number designated by the operator becomes the caller telephone number. When the target person answers the phone and enters a call state, the document data of the scenario is converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing, and a voice call is performed.

  Since the connection between the auto call system 10 and the client 100 is a closed network, even if the telecommunications carrier does not have a large-scale telephone network that covers the whole country, the auto call prevents leakage of information to a third party. A system can be constructed. On the other hand, the telephone number of the same area code (area code) is displayed on the target person's telephone by calling from the gateway 140 having the voice communication function owned by the client 100 instead of the automatic call system side, Opportunities for the target person to answer the phone are increased.

  In particular, in order to inform the target phone number as the outgoing phone number according to the section of the client, the target phone calls the client who is the auto caller for confirmation items and questions after receiving the auto call by the outgoing phone number. For example, when a function for transferring to a telephone set on the desk of the person in charge is provided by a service provided by an external carrier, the person in charge of the section that executed the auto call is directly connected. For this reason, the client can immediately find out from the person in charge that the target person wants to hear, without having to search for the person in charge that the target person requests as a caller in the client or section.

  Instead of preparing the automatic call reservation setting screen for Japanese and foreign languages separately, the language may be selected on one reservation site. Further, the destination list may not be divided into a foreign language list and a Japanese language list. In this case, create a scenario document for Japanese and foreign languages in advance and make an auto call reservation, and automatically determine whether the name is a Japanese name or any other name from the names in the destination list. What is necessary is just to perform the speech synthesis process of the language applicable to an object person. For example, the determination can be made based on the family register information, and the message can be transmitted by automatic voice in a foreign language.

  On the other hand, when an automatic voice message in the language specified by the client is played, a message that allows the user to select and specify the language is played, and the voice synthesis process is switched according to the response (tone signal, etc.) from the target person. May be. For example, in the intro guidance, Japanese speech synthesis processing and foreign language speech synthesis processing are executed on document data with the same content in succession, and continuous phone calls using automatic speech in Japanese and foreign languages. And do it. At this time, only the number of the message “... if applicable, please press the number” is set to a different number for Japanese and foreign languages. As a result, it is possible to perform a call by a Japanese speech synthesis process or a foreign language speech synthesis process in accordance with the number (tone) that has been answered from the target person.

  Alternatively, an automatic voice message may be sent first in a foreign language (or Japanese) speech synthesis process and switched to a Japanese (or foreign language) voice synthesis process in response to a response. In this case, it is also possible to configure a single call control server provided with both Japanese and foreign language speech synthesis processing functions (engines). The number of languages is not limited, and a speech synthesis processing unit such as Chinese, Korean, Spanish, German, French may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the caller telephone number of the gateway is switched for each section, but a plurality of caller telephone numbers may be used in the same section. For example, if the target is Japanese and the target is a foreigner, it is assumed that a call will be received from the target after the auto call is executed, and the call will be sent from the gateway with a different caller phone number. Also good. As a result, the target person can directly talk with the foreign operator in a language other than Japanese such as English. Further, the caller telephone number may be selected and set across a plurality of sections.

  In this embodiment, the client is described as a local government at the municipal level, but a local government at the prefectural level, a public organization related to the country, a school corporation such as a university or high school, a public interest group such as a religious corporation, a special corporation, Is also effective for clients such as private companies that conduct voice service operations.

  For example, when campaign advertisements, questionnaires, service guides, etc. are performed by the auto-all system, it is necessary to make a telephone call not to a specific area but to the entire country area. Even in this case, if a telephone number having an area code that is not familiar to the local residents is displayed as a caller, the connection may be refused. Therefore, it is desirable to make a call using a telephone having an area code for each specific area.

  For example, if a voice service company is located in Tokyo and performs an auto call for a person residing in Nagoya or Osaka, specify a client with a gateway installed in Nagoya or Osaka, and use the auto call system. The call may be made from the client by the call control by the call control server. In this case, the remote client and the auto call system may be connected by a closed network.

  Alternatively, a medium such as a memory including auto call information may be received from the client, or the call may be generated on the server side by listening to the client's intention, and the telephone call may be made. Further, when notifying all target persons of the same message content (election advertisement, etc.), instead of generating synthesized speech by speech synthesis processing, automatic voice guidance may be provided by recorded speech.

  For the selection and switching of Japanese speech synthesis processing and foreign language speech synthesis processing, the client operates the cloud service etc. in-house (the phone such as a gateway is set on the auto call system side) It can also be applied. Also, a voice communication device other than the gateway can be installed, and the connection with the client may be a computer (workstation or the like) other than the PC. It is also possible to use a cloud system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Auto call system 20 Auto call server 30 Call control server 30A 1st call control server 30B 2nd call control server 100 Client 100 'Client 100A Section 100B Section 140, 140' Gateway (voice communication apparatus)
150, 160 PC (client)

The router 120 of the client 100 receives data from the autocall system 10 via the terminal device 110 and distributes the data to the personal computer (PC) 150, the gateway 140, and the like. A gateway 140 that is connected to a public telephone network (PSTN) and functions as a voice communication device transmits data (signal) and voice data related to a call (hereinafter also referred to as a call) sent from the call control server 30 to the PSTN. It intends line to be converted, depending on the data. The call to the target person's telephone and the automatic voice call with the target person are respectively based on the data related to the call sent from the call control server 30 of the auto call system 10 to the client 100 and the automatic voice call data. Done.

Claims (7)

An auto call method of an auto call system for connecting a plurality of clients by a closed network,
Receive autocall information including the date and time specified for autocall, the phone number of the target person, and an auto-voice document from the autocall instruction client.
When the auto call designated date and time is reached, the data of the telephone number and the data related to the transmission are transmitted to the auto call instruction client,
An area code (area code) to which the automatic call instruction client belongs, and is transmitted from a voice communication device connected to a public telephone network or an IP network to a target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number,
An auto-call method, wherein when a call state is established with the target person's telephone, the data of the document is converted into voice data by voice synthesis processing and the voice call is performed. The voice communication device has a plurality of caller telephone numbers;
2. The auto call method according to claim 1, wherein a call is made from the voice communication apparatus to the target telephone by a caller telephone number selected by the auto call instruction client.   The automatic call instructing client has an area code to which the client designated belongs, and is transmitted from the other voice communication apparatus connected to the public telephone network or IP network to the target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number having the area code. The automatic call method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   4. The auto call method according to claim 1, wherein a speech synthesis process for Japanese or a speech synthesis process for a foreign language is executed in accordance with a language designated by the auto call instruction client. An automatic call system connected to multiple clients via a closed network,
A call control unit;
An auto call control unit that receives auto call information sent from an auto call instruction client and when the auto call designation date and time included in the auto call information is reached, controls the call control unit to make a call and make a call,
A voice synthesis processing unit that converts the automatic voice document data included in the auto call instruction information into voice data by voice synthesis processing;
The call control unit corresponds to the telephone number from a voice communication apparatus having an area code to which the instruction client belongs based on the telephone number of the target person included in the auto call information and connected to a public telephone network or an IP network. Make a call to the target phone,
When the call control unit enters a call state with the target person's telephone, an automatic call system performs a call using automatic voice based on voice data generated by voice synthesis processing.   6. The automatic call system according to claim 5, wherein the voice communication device includes a voice gateway. In an auto call system that connects multiple clients via a closed network,
Receiving autocall information from the autocall instruction client including the autocall designation date and time, the telephone number of the target person, and an automatic voice document;
When the automatic call designation date and time is reached, transmitting the data on the telephone number and the data relating to the transmission to the automatic call instruction client;
A step of making a call from a voice communication device having an area code (area code) to which the instruction client belongs and connected to a public telephone network or an IP network to a target telephone set corresponding to the telephone number;
When a call state is established with the target person's telephone, the step of converting the document data into voice data by voice synthesis processing;
And a step of performing a call by automatic voice based on the voice data.

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