JP3115027B2 - Voice storage device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice storage device connected to an analog or digital telephone line for recording and reproducing voice messages via the telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an answering machine has been used as a voice storage device using an analog telephone line, but in recent years the demand for information storage means has rapidly increased with an increase in the amount of information. Furthermore, by accumulating messages via telephones in the office and managing them in an integrated manner, voice mail devices have been developed to improve communication efficiency and reduce the cumbersome work associated with telephones. You are in the stage.

A conventional voice mail apparatus connected to an analog line will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional voice mail device. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a line interface unit connected to an analog line for controlling the line and separating input / output, and 2 converts an analog electric signal output from the line interface unit 1 into digital data. An encoding unit for outputting a digital signal compressed in accordance with the information; a decoding unit for converting the digital signal into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal to a line interface unit; and a digital output from the encoding unit for recording a voice. An audio buffer for temporarily storing signals and a digital signal to be inputted to the decoding unit 3 during message reproduction, and a buffer / address control unit 5 for controlling a read / write address of the audio buffer 4 ,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a DTMF detection unit that detects a DTMF signal transmitted via a telephone line, and 7 denotes a line control unit that controls the line interface unit 1 to manage voice input / output and line control. A line audio processing unit 18 is configured, and is provided for each of a plurality of lines.

[0004] Reference numeral 9 denotes a voice message storage unit for storing voice data stored in the voice buffer 4.
a to 9b, and are assigned to each subscriber. Ten
A voice guidance storage unit stores voice guidance recorded in advance. Reference numeral 11 denotes a voice data control unit for reading a digital signal from the voice message storage unit 9 or the voice guidance storage unit 10 and storing the digital signal in the voice message storage unit 9; 4 is connected. Reference numeral 12 denotes a channel selection unit that selects a line for inputting and outputting audio from a plurality of lines and connects each audio buffer 4 to the audio data control unit 11 via the switch SW. 13 controls the audio data control unit 11 and the channel selection unit 12, etc., while exchanging information with the audio processing unit 18 of each line,
It is a central control unit that selects an appropriate voice message storage unit 9 and voice guidance storage to record and play back voice data. Reference numeral 14 denotes a voice message management unit which is controlled by the central control unit 13 and manages the storage location of the recording / replay message and information accompanying the message. 15 denotes a voice which is controlled by the central control unit 13 and manages the storage location of the voice guidance. Guidance management department. Reference numeral 16 denotes a command interface unit for relaying commands and status between the central control unit 13 and the line control unit 7 of the audio processing unit 18 for each line. The central processing unit 19 is configured as described above.

[0005] The operation of the thus configured voice mail apparatus will be briefly described below. When the user calls the voice mail device, the line interface unit 1 detects the ring sound and turns on the line, and the line control unit 7
Notify. The line control unit 7 notifies the central control unit 13 via the command interface unit 16 that the telephone call has been received, and the central control unit 13 controls the voice guidance management unit 15 in response to the call to control the voice mail device. The voice guidance notifying there is output from the voice guidance storage unit 10. At this time, the corresponding line is connected to the audio data control unit 11 by the channel selection unit 12, the digital audio signal of the above guidance is stored in the audio buffer 4, and the completion of the reading of the audio data is notified to the command interface unit 16. Notify to the line control unit 7 via. In response to this, the line control unit 7 outputs a reproduction start command to the buffer address control unit 5, and the buffer address control unit 5 sequentially transmits the digital audio signals to the audio buffer 4
And output it to the analog signal by the decoding unit 3, input it to the line interface unit 1, and output voice guidance (for example, “This is a message center. Enter the box number.”) On the telephone line. I do.

[0006] The user who hears the above-mentioned message uses the key of the touch-tone telephone to input the other party's box number (for example, 13).
12), the box number is input as a DTMF signal to the DTMF detection unit 6 via the line interface unit 1 and is converted into a code of a numeric string representing the box number, and the line control unit 7 and the command interface unit
It reaches the central control unit 13 via 16. The central control unit 13 selects the voice message storage unit (for example, 9b) corresponding to the above box number, causes the voice message management unit 14 to search for the storage location of the message, and then returns to the voice guidance management unit 15 again.
The voice guidance for prompting recording is output from the voice guidance storage unit 10 and the analog voice signal (for example, "message in box 1312" is sent to the line interface unit 1 via the voice data control unit 11, the voice buffer 4 and the decoding unit 3). Will be recorded. Please leave a message. ")
Start the message recording service.

[0007]

However, in the above-described voice mail device, the box owner tries to record a message by calling the line connected to the voice mail device and inputting the box number. There is a problem that the owner of the box has the trouble of making a call again because the user cannot make a direct call with the user.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and provides a voice storage device that allows a user to make a call to a voice mail device and directly talk to a user who has input a box number or to have a message recorded. It is intended to do so.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a voice storage device according to the present invention is provided with a line control unit connected to an analog or digital telephone line for controlling the connection and disconnection of the telephone line. A DTMF detection unit for detecting a DTMF signal from the telephone line and outputting the DTMF signal to the line control unit, a DTMF output unit for outputting a DTMF signal to the telephone line in response to a command from the line control unit, A voice message management unit that records a voice message received from a line in a voice storage unit; a voice data control unit that reproduces a voice message and voice guidance recorded in the voice storage unit and transfers the voice message to the telephone line; The voice message management unit for performing general control such as recording / playback of a voice message by a control signal from the DTMF detection unit;
The central control unit that controls the voice data control unit and the line control unit, and the type of service provided through the central control unit is
A message recording service or button for recording messages
A direct call service that calls the owner of the
Is stored for each box owner, and the user makes a call and
Enter the box number when entering the box number.
The type of service that has been defined
A service for outputting a user's telephone number to the central control unit
A service provided with a management unit and provided for each box owner
Scan is obtained to be able to select.

[0010]

According to the present invention, when a box owner wants to make a call directly to a user who has made a call to a voice mail apparatus and entered a box number, the service management unit has a telephone number and a service. Is set to the direct call service, the central control unit makes a call to the registered telephone number, and the box owner can directly talk to the user. Also, if the box owner sets the service type to the message recording service in the service management unit, the message can be recorded as before.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a voice mail device using a voice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a line interface unit, 2 denotes an encoding unit, 3 denotes a decoding unit, 4 denotes an audio buffer, 5 denotes a buffer / address control unit, 6 denotes a DTMF detection unit, and 7 denotes a line control unit. Performs the same operation as. Reference numeral 8 denotes a DTM to the line interface unit 1 in response to a command from the line control unit 7.
A DTMF output unit for outputting an F signal;
Thus, the audio processing unit 18 of one line is configured. 9 is a voice message storage unit, 10 is a voice guidance storage unit, 11 is a voice data control unit, 12 is a channel selection unit, 13 is a central control unit,
14 is a voice message management unit, 15 is a voice guidance management unit, and 16 is a command interface unit, which performs the same operation as the conventional example. Reference numeral 17 denotes a service management unit which is controlled by the central control unit 13 and sets a service type and a telephone number. The central processing unit 19 is composed of 9 to 17 described above. Here, the channel selection unit 12 has a switch contact SW ₀ of the audio data control unit 11 and a switch contact S of the audio buffer 4.
Controls the connection between W ₁ to SW _n, also points to the control is different from the conventional connection of the switch contacts SW ₁ to SW _n between the audio buffer 4.

The operation of the thus configured voice mail device will be described below. When the user makes a call to a voice mail device (for example, line 1), voice guidance (for example, "This is a message center. Enter the box number.") Is output to the telephone line in the same manner as in the conventional example. I do. When the user who has heard the message inputs the other party's box number (for example, 1312) using the key of the touch phone, the box number is converted into a code of a numeric string in the same procedure as in the conventional example, and the central control unit is operated.
Reach 13 The central control unit 13 notifies the service management unit 17 of the code of the numeric string. In response, the service management unit 17
Selects an area that matches the sign of the above-mentioned numeric string, and returns the set service type and telephone number to the central control unit 13.
If the service type is direct call service, the central control unit
13 controls the voice guidance management unit 15 to output voice guidance (for example, “I am just calling the owner of the box. Please wait for a while.”) To the telephone line.

Next, the central control unit 13 controls the channel selection unit 12.
Switch contact SW₀ And switch contact SW₁ Connection
, For example, switch contact SW₁ The switch contacts
SW _Two To the line 1 and line 2
The fas 4 are connected to each other. Then the command interface
The DTM of the line 2 is passed through the
The F output unit 8 is notified of the telephone number. Line 2 DTM
The F output unit 8 receives this and transmits the telephone number data to the DTMF signal.
Through the line interface unit 1 of the line 2
Output to the telephone line of line 2 and start the direct call service
You.

If the service type is a message recording service, the central control unit 13 selects the voice message storage unit (for example, 9b) corresponding to the box number in the same procedure as in the conventional example, and the voice guidance management unit 15 Voice guidance that prompts you to record by controlling
Record your message on. Please leave a message. ")
To the telephone line and start the message recording service.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, a service management unit is provided in a conventional voice storage device, and a service type and a telephone number are set therein. You can choose to call the user directly and talk to the user who entered the box number, or have them record a message. In addition, if the direct call service is set, it is possible to make a direct call with the user who attempted to record a message in the voice storage device, which has the effect of reducing the trouble of making a call again and reducing the cost of the call, which is practically effective. It becomes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a voice mail device using a voice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional voice mail device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Line interface part 2 Encoding part 3 Decoding part 4 Audio buffer 5 Buffer address control part 6 DTMF detection part 7 Line control part 8 DTMF output part 9 Voice message storage part 10 Voice guidance storage part 11 Voice data control part 12 channels Selection unit 13 Central control unit 14 Voice message management unit 15 Voice guidance management unit 16 Command interface unit 17 Service management unit 18 Voice processing unit 19 Central processing unit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A line control unit connected to an analog or digital telephone line for controlling connection / disconnection of the telephone line, and a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) from the telephone line.
ncy) DTMF which detects the signal and outputs it to the line control unit
A detection unit; a DTMF output unit that outputs a DTMF signal to the telephone line in response to a command from the line control unit; a voice message management unit that records a voice message received from the telephone line to a voice storage unit; A voice data control unit that reproduces the voice message and voice guidance recorded in the voice storage unit and transfers the voice message and voice guidance to the telephone line. For this purpose, a central control unit that controls the voice message management unit, the voice data control unit, and the line control unit, and a type of service provided via the central control unit are messaged.
Message recording service or box for recording messages
Whether the service is a direct call service that calls the owner of the
Box is remembered for each owner of the
When a box number is entered, the box number is set.
The type of service that is being used by the user of that box number
Service management for outputting the telephone number of the user to the central control unit
Service provided by each box owner
Voice storage apparatus characterized by being configured so as to be selected.