JPH0465960A - Telephone call assisting device for dumb person - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a dumb person to call through a telephone line only by equipping the dumb person side with an auxiliary device by recognizing an inputted character string, converting the recognized result into a voice signal, converting the voice signal into a voice, and then outputting the voice from a transmitter. CONSTITUTION:After the lapse of a fixed time from the input of an character string into a character input part 1, a character recognizing part 2 executes the recognizing processing of the inputted character string and a voice conversion part 4 converts the sentence recognized by the part 2 into a voice signal based upon information stored in a voice conversion dictionary 21. A speech synthesizing/outputting part 7 synthesizes the voice signal outputted from the part 4 and outputs a synthesized voice signal. A transmitting coupler 22 converts the speech signal outputted from the part 7 into a voice and outputs the voice to a transmitted 22 in a telephone set. When the dumb person sets up the assisting device in the vicinity of an existing telephone set even if a calling subscriber uses a normal existing telephone set, the dumb person can call through the telephone line, so that dumb persons call through the telephone line can be expanded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a newly developed telephone communication assistance device for deaf people, in order to popularize the use of telephone lines for deaf people.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a method for making a call using a telephone line,
A method of exchanging messages using facsimile communication is known.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the method of using facsimile communication, expensive facsimile equipment must be installed on both sides of the phone line, which makes it difficult to spread the use of telephone lines for mute people. However, there was a problem in that the economic burden such as equipment costs increased.

Furthermore, in the method of using facsimile communication, due to the performance of current facsimile machines, it is necessary to make a telephone call again when the reception is completed and the transmission is to be completed, which poses the problem that prompt conversation cannot be carried out.

The present invention was proposed as a solution to the above-mentioned problem, and can be installed on the mute person's side to enable the mute person to make a telephone call using the telephone line. To provide a telephone communication auxiliary device for a deaf person, which allows the conversation to proceed quickly without the need to make a call back, and which can popularize the use of telephone lines for the deaf person.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The telephone communication assistance device for deaf people according to the present invention was developed in order to popularize the use of telephone lines for deaf people.

The telephone communication assistance device for deaf people according to claim 1 includes a character input section that accepts input of characters, a character recognition section that recognizes the characters input to the character input section, and converts the recognized characters into audio signals. a voice converter that converts the voice signal generated by the voice converter into voice, and a voice transmitter coupler that converts the voice signal generated by the voice converter into voice and outputs the voice to the telephone's transmitter. It is configured to output audio.

Further, the telephone conversation assisting device for deaf people according to claim 2 further includes, in addition to the configuration of the device according to claim 1, displaying in characters the recognition result of the character recognition unit and the content to be output to the transmitting coupler. The configuration includes a display section.

Further, the telephone conversation assisting device for mute persons according to claim 3 has the structure of the device according to claim 1 or 2, and further includes a fixed phrase storage section for storing various phrases, and a fixed phrase storage section for storing various phrases. and an operation section for causing the transmitting coupler to output a voice of any one of the phrases stored in the section.

[Function] The telephone communication assistance device for deaf people according to the present invention converts text entered by the deaf person into speech and sends it to the telephone transmitter. If you install the call aid device next to the person, the other party will be able to make a call using the deaf person's phone line, even if they are using an existing normal phone.
Compared to making calls using conventional Facun Milli communication, the financial burden such as equipment costs can be significantly reduced, and even when switching between sending and receiving calls, there is no need to make any more than a repeat call. As a result, conversations can proceed quickly, and it is possible to promote the use of telephone lines for deaf people.

[Example] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

The telephone communication assistance device for deaf people (hereinafter referred to simply as the communication assistance device) of this embodiment is a device that is placed next to the deaf person or the telephone and includes a character input section 1, a character recognition section 2, a character recognition section 2, and a character recognition section 2. result storage memory 3, speech conversion section 4, fixed phrase storage section 5, display section 6, speech synthesis output section 7, monitor speaker 8,
The configuration includes a transmitting coupler 9, a power switch 10, a receiving coupler 11, an operating section 12, a main control section 13, etc. This is a device that outputs audible text to the telephone's transmitter.

It is assumed that the mute person who uses the communication assistance device has normal hearing.

Below, the functions of each of the above-mentioned components and the relationship between each component will be explained in detail.

The character input unit 1 is a part that accepts input of characters,
In the case of this embodiment, a device is used that accepts characters handwritten on the character input surface with a finger or a pen, but it is possible to use various known character input devices. .

In the case of the character input section 1, input is performed one by one.

The character recognition unit 2 performs recognition processing of the input character when a certain period of time has elapsed after the input of the character to the character input unit 1.

In the case of this embodiment, the input section 1 and the recognition section 2 detect the shape of the input character, the direction of the line segment, etc. from changes in capacitance, and detect the pattern information stored in the character recognition dictionary 2o. This constitutes a character recognition device that recognizes input characters by comparing them with the characters.

The character recognition result storage memory 3 includes the character recognition section 2
This is a storage unit that stores the words (character strings) input into the character input unit 1 based on the recognition results.

The voice conversion section 4 is a section that receives the wording (character string) recognized by the character recognition section 2 via the aforementioned memory 3 and converts it into a voice signal. The process of converting characters into voice signals by the voice conversion unit 4 is performed based on information stored in the voice conversion dictionary 21 connected to the conversion unit 4.

The fixed phrase storage unit 5 is a storage unit that stores various phrases in the form of audio signals, and in this embodiment,
Words input from the character input section 1 and converted into audio signals by the speech conversion section 4 are stored in response to instructions from the operation section 12. Furthermore, any text stored in the storage section 5 can be output to the speech synthesis output section 7 in response to an instruction from the operation section 12.

The display unit 6 is a part that displays characters using a liquid crystal display screen, and when a character is input to the character input unit 1, displays the recognition result of the character recognition unit 2, and displays the recognition result of the character recognition unit 2. 5, the words stored in the storage section 5 are displayed.

The speech synthesis output section 7 is a section that synthesizes and outputs the speech signal output from the speech conversion section 4 and the speech signal output from the fixed phrase storage section 5.

The monitor speaker 8 reproduces the audio signal output from the audio synthesis output section 7 into audio and outputs the audio signal.

The transmitter converter 9 converts the audio signal output from the audio synthesis output section 7 into audio and outputs the audio signal to the transmitter 22 of the telephone.

The power switch 10 is a switch that turns on and off the operation of a power supply circuit 23 that supplies power to each part of the communication auxiliary device.

The receiver cover 11 receives the audio output from the receiver 24 of the telephone, and transmits the audio information to the monitor speaker 8.
Regenerate by.

The operation section 12 is used when inputting characters into the character input section 1, when correcting or confirming the recognition results of the character recognition section 2, or when inputting characters into the text stored in the fixed phrase storage section 5. This is the part where an instruction is input when, for example, an arbitrary one is extracted and outputted as audio from the transmitting coupler.

The main control section 13 operates, according to input instructions from the operation section 12, a character input section 1, a character recognition section 2, a voice conversion section 4,
This section controls the operation of each section such as the fixed phrase storage section 5, the display section 6, and the speech synthesis output section 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned communication assistance device has the above-mentioned character input section 1, display section 6, monitor speaker 8, transmitting coupler 9, and power switch 10 on the top surface of the main body 26. , a receiving coupler 11, an operation section 12, and the like are arranged.

Note that the distance between the transmitting coupler 9 and the receiving coupler 11 is
It is set in accordance with the separation distance between the handset 22 and the handset 24 on the handset 2Ta of the existing telephone set 27.

Further, the transmitting coupler 9 and the receiving coupler 11 are connected to the handset 2.
7a so that the transmitter 22 and receiver 24 can be easily placed.
It has the appearance of a saucer-shaped depression.

3 and 4 show details of the transmitting coupler 9. FIG. As shown in these figures, the transmitting coupler 9
has a structure in which a speaker 9b for outputting sound is built into the bottom of a saucer-shaped recess 9a.

The aforementioned power switch 10 is a push-button type switch that protrudes from a part of the saucer-shaped recess of the transmitter coupler 9. When the transmitter 22 is placed on the transmitter coupler 9, the power switch 10 When the weight of the handset 27a pushes down, the power supply circuit 23 is turned on, and character input from the character input section 1 of the communication auxiliary device and voice output from the monitor speaker 8 and the transmitting coupler 9 become possible. When the transmitter 22 is removed from the transmitter cover 9, the power switch 10 is reset by the force of the spring shown in the illustrated path, and the power circuit 23 is turned off.

Further, the aforementioned operation section 12 includes a plurality of operation keys 12a to 12a.
12d are arranged, and these operation keys 12a to 1
2d, instructions to input characters into the character input section 1, instructions to correct or confirm the recognition results of the character recognition section 2, and arbitrary phrases from among the phrases stored in the fixed phrase storage section 5 can be made. You can also give instructions on which to choose.

Next, the operation when manually inputting characters from the character input section 1 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the handset 27a of the telephone set 27 is placed on the communication assisting device so that the handset 22 comes into contact with the sending coupler 9 and the handset 24 comes into contact with the receiving coupler 11. (That is, the power supply 23 of the communication assisting device is on) and the telephone 27 is connected to the telephone of the other party.

In this situation, the character (-
When a character) is input, the input character is recognized by comparing the information in the character recognition section 2 or the character recognition dictionary 20 with the human characters after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the input is completed.

Then, the display section 6, which sends the recognition results to the display section 6, displays the recognition results for the input characters to inform the user, who is a deaf person (hereinafter simply referred to as the user), of the recognition results.

The user checks the recognition result for each input character displayed on the display section 6, and if the recognition result is correct, instructs to complete the confirmation using the operation keys of the operation section 12, and if the recognition result is incorrect, the user confirms the recognition result for each character input. Instructs re-input using the operation keys of the operation unit 12.

When characters are input and confirmed one after another, the character recognition results for which confirmation is completed or not are sequentially stored in the character recognition result storage memory 3 in the order of input.

When the user has completed inputting a series of words (character strings) to be sent to the other party in this way, the user uses the operation keys of the operation section 12 to display the inputted series of words on the display section 6.

Then, the user again confirms whether the series of words displayed on the display section 6 are correct or incorrect. If there is a mistake, issue an instruction to correct that part by pressing the button on the operation unit 12. If there is no mistake, use the
The confirmation completion and conversion start instruction are given by key operation 2.

When this conversion start instruction is issued, the speech conversion unit 4 receives the character recognition results of the series of sentences from the memory 3, and based on the information in the speech conversion dictionary 21,
Create an audio signal for the wording.

The audio signal created by the audio converter 4, together with the character recognition result data, is usually converted into an analog signal in the audio synthesis output unit 7 and output as audio from the monitor speaker 8 and the transmitting coupler 9, or If the user recognizes the wording as a fixed phrase that will be used from now on and that it is necessary to save it, the user operates a key on the operation section 12 to send it to the fixed phrase storage section 5 and save it. You can also leave it there.

The phrases stored in the fixed phrase storage section 5 can be sent from the storage section 5 to the speech synthesis output section 7 by key operations on the operation section 12, and can be outputted as voice from the monitor speaker 8 and the transmission coupler 9.

As shown in this (D), a series of words entered by the user is
The monitor speaker 8 and the transmitting coupler 9 convert the sound into audio and output it.The audio output from the monitor speaker 8 is used for the user's own monitor, and the audio output from the transmitting coupler 9 is converted into audio and output from the transmitter 22. The message is transmitted to the other party via the telephone line, allowing the deaf person to make a call using the telephone line.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be specifically explained.

FIG. 5 shows a case where a mute person (hereinafter referred to as a user) who owns the communication aid device of the above embodiment makes a telephone call.
This is what is shown.

First, the user picks up the handset 27a of the telephone 27, and as shown in FIG.
2 contacts the transmitting coupler 9, and the receiver 24 contacts the receiving coupler 11.
Place the handset 27a on the telephone assisting device so that it is in contact with the telephone, and dial the subscriber number of the other party from the telephone 27 (step 41).

When the transmitter 22 is placed on the transmitter coupler 9, the power switch 10 attached to the transmitter coupler 9 turns off the transmitter 27.
is pressed down by the weight of a, and the power supply 23 of the communication auxiliary device
is on (Ste.

42).

When the other party notices the incoming ringing (step 43) and picks up the handset, the telephone line is connected, and when the other party utters "Yes, XX" (step 44), the voice signal is is input to the monitor speaker 8 via the receiver 24 and receiver coupler 11, and the monitor speaker 8 outputs the voice of the other party (step 45).
).

The user can confirm that the other party has spoken by listening to the output audio from the monitor speaker 8 (step 46).

After confirming that the other party has appeared, the user first operates the operation keys of the operation unit 12 to select an initial greeting from among various phrases stored in the fixed phrase storage unit 5 in advance. Extract the phrase "This is XX. From now on, I will speak using the telephone communication aid for mute people." Then, by operating the operation keys on the operation unit 12, input the phrase to the transmitting coupler. 9 (steps 47 and 48).

The voice output from the transmitting coupler 9 is transmitted to the other party via the transmitter 22 (step 49).

The other party recognizes the situation of the user by the greeting,
The user responds by saying "I understand" (step 50).

When the user confirms this response through the monitor speaker 8 (steps 51 and 52), the user finally begins the process of sending the wording of the current business to the other party.

In the specific example shown, the message is to send a message, ``I'll call you tomorrow.'' This message is input from the character input section 1 and sent to the other party.

The user writes "a" with his finger in the character input section l (step 53).

Then, the character recognition unit 2 detects the shape of the input character, the direction of the line segment, etc. from the change in capacitance, and converts it into the character recognition dictionary 2.
Recognizes that the input character is the character “a” from the information of 0,
The recognition result "a" is displayed on the display section 6 (step 54).

This is a character entered by the user, so the user can
A key operation to confirm the meaning of "OK" is performed on the operation unit I2 (steps 55, 56).

In this call assistance device, the data for "a" is stored in the character recognition result storage memory 3 by the user's confirmation operation (
Step 57).

Next, the user inputs "su" into the input section 1 (step 58).

On the other hand, the character recognition section 2 recognized it as ``mu'' and displayed it on the display section 6 (step 59).

Since this is a misrecognition by the device, the user gives an instruction to re-enter by operating the keys on the operation panel (steps 60 and 61).
, As a result, the device cancels the data regarding the recognition result "mu" (step 62).

Then, input is performed again, and when "su" is correctly recognized, confirmation rOKJ is indicated by key operation on the operation unit 12, and the next character is input (steps 63 to 67).

After inputting all the wording of the business, the user instructs the apparatus to complete the input by operating keys on the operation section 12 (step 101).

Then, the device displays the series of words that it had stored in memory 3 through previous character input operations. J is displayed on the display section 6 (step 102).

Then, when the user confirms this display and gives an OK instruction by operating the keys on the operation section (steps 103 and 10
4), the text displayed on the display unit 6 is
Then, the voice is output from the monitor speaker 8 and the transmission coupler 9 via the voice synthesis output section 7 (step 105).

The voice output from the transmitting coupler 9 is transmitted from the transmitter 22 to the other party via the line (step 106).

After confirming the other party's response, "I understand. We look forward to hearing from you," from the monitor speaker 8 (steps 207 to 109), the user sends a greeting to end the call. .

In this specific example, the greeting at the end of the call is performed by outputting the phrase ``Excuse me then. (Steps 110-112).

Then, after confirming through the monitor speaker 8 that the closing greeting has been output, the handset 27a is returned to the telephone 27, the power to the communication assisting device is turned off, and the line is disconnected (steps 113 to 11). 115).

FIG. 6 shows a case where a user answers a telephone call made by the other party.

When the other party calls the user (Step 2)
01), the user listens to the linking and turns the handset 2 on.
7a from the telephone set 27 and set it in the communication assisting device (202). Then, the power to the communication assisting device is turned on (step 203), and the device becomes usable, and the user's subsequent operations can be performed in the same manner as from step 47 in FIG. 5.

The communication assisting device of the embodiment described above converts text entered by a mute person into voice and sends it to the telephone transmitter. If the auxiliary device is installed, it will be possible to make a call using the mute's telephone line, even if the other party is using an existing regular telephone.Compared to the case of making a call using conventional facsimile communication, It can significantly reduce the financial burden such as equipment costs, and it also eliminates the need to call back when switching between sending and receiving, allowing conversations to proceed quickly and helping the mute person. It is possible to promote the use of telephone lines to make calls.

In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, since it is equipped with a display section 6 and a monitor speaker 8, it is possible to check the entered text,
It is possible to easily confirm the voice to be output, and it is also possible to easily hear the voice of the other party.

In the above-mentioned specific example, the message was entered from the character input section 1 during the call, or the call assist device was turned on before the telephone line was connected, and the wording of the message was input. All of them can be stored in the fixed phrase storage section 5 in advance, and when the line is connected, they can be called up and output from the fixed phrase storage section 5. If used in this way,
It is also possible to shorten call time.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the telephone communication assistance device for deaf people according to the present invention converts text input by a deaf person into speech and sends it to the transmitter of the telephone. Therefore, if a mute person installs the call aid device next to their existing telephone, the other party will be able to make a call using the mute's telephone line even if it is an existing regular telephone, and it will be possible to make a call using the mute person's telephone line. Compared to making calls using facsimile communication, the economic burden such as equipment costs can be significantly reduced.
Since there is no need to make a call again when switching between transmission and reception, it is possible to proceed with the conversation quickly, and it is possible to promote the use of telephone lines for deaf people.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external view of the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a plan view of essential parts of the embodiment, and Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3. Side view of the part shown in Figure 5
FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts each illustrating the operating procedure of one embodiment. l...Character input section, 2...Character recognition section,
3...Memory for storing character recognition results, 4...
・Speech conversion section, 5...Fixed phrase storage section, 6
...Display section, 7...Speech synthesis output section, 8
...Monitor speaker, 9...Telephone cover,
10...Power switch, 11...Reception coupler, 12...Operation unit, 13...Main control unit, 20...Character recognition dictionary , 21...
・Speech conversion dictionary, 22-1. , transmitter, 23...
- Power supply circuit, 24...Telephone receiver.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A character input section that accepts character input, a character recognition section that recognizes the characters input to the character input section, a voice conversion section that converts the recognized characters into a voice signal, and a voice signal generated by the voice conversion section. and a transmitting coupler that converts the input voice signal into voice and outputs it to the telephone's transmitter, and outputs inputted text as voice to the telephone's transmitter. Telephone communication aid. (2) The telephone communication assistance device for deaf people according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the recognition result of the character recognition unit and the content to be output to the transmitting coupler. (3) A fixed phrase storage unit that stores various phrases, and an operation unit that causes the transmitting coupler to output a voice of any one of the phrases stored in the fixed phrase storage unit. 3. A telephone communication assistance device for mute persons according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: