JPH05232860A - Explanation and experience system for network service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the network service explanation and experience system which explains the service contents, features, using methods, hints, etc., of various network services by giving accurate experiences using proper examples through easy operation. CONSTITUTION:A simulation connection device 2 and a control program on a computer 5 are put together and various conditions, using methods, and utilization examples by the network services are stored as data in a storage device 7 together with speech guidance data and image data and processed. Further, the simulation connection device 2 sends and receives signals to and from plural terminal equipments 1-1-1-n, constitutes channels, switches connections, and performs speech processes without using any real communication service line to give inclusive explanations of the network services and their centralized experience speedily, easily, and flexibly, and also cope with the addition or alteration of the explanation contents, numeric settings, and service menus flexibly and instantaneously.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides an overview of various network services provided by a communication network, how to use them, detailed contents, points to be noted, etc. by means of images and sounds, and without using an actual communication line. It is related to a network service explanation / experience system that provides users with a usage experience.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for an unspecified large number of customers,
The following methods have been used to improve the understanding and awareness of various network services provided by communication networks, how to use them, detailed contents, points to keep in mind, and to improve the usage status. .. (A) Show the target person recording tapes, video tapes, video films, etc. created by each business establishment or company. (B) Move to a showroom, etc. to explain and experience the target network service manually. (C) Provisionally set the service function of the network service on the target communication line, explain it, and let it experience it. (D) Temporarily lay the target communication line at the relevant place, and further set and explain the service function of the network service and make it experience. (E) Provisionally create, explain, and experience a dedicated experimental device for each network service.

[0003]

Each of these methods requires human operation, lacks immediacy, and cannot provide network service information that changes from time to time in a timely manner. , In addition, not being able to cover all network services, imposing a heavy burden on the target person at times, the existence of network services that cannot be experienced, and the qualitative imbalance of the description of network services, There was a drawback.

An object of the present invention is to provide a network service that enables various network services to be accurately experienced and explained in a proper case by a simple operation about the service content, characteristics, usage method, and notes. To provide an explanation / experience system.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, at least a computer, a simulated connection device, an input / output device (telephone terminal, data input device, data output device, display device, etc.), computer interface. It is equipped with a board or communication interface and a storage device for computers.

The simulated connection device includes a terminal connection section, an analog / digital conversion section, a signal transmission section, a time division switch, a control section, a data storage section, a signal generation section, a signal reception section,
It is composed of a plurality of communication units, a connection interface unit, a voice amplification unit, a voice input / output unit, a power supply unit and the like, and its operation is controlled by a control unit and a computer connected via the connection interface unit or the communication interface. The computer is a device for controlling a simulated connection device, voice guidance, input / output control of image data, and running a program for the explanation / experience system of the network service (the control computer program). Data and programs are stored in the computer storage device. Among the input / output devices, a telephone terminal is used for transmitting / receiving network service access signals (dial, on / off signal, call signal, etc.) and for making a call. The data input device inputs and outputs optical character reading information and various data. The display device,
The network service overview, experience examples, dial signal display, etc. are displayed.
The interface board or communication interface is used to connect the computer and the simulated connection device.

Conventionally, explanations and experiences of network services have been made using manuals and pamphlets for each menu,
Moreover, since it is conducted in a limited exhibition space, there are various drawbacks as described above. According to the present invention, various conditions, usages, and utilization examples of each network service are stored as data together with voice guidance data and image data in a storage device and processed by fusing a simulated connection device and a control program on a computer. And the transmission and reception of signals between a plurality of terminal devices and the configuration of a communication path by a simulated connection device without using an actual communication service line,
By performing connection changes and voice processing, a comprehensive explanation of network services and a unified experience can be quickly provided.
This method is significantly different from the conventional method in that it can be easily and flexibly realized, and that the description content, numerical value setting, addition and change of service menu can be flexibly and immediately dealt with.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the simulated connection device 2.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the present invention. In these figures, the numbers displayed on the right side of each block are the numbers of the blocks in FIGS. 1 and 2 which are involved in the operation shown in the block. Is. When the network service menu item displayed on the screen of the output device 4 is selected by the keyboard 3 attached to the computer 5 or the input device 3 such as a mouse or a touch screen, the network service screen corresponding to the selected menu is displayed on the output device 4 It is output to the screen, and at the same time, voice guidance for operations and the like is output from the speaker 6. These controls are performed by the computer 5 executing the corresponding data from the computer storage device 7 in accordance with the control program.

The network service menu covers all services currently provided in the communication network. "Explanation", "Experience", "Usage conditions", "Fee", "Explanation of equipment", "Application example", for each network service
There are processing menus such as "Notes" and hard copy processing and editing processing for each processing menu except the experience, and the editing processing includes security processing by the personal identification number recognition function.

From the network services, as an example, "Denwa Conference Service (provided by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)"
Assuming that is selected, on the screen of the output device 4,
The image of the "phone conference service" is output, and then the voice guidance corresponding to the input device 3 (by keyboard, mouse, touch panel) is output. In this process, the voice data stored in the computer storage device 7 is passed through the connection interface unit 19 in the simulated connection device 2 according to the order of the control program stored in the storage device 7 by the computer 5. This is executed by converting the analog signal into an analog signal by the analog / digital conversion unit 10, expanding the output of the analog signal by the audio amplification unit 14, and outputting from the speaker 6 via the audio input / output unit 15. The image output is performed by outputting the image data stored in the computer storage device 7 to the display screen of the output device 4 according to the order of the control program stored in the storage device 7 by the computer 5. To be done. When the item of "outline description" is selected according to the instruction, the simple moving image and the sound capturing the feature of the selected network service are sequentially displayed on the output device 4 and the speaker 6 according to the flow of "outline" shown on the left end of FIG. Is output. When all the explanations are output, the initial process selection menu screen automatically returns. Further, even during output, it is possible to always return to the process selection menu screen by instructing a specific key when the keyboard is used and a stop display position on the screen of the output device 4 when the mouse and the touch panel are used. ..

Further, when the "experience" item is selected in accordance with the instruction, a simple moving image and voice which capture the characteristics of the selected network service and express the usage method are displayed.
The signals are sequentially output to the output device 4 and the speaker 6. This process is similar to the process at the time of the "outline description" described above. The flow of this "experience" is the second "experience" from the left end of Fig. 3.
Beginning with and continuing to FIG. 4 and FIG.

The handling of each telephone terminal (1-1 to 1-n) is as follows.
The telephone terminal 1-1 is a "denwa conferencing service" registration line, a so-called host line, which manages reservation registration of the conference, and other telephone terminals (1-2, 1-3, 1-n) support line for members. I am trying.

According to the instruction, lift the handset of the telephone terminal 1-1 (or operate the on-hook button).
Then, the line monitoring function of the terminal connection unit 8-1 operates to notify the control unit 11 of the call completion status signal of the telephone terminal 1-1 through the signal line. According to the program stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 transmits the state as a command to the computer 5 via the connection interface unit 19, and the computer 5 interprets the control program and outputs the next screen and voice. The output transmission instruction is executed through the above-described processing steps. At the same time, in response to an instruction from the control unit 11, a dial tone from the signal generation unit 16 is sent to the telephone terminal 1-1 via the time division communication path 13.

When a signal for connection such as dialing is sent from the telephone terminal 1-1 according to the instruction, first, the signal generator 16 is instructed to stop the dial tone being sent, and the analog
The connection signal group converted into digital information by the digital conversion unit 10 reaches the signal reception unit 17 through the time division communication unit 13 which has already been set according to the instruction of the control unit 11. The signal receiving unit 17 receives the connection signal, and when the control unit 11 transmits the analysis information as a command to the computer 5 via the connection interface unit 17, the computer 5 interprets the control program and outputs the next screen and voice. The output transmission instruction is executed through the above-described processing steps.

Then, in accordance with the instructions on the display screen and the voice guidance, "instruction codes (conference reservation date and time, conference time, member calling method, telephone number of calling member, etc.) for carrying out the telephone conference service are sequentially input. Each time an input is made, the input number and instruction code are displayed in real time on the display screen of the output device 4. The voice guidance based on this process is equivalent to the voice guidance sent by the "Denwa Conference Service" to the user. There is. Therefore, at the time of erroneous input, the voice guidance of the content of the erroneous input is sent to the originating telephone terminal 1-1 and the speaker 6 as in the case of using the "phone conference service". Further, if the incorrect input is repeated a certain number of times (three times in the illustrated example) defined by the main system of the "denwa conference service", the forced disconnection process is performed.

Upon completion of all instruction actions, voice guidance for notifying the completion of the conference reservation is displayed by the speaker 6 and the telephone terminal 1-.
1 and then the busy tone is sent from the signal generator 16 to the telephone terminal 1-1. Busy tone is telephone terminal 1
It is stopped by cutting -1.

The terminal connecting section 8-1 monitors the disconnecting operation by placing the handset of the telephone terminal 1-1 (or operating the on-hook button), and after confirming the disconnection, the signal transmitting section 9 calls the host telephone. A call signal is sent to the terminal 1-1. If the line disconnection is not executed, it waits for a certain period of time, and the fact is displayed on the output device 4. When the bell of the telephone terminal 1-1 rings by the call signal and the handset of the telephone terminal 1-1 is lifted again (or the on-hook button is operated), the terminal connection unit 8-1 which has been monitoring the state, , The completion state of the response operation of the telephone terminal 1-1 is transmitted to the computer 5 in the same process as described above, the signal transmission unit 9 is instructed to stop the calling signal, and then the signal generation unit 16 is operated from the telephone terminal 1-1. And a waiting sound is sent to the speaker 6. Further, the computer 5 interprets the control program and sends a calling signal from the signal sending unit 9 to the telephone terminals 1-2, telephone terminals 1-3 and telephone terminals 1-n according to a designated calling method (collectively or sequentially). Send out. Telephone terminal 1 by calling signal
When the bell of -1 rings and the handset of the telephone terminal 1-1 is lifted again (or the on-hook button is operated), the terminal connection unit 8-1 which was monitoring the state, the telephone terminal 1-1. The response operation completion state is transmitted to the computer 5 in the same process as described above, and an instruction to stop the transmission of the call signal for the response telephone terminal response is given.

When the call signal transmission time for each telephone terminal has passed a certain time or when the response of all the telephone terminals is completed, the transmission of the call signal is stopped and the telephone terminal 1-1.
It also stops the waiting sound that was sent to. afterwards,
A signal generation unit 16 sends an instruction to send a conference start signal tone to all telephone terminals Instruct. With this conference start signal sound as an opportunity, two-way communication is possible between all telephone terminals.

Each operation described above is sequentially displayed on the display screen of the output device 4 as an image suitable for the state. In addition, the terminal connection units (8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8
The state of each telephone terminal is monitored by -n), and when disconnecting, the fact is output to the display screen of the output device 4.

While the telephone conference is being constructed, the terminal connection units 8-1 to 8-1
8-n constantly monitors the disconnection state of each telephone terminal, and the signal path from each terminal is connected to the signal receiving section 17 via the analog / digital converting section 10 and the time division speech path 13. ing. During the conference, when a specific selection signal for extending the usage time is transmitted from the host telephone 1-1, the signal receiving unit 17 receives the selection signal, and the control unit 11 sends the computer 5 through the above-described processing steps. Communicate as a command. The computer 5 translates the received command content and the calling terminal position information (terminal connection unit number), and when it is determined that the call is made from the telephone terminal 1-1 and is the extension code of the use time, the computer 5 The voice data and the display data stored in the storage device 7 are output as voices and images to the speaker 6 and the output device 4 by the above-described process. Thereafter, the extension of the conference time is completed by repeating the predetermined selection signal and the input instruction.
During this input operation, the telephone call between the telephone terminal 1-1 and the other telephone terminals (1-2 to 1-n) is interrupted, and the connection path and the signal path are for the telephone terminal 1-1 and the telephone terminal (1 -2-1-
n) for one. The time is from the time when the telephone terminal 1-1, which is the host, sends the selection signal, and the division instruction is given by the computer 5 to the control unit 11 in a command format. Even during this call path division, two-way communication is possible without any trouble between the telephone terminals 1-2, the telephone terminals 1-3, and the telephone terminals 1-n.

In the same manner, additional call of another member's telephone terminal during a conference (recall processing when the telephone terminal 1-2 erroneously disconnects the line, etc.) and the like are the same inter-device connection processing. It is possible in the process.

When the "usage conditions" item is selected according to the instruction, the selected network service is subscribed to or used, or combined with another network service, according to the second flow from the right side relating to the "usage conditions" in FIG. A simple moving image and a sound capturing features such as usage and restrictions are sequentially output to the output device 4 and the speaker 6. When all the explanations are output, the initial process selection menu screen automatically returns. Further, even during output, it is possible to always return to the process selection menu screen by instructing a specific key when the keyboard is used and a stop display position on the screen of the output device 4 when the mouse and the touch panel are used. ..

When the "charge" item is selected in accordance with the instruction, the "charge" flow shown on the right end of FIG. 3 is followed.
Simple moving images and voices that capture features such as various charges when subscribing to or using the selected network service or using it in combination with other network services are sequentially output to the output device 4 and the speaker 6. When all the explanations are output, the initial process selection menu screen automatically returns. Further, even during output, it is possible to always return to the process selection menu screen by instructing a specific key when the keyboard is used and a stop display position on the screen of the output device 4 when the mouse and the touch panel are used. ..

Similarly, "used equipment description", "utilization example",
Even when the item of "Caution" is selected, the processing is performed in the above-described process.

Further, by the editing function of the computer 5,
By rewriting the display data stored in the computer storage device regarding the “use conditions” and the “charge” using a word processor, the display and voice can be changed.

[0026]

As described above, the network service explanation / experience system of the present invention is an explanation and experience for various communication services realized by a communication network, focusing on the user interface such as service specifications and usage conditions in the network. Can be simulated flexibly, it does not require setting to actually use the network service in the actual communication line or equipment in the network, and can receive the explanation without paying the usage fee of the network service, You can have a simulated experience of using communication. further,
Since the explanation contents are stored in the data format, it is possible to flexibly deal with the change and addition of the network service menu by changing and adding the data. In addition, it is possible to effectively collect information about what kind of service the user is interested in, and operation procedure case data that is prone to error. Also, because the above-mentioned functions can be used with a very small amount of operations and explanations using simple video and audio, it is possible to properly and without error make explanations and experiences of network services regardless of the user or the person to be explained. In addition, since the processing content and explanation are output to the speaker or screen, it can be understood by anyone other than the person operating the telephone.
Therefore, the present invention is very effective for explaining the service specifications and usage conditions of various communication services realized by the communication network to the unspecified number of explained persons and experienced persons, and implementing the use experience.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a simulated connection device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-n telephone terminal 2 simulated connection device 3 input device for capturing data from image scanner, microphone, drawing device of various data, 4 output device 5 telephone terminal and input / output Computer for controlling the device 6 Speaker 7 Storage device for computer for storing various data and programs 8-1, 1-2, 8-3, 8-n Terminal connection unit 9 Signal transmission unit for transmitting call signal to telephone terminal 10 Analog-digital conversion unit 11 Control unit in simulated connection device 12 Storage unit that stores programs and processing data for control unit 13 Time-division communication path that constitutes a highway between analog-digital conversion unit and each device, processing unit 14 Voice amplification unit 15 for processing voice by ADPCM system 15 Voice input / output unit connected to voice amplification unit for inputting / outputting voice 16 Dial tone, second Signal generator that generates dial tone, busy tone, interrupt tone, waiting tone, ringing tone, DTMF signal, etc. 17 Signal receiving unit that receives DTMF signal and converts it into a predetermined data format, 18 3 Simultaneously with 3 or more terminals Multiple call units that control the outgoing call connection 19 Connection interface unit that interfaces with computers and printers 20 Power supply unit that supplies operating power in the simulated connection device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Go Watanabe 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A computer, a plurality of terminals, for disseminating various network services realized by a communication network,
A simulated connection device having a function of an exchange simulator for simulated connection of the plurality of terminals to the computer, and an input / output device of the computer, wherein the simulated connection device has a function of transmitting various network signal sounds, and the plurality of terminals. Status monitoring and signal identification function of
A connection function between the plurality of terminals and between the plurality of terminals and the computer, a recording / reproducing function of an audible sound such as voice, a function of editing and outputting a hard copy, and a data editing function,
A network having at least a display output function for explaining the contents of the network service, and configured to realize automatic explanation of the network service by voice and image and simulated experience of the network service without using an actual communication line. Service explanation and experience system.