JPH0575576A - Information switching processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely report a message of audio data of high security in secret. CONSTITUTION:If audio data to be transmitted has a high security, a message processing part 10 adds information (confidential flag) indicating this state to transmit message data. When the confidential flag in received message data indicates that the received message is confidential, the processing part 10 instructs an output switching part 18 to switch the audio output destination at the time of reception. The output switching part 18 switches the output destination to the side of an audio output part b28 which is constituted of headphones or the like and whose sounds cannot be heard by the third person. Since the audio reproducing destination is automatic ally switched in this manner, a voice is not carelessly outputted from an audio output part a26 constituted of a speaker device or the like even in the case of erroneous operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a function of exchanging information (messages) using a communication path such as a LAN (local area network) or a telephone line, and particularly an information exchange processing apparatus for exchanging voice. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication path such as a LAN (local area network) cable or a telephone line is used to include character information created by a text creating device or graphics image information created by an image editing device. Various types of messages are being exchanged.

For example, an information (message) exchange processing device connected to a LAN has a function of exchanging messages with other message exchange processing devices separated by a communication path, and a destination of message transmission. Function that simplifies the operation procedure to send by simply selecting any one from the list, a function that sends a message with the same content to multiple destinations with one operation, a received message in the order of arrival A function for displaying items, a function for sorting received messages so that they can be stored and read at any time, and the like are provided, and message exchange is realized.

More recently, a function of reading a human voice and various sounds with a microphone or the like to record and record the same into a digital form, a function of converting the digitally converted voice data into an analog form and reproducing it as a voice from a speaker device,
By combining functions related to voice, such as a function of generating text data (voice information) as voice, with a message exchange processing device, characters, voice, images, etc. are combined using a communication path such as a LAN or a telephone line. It is becoming easier to exchange messages.

As described above, various message exchanges can be performed by the message exchange processing device, and L
When the laying of AN is carried out in various places and communication devices using a telephone line or the like become available at low cost, message exchange processing devices become widespread, and the information handled with them is highly confidential. Is often included.

[0006] Conventionally, when a highly confidential message is exchanged, the message is not reproduced unless the message sender encrypts the message according to the instruction of the message sender and the recipient of the message specifies a decryption keyword. It is like this.

However, when the message is reproduced, the message may be mistakenly known to a third party depending on the reproduction method, such as carelessly decrypting the message and reproducing it even though the message is encrypted. There was a case to be caught.

In particular, when reproducing voice data, the speaker device is most often used, and once reproduced, not only the original receiver of the voice message but also the sender did not intend it. There was a possibility that information would be transmitted to a third party.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional message exchange processing device, if the receiver side carelessly reproduces the voice data when exchanging the voice data, the message is highly confidential. Nevertheless, there were cases in which it was known to a third party.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a message exchange processing device capable of surely notifying a message of highly confidential voice data and notifying the message. To do.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in an information exchange processing device capable of transmitting and receiving information including voice through a communication path, the information to be transmitted is special information. Information adding means for adding specific information indicating the above, first reproducing means for reproducing the voice in the received information so as to be simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of unspecified persons, and transmitting the voice in the received information to the specific person Second reproducing means for reproducing as much as possible, and output switching means for switching to either the first reproducing means or the second reproducing means based on the specific information added to the received information. And is configured.

[0012]

With this configuration, the side that can transmit the reproduction of the voice to the specific person by adding the specific information (confidential flag) indicating the special information ("confidential" message) on the transmitting side Since it is possible to automatically switch to the reproduction means, it is possible to prevent careless utterance of the "confidential" voice message due to an error on the receiver side.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information (message) exchange processing device according to the embodiment. here,
A message exchange processing device provided as a partial function of, for example, a workstation connected to the LAN will be described as an example. Further, this workstation (message exchange processing device) is shared by a plurality of names, and the person who should receive the message is specified by the destination name (recipient name) included in the message data.

In FIG. 1, the message processing unit 10 is
It controls the entire message exchange processing device.
The message processing unit 10 includes a display unit 12 and a character input unit 1.
4, the voice processing unit 16, the output switching unit 18, the message storage unit 20, and the communication control unit 22 are connected.

A voice input unit 24 composed of a microphone or the like is connected to the voice processing unit 16, and a voice output unit a26 constituted of a speaker device or a third party such as headphones is connected to the output switching unit 18. A voice output unit b28 that cannot hear voice is connected.

The message processing unit 10 is provided with a voice data buffer 101, a character data buffer 102, a message processing buffer 103, a confidential message flag 104, a destination database 105, a message list processing buffer 106, and a caller information buffer 107. There is.

The voice data buffer 101 is for temporarily storing voice data exchanged with the voice processing unit 16. The character data buffer 102 is for temporarily storing character information exchanged between the display unit 12 and the character input unit 14.

The message processing buffer 103 is for temporarily storing message data exchanged between the message storage unit 20 and the communication control unit 22.
The confidential message flag 104 is stored in the message storage unit 20.
This is for indicating that the message data read from the message processing buffer 103 and stored in the message processing buffer 103 is a confidential message (set to ON).

The destination database 105 is for registering the destination, the message exchange processing device number of the message transmission destination, and the recipient name in association with each other. The message list processing buffer 106 is used for processing for collecting messages stored in the message storage unit 20 by destination and displaying a list of senders, message subjects, and the like. The sender information buffer 107 is
It is for storing information such as a number indicating a message transmission device, a sender name, and a transmission time.

The display unit 12 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display or the like and is used for displaying a message or the like. The character input unit 14 is composed of a keyboard or the like and is used for inputting characters such as commands.

The voice processing unit 16 converts the voice signal input from the voice input unit 24 from an analog signal into a digital signal (voice data), and converts the voice data from the message processing unit into an analog signal (voice output). Processing for converting and outputting to the output switching unit 18 is executed.

The output switching unit 18 switches the audio output from the audio processing unit 16 to the audio output unit a26 or the audio output unit b28 by a relay device or the like according to an instruction from the message processing unit 10.

The message storage unit 20 is composed of an external storage device such as a hard disk device, and is for storing a message including voice data. A message storage status list 201 showing the status of stored messages is also provided.

The communication control section 22 is composed of a LAN controller or the like, and controls the interface between the communication path 30 composed of a LAN cable or the like and the message processing section 10. The communication control unit 22 includes a transmission buffer 2 for temporarily holding data output from the message processing unit 10 to another message exchange processing device.
21 and a reception buffer 222 for temporarily holding data input from the other message exchange processing device via the communication path 30. Next, FIGS.
The operation of the message exchange processing device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the transmission processing operation of a message with "confidentiality" (indicating that it is confidential information) in the message exchange processing device on the transmission side will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when input of voice data is instructed via the character input unit 14, the message processing unit 10 initializes the voice data buffer 101 and the voice processing unit 16. Further, the message processing unit 10 stores caller information including a caller name, an input device number, a call time, etc. of the message to be sent in the caller information buffer 107, and the display unit 12 is ready to input voice data. A display is made to notify the user of this (step A1).

When the preparation for the input of the voice data is completed, the message processing unit 10 instructs the voice processing unit 16 to input the voice, and causes the display unit 12 to display that the voice data is being input.

The voice processing unit 16 is the message processing unit 10.
The voice signal (analog) input from the voice input unit 24 is sequentially converted into a digital signal in accordance with a voice input instruction from the message processing unit 10. The message processing unit 10 stores the voice data from the voice processing unit 16 in the voice data buffer 102.

During this time, the message processing unit 10 monitors the character input unit 14, and when an instruction to end the input of voice data is input, the message processing unit 10 notifies the voice processing unit 16 of the end of recording and the display unit 12 also. Displays a message indicating that the input of voice data has been completed. The voice processing unit 16 ends the recording of the voice input from the voice input unit 24 in response to the recording end notification from the message processing unit 10 (step A).
2).

Next, the message processing unit 10 causes the display unit 12 to display a message prompting the user to input a message destination. Here, when the information indicating the destination is input from the character input unit 14, the message processing unit 10 refers to the information stored in the destination database 105, converts the information into a specific data format, and stores it in the character data buffer 102. (Step A3).

Subsequently, the message processing unit 10 displays a display prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to treat the voice data stored in the voice data buffer 101 as confidential (confidential).
Let it be 2.

Here, it is assumed that the character input unit 14 inputs that the voice data is treated as confidential. The message processing unit 10 temporarily stores data indicating this in the confidential message flag 104 (step A4).

The message processing unit 10 registers the data stored in the voice data buffer 101, the character data buffer 102, the confidential message flag 104, and the sender information buffer 107, and the destination database 105 corresponding to the input destination. Generate message data in the format shown in FIG.
Store in message processing buffer 103 (step A)
5). Details of the message data will be described later.

The message processing unit 10 displays a message for confirming the destination input in step A3. If there is a correction (step A6), step A
Return to step 3 and enter the destination again.

When the correction of the destination is not necessary, the message processing section 10 displays a message for final confirmation of message transmission. Here, when the transmission cancel is instructed, the transmission process is ended. On the other hand, when the execution of the transmission is instructed, the message processing unit 10
Instructs the communication control unit 22 to transmit the message data, and transfers the message data stored in the message processing buffer 103 to the transmission buffer 221 sequentially. The communication control unit 22 sequentially transfers the message data stored in the transmission buffer 221 via the communication path 30 (step A8).

The message data has a format as shown in FIG. 5 and stores the data described below. That is, the total number of bytes in the message is 50
1, receiving device number 502, receiver name 503, contents of sender information buffer 107 (sending device number 504, sender name 505, calling time 506), confidential message flag 10
4 contents (confidential flag 507), character data buffer 1
02 (character data byte count 508, character data 5
09) and the contents of the audio data buffer 101 (audio data byte number 510, audio data 511). The message transmitted as described above is received by the message exchange processing device on the receiving side having the same configuration as the transmitting side. Next, the reception processing operation of the message with "confidentiality" in the message exchange processing device on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The communication control unit 22 monitors the data (message) transferred through the communication path 30 and stores it in the temporary reception buffer 222 (step B1). Communication control unit 2
Based on the receiving device number 502 in the received message data (see FIG. 5), 2 determines whether the message data stored in the receiving buffer is addressed to itself (step B2).

When the communication control unit 22 determines that the message data is addressed to itself, the communication control unit 22 notifies the message processing unit 10 of this fact and transfers the message data.
The message processing unit 10 stores the data in the transmission buffer 222 in the message processing buffer 103 (step B3).

The message processing unit 10 includes the reception buffer 2
The total number of bytes of the message data stored in 22 is 50
Sequentially read and store until the number of bytes shown in 7 is reached,
When all reading is completed, the contents in the message processing buffer 103 are transferred to the message storage unit 20.

At this time, the message processing unit 10 uses the message list processing buffer 106 so that the message data stored in the message storage unit 20 can be sequentially fetched so that the recipient name (that is, the destination name) and the recipient name thereof. The storage position of the message data corresponding to the message number given to each message is stored in the message storage status list 201 as shown in FIG. 6 (step B5).

In the example shown in FIG. 6, there are two messages for the destination name "hiro", the first message is stored from the storage position 100, and the second message is stored from the storage position 1002. Is shown.
It also indicates that there is one message for the destination name “koya” and the message is stored from the storage position 3003. Message data in the format shown in FIG. 5 is stored from each storage position. Next, the reproduction processing operation of the message data stored in the message storage unit 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when reproduction of message data including voice data is instructed via the character input unit 14, the message processing unit 10 refers to the message storage status list 201 and stores the message storage unit 20 in the message storage unit 20. One message data stored is selected and transferred to the message processing buffer 103 (step C1).

The message processing unit 10 separates the voice data 511 and the character data 509 from the message data stored in the message processing buffer 103 and stores them in the voice data buffer 101 and the character data buffer 102, respectively (step C2). ..

If the confidential flag 507 in the message data indicates that the audio data is "confidential" (step C3), the message processing unit 10 turns on the confidential message flag 104 (step C4).

The message processing unit 10 refers to the data in the character data buffer 102, the sending device number 504 in the message data, the sender name 505, the sending time 506, etc., and displays a screen for message playback on the display unit 12. It is displayed (step C5).

Then, the message processing unit 10 refers to the confidential message flag 104 and determines whether or not the audio data stored in the audio data buffer 101 is a "confidential" message (step C6).

If it is determined that the message is a "confidential" message, the message processing unit 10 causes the display unit 12 to display a warning display for notifying the recipient that the audio data is treated as "confidential" (step Along with C7), the voice switching unit 18 is instructed to switch the voice output destination to the voice output unit b28 (which cannot be heard by a third party such as headphones) (step C8).

If it is determined in step C6 that the message is not a "confidential" message but a normal message,
The message processing unit 10 instructs the voice switching unit 16 to switch the voice output destination to the voice output unit a26 side (step C9).

The message processing unit 10 includes a voice processing unit 16
On the other hand, the voice data in the voice data buffer 101 is converted into a voice output, and is output to the voice output unit a26 or the voice output unit b28 which is switched in advance via the output switching unit 18. That is, sound is generated from the sound output unit a26 or the sound output unit b28 (step C10).

In this manner, the voice message treated as "confidential" designated by the sender is discriminated from the contents of the confidential flag 507 in the message exchange processing device on the receiver side. In this case, “confidential” from the voice processing unit 16
The treated voice output is uttered only from the voice output unit b28, that is, the headphones. Therefore, even if the receiver mistakenly instructs to speak a "confidential" voice message, the voice message is not heard by a third party other than the original receiver.

In the above embodiment, the output switching section 18 uses a relay to switch the audio output from the audio processing section 16 to either the audio output section a26 or the audio output section b28. Of course, other methods may be used as well.

In the above embodiment, the message exchange processing device provided as a partial function of the workstation connected to the LAN has been described, but voice data of a telephone connected to the telephone line network is exchanged ( Transmission)
It can also be applied to other devices capable of performing.

That is, a speaker device and headphones are provided as a voice output function, and information indicating a "confidential" message (corresponding to the confidential flag 507) can be added to the voice data to be transmitted. To do. When the receiving side detects this information, it automatically operates to switch the audio output to the headphone side.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, as the sound reproducing means, the first reproducing means for reproducing so that the sound can be transmitted to a plurality of unspecified persons, and the sound in the received information for the specified person. An error on the receiver side is provided because it has a second reproducing means for reproducing so that it can be transmitted, and when the received information is special (“confidential” message), it can be automatically switched to the second reproducing means. Can prevent inadvertent playback of a "confidential" voice message.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a message exchange processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a message transmission processing operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a message reception processing operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a message reproduction processing operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a format of message data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a message storage status list 201.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Message processing unit, 101 ... Voice data buffer, 102 ... Character data buffer, 103 ... Message processing buffer, 104 ... Confidential message flag, 105
... destination database, 12 ... display section, 14 ... character input section, 16 ... voice processing section, 18 ... output switching section, 20 ... message storage section, 201 ... message storage status list,
22 ... Communication control section, 24 ... Voice input section, 26 ... Voice output section a, 28 ... Voice output section b, 30 ... Communication path.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Hirofumi Tsujimoto 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1st in Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukio Nakamoto 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1st in Toshiba Computer Engineering ( 72) Inventor Akira Nakayama 1381-1 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Within Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaki Egawa 1138 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Sakai 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Fukumine Akira 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information exchange processing device capable of transmitting and receiving information including voice through a communication path, wherein information to be transmitted is added with specific information indicating that the information is special information. An adding means, a first reproducing means for reproducing the voice in the received information so as to be transmitted to a plurality of unspecified persons at the same time, and a second reproducing means for reproducing the voice in the received information so as to be transmitted to the specific person. A reproducing means, and an output switching means for switching to either one of the first reproducing means and the second reproducing means based on the specific information added to the received information. Information exchange processing device.