JPH09321884A - Method and device for telephone conversation by synthesized voice - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a conversation voice from imposing trouble on 3rd parties nearby a talker or from being intercepted. SOLUTION: A telephone terminal equipment 200 is provided with a text voice converter 100 additionally or through integration, and when a content to be sent is entered voiceless through pen entry or the like, it is detected by a pen entry detection section 25 of the text voice converter 100, the detected signal is converted into a synthesis voice signal by a synthesis voice signal generating section 21 and it is given to a CODEC (coder and decoder) 42, and the resulting signal is sent to a required telephone line via a telephone line adaptor section 35. In this case, the signal is monitored by a speaker 44 or a receiver 37.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a device for conducting a telephone conversation by using synthetic voice instead of actual voice of a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional person-to-person telephone conversation, it is premised that a caller generates his / her own voice to make a call. Therefore, there is a drawback that the voice is intercepted by a third party around the caller. In addition, the answering machine and the automatic answering system used in various services are positioned as a person-to-computer telephone conversation, and synthetic voice may be used on the computer side, but the contents of the telephone conversation on the computer side are pre-programmed. It is a thing. When using synthetic voice in a person-to-person telephone conversation, it is necessary to be able to freely select the content of the call, and unlike the conventional use of synthetic voice in a person-to-computer, the technique cannot be applied.

On the other hand, in word processors, electronic notebooks, etc., text inputting, editing, and displaying techniques using a keyboard or pen input have been developed. Connect the device to a telephone line,
Techniques have also been developed for sending to opposing facsimile receivers, computers, etc. However, in this case, the signal sent to the telephone line is a data signal and cannot be received by the receiver by telephone.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional technique does not assume person-to-person telephone conversation, and the technique required in such a case has not been developed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that a conversation voice in a telephone conversation may cause annoyance or interception by a third party in the vicinity of the caller, without speaking a voice. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus capable of telephone conversation with synthetic voice in order to minimize voice utterance.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in a telephone conversation, in order for a caller to send a word to a communication partner without uttering a voice, the utterance content to be sent is displayed by a silent input, that is, by using various input means. The main feature is to create a sentence on the screen, convert the sentence into synthetic voice, and send it to the other party. With conventional technology, in person-to-person communication,
The difference is that synthetic voice is used because it is not necessary for the caller to speak a word.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention uses a text-to-speech converter that is added to or integrated with a telephone terminal in order to create and display contents to be sent as text. This text-to-speech converter wants to express efficiently in a short time by registering words that are often used in telephone conversations as standard sentences and calling them with various function buttons arranged on the device surface or on the screen. You can create and display sentences on the screen. Part of the registered text can be left blank or selected from several words, and can be arbitrarily modified, deleted, or added by using an input means such as a pen or a keyboard. With such input means, it becomes possible to easily create a sentence in a short time.
After creating and confirming a sentence, when you press the button for starting transmission or for both starting and stopping transmission, the sentence on the screen is automatically converted into a synthetic voice signal by the synthetic voice signal creating means, and the telephone is called via the telephone terminal. Sent to the line. Therefore, the caller can silently inform the other party of his / her needs. Since the synthetic voice signal is directly input to the telephone terminal as an electric signal without propagating in the space as a sound wave, it is not annoyed by or intercepted by a third party around.
The synthesized voice signal is simultaneously sent to the caller via the telephone terminal receiver or directly from the synthesized voice signal creating means via the earphone.

Further, the position of the character being transmitted is also indicated on the screen by means of character color or text movement. This allows the caller to confirm the call content and call timing.

By pressing a function button for switching between the synthetic voice conversation mode and the real voice conversation mode on the device or on the screen, the normal telephone conversation mode is entered, and by pressing the function button again, the synthetic voice conversation mode is selected. Can return to. Or, by pressing the send start button, after sending is started, when the sending is completed automatically, or by pressing the send stop button, the mode changeover switch that switches the real voice / synthesized voice in the telephone terminal is controlled, and the conversation using the real voice is performed. It has a means to shift to a mode. As a result, the caller can freely switch between the synthesized voice signal and the actual voice signal to use, and can block the inflow of external noise from the transmitter.

As another configuration, there is also a means which does not have a switch for switching between a real voice signal and a synthesized voice signal and adds both signals and sends them to the telephone line. In this case, it is not necessary for the caller to switch between the actual voice conversation mode and the synthetic voice conversation mode, but it is not possible to eliminate external noise or the like added to the transmitter.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, showing an external view of the apparatus. Reference numeral 200 is a telephone terminal, and 100 is a text-to-speech converter. In this way, the text-to-speech conversion device 10 is added to the telephone terminal 200.
0 is added, or telephone terminal 1 (not shown)
It is configured as an integrated type that is built into the 00.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention, in which 300 is a portable telephone terminal and 100 is the same text-to-speech converter as in FIG. . Also in the case of the second embodiment, the text-to-speech conversion device 100
Can be added to or integrated with the portable telephone terminal 300.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the details of a text-to-speech conversion apparatus 100 for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a liquid crystal display section, 2 is a text display section, and 3 is a text display section. Is a character input unit, 4 is a real voice signal / synthesized voice signal switching button (mode switching switch), 5 is a sentence synthesized voice transmission start /
A stop button, 6 is a text registration button, and 11 to 20 are registered text reading buttons.

Next, the operation will be described. In the telephone line setting state, the real voice signal / synthetic voice signal switching button 4 is pressed to enter the synthetic voice mode, and the handwriting recognition is performed from the character input unit 3 using a pen, a keyboard, etc. When (unvoiced input) is performed, the characters input in the text display unit 2 are displayed in the input order. Here, if the user presses the sentence registration button 6 and then one of the registered sentence read buttons 11 to 20, the sentence is registered in the registration button. After that, the sentence is displayed in the sentence display unit 2 by pressing the button. can do.

After the sentence on the sentence display unit 2 is completed, the synthetic voice is transmitted to the other party by pressing the sentence synthetic voice transmission start / stop button 5. At the same time, the synthetic voice being transmitted can be monitored by the telephone handset or the earphone. In the sentence displayed on the sentence display unit 2, the color of the character being transmitted and the character being transmitted is changed by the synthesized voice. Alternatively, the characters are sequentially shifted to the left in synchronization with the synthetic voice transmission. This allows the caller to confirm the transmission status of the synthesized voice.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the text-to-speech conversion apparatus 100, 1 is a liquid crystal display unit as in FIG. 3, and 21 is a liquid crystal display unit. Synthetic voice signal creating unit, 22 is a sentence creating unit, 2
3 is a sentence registration unit, 24 is a sentence voice conversion control system interface circuit, 25 is a pen input detection unit, 26 is a pen input character analysis unit, 27 is an operation key switch, 28 is a man-machine control unit, and 29 is an LCD driver. In the telephone terminal 200 or the portable telephone terminal 300, 31 is a liquid crystal display unit, 32 is an LCD driver, 33 is an operation key switch, 34 is a man-machine control unit, 35 is a telephone line corresponding unit, 36 is a sounder, 37 is a receiver, 38 is a transmitter, 3
9 is an analog I / O circuit section, 40 is a control system interface circuit, 41 is an electroacoustic transducer interface circuit, 4
2 is CODEC (A / D converter and D / A converter), 4
3 is a tone generation circuit, 44 is a speaker, and 45 is an AMP
(Amplifier) and 46 are reserved sound source circuits. In addition, DSU
Indicates a terminal terminating device.

Next, the operation will be described. The key input of the caller is detected by the operation key switch 27. The pen input is confirmed by the pen input detection unit 25 and the pen input character analysis unit 26. A sentence is created by the operation of the caller and the operations of the sentence creating unit 22 and the sentence registering unit 23, and the liquid crystal display unit 1
Is displayed in. When the user key-in the sentence synthetic voice transmission start / stop button 5 (FIG. 3), this is detected by the operation key switch 27, the synthetic voice signal creating unit 21 operates, and the synthetic voice signal is transmitted to the telephone terminal 200 or 300. CO
It is input to the DEC 42. As a result, the synthesized voice signal is sent to the telephone line via the telephone line corresponding unit 35, converted into a sound wave signal by the electroacoustic transducer interface circuit 41, and transmitted to the user via the handset 37. Sound waves are transmitted. Further, the position of the character being sent is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 1. In this way, the sentence created by the user is converted into a synthesized voice signal and transmitted to the other party of the call, so that the user can talk silently.
Further, since the synthesized voice being transmitted can be confirmed on one's own ear and on the liquid crystal display unit 1, conversation can be performed with a feeling close to natural.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which 21 is a synthetic voice signal creating unit, 37 is a receiver, 38 is a transmitter, and 41 is electroacoustic. The converter interface circuit, 42, is a CODEC, which is the same as that shown in FIG. Reference numerals 47 and 48 denote signal adders, and the synthesized voice signal created by the synthesized voice signal creation unit 21 is superposed on the signal from the transmitter 38 by the signal adder 48 and sent to the CODEC 42. Further, the signal is added to the signal from the CODEC 42 by the signal adder 47, converted into a sound wave signal by the electroacoustic transducer interface circuit 41, and sent to the receiver 37. As a result, the synthesized voice signal can be sent to the other party of the call and the caller can monitor the synthesized voice being sent by ear.

[Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In place of the signal adder 48 in the embodiment of FIG. 5, an actual voice signal / synthesized voice signal changeover switch is provided. (Mode changeover switch) 49 is used,
Others are the same as those in FIG. The synthesized voice signal generated by the synthesized voice signal generation unit 21 is sent to the CODEC 42 via the actual voice signal / synthetic voice signal changeover switch 49.
Further, the signal is added to the signal from the CODEC 42 by the signal adder 47, converted into a sound wave signal by the electroacoustic transducer interface circuit 41, and sent to the receiver 37. As a result, the signal from the transmitter 38 is cut off, only the synthesized voice signal is sent to the call partner, and the caller can monitor the synthesized voice being sent by ear. By switching the real voice signal / synthesized voice signal changeover switch 49 (state of FIG. 6), it is possible to switch to a mode in which the signal from the transmitter 38 is transmitted to the telephone line. Can be sent to the other party. The real voice signal / synthetic voice signal changeover switch 49 is automatically switched to the synthetic voice conversation mode when an unvoiced input is made in the real voice conversation mode, and the voiced input is made during the real voice conversation mode. It is also possible to control so as to automatically switch to the real voice conversation mode when the call is given.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the contents of the unvoiced input are directly converted into the synthetic voice and outputted, but the quality of the voice can be selected or used by changing the parameters of the synthetic voice signal creating section 21. It becomes possible to give a feeling of security to the other party by adding and converting the feature of the person's utterance. Further, the content of the silent input may be not only a sentence but also a symbol or a word. In particular, when a frequently used sentence is registered in advance and this is selected, numbers or the like are sufficient.

When the registered text is insufficient, the unvoiced input means such as handwriting may be used to make up for the shortage.

[0022]

As described in detail above, the telephone conversation method and apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 of the present invention silently informs the contents to be transmitted to at least one of the transmitting side and the receiving side. By inputting the voice and converting the input voicelessly into a synthetic voice signal and sending it to the other telephone terminal, one or both of the telephone callers can have a telephone conversation completely silently. Therefore, various uses can be considered as shown below.

(1) In recent years, the spread of mobile phones, PHS, etc. has been rapidly progressing, and it has become a socially significant problem with regard to the use in public places such as trains, hotel lobbies, restaurants and theaters. Has become. According to the present invention, a user of a mobile phone does not have to worry about the surroundings at any place,
Telephone conversation is possible.

(2) The present invention makes it possible to make a call even when a call is difficult due to noise from factories, roads, etc. coming in from the telephone terminal transmitter.

(3) A telephone conversation can be performed at midnight at work without worrying about the surroundings.

(4) Telephone conversation is possible even for a physically handicapped person who has difficulty speaking.

In addition to the effects of (1) to (4), the telephone conversation device according to claim 3 of the present invention can switch between the real voice conversation mode and the synthetic voice conversation mode by the mode changeover switch. Therefore, the desired conversation mode can be selected as needed.

Further, in addition to the effects of (1) to (4), the telephone conversation device according to claim 4 of the present invention automatically enters the synthetic voice conversation mode upon silent input. No need to switch.

Similarly, in addition to the effects of (1) to (4), the telephone conversation device according to claim 5 of the present invention automatically enters the real voice conversation mode when voiced input.
No need to switch between conversation modes.

Further, in the telephone conversation device according to claim 6 of the present invention, in addition to the effects (1) to (4), the real voice conversation mode and the synthetic voice conversation mode are always superposed. Therefore, both modes can be used at the same time.

Further, in the telephone conversation device according to claim 7 of the present invention, in addition to the effects of (1) to (4), since the content input silently is input to the speaker or the earphone by the synthetic voice, this allows It becomes possible to monitor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a text-to-speech conversion device for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Liquid Crystal Display 2 Text Display 3 Character Input 4 Real Voice Signal / Synthesis Voice Signal Switching Button 5 Text Synthesizing Voice Transmission Start / Stop Button 6 Text Registration Button 11-20 Registered Text Read Button 21 Synthetic Speech Signal Creation Section 22 Text Creation unit 23 Text registration unit 24 Text / voice conversion control system interface circuit 25 Pen input detection unit 26 Pen input character analysis unit 27 Operation key / switch 28 Man / machine control unit 29 LCD driver 31 Liquid crystal display unit 32 Liquid crystal display driver 33 Operation Key switch 34 Man-machine control unit 35 Telephone line support unit 36 Sounder 37 Handset 38 Transmitter 39 Analog I / O circuit unit 40 Control system interface circuit 41 Electroacoustic transducer interface circuit 42 CODEC 43 Tone generation circuit 44 Speaker 45 AMP 46 protection Telephone terminal of the sound source circuit 47, 48 signal summer 49 real speech signals, the synthesized speech signal changeover switch 100 sentence speech conversion system 200 phone 300 portable

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A telephone conversation method in which a telephone terminal on the transmitting side and a telephone terminal on the receiving side have a conversation by a voice signal,
Synthesized voice characterized in that the contents to be transmitted are silently input to at least one of the transmitting side and the receiving side, and the unvoiced contents are converted into a synthetic voice signal and transmitted to the other telephone terminal. How to talk by phone. 2. A telephone conversation device in which a telephone terminal on the transmitting side and a telephone terminal on the receiving side have a conversation by a voice signal,
Input means for silently inputting the content to be transmitted, display means for displaying the input content, and synthetic speech for the content input silently by the input means on at least one of the transmitting side and receiving side telephone terminals. A telephone conversation device comprising a text-to-speech conversion device integrated with or added to a synthetic voice signal creating means for converting into a signal. 3. A real voice conversation mode for real voice conversation,
3. The telephone conversation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a mode changeover switch for changing over to a synthetic voice conversation mode for conversation with synthetic voice. 4. The telephone conversation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mode changeover switch automatically switches to the synthetic voice conversation mode when a voiceless input is performed in the real voice conversation mode. 5. The telephone conversation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mode changeover switch automatically switches to the real voice conversation mode when voiced input is performed in the synthetic voice conversation mode. 6. A real voice conversation mode in which real voice conversation is provided,
The telephone conversation device according to claim 2, wherein a synthetic voice conversation mode for conversation with synthetic voice is superimposed. 7. The telephone according to claim 2, wherein the synthesized voice signal converted by the text-to-speech converter is input to a speaker or an earphone of a telephone terminal which has been silently input. Conversation device.