JPH11239167A - Voice mail system, center device, and voice mail device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice mail system, a voice mail device, and a center device with which a terminal user can read out a message when the user connects the terminal to the nearest private branch exchange even when the user is at a remote place. SOLUTION: A voice mail system is provided with a center device 100 having a set request accepting means 110 which accepts a voice mail set request from a communications terminal, an electronic mail transmitting means 130 which transmits a message in which speech to a communications terminal being a voice mail set object is recorded as a message to the communications terminal, a read-out request accepting means 140 which accepts a read-out request for the message addressed to the communications terminal while voice mail is set, a transmission requesting means 150 which requests the transmission of a message addressed to the communications terminal when the means 140 accepts the message read-out request, and a reproducing means 160 which receives the message corresponding to the above request as electronic mail and reproduces the message and a voice mail device 200 having a message accumulating means 210 which receives and accumulates the message transmitted from the center device 100 as electric mail and a message transmitting means 220 which transmits a relevant message to the center device 100 in response to a message transmitting request addressed to the communications terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice mail system, a center device, and a voice mail device, and more particularly to a voice mail system, a center device, and a voice device for recording a call to a communication terminal and reproducing the call based on a read request. For mail devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional voice mail system, a voice mail device is directly connected to a private branch exchange by a cable, and only a user who sends / receives to / from the private branch exchange can send a recorded message such as an absence message to a designated message box. Provides a service for listening to messages addressed to users. When voice mail is used from another exchange, the usage is via a private branch exchange to which a voice mail device is connected.

In such a voice mail system, a voice mail function can be set / released in response to a request from a communication terminal belonging to a private branch exchange. During the setting as voice mail, a call from another party (not limited to the above-mentioned private branch exchange) addressed to the terminal is recorded as a message. In addition, the user of the terminal specifies the number of the terminal from the terminal or another communication terminal (including a call from a remote value via the public network) to the private branch exchange. You can check the presence of messages and play them.

[0004] Further, the conventional voice mail apparatus, when there are a plurality of private branch exchanges, and wants to use the voice mail, communicates incoming and outgoing calls to the private branch exchange to which the voice mail apparatus is connected, thereby providing a service. It is possible to receive. The same applies to the case where a voice mail device is built in the private branch exchange.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional voice mail system, when a user of the terminal tries to read a message from a remote place, the user connects to the private branch exchange in which the above-mentioned voice mail setting is made. Inevitably, a message must be taken out, which causes useless use of a public line or the like.

When there are a plurality of private branch exchanges, it is necessary to consider the number of lines between the private branch exchange to which the voice mail device is connected and the other private branch exchanges when using voice mail, in addition to general outgoing / incoming calls. Occurs. In a private network in which a plurality of small private branch exchanges are connected, there are cases where the number of lines for performing the relay increases and waste occurs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when a user of a terminal is at a remote location, a message can be read out by connecting to a nearby private branch exchange. A voice mail system, a center device, and a voice mail device are provided. Also,
A voice mail system that can share voice mail with a plurality of center devices without storing the voice mail device in a specific center device by using existing e-mail server software to store voice mail It is a further object to provide a center device and a voice mail device.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. The present invention (claim 1) is a voice mail system that records a call to a communication terminal and reproduces the call based on a read request, wherein the setting request receiving unit 110 receives a voice mail setting request from the communication terminal, Recording means 120 for recording a call to a communication terminal to be set as a message as a message; e-mail transmitting means 130 for transmitting the message recorded by the recording means 120 to the voice mail device 200 as an e-mail; Read request receiving means 140 for receiving a message read request addressed to a communication terminal, and read request receiving means 1
When a message read request is received by 40,
Sending a message addressed to a communication terminal to a voice mail device 20
Transmission requesting means 150 for requesting transmission request means 0 and transmission requesting means 15
A center device 100 having a reproducing unit 160 for receiving and reproducing a message corresponding to the request by the voice mail 0 from the voice mail device 200 as an electronic mail, and the center device 10
In response to a request for transmission of a message addressed to a communication terminal by a message storage means 210 for receiving and storing a message transmitted as an e-mail from 0, and a transmission request means 150 of the center apparatus 100, the message is transmitted to the center apparatus 100. And a voice mail device 200 having a message transmitting means 220 for transmitting.

According to the present invention (claim 2), in a voice mail system for recording a call to a communication terminal of a partner and reproducing the call based on a read request, the communication between the communication terminal and the voice mail device via a communication network. Center device 1 for communication
00, a setting request receiving unit 110 for receiving a voice mail setting request from a communication terminal, a recording unit 120 for recording a call to a communication terminal to which a voice mail is to be set as a message, and a voice mail device for converting the message into an electronic mail. E-mail sending means 13 for sending to 200
0, read request receiving means 140 for receiving a message read request addressed to the communication terminal during voice mail setting,
Transmission request means 1 for requesting voice mail apparatus 200 to transmit a message addressed to a communication terminal when message read request is received by read request receiving means 140
50, and a reproducing unit 160 that receives a message as an e-mail from the voice mail device 200 and reproduces the message.

According to the present invention (claim 3), the electronic mail transmitting means includes a mail converting means for converting a message into a voice file and converting the message into an electronic mail. The present invention (claim 4) relates to a voice mail device that performs communication between a center device and a communication terminal via a communication network, wherein the center device 1
00, a message storing means 210 for receiving and storing a message transmitted as an e-mail, and responding to a request for transmission of a message from the center apparatus 100 to a communication terminal, the center apparatus 100 converts the message into an e-mail.
And a message transmitting means 220 for transmitting the message.

According to the present invention (claim 5), the center device 100
An email server function to receive emails from
It has an e-mail client function that retrieves e-mail from the e-mail server function and stores it in a specific e-mail folder. When the e-mail arrives, the e-mail server function sends the e-mail server function to the e-mail client. The e-mail client function has an e-mail acquisition means for acquiring and accumulating an e-mail from the e-mail server function notified by the notification means.

As described above, the voice mail system of the present invention converts voice data arriving at the center device into a voice file, converts the voice data into an electronic mail, relays the voice file to the electronic mail server of the voice mail device, and transmits the electronic mail. The data is received using a client function, stored in a specific voice mail holder, and the same voice mail device is connected from a plurality of centers on a LAN, so that it can be used in common. Therefore, the user can use voice mail even from a remote place.

Further, the voice mail apparatus of the present invention is constituted by e-mail client software for exchanging e-mails with an e-mail server using an interface at an application level by using existing e-mail server software. When the e-mail from the center device arrives at the e-mail server of the voice mail device, the e-mail client issues a notification of the arrival of the e-mail to the e-mail client. Execute the mail reading process. As a result, the center device and the voice mail device can perform data communication near real time.

The contents of the electronic mail exchanged between the center device and the voice mail device include a voice mail voice file and communication control data for a communication partner.
Functions equivalent to the data communication that is normally used can be performed.

[0015]

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a voice mail system according to the present invention. The voice mail system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of center devices 1 and 8, a voice mail device 2,
It comprises a communication network 3, a wireless base station device 4, a mobile communication terminal 5, a plurality of communication terminals 6, 9 and a LAN 7.

[0016] Of these, the side that performs voice mail setting includes a mobile communication terminal 5 used for setting and a radio base station apparatus 4 necessary for connection with the center apparatus 1. Here, the voice mail setting refers to an operation of requesting a communication partner to record. A communication terminal 6 for writing voice mail, a communication terminal 9 for processing reading, a communication network 3 for connecting the center device 1 and the center device 8, and the center device 1, the center device 8 and the LAN 7. It is composed of a voice mail device 2 connected via the Internet.

In FIG. 1, a message is transmitted from a mobile communication terminal 5 to a communication terminal 6 which is a communication partner by using voice mail, and the communication terminal 6 accesses a center device 8 which is closest to the remote place from a remote place. An example is shown in which the voice mail set by the mobile communication terminal 5 is obtained. Although the mobile communication terminal 5 is shown as an example of a terminal for performing voice mail settings, the terminal is not limited to this example and may be a general communication terminal. For example, the communication terminal 9 in the example of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a device configuration in the voice mail system of the present invention. The center device 1 includes a line corresponding unit 1
1, an arithmetic processing unit 13, a communication processing unit 14, and an interface unit 16. The line corresponding unit 11 has a sound reproducing / recording unit 12 capable of recording the sound of the communication line, converting the sound into a sound file, and reproducing the sound file, and executes communication processing for the mobile communication terminal 5 and the communication terminal 6.

The communication processing unit 14 receives the audio file generated by the audio reproduction / recording unit 12 of the line corresponding unit 11,
An electronic mail communication processing unit 15 having a function of converting the electronic mail into a voice mail and transmitting the electronic mail to the voice mail device 2;
Control 1 The e-mail communication processing unit 15 has an e-mail server function and an e-mail client function, and enables real-time data communication with the voice mail device 2 by e-mail.

The interface unit 16 transmits the electronic mail to L
It transmits and receives to and from the voice mail device 2 via the AN 7. The arithmetic processing unit 13 performs data processing between the line corresponding unit 11, the communication processing unit 14, and the interface unit 16. The center device 8 has the same components as the center device 1 and includes a line corresponding unit 81, an arithmetic processing unit 83, a communication processing unit 84, and an interface unit 86.

The line correspondence unit 81 has a sound reproduction / recording unit 82 capable of recording the sound of the communication line, converting the sound into a sound file, and reproducing the sound file, and executes communication processing for the communication terminal 9. The communication processing unit 84 includes an e-mail communication processing unit 85 having a function of receiving the audio file generated by the audio reproduction / recording unit 82 of the line corresponding unit 81, converting the audio file into an e-mail, and transmitting the e-mail to the voice mail device 2. Line handling unit 8
Control 1

The interface unit 86 sends the e-mail to L
It transmits and receives to and from the voice mail device 2 via the AN 7. The arithmetic processing unit 83 performs data processing between the line corresponding unit 81, the communication processing unit 84, and the interface unit 86. The voice mail device 2 includes a voice mail processing unit 22, an interface unit 23, an arithmetic processing unit 21, and a storage unit 24.

The voice mail processing section 22 has an e-mail server function and an e-mail client function, and realizes data communication with the center device 1 and the center device 8 by e-mail. The interface unit 23 transmits and receives an e-mail to and from the center device 1 or the center device 8 via the LAN 7.

The storage unit 24 stores the voice mail obtained from the center device 1 (voice mail setting),
The voice mail stored at the time of a read request from the center device 8 (voice mail read) is provided. The arithmetic processing unit 21 performs data processing between the voice mail processing unit 22, the interface unit 23, and the storage unit 24.

The communication terminals 6 and 9 have a function of connecting to and communicating with the center device 1 or the center device 8 via the communication network 3.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an operation at the time of setting a voice mail in the voice mail system will be described. In the following example, an operation will be described in which the mobile communication terminal 5 performs a voice mail setting to the center device 1 with another communication terminal as a destination. However, the mobile communication terminal 5 is not limited to the mobile communication terminal 5 and can perform general communication. It may be a terminal.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing an operation at the time of setting a voice mail in the voice mail system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Step 101) When the mobile communication terminal 5 makes a call to the center device 1 via the wireless base station device 4 with the voice mail setting special number, the center device 1 identifies the special number, shifts to the voice mail setting operation, and performs mobile communication. The calling number of the terminal 5 is identified, and authentication as to whether or not the terminal is registered in the center device 1 is performed.

Step 102) If the mobile communication terminal 5 is a legitimate registration terminal, the center device 1 changes the setting of the incoming call to the mobile communication terminal 5 to voice mail processing, and changes the setting. Is broadcast to the mobile communication terminal 5 by voice guidance. Step 103) The line between the mobile communication terminal 5 and the center device 1 is released.

Next, a voice mail recording process will be described. In the following example, the communication terminal 6 is the mobile communication terminal 5
The operation of recording a voice mail in the center device 1 connected to the communication terminal 6 via the communication network 3 in a situation where a voice mail is set to the destination will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an operation at the time of recording voice mail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Step 201) The communication terminal 6 is connected to the center device 1 via the communication network 3, and the representative number of the center device 1 is assigned to the mobile communication terminal 5 which is the destination of the voice mail.
Outgoing phone number by sub-address specification. The center device 1 holds a representative number, and the terminal is designated by “representative number + subaddress” or by directly designating the terminal by dial-in.

Step 202) The center apparatus 1 broadcasts voice guidance for voice mail recording to the communication terminal 6. Step 203) With this, a voice message is transmitted from the communication terminal 6 to the center device 1, and the center device 1
The voice recording is started in the voice reproduction / recording unit 12 of the first embodiment.

Step 204) In the center device 1, the voice message transmitted from the communication terminal 6 is recorded by the voice reproducing / recording unit 12. Step 205) When the recording is completed in the center device 1, the line with the communication terminal 6 is released. Step 206) The center device 1 attaches the voice file generated by the recording to the e-mail and transmits it to the voice mail device 2 via the LAN 7.

Step 207) Voice mail device 2
Sends an e-mail notification to the e-mail client when the e-mail arrives at the e-mail server of the voice mail processing unit 22. Thereby, when the e-mail client of the voice mail device 2 detects the notification of the arrival of the e-mail, the e-mail client
The e-mail is read and executed, and the fetched electronic file is stored in a specific folder of the storage unit 24.

Next, the voice mail is transmitted to the voice mail device 2
The process when reading from the folder is described.
In the following example, it is assumed that when a user (communication terminal 9) is visiting a remote place, the user (communication terminal 9) is connected to the nearest center device 8 in the area and reads a message addressed to the user.
FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing an operation at the time of reading voice mail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Step 301) The communication terminal 9 used by a user who wants to retrieve a voice mail from a remote place
Via the communication network 3, a voice mail special number is designated as a sub-address (“representative number + sub-address” or a terminal is directly designated by dial-in) as the representative number of the nearest center device 8 where the communication terminal 9 is installed. Make a call and connect to the center device 8.

Step 302) The center device 8 identifies the voice mail special number and broadcasts a voice guidance (box number input instruction) for reading the voice mail to the communication terminal 9. Step 303) From the communication terminal 9, the mobile communication terminal 5
(Box number) is transmitted to the center device 8 as a PB signal.

Step 304) The center device 8 receives the PB signal transmitted from the communication terminal 9, identifies the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal 5 based on the PB signal, and determines whether the terminal is a terminal registered in the center device 8. Authentication is performed, and the user (mobile communication terminal 5) is specified. Step 305) The center device 8 broadcasts a voice guidance to read to the communication terminal 9.

Step 306) The center device 8 issues a request to the voice mail device 2 to read out the voice mail from the mobile communication terminal 5 by e-mail. Step 307) The voice mail device 2 stores the
The electronic mail addressed to the mobile communication terminal 5 is searched from the specific voice mail folder. Step 308) The first electronic mail found is transmitted to the center device 8 with an audio file attached.

Step 309) Upon receiving the voice file addressed to the mobile communication terminal 5 by electronic mail, the center device 8 starts playing the voice file on the communication line of the communication terminal 9. Step 310) The first audio file is reproduced to the communication terminal 9.

Step 311) While the audio file is being reproduced, the center device 8 requests the voice mail device 2 for the next voice mail by e-mail. Step 312) The voice mail device 2 reads the next voice mail from the specific folder by the same method as in the above step 307. Step 313) The e-mail attached with the next voice file is transmitted from the voice mail device 2 to the center device 8.

Step 314) When the line is disconnected from the communication terminal 9 during the reproduction of the audio file, the center device 8 sends a notification of the reproduction interruption to the voice mail device 2 by e-mail. . If the reproduction of the audio file has been completed to the end, a read completion notification is transmitted to the voice mail device 2 by e-mail. After confirming that the line of the communication terminal 6 is connected, the center device 8 starts reproducing the next audio file, and repeats the above-described steps 306 to 314.

Step 315) After the communication terminal 9 reads out the necessary voice mail, the line with the center device 8 is released. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified and applied within the scope of the claims.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the system uses an existing e-mail server, LA
It is possible to share and use the facilities in a wide area where N are connected. Also, as an interface between each device,
By realizing near real-time data communication by e-mail, communication can be performed relatively safely and easily even between computer networks with strict security.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a voice mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an apparatus configuration diagram in the voice mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing an operation at the time of voice mail setting in the voice mail system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an operation of recording voice mail according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing an operation at the time of reading voice mail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 8 center device 2 voice mail device 3 communication network 4 wireless base station device 5 mobile communication terminal 6, 9 communication terminal 7 LAN 11 line correspondence unit 12 voice reproduction / recording unit 13 arithmetic processing unit 14 communication processing unit 15 e-mail communication processing Unit 16 Interface unit 21 Arithmetic processing unit 22 Voice mail processing unit 23 Interface unit 24 Storage unit 81 Line correspondence unit 82 Audio reproduction and recording unit 83 Operation processing unit 84 Communication processing unit 85 E-mail communication processing unit 86 Interface unit 100 Center device 110 Setting Request receiving means 120 Recording means 130 E-mail transmitting means 140 Read request receiving means 150 Transmission request means 160 Reproducing means 200 Voice mail device 210 Message storing means 220 Message transmitting means

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04L 12/28 H04M 11/00 303 H04M 3/42 H04L 11/00 310C 3/50 11/00 303

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A voice mail system that records a call to a communication terminal and reproduces the call based on a read request, wherein: a setting request receiving unit that receives a voice mail setting request from the communication terminal; Recording means for recording a call to the communication terminal as a message; e-mail transmission means for transmitting the message recorded by the recording means as e-mail; and a message read request addressed to the communication terminal during the voice mail setting. Read request accepting means for accepting the message, transmission request means for requesting transmission of a message addressed to the communication terminal when the message read request is accepted by the read request accepting means, and a message corresponding to the request by the transmission request means Device having a reproducing means for receiving and reproducing a message as an e-mail Message storage means for receiving and storing a message transmitted as e-mail from the center device; and transmitting the message to the center in response to a request for transmission of a message addressed to the communication terminal by transmission request means of the center device. A voice mail device having a message transmitting means for transmitting the message to the device. 2. Recording a call to a communication terminal of the other party,
In a voice mail system for reproducing based on a read request, a center device for communicating with the communication terminal and the voice mail device via a communication network, wherein a setting request receiving means for receiving a voice mail setting request from the communication terminal E-mail sending means for recording a call to the communication terminal during voice mail setting as a message, and transmitting the message as an e-mail to the voice mail device; and Read request receiving means for receiving a message read request; transmission request means for requesting the voice mail apparatus to transmit a message addressed to the communication terminal when the message read request is received by the read request receiving means; A playback means for receiving and playing the message as e-mail; Center device characterized in that it comprises. 3. The center apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic mail transmitting means includes a mail converting means for converting the message into a voice file and converting the message into the electronic mail. 4. A voice mail device for performing communication between a center device and a communication terminal via a communication network, comprising: a message storage means for receiving and storing a message transmitted as an e-mail from the center device. And a message transmitting means for transmitting a message to the center device by e-mail in response to a request for transmission of a message addressed to the communication terminal from the center device. 5. An e-mail server function for receiving an e-mail from the center device; and an e-mail client function for extracting the e-mail from the e-mail server function and storing the e-mail in a specific e-mail folder; The e-mail server function includes a notification unit that, when an e-mail arrives, transmits a notification that the e-mail has arrived to the e-mail client by the e-mail server function. 5. The voice mail device according to claim 4, further comprising: an e-mail acquiring unit that acquires and accumulates an e-mail from the e-mail server function notified by the notifying unit.