JPH118711A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a telephone call without uttering voice in a condition incapable of uttering the voice. SOLUTION: For instance, in the condition incapable of uttering the voice in a train or in a movie theater or the like, at the time of getting the telephone call, 'I can not talk now in the train. Please leave a message. I will get back to you.', for instance, is inputted in a key input part 11. A voice synthesis part 12 converts the character information to voice signals and they are transmitted from a telephone function part 13 through a telephone line to this telephone system of an opposite party.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone device, and more particularly, to a multifunctional telephone device utilizing voice synthesis. Available.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a telephone device using speech synthesis,
For example, there is a telephone device described in JP-A-5-110635. In this telephone device, when a telephone is received by a telephone device, information obtained from a transmitting side is output as voice by a voice synthesizing means in a telephone device on a receiving side. However, in the transmitting telephone device, using speech synthesis,
A telephone device that converts character information and the like into an audio signal and transmits the audio signal has not yet been proposed.

[0003]

At present, telephone devices such as mobile phones are rapidly spreading due to advances in wireless technology and the like. While telephone equipment is very convenient, it can also be very annoying at times and in some cases. For example, on a telephone in a train, which has recently become a problem, voices that are talking on the telephone annoy people around them. In addition, the same problem arises with telephone calls during conferences and telephone calls in places that must be kept quiet, such as movie theaters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made in order to enable a telephone call without uttering a voice in a situation where the user cannot utter a voice. Things.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input section and a voice synthesizing section, wherein the voice synthesizing section inputs character information and the like input from the key input section instead of uttering a voice to a receiver. It is characterized by synthesizing voice, converting it to an audio signal, and transmitting it.Thus, even in situations where voices can not be uttered, such as in a train, in a movie theater, etc., it does not bother others. It is possible to talk on the telephone.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input means other than the key input means and a voice synthesizing means, and the character information input by the character input means other than the key input is used instead of uttering a voice to a receiver. The present invention is characterized in that the voice is synthesized by the voice synthesizing means, converted into a voice signal, and transmitted, and by using character input means other than key input such as character recognition, the invention is easier to use in addition to the invention of claim 1. It is made possible to use the interface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the voice synthesizing unit is connectable to a voice input unit of a telephone device, and the voice signal converted by the voice synthesizing unit is transmitted to the telephone. Characterized by being transmitted through a device,
The speech synthesis function can be used only by connecting or approaching the speech synthesis device to the telephone device. In addition to the invention of claim 2, even in a normal telephone device without a speech synthesis function,
This function can be used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input character information or the like is transmitted as it is, and the character information is converted into voice by synthesizing the character information at a receiving telephone device or a relay station. The data to be transmitted to the telephone line is not voice signals but character information, so that the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced. Also, by providing the voice synthesis function at the relay station instead of the telephone device,
This eliminates the need for a voice synthesis function in the telephone device and reduces the cost.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, character information and the like are registered in advance in a shortcut key, and when the shortcut key is pressed, the information registered in the shortcut key is converted into a voice signal by a voice synthesis unit. It is characterized in that it is transmitted, so that it can be operated more easily by using a shortcut key.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a main part for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a key input unit, 12 denotes a voice synthesis unit, and 13 denotes a telephone function unit. The key input unit 11 is for inputting character information to be uttered by voice synthesis, and is a standard keyboard that is used in a personal computer or the like, and is standardly provided for a push-type telephone. ) Key or the like may be used. The voice synthesizing unit 12 converts the character information input by the key input unit 11 into a voice signal by using a technique such as regular voice synthesis. For example, the voice synthesizing unit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-113794 is used. A method or the like may be used.

The telephone function unit 13 has a function of a normal telephone device, and includes a microphone for inputting and outputting a voice,
It includes a speaker, a function of making and receiving calls, a function of transmitting and receiving information such as voice to and from a telephone line, and transmits a voice signal converted by the voice synthesizer 12 to the telephone line. Here, for convenience, it is described as a telephone line, but when using a wireless telephone, it is not a line, but a telephone line.
This is a wireless transmission path.

Next, a specific example when the invention described in claim 1 is actually used will be described. For example, when a phone call is received in a situation where a voice cannot be produced, such as in a train or in a movie theater, the key input unit 11 may use, for example,
By inputting "I can't speak because I'm in a train now. I'll talk only on my business. I'll get back to you later." From 13, this voice signal is transmitted to the other party's telephone device via the telephone line.

(Invention of Claim 2) FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part for explaining an embodiment of the invention according to Claim 2, wherein 21 is a character input unit, and 22 is a speech synthesis unit. Part 2,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a telephone function unit. The character input unit 21 is used to enter character information to be uttered by voice synthesis as characters and input the character information. For example, refer to "Line figure feature extraction" described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-108079. And a character recognition method such as “recognition method”. In the present embodiment, character input using character recognition is used as character input means other than key input. However, the present invention can be realized by using other character input means. The voice synthesizing unit 22 and the telephone function unit 23 may be the same as those in the first aspect.

Next, a specific example when the invention described in claim 2 is actually used will be described. For example, in a situation where a voice cannot be produced, such as in a train or a movie theater, when a call is received, the character input unit 21 may say, for example, "I cannot speak because I am on the phone. Speak up. I will contact you later. ", The voice information is converted into a voice signal by the voice synthesizer 22, and the voice signal is transmitted from the telephone function unit 23 to the other party's telephone line through the telephone line. Transmitted to the device.

(Invention of Claim 3) FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part for explaining an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, wherein 31 is a voice synthesizing device, and 32 is a telephone device. For the telephone device 32, a commonly used telephone may be used. This telephone device includes a microphone for inputting and outputting voice, a speaker, a function for making and receiving telephone calls, and a function for transmitting voice to a telephone line. It includes functions for sending and receiving information,
The voice signal converted by the voice synthesizer 31 is transmitted to a telephone line. In this case, for convenience, it is described as a telephone line. However, when a wireless telephone device is used, it is not a line but a telephone line.
This is a wireless transmission path. The voice synthesizer 31 converts character information and the like into a voice signal. For example, the voice synthesizer described in JP-A-5-113794 may be used, and the voice output by the voice synthesizer 31 may be used. A signal is input from a voice input unit of the telephone device 32.

Next, a specific example when the invention according to claim 3 is actually used will be described. For example, in a situation where a voice cannot be produced, such as in a train or a movie theater, when a call is received, the voice output unit of the voice synthesizer 31 and the voice input unit of the telephone device 32 are brought closer, or The voice signal is output directly from the voice synthesizer 31 by outputting a voice signal such as "I can't speak because I'm in a train now. Please speak only the business. I'll contact you later." Is transmitted to the other party's telephone device through the telephone line.

(Invention of Claim 4) FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part for explaining an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4, wherein reference numeral 41 denotes a transmission side key input unit, and 43 denotes a key input unit. The transmitting-side telephone function unit, 44 is a receiving-side telephone function unit, 45 is a receiving-side voice synthesizing unit, and the transmitting-side key input unit 41 may be the same as the key input unit 11 according to the first aspect. In addition, the transmitting side telephone function unit 43 and the receiving side telephone function unit 44 may be the same as the telephone function unit 13 according to the first aspect.
The transmitting-side telephone function unit 43 transmits the character information input by the transmitting-side key input unit 41 to the receiving-side telephone device via the telephone line as it is. The receiving-side telephone function unit 44 receives character information and the like transmitted from the transmitting-side telephone function unit 43 via a telephone line. The receiving-side voice synthesizing unit 45 converts the character information received by the receiving-side telephone function unit 44 into a voice signal, and may be the same as the voice synthesizing unit 12 according to the first aspect.

In this embodiment, the voice synthesizer is provided in the receiving telephone device. However, the voice synthesizing unit is provided in a relay station or the like existing between the transmitting telephone device and the receiving telephone device. The character information transmitted from the telephone device may be received by the receiving telephone device as an audio signal.

Next, a concrete example when the invention according to claim 4 is actually used will be described. For example, in a situation where you cannot speak, such as in a train or in a movie theater, when you receive a call, the sender's key input unit 41 will say, "For example, you cannot speak because you are in a train. This character information is transmitted from the transmitting-side telephone function unit 43 to the receiving-side telephone function unit 44 through a telephone line, and the receiving-side voice is input. The signal is converted into an audio signal by the synthesizing unit 45, and the sound can be heard on the receiving side.

(Invention of Claim 5) FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a main part for explaining an embodiment of the invention according to claim 5, wherein a key input unit 51, a voice synthesis unit 52, a telephone function unit 5
As 3, the same as that of the first embodiment may be used. The abbreviated key registration unit 56 stores character information of frequently used sentences, and registers the correspondence between the character information and the abbreviated key. For example, abbreviated key 1 is registered such as "I cannot speak now. Please speak only the business." As abbreviated key 2, "I cannot call now. Please try again later." When a shortcut key is input, the key input unit 51 acquires character information corresponding to the shortcut key from information registered in the shortcut key registration unit 56, and the character information is input to the speech synthesis unit 52. The telephone function unit 53 converts the voice signal into a voice signal and transmits the voice signal.

In this embodiment, the shortcut key registration unit 56
The character information corresponding to each abbreviation key was stored, but instead of the character information, the data obtained by converting the character information into an audio signal is stored as it is, and the audio signal is transmitted as it is without using voice synthesis You may do it.

Next, a specific example when the invention described in claim 5 is actually used will be described. For example, when a phone call is received in a situation where a voice cannot be produced, such as in a train or a movie theater, the key input unit 51 uses the shortcut key 1
By typing, "I can't talk now.
Just talk about your business. Is transmitted from the telephone function unit 53 to the other party's telephone device via the telephone line.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input section and a voice synthesizing section, wherein the voice synthesizing section synthesizes text information and the like input from the key input section instead of uttering a voice to a receiver. I converted it to an audio signal and transmitted it.
Even in situations where you can not speak, such as in a train or movie theater, without disturbing the people around you,
You can talk on the phone.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character input means other than the key input means and a voice synthesizing means, and the character information and the like input by the character input means other than the key input are used instead of uttering a handset. Since the voice is synthesized by the voice synthesizing means and converted into a voice signal and transmitted, the character input means other than the key input such as character recognition is used. It can be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the voice synthesizing section is connectable to a voice input section of a telephone device, and the voice signal converted by the voice synthesizing section is transmitted to the telephone. Since the voice is transmitted through the device, the voice synthesizing function can be used only by connecting or approaching the voice synthesizing device to the telephone device. In addition to the invention of claim 2, a normal telephone device without the voice synthesizing function is provided. But you can use this feature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input character information or the like is transmitted as it is, and the character information is converted into voice by synthesizing the character information in a receiving telephone device or a relay station. Since the data to be transmitted to the line is not audio signals but character information, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced. Further, by providing the voice synthesizing function not in the telephone device but in the relay station, the telephone device does not need the voice synthesizing function, so that the cost is reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, character information or the like is registered in advance in a shortcut key, and when the shortcut key is pressed, the information registered in the shortcut key is converted into a voice signal by a voice synthesis unit. Since the information is transmitted, the operation can be performed more easily by using the shortcut key. Further, since the operation is quicker than the key input and the character input, the waiting time of the other party on the receiving side is shortened, and the mental burden on the other party is also reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a main part for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part schematic block diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main part schematic block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a main part for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a main part schematic block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 51: key input unit, 12, 22, 52: voice synthesis unit, 13, 23, 53: telephone function unit, 21: character input unit, 31: voice synthesis device, 32: telephone device, 41: transmission side key Input unit, 43: transmission-side telephone function unit, 44: reception-side telephone function unit, 45: reception-side speech synthesis unit, 56: shortened key registration unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A key input unit and a voice synthesizing unit;
A telephone device wherein the character information input by the key input means is synthesized by the voice synthesis means, converted into a voice signal, and transmitted. 2. A character input means other than the key input means and a voice synthesizing means, wherein character information input by a character input means other than the key input means is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizing means and converted into a voice signal. A telephone device characterized in that the telephone device transmits the data. 3. The voice synthesizer according to claim 1, wherein the voice synthesizer is connectable to a voice input unit of the telephone device, and the voice signal converted by the voice synthesizer is transmitted through the telephone device. A telephone device according to item 1. 4. A telephone device wherein the input character information is transmitted as it is, and the receiving telephone device or a relay station synthesizes the character information by voice and converts it into voice. 5. Character information is registered in advance in a shortcut key, and when the shortcut key is pressed, information registered in the shortcut key is converted into a voice signal by speech synthesis and transmitted. Telephone equipment.