JPS622299A - Voice message apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a voice message device used for transmitting voice messages.

<Prior art> This type of conventional voice message device is mechanical and uses recording tape, so the mechanism of the tape drive unit that performs recording and playback is extremely complicated, and operability during recording and playback is difficult. (Recording, cueing during playback, rewinding, etc.) are complicated and difficult to handle.

Since tape is used for recording, there are many problems caused by the mechanism, such as wear of the tape and winding up in the mechanism, and a mechanism for replacing the tape is also required, making the structure 1 even more complicated.

Also, if you want to play back after recording, you must always rewind to the point at which recording started. If the work of rewinding to the recording start point at the same time as the end of recording could be performed automatically, the mechanism would become even more complicated. The tape must be rewound after the recording has finished, or when the message is being played back to listen to the message, but this operation can be extremely cumbersome for those who are not familiar with tape recorder operations.

In the mechanical system, interlocking the clock display section and the recording/playback section is complicated, difficult, and expensive.

As mentioned above, conventional mechanical voice message devices that use recording tapes are complicated to operate, have mechanical problems, are complex in mechanical parts, and are complicated and expensive in the control system linked to the time display. It has the following drawbacks.

Purpose> In view of the above points, the present invention provides a voice message device that can easily and easily control the operational complexity, troubles caused by the mechanism, the complexity of the mechanical part, and the time display section and voice recording/playback section. is intended to provide.

In other words, by applying voice analysis and synthesis technology to the voice recording/playback section and storing the voice data in a semiconductor memory, there is no mechanical section and there are no problems caused by the mechanism, and by using a control section and a microcomputer. To provide an inexpensive and easy-to-operate voice message device in which the recording and playback operations are extremely simple, and the counting and display of recording time and playback time are easily linked.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the voice message device of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the voice message device of the present invention, and is an example in which the voice message device of the present invention is incorporated into a dining table placed in a home dining room or the like.

As an example of incorporating the voice message device of the present invention, a dining table will be explained as an example, but it can also be incorporated into a part of a storage rack for electric appliances such as a microwave oven installed in a kitchen, etc., or as a part of a unit in a system kitchen. It goes without saying that it can be built into the top table of a kotatsu or used as a stand-alone device.

In FIG. 1, A is a dining table 1. B.C.

D and E are table chairs. Reference numeral 1 denotes a voice message device of the present invention, which is embedded in a corner of the top plate of a dining table with the operation surface facing upward.

FIG. 2 is an example of the operation section of the voice message device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 2 is a microphone that converts audio into an electrical signal, and 3 is a display unit that displays the current time, one hour timer, recording time, and playback time. 4 is a set switch for setting the clock, and 5 is for setting the time numbers. Switch 6.
7 is a timer that sounds an alarm or outputs a voice message after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
Timer I, Timer 2, and 2 are on sackcloth. 8 is a stop switch to stop the alarm sound, 9 is a playback switch to play back the contents recorded in the voice message device as audio, and 1o is a message lamp that lights up to indicate that a voice message has been recorded and there is a message. There is a message when the lights are turned off, and there is no message when the lights are turned off. ]1 is a recording switch that is operated when trying to record hypothetical words. 12 is a speaker of an audio output section.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the voice message device of the present invention, and the display section 3 displays the current time of 11:58 a.m. as an example.

Reference numeral 13 indicates a key matrix input section of the operation switch, which corresponds to each switch shown in FIG.

14 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as μp) for controlling the present device. 10 is a message lamp that indicates the presence or absence of a message. ! 6 is a speech analysis and synthesis LSI, 17 is a speech analysis and synthesis LS1. ! This is a semiconductor memory that stores voice data that has been analyzed.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an audio amplifier of an audio output section which synthesizes the audio data stored in the semiconductor memory 17 by the audio analysis/synthesis LSI 16, amplifies the audio signal converted into an audio electrical signal, and outputs it as audio. 12 is a speaker of an audio output section. Reference numeral 2 denotes a microphone that converts voice into an electrical signal, and this voice signal is input to the voice analysis and synthesis LSI+6. 15 is a power supply unit that supplies power to the system of the present invention. 19 is the power supply of the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section, set to 0N1.
This is a switching transistor that turns 0FF. μp14
The audio amplifier 18 in the audio output section is controlled by the switching signal 21 of the transistor I9.

Reference numeral 20 indicates an output part for an alarm (notification sound).

The audio analysis and synthesis LSI 16 analyzes the audio signal converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 2 into audio data, stores the audio data in the semiconductor memory I7, and synthesizes the audio data stored in the semiconductor memory 17. This is an LSI that reproduces audio signals as audio signals.

The operation of the voice message device of the present invention will be explained below.

[1] When attempting to record a message, first press the recording switch 11, and the recording switch 11 of the key matrix input section 13 of the operation switch linked to this turns ON.
μp 14 learns that the recording switch 11 has been pressed. From the normal time mode, μp14 enters the recording mode, and the audio analysis synthesis LI! ]6 into recording mode. Also, if the AMII: 5g displayed on the clock display section 3 is deleted and the recording time is 16 seconds, for example, the recordable time is 16 seconds, the clock display section 3 displays 16 seconds.
Display.

The recording time is the sampling time when the voice analysis and synthesis LSI +6 inputs the voice signal and analyzes it into voice data (e.g. bit rate 32 kbps, I6kbps, etc.) and the semiconductor memory IJ-6 that stores this voice data.
It is determined by the memory capacity of 17. In other words, the sampling bit rate analyzed by the speech analysis and synthesis LSI 16 is set to 3.
2 kbps and 256 kbit in semiconductor memory 17
If D-RAM (dynamic RAM) is used, 16 seconds of recording is possible. If the bit rate is set to 16 kbps, it will take 32 seconds. For general messages, a recording time of 16 seconds is sufficient for practical use. If you need even longer recording times, use semiconductor memo! J-17 may be added or the bit rate may be lowered, but in this case the sound quality will deteriorate. The μp 14 enters the recording mode and displays the recording time of 16 seconds on the clock display section 3. At the same time μp
14 starts time counting and counts down as the recording time passes, and the recording time display changes from 16 to 15 and then 1.
4..., 13..., the remaining time of the recording time is displayed on the clock display section 3 every second. When this display reaches 0, the μp 14 cancels the recording mode, displays the current time on the clock display section 3, and returns to the clock mode. Then, the message lamp 10 is turned on to indicate that there is a message.

When in recording mode, μp14 uses voice analysis and synthesis LS116.
Set to i-recording mode.

When a person speaks into the microphone 2, the microphone 2 converts the voice into an electrical signal and inputs the electrical signal to the speech analysis and synthesis LSI+6. The audio analysis and synthesis LSI +6 converts this electrical signal into audio data at a preset sampling time, that is, a bit rate of 32kbps, and then outputs the audio data to μp+4.
According to the command, the audio data is stored in the semiconductor memory ■7. When the recording time passes and the recording time becomes 0, μ
The command at p14 puts the voice analysis and synthesis LSI +6 in a standby state, and the voice analysis and synthesis LSI +6 no longer accepts voice input from the microphone 2 and the like.

[2] If you want to play the message, press the playback switch 9
When is pressed, the playback switch 9 of the key human power section 13 linked to this turns on, and the μp 14 recognizes that the playback switch 9 has been pressed.

μp+4 enters the playback mode, displays the current time on the clock display section 3 to indicate that the playback time (same as the recording time) is 16 seconds, and at the same time starts a countdown to display the elapsed playback time.

Next, the μp 14 outputs a signal 21 to turn on the power of the audio amplifier 18 in the audio output section to turn on the switching transistor 19 in order to operate the audio amplifier 18 in the audio output section. Furthermore, the voice analysis and synthesis LSI+6 is set to playback mode, and the voice data is read from the start of recording in the semiconductor memory 17 based on the μp140 finger #, and the voice analysis and synthesis LSI
S116 synthesizes this audio data and reproduces and outputs an audio electrical signal. This audio electrical signal is amplified by the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section and converted into audio by the speaker 12. When the playback time of 16 seconds ends, that is, the display section 3 shows O.
In this case, μp14 becomes the normal time mode. The speech analysis and synthesis LS 116 enters a standby state. At the same time, the switching transistor 19 is turned off to turn off the power to the audio amplifier 18 in the audio output section. The recorded contents are stored in semiconductor memory +7 without being erased.

When deleting a message that has already been recorded, press the stop switch 8 and the recording switch 11 at the same time, which turns on the switches 8 and II of the key power unit 13, and μpJ4 receives this input and starts the voice analysis and synthesis LS 116. The audio data in the semiconductor memory 17 is erased through the semiconductor memory 17. Message lamp 10
will turn off to indicate that the message has been deleted.

As described above, recording and playback operations are extremely simple. That is, if you wish to record, press the recording switch 11, check the recording time indication (16 seconds in the example of the present invention) on the clock display 3, and speak a message into the microphone 2.
Under the control of Speech Analysis and Synthesis LSI+6 and Semiconductor Memo I
) -17 allows you to record audio. (If a recording has already been made, this will be deleted and a new recording will be made.)
In this case, it can be seen that the message is being recorded by the message lamp 100 lighting up. The remaining recording time can be checked by counting down the time as the recording progresses, making recording easy and a very convenient function.

Next, the message can be easily reproduced by pressing the reproduction switch 9. μp+4 receives this input, synthesizes the audio data of the semiconductor memo IJ-17 via the audio analysis and synthesis LSI 1a, and outputs the recorded information as audio from the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section through the speaker 12. Recording or playback can be done by simply operating the respective switches 9 and 11.

[3] When used as a timer Two sets of timers, timer 1 and timer 2, are built into the timer. Timer 1 can be linked with an alarm sound pre-programmed in μP 14, and timer 2 can be linked with a voice message device.

First, the use of timer 1 will be explained. For example, let's take the case of supplying water to a bathtub (in a typical household, when filling a bathtub with water, one would open the faucet, decide on the amount of water to be poured out, and empirically determine how many minutes later the appropriate amount of water had been supplied by looking at a clock). However, the timer 1 of the present invention can be used in such a case. Various other application examples are possible.) When the input button 6 of the timer 1 is pressed, the switch 6 of the key manual section 13 linked to this is activated. When it turns ON, μp14 knows that timer 1 has been input. If the time has not been set previously, 1-:00 is displayed on the display section 3. If a time has been previously set, that time will be displayed. For example, if the time is 30 minutes, it is displayed as r-:so.

In this display 1-: ao, the 1- part indicates that the timer 1 is operating, the : part displays seconds, and the 300 part indicates time and 30 minutes.

Next, input the set switch 4 to set the time.

The 10 minute digit on display 3 flashes (+-:'1Eo
). Then, when the number feed switch 51&: is pressed, the 10's digits will increase sequentially from 0 to 9 as input is made sequentially. When the desired time (for example, '3'') is reached, turn on the set switch 4. The single digit on the display 3 will blink (1-:→'').
! 9'''. When the number feed switch 5 is input, the 1 digit increases sequentially from 0 to 9 as described above, and when the desired time is reached as described above (for example, "7#"), the set switch 4 is input. The display unit 3 displays (1-:37). Next, when the set switch 4 is input, the timer 1 starts and the timer starts counting down. The colon flashes in seconds. The display unit 3 sequentially subtracts the display from 1-:36 in units of one minute as time passes. These time controls are μp
It is controlled by the program set in step 14. When the set time has elapsed, an alarm sound pre-programmed in μp14 is output from the alarm output 2o of μp14. At the same time, the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section
A signal 2] for turning on the power source is output to make the switching transistor 19 conductive. In addition to automatically stopping the alarm sound after a set period of time, it can also be stopped by inputting stop switch 80. If you do not want to change the set time, start timer I by simply inputting input switch 6 of timer I. This is useful when using a regular time every day (such as when filling a bathtub) as a timer.If you want to change the time, just repeat the above operation. If you want to start and then stop halfway, press stop switch 8 to cancel timer l and μp14.
returns to the time mode and the display section 3 displays the current time.

Further, when the user wants to know the current time while the timer is operating, the user can input the set switch 4 and display the time on the display section 3 for a certain period of time.

Next, the use of timer 2 will be explained.

In this case, the time setting method is roughly the same as described above, but the display section 3 displays 2-, oo, indicating that the timer 2 is operating. This timer differs from the timer 1 in that the recorded message is played back after the set time has elapsed. That is, when it is necessary to make a call 60 minutes from now, first press switch 7 of timer 2, set the time in the same way as timer 1, and record the call to XXX. After 60 minutes, the recorded message is played back and announced by voice from the speaker 12. (How to set the current time is a matter of ignorance and will be omitted from the explanation.) Next, the above operation will be explained using a flowchart.

[l] When attempting to record a message As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the current time is normally displayed on the display section 3 in the clock mode (main routine), but when the recording switch 11 is pressed to record a message, μp14 receives the input and enters recording mode. μp14 sets the speech analysis and synthesis LSI 16 to recording mode. At the same time, the available recording time is displayed on the display.

Next, count down the recording time in seconds and subtract the displayed value one by one to the value of seven.

At the same time as displaying the available recording time, the voice analysis and synthesis LS116 analyzes the voice input from the microphone 2 into voice data.
It is stored in the semiconductor memo IJ-17 based on the command of p14. If there is a recordable time, this is repeated and the contents of the message are sequentially stored in the semiconductor memory 17.

When the recordable time is O, that is, 0 is displayed on the display section 3, the message lamp 10 is turned on to indicate that there is a message. The recording mode is canceled, that is, the speech analysis and synthesis LSI 16 is placed in standby mode, and the display section 3 returns to the normal clock mode (main routine) in which the current time is displayed.

[2] When attempting to reproduce a message, as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, the μp+4 is normally in the clock mode (main routine) where the current time is displayed on the display section 3, but when the reproduction switch 9 is input, the μp+4 changes to the reproduction mode. The voice analysis and synthesis LS 116 is set from standby mode to playback mode.

The playback time is displayed on the display section 3 and a time countdown is started. The playback time is counted down in units of one second, and the values are sequentially subtracted and displayed on the display section 3.

The audio output unit ON signal output 2I is output from μp+4 to operate the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output unit. Speech analysis synthesis L
SI+6 is a semiconductor memory IJ- based on the command of μp14.
It reads the audio data stored in 17, synthesizes it, and outputs an audio signal.

The audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section amplifies this and outputs it as audio from the speaker 7''12.

If there is playback time, this is repeated one after another and the voice message is output as audio from the speaker 12.

When the playback time reaches 0, the μp 14 outputs an OFF signal 2■ to the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section to stop the operation of the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section. Audio output (speaker 1
2) is stopped. Further, the speech analysis and synthesis LS 116 is returned to the standby mode, and reading from the semiconductor memory 17 is staggered.

μp+4 returns to normal clock mode (main routine) [3] When used as timer 1 As shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8, the display section 3 is normally in clock mode where the current time is displayed. (Main routine) When input switch 6 of timer 1 is input, μp+4 enters timer 1 mode. The display unit 3 displays I-700.

(If the time setting for timer 1 has not been input before, I-,00 will be displayed. If the time setting for timer 1 has been set before that time, that time will be displayed.) Set the time for timer 1 mode. If the set switch 4 is input, μp+4 receives this input and changes to 10 on the display section 3.
Make the minute digits blink.

■-: Input the 3-non-3-3 0-order feed switch 5.

When the switches 5 are sequentially input, the display section 3 blinks. Each time a 10th digit number is entered, the number changes from 0 to 9.
changes up to. When the number of the desired setting time flashes, inputting the set switch 4 changes the number from flashing to lighting.

In the example of the flowchart, set switch 4 is input by pressing the 10 minute digit. By inputting this set switch 4, the 10 minute digit displays y and at the same time the 1 minute digit blinks.

Repeat the above operations, and when the desired time is displayed in the digits of 1 minute, press the set switch 4. In the example of 70 charts, 37 minutes is displayed. That is, the display section 3
is displayed as l-:yo7.

Next, when set switch 4 is input, timer l starts, and the colon flashes every second (counting seconds) to indicate that timer l has started.

The timer counts down and decrements every minute, which is displayed on the display section 3. Repeat this until the set time, and when the set time has passed, that is, 37 minutes, when the display section shows 1-200, output the notification sound output signal 20 programmed in advance to μp+4, and at the same time turn off the power to the audio output section. A signal 21 to turn on is output, the switching transistor 19 is made conductive, the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section is turned on, and the speaker 12 outputs an alarm sound. An alarm will sound after the set time.

The alarm sounds for a preset time, and when the time elapses, the output of the notification sound output signal 20 is stopped, and a signal 21 is also provided to turn off the power to the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section.
output, and turn off the power to the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section.
and stop the notification sound. To stop the notification sound within the set time, input the stop switch 8. Upon receiving this input, μP 14 immediately stops outputting the notification sound output signal 20, and also turns off the power to the audio amplifier 18 in the audio output section. Outputs a signal 21'5 to turn off the audio amplifier 18 of the audio output section.
Turn the power to 0FFL and stop the notification sound. After that, the watch returns to normal watch mode (main routine).

Furthermore, if the timer (2) is to be used continuously, the user inputs the input button of "Thai Rumor-1", the setting dark part input according to the above is displayed on the display section 3, and the timer (2) starts at the set time. From here on, the procedure goes to C in the flowchart and the same as above. When changing the time setting, the process returns to flowchart D and the process is as described above. If you do not want to change the time that has been set, simply press the input switch 6 of timer 1 to start timer 1, which is very convenient.

[4] When used as timer 2 A case will be described in which the timer 2 is used to output a message after a set time as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9.

When the 2-person timer switch 7 is input, the .mu.p 14 enters the timer 2 mode and displays 2-200 on the display section 3.

The flowchart for setting the timer for one hour is the same as that for timer 1, so the explanation will be omitted. Next, input the recording switch 11 to set the μP14 to the recording mode.The following is the same as the flowchart above and is omitted here, but when the recording time ends, the timer counts down like Timer I, and when the set time elapses, the μP14 goes into the playback mode. The incoming message is output from the speaker 12.

This is the same as the flowchart for reproducing the message and will be omitted here.

When the reproduction mode ends, the mode changes to normal mode and the current time is displayed on the display section 3.

As mentioned above, audio analysis and synthesis L is used in the part where audio is recorded and played back.
By using SI + 6, semiconductor memory 17, and microcomputer 14, the mechanical part is changed, making it extremely easy to operate, and eliminating the need for tape replacement and recording head maintenance.A highly reliable voice message device with a long life. It also has great effects, such as displaying the current time and setting a timer using alarms and messages. Since tape and mechanical parts are no longer required, membrane switches are used on the operation panel, making it easy to waterproof in case of spills of seasonings or drinking water9. It is now possible to incorporate it into Yagura's top table, etc., and its effects are extremely large, expanding its application to areas that could not be achieved with mechanical tape-based systems.

In terms of operability, when you want to record a message, all you have to do is press the recording switch II and say what you want to say into the microphone 2.The elapsed recording time will be displayed on the display 3 and you can see at a glance how much time you can record. Understand. When playing back and listening to a recorded message, when the playback switch 9 is pressed, the message can be heard from the speaker 12. Unlike mechanical systems that use recording tape, there is no need to worry about rewinding or cueing, making the operation easy.

Since it is easy to operate and has no mechanical parts, it can be easily incorporated into dining tables, children's study desks, storage racks in the kitchen, etc. Since there is no mechanical part and there is no need to replace the tape, it is easy to seal if, for example, seasonings or drinking water are spilled on the dining table.

Since it is easy to operate, it can be easily used by everyone from relatively small children to the elderly, and it can be incorporated into dining tables, etc., which are the center of the family, and its applications are greatly expanded.

For example, if a mother had to go out for urgent business at the time when her child was coming home from school, conventionally the mother would write a message for the child on a memo pad and go out, but with the voice message device of the present invention, the mother's voice can be recorded as a message. Compared to memo paper, it allows for more human communication, such as conveying a mother's warmth to her child. This can be expected to have a great effect on communication not only between mothers and children but also between family members.

<Effects> Since the voice message device of the present invention has the above configuration,
Trouble caused by operational complexity or mechanism can be eliminated, and voice messages can be sent reliably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of use of an embodiment of the voice message device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan configuration diagram of the operation section showing an embodiment of the voice message device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the voice message device of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the voice message device of the present invention. In the drawings, 2 is a microphone, 4 is a microcomputer, 16 is a voice analysis/synthesis LSI, and 1 is a semiconductor memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Audio analysis and synthesis, in which an audio signal converted into an electrical signal by a microphone, etc. is analyzed into audio data, the audio data is stored in a semiconductor memory, and the audio data stored in the semiconductor memory is synthesized and reproduced as an audio signal. and a control means for controlling the voice analysis and synthesis means to input a predetermined audio signal through a microphone or the like, and output the predetermined audio signal from an audio output section to send a predetermined message. A voice message device characterized by: