KR20010017754A - A method of detecting tone signal for ars - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for detecting a tone signal of an ARS(Automatic Response System) is provided to supply a mute control signal to a DSP(Digital Signal Processor) without using a DTMF(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) detector, so as to smoothly receive a DTMF signal supplied from a telephone set connected through a line after muting an existing voice announcement signal. CONSTITUTION: Whether an external telephone set is connected to an ARS(Automatic Response System) is decided. A compressed digital voice signal stored in a memory(80) is read and supplied to a DSP(Digital Signal Processor,70), then supplied to an A/D converter(60) after the compression is released. Accordingly a voice announcement is performed. Whether a DTMF(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal is supplied is decided. If the DTMF signal is supplied, a CPU(90) supplies a control signal to make the DSP(70) operated in a mute mode. The tone signal from external is analyzed, to supply a corresponding control signal to each function unit. Whether the external telephone set ends connection is decided. If the connection is ended, the first step is returned. And if the connection is maintained, the step of reading the digital voice signal stored in the memory(80) is returned.

Description

A METHOD OF DETECTING TONE SIGNAL FOR ARS}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic response system (ARS), and more particularly, to accurately detect a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal input by a user during automatic voice guidance using a digital signal processor (DSP). It's about making it possible.

Automated answering system (ARS) is a service level for callers, and in case of companies or organizations with a certain size, it is used for the purpose of easily checking general information that is released by voice or general information about necessary departments. The DTMF signal, which is a tone signal generated by the dial button input of the telephone, is a controlled device. Therefore, the performance of the system is determined by the operation of the apparatus that accurately detects the tone signal input from the telephone. do.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an apparatus and method for detecting a tone signal of an automatic answering system according to the prior art.

1 is a functional block diagram of an automatic answering system according to the prior art, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a tone signal detection of an automatic answering system according to an embodiment of the prior art, and FIG. 3 is an automatic signal according to another embodiment of the prior art. Tone signal detection flowchart of response system.

The prior art answering machine according to the accompanying drawings as described above, the A / D conversion unit 10 for converting an analog signal to a digital signal or a digital signal to an analog signal 10 )Wow,

A DSP unit 20 for compressing the digital voice signal or restoring the compressed digital voice signal;

A memory unit 30 for storing the compressed voice signal applied from the DSP unit 20 or applying the stored voice signal to the DSP unit 20;

DTMF detection unit 50 for detecting a DTMF signal which is a dial tone signal of a telephone applied from the outside,

It consists of the CPU 40 which controls the whole automatic answering system.

In addition, the tone signal detection method according to an embodiment includes a confirmation step (S1) of the connection to determine whether a signal for requesting the connection from the user's phone, and

In the above confirming step (S1), when the connection is confirmed, the reproducing step (S2) of the DSP reproducing mode (Mode) for reading out and restoring the compressed data stored in the memory unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40; ,

A sensing step (S3) of determining whether a DTMF signal using a dial from the telephone user is applied through a DTMF detecting unit 50_;

If the DTMF signal is not detected in the detecting step S3, the control unit returns to the reproducing step S2. When the DTMF signal is detected, a control signal is applied to the DSP unit 20 to perform a voice guidance service. Standby step (S4) for switching to the idle state (Idle),

A processing step S5 of analyzing and processing the DTMF signal detected in the sensing step S3 by the CPU 40 to perform a corresponding operation;

When the processing result of the processing step S5 determines whether it is the end, in the case of the termination, it returns to the checking step S1. When the processing result, the other voice response service is requested, the reproduction step S2. End step S6 to be fed back.

In addition, the tone signal detection method according to another embodiment of the prior art, the step of confirming the external connection (S11) for determining whether a signal requesting the connection from the telephone is applied,

In the above confirming step (S11), when the external connection is confirmed, the reproduction step of the DSP reproduction mode (Mode) which reads and restores the digital audio data compressed and stored in the memory unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40. (S12) and,

A sensing step (S13) of determining whether a DTMF signal using a dial is applied from the telephone user through the DSP unit 20;

If the DTMF signal is not detected in the sensing step S13, the control unit returns to the reproducing step S12, and when the DTMF signal is detected, applies a control signal to the DSP unit 20, thereby storing the memory unit 30. A standby step (S14) for decompressing the compressed audio signal from the system and switching the idle signal from the DSP unit 20 to an idle state, which is prevented from being provided to the A / D converter 10; ,

In the idle state of the DSP unit 20 in the step S14, the DSP unit 20 stops its function, so that only the function of releasing the compressed signal read from the memory unit 30 is stopped. A monitoring step (S15) of analyzing a DTMF signal applied through an A / D converter 10 from a telephone externally connected through a line and providing the CPU 40 with the line monitoring and standby mode; ,

A processing step S16 of analyzing and processing the DTMF signal detected in the sensing step S13 by the CPU 40 to perform a corresponding operation;

When the processing result of the processing step S16 determines whether or not the end, and if the termination is returned to the confirmation step (S11), and as a result of the processing step (S16), when a different voice response service is requested End step S17 is fed back to the regeneration step (S12).

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the operation of the prior art by the above configuration will be described in detail.

An automatic answering system (ARS) applies an analog voice signal necessary for an automatic answering guide to the A / D converter 10 to convert the analog signal into a digital signal, and under the control of the CPU 40, the DSP 20 The digital voice signal applied from the A / D converter 10 is compressed and processed, and the memory unit 30 receiving the address signal from the CPU 40 is compressed from the DSP 20. The digital signal is stored in the memory area of the address.

Since the voice signal stored in the memory unit 30 is a voice guide signal corresponding to the number of cases required for guidance, the memory unit 30 should have a large size or capacity.

As described above, the voice guide signal recorded in the memory unit 30 receives and analyzes a DTMF signal by a connection signal and a dialing signal of a telephone user connected from the outside, is received from the DTMF detection unit 50, and analyzes the CPU 40. By applying to the CPU 40, the CPU 40 reads the voice guidance signal corresponding to the signal applied from the DTMF unit 50 from the memory unit 30, and applies it to the DSP unit 20 to perform compression. To be released or restored.

The digital voice signal recovered by the DSP 20 is applied to the A / D converter 10, converted into an analog voice signal, and applied to the connected telephone subscriber.

When the automatic answering system ARS having the above-described configuration operates according to a telephone signal connected from the outside, it is as follows.

Check that the external telephone is connected to the automatic answering system (ARS) via a communication line (S1), and if not connected, return to the connection checking step (S1) to continue to check the connection from the outside, and When the connection is confirmed from the telephone, the CPU 40 applies control signals to the memory unit 30 and the DSP unit 20, respectively, and reads the initial compressed voice guide signal from the memory unit 30, The DSP 20 decompresses and restores the signal, and the A / D converter outputs the analog voice guide signal and broadcasts it.

When the external telephone user listens to the initial voice guidance signal and wishes to receive the necessary voice guidance of the next step, he enters the corresponding dial button of the telephone.

The control signal by the input of the dial button is received by the DTMF detecting unit 50, analyzed, and applied to the CPU 40 (S3).

The CPU 40 stops the existing voice guidance by applying a control signal of an idle mode to the DSP 20 and the memory unit 30 in order to block a signal that has been previously voiced. (S4).

The CPU 40 analyzes and processes a control signal applied from the DTMF detecting unit 50 and applies a control signal necessary to the memory unit 30 and the DSP 20 (S5).

At this time, when the control signal is not a signal for requesting termination, the CPU 40 returns to the regeneration mode S2 and, in the processing step S5, the address applied to the memory unit 30 ( By reading the compressed audio signal from the address), applying the compressed signal to the DSP 20, restoring it to be decompressed, and applying it to the A / D converter 10 to convert it into an analog signal. The connected external user can continue to hear the new voice announcement signal.

However, since the prior art of the above-described embodiment has to use the DTMF detection unit 50 for detecting only the tone signal applied from the external telephone, the price of the automatic answering system is high, and the volume becomes large. There was.

Another embodiment, which solves the problem according to one embodiment of the prior art as described above, does not use the DTMF detection unit 50, and uses the function of the DSP unit 20 to connect an externally connected telephone. It is a technology to detect the applied DTMF signal.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for detecting a tone signal according to another exemplary embodiment will be described.

The automatic answering system (ARS) device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a configuration without the DTMF detecting unit 50 shown in FIG.

In the tone signal detection method according to the above configuration, it is determined whether a signal for requesting a connection is applied from an external telephone (S11). A control signal is applied to the 30 and the DSP unit 20, respectively, and the memory unit 30 reads the compressed initial voice announcement broadcast signal from the area of the designated address and applies it to the DSP unit 20.

The DSP unit 20 recovers the compressed signal and applies the A / D converter 10 to the initial voice announcement broadcast.

An external user hears the initial voice announcement and inputs a corresponding dial button.

The DTMF signal by the dial button signal is applied to the DSP unit 20 via the A / D conversion unit 10, and the CPU 40 analyzes and processes the DTMF signal applied by the DSP unit 20 again. It is applied to (S13).

The CPU 40 receiving the DTMF signal must immediately stop continuously transmitting the voice guidance signal that has been previously broadcast. Therefore, the CPU 40 and the memory unit 30 are in an idle mode. By applying a control signal, the memory unit 30 no longer reads the recorded signal, and the DSP unit 20 is in an idle state in which it does not operate.

Since the DSP unit 20 does not operate at all in the idle state, the DTMF signal input by the external access telephone cannot be analyzed and processed, and also cannot be applied to the CPU 40.

Therefore, the CPU 40 immediately applies a control signal to the DSP unit 20 to switch to a monitoring mode capable of monitoring a DTMF signal applied from an externally connected telephone via a line connected to the outside (S15). .

When the DSP unit 20 is switched from the standby step S14 to the monitoring step S15, as an embodiment, it takes about 90 ms to 120 ms.

The CPU 40 applies the control signal corresponding to the DTMF control signal to the memory unit 30 and the DSP unit 20 (S16), determines whether it is a signal for requesting termination at the same time, and continues the voice. In the case of requesting the guide service, it is returned to the reproducing step S12 (S17), and the reproducing step S12 to the processing step S16 are continuously repeated.

However, the above technique does not use the DTMF detection unit 50, and the DSP unit 20 replaces the function, thereby reducing costs, miniaturization, and the like. However, in the standby step S14, the monitoring step ( There is a problem that the user has to re-enter the system and the reliability of the system is reduced by not recognizing the DTMF signal input during the time of switching to S15), that is, about 90 ms to 120 ms.

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, by applying a silent control signal to a DSP without using a DTMF sensor, thereby blocking an existing voice announcement and simultaneously applying a DTMF signal from a telephone connected through a line. The purpose is to provide a method for receiving all of them smoothly.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tone signal sensing method applied from an external telephone to an automatic answering system, comprising: a first step of determining whether an external telephone is connected to an automatic answering system; And a third step of guiding voice by reading and storing the stored voice signal to a digital signal processor, a third step of determining whether a tone signal is applied from an external telephone, and a tone signal is applied in the third step, A fourth step of applying a control signal to the digital signal processor to operate in a silent mode, a fifth step of analyzing a tone signal applied in the third step and applying a control signal corresponding to each functional unit, and the external If it is determined that the telephone is disconnected and is still connected, the method returns to the second step. Tone signal detection method of the automatic answering system is configured.

1 is a functional block diagram of an automatic answering system according to the prior art;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a tone signal detection of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the prior art;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a tone signal detection of an answering machine according to another embodiment of the prior art;

4 is a functional block diagram of an automatic answering system used in the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a tone signal detection of an automatic answering system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10,60: A / D converter 20,70: DSP

30,80: memory 40,90: CPU

50: DTMF detector

Hereinafter, a tone signal detection method of an automatic answering system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of an automatic answering system used in the present invention, Figure 5 is a tone signal detection flowchart of the automatic answering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The technique of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as described above, the A / D converter 60 for converting an analog voice signal into a digital voice signal or a digital voice signal into an analog voice signal, and compressing the digital voice signal. Or a digital signal processor (DSP) unit 70 for restoring and outputting a compressed digital voice signal, and storing the compressed voice signal applied from the DSP unit 70 and storing the compressed voice signal. An apparatus composed of a memory unit 80 applied to 20 and a CPU 90 for controlling the entire automatic answering system, which is the same as that used in another embodiment of the prior art.

In addition, the tone signal detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first step (S20) and the feedback back to the beginning of the first step if not connected to determine whether the external telephone is connected to the automatic answering system; ,

When the connection is confirmed in the first step S20, the digital voice signal compressed and stored in the memory unit 80 is read by the control signal of the CPU 90 and the digital signal processor DSP is read. A second step (S30) in which the compression is released by applying to the 70 and applied to the A / D converter 60 to convert the analog voice signal into voice guidance;

A third step S40 of determining whether a DTMF tone signal by a dial button input is applied from an external telephone, and returning to the second step S30 if the tone signal is not applied;

In the third step S40, when the tone signal is applied, the fourth step of applying the control signal from the CPU 90 to operate in the mute mode to the digital signal processor (DSP) unit 70 ( S50),

In the third step (S40), by analyzing the tone signal applied from the external telephone, the CPU 90, the address control signal to the memory unit 80 and the decompression control signal, etc. to the DSP unit 70 A fifth step (S60) of applying a control signal corresponding to each functional unit;

It is determined whether the external telephone has terminated the connection, and when the connection is terminated, returns to the first step (S20), and if the connection continues, the sixth step (S70) returns to the second step (S30). It is composed.

Hereinafter, a tone signal sensing method of an automatic answering system according to the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Check whether the external telephone connected to the automatic answering system through the communication line is connected (S20). If not, check the connection again. If the connection is established, the memory unit 80 by the CPU 90 is connected. ) Is supplied with an address control signal in which the initial voice guidance broadcast signal is recorded, and thus a compressed initial voice guidance signal is output, and a control signal for releasing compression is applied to the DSP unit 70. While the initial voice guidance signal applied from the memory unit 80 is decompressed, it is applied to the A / D converter 60, and the digital voice signal is converted into an analog voice signal and applied to an external connection telephone through a line. The voice announcement broadcast is started (S30).

A user who listens to the initial voice announcement broadcast may input a corresponding dial button according to the guided content.

Therefore, the CPU 90 determines whether the DTMF tone signal is input from the external access telephone through the A / D converter 60 and the DSP 70 (S40).

If the tone signal is not input, the feedback to the second step (S30) to continue the initial voice announcement broadcast, and when a specific tone signal is input from the external connection telephone through the DSP unit 70, the The CPU 90 applies a control signal so that the voice signal recorded from the memory unit 80 can no longer be read, in order to stop the contents of the existing voice announcement broadcast, and at the same time, the DSP unit 70 The control signal is applied to the mobile terminal, thereby preventing the compressed voice signal from being released and converting to the silent mode (Mute Mode) in which some of the decompressed signals are not output.

The DSP 70 operating in the silent mode does not output a signal applied from the memory unit 80, but analyzes and processes the DTMF tone signal applied through the A / D converter 60 to process the CPU 90. To apply.

The CPU 90 analyzes the contents of the DTMF signal applied in the third step S40, applies a corresponding address signal to the memory unit 80, and applies the DSP unit 70. The control signal is applied to release the compressed voice signal.

At the same time, the CPU 90 determines whether a signal for terminating the connection is applied from an external connection telephone, and if a connection termination signal is applied, returns to the first step S20 to wait for the connection of the external telephone. If the signal for terminating the connection is not applied from the externally connected telephone, it is fed back to the second step (S30), and the signal processed in the fifth step is the A / D. It is applied to the conversion unit 60 to reproduce the analog voice signal and broadcast the voice guide to the connected telephone.

The present invention as described above does not stop the function of the DSP unit 70, and does not stop the reproduction of the compressed audio signal, but mutes the process so that the DSP unit 70 cannot be output in a normal operation state. Since the DTMF tone signal applied from the external telephone is applied to the CPU 90 through the A / D converter 60 and the DSP 70.

Therefore, the same function as the interruption of the reproduction of the audio signal, while maintaining the detection capability of the DTMF tone signal.

The present invention as described above has the effect of detecting the same DTMF tone signal as using the dedicated DTMF detector without using a dedicated DTMF detector, but also using a new DTMF detector, and when a new DTMF control signal is input. By muting the voice announcement signal that is previously broadcast, the effect is the same as that of stopping playback.

In addition, there is an industrial use effect that lowers the price of the system and improves consumer reliability.

Claims (1)

In the tone signal detection method applied to an automatic answering system from an external telephone, A first step of determining whether an external telephone is connected to the answering machine; A second step of guiding the voice by reading the compressed and stored voice signal from the memory and applying it to the digital signal processor; Determining whether a tone signal is applied from an external telephone, A fourth step of applying a control signal to the digital signal processor to operate in a silent mode when the tone signal is applied in the third step; A fifth step of analyzing a tone signal applied in the third step and applying a control signal corresponding to each functional unit; And a sixth step of feeding back to the second step if the external telephone is determined to be disconnected and is still connected.