JPH0832688A - Voice information controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a voice information controller by which a person intending to obtain voice information can listen to voice information in a desired language by simple operation. CONSTITUTION:The voice information controller preparing voice information in plural languages for providing to a caller is provided with an identifying means 2 identifying the nation number, the region number and the sub-number of a caller's number to input, and a selection means 5 varying the kind of the langage of voice information to provide in accordance with the identified nation number, the region number or the sub-number. Based on the nation number or the region number included in the caller's number of the caller, voice information in a langage corresponding to each nation or region is provided for the caller and when the caller specifies the kind of the language of voice information by means of the sub-number of the caller's number, voice information of the specified language is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice information control device for providing information by voice to an unspecified number of callers who access by using a general public line, and in particular, it responds to the callers. It is configured to provide audio information in different languages (in Japanese and English).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In response to recent internationalization, a voice information control device of this type provides voice guidance in a plurality of languages so that callers who use a variety of languages can be provided with appropriate services. The structure is adopted.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-265045 discloses one of such audio information control devices. This device uses the dial-in function to provide voice information in multiple languages. Corresponding voice guidance in different languages to each of the multiple dial-in numbers, depending on the telephone number called. , The voice guidance in each language is output.

As shown in FIG. 10, this voice information control apparatus includes an NCU (network control unit) 101 for controlling connection with a public line and a DTMF detection for detecting a DTMF signal (PB tone) input from the public line. The device 102, the DTMF data storage unit 107 in which a table representing the relationship between the DTMF data and the activation address of the voice information is stored, and the DTMF that compares the detected DTMF signal with the data stored in the DTMF data storage unit 107.
A data comparison unit 103, a voice information storage unit 108 in which code data of voice information in a plurality of languages is stored, a voice output device 104 that converts the code data into a voice signal, and a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the overall operation. Processing device) 105 and C
R in which a program for operating the PU 105 is stored
It is equipped with OM106.

A system shown in FIG. 8 is constructed by incorporating a voice information control device. In this system, a private branch exchange 20 connects a voice information control device to a general public line, and a facsimile terminal 21 capable of facsimile communication with a telephone and a DTMF signal are sent to the private branch exchange 20 and the general public line 23. A telephone 22 or a multifunction telephone 22 that can be connected is connected.

When the voice information control apparatus also has the function of the private branch exchange 20, the system configuration shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.

This voice information control device outputs voice information in different languages according to the sequence shown in FIG.

First, when a call is made from the telephone set 22, the telephone set 22 and the private branch exchange 20 are connected via the general public network 23.
The DTMF signal (PB tone) of the designated extension number (1 to 4 digits in dial-in number) selected by the telephone set 22 is sent to the private branch exchange 20. The private branch exchange 20 sends this DTMF signal to the voice information control device after securing a communication path with the voice information control device.

DTMF detection device 102 of voice information control device
Converts this DTMF signal into code information of 1 to 4 digits and notifies it to the CPU 105. The CPU 105 passes this code information to the DTMF data comparator 103, and the code information corresponding to the DTMF data storage unit 107 exists. Have them check whether or not If it exists, the code data of the voice information of the language (Japanese, English) corresponding to the DTMF data is extracted from the voice information storage unit 108, converted into the voice signal by the voice output device 104, and the NCU 101 is output. The audio (Japanese and English) information is output to the line connected through.

[0010]

However, in the conventional voice information control device which provides voice information in a plurality of languages by using the dial-in service, in order to obtain voice information in a desired language, The caller must know the telephone number of the voice information in advance and must call the telephone number.

Further, in the dial-in service in the general public network, since the extension designation number (actual number) is given at the time of contract with the telephone company, the data (PB) of the DTMF signal received by the voice information control device (PB) is given. The tone) varies depending on the installed voice information control device. Therefore, D
The data content of the TMF data storage unit 107 must be reset for each voice information control device. This is for the administrator of the voice information control device when installing and maintaining the device.
It will require a great deal of effort.

The present invention solves these conventional problems, and a person who wants to obtain voice information can hear the voice information in a desired language with a simple operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a voice information control device that can be easily maintained.

[0013]

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a voice information control device which prepares voice information in a plurality of languages to be provided to a caller, a country code of a caller number to be input, An identification means for identifying the area code or the sub number and a selection means for changing the language type of the audio information to be provided according to the identified country code, area code or sub number are provided.

Further, a voice recognition means for recognizing the voice of the caller and a selection means for changing the language type of the voice information to be provided according to the language type of the recognized voice are provided.

Further, there are provided a facsimile communication control means for performing facsimile communication, and a selection means for changing the language type of the voice information to be provided according to the data content of the control code in the facsimile communication protocol.

[0016]

Therefore, the caller is provided with voice information in a language corresponding to each country or region based on the country-specific number or region number included in the caller number of the caller. When the caller specifies the language type of the voice information by the sub number of the caller number, the voice information in the specified language is provided.

Further, in the voice information control device provided with the voice recognition device, the fixed words such as "Hello" and "Hello" spoken by the caller are voice-recognized, and the voice information in the same language as that language is obtained. Provide to the caller.

When the caller makes a call from the facsimile machine, the content of the facsimile communication control data is set in accordance with the desired language type to specify the language type of the voice information to be provided. You can In this case, after the transmission of the dummy image information from the facsimile device to the voice information control device is completed, the voice information control device provides voice information in a desired language to the attached telephone of the facsimile device.

In such a configuration, since the dial-in service is not used, information selection (Japanese, English)
The data content for is the same in each installed voice information control device. Therefore, it is not necessary to reset the data content for each voice information control device, and the installation, maintenance and management of the voice information control device become easy.

[0020]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) The voice information control apparatus of the first embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the relationship between the NCU1 that controls the connection with the general public digital (ISDN) line, a part of the caller number (country number, area number, sub number) and the activation address of voice information is shown. The comparison caller number storage unit 3 in which the table shown is stored, and a part of the caller numbers input from the general public digital line and the comparison caller number storage unit 3
The caller number comparison device 2 for comparing the number stored in the above, the voice information storage unit 7 for storing a plurality of voice code information (Japanese voice, English voice), and the voice code information for the general digital public. The audio output device 4 for converting the digital information of the line, the CPU (central processing unit) 5 for controlling the output operation of the audio information, and the ROM 6 in which a program for controlling the CPU 5 is stored.

In this voice control device, the sub number in the caller number is used to select the language type in the voice information. This calling number is CCITT (CCITT E.
164), from time T (the target date and time when the world completes the transition to the ISDN numbering plan), the format shown in FIG. It has been decided.

The caller designates a desired language in the voice information by the sub number of the caller number. When the sub number is not specified, the voice control device provides voice information of a language type corresponding to the country code or area code of the caller number.

When the caller number is notified, the caller number comparison device 2 uses the table of the comparison caller number storage unit 3 to specify the subnumber of the caller number, or the country number or the subnumber if no designation is made. The area code is searched for and the address of the voice information storage unit 7 corresponding to the area code is obtained. This address information is transmitted to the CPU 5, and the CPU 5 reads the voice information from the address of the voice information storage unit 7, converts it by the voice output device 4, and outputs it from the ISDN line.

The operation of this voice information control apparatus will be described with reference to the voice information output sequence diagram of FIG. The configuration diagram of a system incorporating this voice information control device is the same as that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

First, when a call is made from the telephone set 22, the telephone set 22 and the private branch exchange 20 are connected via the general public digital network 23, and the private branch exchange 20 calls the voice information control device to call the voice information control device. A communication path is formed with NCU1. As a result, a call path between the calling telephone set 22 and the voice information control device is secured. At this time, the caller number sent from the calling telephone set 22 is notified to the voice information control apparatus via the general public digital network 23 and the private branch exchange 20.

If no sub-number is specified in the notified caller number, the caller number comparison device 2 stores the country code or area code of the caller number in the comparison caller number storage unit 3. Find a matching code by comparing it to the table of country code or area code that is stored. Then, the address of the voice information storage unit 7 corresponding to the code is obtained from the table and notified to the CPU 5. CPU5
Reads the code information of the voice information (for example, English information) from the corresponding address of the voice information storage unit 7, converts it to digital information of the general digital public line by the voice output device 4, and then connects it to the connected line by the NCU 1 Output through.

If a sub number is specified in the notified caller number, the caller number comparison device 2
Compares only the sub number information with the sub number code of the comparison caller number accumulating section 3, and notifies the CPU 5 of the address of the voice information storing section 7 corresponding to the code. CPU5
Reads the code information of the voice information from the corresponding address of the voice information storage unit 7, performs necessary conversion in the voice output device 4, and then outputs it to the connected line through the NCU 1.

When the comparison result of the caller number comparison device 2 does not match (when there is no country code, area code or sub-number code corresponding to the caller number from the calling terminal), the default ( The voice information registered in the voice information storage unit 7 is output as the initial value).

It should be noted that the voice information storage unit 7 stores a lot of voice information of short sentences written in a plurality of languages, and the CPU 5 makes the corresponding language based on the comparison result of the caller number comparison device 2. Of the plurality of voice information are read from the voice information storage unit 7, and the voice output device 4 is used to synthesize and combine them to form one voice information, and the voice information is output to the connected line. It can also be configured to.

(Second Embodiment) The voice information control apparatus of the second embodiment identifies the type of language from the actual voice of the caller,
The language for voice information is selected accordingly.

This device, as shown in FIG. 4, includes a voice recognition device 8 for converting the voice of the calling party into voice code data,
A comparative voice data storage unit 10 that stores voice code data in various languages is compared with the voice code data detected by the voice recognition device 8 and the data stored in the comparison voice data storage unit 10 to make a call. And a voice data comparison device 9 for identifying the language used by the person. The other structure is the same as that of the device of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

The operation of this voice information control apparatus will be described with reference to the voice information output sequence diagram of FIG.

When a call is made from the telephone set 22, the telephone set 22 and the private branch exchange 20 are connected via a general public line (either an analog line or a digital line) 23, and the private branch exchange 20 makes the voice information control device. To establish a communication path with the NCU 1 of the voice information control device. Thereby,
A call path is secured between the calling telephone set 22 and the voice information control device.

Through this communication path, the caller uses the actual voices, "Hello", "Hello" and "Hello".
O) ”,“ THIS IS ”, etc., speaks a boilerplate word that is commonly used in telephone conversations, and the voice recognition device 8 converts the boilerplate word into voice code data and a voice data comparison device. 9, the voice data comparison device 9 compares the voice code data with the data stored in the comparison voice data storage unit 10, and matches the voice code data among the stored data. To search.
When the matching data exists, the CPU 5 that has received the notification of the comparison result reads the voice information in the corresponding language from the voice information storage unit 7 to provide the voice information in the language of the retrieved data, and outputs the voice information. The output device 4 performs necessary conversion and then outputs from the line. Thus, the telephone 22
Through this, voice information in the language used by the caller (Japanese, English, etc.) will be provided.

If the voice data comparing device 9 cannot detect the matching voice code data, or if the voice recognition device cannot correctly recognize the voice, the procedure of the first embodiment is followed. Provide information.

(Third Embodiment) The voice information control apparatus of the third embodiment uses the control data in the facsimile communication procedure to select the language type of voice information.

As shown in FIG. 6, this apparatus executes a communication control procedure with the facsimile terminal 21 and extracts the control data sent from the facsimile communication control apparatus 11, and the control data and the voice information. Comparison control data storage unit that stores a table that describes the relationship with the language type
13, the extracted control data and comparison control data storage unit 13
Control data comparison device 12 for comparing the data stored in
In addition, as in the first embodiment, the NCU is also provided.
1, a CPU 5, a ROM 6, a voice output device 4, and a voice information storage unit 7.

The operation of this voice information control device will be described with reference to the voice information output sequence diagram of FIG.

When a call is made from the facsimile terminal 21, the facsimile terminal 21 and the private branch exchange 20 are sent via the general public line (either analog line or digital line) 23.
Is connected, and the NCU 1 of the voice information control device responds to the call of the private branch exchange 20 to establish a communication path. As a result, a call path is secured between the facsimile terminal 21 and the voice information control device, and CCITT T.S. 30
The control data is exchanged based on the facsimile communication procedure.

First, the calling side transmits a CNG signal as a calling signal, and the facsimile control device 11 responds to this by sending a C
Send back the ED signal. Then, the facsimile controller 11
To notify all functions of the called side from DIS (digital identification signal) / CSI (called terminal identification signal) / NSF
(Non-standard function identification signal), and the calling side specifies the function from the TSI (transmitting terminal identification signal) / DCS
(Digital command signal) / NSS (Nonstandard function setting signal)
Is transmitted to the facsimile communication control device 11.

Among this procedure, CSI / NSF and TSI
The / NSS facsimile information field is used as a control field for selecting voice information including language type. The facsimile communication control device 11 extracts the information of the control field and passes it to the control data comparison device 12,
Then, after receiving the pseudo (dummy) short image information data, a telephone reservation (a procedure involving an operator) is performed and the facsimile communication is ended.

The CPU 5 causes the control data comparison device 12 to compare the control data obtained from the control field with the data stored in the comparison control data accumulating section 13, and the language corresponding to the matched data is used. The voice information is read from the voice information storage unit 7, subjected to necessary conversion by the voice output device 4, and then voice output to the telephone of the facsimile terminal 21 through the NCU 1.

Thus, the voice information in the desired language (Japanese, English, etc.) requested by the caller through the facsimile machine is transmitted through the telephone attached to the facsimile machine.
Provided to the caller.

[0044]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiments, the voice information control apparatus of the present invention is based on the country code or area code of the caller number and the language corresponding to each country or area. Voice information can be provided to the caller. Further, when the caller designates the language type of the voice information by the sub number of the caller number, the caller can comply with it.

In the voice information control device provided with the voice recognition device, it is possible to voice-recognize the fixed word uttered by the caller and provide the caller with the voice information in the same language as that language. Therefore, the caller can obtain voice information in a desired language without doing anything special.

Further, by using the facsimile communication control data, the language type of the provided voice information can be designated.

In any of these cases, the contents of data to be stored do not change depending on the device to be installed, so that the device can be easily installed and maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice information control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the voice information control device according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a format of a caller number input to the voice information control device according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice information control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the voice information control device of the second embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a voice information control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the voice information control device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram incorporating a voice information control device which is separate from the exchange,

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram incorporating a voice information control device having a switch function.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional voice information control device,

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional voice information control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 NCU (Network Control Unit) 2 Caller Number Comparison Device 3 Comparison Caller Number Storage Unit 4 Voice Output Device 5 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6 ROM (Program Storage Area) 7 Voice Information Storage Unit 8 Voice Recognition Device 9 Voice Data comparison device 10 Comparison voice data storage unit 11 Facsimile communication control device 12 Control data comparison device 13 Comparison control data storage unit 20 Private branch exchange 21 Facsimile terminal 22 Telephone 23 General public network 101 NCU (Network control unit) 102 DTMF detection device 103 DTMF Data comparison device 104 Voice output device 105 CPU (central processing unit) 106 ROM (program storage area) 107 DTMF data storage unit 108 Voice information storage unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A voice information control device which prepares voice information in a plurality of languages to be provided to a caller, the identifying means for identifying a country code, a regional code or a sub number to be input. And a selection means for changing the type of language of audio information to be provided according to the identified country code, area code or sub number. 2. A voice information control device which prepares voice information in a plurality of languages to be provided to a caller, wherein a voice recognition means for recognizing the voice of the caller and a language type of the recognized voice are provided. Accordingly, the voice information control device is provided with a selecting means for changing the type of language of the voice information to be provided. 3. A voice information control device which prepares voice information in a plurality of languages to be provided to a caller, and facsimile communication control means for performing facsimile communication, and control code data in a facsimile communication protocol. A voice information control apparatus, comprising: a selection unit that changes the type of language of voice information to be provided according to the content.