JP3035907B2 - Telephone device with voice response function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for detecting a call signal from an external communication line so that a voice input from a microphone is recognized as a predetermined voice via a voice recognition unit. The present invention relates to a telephone device having a voice response function having a voice response function capable of starting a hands-free call via a microphone and a speaker without performing an off-hook operation.
A voice response function that enables calls using the handset when the answering machine mode or facsimile only mode is set, and disables the voice response function to reduce the start of a hands-free call due to a malfunction of the voice response function. The present invention relates to an attached telephone device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a call signal from an external communication line is detected, a response such as "Hi" is made to a telephone device to make a hands-free call with a communication partner. A telephone device with a voice response function having a voice response function that can be started has been put to practical use.

In this type of telephone apparatus with a voice response function, a length of about 0.2 second to 0.8 second, 400 Hz to 1500 H
When a voice having a frequency of z and a volume of -30 dB or more is recognized, it is determined that there is a voice response by the user, and a hands-free call is started.

[0004]

However, since the voice uttered by a person varies from person to person, the length, frequency and loudness of the sound described above must be adjusted in order to be usable by everyone. The voice response function malfunctions due to the passing sounds of trains, sirens of ambulances, etc., and communication with the communication partner is started against the will of the user. there were. These problems are very inconvenient, especially when the user is not near the telephone device or when the user does not want to answer the telephone, and is not desirable for the communication partner or the user. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to make a call with a handset and disable a voice response function when an answering machine mode or a facsimile only mode is set. hands free
It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone device with a voice response function that enables a voice response according to a user's intention by prohibiting the start of communication in a state and that can reduce malfunction of the voice response function. .

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a telephone apparatus with a voice response function according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a microphone for inputting voice, a speaker for outputting voice,
When a call signal from the external communication line is detected, a voice recognition unit that determines whether the voice input from the microphone is a predetermined voice, and based on the determination by the voice recognition unit, performs communication with the communication partner based on the microphone. A telephone signal with a voice response function provided with a voice response means which can be started in a hands-free state via a speaker and a handset for communicating with a communication partner via an external communication line. When a call is detected, a ringing tone sounds for a predetermined period of time to notify the detection of a calling signal, then the line with an external communication line is closed, and an answering machine for receiving a message from a communication partner is received. Mode and a mode setting unit capable of switching the mode to the answering machine mode, and when the mode is set to the answering machine mode via the mode setting unit, a call is made. Via the external communication line to enable the call to the communication destination by the off-hook of the handset to detect the item, and, hands by voice response unit
It is characterized in that the start of communication in the free state is prohibited.

[0007] According to the audio response function with telephone apparatus, if via the mode setting unit is the mode set in the answering machine mode, upon detecting a call signal from the external communication line, hands by voice response unit The start of communication in the free state is prohibited. Thus, when the user sets the mode to the answering machine mode and leaves the vicinity of the telephone device,
The voice response means is activated based on the judgment of the voice recognition unit due to the passing sound of the train or the siren of the ambulance, etc.
This eliminates the inconvenience of starting a hands-free call against the user's will. Moreover, even if it is set to voice mail mode, the call to the communication destination if off-hook the handset is kept ready, be a call by the handset with the other party if necessary it can.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone apparatus having a voice response function, comprising: a microphone for inputting voice, a speaker for outputting voice, and a call signal from an external communication line. Upon detection, a voice recognition unit that determines whether the voice input from the microphone is a predetermined voice, and, based on the determination of the voice recognition unit, performs communication with the communication partner in a hands-free state via the microphone and the speaker. When a call signal from the external communication line is detected in a telephone device with a voice response function having a voice response means which can be started by a telephone and a handset for making a call with a communication partner via the external communication line, Is sounded for a predetermined period of time to notify the detection of a call signal, the line with the external communication line is closed, and reception of facsimile data transmitted from the external communication line is started. A facsimile-only mode for recording and printing based on facsimile data, and a mode setting unit capable of mode switching to a facsimile-only mode are further provided.If the mode is set to the facsimile-only mode via the mode setting unit, Off-hook of the handset in response to detection of a call signal enables communication with a communication partner via an external communication line, and prohibits the start of hands-free communication by voice response means. Things.

According to this voice response function with telephone apparatus, if via the mode setting unit is the mode set in the facsimile-only mode, upon detecting a call signal from the external communication line, hands by voice response unit The start of communication in the free state is prohibited. Thus, when the user desires only facsimile reception for the call signal from the external communication line, the voice response means is activated based on the judgment of the voice recognition unit based on the sound of opening and closing the door and the sound of the television. This eliminates the inconvenience of starting a hands-free call against the user's will. Further, even if the facsimile-only mode is set, since the call to the communication destination if off-hook the handset is kept ready, the destination optionally Handose
It is possible to the call by Tsu door.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the telephone apparatus with a voice response function according to the third aspect, the telephone apparatus with the voice response function according to the first or second aspect is transmitted from an external communication line. A caller information recognizing unit for recognizing caller information is further provided, and when the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is not set, the caller information is recognized as specific caller information via the caller information recognizing unit. Sometimes, it is possible to start the communication by the voice response means.

According to this telephone apparatus with a voice response function, the communication by the voice response means is started when the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is not set, by the specific caller via the caller information recognition unit. It can be executed only when the information is recognized. Thus, when the answering machine mode or the facsimile-only mode is not set, a call signal from a caller who does not want to answer the call or a call signal from a caller who does not know who is being sent is provided by stereo sound or dog barking. The voice response means is activated based on the judgment of the recognizing unit, so that the inconvenience of starting the hands-free call against the user's intention is eliminated. Further, if the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is set, the voice response is prohibited, so that the hands-free call does not start by mistake. Further, even if the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is set, if the handset is off-hook, the communication with the communication partner can be maintained, so that it is possible to communicate as needed.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cordless parent-child telephone device having a voice response function according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a master unit 10 connected to an external communication line and a slave unit 50 communicable with the master unit 10 via a wireless communication line as shown in FIG. It is configured.

The base unit 10 provided in the cordless parent-child telephone device is a multifunctional telephone device having various functions such as an answering machine function, a facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a printer function. As elements, master controller 11, which controls the center of control, master operation panel 13, master liquid crystal display (LCD) 15, master call bell 17, scanner 19, printer 21, code /
Decoder 23, modem 25, line control circuit (NCU) 2
7, a handset 29, a base unit speaker 31, a base unit microphone 33, a base unit wireless communication control circuit 35, a base unit antenna 37, and a switch 39.

The base unit controller 11 includes a CPU, an RO,
This is a logical operation circuit including an M, a RAM, an EEPROM, a timer, a voice recognition unit 12, a caller information recognition unit 14, and the like. The CPU executes various control processes such as a voice response process described later. Note that programs for various control processes executed by the CPU and data necessary for the control processes are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM is used as a work area and a buffer in various control processes. Further, the EEPROM is provided for storing information such as telephone directory registration. The timer is used for processing such as counting the duration of a voice in the voice response processing. Further, the voice recognition unit 12 is connected to the base unit microphone 3
It is provided to determine whether the length, frequency, and size of the sound input from the audio device 3 or a slave unit microphone 63 to be described later are within a suitable range. In addition, the caller information recognizing unit 14 transmits caller information (such as a telephone number) transmitted via an external communication line.
It is provided to recognize.

The main unit operation panel 13 includes a numeric keypad used for inputting a telephone number and a facsimile number for communicating via an external communication line, a confirmation key pressed when registering a telephone directory, an external communication line, and the like. A mode setting key is provided for setting a mode for responding to a call signal from an answering machine mode, a facsimile-only mode, and the like. Further, base unit LCD 15 performs display for selecting a function when activating a facsimile transmission function, displays a telephone number of a communication partner corresponding to a number display service, displays various messages, and the like. It is for. Further, when detecting a calling signal from the external communication line, base unit calling bell 17 repeats ringing for one second and no sound for two seconds, thereby receiving an incoming call signal to base unit 10.
This is for notifying nearby users.

The scanner 19 is provided for reading a document when performing facsimile transmission or copying. Further, the printer 21 is provided with a function of printing out facsimile data received from an external communication line on recording paper or executing a copy function of printing out image data of a document read by the scanner 19 on recording paper. Have been.

The encoder / decoder 23 encodes image data read by the scanner 19 in facsimile transmission into a data format for facsimile transmission such as the G3 compression format, and conversely, converts compressed image data received in facsimile into a printer. A modem 25 and an NCU 21 provided for decoding the data into a format in which the
Reference numeral 27 is provided for communicating with a communication partner via an external communication line or for performing facsimile transmission / reception. The modem 25 also functions as a DSP that performs digital signal processing based on audio input from the parent device microphone 33 or a child device microphone 63 described later when a call signal from an external communication line is detected, Based on the digital signal obtained through the modem 25, the voice recognition unit 12 provided in the base unit controller 11 determines whether a voice response has been made around the base unit 10 or the handset 50. ing.

When the handset 29 detects a call signal from an external communication line, it goes off-hook,
It communicates via an external communication line. In addition, base unit speaker 31 is provided to output the voice of the communication partner during a hands-free call. Further, base unit microphone 33 is provided for inputting a user's voice during a hands-free call or for inputting a voice around base unit 10 when detecting a calling signal from an external communication line. ing. The master unit wireless communication control circuit 35 is provided for performing wireless communication between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50 via the master unit antenna 37. Further, the switch 39
This is for switching between the voice input from the parent device microphone 33 and the voice input from the child device microphone 63 received by the parent device antenna 37 to the modem 25.

The child device 50 includes, as main components, a child device controller 51 for controlling the center of control and a child device operation panel 5.
3. A slave unit liquid crystal display (LCD) 55, a slave unit call bell 57, a slave unit speaker 61, a slave unit microphone 63, a slave unit wireless communication control circuit 65, and a slave unit antenna 67.

The slave unit controller 51 includes a CPU, an RO,
This is a logical operation circuit including an M, a RAM, an EEPROM, and the like, and the CPU executes various control processes.
Note that programs for various control processes executed by the CPU and data necessary for the control processes are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM is used as a work area and a buffer in various control processes. Further, the EEPROM is provided for storing information such as telephone directory registration.

The handset operation panel 53 performs an off-hook operation when detecting a ten-key used for inputting a telephone number or a facsimile number or a calling signal from the external communication line in order to perform communication via the external communication line. It is provided with a call start key for making a call, a confirmation key pressed when registering a telephone directory, and the like. The handset LCD 55 is for displaying the telephone number of the communication partner corresponding to the number display service, displaying various messages, and the like. Further, the handset calling bell 57 notifies the user in the vicinity of the handset 50 of an incoming call signal by repeatedly sounding for one second and no sound for two seconds when detecting a calling signal from the external communication line. belongs to.

[0022] The slave speaker 61 is provided to output a voice of the other party when making a call with a communication partner via an external communication line or when making an extension call with the master unit 10. In addition, the handset microphone 63 is provided for inputting a voice from a user during communication with an external communication line or an extension call. Note that the handset microphone 63 also has a role of inputting a voice around the handset 50 when detecting a call signal from an external communication line. Further, the slave unit wireless communication control circuit 65 is provided for performing wireless communication between the slave unit 50 and the master unit 10 via the slave unit antenna 67.

Next, the voice response processing when a call signal from the external communication line is detected will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the standby state of the telephone device (S1: NO), the user sets various modes such as an answering machine mode or a facsimile exclusive mode via a mode setting key of the base unit operation panel 13 in advance, thereby enabling external communication. The configuration is such that a response to a call signal from a line can be selectively set.

First, the standby state of the telephone device (S1: NO)
, When a call signal from the external communication line is detected via NCU 27 (S1: YES), base unit call bell 1
7 and the bell of the handset calling bell 57
It is determined in advance whether the mode has been set to the answering machine mode by the user via the mode setting key of the base unit operation panel 13 (S3), and if the mode has not been set to the answering machine mode (S3: NO), similarly, Then, it is determined whether or not the mode is set to the FAX only mode (S5). Also,
If the mode is not set to FAX only mode (S
5: NO), it is determined whether the telephone number of the caller recognized through the caller information recognition unit 14 has been registered by the user in advance (S7).

Here, the answering machine mode (S3: YE
S) or when the mode is set to the fax only mode (S5: YES), or the caller information recognition unit 14
If the telephone number of the caller detected through is a telephone number not registered in advance by the user (S7:
NO), it is determined whether or not the user has performed off-hook within a predetermined time (S11). Here, the answering machine mode (S3: YES) or the fax only mode (S5:
If the mode is set to (YES) and an off-hook is not detected within a predetermined time (S11: NO), an answering machine function or a facsimile function (not shown) is activated. The answering machine function performs a process of transmitting a predetermined message to a communication partner via an external communication line and storing the message of the communication partner in a RAM provided in the base unit controller 11, while The facsimile function performs a process of receiving facsimile data from an external communication line and printing out the data via a printer 21 provided in the master device 10. Thus, the answering machine mode (S3: YES) or the fax only mode (S
5: YES) even if the mode is set to
When the user goes off-hook within a predetermined time after detecting the call signal from the external communication line (S11: YES), the user can talk with the communication partner without executing the answering machine function or the facsimile function. It is configured so that it can be used.

The mode is not set to the answering machine mode or the fax only mode (S3: NO, S
5: NO), if the telephone number of the caller recognized via the caller information recognition unit 14 is a telephone number registered by the user in advance (S7: YES), It is determined whether or not a voice response from the user has been made through the microphone 33 or the handset microphone 63 (S9). If the voice response has not been confirmed (S9: NO), the process proceeds to S11. The off-hook is detected by the base unit 10 or the slave unit 50 (S11: YES), or a voice response is confirmed around the base unit 10 or the slave unit 50 (S9: YE).
Until S), the processing of S3 to S11 is repeatedly executed.
The presence / absence of the voice response (S9) is determined based on the voice input from the parent device microphone 33 or the child device microphone 63 based on the digital data of the voice obtained through the modem 25 having the DSP function. The length, frequency, and loudness of the voice are determined by the recognition unit 12 based on whether or not the voice belongs to a predetermined range.

Here, when the above-described processing of S3 to S11 is repeatedly executed, the master unit 10 or the slave unit 50
When off-hook is detected (S11: YES)
Closes the line between the off-hook parent device 10 or child device 50 and the external communication line (S13), and starts a call with the communication partner (S15). This call is continued until the on-hook of the communication partner or the user is detected (S17: NO). When the on-hook of the communication partner or the user is detected (S17: YES), the call is terminated (S17: YES). (S19), the line with the external communication line is released (S29), and this voice response process ends.

On the other hand, when the above-described processing of S3 to S11 is repeatedly executed, in the processing of S9, a voice corresponding to a predetermined length, frequency and size is transmitted from the user to the modem 25 and the voice recognition unit. 12 (S9: YES), it is determined that there is a voice response to the call signal from the external communication line, the line with the external communication line is closed (S21), and a hands-free call is made. It starts (S23). This hands-free call is continued until the signal of the communication end by the communication partner or the user is detected (S25: NO), and the signal of the communication end by the communication partner or the user is detected (S25:
YES), the hands-free call is terminated (S27), the line with the external communication line is released (S29), and the voice response process is terminated.

As described above, when a call signal from the external communication line is detected, the user can use the answering machine mode (S3: YES) or the fax only mode (S5: Y).
If the mode is set to (ES), the presence / absence determination of the voice response around the base unit 10 or the handset 50 (S9) is not executed, so that the answering machine mode (S3: YES) or the fax only mode (S5: YES). ), The inconvenience that the voice response function is executed based on the determination of the voice recognition unit 12 due to the passing sound of the train or the siren of the ambulance, and the hands-free call is started. Can be prevented.

If the telephone number of the caller recognized via the caller information recognition unit 14 is a telephone number not registered by the user in advance (S7: NO), the presence or absence of a voice response is determined. Is not determined (S9), the voice response means is executed based on the determination of the voice recognition unit 12 by a stereo voice or a dog squeal to the other party, and a hands-free call is started. Inconvenience can be prevented well.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the modem 25 having the DSP function is provided only in the master device 10 and not provided in the slave device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained in the case where both 50 may have a DSP function, or in the case of a telephone device which does not include the slave 50.

In the above embodiment, whether the telephone number of the caller recognized through the caller information recognition unit 14 is a telephone number registered in advance by the user or not is determined.
Although the example in which the determination of the presence or absence of the voice response (S9) is selectively executed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination of the presence or absence of the voice response (S9) is switched for each telephone number of the caller. It goes without saying that good effects can be obtained even if different responses can be made for each caller.

[0033]

As described above, according to the telephone apparatus with the voice response function according to the first aspect, when the user sets the mode to the answering machine mode, the hands-free operation by the voice response means is performed.
In this state, the start of communication is prohibited, so when the user moves away from the vicinity of the telephone device, the voice response means is activated based on the judgment of the voice recognition unit due to the sound of a train or the siren of an ambulance. , While eliminating the inconvenience of starting a hands-free call against the user's will,
If the handset is off-hook, it is possible to make a call with the communication partner. Therefore, even if the answering machine mode is set, a call with the partner can be made with the partner as necessary.

Further, according to the telephone apparatus with voice response capabilities of claim 2, wherein, when the user desires only a facsimile reception in response to a call signal from the external communication line, Fakushi
If you set the mode to millimeter only mode, it will be a voice response means
Start of communication in the hands-free state is prohibited
Therefore, the voice response means is activated based on the judgment of the voice recognition unit based on the sound of opening and closing the door and the sound of the television, and the inconvenience of starting the hands-free call against the user's will be eliminated. since the call to the communication destination if off-hook the handset is the ready, even in the configuration in the facsimile-only mode, communication by the handset with the other party if necessary is allowed.

Further, according to the telephone apparatus with the voice response function according to the third aspect, when the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is not set, a caller who does not want to answer the telephone or a caller who does not know who is. In response to the call signal, the voice response means is activated based on the determination of the voice recognition unit based on the stereo voice or the bark of the dog, and the inconvenience that the hands-free call is started against the user's will. Disappears. Also, when the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is set, the voice response is prohibited, so that a hands-free call does not start by mistake. Further, even in this mode, if the user goes off-hook, the telephone conversation with the communication partner is maintained in a possible state, so that the telephone conversation can be performed if necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cordless parent-child telephone device having a voice response function according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a voice response process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Base Unit 11 Base Unit Controller 12 Voice Recognition Unit 13 Base Unit Operation Panel 14 Caller Information Recognition Unit 19 Scanner 21 Printer 25 Modem 27 NCU 29 Handset 31 Base Unit Speaker 33 Base Unit Microphone 50 Handset 53 Handset Operation Panel 61 Handset speaker 63 Handset microphone

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-10-243464 (JP, A) JP-A-61-202550 (JP, A) JP-A-2-202255 (JP, A) JP-A-1-303953 (JP) JP-A-7-107204 (JP, A) JP-A-2-58954 (JP, A) JP-A-5-292181 (JP, A) JP-A-6-6449 (JP, A) 6-253000 (JP, A) JP-A-10-215308 (JP, A) JP-A-10-308818 (JP, A) JP-A-11-127239 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl ^7, DB name) H04M 1/00 H04M 1/60 -. 1/82 H04M 11/00 - 11/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A microphone for inputting a voice, a speaker for outputting a voice, and when a call signal from an external communication line is detected, it is determined whether the voice input from the microphone is a predetermined voice. A voice recognition unit; voice response means capable of starting communication with the communication partner in a hands-free state via the microphone and the speaker based on the determination of the voice recognition unit; and a communication partner via the external communication line. A telephone set having a voice response function, comprising: a handset for making a call; and when a call signal from the external communication line is detected, a ringing tone is sounded for a predetermined time to notify the detection of the call signal. After that, the line with the external communication line is closed and a mode in which the mode can be switched between the answering machine mode for receiving a message from the communication partner and the answering machine mode. A mode setting unit, and when the mode is set to the answering machine mode via the mode setting unit, a communication partner via an external communication line by off-hook of the handset in response to the detection of the calling signal. A telephone device with a voice response function, wherein a telephone call with the voice response function is enabled and the start of communication in a hands-free state by the voice response means is prohibited. 2. A microphone for inputting a voice, a speaker for outputting a voice, and when a call signal from an external communication line is detected, it is determined whether the voice input from the microphone is a predetermined voice. A voice recognition unit; voice response means capable of starting communication with the communication partner in a hands-free state via the microphone and the speaker based on the determination of the voice recognition unit; and a communication partner via the external communication line. A telephone set having a voice response function, comprising: a handset for making a call; and when a call signal from the external communication line is detected, a ringing tone is sounded for a predetermined time to notify the detection of the call signal. After that, the line with the external communication line is closed, reception of facsimile data transmitted from the external communication line is started, and recording and printing are performed based on the facsimile data. Facsimile-only mode, further comprising a mode setting unit capable of mode switching to the facsimile-only mode, when the mode is set to facsimile-only mode via the mode setting unit, the detection of the call signal A telephone with a voice response function, wherein a telephone with a communication partner can be communicated via an external communication line by off-hook of a handset, and a start of a hands-free communication by the voice response means is prohibited. apparatus. 3. A caller information recognizing section for recognizing caller information transmitted from the external communication line, wherein the caller information recognizing section is set when the answering machine mode or the facsimile only mode is not set. 3. The telephone device with a voice response function according to claim 1, wherein when it is recognized that the caller information is specific caller information via the Internet, the voice response means can start communication. .