JPS60240257A - Response message reproducing device for automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reproduce various response messages different in accordance with conditions by storing digital data of each paragraph serving as a component of a response message in a storage section at each paragraph, combining the paragraphs and applying voice synthesis to them. CONSTITUTION:At first, a paragraph to be selected and the order of output are set by using a keyboard 5. It is supposed that paragraphs 1, 3, 6, 17, 4 are inputted in this order, a CPU7 stores them in a RAM9. In the automatic answering mode, when an incoming call comes from a line, the CPU7 reads the paragraph number from the RAM9 and gives the paragraph number sequentially to a voice synthesis circuit 3. The voice synthesis circuit 3 reads the digital data corresponding to the paragraph number from the ROM4 based on the transmitted signal, converts it into an analog signal and transmits it sequentially to the line 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a response message reproducing device for an answering machine that reproduces a response message by voice synthesis from digital data.

<Prior art> A tape recorder is generally used as a response message playback device for an answering machine, but it lacks durability and reliability due to wear of the tape and malfunction of movable parts. There is. In order to solve this problem, systems have come into use in which response messages are reproduced by voice synthesis from digital data. This converts the response message, which is an audio analog signal, into digital data using a voice analysis circuit and stores it in a storage unit such as a ROM.When sending out the response message, the digital data is converted back into the audio analog signal. This system reproduces messages by converting them into , and is characterized by higher reliability than tape recorder systems.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, in the case of the above-mentioned speech synthesis method, since a relatively large capacity storage unit is required, the content of the response message is generally fixed and does not change depending on the situation. It is not possible to change the content of the response message accordingly, and in order to change the message content, a large-capacity storage unit is required, making the device large and expensive. A problem arises.

The present invention solves these problems, requires a small storage capacity, is inexpensive, and also allows the content of the message to be changed appropriately to provide information to the caller etc. according to the situation. The object of this invention is to provide a response message reproducing device for an answering machine that can send useful information.

Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage unit storing digital data corresponding to a plurality of clauses that are constituent elements of a response message, and a setting section for setting phrases and their output order; a control means for outputting a phrase playback signal according to the settings in the setting section when a call circuit is formed by receiving a call signal; and an output of the control means. In order to do this, the present invention is characterized by comprising a speech synthesis circuit that reads digital data of a predetermined phrase from a storage section in a predetermined order in accordance with a phrase reproduction signal, sequentially converts it into an audio analog signal, and outputs the same.

<Operation> That is, in the present invention, a response message is broken down into a plurality of phrases, and the digital data for each phrase is stored respectively. This makes it possible to compose response messages, and it becomes possible to reproduce and send different response messages depending on the tweeting situation using a limited storage capacity.

Note that the term "bunsetsu" in this specification is different from a phrase in the strict grammatical sense, and is used in the sense of words that are treated independently as elements constituting a response message, and are used to mean phrases that are grouped together to some extent. It includes a wide range of things, from regular sentences to the short syllables that make up words.

<Example> The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to an illustrated example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing only the parts of the answering machine that are related to the reproduction of response messages. In FIG. 1, 1 is a line, 2 is an incoming call detection circuit that detects a calling signal from line 1, 3 is a voice synthesis circuit that outputs a response message to line 1, and 4 is a voice synthesis circuit that outputs voice digital data. A voice ROM is used for storing information, 5 is a keyboard for inputting various commands by manual operation, and 6 is a control unit. The control unit 6 is configured using, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and is
U7, ROM 8 for programs, RAM 9 for various control data, input/output ports 10, etc.
The entire answering machine is controlled by programs stored in the answering machine and command data input from the keyboard 5 and stored in the RAM 9.

The voice ROM 41 stores various phrases that are the constituent elements of a response message in the form of digital data. Please call me at 00:00 in the morning (afternoon). '', the data is divided into 17 types of clauses, and each data is assigned a clause number from 1 to 17 and stored, as shown in FIG.

Taking the above response message as an example, the muttering operation will be explained below with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, enter the phrases to be selected and their output order on the keyboard 5.
Set using . For example, ``I'm away from home at the moment.'' Please call me at 2 p.m. ], select the phrase numbers 1.3, 3, and 3 from the keyboard 5.
After inputting 6 and 17.4 in order and storing them in the RAM 9 in the form shown in Fig. 4 using the CPtJ7,
Set to away mode.

In the absence mode, when a call signal arrives from line 1, the incoming call detection circuit 2 detects this and the call signal is sent to CPtJ.
7L is input, the line is closed, and a communication circuit is formed. Therefore, the CPU 7 reads the phrase number from the RAM 9 and outputs a phrase playback signal for first reproducing phrase number "1" to the speech synthesis circuit 3, and the speech synthesis circuit 3 reproduces the phrase based on the sent signal. The digital data corresponding to the number "1" is read from the voice ROM 4, converted to the voice analog signal "I'm away.", and output to line 1. When the conversion is completed, the end signal is sent to the CP.
Send to U7. Subsequently, the CPU 7 outputs a phrase reproduction signal for reproducing the next phrase number "3" to the speech synthesis circuit 3, and in the same manner as the previous time, an audio analog signal "PM 4" is output to the line 1. Similarly, voice analog signals such as "Please call at 2", "hour", and "Please call at" are output to line 1 in the order of the phrase numbers stored in RAM 9, followed by a series of "I'm away at the moment." Please call me at 2:00 pm.'' The series of response messages is completed, and the device returns to the initial standby state.

In the example above, "I'm away from home at the moment.

Please call me at 00:00 in the morning (afternoon). '' message is just one example, and by storing digital data of various necessary phrases in the voice ROM 4 in advance,
It is possible to add not only the time but also the date to the above message, or to play a completely different message.This only increases the number of phrases to be handled, but can be done as appropriate using the same control. can do.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the description of the embodiments above, the present invention has the following effects:
A digital representation of each clause that constitutes the response message.
Data is stored in the memory section for each phrase, and the response message is played back by combining and synthesizing the data, so the response message can be played back using a relatively small capacity memory section and can be used in a variety of ways depending on the murmuring situation. This has the advantage of making it possible to reproduce the response message of the user, and realizing a highly practical answering machine in a small size and at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the same as above, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the storage unit, and FIG. FIG. 5, which is a diagram showing an example of data set by the setting section, is a flowchart showing the control operation. 1...Line 3...Speech synthesis circuit 4...Voice ROM 5...Keyboard 6...Control unit 7...CPU 9...RAM Applicant Sharp Corporation Agent Harumi Suzuki No. Figure 2 Figure 3rA Section 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A memory section in which digital data corresponding to a plurality of phrases that constitute the components of a response message are stored, a setting section for setting the external sources to be selected and their output order, and a communication circuit that is activated when a call signal is received. a control means for outputting a phrase reproduction signal according to the setting contents in the setting section when a phrase is formed; and a control means for reading digital data of a predetermined phrase from the storage section in a predetermined order in accordance with the phrase reproduction signal outputted by the control means. 1. A response message playback device for an answering machine, comprising: a voice synthesis circuit that sequentially converts the voice into an analog signal and outputs the voice analog signal.