MXPA99008972A - Telecommunications speech/text conversion and message delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent network telecommunications service allows a calling party (22) to provide a voice message which is converted by the service to a text message. The text message is delivered to any of a plurality of types of media formatters (90), which in turn transmit the text message to corresponding types of receiving equipment (100). The text messages can be delivered to a so called party or to a distribution list of called parties.

Description

VOICE CONVERSION / TEXT TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND DELIVERY OF MESSAGES. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to intelligent telecommunications networks. 2. Related Technology and Other Considerations Intelligent telecommunications networks have an architecture which offers novel and varied services in telecommunications in a fast, flexible and cost effective manner. The core of an intelligent telecommunications network includes a Service Switching Point (SSP) and a Service Control Point (SCP). The Service Switching Point (SSP) is a switching system that can intercept telephone calls and interrogate the Service Control Point (SCP). The Service Control Point (SCP) is a system that contains specific service logic and data that, when interrogated by the SSP, returns instructions to the SCP about the additional handling of the intercepted call. With the architecture of the SSP and SCP, an intelligent telecommunications network (IN) can carry out several services beyond the typical telephone connection, such as call waiting and transferred call, as basic examples. Different types of devices can be combined with an intelligent network i in order to carry out and control a predetermined flow of operations. Subscribers to telecommunications networks have long been able to transmit voice or text messages over the network to a desired destination (this being, / a called person). At present, smart networks provide a service for the called party to answer the call and allow the caller to record a voice message. Subscribers with computers are able to transmit digital text messages to other computers over telecommunications networks. What is needed however, and is an object of the present invention, is a method and apparatus for allowing a caller to leave a text message for the called party. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION An intelligent telecommunications network service allows a caller to provide a voice message which is converted by the service into a text message. The text messages are delivered to one of the plurality of media types for corresponding types of receiving equipment. The text message can be delivered to a single person called or to a distribution list of called persons. In accordance with the invention, a service switching point (SSP) recognizes e. intercepts a call from a caller that requires voice / text translation. A service control point (SCP) when intercepting, emits an indicator signal. In response to this signal, an indicator and collector generates a requested information menu of the caller. The caller can respond either by voice or by DTMF signals. The indicator and collector uses the responses of the caller to construct a current call record. Upon receiving the current call record, the service control point (SCP) issues a signal that allows conversion to the voice / text converter. In response, the voice / text converter sets up a connection to receive a voice message from the caller and converts the voice in the voice message to a text message. The text message is optionally stored in a data service point (SDP). The service control point sends the text message to the person or persons called. As an additional option, the language converter is connected to the voice / text converter to convert the text message from a first language into a second language. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the reference characters refer to the same parts as Throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis is instead placed on the illustration of the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic view of portions of an intelligent telecommunications network according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the relationship of Figure 2A and Figure 2B. Figures 2A and 2B are flow charts showing the interaction with a caller in connection with the voice / text conversion service provided by the telecommunications network of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic view of portions of a network of intelligent communications according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a schematic view of portions of a smart telecommunications network according to yet another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following description, for the purpose of explanation and not for limitation, specific details are established such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. In order to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced in other embodiments that are separated from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of known devices, circuits and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details. Figure 1 shows that one or more telecommunications networks 20 connect a caller or subscriber 22 with a set 26 of intelligent call handling components or points of an intelligent telecommunications network. In accordance with the present invention, the set 26 of intelligent call handling points of Figure 1 allows the caller 22 to issue a voice message which is converted from spoken language to text, and the resulting text message is delivered to one or more of the people called in one or more of the media formats. Typically, the caller 22 is connected to a local switch which is part of a first connection network 20. The first and any other connection networks 20 conventionally include one or more switches. The connection networks 20 may include any type of network which is connectable to an intelligent network, including mobile, fixed and ISDN networks, for example. The set of intelligent call handling points 26 of the present invention includes a service switching point (SSP) 30, a service control point (SCP) 40 and a data service point (SDP) 50. The structure , interconnection and operation of the SSP, SCP and SDP are generally known in the art, so that only the aspects of the SSP 30, SCP 40 and SDP 50 which are particularly pertinent to the present invention are described in the content. The SSP 30 is connected to the connection networks 20 on the link 60. The link 60 can carry any type of standard protocol, including INAP, CSl, SCI +, AIN or SS7, for example. As described hereinafter, the SSP 30 serves for example: to selectively connect the caller's channel on the link 60 with a potential plurality of intelligent peripheral devices. Such devices include a collector flag 70 (example: an AST-DR advertisement machine), a speech recognition collector flag 72 and a voice / text converter. Accordingly, the SSP 30 is connected by the voice / data links 72, respectively, for call connections with the caller. Similarly, the SSP 30 is connected by the voice link 35 to the voice / text converter 80. Typically, the SSP 30 is connected to the SCP 40 via the link 36. The Service Control Point (SCP) 40 is connected in a manner customary to SDP 50 via link 42. SCP 40 and SDP 50 are connected to speech / text converter 80 by interface links 44 and 54 respectively. further, the SCP 40 is connected via the data interfaces or links 46 (example: TCP / IP) to a plurality of media formatters. While block 90 of FIGURE 1 generally represents a set of different types of media formatters, blocks 90A-90G illustrate specific types of media formatters which are connected to SCP 40 and on which a message can be transmitted. text. Since other types of media formatters are also possible, the examples of blocks 90A-90G are not considered as limiting. In an optional mode, the voice / text converter 80 is connected to a peripheral intelligent language translator 95. The language translator 95 is capable of translating texts in a first language into text in a second language (example: from English to Swedish) . Figure 1 together with Figure 2 present the steps involved in executing a smartly converted voice-to-text call with a mode of the present invention. As a preliminary matter, the particular 22 caller listed below is known as a registered subscriber in the voice / text conversion service, and upon registration has entered a subscriber profile within SDP 50. The subscriber profile can be created in several conventional ways, such as the presentation of written information for subsequent entry into the SDP 50 by the service provider, or by telephone interview in response to a questionnaire based on a menu. As shown in step 200 in Figure 2, the caller 22 initiates the service by dialing a directory number of the called service. The directory number can be a preferential quota number or a toll-free number, for example. Different directory numbers may be provided in accordance to allow the caller or the subscriber 22 to choose between different aspects of the service, such as a DTMF 70 collector flag and a voice recognition 72 collector flag. The CALL of the person call with the directory number of the speech-to-text conversion service is directed by conventional address techniques to the SSP 30, finally connecting to the SSP 30 on the link 60 as shown by the event El in Figure 1. The SSP 30 recognizes the Directory number dialed as corresponding to the voice-to-text conversion service and sends the call to SCP 40, as indicated in event E #, SCP 40 instructs SSP 30 to connect the call to one of the collector indicators 70, 72 appropriate . In response to the signal to enable the indicator, the SSP 30 connects one of the appropriate collector indicators 70, 72 to the caller. In the particular example shown in Figure 1, it happens that the caller 22 dialed the directory number which involved the DTMF interaction with the service. Accordingly, in the example shown in Figure 1, the SSP 30 connects the caller on line 31 with the DTMF collector flag 70, as indicated in event E4. It should be understood, alternatively, that if a voice interaction is required, a similar connection can be made on line 32 to the speech recognition manifold indicator 72. , 5 The collector indicator performs an exchange or dialogue based on a menu with the caller. As understood from the above, the collector indicator 70 performs a DTMF dialogue mainly; indicator collector 72 carries out a dialogue which is mainly voice. The preponderance of the steps shown in Figure 2A essentially refer to the nature and substance of said dialogue. In step 202 of the dialogue, the collector flag presents a main menu asking if the caller 22 wants (1) to change its profile; (2) send a message to a predefined number of called person; or (3) send a message to a called person not previously defined. In response, the caller 22 enter an entry corresponding to one of the desired options in the menu (1), (2) or (3). Figure 2A reflects the steps taken in accordance with the response to each of these options. If the caller 22 wants to change their profile, steps 210, 212, 214 and 216 are carried out. In step 210, the collector flag requests that the caller enter a key. Assuming that the key is entered correctly, in step 212 the indicator The collector provides the caller with an opportunity to provide a change or update to one or more of the plurality of called persons lists. Examples of lists of callers include a primary distribution list, one or more alternate distribution lists, or a timed routing list. Distribution lists can be arranged by a group of characteristics or another common denominator. Each list of called persons is assigned a unique name of the caller's list by the caller 20. Step 212 allows numerous changes to one or more of the called persons lists. For example: the caller 22 can select an existing list of called persons, and within that list change one or more parameters with respect to one or more called persons belonging to the list. Alternatively or in addition, the caller 22 can add or remove one or more callers from the list of callers, and then save the caller list modified as a new caller list (assigning a new caller name to the caller list). same) or use the modified caller list to replace the previous caller list. As mentioned above, a type of caller list is a timed rouger list. Timed routing lists of people called can take several forms. A first example of a timed addressing list is known as an invariable destination address list. As the unchanged destination address list is a list of callers to whom a specified message is transmitted for a predetermined time, the list has only one possible destination identifier for each called party. The default call time, also known as white time, can be specified by time and / or date (example: a "Merry Christmas" text message to be transmitted on Christmas Day, a reminder to be transmitted every day of the last week of the month). A second example of a timed addressing list is known as an alternative destination timed addressing list. An alternative destination timed address list is a list of callers for whom the caller specifies (1) a primary destination and a primary destination time frame, and (2) an alternate destination and time frame of alternative destination. If the selected time for the call occurs during the alternate destination time frame, the service sends the call to the primary destination at the selected time point. On the other hand, if the selected time for the call occurs during an alternate destination time frame, the service sends the call to the alternate destination at the selected call time. Timed addressing lists can be composed of one or more lists. The parameters in the called party lists, including the primary destination, the primary destination time frame, the alternate destination and the alternative destination time frame can be edited during step 214. Therefore, in step 212 the indicator The collector allows the caller to select among the types of lists, and then within each list add, delete or edit members of the lists and fields associated with each member (example: identifiers of people called [example: directory number], internet number, etc.] and types of receiving equipment). Step 214 shows the update of the subscriber profile in SDP 50, the update depending on the particular profile changes requested in step 212. In connection with step 214, the collector target prepares an appropriate update information packet and makes a separate call via SSP 30 to SCP 40, allowing SCP 40 to update the profile of subscribers in SDP 50 according to the package that updates the information. To preserve the simplicity of Figure 1, the links and events involved with the subscriber profile are not illustrated. Preferably upon receipt of confirmation from SCP 40 that the subscriber profile in SDP 50 has been updated, the collector flag asks whether the caller wishes to make a call (step 216). If the response of the caller 22 is negative, the connection is terminated as indicated in step 218. Otherwise, the processing continues with step 232 which is discussed below in relation to the main menu option (2). ). If the caller selects the main menu option (2) in order to send a message to a predetermined call person number, steps 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 and (possibly) 242 are carried out before to perform the steps shown in Figure 2B. In step 230, the collector flag requests that the caller enter a key. Assuming that the key is entered correctly, or that the operation continues from step 216, step 232 is executed. In step 232, the collector flag requests that the caller enter the destination identifier (s) of the called party (s). This can be done by entering the destination identifier of a single called person, or by selecting from one of the lists mentioned in step 21 - the primary destination list, one or more alternating distribution list or an alternate address list. If a timed distribution list is selected, a time marker_list is set in step 232. Step 24 indicates that the collector flag provides an opportunity for the caller 22 to specify which type of receiving equipment will receive the text message generated by the service. For example: as represented by blocks 90A-90G of Figure 1, a variety of types of receiving equipment (fax, computer, memo computer, e-mail computer, ISDN receiver, etc.) may be available to send the text message to the person called particularly. In step 234 the collector flag gives the caller 22 an opportunity to specify which receiving equipment of the called person or persons should be used. In a particular mode, if a particular indication is not made, a specified receiving equipment is automatically presumed. This specified equipment can be "specified in an initial profile postulate for the subscriber or automatically assigned by the service." In the case of a team defined by the subscriber, it should be understood that the steps of the main menu option (1) would be optionally include one step to allow the change to said particular parameter In step 236 the collector flag asks whether the caller 22 wants to append a file Attach a file means that the caller wishes to include in the message a copy of a standard message The standard message can be one or more routine messages which can be used by many callers and are therefore generally available, in a more sophisticated mode, it can be one of the previous messages of this caller which has been stored and identified in the SDP 50 for the caller 22. If you do not want to attach a file, the processing continues with n the steps shown in Figure 2B. If it is desired to attach a message, the collector flag allows the caller 22 to select the bag stored in step 238. In this respect, the collector flag can simply request the caller 22 to enter an identifier or key for the stored message, or (at the option of the subscriber) can display a repertoire of stored messages and allow the caller 22 to select among them . In addition, after the stored message (example: attachment) has been selected, the indicator / collector asks in step 240 whether the attached file needs to be translated from a first language to a second language. If an affirmative answer is received from the caller 22, step 242 is carried out. In step 242, the collector flag may present a menu for selection of the second language. In response to the selection of the second language, the stored message is translated (example: from Swedish to English). Otherwise, if language translation is not required, the execution continues with the steps presented in Figure 2B. In relation to the steps presented above in relation to the main menu option (2), the collector indicator initiates the construction of a record of current calls which potentially include the information entered in steps 232, 234 and 238, for example. So far, the call log includes the identity of the destination and the types of receiving equipment of the called persons, and whether any stored message should be appended. The steps in Figure 2B start with step 250. In step 250 the collector flag verifies whether the time list marker was set in a§ © 232. If a date_list marker has been set, it is understood that the caller desires that the distribution of the call is controlled by time, for example: that the call is made at a time of call time (example: not current) or at a "white" time. Accordingly, if a time_list marker has been set, in step 252 the collector flag requests the caller 22 to enter the time in which the call to the called party (s) is to be made. [The default call time or the white time]. Therefore, in step 252, the caller 22 can indicate a particularly timed distribution of the message instead of the normal distribution. In response, in step 254 the collector flag allows the caller 22 to enter the predetermined call time or white time for the distribution. By entering the white time in step 254, the caller 22 can simply enter or speak the digits of the blank time, or can request a menu of routing times and respond as desired to the menu.

The white time information obtained in step 254 is included, in the current call record for the caller 22. At step 254 or in the case that the time_list marker is not set in step 250, step 270 will be executed . In step 270, the service prepares indicators and receives the voice message from the caller 22. The step 270 of Figure 2B presents the collector flag requesting the caller 22 to record (eg: speak) his message (after a predetermined signal of ready [example: "beep"]). As shown in event E5 in Figure 1, the collector flag sends the current call record for the caller 22 through SSP 30 to SCP 40. As reflected in event E6 in Figure 1, in the link 44 the SCP 40 issues a conversion enable signal effectively to command the voice / text converter 80 requesting on the link 35 that the SSP 30 next connect the call with the caller 22 to the converter 80 on the link 35. The event 7 shows the SSP 30 making the connection and the issuance of the predetermined ready signal (example: wbip "). The voice / text converter 80 registers the voice message of the caller 22 and stores it temporarily which is converted incrementally to text After receiving the voice message, the converter 80 makes the announcement that the caller 22 must hang up and that his text message will be transmitted (see step 272 of Figure 2B). notify SCP 40 of the completion of the conversion from voice to text. If requested by the caller 22 in steps 240 and 242, as an E8 event the SSP 40 issues a language signal on the link 44 to the voice / text converter 80, which in turn transmits the text message in a first language to the translator of language 95 together with instructions in relation to the translation (from which first language to which second language, for example). Upon completion of the language translation, SCP 40 is notified of this via the voice / text converter 80. Upon notification of the voice-to-text converter 80 that the activities have been completed (including any delegated activity carried out by the language translator 95, as indicated in event E9), SCP 40 directs converter 80 to transmit the text message prepared by converter 80 to SDP 50. The transmission of text message from converter 80 to SDP 50 is indicated as the event E10. The text message is stored in an appropriate register in the SDP 50 for the current call of the caller 22. The Eli event shows the SCP 40 obtaining the stored text message for the call from the SDP 50. Event 11 can be implemented in several ways. For a call that is not for a called party in a timed routing list, the SCP 40 obtains the text message for the call as soon as it is available in the SDP 50. The SDP 50 may be programmed to send the text message to the subscriber. SCP 40 upon receipt thereof from SDP 50 or otherwise notify SCP 40 of receipt thereof by SDP 50. Alternatively, SCP 40 may request the text message in a time relationship related to the occurrence of event E9. For a call that is for a called person in a timed addressing list with a non-variable destination, the text message and associated call parameters are stored in the SDP 50. In addition, the white time of the call and an associated indicator are stored. in a special verified time foot of the SDP 50. The SDP 50 periodically verifies its verified time foot and, when the white time is reached, uses the associated indicator to obtain the text message and associated call parameters (example: including those in the current call record) and send it to SCP 40 as an Eli event. Those skilled in the art recognize that such a procedure as described in this paragraph may be implemented in several ways., including the cronbit - UNIX process, for example. In the case that the call that is for a called person in a list of alternate destination / alternate destination, a procedure for the Eli event similar to that described in the previous paragraph is implemented. However, in addition, SDP 50 checks the white time against the primary destination time frame and the alternate destination time frame to determine which primary destination identifier and alternate destination identifier should be used. Upon termination of the Eli event AND using the receiver equipment information for the current call (obtained from the current call record), SCP 40 sends a transmission to appropriate media formatter 90 (see event E12). The information of the type of receiving equipment is used to determine what type of medium formatter 90 should be used. For example: if the type of receiving equipment is a fax machine, the transmission of the event 12 is directed to a fax machine 90A connected to the SCP 40. Alternatively, if the type of receiving equipment is an electronic mail computer, the transmission of the event 12 is directed to the email computer 90B connected to SCP 40, and so on. The transmission of the event E12 includes both the destination identifier (example: directory number to internet number) of the called person, and the message prepared by the converter 80 and obtained from the SDP 50. As is also shown in Figure 1, the media formatter 90 which receives the event transmission E12 uses the destination identifier to transmit the text message to the corresponding receiving equipment. The additional transmission of the formatting means 90 to the receiving equipment is presented as the event E13 in Figure 1. Six illustrative types of receiving equipment 100A, 100B / C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100G are shown in Figure 1, corresponding to the media formatters 90A, 90B and 90C, 90D, 90E, 90F and 90G, respectively. The 100A machine is a fax machine; the 100B / C equipment is a computer or computer network; the 100D equipment is an ISDN device; the 100E equipment is a GSM device; the equipment 100F is a mobile data network node; the 100G equipment is a node in a packet switching X.25 protocol data network. Therefore, the person called at the location of the selected receiving equipment 100 receives a text message which has been translated by the converter 80 of the voice of the caller 22 into text. The service of the present invention therefore has many advantages, particularly for callers who do not have text generating terminals connected to networks. If the caller 22 had selected the main menu option (3) in order to send a message to a call person number not previously defined, steps 243, 244, 245 and 246 of Figure 2A must have been performed in Place the steps 230 to 242 before performing the steps in Figure 2B. In particular, in step 243 the caller 22 should have requested his password. Then, in a manner analogous to step 234, in step 244 the collector flag should request the type of receiving equipment of the called party. In step 245 the collector flag should request that the caller 22 enter their destination identifier for the called party. Then, in step 246, the collector flag should ask if the message is going to be sent to other destinations. If the response of the caller 22 was affirmative in step 246, steps 244 and 245 must be executed for each additional destination to which the message should be sent. When the caller 22 has finished entering destinations, the execution continues with step 250 of Figure 2B. Figure 3 shows another embodiment having a procedure identical to that of Figure 1, with the exception that events Eli and E12 of Figure 1 are replaced by events E11A and E12A in Figure 3. In the embodiment of Figure 3 , the event E11A shows the SCO 40 ordering the appropriate media formatter 90 to obtain the translated file from voice to text of the SDP 50. The event E12A shows the medium formatter 90 requesting the text file translated from the SDP 50; the event E12B shows the SDP 50 transmitting the speech to translated text to the medium formatter 90. It should be understood that many variants of the foregoing are comprised in the present invention. For example: where the above has assumed the case of a registered subscriber, unregistered subscribers can also use the service of the invention. The unregistered subscribers would, however, require each call to be made, enter information at least some of which corresponds to what is described above with respect to the subscriber profile. In addition, the directory number for the service which is dialed by the caller may be designed for particular circumstances. For example: "a directory number can be provided for registered subscribers, while a second directory number can be assigned for unregistered subscribers." Alternatively, in contrast to the profile update procedure described above, a special directory number can be used. to be used to allow registered subscribers to update their profiles As described above, the voice / text converts 80 can perform the conversion of a voice message to a text message In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the converter voice / text 80 carries out the conversion of a text message to a voice message The intelligent telecommunications network of Figure 4 has an SSP 30, SCP 40, an SDP 50, collector indicator 70, collector recognition indicator voice 72, voice / text converter 80 and language translator 95 similarly as the network of Figure 1 and Figure 3. In addition, however, the network of the Figure 4 has a message player device 97. The message player device is connected to the speech / text converter 80, to the SCP 40 and to the SSP 30 as shown in Figure 4.

The network of Figure 4, in addition to providing the voice-to-text conversion described with reference to Figure 1, for example, also provides for the conversion of text messages to voice messages. In brief, a caller 22 dials the directory number for the text-to-speech service using a telephone. The caller 22 is connected to the service through SCP 30. SCP 30 establishes a dialogue with the caller, with the caller responding either by voice or by DTMF. In the course of the dialogue, the caller 22 selects one of the plurality of stored text messages. In addition, the caller 22 selects a distribution list and (optionally) a delivery time for the messages. The establishment and editing of the distribution lists are understood with reference to the preceding discussion. At the end of the dialogue, SCP 30 enables the conversion of the text message to the voice and (in the time selected by the caller) determines the delivery of the voice message to the person or persons called in the distribution list. The delivery of the voice messages is the networks based on telephones 110. The events in the course of text-to-speech conversion and the distribution service of the invention are indicated in Figure 4. As shown by event VI, the caller 22 dials the directory number of the conversion and delivery system of the present invention. The call is routed through the networks connected to the SSP 30. Depending on whether the caller 22 dialed a voice interface or a DTMF interface, the SSP 30 enables one of the DTMF 70 collector indicators (example: a AST-DR warnings) or a speech recognition collector flag 72 for carrying out the dialogue with the caller 22. The SSP 30 enables the dialogue by sending an enabling signal to the appropriate collector flag 70, 72, as indicated by the events alternate V2 and V2 ', respectively. The dialogs, indicated by the events V3 and V3 ', respectively, are directed by means of the SSP 30. As part of the dialogue, the collector indicators 70, 72 provide a series of audible menus. The menus include menus for selecting a desired stored message; menus to select a distribution list of callers to whom the message is to be delivered and a menu (optional) which allows the caller 22 to select the delivery of the message immediately or in a white time selected by the caller 22 When the dialogue is completed, the collector indicators 70, 72 prepare and send to the SSP 40 a record of current calls that include pertinent information obtained during the dialogue. The sending of the record of the current call is indicated in the event V4 of Figure 4. Upon receiving the record of the current call, the SCP 40 knows which of the plurality of stored messages should be sent, to whom and when. Accordingly, event V5 shows SCP 40 ordering speech / text converter 80 to generate a voice message from a file stored in SDP 50. Event V6 of Figure 4 shows voice / text converter 80 obtaining a voice message. file associated with the particular stored message indicated by the SCP 40. The text file is sent to the voice / text converter 80 from the SDP 50 as the event V7. The voice / text converter 80 performs the text-to-speech conversion, upon receiving the termination sends a ready voice message signal to the SCP 40 as the event V8. Upon receiving the ready voice message signal, the SCP 40 prepares to establish the call in various ways. In a first form, according to a mode of the invention, the SCP 40 has the directory identifier of the called person in the current call record. In another mode of the invention, on the other hand, SCP 40 sends a distribution list obtaining signal to SDP 50, as indicated in event V9. In this regard, in this other mode of the invention the current call record contains only an indication of which distribution list was selected by the caller 22, not the information needed for calling members of the distribution list (directory identifiers, etc . ) . The caller 22 has their distribution lists and parameters thereof (directory identifiers, etc.) stored in the SDP 50. The VIO event shows the SDP 50 sending response to the distribution list parameters to the SCP 40. The Event VII shows SCP 40 requesting SSP 30 to establish the call or calls to the called persons, using the directory identifier obtained as described above. Upon establishing the call, SCP 40 sends a message play signal to message playback device 97 as event V12. In response to the signal to reproduce the message, the message playback device 97 sends a message obtaining signal to the speech / text converter 80, as indicated in event V13. In response to the get message signal, the voice / text converter 80 sends the message to the playback device message 97) event V14). The reproducing message device 97 audibly reproduces the message, transmitting the audible message to the SSP 30 (as shown in event V15) and switched through the? 3P 30 for transmission to the receiving networks (event VI6) where it is finally sent and heard by the people called. As a modification of the above, the text message can be translated first from a first language into a second language (example: Swedish to English) by the translator device 95 before the translation of text to speech, resulting in a voice message that it is reproduced in a second language by the message reproduction device 97. In the network and in the service of Figure 4, it should be understood that one or more functions can be consolidated in appropriate nodes or points of the network. For example: the message playback device 97 may be incorporated in the speech / text converter 80. As an example of the use of the text-to-speech and delivery system of the present invention, let us assume that a silent person observes an emergency by fire in or near your residence. When calling the service of the invention, the caller (the silent person) can select a stored text message that has the following content: "Emergency by Fire Please send help to (home address). (name) ". ^ The text message has been previously prepared and stored in a file in the SDP 50 for the caller, and must include its address and name as indicated.After selecting the stored message (example: selecting a message number corresponding to the content of the message), the caller selects a distribution list. The caller may have the following distribution lists: (1) firefighters; (2) police; (3) neighbors. For the alleged emergency presented, the caller must direct that message for immediate sending, instead of deferring it to a blank time. For purposes of ease, the present invention allows the caller 22 to bypass the dialogue / menu process when the caller 22 dials a special express number for the service. By dialing the express directory number, the caller 22 can quickly enter a series of tones, for example, the first tone corresponding to a message number, the second tone to a number from a distribution list. Additional speed for the call is obtained when the express directory number for the service is stored in the caller's telephone as a speed dial number. The use of distribution lists and timed routing lists for the text-to-speech service is comprised of a similar discussion concerning the voice-to-text conversion service. For the text-to-speech service, the caller may prefer to have their relevant information (message context, distribution lists, etc.) entered manually into SDP 50. Alternatively, such information can be entered remotely through the setting of a profile and change process similar to that previously described with respect to the voice-to-text conversion service. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alterations in form and detail may be carried out therein without departing from spirit and scope. of the invention. For example: the functions of the SDP 50 can be consolidated and be carried out by the SCP 40 including a database in the SCP 40, if desired or beneficial.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS A telecommunications system which translates a voice call into a text message, the telecommunications system comprising: a switching point which recognizes and intercepts a call from a caller requiring the translation from voice to text; a service control point which receives the call from the switching point in the interception and which emits an indicator enable signal and a conversion enable signal; an indicator which, in response to indicator enabling signals, generates a menu of information requested by the caller; a voice / text converter which, in response to the conversion enabling signal, establishes a connection to receive a voice message from the caller and converts the voice in the voice message to a text message; and wherein the service control point controls the sending of the text message to a person called according to a response from the p-ersona who calls at least some of the information requested.
2. The system of Claim 1, further comprising a data service point which stores the text message and from which the service control point retrieves the text message before J 'W * f? send it to the called person.
3. The system of Claim 1, further comprising a language converter connected to a voice / text converter to convert a text message from a first language to a second language.
4. 4. The system of Claim 1, wherein the point The service control sends the text message to a person called to a called party address, and where the address of address is an address of a media formatter.
5. 5. The system of Claim 1, wherein the 15 media formatter is one of email, a facsimile generator, a memorandum generator computer and a mobile data generator.
6. 6. The system of Claim 1, wherein the request information menu of the caller 20 requires that the response of the caller be a voice response or a DTMF response.
7. The system of Claim 1, wherein the requested information menu generated by the indicator requires the caller to identify a type 25 of media formatter which will receive the text message.
8. The system of Claim 7, wherein the media formatter is an email generator, a facsimile generator, a memorandum generator computer, an ISDM transmission generator, a packet switching generator and a mobile data generator.
9. The system of Claim 1, wherein the service control point sends the text message to a distribution list of called persons according to a response from the caller to at least some of the information requested. .
10. The system of Claim 1, wherein the service control point instructs the media formatter to obtain the text message from a data service point where the text message is stored. .
11. A method for using a telecommunications system to translate a voice call to a text message, the method comprises: recognizing and intercepting a call from a caller that requires the translation from voice to text; by intercepting the call that requires voice-to-text translation, generating a requested information menu from the caller; get the voice message of the called person and convert the voice in the voice message to a text message; ~ Send the text message to a person called according to a response from the caller to at least some of the information requested.
12. 12. The method of Claim 11, wherein: the recognition and interception is carried out at a switching point; the information menu requested is generated by the indicator in response to an indicator enabled signal generated by a service control point; and the conversion of the voice in the voice message to a text message is carried out by a voice-to-text converter in response to the conversion enable signals generated by the service control point.
13. The method of Claim 11, further comprising: storing the text message at a data service point and using the service control point to retrieve the text message before the data service point before sending the text message. text message to a called person.
14. 14. The method of Claim 11, comprising: further converting the text message I from a first language to a second language.
15. The method of Claim 11, wherein the service control point sends the text message to a person called to a called party address address, and < where the address / address is an address of a media formatter.
16. The method of Claim 11, wherein the media formatter is an email generator, a facsimile generator, a memorandum generator computer or a mobile data generator.
17. The method of Claim 11, wherein the requested information menu of the caller requires the response of the caller to be a voice response or a DTMF response.
18. The method of Claim 11, wherein the requested information menu generated by the indicator requires the caller to identify the type of media formatter that 'should receive the text message.
19. 19. The method of Claim 18, wherein the media formatter is an email generator, a facsimile generator, a memorandum generator computer, an ISDN transmission generator, a packet switching generator or a mobile data generator. . The method of Claim 11, further comprising sending the text message to a distribution list of called persons according to a response from the caller to at least some of the information requested. The method of Claim 11, wherein sending the text message to a called person comprises ordering a media formatter to retrieve a text message from a data service point where the text message is stored.