Method and apparatus for processing and transmitting text documents generated from speech

Generating, sending, receiving and commenting a text document via a telecommunication installation. A text document is generated by means of speech and converted into text data by a speech recognizer (SEK). The text data can be corrected, edited and commented by means of speech. Transmission is automatic via the telecommunication installation (VA).

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention concerns a method and a device for dictating, transmitting, 
receiving and adding comments to a text document by means of a 
telecommunication installation. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Until now a "Method and Device for Generating Reports" was known from 
German patent application DE 39 10 467 A1. It describes that speech 
signals, including predetermined trigger expressions, are transmitted e.g. 
by a multiple line telephone to a speech recognition system. The speech 
recognition system assigns the trigger expressions to predetermined blocks 
of text messages and generates a report. The text is then released to a 
speech synthesizer wherein synthetic speech signals are generated, which 
are read out to a speech memory and relay system for later recovery. The 
system also produces a printed copy of the text in the report. 
In addition, a "Communication System" is known from the German patent 
application P 41 01 200.3 with the same title, which converts speech 
dictated to a transmitting and receiving device into synthetic speech 
and/or into text. The speech and/or text is then relayed to a central 
receiver. Particularly ISDN/telefax, ISDN/telex and letter mail are 
mentioned for the relaying. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention has the task of creating a method and a device whereby a text 
document can be dictated, transmitted, received and comments added to via 
a telecommunication installation. 
The task is fulfilled by a method of dictating and transmitting a text 
document by means of a telecommunication device wherein a text is dictated 
in the form of speech, wherein the speech is converted by means of a 
speech recognizer into text data, wherein the text data can be corrected 
by means of speech, wherein editing can be done in the form of the text 
data, and wherein the text is transmitted as text data to subscribers 
through a telecommunication network. It is also fulfilled by a method of 
receiving, and adding a comment to, a multimedia document by means of a 
telecommunication device wherein text data of the multimedia document can 
be viewed, and wherein text data of the multimedia document can be printed 
out, and wherein text data can be converted into speech, and wherein a 
comment can be added to the text document, which can then be sent on. The 
invention is also directed to an apparatus for dictating and transmitting 
a text document by means of a telecommunication device, comprising 
dictating means, means for transmitting spoken words to a speech 
recognizer, the speech recognizer for converting speech into text data, 
software for correcting text data by means of speech, software for editing 
in the form of text data, and means for transmitting the text data to 
another subscriber. 
An advantage of the invention is that a cost-effective device is provided 
whereby a text document can be forwarded. With the same cost-effective 
device the text document can be corrected, edited and also receive 
comments from another subscriber. 
It is a further advantage that the above mentioned functions are not 
limited to a text document, but can be applied to a multimedia document. 
The device of the invention permits a subscriber in an advantageous manner 
to e.g. dictate a facsimile for another subscriber, which is then 
automatically relayed without the intermediacy of a secretary. In this way 
a subscriber is in a position to dictate and transmit a facsimile 
independently of a typewriter or a word processing program in a PC. 
Other aspects of the invention include a personal address list and/or a 
personal distribution list that is made available by speaking a short 
word, so that the transmission to a subscriber or to a distribution list 
can take place in simple form. 
A dictated text can also be read out to the subscriber. This can take place 
at any time, particularly at the end of the dictation, allowing possible 
improvements or corrections to be made. 
The subscriber furthermore has a personal vocabulary, which increases the 
speech recognition rate, among others. 
Comments to the received text documents are also easy to make. 
Further, the invention is directed to editing of multimedia documents in 
simple form. 
Further configurations of the device provide means whereby a text document 
can be reconverted into speech, which advantageously allows a text to be 
read out at any time. 
Also, means for subscriber identification are provided, for example to 
prevent access by an unauthorized subscriber, and to make a personal 
address and distribution list available, which offers a simplified 
possibility to send out the text documents or multimedia documents.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Configuration examples are explained in greater detail in the following, 
where the method according to claim 1 is explained by means of FIG. 1. 
A subscriber wants to send e.g. a facsimile to another subscriber. The 
following method is provided to be in a position to dictate and send text 
in the form of speech from any location, which only needs to have a 
telephone, for example. 
In a first step 1, a text service is called up. As explained in more detail 
further on, this requires activating a speech recognizer. 
The call to a subscriber or the spoken input of a subscriber takes place in 
a second step 2. In this instance, either the subscriber and the pertinent 
address can be fully input in the form of speech, or the subscriber's 
address is stored in an address directory, so that the full address can be 
activated and entered by simply speaking the name. It is furthermore 
possible to establish a distribution, e.g. by speaking a short word as the 
key word. The distribution is contained in a distribution list and 
indicates when and to whom the text document is to be sent. In this way a 
distribution determines a large number of subscribers to whom the same 
text document, e.g. a facsimile, must be sent. 
In a third step 3, so-called text-to-speech-function software converts the 
text data into speech. This function speaks or reads out the subscriber or 
the distribution, to guarantee the accuracy of the entered address or the 
distribution. This can be increased, e.g. by verbally confirming the 
spoken address or the distribution. 
The confirmation and speaking of the address or the distribution is not 
absolutely necessary, and can also be spoken again before the sending, 
where the command to send is an indirect confirmation. 
The decision that the subscriber is the wrong one, made during a first 
decision step E1, requires a new call or the subscriber to speak again. If 
the decision is made that the subscriber is the correct one, the 
subscriber is entered in a fourth step 4. The fourth step 4 also calls up 
a format. The format determines e.g. that a facsimile format must be 
arranged and completed. 
In a fifth step 5, text is dictated in the form of speech. The possibility 
of interrupting exists at any time during the dictation, as indicated by 
the second decision step E2. In the event an interruption is wanted, there 
is the possibility to express this verbally in another step 6, and to 
cause the text to be repeated. There are also the possibilities of 
repeating a word, a sentence, a paragraph or the entire text. 
If a correction E3 is wanted, the changed position is established in the 
next step 7, and the desired correction is dictated. This causes 
continuation of the dictation of running text 5. If a correction E3 is 
wanted, or there is no desire to interrupt, the dictation of a text 
continues in a subsequent step 8. 
The text ends in a final step 9, it is then possibly read out again and 
transmitted upon agreement. 
The above described order of events can be depicted as follows by means of 
an example in the form of a course protocol: 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Speech input Function/effect Speech output 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
"FAX" --&gt; 
Stored fax-head is called 
--&gt; 
"To whom?" 
Actual data are entered. 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Mr. Muller" 
--&gt; Mr. Muller's name is converted 
and entered. --&gt; 
Alternatives: 
I. A private address register 
can be consulted whether Mr. Muller's 
address and FAX number already exist. 
"Please confirm" if Mr. 
Muller's address is so- 
and-so" 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Yes" --&gt; 
II. Mr. Muller's address and 
FAX number are requested. --&gt; 
"Address?" 
&lt;------------------------- 
so-and-so Street . . . --&gt; 
I. After confirmation, the address 
is entered. If the confirmation is 
negative: .fwdarw. case II. --&gt; 
II. The address is converted and 
entered. --&gt; 
"Concerning" 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Order" --&gt; 
Conversion and input. 
--&gt; 
"Please enter 
FAX text." 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Hereby" --&gt; 
Conversion and input. 
--&gt; 
"End?" 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Yes" --&gt; 
Automatic input: Best regards. 
The full text is reread through 
the text-to-speech function. 
--&gt; 
"Hereby . . . " 
"Do you want to 
make any corrections?" 
&lt;------------------------- 
"No" --&gt; 
End FAX text. --&gt; 
"Should the FAX 
be transmitted?" 
&lt;------------------------- 
"Yes" --&gt; 
The FAX is transmitted. 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
There are several variation possibilities for the above described course 
protocol. 
The following explains the device by means of FIG. 2. 
A device for dictating and transmitting a text document by means of a 
telecommunication installation consists of a speech input device HS, 
through which a subscriber T can dictate text in the form of speech. For 
example, the speech input device HS can be a cordless telephone, a mobile 
telephone, etc. 
To dictate text in the form of speech, thus to set up a text service, a 
speech recognizer SEK is provided to convert speech into text. The speech 
recognizer SEK can e.g. be located in a switching installation VA, where 
it is activated by the emission of a subscriber identification. 
As an alternative, the switching installation VA can establish a connection 
to a personal, private data processing PC, in which the speech recognizer 
SEK is located. The individual process steps are performed as described 
earlier. 
In addition to the speech recognizer SEK, there is software for the 
correction I of text data in the speech recognizer. The corrections can be 
input by means of speech. 
Software for editing II text data is also located in the speech recognizer 
SEK. 
The device of the invention also contains an installation for transmitting 
text data to another subscriber. This can also take place through 
switching installation VA, for example. 
The device furthermore contains a FAX installation for printing the 
received document and/or means T for voicing speech. 
If for example a text document is transmitted, and the other subscriber has 
no facsimile connection, and if there also is an access to the speech 
recognizer SEK, the text-to-speech function can reform the speech, which 
is then output via the telephone. 
The device also consists of a personal computer PC with an attached printer 
D. The document can be viewed on the computer and printed with comments, 
if desired. 
The following explains in more detail a configuration example for receiving 
and commenting a text document by means of FIG. 3. 
A text document is received in a first step 11. It can arrive as a 
facsimile, for example, or as so-called E-mail in a personal computer. 
The text document is read in the next step 12. A decision step Ell 
determines whether or not a comment should be added. If no comment is 
added, the process is completed ENDE. If a comment is added, the text 
service is called up in the next step 13. A spoken comment is added in 
another step 14. 
To provide the possibility of an interruption or an improvement in this 
case as well, if such an interruption is wanted, the desire to interrupt 
is expressed during a decision step E12 in the next step 15, and the text 
is repeated by means of the above explained methods. 
If a correction E13 is wanted, a position change is determined in step 16 
and the correction place is entered. This again is followed by step 14. 
If no correction E13 is wanted, the following step 17 continues the process 
with a further spoken comment. 
The comment is completed and transmitted in the final step 18. In this 
instance e.g. the entire text plus comment, or only the comment, can be 
transmitted to one or several subscribers. 
If a text service is called up during the above described methods, a 
subscriber identification is supplied to permit access to the text 
service. This can take place for example by speaking a code word, or by 
means of any other known method. 
After the subscriber has been identified, a personal vocabulary e.g. can be 
made available to the subscriber. Furthermore, an identified text service 
subscriber can be assigned a personal address list and/or a distribution 
list. 
The following explains an embodiment of the method by means of FIG. 4. 
A method for receiving and commenting a multimedia document by means of a 
telecommunication installation consists of a first step 21, the reception 
of a multimedia document. 
In the event a personal computer PC is available E21, the multimedia 
document can be viewed, read, heard and commented verbally as well as by 
text input 22. 
If no PC is available but a facsimile FAX is available E22, the text data 
is printed as FAX 23. 
If no facsimile is available, but a telephone is available E23, the speech 
text of the multimedia document is voiced and output 24. The text data can 
also be converted into speech and voiced by the above explained 
text-to-speech function. 
As with text documents, multimedia documents can also be edited and 
transmitted to a subscriber.