JP7743021B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method, and is particularly suitable for use in an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, an information processing system including the information processing device and a terminal, an information processing method using the information processing device, and a program.

Conventionally, automated telephone answering systems that automatically respond to calls made to a specified telephone number using voice instead of a human answer have become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Some automated telephone answering systems of this type present multiple options through voice guidance (hereinafter referred to as "option presentation guidance"), and when the caller selects one of the options, they perform processing corresponding to that option. For example, when providing option guidance, the automated telephone answering system uses voice guidance to convey information such as, "If you wish to be provided with specified information through voice, press 1 on the dial key, and if you wish to be connected to an operator, press 2," and when the caller presses either 1 or 2, the system executes processing corresponding to the number pressed.

In order for an automated telephone answering system to present and guide options, various settings (for example, settings for providing options and settings related to the processing to be performed when an option is selected) are required, and these settings are usually made in a predetermined manner by the user of the automated telephone answering system. For example, the user may make the settings by informing a person at the company that operates the automated telephone answering system of the settings via email, telephone, or other means. Alternatively, the user may make the settings by entering the necessary information into a settings screen.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-88491

In conventional automated telephone answering systems, because the option presentation guidance is provided by voice, there was an issue where it was difficult to grasp the overall content of the options being presented (what options have been provided and what each option's content is) when configuring the option presentation guidance. In other words, the voice guidance is provided in text form, and it is necessary to understand from the text what options have been provided and what each option's content is, making it difficult to grasp the overall content of the options. In light of this, there is a need to be able to accurately grasp the overall content of the options when configuring automated telephone answering systems.

The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to enable accurate understanding of the overall content of options when setting up voice guidance that is provided with options.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a user interface that allows the user to create blocks that display information about the content of each voice-guided option, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks created by the user in a reorderable state.

According to the present invention configured as described above, when configuring voice guidance in which options are presented, the user can divide each option into blocks, and the blocks created by the user are displayed in a list with information about the content of the option displayed. Therefore, by referring to the displayed list of blocks, the user can quickly and intuitively grasp what options have been prepared and what the content of each option is. Furthermore, because the blocks can be rearranged, the user can rearrange the blocks in the order in which the options are presented in the voice guidance, making it easier for the user to grasp the overall content of the options. In other words, according to the above invention, the user can accurately grasp the overall content of the options when configuring voice guidance in which options are presented.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an automatic telephone answering device and a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a post-conversion rule setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of a first target and presented options. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram used to explain user operations. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a selection display area. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a selection display area. FIG. 10 is a diagram used to explain user operations. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the automatic telephone answering device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule group display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of a first target and presented options. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a voice guidance sentence. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a terminal according to a second modified example.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 is configured to include an automatic telephone answering device 2 (corresponding to the "information processing device" in the claims) and one or more terminals 3. Both the automatic telephone answering device 2 and terminals 3 are connectable to a network N, which may include the Internet, a telephone network, or other communication networks.

Terminal 3 is a computer used by a user, and is connected to or configured with a display device 4 such as an LCD display or an organic EL display. In this embodiment, the term "user" refers to a person (including an organization (such as a company or organization) that uses the services) provided by the automatic telephone answering device 2 (including at least the automatic telephone answering service and setting-related services described below). In the following description, the term "user" may refer to an individual who actually operates terminal 3, or an individual or organization (such as a company or organization) that uses the services provided by the automatic telephone answering device 2. Terminal 3 may be any type of computer equipped with a browser; for example, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer (including so-called smartphones) can function as terminal 3.

The automatic telephone answering device 2 is a server device that has terminal 3 as one of its clients. The automatic telephone answering device 2 provides at least an automatic telephone answering service and a setting-related service. The automatic telephone answering service is a service that automatically answers calls according to predetermined settings when a call is made to a telephone number assigned to a user. Hereinafter, the automatic answering provided by the automatic telephone answering device 2 will be referred to as the "automatic telephone answering." The telephone number assigned to a user will be referred to as the "user telephone number."

On the other hand, a setting-related service is a service that provides a means for making settings related to automatic telephone answering and accepts those settings. The processing of the automatic telephone answering device 2 and terminal 3 when providing setting-related services will be described in detail later, along with the user's work and the user interface provided by the automatic telephone answering device 2. Note that while Figure 1 shows the automatic telephone answering device 2 as a single block, the automatic telephone answering device 2 does not have to be a single server device; for example, it may be composed of multiple server devices, or it may be part of a specified system.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the automatic telephone answering device 2 and terminal 3. As shown in Figure 2, the automatic telephone answering device 2 has, as its functional components, an information processing unit 10 and a communication unit 11. Furthermore, the terminal 3 has, as its functional components, a terminal control unit 12 and a terminal communication unit 13. The above functional blocks 10-13 can be configured using either hardware, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or software. For example, when configured using software, the above functional blocks 10-13 are actually configured using a computer's CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and are realized by the operation of a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. The automatic telephone answering device 2 also has a memory unit 14 as storage means.

The communication unit 11 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 communicates with devices connected to the network N in accordance with a predetermined protocol. Hereinafter, detailed explanations of communication by the automatic telephone answering device 2 via the network N will be omitted, assuming that it is appropriately performed by the communication unit 11. The terminal communication unit 13 of the terminal 3 communicates with devices connected to the network N in accordance with a predetermined protocol. Hereinafter, detailed explanations of communication by the terminal 3 via the network N will be omitted, assuming that it is appropriately performed by the terminal communication unit 13.

As described above, the automatic telephone answering device 2 has the function of providing setting-related services. Below, the processing of the automatic telephone answering device 2 and terminal 3 when providing setting-related services will be described in detail. Below, it is assumed that a user who has not made any settings related to automatic telephone answering is making settings related to automatic telephone answering for the first time.

A user wishing to receive a setting-related service launches the browser on their terminal 3 and instructs the automatic telephone answering device 2 to access a specific URL. In response to this instruction, the terminal control unit 12 of the terminal 3 accesses the specific URL using the browser's functions. When the specific URL is accessed, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 authenticates the user using a specific method and then responds to the terminal 3 with an HTML file for displaying the main screen and other data. The terminal control unit 12 of the terminal 3 receives the HTML file and uses the browser's functions to display the main screen on the display device 4 based on the HTML file.

In the following, the detection of operations on various screens displayed on the "display device 4 of terminal 3" based on the HTML file transmitted from the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2, the acquisition of information entered on various screens, the dynamic modification of various screens, and various other screen-related processing are assumed to be appropriately executed by the information processing unit 10 using CGI, JavaScript (registered trademark), Ajax, DHTML, and other existing technologies, and will not be described in detail. Furthermore, the transmission of an HTML file by the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 to terminal 3 and displaying a screen based on the HTML file on the display device 4 of terminal 3 may be expressed as "the information processing unit 10 displays the XX screen (user interface) on the display device 4 of terminal 3," or simply as "the information processing unit 10 displays the XX screen (user interface)."

From the main screen (or a screen that can be accessed from the main screen), the user can select a setting-related service as a service to be received from the automatic telephone answering device 2. When the user selects a setting-related service, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 displays a rule group display screen 19 on the display device 4 of the terminal 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the rule group display screen 19. Figure 3 particularly shows the rule group display screen 19 when settings related to automatic telephone answering have not yet been made.

As shown in Figure 3, the rule group display screen 19 displays a tab 20 for each rule group, and by selecting one of the tabs 20, one of the rule groups can be selected. The significance of rule groups will become clear later. In this embodiment, there are five rule groups, RG1 to RG5, and Figure 3 shows that rule group RG1 has been selected. Hereinafter, the selected rule group will be referred to specifically as the "selected rule group."

The rule display area 21 for the selected rule group is displayed within the rule group display screen 19. Figure 3 shows the rule display area 21 for rule group GR1, which is a selected rule group. The rule display area 21 has an application setting button 22 for setting whether to apply the selected rule group. A rule group that is set to be applied using the application setting button 22 is applied when automatically answering a telephone call. The user can use the application setting button 22 to set whether to apply the selected rule group. Note that one rule group must be applied exclusively; if one rule group is applied and another rule group is set to be applied, the application of that rule group is canceled and the other rule group is applied.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rule display area 21 (more precisely, the rule display area 21 for a selected rule group for which no rules have been set) has a first rule setting start button 23 for starting setting rules for the first response process. The first response process is the response process that the automatic telephone answering device 2 executes first when a call is made to the user's telephone number. Hereinafter, the rule for the first response process will be referred to as the "first rule." As will become clear later, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 executes the first response process in accordance with the first rule. For convenience, the concept including the first response process and the first rule will be referred to as the "first target."

When the user wants to start setting a first rule for the selected rule group, the user selects (double-clicks or clicks) the first rule setting start button 23. When the first rule setting start button 23 is selected, the information processing unit 10 pops up a rule setting screen 24. Figure 4 shows an example of the rule setting screen 24. The rule setting screen 24 is a screen for setting the content of the first response process (i.e., the content of the response process to be executed first when a call is made to the user's phone number) as the first rule. Note that the rule setting screen 24 is used not only for setting first rules, but also for setting branch rules (described below).

As shown in FIG. 4, the rule setting screen 24 has a rule name input field 25. The rule name input field 25 is a field for inputting a character string as a name to be assigned to the rule being set on the rule setting screen 24 (in this example, the first rule). The user decides on a name for the first rule and inputs it into the rule name input field 25. FIG. 4 shows the character string "Introductory Information" input into the rule name input field 25.

On the rule setting screen 24, below the rule name input field 25, there is provided a response method selection area 26. The response method selection area 26 is an area for selecting the type of response processing. Hereinafter, the type of processing may be referred to as the "response method." In this embodiment, four types of response methods are provided: "voice guidance," "telephone forwarding," "SMS transmission," and "voice recording." Hereinafter, when the terms "voice guidance," "telephone forwarding," "SMS transmission," and "voice recording" are used as response methods, "<response method>" is added, as in "voice guidance <response method>," to distinguish them from when the terms are used in a general sense.

Voice guidance <response method> refers to providing voice guidance (voice guidance) as a response process. Call forwarding <response method> refers to forwarding a call as a response process. However, call forwarding <response method> includes forwarding a call after providing voice guidance to the effect that the call will be forwarded. SMS sending <response method> refers to sending a message via SMS addressed to the caller's phone number. However, SMS sending <response method> includes sending a message after providing voice guidance to the effect that a message will be sent via SMS. Voice recording <response method> refers to recording voice (assuming the caller's spoken voice). However, voice recording <response method> includes recording voice after providing voice guidance to the effect that the call will be recorded.

As shown in Figure 4, the response method selection area 26 displays an icon for each of the four response methods, and the user can select one of the response methods by selecting one of the icons. Below, we will explain the processing of the automatic telephone answering system 2 when the voice guidance <Response Method> is selected, and then we will briefly explain the processing of the automatic telephone answering system 2 when another response method is selected.

When the voice guidance <Response Method> is selected, the information processing unit 10 converts the rule setting screen 24 to the screen shown in Figure 5. Hereinafter, for convenience, the screen converted from the rule setting screen 24 by selecting a response method will be referred to as the "converted rule setting screen 24A." As shown in Figure 5, the converted rule setting screen 24A has a voice content setting area 28, which has a voice file designation area 29 and a voice guidance text input field 30. The voice file designation area 29 is an area where the voice file to be used is designated and uploaded to the automatic telephone answering device 2 when a user-prepared voice file is to be used for voice guidance (i.e., the voice recorded in the voice file is to be output during voice guidance). The user uploads the voice file by dragging and dropping the voice file into a specific area within the voice file designation area 29, or by specifying the location of the voice file in the file system of the terminal 3.

As shown in Figure 5, the voice content setting area 28 includes a voice guidance text input field 30. The voice guidance text input field 30 is an input field for inputting the text of the voice guidance (hereinafter referred to as "voice guidance text") as text. The text input into the voice guidance text input field 30 is output as voice during voice guidance. The user can freely set the content of the voice guidance text.

In automated telephone answering, a voice guide presents multiple options, prompting the caller to select one, and when the caller selects one, the response process corresponding to that option is executed. Hereinafter, the voice guide presenting multiple options is referred to as the "option presentation guide," and the options presented in the option presentation guide are referred to as the "presented options." As an example, the option presentation guide may output a voice such as "If you want ○, press 1; if you want ×, press 2," and when the caller operates either the 1 or 2 dial key, the process corresponding to the operated number is executed.

In this embodiment, the options presented in the option presentation guide are represented by single-digit numbers (i.e., numbers "1" to "9") that can be specified using a dial key. In this embodiment, when specifically indicating the value of a presented option, the number is added to the number, such as "number 1" or "number 2." Dial keys also include not only physical buttons, but also software buttons (for example, buttons displayed on the touch screen of a smartphone). Note that the presented options are represented by single-digit numbers solely for the sake of simplicity; the presented options may also be numbers of two or more digits.

If the user intends for the automated telephone answering device 2 to provide option presentation guidance, it is assumed that the user will input voice guidance text including text presenting/guiding each of the presented options (hereinafter referred to as "option guidance text") into the voice guidance text input field 30. In this embodiment, the user is informed in advance that (1) the values of the presented options to be prepared will be increased by one starting from "1", and (2) the presented options will be presented/guided in order of the lowest value of the presented option (the option guidance text should be such text). Note that these points are conveyed to the user, for example, via a manual (including those provided as a web page or a downloadable file). However, information indicating these points may also be displayed near the voice guidance text input field 30 on the post-conversion rule setting screen 24A.

For example, in this embodiment, it is permissible to provide {1, 2} or {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} as presented options, but it is not permissible to provide {1, 3, 6} or {7, 8, 9}. Furthermore, for example, the content of the option guide sentence is permissible as "Select 1 for A, 2 for B" or "Select 1 for A, 2 for B, 3 for C, 4 for D, 5 for E," but it is not permissible to provide "Select 1 for A, 3 for B," or "Select 2 for A, 1 for B" (options are not presented/guided in order of lowest value), or "Select 7 for A, 8 for B, 9 for C."

Taking the above into consideration, the voice guidance text set by the user (= text entered in the voice guidance text input field 30) may be, for example, as follows. For example, let's say the user runs a store that provides a specified service. In this case, the content of the voice guidance text may be, for example, "Thank you for calling. This is XX. For inquiries about services, press 1. If you don't know where the store is, press 2. For all other inquiries, press 3."

A voice confirmation button 31 is provided below the voice guidance sentence input field 30. When the voice confirmation button 31 is selected (double-clicked or clicked), the information processing unit 10 uses existing voice synthesis technology to synthesize the voice guidance sentence entered in the voice guidance sentence input field 30, converts it into an audio file, and plays the audio file to output the sentence as audio from the speaker of the terminal 3.

The user can have audio guidance provided using only the audio file they have prepared. In this case, the user uploads the audio file they have prepared and enters only the character "." in the audio guidance text input field 30. The user can also have audio guidance provided using only the audio file based on the text entered in the audio guidance text input field 30. In this case, the user does not upload the audio file they have prepared, but enters the audio guidance text in the audio guidance text input field 30. The user can also have audio guidance provided using both the audio file they have prepared and an audio file based on the text entered in the audio guidance text input field 30. In this case, the user uploads the audio file they have prepared and enters the text in the audio guidance text input field 30. In this case, the audio guidance is provided in the following order: "audio based on the audio file prepared by the user" → "audio based on the text entered in the audio guidance text input field 30."

If voice guidance is selected as the response method, the automatic telephone answering device 2 will output the voice set in the voice content setting area 28 when a call is made to the user's phone number.

As shown in Figure 5, an outside business hours setting area 32 is provided below the voice confirmation button 31 on the converted rule setting screen 24A. The outside business hours setting area 32 is an area for setting the response processing outside business hours when the user has business hours and non-business hours and wishes a different response processing to be executed outside business hours. As shown in Figure 5, the outside business hours setting area 32 has an outside business hours related specification area 33 for specifying whether a different response processing will be executed outside business hours. The user uses the radio buttons in the outside business hours related specification area 33 to specify whether a different response processing will be executed outside business hours.

Below the after-hours related specification area 33 is provided an after-hours detailed settings area 34. The after-hours detailed settings area 34 includes a response method selection area 26 and a voice content setting area 28. If the user specifies that a different response process should be executed outside of business hours, the user sets the content of the response process using the response method selection area 26 and the voice content setting area 28. The user can set the business hours and after-hours time periods using a user interface (not shown) provided by the information processing unit 10. The processing of the automatic telephone answering device 2 when the voice guidance <Response Method> is selected has been described above, along with the user interface provided by the information processing unit 10 and the user's actions.

When call forwarding <Response Method> is selected in the response method selection area 26 of the rule setting screen 24, the information processing unit 10 converts the rule setting screen 24 to a screen (not shown) for making settings related to call forwarding. The converted rule setting screen 24 has an input field for entering the forwarding destination phone number, a voice content setting area 28, and an after-hours setting area 32. When call forwarding <Response Method> is selected as the response method, the automatic telephone answering device 2 outputs the voice set in the voice content setting area 28 when a call is made to the user phone number, and forwards the call to the set forwarding destination phone number.

When SMS transmission <Response Method> is selected in the response method selection area 26 of the rule setting screen 24, the information processing unit 10 converts the rule setting screen 24 to a screen (not shown) for configuring settings related to SMS transmission. The converted rule setting screen 24 has an input field for entering the text content of the message to be sent by SMS, a voice content setting area 28, and an after-hours setting area 32. When SMS transmission is selected as the response method, the automatic telephone answering device 2 outputs the voice set in the voice content setting area 28 when a call is made to the user's phone number, and also sends the set message via SMS to the caller's phone number.

When voice recording <Response Method> is selected in the response method selection area 26 of the rule setting screen 24, the information processing unit 10 converts the rule setting screen 24 to a screen (not shown) for making settings related to voice recording. The converted rule setting screen 24 has a voice content setting area 28 and an after-business hours setting area 32. When voice recording is selected as the response method, the automatic telephone answering device 2 outputs the voice set in the voice content setting area 28 when a call comes in to the user's phone number, and also outputs a voice informing the caller that recording will begin and that the caller should speak their requirements (for example, a voice saying, "Please state your requirements after the beep." The voice file for this voice is prepared separately). The automatic telephone answering device 2 then records the caller's voice.

The information entered on the rule setting screen 24 indicates the rule for the response process (first response process) that the automatic telephone answering device 2 will execute first when a call is made to the user's phone number, and this content corresponds to the "first rule." Once input into the rule setting screen 24 (including screens converted from the rule setting screen 24) is complete, the user selects (double-clicks or clicks) the rule setting save button 35 at the bottom of the rule setting screen 24.

When the rule setting save button 35 is selected, the information processing unit 10 accesses the setting database 15 in the storage unit 14. The setting database 15 is a database in which records are registered for each user phone number, holding settings related to automatic telephone answering. After accessing the setting database 15, the information processing unit 10 identifies the record corresponding to the user's user phone number (the user phone number is identified during authentication) and updates the record information to reflect the contents of the first rule entered by the user. Reflecting the contents of the first rule also includes registering the necessary audio files. This completes the setting of the first rule. When performing the response process corresponding to the first target (i.e., the response process to be performed first when a call is made to the user phone number), the information processing unit 10 references the setting database 15 to identify the record corresponding to the user phone number and performs the response process in accordance with the first rule based on the contents of the record.

Furthermore, when the user selects (double-clicks or clicks) the Save Rule Setting button 35 on the rule setting screen 24, the information processing unit 10 stops the pop-up display of the rule setting screen 24 and converts the rule group display screen 19 to a screen that reflects the completion of the setting of the most-prioritized rule. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the rule group display screen 19 displayed by the information processing unit 10 after the setting of the most-prioritized rule is completed. As shown in Figure 6, the information processing unit 10 displays a most-prioritized target block 38, which is a block (actually an area surrounded by a rectangular frame) corresponding to the most-prioritized rule, on the rule group display screen 19. The information processing unit 10 displays rule name information 39 in the most-prioritized target block 38, indicating the name of the rule entered in the rule name input field 25 (in this example, the name of the most-prioritized rule). The information processing unit 10 also displays response method information 40 in the most-prioritized target block 38, indicating the selected response method (voice guidance <Response Method> in the example of Figure 6).

The user can edit the first rule by selecting (double-clicking or clicking) the first target block 38. That is, when the first target block 38 is selected, the information processing unit 10 pops up a rule setting screen 24 that reflects the current first rule. The user can edit the first rule using the rule setting screen 24 that pops up.

As described above, the user can have the automatic telephone answering device 2 present option guidance as a response process. In this case, it is assumed that the voice guidance text includes option guidance text. In this embodiment, the user can have the options presented hierarchically. Below, we will explain "hierarchically presenting options" using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hierarchical structure of the first option and presented options. In Figure 7, the first option is the 0th layer (root layer). Below, we will explain the case where the automatic telephone answering device 2 "hierarchically presents options" in accordance with the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the automatic telephone answering device 2 first presents options 1 (presented option S1), 2 (presented option S2), and 3 (presented option S3) as presented options in the first response process of the 0th layer (the first response process performed after a call is made to the user's phone number). These presented options are included in a group belonging to the first target (hereinafter referred to as the "lower-level group of the first target") in the layer (first layer) one level below the layer of the first target (0th layer). When option 1 (presented option S1) is selected in response to presented options S1, S2, and S3, the layer transitions to the first layer, and the automatic telephone answering device 2 presents options 1 (presented option S1-1) and 2 (presented option S1-2) as presented options. Presentation options S1-1 and S1-2 are included in a group belonging to presentation option S1 in the layer (second layer) one level below the layer of presentation option S1 (first layer). Hereinafter, a group that is one level below a given presentation option and belongs to that presentation option will be referred to as the "lower level group of presentation options." Presentation options S1-1 and S1-2 are included in the lower level group of presentation option S1. When option 2 (presentation option S1-2) is selected from the presented presentation options S1-1 and S1-2, the hierarchy transitions to the second level, one level below, and automatic telephone answering device 2 presents options 1 (presentation option S1-2-1) and 2 (presentation option S2-2-2) as presentation options. These presentation options S1-2-1 and S2-2-2 are included in the lower level group of presentation option S1-2.

Hereinafter, the response processing executed by the automated telephone answering device 2 when an option presentation guide is provided in the automated telephone answering device and one of the presented options is selected will be referred to as the "branching response processing." Furthermore, the rules related to the branching response processing (i.e., the settings to be followed when executing the branching response processing) will be referred to as the "branching rules." In this embodiment, the user can use the user interface provided by the information processing unit 10 to accurately set branching rules for the options to be presented (for all options at all levels, if the options are presented hierarchically). Below, assuming that the user intends to have the options presented according to the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 7 and that the settings are made in accordance with this, the processing of the automated telephone answering device 2 will be described along with the user interface provided by the automated telephone answering device 2 and the operations performed by the user.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the rule group display screen 19 after the first rule has been set, an option display area 41 is provided below the first target block 38, and an add option button 42 is provided below the option display area 41. The add option button 42 is a button selected when setting a branching rule for one presented option and starting to generate an option block B (described below). Hereinafter, setting a branching rule for (one) presented option and generating an option block B may be referred to as "preparing (one) presented option." Below, we will first explain the case where the user prepares presented option S1 (see FIG. 7).

To prepare the presented option S1, the user selects (double-clicks or clicks) the Add Option button 42 on the rule group display screen 19 (Figure 6) after the first rule has been set. When the Add Option button 42 is selected, the information processing unit 10 pops up the rule setting screen 24 (see Figure 4). The user sets the branching rule for the presented option S1 in the same manner as the first rule by making the necessary inputs into the rule setting screen 24 (i.e., the content entered into the rule setting screen 24 becomes the branching rule for the presented option S1). That is, the user enters the name of the branching rule in the rule name input field 25, selects a response method, makes the necessary inputs into the screen that is converted depending on the response method selected, and selects (double-clicks or clicks) the Save Rule Settings button 35.

Here, part or all of the rule setting screen 24 corresponds to the claims of "a user interface for setting the processing to be executed when an option corresponding to a block is selected" or "a user interface for setting the processing to be executed when an option corresponding to a block is selected, separately for business hours and non-business hours."

When the branching rule for the presented option S1 is set (= when the rule setting save button 35 is selected), the information processing unit 10 stops the pop-up display of the rule setting screen 24. Furthermore, the information processing unit 10 generates an option block B-S1, which is a block corresponding to the presented option S1, in the option display area 41 formed below the first target block 38 on the rule group display screen 19. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the rule group display screen 19 after the branching rule for the presented option S1 has been set. In Figure 8, a newly generated "option block B-S1 related to the presented option S1" has been generated in the option display area 41.

When adding a newly generated option block B to the option display area 41, the information processing unit 10 adds it according to the following rules. That is, the information processing unit 10 adds the newly generated option block B below the lowest option block B of the "first layer" (= the first target lower layer group) that is already present in the option display area 41. As will become clear later, it is possible to intuitively tell from its appearance which layer the option block B belongs to. When the option block B related to the presented option S1 is generated, there are no option blocks B in the option display area 41, so the information processing unit 10 displays one "option block B related to the presented option S1" in the option display area 41.

As shown in FIG. 8, option block B displays option value information 43 indicating the value of the presented option (hereinafter referred to as "option value"). When the information processing unit 10 generates an option block B for one presented option, it automatically assigns an option value to that one presented option in accordance with the following rules. That is, the information processing unit 10 assigns an option value of the same value as the order (meaning the number counting from the top) of option block B in the "first layer" (= the first-target lower-level group) in the option display area 41. In the example of FIG. 8, the order of option block B of presented option S1 in the "first layer" of the option display area 41 is "No. 1." Therefore, the information processing unit 10 assigns "No. 1" as the option value of presented option S1 and displays information indicating "No. 1" as option value information 43 in the option block B of presented option S1.

Option block B also displays rule name information 39, which indicates the name of the branching rule entered in rule name input field 25. It is assumed that the name of the branching rule is a phrase used by the user to represent the presented option S1. Option block B also displays response method information 40, which indicates the selected response method (voice guidance <Response Method> in the example of FIG. 8). The information displayed in option block B indicates the name of the branching rule set by the user and the response method selected by the user. By referring to this information, the content of the presented option (content of the branching rule) can be intuitively and accurately understood. Therefore, the information displayed in option block B corresponds to "information regarding the content of the presented option" in the claims. Furthermore, part or all of rule setting screen 24 corresponds to "a user interface for the user to generate option block B" in the claims. Through the above user operations, presented option S1 is prepared.

Next, we will explain how the user prepares the presented option S2 (see Figure 7). When preparing the presented option S2, the user selects (double-clicks or clicks) the add option button 42 on the rule group display screen 19 shown in Figure 8. When the add option button 42 is selected, the information processing unit 10 pops up the rule setting screen 24 (see Figure 4). The user specifies the content of the branching rule for the presented option S2 in the same manner as for the first rule by making the necessary inputs on the rule setting screen 24. When the save rule setting button 35 is selected, the information processing unit 10 appropriately updates the corresponding record in the setting database 15 of the storage unit 14.

When the branching rule for the presented option S2 is set (= when the rule setting save button 35 is selected), the information processing unit 10 stops the pop-up display of the rule setting screen 24. Furthermore, the information processing unit 10 generates an option block B-S2, which is a block corresponding to the presented option S2, in the option display area 41 of the rule group display screen 19. Figure 9 shows an example of the rule group display screen 19 after the branching rule for the presented option S2 has been set following the branching rule for the presented option S1. As shown in Figure 9, option value information 43 indicating the option value of the presented option S2, rule name information 39 indicating the name of the branching rule, and response method information 40 indicating the selected response method are displayed in the option block B-S2 for the presented option S2.

As described above, when the information processing unit 10 adds a newly generated option block B to the option display area 41, it adds the newly generated option block B below the lowest option block B in the "first layer" (= the lower-level group for the first target) that is already present in the option display area 41. Based on this, the information processing unit 10 adds option block B-S2 related to presented option S2 below option block B related to presented option S1. Also, as described above, the information processing unit 10 assigns the newly added option block B (presented option) an option value that is the same as the order of option block B in the "first layer" (= the lower-level group for the first target) of the option display area 41. Based on this, the information processing unit 10 assigns "No. 2" as the option value of presented option S2, and displays information indicating "No. 2" as option value information 43 in option block B-S2 of presented option S2.

The above describes the processing of the automatic telephone answering device 2 when preparing presentation options S1 and S2, along with the displayed user interface and user operations. The user similarly prepares presentation options S3, S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2, S1-2-1, and S1-2-2 in this order. Figure 10 shows the rule group display screen 19 displayed by the information processing unit 10 after all presentation options have been prepared. In Figure 10, the option display area 41 displays option blocks B corresponding to the presentation options S1, S2, S3, S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2, S1-2-1, and S1-2-2 in this order. Note that in this embodiment, for the option block B of the presentation options shown in Figure 7, for ease of explanation, the symbol (S1, etc.) assigned to the presentation option is included at the beginning of the wording of the rule name information 39 for option block B.

The user can edit the branching rule by selecting (double-clicking or clicking) option block B. That is, when option block B is selected, the information processing unit 10 pops up a rule setting screen 24 that reflects the current branching rule. The user can edit the branching rule using the pop-up rule setting screen 24. The rule setting screen 24 also has a button for deleting presented options, and the user can use this button to delete presented options. When a presented option is deleted, the corresponding option block B is also deleted by the information processing unit 10.

The user can use option blocks B displayed in the option display area 41 to assign one option block B to a lower-level group of another option block B. Referring to FIG. 7, presented option S1-1 belongs to a lower-level group of presented option S1. The user then performs the following steps to assign presented option S1-1 to a lower-level group of presented option S1. FIG. 11 is a diagram used to explain this step. As shown in FIG. 11(A), the user drags option block B-S1-1 of presented option S1-1 and moves it toward option block B-S1 of presented option S1. Furthermore, the user ensures that the area of option block B-S1 of presented option S1 and the area of option block B-S1-1 of presented option S1-1 overlap by a certain amount, as shown in FIG. 11(B).

When the information processing unit 10 detects that the area of option block B of presented option S1 and the area of option block B of presented option S1-1 overlap by a certain amount or more, it displays a lower-level indicator mark 44 below option block B-S1 of presented option S1 (between option block B-S1 of presented option S1 and option block B-S2 of presented option S2) as shown in FIG. 11(B), indicating that "if option block B-S1-1 is dropped in this state, presented option S1-1 will belong to a lower-level group of presented option S1." The user checks this lower-level indicator mark 44 and drops option block B-S1-1 of presented option S1-1. As a result, presented option S1-1 becomes part of the lower-level group of presented option S1, and as shown in FIG. 11(C), option block B-S1-1 of presented option S1-1 is displayed below option block B-S1 of presented option S1, one level lower left and right from option block B-S1 of presented option S1 (shifted a certain amount to the right). As shown in FIG. 11(C), it is clear from the appearance of the option display area 41 that presented option S1-1 belongs to the lower-level group of presented option S1.

When adding a choice block B to a lower-level group of another choice block B, the information processing unit 10 adds it according to the following rules. That is, the information processing unit 10 adds the choice block B below the lowest-ranking choice block B that already exists in the lower-level group of the other choice block B. Furthermore, when the information processing unit 10 adds a choice block B to the lower-level group of the other choice block B, it automatically assigns a choice value to the choice block B according to the following rules. That is, the information processing unit 10 assigns a choice value that is the same as the order of the choice block B in the lower-level group of the other choice block B (i.e., the order when counting from the top). In the example of FIG. 11(C), in the lower-level group of the presented option S1, the order of the choice block B-S1-1 of the presented option S1-1 is "No. 1." Therefore, the information processing unit 10 assigns "No. 1" as the choice value of the presented option S1-1, and displays information indicating "No. 1" as choice value information 43 in the choice block B-S1-1 of the presented option S1-1.

Furthermore, because presented option S1-2 now belongs to the lower-level group of presented option S1, presented option S1-2 is removed from the first-target lower-level group (first layer). Taking this into consideration, the information processing unit 10 changes the option values for each presented option included in the "first-target lower-level group" so that the order of option blocks B in the first-target lower-level group matches the option values, and changes the content of the option value information 43 to be displayed.

Also referring to FIG. 7, presented option S1-2 belongs to a lower-level group of presented option S1, and its option value in that lower-level group is "No. 2." To achieve this state, the user moves option block B-S1-2 of presented option S1-2 so that option block B-S1-2 of presented option S1-2 and option block B-S1 of presented option S1 overlap by a certain amount, and then drops option block B-S1-2 of presented option S1-2 in this state. This places presented option S1-2 in a state one level below presented option S1, and the option display area 41 becomes the state shown in FIG. 12 (the information processing unit 10 displays the option display area 41 shown in FIG. 12). As described above, the option value of presented option S1-2 is updated according to the rules.

The user also assigns presented options S2-1 and S2-2 to presented option S2, and then assigns presented options S1-2-1 and S1-2-2 to presented option S1-2. As a result, the option display area 41 becomes the state shown in FIG. 13 (the information processing unit 10 displays the option display area 41 shown in FIG. 13). It is apparent from the appearance that the hierarchical structure of presented options in the option display area 41 in FIG. 13 follows the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 7. As described above, the information processing unit 10 provides a user interface that displays a list of option blocks B in a manner that allows them to be hierarchically organized in accordance with the hierarchical structure of options when options are presented hierarchically by voice guidance.

The user can also use option blocks B to freely rearrange option blocks B within the same lower-level group. For example, when the option display area 41 is in the state shown in FIG. 13 (i.e., in accordance with the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 7), suppose the user wants to swap presented option S2 and presented option S3, that is, change the option value of presented option S2 to "No. 3" and the option value of presented option S3 to "No. 2." In this case, as shown in FIG. 14(A), the user drags and moves option block B-S3 of presented option S3 so that the center of gravity of option block B-S3 of presented option S3 is above option block B-S2 of presented option S2, in the gap between option block B-S2 of presented option S2 and option block B-S1-2-2 of presented option S1-2-2.

When the information processing unit 10 detects that the center of gravity of option block B of presented option S3 is located in the gap, it displays a same-level marker 45 in the gap, indicating that "if option block B-S3 is dropped in this state, presented option S3 will be ranked above presented option S2 within the same virtual group." The user checks the same-level marker 45 and drops option block B-S3 of presented option S3. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(B), option block B-S3 of presented option S3 is displayed above option block B-S2 of presented option S2 as a block in the same lower-level group as option block B-S2 of presented option S2 (this is how the information processing unit 10 displays it).

As described above, the rule group display screen 19 includes a user interface that displays the option blocks B selected by the user in a rearrangeable state. In other words, the information processing unit 10 provides a user interface that displays a list of option blocks B (blocks) created by the user in a rearrangeable state.

Hereinafter, the branching rules and hierarchical structure for all prepared options are referred to as the comprehensive branching rules. After the user has prepared all presented options and completed the construction of the hierarchical structure, they select the save button 46 on the rule group display screen 19. When the information processing unit 10 detects that the save button 46 has been selected, it accesses the setting database 15 in the storage unit 14 and updates the contents of the record corresponding to the user's user phone number so that the branching rules set for all presented options and the hierarchical structure for all presented options are reflected. This completes the setting of the comprehensive branching rules.

When automatically answering a call, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 references the setting database 15 and performs the automatic telephone answering process while reflecting the comprehensive branching rules. For example, assume that the comprehensive branching rules conform to the rules shown in Figure 7. In this case, when a call is made to the user's telephone number, the information processing unit 10 first performs the first-response process according to the first-response rule. In this first-response process, options 1 (presented option S1), 2 (presented option S2), and 3 (presented option S3) are presented (the user sets such voices).

When option 1 is selected in the first response process, the information processing unit 10 executes branch response processing in accordance with the branching rules of presentation option S1; when option 2 is selected, it executes branch response processing in accordance with the branching rules of presentation option S2; and when option 3 is selected, it executes branch response processing in accordance with the branching rules of presentation option S3. Here, in the branch response processing related to presentation option S1, options 1 and 2 are presented as presentation options. When option 2 is selected, the information processing unit 10 executes branch response processing in accordance with the branching rules of presentation option S1-2, presenting options 1 and 2; when option 2 is selected, the information processing unit 10 executes branch response processing in accordance with the branching rules of presentation option S1-2-2.

Next, the information processing method by the automatic telephone answering device 2 (information processing device) will be described using a flowchart. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the automatic telephone answering device 2. As shown in Figure 15, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 provides a user interface that allows the user to generate an option block B (block) that displays information about the content of the presented option for each presented option (option) that is voice-guided (step SA1). The information processing unit 10 provides a user interface that displays a list of option blocks B generated by the user in a reorderable state (step SA2).

As described above, the information processing unit 10 of the automatic telephone answering device 2 according to this embodiment provides a user interface that allows the user to generate an option block B (block) displaying information about the content of the presented option (option) for each presented option (option) that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the option blocks B generated by the user in a reorderable state.

According to this embodiment, when configuring voice guidance in which presented options are provided, the user can divide the presented options into blocks, and the option blocks B created by the user are displayed in a list with information about the content of the presented options. Therefore, by referring to the listed option blocks B, the user can quickly and intuitively understand what options have been prepared as presented options and the content of each presented option. Furthermore, because option blocks B can be rearranged, the user can rearrange the blocks in the order in which the presented options will be announced in the voice guidance, making it easier for the user to grasp the overall content of the presented options. In other words, according to this embodiment, the user can accurately grasp the overall content of the presented options when configuring voice guidance in which presented options are provided.

In this embodiment, the presented options announced by voice are represented by numbers that can be specified using the dial keys. When an option block B is generated, the information processing unit 10 displays options in the option block B with the same value as the order of the option block B in the list (order within the lower-level group that is the first target), and when the listed option blocks B are rearranged, the information processing unit 10 changes the value of the options displayed in the option block B for each option block B so that the order of the option block B matches the value of the option.

With this configuration, the user can simply rearrange the order of the option blocks B to assign option values to the presented options that are consistent with the rearranged order of the option blocks B, providing great convenience to the user.

<First Modification>
Next, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 16(A) is a diagram showing an example of a rule group display screen 19 according to this modified example. As shown in FIG. 16(A), a lock switch 48 is provided at the top of the rule group display screen 19 according to this embodiment. After completing the setting of the general branch rule, the user operates the lock switch 48 to turn on the lock and enter a locked state. In the locked state, the information processing unit 10 executes the following processing. Note that with this modified example, the information processing unit 10 basically executes the same processing as in the above embodiment, except that the lock switch 48 is provided on the rule group display screen 19 and that the information processing unit 10 executes the following processing in the locked state.

Let's assume that the hierarchical structure of the presented options is as shown in Figure 17(A) (i.e., the state of the option display area 41 is as shown in Figure 16(A)). Figure 18(A1) is a diagram showing an example of the content of the first targeted voice guidance sentence at this time. When the hierarchical structure of the presented options is as shown in Figure 17(A), it is expected that the voice guidance sentence will include sentences providing guidance on the presented options SB1 to SB4.

The user is informed in advance that when providing option presentation guidance during the response process, the voice guidance sentence should be formatted as follows. That is, for each presented option, the user is informed that the symbol "" should be placed at the beginning of a series of sentences providing guidance about the presented option (hereinafter referred to as a "single guidance sentence") and the symbol "'" should be placed at the end of the sentence. Furthermore, the single guidance sentence will contain option values (words indicating the options), and the user is informed that the option values in the single guidance sentence should be placed at the beginning of the symbol "<" and at the end of the symbol ">". The user is also informed that "'", "'", "<", and ">" should not be used in the voice guidance sentence for purposes other than those mentioned above. The above points to note are, for example, written as text in a specified position on the rule setting screen 24 (e.g., above or below the voice guidance sentence input field 30).

Referring to Figure 18 (A1), the "voice guidance sentence related to the first target" illustrated in Figure 18 (A1) has four single guidance sentences W1 to W4, each of which is surrounded by "'' and "'". In addition, in each single guidance sentence, the words indicating the option value are surrounded by "<" and ">". More specifically, the first single guidance sentence W1 is "'If ○○, select <1>," the second single guidance sentence W2 is "'If XX, select <2>," the third single guidance sentence W3 is "'If △△, select <3>," and the fourth single guidance sentence W4 is "'If □□, select <4>." Referring to Figures 16(A) and 17(A), single guidance statement W1 corresponds to presented option SB1 and option block B-SB1, single guidance statement W2 corresponds to presented option SB2 and option block B-SB2, single guidance statement W3 corresponds to presented option SB3 and option block B-SB3, and single guidance statement W4 corresponds to presented option SB4 and option block B-SB4.

Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the presentation options is as shown in Figure 17(A), the voice guidance sentence for presentation option SB2 includes sentences guiding presentation options SB2-1 and SB2-2 (it is assumed that the user will set such voice guidance sentences). Figure 18(A2) shows an example of the content of the voice guidance sentence for presentation option SB2. In Figure 18(A2), the first single guidance sentence W2-1 is "For ABC, select <1>," and the second single guidance sentence W2-2 is "For DEF, select <2>." Referring to Figures 16(A) and 17(A), single guidance sentence W2-1 corresponds to presentation option SB2-1 and option block B-SB2-1, and single guidance sentence W2-2 corresponds to presentation option SB2-2 and option block B-SB-2.

Now, let's assume that the user operates the lock switch 48 to lock the options, and then edits the option display area 41 from the state shown in FIG. 16(A) to the state shown in FIG. 16(B). Specifically, the "option block B-SB3 of presented option SB3," which was originally third from the top in the first target lower-level group, becomes the second option block B from the top, and accordingly, the "option block B-SB2 of presented option SB2," which was originally second from the top, becomes the third option block B from the top. In addition, the option block B of presented option SB4 has been deleted. Furthermore, in the lower-level group of presented option SB2, the order of "option block B of presented option SB2-1" and "option block B of presented option SB-2" has been swapped. At this time, the hierarchical structure of presented options changes from FIG. 17(A) to FIG. 17(B).

When the option display area 41 is edited and the save button 46 is selected, the information processing unit 10 executes the following process. That is, when the listed option blocks B are rearranged, the information processing unit 10 changes the order of the single guidance sentences included in the input voice guidance sentence so that the change in the order of the option blocks B is reflected. Furthermore, when the listed option blocks B are rearranged, the information processing unit 10 changes the value of the option value information 43 displayed in each option block B so that the order of the option blocks B in the same lower group matches the value of the presented option, and changes the option value (wording indicating the option) included in the input voice guidance sentence so that the change in the value of the option value information 43 is reflected.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 18 (B1), the information processing unit 10 changes the position of the single guidance sentence W3 related to the presentation option SB3, which was originally third in the voice guidance sentence, so that it becomes the second single guidance sentence, and changes the option value in the single guidance sentence W3 related to the presentation option SB3 from "3" to "2." Furthermore, the information processing unit 10 changes the position of the single guidance sentence W2 related to the presentation option SB2, which was originally second in the voice guidance sentence related to the first target, so that it becomes the third single guidance sentence, and changes the option value in the single guidance sentence W2 related to the presentation option SB2 from "2" to "3." Furthermore, the information processing unit 10 deletes the single guidance sentence W4 related to the presentation option SB4, which was originally fourth in the voice guidance sentence related to the first target.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18 (B2), for the voice guidance sentence related to presentation option SB2, the information processing unit 10 changes the position of the single guidance sentence W2-2 related to presentation option SB2-2, which was originally second in the voice guidance sentence, so that it becomes the first single guidance sentence, and changes the option value in the single guidance sentence W2-2 related to presentation option SB2-2 from "2" to "1." Furthermore, the information processing unit 10 changes the position of the single guidance sentence W2-1 related to presentation option SB2-1, which was originally first in the voice guidance sentence related to presentation option SB2, so that it becomes the second single guidance sentence, and changes the option value in the single guidance sentence W2-1 related to presentation option SB2-1 from "1" to "2."

The information processing unit 10 performs the above processing using the following method. That is, when the lock switch 48 is set to the locked state, the information processing unit 10 determines which option block B corresponds to each of the single guidance sentences included in the voice guidance sentence (hereinafter referred to as the "correspondence between the single guidance sentence and the option block B"). Note that since the single guidance sentences are enclosed in "'' and "'', the information processing unit 10 identifies the above symbols by performing a string search to identify the single guidance sentences in the voice guidance sentence.

For example, for the voice guidance sentence related to the first target shown in FIG. 18 (A1) and the option block B in the option display area 41 shown in FIG. 16 (A), the information processing unit 10 determines that the top single guidance sentence W1 in the voice guidance sentence corresponds to the top option block B-SB1 in the "lower group of the first target" in the option display area 41. Similarly, the information processing unit 10 determines that the second single guidance sentence W2 corresponds to the second option block B-SB2, the third single guidance sentence W3 corresponds to the third option block B-SB3, and the fourth single guidance sentence W4 corresponds to the fourth option block B-SB4. After determining the correspondence between the single guidance sentences and the option blocks B, the information processing unit 10 registers information indicating the correspondence in the record corresponding to the user telephone number in the setting database 15 of the storage unit 14 (updates it to the latest information if it already exists).

It is possible that the content of the voice guidance sentence or the state of the option display area 41 may be inappropriate due to a mistake in the description of the voice guidance sentence or a mistake in the setting of the option display area 41, making it impossible to determine the correspondence between the single guidance sentence and the option block B. For example, this may be the case when a single guidance sentence exists but no option block B corresponding to that single guidance sentence exists. In light of this, if the information processing unit 10 is unable to determine the correspondence between the single guidance sentence and the option block B, it will display a warning to inform the user.

Then, after the information processing unit 10 enters the locked state, when the order of option blocks B within a certain lower-level group is rearranged, the information processing unit 10 rearranges the single guidance sentences corresponding to the option blocks B that have been rearranged in the same manner within the voice guidance text. As a result, in accordance with the editing from FIG. 16(A) to FIG. 16(B), the single guidance sentence for the first target is rearranged from FIG. 18(A1) to FIG. 18(B1), and then the single guidance sentence for presented option SB2 is rearranged from FIG. 18(A2) to FIG. 18(B2).

Furthermore, as explained in the above embodiment, the information processing unit 10 changes the value of the option value information 43 for the rearranged option block B according to the order within the same lower-level group. Then, the information processing unit 10 changes the value of the option values of the single guidance sentences that have been rearranged (all single guidance sentences whose order in the voice guidance text has been changed as a result) so that they are consistent with the changed order (i.e., the changed option values) of the corresponding option block B. Note that in single guidance sentences, option values are enclosed in "<" and ">", so the information processing unit 10 identifies the above symbols through a string search to identify the option values (words indicating the option values) in the single guidance sentences.

As a result of this, following the editing from Figure 16(A) to Figure 16(B), the option value in single guidance sentence W3 in Figure 18(A1) changes from "3" to "2" as shown in Figure 18(B1), and the option value in single guidance sentence W2 in Figure 18(A1) changes from "2" to "3" as shown in Figure 18(B1). Furthermore, the option value in single guidance sentence W2-2 in Figure 18(A2) changes from "2" to "1" as shown in Figure 18(B2), and the option value in single guidance sentence W2-1 changes from "1" to "2" as shown in Figure 18(B2).

The information processing unit 10 also deletes the single guidance sentence corresponding to the deleted option block B from the voice guidance sentence. As a result, in accordance with the editing from Figure 16 (A) to Figure 16 (B), the information processing unit 10 deletes single guidance sentence W4 (the single guidance sentence corresponding to the deleted option block B-SB4) from the voice guidance sentence of Figure 18 (A1).

After the information processing unit 10 has completed changing the content of the voice guidance sentence in conjunction with editing the option display area 41, it accesses the setting database 15 in the memory unit 14 and updates the information for the record corresponding to the user telephone number so that the editing of the option display area 41 and the change in the content of the voice guidance sentence are reflected.

As described above, in this embodiment, the information processing unit 10 provides a user interface that allows input of text for voice guidance, including guidance for each option, and when the listed option blocks B (blocks) are rearranged, the input voice guidance text is changed to reflect the rearrangement of the option blocks B.

With this configuration, when a user wants to change the order of the presented options, they simply rearrange the option blocks B, and there is no need to edit the audio guidance text, which is highly convenient for the user.

In this modified example, the rule group display screen 19 is provided with a lock switch 48, and if the blocks B are rearranged after being locked by the lock switch 48, the information processing unit 10 automatically changes the content of the voice guidance sentence. In this regard, a configuration without a lock switch 48 (i.e., no lock state) is also possible. In this configuration, the information processing unit 10 executes, for example, the following process. That is, the user inputs the voice guidance sentence, sets the option block B in the option display area 41, and operates the save button 46 to temporarily save it. At this time, the information processing unit 10 determines the correspondence between the single guidance sentence and the option block B. Thereafter, the content of the option display area 41 is edited, and when the save button 46 is selected, the information processing unit 10 automatically edits the voice guidance sentence to match the content of the option display area 41. The above configuration is also acceptable. In this case, a separate update button may be provided in addition to the save button 46 to explicitly instruct the user to edit the voice guidance sentence (to match the content of the option display area 41).

<Second Modification>
Next, a second modified example will be described. In the above-described embodiment (including the first modified example), the automatic telephone answering device 2 functions as an "information processing device" and provides various user interfaces. On the other hand, this modified example has the following configuration. In the following description, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 3A according to this modified example. As shown in Figure 19, terminal 3A includes a terminal control unit 12A, a terminal communication unit 13, and a terminal memory unit 50. The terminal memory unit 50 is a storage medium for storing various data. In this modified example, a dedicated program 51 (application) is downloaded in advance. As an example, the dedicated program 51 is provided by the company that operates the automatic telephone answering device 2 and is downloaded using an application download service (although it may, of course, be downloaded by other methods). Note that, as with the first embodiment, any type of terminal 3A may be used; for example, a tablet computer (including so-called smartphones), a notebook computer, or a desktop computer can function as terminal 3A.

In this modified example, terminal 3A functions as an "information processing device," while terminal control unit 12A functions as an "information processing unit," and terminal control unit 12A of terminal 3A displays the various user interfaces described in the first embodiment on display device 4 using the functions of a dedicated program 51 (application) downloaded in advance. When displaying the user interface on display device 4, terminal control unit 12A may communicate with automatic telephone answering device 2 or other external devices to obtain necessary data (for example, an HTML file for screen display).

Furthermore, in this modified example, when it becomes necessary for terminal 3A to notify automatic telephone answering device 2 of information (for example, when it becomes necessary to update setting database 15), terminal control unit 12A uses the functions of dedicated program 51 to send the necessary information and appropriate security to automatic telephone answering device 2.

The above describes one embodiment of the present invention (including variations), but the above embodiment merely illustrates one specific example of how the present invention may be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its gist or main features.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the automatic telephone answering device 2 was configured to include a memory unit 14. In this regard, the memory unit 14 may be provided in another device that can communicate with the automatic telephone answering device 2, and the automatic telephone answering device 2 may access the other device as appropriate.

Furthermore, while various screens were described in the above embodiment, it is possible to consider part or all of a screen as a user interface, and multiple screens can be considered as a single user interface. In other words, a user interface is not a concept that refers to only the entire screen, or only part of a screen, or only a single screen, or only a collection of multiple screens.

In the above-described embodiment, the automatic telephone answering device 2 was a server device connected to a global network N including the Internet, but the automatic telephone answering device 2 does not have to be a server device connected to a global network N. As an example, it may be a server device provided on a local network of an organization to which the user belongs. In this case, the automatic telephone answering device 2 provides various services to terminals 3 connected to the local network as clients.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the automatic telephone answering device 2 provided an automatic telephone answering service and setting-related services, but it may also be configured not to provide the automatic telephone answering service (the automatic telephone answering service is performed by a separate device).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the information processing unit 10 was configured to dynamically change the option values of the presented options in response to the rearrangement of the option blocks B by the user, but such processing may not be performed. In this case, the information processing unit 10 may be configured to set option values for each option block B (i.e., for each presented option).

The following modified example may also be used. That is, the user creates the voice guidance sentence without using control symbols such as "" or "<". The information processing unit 10 then analyzes the voice guidance sentence and the state of the option display area 41 using the functions of a pre-prepared model (module), and identifies the correspondence between the single guidance sentence and the option block B. Furthermore, when the option display area 41 is edited, the information processing unit 10 analyzes the state of the option display area 41 using the functions of the model, and changes the content of the voice guidance sentence. The above configuration may also be used. In this case, the model may be a trained model trained using a predetermined machine learning method.

1 Information processing system 2 Automatic telephone answering device (information processing device)
4 Terminal 10 Information processing unit

Claims (14)

An information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response,
an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The options announced by voice are represented by numbers that can be specified using the dial keys.
The information processing unit
When the block is generated, options with the same value as the order of the block in the list are displayed in the block,
An information processing device characterized in that, when the blocks displayed in a list are rearranged, the values of the options displayed within each of the blocks are changed so that the order of the blocks matches the values of the options . An information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response,
an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The information processing unit
A user interface is provided that allows input of a voice guidance sentence including guidance for each option,
10. An information processing device comprising: when the blocks displayed in a list are rearranged, changing input voice guidance text so as to reflect the rearrangement of the blocks. The information processing unit
The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the blocks displayed in a list are rearranged, the order of the sentences providing guidance about the options included in the input voice guidance text for each option is changed so that the change in the order of the blocks is reflected. The information processing unit
When the block is generated, options with the same value as the order of the block in the list are displayed in the block,
4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the blocks displayed in a list are rearranged, the value of the option displayed within each of the blocks is changed so that the order of the blocks matches the value of the option, and the wording indicating the option included in the input voice guidance sentence is changed so that the change in the value of the option is reflected. An information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response,
an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
the information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected;
The information processing device is characterized in that, when a block is specified from the blocks displayed in the list, the information processing unit provides a user interface for setting the processing to be executed when an option corresponding to the specified block is selected, separately for business hours and non-business hours. An information processing system including an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, and a terminal that can communicate with the information processing device,
The information processing device includes:
an information processing unit that provides the terminal with a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The options announced by voice are represented by numbers that can be specified using the dial keys.
The information processing unit
When the block is generated, options with the same value as the order of the block in the list are displayed in the block,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the values of the options displayed in the blocks are changed so that the order of the blocks matches the values of the options for each of the blocks.
An information processing system comprising: An information processing system comprising: an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response; and a terminal that can communicate with the information processing device,
The information processing device includes:
an information processing unit that provides the terminal with a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The information processing unit
A user interface is provided that allows input of a voice guidance sentence including guidance for each option,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the input voice guidance text is changed to reflect the rearrangement of the blocks.
An information processing system comprising: An information processing system comprising: an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response; and a terminal that can communicate with the information processing device,
The information processing device includes:
an information processing unit that provides the terminal with a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option that is voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
the information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected;
The information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected, separately for business hours and non-business hours.
An information processing system comprising: An information processing method by an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
an information processing unit of the information processing device providing a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided;
the information processing unit of the information processing device provides a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by a user in a rearrangeable state;
The options announced by voice are represented by numbers that can be specified using the dial keys.
The information processing unit
When the block is generated, options with the same value as the order of the block in the list are displayed in the block,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the values of the options displayed in the blocks are changed so that the order of the blocks matches the values of the options for each of the blocks.
An information processing method comprising: An information processing method by an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
an information processing unit of the information processing device providing a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided;
the information processing unit of the information processing device provides a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by a user in a rearrangeable state;
The information processing unit
A user interface is provided that allows input of a voice guidance sentence including guidance for each option,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the input voice guidance text is changed to reflect the rearrangement of the blocks.
1. An information processing method comprising: An information processing method by an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
an information processing unit of the information processing device providing a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided;
the information processing unit of the information processing device provides a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by a user in a rearrangeable state;
the information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected;
The information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected, separately for business hours and non-business hours.
1. An information processing method comprising: A computer-readable program for controlling an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
The computer
functioning as an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The options announced by voice are represented by numbers that can be specified using the dial keys.
The information processing unit
When the block is generated, options with the same value as the order of the block in the list are displayed in the block,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the values of the options displayed in the blocks are changed so that the order of the blocks matches the values of the options for each of the blocks.
A program characterized by: A computer-readable program for controlling an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
The computer
functioning as an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
The information processing unit
A user interface is provided that allows input of a voice guidance sentence including guidance for each option,
When the blocks displayed in the list are rearranged, the input voice guidance text is changed to reflect the rearrangement of the blocks.
A program characterized by: A computer-readable program for controlling an information processing device that provides a user interface for configuring settings related to automatic telephone response, comprising:
The computer
functioning as an information processing unit that provides a user interface for a user to generate a block displaying information about the content of each option to be voice-guided, and a user interface that displays a list of the blocks generated by the user in a rearrangeable state;
the information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected;
The information processing unit provides a user interface for setting a process to be executed when a block is designated from the blocks displayed in a list and an option corresponding to the designated block is selected, separately for business hours and non-business hours.
A program characterized by: