Alarm system

Abstract

To suppress waste and confusion attributable to the fact that first information whose output value has dropped is outputted after the elapse of a cessation period of a speech suspension mode.SOLUTION: An alarm system 1 includes an alarm device 2 and a server 3. The alarm device 2 can execute an ordinary speech mode and a speech suspension mode. In the ordinary speed mode, voice information transmitted from the server 3 is not subjected to storage processing but is outputted from a voice output unit 28. In the speech suspension mode, the ordinary speech mode is suspended over a predetermined period, and voice information is not outputted but stored through storage processing during the predetermined period. In the speech suspension mode, after the predetermined period has elapsed, additional output processing of outputting the voice information, which is stored through the storage processing, from the voice output unit 28 is executed, and resumption processing of the ordinary speech mode is executed. The alarm device 2 does not output first information, the real-time property of which is high, out of the voice information from the voice output unit 28, but outputs second information, the real-time property of which is low, from the voice output unit 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an alarm system, and more particularly to an alarm system including an alarm device and a server connected to the alarm device via a communication network. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a speech system equipped with an audio output processing unit that sequentially outputs audio information from a speaker is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The speech system described in Patent Document 1 is capable of executing re-speaking control that causes the speaker to re-output audio information that has already been output when, for example, the user is unable to hear the audio information output from the speaker. For example, when a sound (specific sound) above a set sound pressure level is input, such as when the user speaks loudly or claps their hands, a re-speaking command is output, causing the audio output processing unit to re-output the audio information to be re-spoken from the beginning.

[0003] Furthermore, the speech system described in Patent Document 1 is capable of speech suppression control, which is executed by a speech suppression control unit, in cases where audio information output regardless of the user's intentions or circumstances is unpleasant to the user. The speech suppression control employs a method of temporarily stopping the output of audio information. Specifically, when a specific sound is input from the user, a speech suppression command is output, the output of audio information from the speaker is stopped, and the audio information is output from the beginning when a predetermined speech stop time has elapsed since the stoppage.

[0004] However, voice information, which is highly real-time and whose value decreases significantly as time passes, is likely to be wasted if it is output after a predetermined speech stop time has passed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-131267 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an alarm system that reduces waste and confusion caused by outputting first information whose value to output has decreased after the stop period of the speech pause mode has elapsed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The alarm system according to the invention of claim 1 comprises an alarm device installed in a user's facility, and a server connected to the alarm device via a communication network.

[0008] The alarm device has an audio output unit, a communication unit that communicates with the server via the communication network, a memory unit, and a control unit that controls the audio output unit, the communication unit, and the memory unit. The server has a server-side communication unit that communicates with the alarm device via the communication network, a server-side memory unit, and a server-side control unit that controls the server-side communication unit and the server-side memory unit.

[0009] The alarm device can operate in a normal speech mode and a speech pause mode. In the normal speech mode, the audio information transmitted from the server is output from the audio output unit without being stored.

[0010] In the speech pause mode, the normal speech mode is interrupted for a predetermined period, and during the predetermined period, the audio information that would be output from the audio output unit in the normal speech mode is saved by the saving process without being output from the audio output unit. In the speech pause mode, after the predetermined period has elapsed, an additional output process is executed to output from the audio output unit the audio information saved by the saving process, and a process to resume the normal speech mode is executed.

[0011] In the additional output process, the alarm device does not output first information of the audio information that has high real-time characteristics from the audio output unit, but outputs second information of the audio information that has low real-time characteristics from the audio output unit.

[0012] The alarm system according to the invention of claim 2 is an alarm system dependent on claim 1, and the second information output from the audio output unit in the additional output process is the latest information among the second information stored by the storage process.

[0013] The alarm system according to claim 3 is an alarm system dependent on claim 1 or 2, wherein when a new request to start the speech pause mode is made during the additional output process, the alarm device stops the additional output process, does not execute the subsequent resume process, and executes a new speech pause mode. The alarm device does not execute the additional output process in the new speech pause mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the alarm system according to the invention of claim 1, when additional output processing is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first information, which has a high real-time nature, is output after the time it should have been output, which makes it pointless to notify the user and is therefore pointless, and notifying the user may actually cause confusion. By not outputting such first information, it is possible to eliminate waste and eliminate the cause of confusion at its source.

[0015] In the warning system according to the invention of claim 2, the audio information output by the additional output process is limited to the latest second information, which has less real-time characteristics and is output sooner than the time when it should have been output, thereby further reducing waste.

[0016] In the alarm system according to the invention of claim 3, a request to start the speech pause mode again during the additional output process is considered to be made because the user has determined that it is unnecessary to output audio information in the additional output process, and therefore the output of audio information can be stopped after a predetermined period of time has elapsed in the speech pause mode again, thereby eliminating waste. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the alarm system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the alarm device in the alarm system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the normal speech mode in the alarm system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the speech pause mode in the alarm system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the speech pause mode in the alarm system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following describes alarm systems according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and their modifications with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0019] (First embodiment) (1) Alarm system The configuration of an alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment comprises an alarm device 2 installed in a user's facility, an operating device 4, and a server (management system) 3 connected to the alarm device 2 via a communication network 11. The multiple alarm devices 2 are installed in different dwelling units 6 that form the user's facility. The server 3 is installed in a location different from the dwelling units 6. The multiple alarm devices 2 and the server 3 are connected to the communication network 11, and each alarm device 2 is configured to communicate with the server 3 via the communication network 11.

[0021] A case will be described in which each alarm device 2 is applied to a gas leak alarm that detects gas leaks.

[0022] (2) Server The server 3 is configured to manage multiple warning devices 2. The server 3 includes a server-side control unit 31, a server-side storage unit 32, and a server-side communication unit 33. The server 3 outputs first information with high real-timeness and second information with low real-timeness, which will be described later, to the multiple warning devices 2. The first information, i.e., information with high real-timeness, is not necessarily information with high importance, but is information whose value significantly decreases over time, such as, but not limited to, heatstroke warning information. Note that, information with high importance is mainly disaster information with high urgency, such as, but not limited to, emergency warnings, tsunami information, designated river flooding information, landslide warning information, evacuation instructions, and the like, which are part of the disaster information.

[0023] The second information, that is, information with low real-time characteristics, is information other than the first information, and is not necessarily information with low importance. The second information may be, for example, crime prevention information, but is not particularly limited to crime prevention information.

[0024] The distinction between first information and second information is made on the server 3 side, and for example, crime prevention information does not necessarily always have to be second information, and various types of information are appropriately classified as first information or second information by the server 3.

[0025] (2.1) Server-side control unit The server-side control unit 31 is configured to control each unit of the server 3. The server-side control unit 31 has, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and operates according to a program.

[0026] The server-side control unit 31 acquires various information from a plurality of external systems 5. The plurality of external systems 5 includes a first external system 51 that transmits disaster information, a second external system 52 that transmits crime prevention information, and a third external system 53 that transmits weather information.

[0027] (2.2) Server-side storage The server-side storage unit 32 is configured to store various types of information. For example, the server-side storage unit 32 stores disaster information, weather information, and crime prevention information. These pieces of information are associated with the distinction between first information and second information. The server-side storage unit 32 also stores a program for operating the server-side control unit 31.

[0028] (2.3) Server-side communication unit The server-side communication unit 33 is configured to communicate with a plurality of external systems 5 via the communication network 11. The server-side communication unit 33 communicates with the plurality of external systems 5 in accordance with the control of the server-side control unit 31. More specifically, the server-side communication unit 33 receives various information from the plurality of external systems 5.

[0029] The server-side communication unit 33 is configured to communicate with a plurality of alarm devices 2 via the communication network 11. The server-side communication unit 33 transmits the first information and the second information to the alarm devices 2 installed in each dwelling unit 6 in accordance with the control of the server-side control unit 31.

[0030] (3)Alarm device The alarm device 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a human detection unit 23, an alarm unit 24, a gas detection unit 25, a memory unit 26, and a power supply 27. The alarm device 2 is installed in a dwelling unit 6. As shown in FIG. 2 , the alarm device 2 also includes a housing 81, a power cord 82, and a power plug 83.

[0031] (3.1) Control Unit 1, the control unit 21 is configured to control each part of the alarm device 2. The control unit 21 has, for example, a central processing unit, and operates according to a program.

[0032] The control unit 21 includes a first acquisition unit 211 , a second acquisition unit 212 , a timer unit 213 , a communication control unit 214 , and an alarm operation control unit 215 .

[0033] (3.1.1) First acquisition part, second acquisition part, timekeeping part The first acquisition unit 211 acquires disaster information, crime prevention information, and weather information.

[0034] The second acquisition unit 212 acquires human detection information. The human detection information is information indicating the presence of a person in the dwelling unit 6. The second acquisition unit 212 acquires the human detection information from the human detection unit .

[0035] The timekeeping unit 213 is configured to measure time.

[0036] (3.1.2) Communication control section The communication control unit 214 controls the notification unit 24 to notify disaster information, crime prevention information, weather information, etc. acquired by the first acquisition unit 211. Furthermore, in notifying disaster information, crime prevention information, weather information, etc., the communication control unit 214 can execute a normal speech mode and a speech pause mode according to whether the information is the first information or the second information.

[0037] In the normal speech mode, the communication control unit 214 outputs the voice information transmitted from the server 3 from the voice output unit 28 without performing a storage process. The storage process does not refer to a process of storing the voice information in a cache memory possessed by the control unit 21, but refers to long-term or medium-term storage in the storage unit 26, which is made up of a flash memory or the like. In other words, in the normal speech mode, the voice information transmitted from the server 3 is only temporarily stored in the control unit 21 for output from the voice output unit 28, and is output from the voice output unit 28 without being stored in the storage unit 26 for the long-term or medium-term.

[0038] The speech pause mode is a mode in which the normal speech mode is suspended for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the normal speech mode is resumed. The predetermined period for suspending (stopping) the normal speech mode can be set appropriately by the user.

[0039] During the predetermined period of the speech pause mode, even if the speech information is transmitted from the server 3, the communication control unit 214 does not output the speech information from the speech output unit 28. That is, during the predetermined period of the speech pause mode, the speech information that would be output from the speech output unit 28 in the normal speech mode is not output from the speech output unit 28. Then, during the predetermined period of the speech pause mode, the speech information is not output from the speech output unit 28, but is instead saved by a saving process.

[0040] In the speech pause mode, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the communication control unit 214 executes additional output processing to output the audio information stored by the storage processing from the audio output unit 28. In the additional output processing, the communication control unit 214 does not output from the audio output unit 28 the first information of the audio information that is highly real-time, but outputs from the audio output unit 28 the second information that is less real-time.

[0041] Since the value of the first information, which has a high real-time nature, decreases significantly as time passes, there is a high possibility that it will be meaningless and useless to output from the audio output unit 28 after the predetermined period of time in the speech pause mode has elapsed. For example, heatstroke warning information as the first information is meaningless unless it is issued when weather conditions that make it easy to develop heatstroke are met, and since it is unlikely that weather conditions that make it easy to develop heatstroke will be met after the predetermined period has elapsed, there is a high possibility that it will be useless to output from the audio output unit 28.

[0042] In contrast, the second information, which has low real-time characteristics, does not change much in value as time passes, and therefore it is meaningful to output it from the audio output unit 28 after a predetermined period of time has passed. For example, crime prevention information in the second information, such as information that crimes such as snatch thefts are increasing in the area, is not as immediate as heatstroke warning information, and it is meaningful to output it from the audio output unit 28 even after a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0043] After the additional output process, the communication control unit 214 executes a process to resume the normal speech mode, and the normal speech mode is resumed.

[0044] (3.1.3) Alarm operation control section The alarm operation control unit 215 controls the notification unit 24 to notify the detection result of the gas detection unit 25 .

[0045] (3.2) Communications Department The communication unit 22 is configured to communicate with the server 3 via the communication network 11. The communication unit 22 receives the first evacuation information from the server 3 in accordance with the control of the control unit 21. More specifically, the communication unit 22 is connected to the communication network 11 via the router 7.

[0046] (3.3) Human detection unit The human detection unit 23 detects the presence of a person in the dwelling unit 6. More specifically, the human detection unit 23 detects, for example, whether or not a person is present in a predetermined area within the dwelling unit 6. The predetermined area is, for example, the location where the alarm device 2 is installed.

[0047] The human detection unit 23 is, for example, a human sensor. The human sensor is configured to detect, for example, infrared rays emitted from a person.

[0048] (3.4) Notification section The notification unit 24 includes an audio output unit 28 and a display unit 29. Under the control of the control unit 21, the notification unit 24 notifies various types of information such as disaster information, crime prevention information, and weather information.

[0049] (3.5) Audio output section The audio output unit 28 has, for example, a speaker 281, and is configured to output sounds or voices using the speaker 281. More specifically, the audio output unit 28 outputs various types of information by voice. The audio output unit 28 notifies various types of information by auditory stimulation.

[0050] (3.6)Display section Display unit 29 has, for example, a light source 291 and is configured to light up light source 291. More specifically, display unit 29 lights up the light source in a lighting state corresponding to various types of information. Display unit 29 notifies various types of information by visual stimulation.

[0051] The display unit 29 also has alarm lamps 292 and 293. The alarm lamp 292 is, for example, a gas leak alarm lamp that lights up or flashes when a gas leak is detected. The alarm lamp 293 is, for example, a carbon monoxide alarm lamp that lights up or flashes when carbon monoxide is detected.

[0052] (3.7) Gas detection unit The gas detection unit 25 is configured to detect gas leaks in the dwelling unit 6. This makes it possible to detect the occurrence of a gas leak.

[0053] (3.8) Storage section The storage unit 26 is configured to store various types of information. The storage unit 26 also stores programs for operating the control unit 21. The storage unit 26 is mainly configured by, but is not limited to, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, etc.

[0054] (3.9) Power supply The power supply 27 supplies power to each part of the alarm device 2. The power supply 27 supplies power to each part of the alarm device 2 from, for example, a commercial power source (not shown).

[0055] (3.10) Case, power cord, power plug As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 81 has a cover 84 and a case 85, and houses the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, the human detection unit 23, the notification unit 24, the gas detection unit 25, the memory unit 26, and the power supply 27.

[0056] (4)Operator As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 4 is a so-called remote control (remote controller) that operates the alarm device 2 via wireless communication. The controller 4 has an operation unit 41 and a display unit 42. The controller 4 also has a controller-side control unit, a controller-side memory unit, and a controller-side communication unit, which are not shown. The controller-side control unit is configured to control each unit of the controller 4. The controller-side control unit has, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and operates according to a program. The controller-side control unit controls the controller-side memory unit and the controller-side communication unit. The controller-side memory unit stores a program for operating the controller-side control unit. The controller-side communication unit is configured to communicate with the alarm device 2 via wireless communication. In this embodiment, the user performs various operations on the alarm device 2 from the controller 4, but the user may also directly operate an operation unit (not shown) provided on the alarm device 2 without going through the controller 4.

[0057] (5) Normal speech mode The normal speech mode will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] When the server 3 receives new audio information or when a predetermined condition is met, such as when a fixed time for outputting audio information in the alarm device 2 arrives, it transmits a reception command to the alarm device 2 to receive new audio information from the server 3 (#01). The reception command does not include the specific content of the audio information, but includes the type of content (type of disaster information {tsunami information, evacuation instructions, ...}, weather information, crime prevention information, etc., type of first information and second information, etc.) and a timestamp.

[0059] When the alarm device 2 receives a command to receive new audio information from the server 3, it transmits a request to transmit the new audio information to the server 3 (#02). The transmission request may include the same content type and timestamp as the reception command. Also, if an ID is assigned to each reception command, the transmission request may include only this ID.

[0060] When the server 3 receives the transmission request from the alarm device 2, it transmits the corresponding audio information to the alarm device 2 (#03).

[0061] When the alarm device 2 receives the corresponding audio information from the server 3, it outputs this audio information from the audio output unit 28 (#04).

[0062] (6) Speech pause mode The speech pause mode will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the alarm device 2, the normal speech mode is stopped and the speech pause mode is executed.

[0063] When the server 3 receives new audio information or when the time for outputting audio information in the alarm device 2 arrives and a predetermined condition is met, the server 3 sends a reception command to the alarm device 2 to receive new audio information from the server 3 (#11).

[0064] When the alarm device 2 receives a command to receive new audio information from the server 3, it transmits a request to save the corresponding audio information to the server 3 (#12). The save request may include the same content type and timestamp as the reception command, or may include an ID if an ID is assigned to each reception command.

[0065] When the server 3 receives the save request, it saves the corresponding voice information in the server-side storage unit 32 (#13).

[0066] The warning device 2 also stores the reception command received from the server 3 in (#11) in the storage unit 26 (#14). That is, in this embodiment, the storage process in the speech pause mode is a process of storing the type of content and the timestamp that are part of the audio information in the storage unit 26, and storing the main body of the audio information in the server-side storage unit 32 of the server 3.

[0067] The alarm system 1 executes (#11) to (#14) every time a predetermined condition for outputting voice information is met during a predetermined period (a period during which the normal speech mode is stopped).

[0068] When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the alarm device 2 transmits to the server 3 a request to transmit the audio information that has been saved by the saving process (#15).

[0069] In (#15), the transmission request sent by the alarm device 2 to the server 3 is only a transmission request for the audio information of the second information, and no transmission request is made for the audio information of the first information. The reception command received in (#11) includes the type of content, which includes information on whether it is the first information or the second information. The alarm device 2 requests the transmission of all the audio information of the second information stored during the specified period.

[0070] When the server 3 receives the transmission request from the alarm device 2, it transmits the corresponding audio information to the alarm device 2 (#16).

[0071] When the alarm device 2 receives the audio information from the server 3, it executes additional output processing and outputs the corresponding audio information from the audio output unit 28 (#17). The alarm device 2 outputs from the audio output unit 28 the audio information of all the second information stored during the specified period.

[0072] After executing the additional output process, the alarm device 2 resumes the normal speech mode (#18).

[0073] (7) Effects of the First Embodiment When additional output processing is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first information, which has a high real-time nature, is output after the time it should have been output, which makes it pointless to notify the user and is pointless, and notifying the user may actually confuse them.In the warning system 1 according to the present invention, such first information is not output after the predetermined period of time has elapsed in the speech pause mode, which eliminates waste and eliminates the cause of confusion at its source.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, there is no need to store the main body of the audio information in the storage unit 26 of the alarm device 2, and the capacity of the storage unit 26 can be small.

[0075] (8) Modification of the First Embodiment (8.1) Variation 1 In the first embodiment, the alarm device 2 requests the transmission of audio information of all second information stored during a specified period in (#15), and outputs the audio information of all second information stored during a specified period from the audio output unit 28 in (#17).

[0076] In contrast, in variant example 1, in (#15), a transmission request is made for only the latest second information out of all the second information stored during a specified period, and in (#17), only the latest second information is output from the audio output unit 28.

[0077] This allows the audio information to be output by the additional output process to be limited to the latest second information, which is relatively newer than the time it should have been output, even among the second information with low real-time characteristics, thereby further reducing waste.

[0078] (8.2) Variation 2 Furthermore, in variant example 2, in (#15), a transmission request is made for only a portion of the second information that satisfies appropriate predetermined conditions out of all the second information stored during a specified period, and in (#17), only this portion of the second information is output from the audio output unit 28.

[0079] This allows for further reduction in waste by appropriately limiting the audio information to be output by the additional output process.

[0080] (8.3) Variation 3 In the first embodiment, the reception command received in (#11) includes information on whether the information is the first information or the second information, and this reception command makes it possible to determine whether the information is the first information or the second information.

[0081] In contrast to this, in Modification 3, the reception command received in (#11) does not include information on whether it is the first information or the second information. In this case, the alarm device 2 distinguishes between the first information and the second information based on the type of content included in the reception command.

[0082] As a result, even if the receiving command received from the server 3 does not include information on whether it is the first information or the second information, by distinguishing in advance whether it is the first information or the second information depending on the type of content, the second information can be appropriately output from the audio output unit 28 in the additional output process.

[0083] (Second embodiment) An alarm system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Below, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and the following will mainly focus on the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

[0084] (1) Differences from the First Embodiment The alarm system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment in the storage processing, but is otherwise the same as the alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0085] (2) Speech pause mode The speech pause mode in the second embodiment will be described below: In the alarm device 2, the normal speech mode is stopped and the speech pause mode is executed.

[0086] When the server 3 receives new audio information or when the time for outputting audio information in the alarm device 2 arrives and a predetermined condition is met, the server 3 sends a reception command to the alarm device 2 to receive new audio information from the server 3 (#21).

[0087] When the alarm device 2 receives a command to receive new audio information from the server 3, it transmits a request to the server 3 to transmit the new audio information (#22).

[0088] When the server 3 receives the transmission request from the alarm device 2, it transmits the corresponding audio information to the alarm device 2 (#23).

[0089] The warning device 2 stores the audio information received from the server 3 in (#23) in the storage unit 26 (#24). That is, in this embodiment, the storage process in the speech pause mode stores all information including the main body of the audio information (content type, information as to whether it is the first information or the second information, timestamp, and the main body of the audio information) in the storage unit 26, and does not store anything in the server-side storage unit 32 of the server 3.

[0090] The alarm system 1 executes (#21) to (#24) every time a predetermined condition for outputting voice information is met during a predetermined period (a period during which the normal speech mode is stopped).

[0091] When the predetermined period has elapsed, the alarm device 2 executes additional output processing and outputs the corresponding audio information from the audio output unit 28 (#25). The alarm device 2 outputs the audio information of all the second information stored during the predetermined period from the audio output unit 28. The audio information received in (#23) includes information as to whether it is the first information or the second information, and the alarm device 2 executes additional output processing based on this information.

[0092] After executing the additional output process, the alarm device 2 resumes the normal speech mode (#26).

[0093] (3) Effects of the Second Embodiment When additional output processing is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first information, which has a high real-time nature, is output after the time it should have been output, which makes it pointless to notify the user and is pointless, and notifying the user may actually confuse them.In the warning system 1 according to the present invention, such first information is not output after the predetermined period of time has elapsed in the speech pause mode, which eliminates waste and eliminates the cause of confusion at its source.

[0094] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, there is no need to store the main body of the voice information in the server-side storage unit 32 of the server 3, and the capacity of the server-side storage unit 32 can be small.

[0095] (4.1) Variation 1 In variant example 1, in (#24), a transmission request is made for only the latest second information out of all the second information stored during a specified period, and in (#25), only the latest second information is output from the audio output unit 28.

[0096] This allows the audio information to be output by the additional output process to be limited to the latest second information, which is relatively newer than the time it should have been output, even among the second information with low real-time characteristics, thereby further reducing waste.

[0097] (4.2) Variation 2 Furthermore, in variant example 2, at (#24), a transmission request is made for only a portion of the second information that satisfies appropriate predetermined conditions out of all the second information stored during a specified period, and at (#25), only this portion of the second information is output from the audio output unit 28.

[0098] This allows for further reduction in waste by appropriately limiting the audio information to be output by the additional output process.

[0099] (4.3) Variation 3 In the second embodiment, the voice information received in (#23) includes information as to whether it is the first information or the second information, and this reception command makes it possible to know whether it is the first information or the second information.

[0100] In contrast to this, in Modification 3, the audio information received in (#23) does not include information on whether it is the first information or the second information. The alarm device 2 distinguishes between the first information and the second information on its own from the type of content included in this reception command.

[0101] As a result, even if the audio information received from the server 3 does not include information on whether it is the first information or the second information, by distinguishing in advance whether it is the first information or the second information depending on the type of content, the second information can be appropriately output from the audio output unit 28 in the additional output process.

[0102] (Third embodiment) The alarm system 1 according to the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the alarm systems 1 according to the first and second embodiments shown in Fig. 1. Below, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions that overlap with the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0103] (1) Differences from the First Embodiment In the warning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the speech pause mode can be executed multiple times, and in all of the multiple times the speech pause mode is executed, the same processing as shown in FIG. 1 is basically executed.

[0104] In contrast, in the warning system 1 of the third embodiment, when the speech pause mode is executed multiple times, the operation of the speech pause mode executed later differs depending on the timing of the start of the speech pause mode executed later relative to the speech pause mode executed immediately before.

[0105] In the alarm system 1 according to the third embodiment, when a new request to start a speech pause mode is made during additional output processing, the alarm device 2 stops the additional output processing and executes a new speech pause mode without executing the subsequent resume processing.

[0106] Furthermore, the alarm device 2 does not execute the additional output process in the new speech pause mode.

[0107] (2) Effects of the Third Embodiment A request to start the speech pause mode again during the additional output process is considered to be made because the user has determined that it is unnecessary to output audio information during the additional output process. Therefore, the output of audio information can be stopped after a predetermined period of time has elapsed in the speech pause mode again, thereby eliminating waste. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1. Alarm system 11. Communications Networks 2 Alarm device 21 Control section 22 Communications Department 23 Human detection unit 24. Information Department 25 Gas detection unit 26 Memory section 27 Power supply 28 Audio output section 29 Display section 3 Server 31 Server-side control unit 32 Server-side storage unit 33 Server-side communication unit 4 Controller 41 Operation section 42 Display section 5 External Systems 51 First External System 52 Second External System 53 Third External System 6 dwelling units 7 Router

Claims

1. An alarm device installed at a user's facility and a server connected to the alarm device via a communication network, the alarm device includes a voice output unit, a communication unit that communicates with the server via the communication network, a storage unit, and a control unit that controls the voice output unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit; the server has a server-side communication unit that communicates with the alarm device via the communication network, a server-side storage unit, and a server-side control unit that controls the server-side communication unit and the server-side storage unit; The alarm device a normal speech mode in which the voice information transmitted from the server is output from the voice output unit without being stored; a speech pause mode in which the normal speech mode is interrupted for a predetermined period of time, and during the predetermined period, the audio information that would be output from the audio output unit in the normal speech mode is saved by the saving process without being output from the audio output unit, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, an additional output process is executed in which the audio information saved by the saving process is output from the audio output unit, and a process for resuming the normal speech mode is executed; In the additional output process, first information having high real-time characteristics among the audio information is not output from the audio output unit, and second information having low real-time characteristics is output from the audio output unit. Alarm system.

2. the second information output from the audio output unit in the additional output process is the latest information among the second information stored in the storage process.

10. The alarm system of claim 1.

3. When a request to start the speech pause mode is newly made during the additional output process, the additional output process is stopped, the subsequent resumption process is not executed, and the new speech pause mode is executed; In the new speech pause mode, the additional output process is not executed.

3. An alarm system according to claim 1 or 2.

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