Notification system, notification device, notification method, and program

Abstract

A notification system (100) is provided with an acquisition unit (11), an extraction unit (12), and a processing unit (13). An acquisition unit (11) acquires text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal (3). An extraction unit (12) extracts, from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit (11), a condition relating to the notification using the message. On the basis of the condition extracted by the extraction unit (12), the processing unit (13) outputs, from the notification device (2), notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification system that outputs notification information showing the content of a message sent from an information processing terminal from a notification device, and the like. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, for a home device having a voice input / output function, the home device is made to speak by instructing the content of speech and the timing of speech.

[0003] (Prior Art Documents)

[0004] (Patent Documents)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-151718 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a notification system, etc., in which notification by a notification device can be easily controlled by an information processing terminal.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A notification system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, an extraction unit, and a processing unit. The acquisition unit acquires text information including a message sent from an information processing terminal. The extraction unit extracts conditions related to a notification using the message from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit. The processing unit outputs notification information from a notification device based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit, the notification information being information showing the content of the message included in the text information.

[0010] A notification device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an instruction acquisition unit and an output unit. The instruction acquisition unit acquires an instruction to output the notification information from the notification system. The output unit outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit has acquired the instruction.

[0011] In a notification method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, text information including a message sent from an information processing terminal is acquired. In the notification method, conditions related to a notification using the message are extracted from the acquired text information. In the notification method, notification information is output from a notification device based on the extracted conditions, the notification information being information showing the content of the message included in the text information.

[0012] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the notification method.

[0013] Advantages of the Invention

[0014] With the notification system etc. in the present disclosure, the advantage is that the notification method performed by the notification device can be easily controlled by the information terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the notification system according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 It shows the first extraction example performed by the notification system according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 It shows the second extraction example performed by the notification system according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the problems of the notification system in the comparative example.

[0020] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the advantages of the notification system according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system according to the modified example of the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 It shows a specific example of the operation of the notification system according to the modified example of the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 9 It is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the notification system according to another modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] First, the focus of the inventors of the present invention will be described below.

[0025] As in the technology disclosed in the conventional patent document 1, for a home device (notification device) having a voice input / output function, the home device is made to speak by instructing the content of the speech (notification) and the timing of the speech. This technology is used, for example, in the following situation: by making a notification device having a voice input / output function speak the content of an event that has occurred in a home appliance device such as a washing machine, the content of the event that has occurred is notified to a user who is not near the home appliance device. The event may include, for example, that some abnormality has occurred in the home appliance device or that the work performed by the home appliance device has ended.

[0026] However, the above technology can also be considered for the following cases: by causing a notification device with voice input / output function to speak out the content of a message input on an instant messaging application executed on an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, to notify the content of the message to a user near the notification device. However, the instant messaging application basically does not have the function of immediately sending the input message to the notification device and specifying in what notification manner the content of the message is notified from the notification device. Thus, when the notification device receives a signal including a message sent from the information processing terminal, it immediately notifies the content of the message included in the received signal. That is, there is a problem that the notification by the notification device cannot be controlled by the information processing terminal in the above technology.

[0027] In view of the above situation, the inventors of the present invention created this disclosure.

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, there may be cases where unnecessary details are omitted. For example, details of well-known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same configurations are omitted. This is to avoid making the following description overly lengthy and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0029] In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided by the inventors of the present invention to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure, and there is no intention to limit the content described in the scope of the technical solution thereby.

[0030] (Embodiment)

[0031] [1-1. Overall Configuration]

[0032] First, use Figure 1 to describe the overall configuration of the notification system 100 related to the embodiment. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the notification system 100 related to the embodiment. In the embodiment, the notification system 100 is, for example, a system that outputs notification information showing the content of the message M1 (refer to the following Figure 2 etc.) when a message M1 is sent from an information processing terminal 3 such as a smartphone.

[0033] The notification device 2 is a device capable of notifying the content of the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3 owned by the user U2 (refer to the following Figure 5 etc.) to a user U1 (refer to the following Figure 5 etc.) different from the user U2 who owns the information processing terminal 3.

[0034] In an embodiment, the notification performed by the notification device 2 is, for example, performed by outputting sound from a speaker. Additionally, the notification performed by the notification device 2 can also be, for example, performed by displaying a string, an image, etc. on a provided display, or can be performed by both outputting sound and displaying.

[0035] The notification device 2 is, for example, a device provided in the facility where the user U1 lives and is a device having a sound output function or a display function as described above. In an embodiment, the notification device 2 is a household electrical appliance. Specifically, the notification device 2 can include, for example, a smart speaker, a television receiver, a lighting fixture, a pet camera, an intercom master unit, an intercom slave unit, an air conditioning device, or an automatic vacuum cleaner, etc. Additionally, the notification device 2 can also be a portable information device owned by the user U1, such as a portable television receiver, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop personal computer, etc.

[0036] The notification device 2 includes an instruction acquisition unit 21 and an output unit 22. In an embodiment, the notification device 2 includes a processor and a memory, and each component included in the notification device 2 is implemented by the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory.

[0037] The instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires an instruction for outputting notification information from the notification system 100. In an embodiment, the instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires the instruction included in the instruction signal, for example, by receiving the instruction signal transmitted from the notification system 100 via a network such as the Internet (hereinafter simply referred to as "network").

[0038] The output unit 22 outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit 21 has acquired the instruction. For example, when the notification device 2 has a sound output function, the output unit 22 accesses the sound source URL (Uniform Resource Locator) included in the instruction and downloads the sound message, and outputs the notification information by reproducing the sound message. Additionally, it can also be that the output unit 22 reproduces the sound message included in the instruction. And it can also be that when various sound messages are pre-stored in the memory of the notification device 2, the output unit 22 reads out the corresponding sound message from the memory and reproduces it according to the instruction. And it can also be that when the notification device 2 has a function of automatically generating sound, the output unit 22 generates the corresponding sound message and reproduces it according to the instruction.

[0039] And for example, when the notification device 2 has a display function, the output unit 22 outputs the notification information by displaying a string, an image, etc. included in the instruction on the display. Alternatively, when various strings, images, etc. are pre-stored in the memory of the notification device 2, the output unit 22 reads out the corresponding string, image, etc. from the memory according to the instruction and displays it on the display. And alternatively, when the notification device 2 has a function of automatically generating a string, an image, etc., the output unit 22 generates the corresponding string, image, etc. according to the instruction and displays it on the display.

[0040] The information processing terminal 3 is a terminal owned by the user U2, and is, for example, a portable terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop personal computer. The information processing terminal 3 has a function of sending a message M1 to other devices including the server 1. In the embodiment, an instant messaging application program is installed in the information processing terminal 3. Then, the information processing terminal 3 sends the text information including the message M1 input on the instant messaging application program to a specified destination by executing the instant messaging application program.

[0041] Instant messaging can include, for example, LINE (registered trademark), WhatsApp (registered trademark), WeChat (registered trademark), Messenger (registered trademark), or Snapchat (registered trademark), etc. Of course, instant messaging is not limited to the above examples.

[0042] [1-2. Notification system]

[0043] Next, the details of the notification system 100 will be described. As Figure 1 shown, the notification system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, an extraction unit 12, a processing unit 13, and a storage unit 14. In addition, in the embodiment, although the notification system 100 includes the storage unit 14, the storage unit 14 may not be a component of the notification system 100.

[0044] In the embodiment, the notification system 100 is implemented by the server 1. The server 1 includes a processor and a memory, and implements each component included in the notification system 100 by the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory. In the embodiment, the memory is the storage unit 14.

[0045] The notification system 100 is configured to be able to communicate with the notification device 2 and the information processing terminal 3 via a network. In addition, in Figure 1 the example shown, although each of the notification device 2 and the information processing terminal 3 is one, they may also be multiple respectively.

[0046] The acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3. In the embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information by receiving a signal including the message M1 from the information processing terminal 3 via the network, and the message M1 is sent via the instant messaging server 4. Here, the instant messaging server 4 is a server operated by an operator providing instant messaging. More specifically, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 input on the application program for instant messaging executed on the information processing terminal 3. In addition, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information by receiving a signal sent from the information processing terminal 3 and including the message M1 and sent from the instant messaging server 4 and destined for the server 1 (notification system 100).

[0047] The extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to the notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Examples of the conditions are listed below. In addition, the conditions listed below are only one example.

[0048] For example, the condition shows the timing for outputting the notification information from the notification device 2. Specifically, when the condition shows that the timing for outputting the notification information is 17:00, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information at the specified time, that is, 17:00. In addition, the timing for outputting the notification information that can be specified based on the condition can be not only a simple time but also a time including the date and time.

[0049] And for example, the condition shows the type of the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information. Specifically, when the condition shows that the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information is a robotic vacuum cleaner, the notification information is output by the notification device 2 which is the specified robotic vacuum cleaner. In addition, the type of the notification device 2 that can be specified based on the condition can also be, for example, the type of the notification device 2 including the location such as the robotic vacuum cleaner installed in the kitchen.

[0050] And for example, the condition shows the recipient of the notification information. Specifically, when the condition shows that the recipient of the notification information is the father, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information including a statement greeting the specified recipient, that is, the father (for example, "Message for Dad", etc.). In addition, the recipient of the notification information that can be specified based on the condition can also be, for example, the user name used in the instant messaging application program.

[0051] Here, it is also possible that the processing unit 13 causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 related to the recipient. For example, it is also possible that the processing unit 13 refers to the data showing the correspondence between the recipient pre-stored in the storage unit 14 and the notification device 2, so as to cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 used by the recipient or the notification device 2 located in the room where the recipient is using. And for example, the processing unit 13 refers to the detection result from the sensor that has detected the identification information of the recipient, so as to cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 located around the recipient.

[0052] And it is also possible that the processing unit 13 causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 based on the parameters set by the recipient. The parameters may include, for example, the speaker, the speaking speed, the type of the notification device 2, the volume, or the time period during which notifications are prohibited, etc. The setting of the parameters is carried out as follows, for example: an application for the notification system 100 is executed on the information processing terminal used by the recipient, and the recipient appropriately inputs on this application. For example, it is also possible that the processing unit 13 refers to the parameters set by the recipient pre-stored in the storage unit 14, and causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 according to the referred parameters.

[0053] And for example, the condition shows the output manner of the notification information. Specifically, when the condition shows that the speaker is the mother, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information in a machine voice imitating the mother's voice. And when the condition shows that speaking is carried out at a slower speed, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information by speaking at a slower speed. And when the condition shows that speaking is carried out at a larger volume, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information by speaking at a larger volume.

[0054] In the embodiment, the extraction unit 12 extracts the condition from the text information based on one of the following first extraction example and second extraction example. Additionally, it is also possible that the extraction unit 12 extracts the condition from the text information based on both the first extraction example and the second extraction example.

[0055] Figure 2 The first extraction example performed by the notification system 100 according to the embodiment is shown. Figure 2 It represents an example where the user U2 inputs the message M1 on the instant messaging application using the information processing terminal 3. In the first extraction example, the extraction unit 12 extracts the label T1 included in the message M1 as the condition.

[0056] In Figure 2In the example shown, the message M1 includes the first tag T11 and the second tag T12 as the tag T1, and the body M10 of the message. The first tag T11 includes a hash sign and a string. The extraction unit 12 extracts the input "#17:30", that is, the first tag T11, as a condition indicating that the timing of outputting the notification information is 17:30. The second tag T12 includes an at sign and a string. The extraction unit 12 extracts the input "@Mom", that is, the second tag T12, as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the mother.

[0057] As described above, the extraction unit 12 can also identify what kind of condition the string following the symbol included in the tag T1 shows according to the type of the symbol included in the tag T1. In Figure 2 the example shown, if the tag T1 includes a hash sign, the extraction unit 12 identifies that the string following the hash sign shows the timing for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2. And, if the tag T1 includes an at sign, the extraction unit 12 identifies that the string following the at sign shows the recipient of the notification information. Of course, the symbols included in the tag T1 are not limited to the hash sign and the at sign, and other symbols can also be used.

[0058] In addition, the symbol for the tag T1 can be not multiple but only one. In this case, the extraction unit 12 can also identify the string following the symbol according to each word and identify what kind of condition each word shows. For example, assume that the user U2 inputs a message M1 including the tag T1 of "#17:30 Automatic vacuum cleaner Mom" on the instant messaging application program using the information processing terminal 3. In this case, the extraction unit 12 extracts the tag T1 as a condition indicating that the timing of outputting the notification information is 17:30, as a condition indicating that the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information is an automatic vacuum cleaner, and as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the mother.

[0059] Figure 3 Shows the second extraction example performed by the notification system 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 Same as Figure 2 shows an example where the user U2 inputs the message M1 on the instant messaging application program using the information processing terminal 3. In addition, Figure 3 the dashed box in is marked only for illustration and will not actually be displayed on the display of the information processing terminal 3.

[0060] In the second extraction example, the extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the message M1 and extracts conditions from the results of the syntactic analysis. For example, the extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the message M1 using an appropriate syntactic analysis algorithm, and extracts one or more keywords W1 included in the message M1 as conditions. Additionally, the extraction unit 12 may also utilize a learned model that has undergone machine learning in such a way that it takes the message M1 as input and outputs one or more keywords W1.

[0061] In Figure 3 the example shown, the message M1 only includes the body M10 of the message. The extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the body M10 of the message, and thus extracts the first keyword W11, "Dad", as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the father. Also, the extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the body M10 of the message, and thus extracts the second keyword W12, "around 18:00", as a condition indicating that the timing of outputting the notification information is around 18 o'clock (e.g., 17:50). In this case, as described above, the processing unit 13 may, for example, also cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 related to the father as the recipient (e.g., the notification device 2 in the father's room). And in this case, as described above, the processing unit 13 may, for example, also cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 based on parameters set by the father as the recipient (e.g., the speaking speed, etc.).

[0062] As another example, for instance, assume that the user U2 inputs a message M1 including the body M10 of the message "Grandpa, the medicine bought is on the table" on the instant messaging application using the information processing terminal 3. In this case, the extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the body M10 of the message, and thus extracts the keyword W1, "Grandpa", as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the grandfather. And in this case, as described above, the processing unit 13 may, for example, also cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 related to the grandfather as the recipient (e.g., the notification device 2 in the grandfather's room). And in this case, as described above, the processing unit 13 may, for example, also cause the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 based on parameters set by the grandfather as the recipient (e.g., the speaking speed, etc.).

[0063] Based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12, the processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output notification information showing the content of the message M1 included in the text information. In the embodiment, the processing unit 13 causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 by sending an indication signal to the notification device 2 via a network. In the embodiment, the processing unit 13 includes the sound source URL in the indication signal and sends it to the notification device 2. The sound source URL is a URL through which a sound message can be downloaded by making an access. That is, in the embodiment, the output of the indication to the notification device 2 is equivalent to the sending of the sound source URL.

[0064] Specifically, the processing unit 13 causes a sound synthesis system (not shown) to generate a sound message showing the content of the determined event, and saves the generated sound message and the sound source URL associated with the sound message to a notification database (not shown). When the sound synthesis system obtains a string showing the notification content and parameters for the sound source to be used from the notification system 100 via a network, the sound message is generated by synthesizing the sound using the obtained string and parameters. The notification database is a storage device that associates and stores various sound messages sent from the notification system 100 via a network with the sound source URL. Although the notification database is implemented by a semiconductor memory, for example, there is no special limitation, and a known method of electronic information storage may also be adopted.

[0065] Then, the processing unit 13 outputs an instruction to cause the notification device 2 to output the sound message to the notification device 2 by sending the sound source URL to the notification device 2 via a network. And when there is an existing sound message in the notification database, the processing unit 13 does not cause the sound synthesis system to generate the sound message, but reads out the sound source URL corresponding to the sound message from the notification database and sends the read sound source URL to the notification device 2.

[0066] Alternatively, the processing unit 13 may include the sound message in the indication signal and send it to the notification device 2, for example. And alternatively, the processing unit 13 may include an instruction specifying the sound message to be reproduced on the notification device 2 in the indication signal and send it to the notification device 2, for example, when various sound messages are pre-stored in the memory of the notification device 2 or when the notification device 2 has a function of automatically generating sound messages.

[0067] The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores information (such as computer programs) required for various controls of the processor of the notification system 100. Although the storage unit 14 is implemented by a semiconductor memory, for example, there is no special limitation, and a well-known method of electronic information storage may also be adopted. For example, data showing the correspondence between the above-mentioned recipient and the notification device 2, and parameters set by the recipient are stored in the storage unit 14. Further, for example, instruction data included in the instruction signal sent to the notification device 2 is stored in the storage unit 14.

[0068] [2. Operation]

[0069] Hereinafter, Figure 4 the operation (i.e., notification method) of the notification system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0070] For example, when the user U2 inputs a message M1 with the server 1 (notification system 100) as the destination on the instant messaging application program using the information processing terminal 3, the information processing terminal 3 sends the text information including the message M1 to the instant messaging server 4 via the network. When the instant messaging server 4 receives the text information, it sends it to the server 1 via the network. Accordingly, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information sent from the information processing terminal 3 via the instant messaging server 4 via the network (S11).

[0071] Next, the extraction unit 12 extracts the conditions related to the notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S12). Here, for example, the extraction unit 12 may extract the label T1 included in the message M1 as a condition based on the first extraction example. Further, for example, the extraction unit 12 may perform syntactic analysis on the message M1 and extract conditions from the result of the syntactic analysis based on the second extraction example.

[0072] Then, the processing unit 13 sends an instruction signal including an instruction, that is, outputs an instruction, to the notification device 2 via the network based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12. The notification device 2 that receives the instruction signal outputs notification information according to the instruction included in the instruction signal.

[0073] [3. Advantages, etc.]

[0074] Hereinafter, the advantages of the notification system 100 (notification method) according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the problems of the notification system 200 of the comparative example. In Figure 5Among them, the first user U11 and the second user U12 are both users U1 different from the user U2 who owns the information processing terminal 3. Hereinafter, the user U2 will be referred to as "A", the first user U11 will be referred to as "B", and the second user U12 will be referred to as "C". And, in Figure 5 it is assumed that "A" is out, and "B" and "C" are at home. And, in Figure 5 "B" and "C" are in different rooms respectively. And, in Figure 5 in the room where "B" is located, there is a first notification device 2A (here a television receiver) as the notification device 2, and in the room where "C" is located, there is a second notification device 2B (here a portable television receiver) as the notification device 2. And, in Figure 5 the illustration of the instant messaging server 4 is omitted. The above premises are the same in the following Figure 6 as well.

[0075] The difference between the notification system 200 of the comparative example and the notification system 100 according to the embodiment is that when text information including the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3 is obtained, the notification information is output from all the notification devices 2 immediately without extracting conditions.

[0076] For example, as Figure 5 shown, it is assumed that "A" uses the information processing terminal 3 to input the message M1 "I hope to cook some rice" on the instant messaging application at 12:30. In this case, when the notification system 200 of the comparative example obtains the text information including the message M1, it immediately outputs the notification information showing the content of the message M1 from all the notification devices 2 (here the first notification device 2A and the second notification device 2B). Here, both the first notification device 2A and the second notification device 2B output the voice message "There is a message from A. I hope to cook some rice" as the notification information at around 12:31.

[0077] Then, neither "B" who hears the voice message output from the first notification device 2A nor "C" who hears the voice message output from the second notification device 2B can determine whether it is themselves who should cook the rice and also cannot determine when to cook the rice. As described above, since the notification system 200 of the comparative example has the problem that the notification by the notification device 2 cannot be controlled by the information processing terminal 3, it is impossible to output the notification information from the notification device 2 on the basis of specifying the timing of outputting the notification information or the recipient of the notification information, etc.

[0078] In contrast, in the notification system 100 (notification method) according to the embodiment, when text information including the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3 is obtained, conditions related to the notification using the message M1 are extracted from the obtained text information, and notification information is output from the notification device 2 based on the extracted conditions. Thus, the advantage of the notification system 100 is that, since the message M1 only needs to be created in a way that includes conditions, the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify in what notification manner the notification information is output. Therefore, the notification by the notification device 2 can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal 3.

[0079] Another advantage is that, since the notification system 100 extracts conditions from the text information sent from the information processing terminal 3, in the instant messaging application program executed by the information processing terminal 3, there is no need to newly add a function for specifying conditions, etc., nor to update the instant messaging application program.

[0080] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the advantages of the notification system 100 (notification method) according to the embodiment. For example, as Figure 6 shown, "A" uses the information processing terminal 3 to input the message M1 of "#17:00 @B hopes to cook rice" on the instant messaging application program at 12:30. In this case, when the notification system 100 obtains the text information including the message M1, it extracts the condition indicating that the timing for outputting the notification information is 17:00 and the condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is "B".

[0081] In addition, the notification system 100 makes a reply on the instant messaging application program in the following response message, which is a message showing that the notification information is output from the notification device 2 according to the extracted conditions (here, the message of "Speak in B's room at 17:00."). Whether the notification system 100 executes a reply such as the response message can be set appropriately.

[0082] After that, the notification system 100 outputs notification information with the specified recipient of the notification information as "B" from the first notification device 2A in the "B" room at around 17:00. Here, the first notification device 2A outputs the voice message of "A's message to B. Hope to cook rice" at around 17:00. Then, "B" who hears the voice message output from the first notification device 2A can judge that he / she can start cooking rice from now on.

[0083] (Variant example)

[0084] As described above, as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application, embodiments have been described. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and embodiments with appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can also be applied. Moreover, the constituent elements described in the above embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment.

[0085] Therefore, modified examples of the embodiments will be shown below.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 13 may also output a question message to the information processing terminal 3 when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions required for the notification message to be output from the notification device 2, and the question message shows a question asking about the insufficient conditions. Moreover, it may also be that when the acquisition unit 11 acquires a response message from the information processing terminal 3, the processing unit 13 outputs the notification message from the notification device 2 based on the response message and the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12, and the response message shows an answer to the question message.

[0087] Figure 7 It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system 100 according to the modified example of the embodiment. For example, after the user U2 inputs a message M1 destined for the server 1 (notification system 100) in an instant messaging application program using the information processing terminal 3, the information processing terminal 3 sends the text information including the message M1 to the instant messaging server 4 via the network. After receiving the text information, the instant messaging server 4 sends it to the server 1 via the network. Accordingly, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information sent via the instant messaging server 4 from the information processing terminal 3 via the network (S21).

[0088] Next, the extraction unit 12 extracts the conditions related to the notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S22). Here, it may also be that the extraction unit 12 extracts the label T1 included in the message M1 as a condition, for example, based on the first extraction example. And for example, it may also be that the extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the message M1 and extracts conditions from the result of the syntactic analysis.

[0089] Here, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 satisfy the conditions required for the notification message to be output from the notification device 2 (the "No" in S23), the processing unit 13 sends an instruction signal including an instruction, that is, an output instruction, to the notification device 2 via the network (S24). The notification device 2 that receives the instruction signal outputs the notification message according to the instruction included in the instruction signal.

[0090] On the other hand, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2, that is, when the conditions are insufficient ("Yes" in S23), the processing unit 13 sends (outputs) a question message to the information processing terminal 3 via the network (S25), and the question message shows a question asking about the insufficient conditions.

[0091] In the information processing terminal 3 that has received the question message, a message showing the question is displayed on the instant messaging application. Then, the user U2 inputs an answer to the question on the instant messaging application using the information processing terminal 3. Then, the information processing terminal 3 sends answer information showing the answer to the question to the server 1 via the network. Accordingly, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the answer information via the network (S26).

[0092] Then, when it is known from the answer included in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 that the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 are satisfied ("No" in S23), the processing unit 13 sends an indication signal including an instruction, that is, an output instruction, to the notification device 2 via the network based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 and the answer (i.e., the insufficient conditions) included in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S24).

[0093] On the other hand, when it is known from the answer included in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 that the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 are still not satisfied ("Yes" in S23), the processing unit 13 executes steps S25 and S26 again. This process is repeatedly executed until the above conditions are satisfied.

[0094] The notification device 2 that has received the indication signal outputs the notification information according to the instruction included in the indication signal. Thus, the advantage of the notification system 100 according to this modification example is that since the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 can be made sufficient by asking about the insufficient conditions, it is easy to output the notification information from the notification device 2 in an appropriate notification manner.

[0095] Figure 8 Shows a specific example of the operation of the notification system 100 according to the modification example of the embodiment. In Figure 8 In the example shown, it is assumed that when the processing unit 13 of the notification system 100 extracts the following three conditions, it is determined that the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 are satisfied. These three conditions are the condition showing the timing (notification timing) of outputting the notification information, the condition showing the recipient of the notification information, and the condition showing the type of the notification device 2 that outputs the notification information.

[0096] Figure 8The (a) of [Figure 0] shows the message M1 (here, the message "@Dad, please collect the clothes at 6 pm") input by the mother of user U2 on the instant messaging application using the information processing terminal 3.

[0097] Figure 8 The (b) of [Figure 0] shows the data extracted by the notification system 100 from the text information of the message M1 shown in (a) of [Figure 0]. Here, the extraction unit 12 of the notification system 100 extracts the condition indicating that the notification timing is around 6 pm (for example, 5:50 pm), and the condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the father. On the other hand, the extraction unit 12 does not extract the condition indicating the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information. Accordingly, the processing unit 13 sends (outputs) the question information via the network to the information processing terminal 3, and the question information shows a question regarding an inquiry about the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information. Figure 8 The (c) of [Figure 0] shows the message from the notification system 100 showing a question (here, the message "What notification device should be used for notification?") displayed on the instant messaging application, and the message showing an answer input by the mother of user U2 (here, the message "Automatic vacuum cleaner"). The information processing terminal 3 sends the answer information showing the answer via the network to the server 1 (notification system 100).

[0098] Figure 8 The (d) of [Figure 0] shows the data extracted by the notification system 100 from the text information of the message M1 shown in (a) of [Figure 0], and the data extracted from the answer information, which is the information obtained from the information processing terminal 3. As shown in (d) of [Figure 0], the insufficient condition, that is, the condition indicating the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information, is made sufficient. Accordingly, the processing unit 13 causes the notification information, for which the recipient is specified as the father and which is received around 6 pm, to be output from the automatic vacuum cleaner as the notification device 2.

[0099] Figure 8 The (e) of [Figure 0] shows the response message from the notification system 100. The response message is a message showing that the notification information is output from the notification device 2 according to the sufficient conditions (here, the message "At 5:50 pm, a message for Dad will be notified from the automatic vacuum cleaner."). Figure 8 The (a) of [Figure 0] shows the message M1 (here, the message "@Dad, please collect the clothes at 6 pm") input by the mother of user U2 on the instant messaging application using the information processing terminal 3. Figure 8 The (d) of [Figure 0] shows the data extracted by the notification system 100 from the text information of the message M1 shown in (a) of [Figure 0], and the data extracted from the answer information, which is the information obtained from the information processing terminal 3. As shown in (d) of [Figure 0], the insufficient condition, that is, the condition indicating the notification device 2 for outputting the notification information, is made sufficient. Accordingly, the processing unit 13 causes the notification information, for which the recipient is specified as the father and which is received around 6 pm, to be output from the automatic vacuum cleaner as the notification device 2.

[0100] In addition, Figure 8 The (e) of [Figure 0] shows the response message from the notification system 100. The response message is a message showing that the notification information is output from the notification device 2 according to the sufficient conditions (here, the message "At 5:50 pm, a message for Dad will be notified from the automatic vacuum cleaner.").

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, although the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 acquires the text information by receiving, via the network, a signal including the message M1 transmitted via the instant messaging server 4 from the information processing terminal 3, it is not limited thereto. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the text information by receiving, from the information processing terminal 3, a signal including the message M1 transmitted via a server other than the instant messaging server 4. Further, the server through which the above-described signal is transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 may be one or more. And for example, as Figure 9 shown, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information by receiving, from the information processing terminal 3, a signal including the message M1 transmitted directly without passing through other servers. Figure 9 FIG. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the notification system 100 according to another modification of the embodiment.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, although the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 acquires the text information including the message M1 input on the application program for instant messaging executed on the information processing terminal 3, it is not limited thereto. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the text information including the message M1 input on the application program for SMS (Short Message Service) executed on the information processing terminal 3. And for example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the text information including the message M1 input on the application program having a chat function equivalent to the instant messaging executed on the information processing terminal 3.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the notification system 100 may also be implemented by a device other than the server 1. And for example, in the above-described embodiment, although the notification system 100 is implemented as a single device, it may also be implemented by a plurality of devices. In the case where the notification system 100 is implemented by a plurality of devices, the components included in the notification system 100 may be arbitrarily allocated to the plurality of devices. For example, a part of the components included in the notification system 100 in the above-described embodiment is provided by the facility where the user U1 resides. That is, the present disclosure may be implemented by cloud computing or edge computing.

[0104] And for example, in the above-described embodiment, all or part of the components of the notification system 100 in the present disclosure may be constituted by dedicated hardware or implemented by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory.

[0105] Moreover, the components of the notification system 100 in the present disclosure can be constituted by one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits can be either a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0106] The one or more electronic circuits can include, for example, semiconductor devices, ICs (Integrated Circuits), or LSIs (Large Scale Integrations). The IC or LSI can be integrated on one chip or multiple chips. Although referred to as IC or LSI here, the name may vary depending on the degree of integration, and it may also be referred to as system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Also, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI can be used for the same purpose.

[0107] Moreover, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented by a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, or a computer program. Alternatively, it can also be implemented by a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as an optical disc, an HDD, or a semiconductor memory storing the computer program. The present disclosure can be implemented, for example, by a program for executing the information processing method in the above-described embodiments by a computer. And this program can be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or can be distributed through a channel such as the Internet.

[0108] As described above, embodiments as technical examples of the present disclosure have been described. And for this purpose, drawings and detailed descriptions have been provided.

[0109] Therefore, the components described in the drawings and the detailed description include not only the essential components for solving the problems, but also, for the purpose of exemplifying the above technology, components that are not essential for solving the problems may be included. For this reason, these non-essential components should not be immediately regarded as essential just because they are described in the drawings or the detailed description.

[0110] Moreover, since the above-described embodiments are examples for exemplifying the technology of the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0111] (Summary)

[0112] As described above, the notification system 100 according to the first method includes an acquisition unit 11, an extraction unit 12, and a processing unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to the notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The processing unit 13 causes the notification information, which is information showing the content of the message M1 included in the text information, to be output from the notification device 2 based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12.

[0113] In this way, the advantage is that since the message M1 is created in a way that includes conditions, the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify how the notification information is output, so the notification by the notification device 2 can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal 3.

[0114] Moreover, in the notification system 100 according to the second method, on the premise of the first method, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 input on the instant messaging application program executed by the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 extracts the label T1 included in the message M1 as a condition.

[0115] In this way, the advantage is that since the string showing the condition in the message M1 is clearly the label T1, it is easy to extract the condition from the text information.

[0116] Moreover, in the notification system 100 according to the third method, on the premise of the first or second method, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 input on the instant messaging application program executed by the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 performs syntactic analysis on the message M1 and extracts conditions from the result of the syntactic analysis.

[0117] In this way, the advantage is that since the extraction unit 12 automatically extracts conditions from the message M1, the user U2 does not need to make a specific input for the label T1 or the like, and thus the convenience is easily improved.

[0118] Moreover, in the notification system 100 according to the fourth method, on the premise of any one of the first to third methods, the condition shows the timing for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2.

[0119] In this way, the advantage is that since the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify the timing for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2, the notification information can be output from the notification device 2 at the timing desired by the user U2.

[0120] Also, in the notification system 100 according to the fifth mode, on the premise of any one of the first to fourth modes, the condition shows the type of the notification device 2 that outputs the notification information.

[0121] In this way, the advantage is that since the type of the notification device 2 that outputs the notification information can be specified by using the information processing terminal 3, the notification information can be output from the notification device 2 desired by the user U2.

[0122] Also, in the notification system 100 according to the sixth mode, on the premise of any one of the first to fifth modes, the condition shows the recipient of the notification information.

[0123] In this way, the advantage is that since the recipient of the notification information can be specified by using the information processing terminal 3, it is easy to convey the notification information to the recipient desired by the user U2.

[0124] Also, in the notification system 100 according to the seventh mode, on the premise of the sixth mode, the processing unit 13 causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 related to the recipient.

[0125] In this way, the advantage is that since the notification information is output not from a non-specific notification device 2 but from the notification device 2 related to the specified recipient, it is easy to convey the notification information to the specified recipient.

[0126] Also, in the notification system 100 according to the eighth mode, on the premise of the sixth or seventh mode, the processing unit 13 causes the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 based on the parameters set by the recipient.

[0127] In this way, the advantage is that since the notification information is output from the notification device 2 in the notification mode set by the specified recipient, it is easy to convey the notification information to the specified recipient.

[0128] Also, in the notification system 100 according to the ninth mode, on the premise of any one of the first to eighth modes, the condition shows the output mode of the notification information.

[0129] In this way, the advantage is that since the output mode of the notification information can be specified by using the information processing terminal 3, the notification information can be output from the notification device 2 in the output mode desired by the user U2.

[0130] Further, in the notification system 100 according to the tenth mode, on the premise of any one of the first to ninth modes, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2, the processing unit 13 outputs a question message to the information processing terminal 3, and the question message shows a question asking about the insufficient conditions. When the acquisition unit 11 acquires a response message from the information processing terminal 3, the processing unit 13 outputs the notification information from the notification device 2 based on the response message and the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12, and the response message shows an answer to the question message.

[0131] In this way, the advantage is that since it is possible to make the conditions required for the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 sufficient by asking about the insufficient conditions, it is easy to output the notification information from the notification device 2 in an appropriate notification manner.

[0132] Further, the notification device 2 according to the eleventh mode includes an instruction acquisition unit 21 and an output unit 22. The instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires an instruction for outputting the notification information from the notification system 100 of any one of the first to tenth modes. When the instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires the instruction, the output unit 22 outputs the notification information.

[0133] In this way, the advantage is that since the message M1 can be created in a manner including conditions, the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify in what notification manner the notification information is output, so the notification by the notification device 2 can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal 3.

[0134] Further, in the notification method according to the twelfth mode, text information including the message M1 sent from the information processing terminal 3 is acquired (S11). In this notification method, the conditions related to the notification using the message M1 are extracted from the acquired text information (S12). In this notification method, based on the extracted conditions, the notification information is output from the notification device 2, and the notification information is information showing the content of the message M1 included in the text information (S13).

[0135] In this way, the advantage is that since the message M1 can be created in a manner including conditions, the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify in what notification manner the notification information is output, so the notification by the notification device 2 can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal 3.

[0136] Further, the program according to the thirteenth mode causes one or more processors to execute the notification method according to the twelfth mode.

[0137] In this way, the advantage is that since the message M1 is created in a manner that includes conditions, the information processing terminal 3 can be used to specify how the notification information is output, so the notification by the notification device 2 can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal 3.

[0138] Industrial Applicability

[0139] The present disclosure can be applied to a system or the like that outputs notification information showing the content of a message sent from an information processing terminal from a notification device.

[0140] Symbol Explanation

[0141] 1 Server

[0142] 11 Acquisition Unit

[0143] 12 Extraction Unit

[0144] 13 Processing Unit

[0145] 14 Storage Unit

[0146] 2 Notification Device

[0147] 21 Instruction Acquisition Unit

[0148] 22 Output Unit

[0149] 2A First Notification Device

[0150] 2B Second Notification Device

[0151] 3 Information Processing Terminal

[0152] 4 Instant Messaging Server

[0153] 100 Notification System

[0154] 200 Notification System of Comparative Example

[0155] M1 Message

[0156] M10 Body of the Message

[0157] T1 Tag

[0158] T11 First Tag

[0159] T12 Second Tag

[0160] U1, U11, U12, U2 Users

[0161] W1 Keyword

[0162] W11 First Keyword

[0163] W12 Second keyword

Claims

1. A notification system, comprising: An acquisition unit that acquires text information including a message sent from an information processing terminal; An extraction unit that extracts conditions related to a notification using the message from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit; and A processing unit that outputs notification information from a notification device based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit, the notification information being information showing the content of the message included in the text information.

2. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the text information including the message input on an instant messaging application executed on the information processing terminal, and the extraction unit extracts the tags included in the message as the conditions.

3. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the text information including the message input on an instant messaging application executed on the information processing terminal, and the extraction unit performs syntactic analysis on the message and extracts the conditions from the results of the syntactic analysis.

4. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conditions show the timing for outputting the notification information from the notification device.

5. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conditions show the type of the notification device for outputting the notification information.

6. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conditions show the recipient of the notification information.

7. The notification system according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit outputs the notification information from the notification device related to the recipient.

8. The notification system according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit outputs the notification information from the notification device based on parameters set by the recipient.

9. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conditions show the output mode of the notification information.

10. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit do not satisfy the conditions required for outputting the notification information from the notification device, the processing unit outputs inquiry information to the information processing terminal, the inquiry information showing an inquiry about the insufficient conditions, and when the acquisition unit acquires response information from the information processing terminal, the processing unit outputs the notification information from the notification device based on the response information and the conditions extracted by the extraction unit, the response information showing a response to the inquiry information.

11. A notification device, comprising: An instruction acquisition unit that acquires an instruction for outputting the notification information from the notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and An output unit that outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit acquires the instruction.

12. A notification method, in which text information including a message sent from an information processing terminal is acquired, conditions related to a notification using the message are extracted from the acquired text information, Based on the extracted conditions, the notification information is output from the notification device, and the notification information is information showing the content of the message included in the text information.

13. A program that causes one or more processors to execute the notification method according to claim 12.

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