Timepiece

Abstract

To reduce a duration in voice reading.SOLUTION: A timepiece includes: a reception part configured to receive a start instruction of sound reproduction; a condition acquisition part configured to acquire an operation condition of the sound reproduction; a selection part configured to select a playback mode according to the operation condition acquired at the condition acquisition part from among playback modes including at least a normal reproduction mode and a time-shortening playback mode with a voice reading duration shorter than that of the normal reproduction mode; and an output part configured to output a sound by the playback mode selected at the selection part, the output part at least including a sound for voice-reading a minute element indicating a minute from among elements of information showing a date and time at the moment, when the reception part has received a start instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Clocks that announce the time and the like by reading out aloud have been disclosed in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Jpn. Jpn. Published Examination No. 61-2953 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, when reading out loud, if redundant information is read out to the user, it will waste time to read out. Also, when reading out loud, it is necessary to drive the speaker built into the watch, so if it takes a long time to read out, more power will be consumed. However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have a problem in that the time required for voice reading cannot be reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a watch comprising: a reception unit that receives an instruction to start audio playback; a condition acquisition unit that acquires operating conditions for audio playback; a selection unit that selects a playback mode according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit from playback modes that include at least a normal playback mode and a time-saving playback mode in which the readout time is shorter than that of the normal playback mode; and an output unit that, when the reception unit accepts the start instruction, outputs audio according to the playback mode selected by the selection unit, including at least an audio that reads out the minute element indicating the minute among the elements of information representing the current date and time. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clock that can reduce the time required for voice reading. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the timepiece of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of audio elements output by an output unit of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of hour sound information according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of speech information according to the present embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the control device of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of arrangements of audio elements read out in each reproduction mode of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of an audio reproducing operation according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the playback time of a sound reading out the time. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of playback time of audio reading out minutes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a timepiece 1 of this embodiment. Timepiece 1 is, for example, a wristwatch with a voice notification function. Timepiece 1 comprises a timepiece body 10 and a band 2. The band 2 is attached to the timepiece body 2, and the timepiece body 10 is worn by wrapping it around the user's arm (for example, the wrist).

[0009] The watch body 10 includes an operation button 11 , a speaker 12 , a display unit 13 , a battery 14 , and a control device 100 . The operation button 11 is operated by a user and transmits the user's instruction to the control device 100. The speaker 12 outputs sound (for example, voice) based on the control of the control device 100.

[0010] The display unit 13 includes, for example, a multi-segment (eg, 7-segment) or dot-matrix liquid crystal display, and displays the date, time (eg, the current time) and the like under the control of the control device 100.

[0011] Battery 14 is housed inside watch body 10, and supplies operating power for control device 100. Battery 14 may be a primary battery that cannot be recharged, or it may be a secondary battery or large-capacity capacitor that can be recharged using power generated by a solar cell (not shown) or power generation mechanism (not shown) included in watch 1, or power supplied from an external power source (not shown).

[0012] The control device 100 includes a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120. The control device 100 operates using power supplied from a battery 14. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and provides various functions based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 120. The functional configuration of the control unit 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 110 of this embodiment. The control device 100 includes, as its functional units, a receiving unit 111, a condition acquiring unit 112, a selecting unit 113, a timing unit 114, and an output unit 115.

[0014] The receiving unit 111 receives an instruction ST to start audio playback. The start instruction ST is output when certain conditions are met, such as the user operating the operation button 11, a predetermined timing such as every hour on the hour, the start time indicated by schedule information (not shown) stored in the memory unit 120, or schedule information obtained by the communication unit (not shown) via wireless or wired communication from an external device that supplies the schedule information. In one example of the present embodiment, the start instruction ST is described as being output from the operation button 11 when the user operates the operation button 11 (for example, the operation button 11-1. The same applies in the following description). In this example, when the user operates the operation button 11, audio playback is started.

[0015] The condition acquisition unit 112 acquires the operating conditions for audio playback. The operating conditions for audio playback are conditions for determining the playback mode MD of audio playback.

[0016] The selection unit 113 selects a playback mode MD according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 112 . In one example of this embodiment, the playback mode MD includes a normal playback mode MD1 and a time-saving playback mode MD2. The normal playback mode MD1 is a mode in which the time for which the clock 1 reads out the voice (hereinafter, also referred to as the voice playback time or simply the playback time) is a normal time duration among the playback modes MD. The playback mode MD2 is a playback mode MD in which the read-out time is shorter than that of the normal playback mode MD1.

[0017] That is, the selection unit 113 selects a playback mode MD according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 112 from among playback modes MD that include at least a normal playback mode MD1 and a time-saving playback mode MD2 in which the readout time is shorter than that of the normal playback mode MD1.

[0018] The timekeeping unit 114 has a calendar function and a clock function (or either one of the calendar function and the clock function), and generates date and time information that is information indicating the current date and time. The date and time information includes date information such as the current year, month, day, and day of the week, and time information such as am / pm, hour, minute, and second in the 12-hour system. Note that the date and time information does not necessarily include any of the exemplified date information and time information (for example, information on the day of the week or information on the seconds). The timekeeping unit 114 outputs the generated date and time information to the output unit 115.

[0019] The output unit 115 outputs the date and time information generated by the clock unit 114 to the display unit 13. As a result, the display unit 13 displays the date and time based on the date and time information generated by the clock unit 114. In other words, the display unit 13 functions as a clock that displays the date and time information.

[0020] Furthermore, the output unit 115 outputs a sound based on the date and time information generated by the clock unit 114 to the speaker 12. As a result, a sound of the date and time based on the date and time information generated by the clock unit 114 is output from the speaker 12. In this embodiment, the timepiece 1 outputting sound from the speaker 12 is also referred to as “playing sound.” An example of sound output by the output unit 115 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of audio elements 200 output by the output unit 115 of this embodiment. In this example of this embodiment, audio indicating the current date and time is composed of a plurality of elements 200 arranged in chronological order. The elements 200 include an arranged sentence element 210, a date element 220, and a time element 230. Furthermore, in the audio, silent sections BR may be arranged between the plurality of elements 200 arranged in chronological order.

[0022] The sentence element 210 includes a sentence start element 211 and a sentence end element 241. The sentence start element 211 is an expression placed at the start of a sentence in which the date and time are read out (for example, "I'm home" in Japanese or "It's" in English). The sentence end element 241 is an expression placed at the end of a sentence in which the date and time are read out (for example, "desu" in Japanese). Depending on the language system, there may be cases in which the sentence start element 211 and the sentence end element 241 do not exist when the date and time are read out.

[0023] The date element 220 includes a year element 221, a month element 222, a day element 223, and a day of the week element 224. The year element 221 is the part of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the year. The month element 222 is the part of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the month. The day element 223 is the part of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the day. The day of the week element 224 is the part of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the day of the week. Note that there may be cases where the output unit 115 does not reproduce the date, but only the time. There may also be cases where the output unit 115 does not reproduce part of the date (for example, the year, month, or day of the week). In such cases, all or part of the date elements 220 may be omitted.

[0024] The time element 230 includes an AM / PM element 231, an hour element 232, a minute element 233, and a day of the week element 224. The AM / PM element 231 is a portion of the sentence that reads out the date and time in a 12-hour format that expresses whether it is AM or PM. The hour element 232 is a portion of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the hour. The minute element 233 is a portion of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the minute. The second element 234 is a portion of the sentence that reads out the date and time that expresses the second. There may be cases where the output unit 115 does not reproduce a part of the time (for example, seconds). In such cases, some of the date elements 220 may be omitted.

[0025] In the example shown in the same figure, elements 200 are arranged in chronological order as follows: beginning element 211 “I'm back”, silent interval BR, year element 221 “year ****”, month element 222 “month **”, day element 223 “day **”, day of the week element 224 “day of the week △”, silent interval BR, am / pm element 231 “am” or “pm”, hour element 232 “hour **”, minute element 233 “minute **”, second element 234 “seconds **”, silent interval BR, and end element 241 “desu”. In this explanation, the sound output from speaker 12 is indicated by the characters in " ". Also, * (asterisk; same below) is any numeral that represents the current date or time. One * represents a single digit numeral. When written as **, it means a numeral of up to two digits. Also, △ (upper triangle; same below) is any noun that represents the day of the week.

[0026] Of the element 200, the playback time of the beginning element 211 is from time t11 to time t12. The playback time of the year element 221 is from time t21 to time t22. Note that the period from time t12 to time t21 is a silent section BR. Similarly, predetermined playback times are determined for each of the elements 200, namely the date element 220 and the time element 230.

[0027] The output unit 115 of this embodiment reproduces audio based on audio information stored in the storage unit 120 . In one example of this embodiment, information indicating a time waveform of a sound is stored as audio information in storage unit 120. Output unit 115 generates a voltage waveform based on the information indicating the time waveform of the sound stored in storage unit 120, and outputs the generated voltage waveform to speaker 12. As a result, speaker 12 outputs a sound corresponding to the information indicating the time waveform of the sound stored in storage unit 120. With clock 1 configured in this manner, it is possible to output a sound from speaker 12 even if control unit 110 does not have a voice synthesis function.

[0028] The output unit 115 may have a voice synthesis function that synthesizes a voice waveform from text data. In this case, the text data is stored in the storage unit 120 as voice information. The output unit 115 generates a voltage waveform by performing voice synthesis based on the text data stored in the storage unit 120, and outputs the generated voltage waveform to the speaker 12. As a result, the speaker 12 outputs a voice corresponding to the text data stored in the storage unit 120. In general, the amount of information in text data is smaller than that indicative of the time waveform of sound. According to the clock 1 configured in this manner, the amount of information stored in the storage unit 120 can be reduced.

[0029] An example of the audio information stored in the storage unit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a diagram showing an example of hour audio information 121 in this embodiment. The hour audio information 121 is audio information indicating the hour among audio information. The figure shows each hour from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock in a 12-hour system and an example of the audio corresponding to each hour.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of minute audio information 122 in this embodiment. Minute audio information 122 is audio information indicating minutes among audio information. The figure shows each minute from 0 to 59 minutes and an example of audio corresponding to each minute. Note that the figure omits the description of some of the minutes. 4 and 5 are merely examples, and are not limited to these. For example, the voice at "0 minutes" in the minute voice information 122 may be "exactly."

[0031] The output unit 115 searches the hour voice information 121 using the time indicated by the date and time information output by the clock unit 114 as a search key, thereby acquiring voice information for reading out the time. For example, when the time indicated by the date and time information output by the clock unit 114 is "11 o'clock," the output unit 115 acquires audio information "11 o'clock" corresponding to "11 o'clock." The output unit 115 generates an audio waveform based on the acquired audio information "11 o'clock" and outputs the audio waveform to the speaker 12. As a result, the audio "11 o'clock" is reproduced from the speaker 12.

[0032] Furthermore, the output unit 115 searches the minute voice information 122 using the minute indicated by the date and time information output by the clock unit 114 as a search key, thereby acquiring voice information for reading out the minute. For example, when the minute indicated by the date and time information output by clock unit 114 is "34 minutes", output unit 115 acquires audio information "34 minutes", which corresponds to "34 minutes". Output unit 115 generates an audio waveform based on the acquired audio information "34 minutes", and outputs the audio waveform to speaker 12. As a result, the audio "34 minutes" is reproduced from speaker 12.

[0033] The output unit 115 acquires audio information for each element 200 included in the sentence element 210, the date element 220, and the time element 230 by searching using the date and time information output by the clock unit 114 as a search key; however, the specific operation is similar to that for hours and minutes, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

[0034] When the reception unit 111 receives a start instruction ST, the output unit 115 reproduces the date and time (for example, the current date and time) by outputting a sound based on the date and time information generated by the clock unit 114 to the speaker 12. Here, the output unit 115 outputs a sound according to the reproduction mode MD selected by the selection unit 113, including at least a sound reading out the minute element 233 indicating the minute among the elements 200 of the information representing the current date and time. Next, a specific example of the flow of operations of the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] [Operation flow of the control device 100] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of operations of the control device 100 of this embodiment. (Step S10) The timekeeping unit 114 keeps track of the current date and time. The timekeeping unit 114 outputs the timekeeping result to the output unit 115 as date and time information. (Step S20) The output unit 115 displays the date and time (that is, the current date and time) on the display unit 13 based on the date and time information output by the clock unit 114 in step S10.

[0036] (Step S30) The selection unit 113 judges whether or not the reception unit 111 has received a start instruction ST. In this example, as shown in Fig. 2, when the user operates the operation button 11, the start instruction ST is output from the operation button 11 to the reception unit 111. When the start instruction ST is output from the operation button 11, the reception unit 111 receives the output start instruction ST. If the selection unit 113 determines that the reception unit 111 has not received the start instruction ST (step S30; NO), the process returns to step S10. If the selection unit 113 determines that the reception unit 111 has received the start instruction ST (step S30; YES), the process proceeds to step S100.

[0037] (Step S100) The condition acquiring unit 112 acquires operating conditions for audio playback. (Step S110) The selection unit 113 selects a playback mode MD according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 112 in step S100 from among the playback modes MD that include at least the normal playback mode MD1 and the time-saving playback mode MD2. Specifically, when the selection unit 113 determines that the playback mode MD indicated by the operating conditions is not the time-saving playback mode MD2 (that is, the normal playback mode MD1) (step S110; NO), the selection unit 113 advances the process to step S120. When the selection unit 113 determines that the playback mode MD indicated by the operating conditions is the time-saving playback mode MD2 (step S110; YES), the selection unit 113 advances the process to step S130.

[0038] (Step S120) The output unit 115 outputs the sound in the normal reproduction mode MD1 to the speaker 12, and the process returns to step S10. (Step S130) The output unit 115 outputs the sound in the time-saving reproduction mode MD2 to the speaker 12, and the process returns to step S10. Now, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of an arrangement of the audio elements 200 read out in the normal playback mode MD1 and an example of an arrangement of the audio elements 200 read out in the time-saving playback mode MD2 will be described.

[0039] [Changes in audio element 200 depending on the playback mode MD] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of audio elements 200 read out in each reproduction mode MD of this embodiment. 7A shows an example of an arrangement of the audio elements 200 read out in the normal playback mode MD1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7B shows an example of an arrangement of the audio elements 200 read out in the time-saving playback mode MD2 of the present embodiment.

[0040] In this example, in the normal playback mode MD1, the element 200 includes an AM / PM element 231, an hour element 232, a minute element 233, a silent section BR, and an end-of-sentence element 241. As a result, the playback time in the normal playback mode MD1 is from time t31 to time t42.

[0041] In the time-saving playback mode MD2, the element 200 includes an AM / PM element 231, an hour element 232, and a minute element 233. That is, the time-saving playback mode MD2 does not include the silent section BR and the sentence-end element 241 that are included in the normal playback mode MD1. That is, the time-saving playback mode MD2 omits the silent section BR and the sentence-end element 241. As a result, the playback time in the time-saving playback mode MD2 is from time t31 to time t34.

[0042] In the following description, the audio element 200 in the normal playback mode MD1 is also referred to as a normal component element, and the audio element 200 in the time-saving playback mode MD2 is also referred to as a time-saving component element.

[0043] In other words, the time-saving component, which is the audio element 200 in the time-saving playback mode MD2, is composed of some of the normal components, which are the audio elements 200 in the normal playback mode MD1 that indicate the same date and time as the audio.

[0044] Furthermore, element 200 includes a sentence head element 211 (e.g., "I'm home") or a sentence end element 241 (e.g., "Desu") of a sentence when reading out the date and time to be reproduced, and the time-saving components are constructed by omitting at least the sentence head element 211 or the sentence end element 241 of the normal components. In the above-mentioned example, in the time-saving reproduction mode MD2, the sentence end element 241, "Desu", is omitted.

[0045] In the above-described example, the silent section BR included in the normal playback mode MD1 is omitted in the time-saving playback mode MD2. In other words, the output unit 115 outputs sound in the time-saving reproduction mode MD2 by shortening the silent sections BR between the elements 200 included in the normal reproduction mode MD1.

[0046] In the time-saving playback mode MD2, the output unit 115 may omit the AM / PM element 231 (for example, "AM" or "PM") included in the normal playback mode MD1. In other words, element 200 includes AM / PM element 231 indicating whether the time to be played back is AM or PM, and the time-saving component may be constructed by omitting at least AM / PM element 231 from the normal components.

[0047] [Operating conditions] As described above, the selection section 113 selects the playback mode MD according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition section 112. Here, examples of the operating conditions will be described.

[0048] (1) Based on user settings The condition acquisition unit 112 acquires, as an operating condition, predetermined setting information 123 set by the user. An example of the setting information 123 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting information 123 of this embodiment. Setting information 123 is information for switching various operations of clock 1, and is information in which setting items are associated with setting values. Setting information 123 is stored in storage unit 120. The setting information 123 can be rewritten by the user using the operation button 11, or other operation buttons (not shown) on the watch body 10, or an external device (not shown) that transmits information to the watch 1. The setting items of the setting information 123 include, for example, the playback mode MD, the playback speed, and the display mode.

[0050] When the setting value of the playback mode MD in the setting information 123 is the normal playback mode MD1, the condition acquisition unit 112 acquires, as an operating condition, that a playback operation be performed in the normal playback mode MD1. When the setting value of the playback mode MD in the setting information 123 is the time-saving playback mode MD2, the condition acquisition unit 112 acquires, as an operating condition, that a playback operation be performed in the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0051] With the timepiece 1 thus configured, the user can select the audio reproduction mode MD to be the normal reproduction mode MD1 or the time-saving reproduction mode MD2.

[0052] (2) Based on the operation interval of the audio playback operation FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the audio reproducing operation of the present embodiment. The reception unit 111 receives a start instruction ST (first start instruction ST) at time t1. As a result, the output unit 115 reproduces audio in the normal playback mode MD1 from time t311 to time t351. Note that in this example, the output unit 115 reproduces audio including the AM / PM element 231, the hour element 232, the minute element 233, and the end-of-sentence element 241 as audio in the normal playback mode MD1. Next, the reception unit 111 receives a start instruction ST (a second start instruction ST) at time t2. Here, the selection unit 113 determines whether the time interval between the timing at which the first start instruction ST is received (for example, time t1) and the timing at which the second start instruction ST is received (for example, time t2) exceeds the operation interval threshold value TH. For example, when the selection unit 113 receives a second start instruction ST at time t3 in the same figure, if the time interval between the timings of receiving the start instruction ST exceeds the operation interval threshold value TH (for example, the operation interval of the operation button 11 is relatively long), the selection unit 113 plays audio in normal playback mode MD1 for the second start instruction ST. On the other hand, if the selection unit 113 determines that the time interval between the acceptance timings of the start instructions ST does not exceed the operation interval threshold value TH (for example, the operation interval of the operation button 11 is relatively short) (as illustrated in FIG. 9), the selection unit 113 plays back sound in the time-saving playback mode MD2 for the second start instruction ST. As a result, the output unit 115 plays back sound in the time-saving playback mode MD2 from time t332 to time t342. In this example, the output unit 115 plays back sound including only the minute element 233 as sound in the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0053] In this example, in the time-saving playback mode MD2, none of the AM / PM element 231, the hour element 232, and the end-of-sentence element 241 that are played in the normal playback mode MD1 are played. In this case, the normal components of the element 200 include the AM / PM element 231, the hour element 232, the minute element 233, and the end-of-sentence element 241. The time-saving components include the minute element 233, but do not include the AM / PM element 231, the hour element 232, or the end-of-sentence element 241. In other words, the element 200 includes the time element 232 indicating the hour of the time to be reproduced, and the time-saving component is configured by omitting at least the time element 232 from the normal components.

[0054] With the clock 1 configured in this manner, if the user operates the operation button 11 at relatively short intervals, the audio playback mode MD from the second operation onwards can be set to the time-saving playback mode MD2. If the operation button 11 is operated at relatively short intervals, the date element 220 of the date and time information elements 200 and the AM / PM element 231 and hour element 232 of the time element 230 may not have changed. In such a case, the clock 1 sets the audio playback mode MD from the second operation onwards to the time-saving playback mode MD2, thereby shortening the playback time and improving user convenience and suppressing consumption of the battery 14.

[0055] (3) Based on the state of the battery voltage VBAT The condition acquisition unit 112 may acquire the voltage of the battery 14 (i.e., the battery voltage VBAT) as the operating condition. In this case, the selection unit 113 selects the normal reproduction mode MD1 if the battery voltage VBAT is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold voltage, and selects the time-saving reproduction mode MD2 if the battery voltage VBAT is lower than the predetermined threshold voltage.

[0056] With a watch 1 configured in this manner, when the battery 14 is nearing the end of its life, the audio playback mode MD can be switched to the time-saving playback mode MD2, thereby shortening the playback time and suppressing consumption of the battery 14.

[0057] (4) Based on the presence or absence of time carryover The condition acquisition unit 112 may acquire the presence or absence of a time carryover as an operating condition. Here, the time carryover refers to a change in the hour unit of the time from 11:00 AM to noon (midnight) or from 11:00 PM to midnight in a 12-hour system, or from 11:00 PM to midnight in a 24-hour system, a change in the minute unit of the time from 59 minutes to the hour (0 minutes), a change in the second unit of the time from 59 seconds to 0 seconds, etc. For example, when the minute unit of the time changes from 59 minutes to the hour (0 minutes), the hour unit value increases by 1. In this case, the selection unit 113 determines that a time carry has occurred, and sets the playback mode MD to the normal playback mode MD1. Furthermore, when the selection unit 113 determines that no time carryover has occurred since the previous start instruction ST, it sets the playback mode MD to the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0058] With clock 1 configured in this way, when start instruction ST is issued multiple times, for example by the user operating operation button 11 multiple times, it is possible to shorten the time taken to read out elements 200 of the date and time information that have not changed since the previous start instruction ST. Therefore, with clock 1, it is possible to suppress consumption of battery 14 by shortening the time taken to read out information that is redundant to the user.

[0059] (5) When based on user operations There are cases where the watch 1 has multiple operation buttons 11. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the watch body 10 of the watch 1 may have at least two types of operation buttons 11, an operation button 11-1 and an operation button 11-2. In this case, the condition acquisition unit 112 acquires information as to which of the operation buttons 11-1 and 11-2 has been operated as an operating condition. The selection unit 113 may be configured to select the normal playback mode MD1 when the operation button 11-1 has been operated, and to select the time-saving playback mode MD2 when the operation button 11-2 has been operated.

[0060] Furthermore, the condition acquisition unit 112 may acquire, as an operating condition, a difference in the operation time of the operation button 11. In this case, the selection unit 113 selects the normal playback mode MD1 when the user presses the operation button 11 for a long time (for example, the operation is continued for one second or more) and selects the time-saving playback mode MD2 when the user presses the operation button 11 for a short time (for example, the operation is completed in less than one second). Conversely, the selection unit 113 may be configured to select the time-saving playback mode MD2 when the user presses the operation button 11 for a long time, and to select the normal playback mode MD1 when the user presses the operation button 11 for a short time.

[0061] Furthermore, the condition acquisition unit 112 may acquire, as an operating condition, that the operation button 11 has been operated during the voice reading operation. In this case, the selection unit 113 switches to a playback mode MD different from the playback mode MD during the reading operation. For example, if the user operates the operation button 11 while the reading operation is being performed in the normal playback mode MD1, the reading operation is switched to the time-saving playback mode MD2. Also, if the user operates the operation button 11 while the reading operation is being performed in the time-saving playback mode MD2, the reading operation is switched to the normal playback mode MD1.

[0062] The clock 1 configured in this way allows the user to select the playback mode MD that they prefer, depending on the situation, for example. Therefore, the clock 1 can improve user convenience while suppressing consumption of the battery 14 through the user's selection.

[0063] [Variation 1] Up to this point, the timepiece 1 has been described as shortening the playback time in the time-saving playback mode MD2 by omitting some of the audio elements 200 in the normal playback mode MD1, but this is not limited to the above. In time-saving playback mode MD2, the watch 1 may shorten the playback time by speeding up the playback speed of each of the audio elements 200 in normal playback mode MD1.

[0064] That is, in time-saving playback mode MD2 of clock 1, the reading speed of the voice in time-saving playback mode MD2 may be faster than the reading speed of the voice in normal playback mode MD1. Here, the reading speed of the voice in normal playback mode MD1 is also referred to as the normal reading speed. Also, the reading speed of the voice in time-saving playback mode MD2 is also referred to as the time-saving reading speed.

[0065] As an example, the voice reading speed in the time-saving playback mode MD2 is set to about twice the voice reading speed in the normal playback mode MD1. In this modified example of the watch 1, first audio information corresponding to the playback speed of the normal playback mode MD1 (i.e., the normal reading speed) and second audio information corresponding to the playback speed of the time-saving playback mode MD2 (i.e., the time-saving reading speed) may be stored in the audio information storage unit 120.

[0066] Furthermore, if output unit 115 has a voice synthesis function as described above, when converting text data stored in storage unit 120 into voice, the conversion may be performed at a playback speed of the voice according to playback mode MD.

[0067] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the playback time of the sound reading out the time. For example, when reading out "1 o'clock" (ichiji), the playback time is 550 [ms] in normal playback mode MD1 and 230 [ms] in time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0068] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the playback time of the sound reading out the minutes. For example, when reading out "0 minutes", the playback time is 710 [ms] in the normal playback mode MD1 and 310 [ms] in the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0069] Furthermore, in time-saving playback mode MD2, watch 1 may shorten the playback time by combining omission of some of audio elements 200 with an increased voice reading speed. An example of the operation of watch 1 in time-saving playback mode MD2 when reading aloud by combining omission of some of audio elements 200 with an increased voice reading speed will be described below.

[0070] In the example shown in Figures 10 and 11, for the hour, the time to read out "11 o'clock" is the longest among the hours from 1 to 12 in both the normal playback mode MD1 and the time-saving playback mode MD2. Specifically, in the normal playback mode MD1, the time to read out "11 o'clock" is 750 [ms]. In the time-saving playback mode MD2, the time to read out "11 o'clock" is 330 [ms]. Regarding minutes, in normal playback mode MD1, the time it takes to read out "34 minutes" (sanjuyonpun) is the longest among the range from 0 to 59 minutes. In time-saving playback mode MD2, the time it takes to read out "44 minutes" (yonjuyonpun) is the longest among the range from 0 to 59 minutes. Specifically, in normal playback mode MD1, the time it takes to read out "34 minutes" (sanjuyonpun) is 1390 [ms]. In time-saving playback mode MD2, the time it takes to read out "44 minutes" (yonjuyonpun) is 590 [ms].

[0071] In this example, the time to read out "gozen" (AM) of the AM PM element 231 is 510 [ms], and the time to read out "gogo" (PM) is 500 [ms]. In this example, the time to read out "desu" (DESU) of the sentence-end element 241 is 350 [ms].

[0072] Here, a specific example will be described in which the array of date and time information shown in FIG. 9 is read out. In normal playback mode MD1, the playback times for "AM", "11 o'clock", "34 minutes", and "DESU" are the longest. Specifically, in normal playback mode MD1, "AM" is 510 [ms], "11 o'clock" is 750 [ms], "34 minutes" is 1390 [ms], and "DESU" is 350 [ms]. The sum of these times is the longest playback time in normal playback mode MD1 (3000 [ms]). In the time-saving playback mode MD2, the AM / PM element 231 (e.g., "AM"), the hour element 232 (e.g., "11 o'clock"), and the sentence-end element 241 ("desu") are omitted, and only the minute element 233 is read out. Specifically, in the time-saving playback mode MD2, "44 minutes" is 590 [ms]. That is, the longest playback time in the time-saving playback mode MD2 is 590 [ms]. In this example, the longest playback time in the time-saving playback mode MD2 is shortened to about 20% of the longest playback time in the normal playback mode MD1. With a timepiece 1 configured in this way, consumption of the battery 14 can be reduced by shortening the time spent reading out information that is redundant to the user.

[0073] [Variation 2] Thus far, the watch 1 has been described as shortening the readout time in time-saving playback mode MD2 by omitting some of the audio elements 200, increasing the audio readout speed, or a combination of these, but this is not limited to the above. In time-saving playback mode MD2, watch 1 may have a function of selecting a playback method that shortens the audio playback time depending on the content of the audio to be read out, between omitting some of the audio elements 200 and increasing the audio reading speed.

[0074] The reading speed in the time-saving playback mode MD2 will be described below by taking the reading times shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 as examples. (1) When reading out "11 o'clock" and "44 minutes" If part of the audio element 200 is omitted, i.e., if the time element 232 is omitted and only "44 minutes" is read out, the time is 1380 [ms]. If the reading speed is increased, i.e., if "11 o'clock" and "44 minutes" are read out at twice the normal speed, the time is 920 [ms]. That is, the reading time is shorter when the reading speed is increased than when a portion of the audio element 200 is omitted. In this case, the selection unit 113 selects increasing the reading speed in the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0075] (2) When reading out "11 o'clock" and "5 minutes" If part of the audio element 200 is omitted, i.e., the time element 232 is omitted and only "5 minutes" is read out, the time is 560 [ms]. If the reading speed is increased, i.e., "11 o'clock" and "5 minutes" are read out at twice the normal speed, the time is 580 [ms]. In other words, the read-out time is shorter when a part of the audio element 200 is omitted than when the read-out speed is increased. In this case, the selection unit 113 selects the part of the audio element 200 being omitted in the time-saving playback mode MD2.

[0076] The timepiece 1 configured in this manner can minimize the read-out time, thereby reducing consumption of the battery 14, while increasing the amount of information that can be read out.

[0077] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined.

[0078] Each unit of each device in the above-described embodiments may be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be realized by a memory and a microprocessor.

[0079] In addition, each part of each device may be composed of a memory and a CPU (central processing unit), and the functions of each part of each device may be realized by loading a program for realizing the function of each part into the memory and executing the program.

[0080] In addition, a program for implementing the functions of each unit of each device may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing by each unit of the control unit. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices.

[0081] In addition, if a WWW system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment). In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" also includes those that dynamically hold a program for a short period of time, such as communication lines when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions, or may be one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...clock, 2...band, 10...clock body, 11...operation button, 12...speaker, 13...display unit, 14...battery, 100...control device, 110...control unit, 111...reception unit, 112...condition acquisition unit, 113...selection unit, 114...timekeeping unit, 115...output unit, 120...storage unit, 121...hour audio information, 122...minute audio information, 123...setting information, 200...element, 210...sentence element, 211...start element, 220...date element, 221...year element, 222...month element, 223...day element, 224...day of the week element, 230...time element, 231...am / pm element, 232...hour element, 233...minute element, 234...second element, 241...end element, MD...playback mode MD MD1: Normal playback mode, MD2: Time-saving playback mode, ST: Start command, BR: Silent section, VBAT: Battery voltage, TH: Operation interval threshold

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives an instruction to start audio playback; a condition acquisition unit for acquiring operating conditions for audio playback; a selection unit that selects a playback mode according to the operating conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit from playback modes including at least a normal playback mode and a time-saving playback mode in which a reading time is shorter than that of the normal playback mode; an output unit that, when the reception unit receives the start instruction, outputs a sound according to the playback mode selected by the selection unit, the sound including at least a minute element indicating a minute among elements of information representing a current date and time; A watch equipped with.

2. The time-saving component, which is the element of the sound in the time-saving playback mode, is composed of a part of the normal component, which is the element of the sound in the normal playback mode that indicates the same date and time as the sound.

2. The watch according to claim 1.

3. The elements include an AM / PM element that indicates whether the time of day to be played is AM or PM, The time-saving component is configured by omitting at least the morning / afternoon component from the normal components.

3. The watch according to claim 2.

4. the element includes a time element indicating an hour of a time to be played back; The time-saving component is configured by omitting at least the time element from among the normal components.

3. The watch according to claim 2.

5. The element includes a beginning element or an end element of a sentence when the date and time to be reproduced is read out, The time-saving component is configured by omitting at least the sentence head element or the sentence end element from the normal components.

3. The watch according to claim 2.

6. The output unit outputs the sound in the time-saving playback mode by shortening a silent section between the elements included in the normal playback mode.

2. The watch according to claim 1.

7. The speed at which the voice is read out in the time-saving playback mode is faster than the speed at which the voice is read out in the normal playback mode.

2. The watch according to claim 1.

8. The operating conditions include at least one of a predetermined operating mode setting, an operating interval of a sound reproducing operation, a power supply voltage, and a time carryover.

2. The watch according to claim 1.

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