Information notification device, information notification method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information notification device or the like for recognizing the arrival of a message as necessary on the basis of the situation of a user.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes a reception detection unit configured to detect reception of a new message to a user, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the user is using a shared terminal that allows the user to check the message, and a reproduction unit configured to reproduce a voice representing a content of the message in response to a phone call being made to a phone associated with the user when the user is not using the shared terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information notification device, an information notification method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a technique for notifying the arrival of an e-mail is disclosed in Cited Document 1.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes an email processing system in which, when an email server located on a network outside a mobile communication system receives an email addressed to a user, the email is sent to the user's mobile phone to notify the user that the email has been delivered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-333095 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technology of Patent Document 1, even if the user is able to read the email that has arrived at the mail server, an email is sent indicating that the email has been delivered. In other words, depending on the user's situation, unnecessary notification emails are also sent.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information notification device, an information notification method, and a program that enable a user to recognize the arrival of a message as needed based on the user's situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information notification device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a reception detection means for detecting receipt of a new message for a user, a determination means for determining whether the user is using a shared terminal device that can check the message, a telephone call means for calling a designated telephone number that is a telephone number associated with the user when the user is not using the shared terminal device, and a playback means for playing audio representing the content of the message when a telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned becomes busy.

[0008] An information notification method according to one aspect of the present disclosure detects receipt of a new message for a user, determines whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message, and if the user is not using the terminal device, makes a call to a designated telephone number that is a telephone number associated with the user, and plays audio representing the content of the message when the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned becomes busy.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a reception detection process for detecting receipt of a new message for a user, a determination process for determining whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message, a call process for calling a designated telephone number that is a telephone number associated with the user if the user is not using the terminal device, and a playback process for playing audio representing the content of the message when a telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned becomes busy.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure is also realized by a storage medium that stores the above-described program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present disclosure has the advantage of enabling users to recognize the arrival of messages as needed based on their circumstances. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information acquisition unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information acquisition unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the user state estimation process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification determination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the telephone number determination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the call origination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a telephone number determination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a telephone number determination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the call origination process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that can realize an information notification device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings relating to the present disclosure, lines connecting components indicate data exchange between those components. Note that the components with which data exchange occurs are not limited to components connected by lines. Data exchange may also occur between components not connected by lines.

[0014] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0016] The configuration of the information notification device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the information notification device 10 includes a reception detection unit 110, a determination unit 120, a call transmission unit 130, and a playback unit 140.

[0018] The reception detection unit 110 detects the reception of a new message for the user.

[0019] The determination unit 120 determines whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message.

[0020] The calling unit 130 makes a call to a designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, when the user is not using the terminal device.

[0021] The playback unit 140 plays back the sound representing the contents of the message in response to the telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned being in a call state.

[0022] In this embodiment, the message is, for example, an email, a message on a social networking service (SNS), a message on a chat system, etc. The message may be expressed by text.

[0023] The reception detection unit 110 acquires information indicating whether a new message for a predetermined user has been received from a server device that receives messages (hereinafter also referred to as a message server). When the reception detection unit 110 acquires information indicating that a new message for a predetermined user has been received, the reception detection unit 110 may detect the reception of a new message for that user.

[0024] In this embodiment, the terminal device is a terminal device that is defined as a terminal device that a user uses to check messages. Multiple users may use the same terminal device. In other words, a terminal device that is defined as a terminal device that a user uses to check messages may be a terminal device that is used by multiple users to check messages. The terminal device defined as the terminal device used by the user to check messages does not have to be a single terminal device. Multiple terminal devices may be defined as the terminal devices used by the same user to check messages. In this case, when the user is not using any of the multiple terminal devices, the determination unit 120 determines that the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages. Furthermore, when the user is using any of the multiple terminal devices, the determination unit 120 determines that the user is using a terminal device that can check messages.

[0025] The determination unit 120 may determine whether a user is using the terminal device by using information acquired from the terminal device and indicating a user using the terminal device (i.e., a user logged in to the terminal device). The terminal device is configured to transmit information indicating a user using the terminal device to the information notification device 10. When the user to whom the new message is addressed is included in the users logged in to the terminal device, the determination unit 120 may determine that the user to whom the new message is addressed is using the terminal device.

[0026] In this embodiment, the designated telephone number is a telephone number associated with the user, as described above. The designated telephone number is, for example, the telephone number of a telephone set as the telephone used by the user. The designated telephone number is, for example, the telephone number of a telephone installed in the user's room.

[0027] The content of the message may be, for example, an appropriately determined portion of the message. For example, if the message is an email, the content of the message may be, for example, the text portion of the email excluding the header.

[0028] If the message is electronic data containing text information, the playback unit 140 may extract the content of the message (i.e., the text information) from the message. The electronic data containing text information is, for example, electronic data in a format that can be recognized by any application. The electronic data containing text information may be, for example, image data in which a character string is visualized.

[0029] The playback unit 140 generates a signal representing a sound representing the content of a new message for the user, for example, acquired from the message server described above. The playback unit 140 transmits the generated signal via a telephone line to a telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned. This telephone line may be, for example, a communication network that can be used for telephone calls and is not dedicated to telephone calls (for example, a communication network used for data communication). This telephone line may also be a communication network dedicated to telephone calls. When the receiver of the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned receives the signal representing the sound representing the content of the message, it outputs the sound representing the content of the message represented by the received signal. In this way, the playback unit 140 outputs the sound representing the content of the message to the receiver of the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned. Playing back the sound means outputting the sound to the receiver of the telephone. In other words, the playback unit 140 outputs the sound representing the content of the message to the receiver of the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned in response to the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned being in a call state. The playback unit 140 plays back the voice representing the contents of the message using either an existing voice synthesis technology that synthesizes voice representing the text from the text, or an existing automatic call technology that transmits a voice signal generated using an information processing device via a telephone line.

[0030] <Operation> FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0031] An example of the operation of the information notification device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0032] 2, the reception detection unit 110 detects the reception of a new message for the user (step S11). The determination unit 120 determines whether the user is using the terminal device (step S12). If the user is using the terminal device (YES in step S13), the information notification device 10 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0033] If the user is not using the terminal device (NO in step S13), the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the designated telephone number associated with the user (step S14). Then, the playback unit 140 plays back a voice representing the contents of the message in response to the telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned being in a call state (step S15).

[0034] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the effect of enabling the user to recognize the arrival of a message as needed based on the user's situation.

[0035] This is because the reception detection unit 110 detects the receipt of a new message for the user. The determination unit 120 determines whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message. Then, if the user is not using the terminal device, the call origination unit 130 calls the designated telephone number, which is the telephone number associated with the user. Furthermore, the playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the contents of the message in response to a call being made on the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned. This allows the user to recognize the arrival of a message even when the terminal device used to check messages is not being used and the arrival of a new message cannot be confirmed. In other words, the user can recognize the arrival of a message as needed based on the user's situation.

[0036] In an organization where multiple people share a single terminal device, if another person is using the same terminal device, the user cannot check whether a message has arrived using the terminal device. In such a case, the user cannot check whether a message has arrived for them for a long time. In such an organization, the information notification device according to the present embodiment can effectively reduce the time it takes for a new message to arrive and for the user to recognize the message.

[0037] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0038] <Configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the present disclosure.

[0039] The configuration of the information notification system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0040] 3, the information notification system 1 includes an information notification device 100, a message server 200, and a telephone 300. The message server 200 corresponds to the message server of the first embodiment. The telephone 300 is one or more telephones to which telephone numbers are assigned that can become designated telephone numbers of multiple predetermined users.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0042] The configuration of the information notification device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0043] 4, the information notification device 100 includes a reception detection unit 110, a determination unit 120, a telephone call unit 130, a reproduction unit 140, an information acquisition unit 160, a state estimation unit 121, a message acquisition unit 111, and an analysis unit 170. The reception detection unit 110, the determination unit 120, the telephone call unit 130, and the reproduction unit 140 of the present embodiment are similar to the reception detection unit 110, the determination unit 120, the telephone call unit 130, and the reproduction unit 140 of the first embodiment, respectively.

[0044] <Reception detection unit 110> As described above, the reception detection unit 110 detects the reception of a new message for a user. Specifically, the reception detection unit 110 detects the reception by the message server 200 of a new message for an account assigned to at least one of a predetermined number of users. The reception detection unit 110 may periodically query the message server 200 about the presence or absence of new messages for the accounts of the predetermined number of users. In this case, the message server 200 is configured to return information indicating the presence or absence of new messages for the accounts in response to the query. The message server 200 may be configured, when receiving a new message for an account of a predetermined number of users, to notify the reception detection unit 110 that a new message for the account exists.

[0045] In this embodiment, one account may be assigned to one user.

[0046] One account may be assigned to multiple users. In other words, multiple users may share one account. When multiple users share one account, a message includes information identifying a user among the multiple users to whom the message is addressed. In this case, the information identifying the user to whom the message is addressed may be included, for example, in the body of the message, i.e., the text portion representing the content of the message.

[0047] <Message Acquisition Unit 111> The message acquisition unit 111 acquires from the message server 200 a new message for the user whose reception has been detected.

[0048] <Analysis section 170> The analysis unit 170 analyzes the acquired message. In this embodiment, specifically, the analysis unit 170 identifies the parties involved in the acquired message (i.e., the message destination and the message sender). The analysis unit 170 also determines the degree of necessity for notification of message reception. The analysis unit 170 also extracts the content of the message.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0050] An example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0051] 5, analysis unit 170A includes necessity determination unit 171, related person estimation unit 172, and content extraction unit 173. In the following, a case where analysis unit 170 has the configuration of analysis unit 170A shown in FIG.

[0052] <Related Persons Identification Unit 172> The related person estimation unit 172 estimates the sender of the message (the person who sent the message) and the user to whom the message is addressed from the acquired message.

[0053] If the sender of the message is an individual, the related party estimation unit 172 determines that individual as the sender of the message. If the sender of the message is an account shared by multiple people, the related party estimation unit 172 estimates the sender of the message from the acquired message. Specifically, the related party estimation unit 172 extracts information that identifies the person who sent the message (for example, the name of the person who sent the message) from the acquired message.

[0054] When information identifying the person who sent the message is extracted from the message, the related party estimation unit 172 estimates that the person indicated by the extracted information identifying the person is the sender of the message. When information identifying the sender is not extracted from a message sent from an account shared by multiple people, the related party estimation unit 172 determines that account is the sender of the message.

[0055] Specifically, the information identifying the person who sent the message is, for example, a name placed after a phrase indicating the sender, such as "From" or "Sender." The information identifying the person who sent the message may also be, for example, a name included in a phrase identifying the sender in the message.

[0056] The information identifying the person who sent the message may be, for example, a name written in a portion of the message that is predetermined as a portion where the sender's name may be written. The portion of the message where the sender's name may be written may be, for example, the upper right portion of the message. The portion of the message where the sender's name may be written may be, for example, a portion at the end of the message body where a signature may be written. The portion at the end of the message body where a signature may be written is, for example, the portion between the message text and the end of the message when no additional information is attached to the message. The portion at the end of the message body where a signature may be written is, for example, the portion between the message text and the additional information attached to the message when additional information is attached to the message. The additional information attached to the message is, for example, the portion of the quoted reply source message attached when the message is a reply message with a quoted reply source message attached at the end. The additional information attached to the message is, for example, an attachment attached to an email. The additional information attached to the message may be, for example, information written after information indicating a message separator. The information indicating a message division may be, for example, information indicating a page division. The information indicating a message division may be, for example, a character string or phrase indicating a division between the main body of the message and attached information, such as "Note," "Appendix," or "Appnedix." The portion of the message in which the sender's name may be written is not limited to the above examples. Note that, among the names detected from the portion of the message in which the sender's name may be written, the related person estimation unit 172 excludes, from the information identifying the person who sent the message, names that are written together with character strings indicating the destination, such as "To," "Mr. / Ms.," "Lord," or "Dear."

[0057] If the account where the reception of the new message is detected is an account assigned to an individual, the user to whom the message is addressed is the person to whom the account where the reception of the new message is detected is assigned. In this case, the related person estimation unit 172 determines that the user to whom the message is addressed is the person to whom the account where the reception of the new message is detected is assigned.

[0058] If the account for which the reception of a new message is detected is assigned to multiple people, the related person estimation unit 172 estimates the user to whom the message is addressed from the message. In other words, if the account for which the reception of a new message is detected is shared by multiple people, the related person estimation unit 172 estimates the user to whom the message is addressed from the message. Specifically, the related person estimation unit 172 extracts information that identifies the person to whom the message is addressed from the message.

[0059] When information identifying the person to whom the message is addressed is extracted from the message, the related person estimation unit 172 estimates that the person indicated by the information identifying the person to whom the message is addressed is the user to whom the message is addressed.

[0060] If information identifying the recipient of the message is not extracted from the message, the related person estimation unit 172 estimates that each of the multiple people to whom the account from which the reception of the new message was detected is assigned is the recipient of the message. In this case, the information notification device 100 performs the process for the recipient of the new message, as described in the description of this embodiment, for each of the multiple people to whom the account from which the reception of the new message was detected is assigned.

[0061] The information identifying the recipient is, for example, a name written together with a character string indicating the recipient, such as "To," "Cc," "Mr. / Ms.," "Lord," or "Dear." The character string indicating the recipient is not limited to these examples. The character string indicating the recipient may not include at least some of these examples. The information identifying the recipient may be a name written in a portion of the message that is predetermined as a portion where the recipient's name is likely to be written. The portion where the recipient's name is likely to be written is, for example, the upper left portion of the message. Note that the related person estimation unit 172 excludes, from the information identifying the recipient, names that are detected from a portion where the recipient's name is likely to be written, for example, names that are placed after a phrase indicating the sender, such as "From" or "sender," and names that are included in a phrase indicating the sender's name.

[0062] The related person estimation unit 172 may identify the co-recipients of the newly detected received message. The co-recipients of the message are the people to whom the message is sent, excluding the destination user. The related person estimation unit 172 acquires information indicating the destinations to which the message was sent.

[0063] Specifically, the related party estimation unit 172 extracts, from the message, information indicating the destination to which the message was sent. As the information indicating the destination to which the message was sent, the related party estimation unit 172 extracts, for example, information indicating an email address to which the message was sent. As the information indicating the destination to which the message was sent, the related party estimation unit 172 extracts, for example, information indicating an SNS account to which the message was sent. The related party estimation unit 172 may obtain the information indicating the destination to which the message was sent from the message server 200.

[0064] The related person estimation unit 172 may extract, from the message, information indicating a group of destinations including one or more destinations to which the message was sent. The group of destinations is, for example, a group in a social networking service. The group of destinations may also be, for example, email addresses of a mailing list. When information indicating a group of destinations to which the message was sent is extracted from the message, the related person estimation unit 172 obtains information on the destinations included in the group of destinations from the message server 200.

[0065] The related person estimation unit 172 identifies information about the person indicated by the information indicating the destination to which the message was sent. The related person estimation unit 172 may acquire information about the person indicated by the information indicating the destination to which the message was sent from, for example, the message server 200 or a server that stores information about the person.

[0066] When multiple people are identified as message recipients, the related person estimation unit 172 determines that, among the multiple identified people, any person other than the message recipient is a joint recipient. When the message is sent to one user, the related person estimation unit 172 determines that there are no joint recipients of the message. When the account in which the reception of a new message is detected is shared by multiple people, the related person estimation unit 172 determines that, among the accounts of the recipients of the message in which the reception is detected, any person using an account other than the account shared by those multiple people is a joint recipient. When there is no account other than the account shared by those multiple people among the recipient accounts of the message in which the reception is detected, the related person estimation unit 172 determines that there are no joint recipients of the message.

[0067] <Necessity determination unit 171> The necessity determination unit 171 determines, from the message, the notification necessity that indicates the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message (in other words, the degree of necessity of notification).

[0068] Specifically, the necessity determination unit 171 extracts, for example, information indicating urgency from the message. The necessity determination unit 171 extracts information indicating urgency from the content of the message. If the message includes a message title, the necessity determination unit 171 extracts information indicating urgency from the message title and content.

[0069] The information representing the urgency may be, for example, a phrase that indicates the degree of urgency, such as "urgent," "urgently," or "very urgently." The information representing the urgency may also be, for example, information that indicates the date and time of a deadline. A deadline may be, for example, a deadline for some action by the user. The information representing the urgency may also be, for example, a phrase that indicates that a response is required, such as "reply required," "answer required," or "please respond." The information representing the urgency may also be a character string that is preset by the user. The information representing the urgency is not limited to these examples.

[0070] The necessity determination unit 171 further determines the degree of urgency from the information representing the urgency. A degree of urgency may be predetermined for each of the preset phrases representing the degree of urgency. When a phrase representing the degree of urgency is detected, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of urgency predetermined for the phrase as the degree of urgency of the message. When information representing the date and time of a deadline is detected, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of urgency predetermined for the length of time until the date and time of the deadline as the degree of urgency of the message. When a phrase indicating that a reply is necessary is detected but a phrase representing the degree of urgency and a date and time of the deadline are not detected, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of urgency predetermined as the degree of urgency when there is no deadline as the degree of urgency of the message. The urgency for a character string preset by the user as information representing urgency is preset by the user.

[0071] When information indicating multiple types of urgency is detected from one message, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of urgency of the message to be the degree of urgency that indicates the highest urgency among the degrees of urgency defined for the detected information indicating urgency.

[0072] If no information indicating urgency is detected, a predetermined level of urgency for when there is no urgency may be set as the level of urgency of the message. The level of urgency for when no information indicating urgency is detected may be predetermined to indicate a level of urgency lower than any of the predetermined levels of urgency for information indicating urgency.

[0073] For example, the necessity determination unit 171 determines the degree of necessity of notification that is predetermined in accordance with the degree of urgency of the message as the degree of necessity of notification that corresponds to the urgency of the message.

[0074] The necessity determination unit 171 extracts, for example, information indicating importance from the message. The necessity determination unit 171 extracts information indicating importance from the content of the message. If the message includes a message title, the necessity determination unit 171 extracts information indicating importance from the message title and content.

[0075] The information representing the importance may be, for example, a phrase indicating that the message is important, such as "important," "check," or "must read." The information representing the importance may be a character string preset by the user. The information representing the importance may be, for example, information about the person who sent the message (referred to as the sender in this disclosure). Information about the sender who sent the message is, for example, information that identifies the sender. The information representing the importance is not limited to these examples.

[0076] The necessity determination unit 171 further determines the degree of importance from the information indicating importance. The degree of importance is determined in advance for the words and character strings as the information indicating importance. The necessity determination unit 171 determines the degree of importance that is set in advance for the words and character strings as the information indicating importance extracted from the message as the degree of importance of the message.

[0077] A degree of importance may be predetermined for a specific sender. In this case, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of importance predetermined for the specific sender as the degree of importance of the message.

[0078] A degree of importance may be predetermined for the attribute of the sender. The attribute of the sender is, for example, the organization to which the sender belongs. The organization may be, for example, an organization, a company, a ministry, a local government, or a department. The organization may be represented by a combination of an organization, a company, a ministry, a local government, or the like, and a department. The attribute of the sender may be the position of the sender in the organization to which the sender belongs. The attribute of the sender may be the organization to which the sender belongs and the position of the sender in the organization. Information on the attribute of the sender may be provided in advance to the necessity determination unit 171. The necessity determination unit 171 may be configured to acquire the information on the sender from a server that stores information on the attribute of the sender. The necessity determination unit 171 identifies the attribute of the sender from the information on the sender of the message. Then, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of importance predetermined for the attribute of the sender of the message as the degree of importance of the message.

[0079] A level of importance may be predetermined for an account shared by multiple people. When a message is sent from an account shared by multiple people and the person who sent the message is not identified, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the level of importance that is determined for the account as the level of importance of the message.

[0080] The necessity determination unit 171 may use the above-mentioned information about the joint transmission destination as information indicating importance. In this case, the necessity determination unit 171 determines the importance of the message from the information about the joint transmission destination. Specifically, the necessity determination unit 171 may detect people whose level of importance has been predetermined from among the joint transmission destinations. In this case, the necessity determination unit 171 specifies the predetermined level of importance for the detected people. The necessity determination unit 171 does not need to specify the level of importance for people whose level of importance has not been predetermined, among the joint transmission destinations.

[0081] The necessity determination unit 171 may identify information about the attributes of the person who is the joint transmission destination. As described above, the attributes of the person who is the joint transmission destination may be, for example, the organization to which the person belongs, the position of the person in the organization to which the person belongs, or a combination of the organization to which the person belongs and the position of the person in the organization. The necessity determination unit 171 identifies a predetermined degree of importance for the attributes of the person who is the joint transmission destination. It is not necessary to identify the degree of importance for the attributes of a person whose attributes have not been identified.

[0082] The necessity determination unit 171 determines the degree of importance identified from the information about the joint destinations of the message as the degree of importance of the message with respect to the joint destinations. When multiple degrees of importance are identified from the information about the joint destinations of the message, the necessity determination unit 171 determines a statistical value (for example, a maximum value, an average value, or a sum) of the multiple identified degrees of importance as the degree of importance of the message with respect to the joint destinations.

[0083] When information indicating multiple types of importance is detected from the information of one message, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of importance that indicates the highest importance among the degrees of importance determined for the detected information indicating importance as the degree of importance of the message.When information indicating multiple types of importance is detected from one message, the necessity determination unit 171 may determine the statistical value (e.g., maximum value, average value, median value, etc.) of the degrees of importance determined for the detected information indicating importance as the degree of importance of the message.

[0084] If information expressing importance for which a degree of importance is defined is not detected, a degree of importance defined in advance as a degree of importance for a case of no importance may be set as the degree of importance of the message. The degree of importance for a case of no importance may be defined in advance so as to represent a lower level of importance than any of the degrees of importance defined in advance for information expressing importance.

[0085] For example, the necessity determination unit 171 determines the degree of necessity of notification, which is predetermined for the degree of importance of the message, as the degree of necessity of notification according to the importance of the message.

[0086] The necessity determination unit 171 determines the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message (in other words, the degree of necessity of notification) from the degree of necessity of notification according to the urgency of the message and the degree of necessity of notification according to the importance of the message. The necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of necessity indicating a higher necessity between the degree of necessity of notification according to the urgency of the message and the degree of necessity of notification according to the importance of the message as the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message. The necessity determination unit 171 may determine the average of the degree of necessity of notification according to the urgency of the message and the degree of necessity of notification according to the importance of the message as the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message. The necessity determination unit 171 may determine the sum of the degree of necessity of notification according to the urgency of the message and the degree of necessity of notification according to the importance of the message as the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message.

[0087] The degree of notification necessity determined by the necessity determination unit 171 from a message is not limited to the above examples. The necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of notification necessity from a message from multiple perspectives, such as the above-mentioned urgency and importance. The necessity determination unit 171 may use a statistical value (for example, sum, maximum value, average value, median, or intermediate value) of the determined degree of notification necessity from multiple perspectives as the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message.

[0088] The necessity determination unit 171 may determine the degree of necessity of notification of a message from the message using a necessity determination model that receives a message as input and outputs the degree of necessity of notification of the received message. This necessity determination model represents a model trained to output the degree of necessity of notification of a message received as input, using learning data including a combination of the message and the degree of necessity of notification of the message.

[0089] In this case, the necessity determination unit 171 may also detect a pre-specified detection target from the message information and identify the degree of notification necessity determined for the detected detection target. In this case, the detection target may be, for example, a phrase specified by the user, a sender specified by the user, etc. The degree of notification necessity is the degree of notification necessity specified by the user.

[0090] The degree of necessity of notification may be represented by any one of a plurality of predetermined values. The degree of necessity of notification may be represented by a numerical value included in a predetermined range (for example, a range determined by at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit). In this embodiment, the degree of necessity of notification may be represented by either a value indicating that notification will be performed (in other words, a value indicating that the necessity of notification is higher than a standard) or a value indicating that notification will not be performed (in other words, a value indicating that the necessity of notification is lower than a standard).

[0091] The above-mentioned degree of urgency may be represented by a value representing the degree of urgency. The above-mentioned degree of importance may be represented by a value representing the degree of importance. The value representing the degree of urgency and the value representing the degree of importance may be defined as appropriate.

[0092] <Content extraction part 173> The content extraction unit 173 extracts the content of a message from the message. The content of a message is, for example, a sentence or phrase written in text that is included in the message. For example, if the message is an email, the content of the message may be the portion of the message excluding the header. The content of the message may be the portion of the message excluding the header and the additional information described above. The portion of the message to be extracted as the content may be determined as appropriate.

[0093] If the message has an attached file in a format that can be recognized by content extraction unit 173, content extraction unit 173 may extract text information from the attached file. For example, if the file is an image representing text, content extraction unit 173 may use existing character recognition technology to extract the text from the image.

[0094] When a file is attached to the message, the content extraction unit 173 may add, as part of the message content, a sentence or phrase indicating that a file is attached.

[0095] In this embodiment, if a message includes a title such as an email (for example, a character string included in a "Subject" field), the content extraction unit 173 may extract the title as part of the message content. In this case, the title may include a character string such as "Subject" and a character string representing the title included in the "Subject" field. If the character string included in the "Subject" field is encoded according to some standard, the content extraction unit 173 may decode the encoded character string and use the resulting character string as the character string representing the title.

[0096] <Information acquisition unit 160> The information acquisition unit 160 acquires information about the user who is the destination of the message. In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 160 acquires information indicating whether the user who is the destination of the message is using a terminal device.

[0097] 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information acquisition unit according to the present disclosure. The configuration of information acquisition unit 160 according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration of information acquisition unit 160A shown in FIG.

[0098] The information acquisition unit 160A shown in FIG.

[0099] <Seating information acquisition unit 161> The seating information acquisition unit 161 acquires information indicating whether a user who is a destination of a message is using a terminal device. Specifically, for example, the seating information acquisition unit 161 identifies a terminal device designated as a terminal device that the user who is a destination of a message uses to check the message. Information associating a user with a terminal device designated as a terminal device that the user uses to check the message may be provided to the seating information acquisition unit 161 in advance. The seating information acquisition unit 161 acquires information indicating whether the user is using a terminal device from the terminal device designated as a terminal device that the user who is a destination of a message uses to check the message. If the acquired information indicates that the user is not using the terminal device, the seating information acquisition unit 161 determines that the user is not using the terminal device. If the acquired information indicates that the user is using the terminal device, the seating information acquisition unit 161 determines that the user is using the terminal device.

[0100] Specifically, the seating information acquisition unit 161 acquires information identifying users logged in to a terminal device designated as a terminal device used by a message destination user to check the message from the terminal device. If the message destination user is included among users identified by the information identifying users logged in to the terminal device, the seating information acquisition unit 161 determines that the message destination user is using the terminal device. If the message destination user is not included among users identified by the information identifying users logged in to the terminal device, the seating information acquisition unit 161 determines that the message destination user is not using the terminal device.

[0101] <State Estimation Unit 121> The state estimation unit 121 determines whether the user is in a state where they can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. The state estimation unit 121 determines whether the user is in a state where they can answer a call, for example, by using information about the user's schedule. In this embodiment, the information about the user's schedule is, for example, information indicating a time period during which the user can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. If the time at which the reception of a new message is detected is within a time period during which the user to whom the message is addressed can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the user is in a state where they can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. If the time at which the reception of a new message is detected is not within a time period during which the user to whom the message is addressed can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the user is not in a state where they can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. In this embodiment, the state estimation unit 121 stores information about the user's schedule in advance.

[0102] The state estimation unit 121 may determine that the user's state is in a state where they can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned if the current time is included in a time period when the user to whom the message is addressed can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned. The state estimation unit 121 may determine that the user's state is not in a state where they can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned if the current time is not included in a time period when the user to whom the message is addressed can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned. The current time is the time at which the state estimation unit 121 determines whether the user's state is in a state where they can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned.

[0103] The time period during which the user can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned may be, for example, a time period defined as a time period during which the user is present at the location where the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned is installed. The location where the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned is installed may be a location defined as a place where the user works. The time period defined as a time period during which the user is present at the location where the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned is installed may be a time period defined as a working time period during which the user works. The user's working time period may be determined from the user's past work start times and work end times. The work start time is the time when work starts. The work end time is the time when work ends. The start time of the user's working time period may be a statistical value (e.g., average, mean, median, mode, etc.) of the user's past work start times within a predetermined period. The end time of the user's working time period may be a statistical value (e.g., average, mean, median, mode, etc.) of the user's past work end times within a predetermined period.

[0104] <Judgment section 120> The determination unit 120 determines whether or not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0105] In the following description, information indicating whether a user is using a terminal device that can check messages will be referred to as "seating information." Information on the degree of necessity for message notification will be referred to as "notification necessity information." Information indicating whether a user is available to answer a call to which a designated phone number is assigned will be referred to as "user status information."

[0106] In this embodiment, the determination unit 120 uses the seating information, the notification necessity information, and the user status information to determine whether or not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0107] In this case, if the seating information indicates that the user is using a terminal device that can check messages, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. If the degree of necessity for a message notification does not satisfy a criterion (hereinafter referred to as the necessity criterion), the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. For example, if the degree of necessity for a message notification is lower than a threshold value of the degree of necessity indicated by the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines that the degree of necessity for a message notification does not satisfy the necessity criterion. For example, if the degree of necessity for a message notification is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the degree of necessity indicated by the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines that the degree of necessity for a message notification satisfies the necessity criterion. If the user status information indicates that the user is not in a state where he or she can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0108] The determination unit 120 determines that the user should be notified of the receipt of a new message if the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages, the degree of necessity for message notification meets the necessity criterion, and the user is in a state where he or she can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned.

[0109] Note that, as described above, when multiple terminal devices are defined as terminal devices on which the user can check messages, the seating information includes information acquired from each of the multiple terminal devices indicating whether the user is using a terminal device. When the seating information indicates that the user is using at least one of the terminal devices, the determination unit 120 determines that the user is using a terminal device. When the seating information indicates that the user is not using any of the terminal devices, the determination unit 120 determines that the user is not using a terminal device.

[0110] The determination unit 120 may be configured to use the seating information and the notification necessity information to determine whether or not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0111] In this case, too, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the user is using a terminal device that can check messages. The determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the degree of necessity for message notification does not satisfy the necessity criterion and description. In this case, the determination unit 120 determines to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages and the degree of necessity for message notification satisfies the necessity criterion.

[0112] The determination unit 120 may be configured to use the seating information and the user status information to determine whether to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0113] In this case, too, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the user is using a terminal device that can check messages. The determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the user status information indicates that the user is not in a state where he or she can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned. In this case, the determination unit 120 determines to notify the user of the receipt of a new message if the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages and the user is in a state where he or she can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned.

[0114] <Telephone call unit 130> When the determination unit 120 determines that the user should be notified of the receipt of a new message, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user. When the determination unit 120 determines that the user should not be notified of the receipt of a new message, the call originating unit 130 does not place a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user.

[0115] The designated phone number is a phone number that is predetermined as a phone number for notifying the user of the receipt of a new message. The designated phone number may be determined for each user. In this embodiment, the call sending unit 130 stores information about the designated phone number in advance.

[0116] <Playback section 140> The playback unit 140 plays back the sound representing the contents of the message in response to a call being placed on the telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned.

[0117] The playback unit 140 may play back a sound representing the sender of the message and a sound representing the content of the message. When a joint destination of the message is extracted, the playback unit 140 may further generate a sound representing the joint destination of the message.

[0118] <Operation> Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0119] 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0120] An example of the operation of the information notification device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0121] 7 and 8, in step S101 of FIG. 7, first, the reception detection unit 110 detects a new reception of a message (step S101). Next, the message acquisition unit 111 acquires the message (step S102). Then, the related person estimation unit 172 of the analysis unit 170 identifies the user to whom the message is addressed (step S103). Note that if the account to which the message is addressed is used by one user, the reception detection unit 110 may identify the user who uses the account from which a new reception of a message has been detected as the user to whom the message is addressed.

[0122] Next, the determination unit 120 determines whether or not the user is using the shared terminal device (step S104). If the user is using the shared terminal device (YES in step S105), the information notification device 100 ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0123] If the user is not using the shared terminal device (NO in step S105), in step S106 of Fig. 8, the determination unit 120 determines whether or not to execute notification (step S106). In this embodiment, the determination unit 120 determines to execute notification when the necessity of the message notification satisfies the necessity criterion and the user is in a state where they can answer the phone to which the designated phone number is assigned. If the notification is not to be executed (NO in step S107), that is, if the determination unit 120 determines not to execute notification, the information notification device 100 ends the operations shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0124] If notification is to be executed (YES in step S107), that is, if determination unit 120 determines that notification is to be executed, call origination unit 130 identifies the designated phone number (step S108). Call origination unit 130 places a call to the designated phone number (step S109).

[0125] When the telephone assigned to the designated telephone number enters a call-enabled state, in which calls are possible, the playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the content of the message (step S110). In step S110, the playback unit 140 may play back audio representing the sender of the message and audio representing the content of the message. In step S110, if joint recipients of the message have been extracted, the playback unit 140 may further generate audio representing the joint recipients of the message.

[0126] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0127] <First Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a first modified example of the second embodiment will be described. The information notification device 100 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The components of the information notification device 100 of this modified example are the same as the components of the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0128] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0129] In this modified example, the configuration of analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of analysis unit 170B shown in Fig. 9. Analysis unit 170B includes a necessity determination unit 171, a related party estimation unit 172, a content extraction unit 173, and a title generation unit 174. Except for differences described below, necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, and content extraction unit 173 of this modified example are the same as necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, and content extraction unit 173 of analysis unit 170A shown in Fig. 5, respectively.

[0130] <Content extraction part 173> When a message includes a title, content extraction unit 173 of this modified example does not include the character string representing the title as part of the message content. In other words, when a message includes a title, content extraction unit 173 of this modified example extracts the message content so that the message content does not include the character string representing the title. Except for the above differences, content extraction unit 173 of this modified example is the same as content extraction unit 173 of the second embodiment.

[0131] <Title Generation Unit 174> If the message does not include a title, the title generation unit 174 generates a message title from the extracted message content. In this modification, the message title is a character string that represents the message content. The title generation unit 174 may generate a message title from the message content, for example, so that the length of the message title is within a predetermined number of characters (hereinafter referred to as the title character count). The technology for generating a message title from the message content may be, for example, a generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology.

[0132] The title generation unit 174 may cause the generative AI to generate a message title from the message content. In this case, the title generation unit 174 inputs the message content to, for example, an AI server in which the generative AI is implemented. Then, the title generation unit 174 causes the generative AI to generate a title that represents the message content by inputting an instruction to the generative AI implemented in the AI ​​server to generate a title that represents the message content from the message content. When causing the generative AI to generate a message title, the title generation unit 174 may also instruct a condition regarding the number of characters in the title (for example, to generate a title so that the number of characters in the title is equal to or less than the above-mentioned title character count). Then, the title generation unit 174 receives the generated message title from the AI ​​server.

[0133] If the message includes a title, the title generation unit 174 extracts the title included in the message as the title of the message.

[0134] <Playback section 140> The playback unit 140 plays back the audio representing the title and content of the message. For example, the playback unit 140 plays back the audio representing the title of the message, and then plays back the audio representing the content of the message.

[0135] <Second Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a second modified example of the second embodiment will be described. The information notification device 100 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The components of the information notification device 100 of this modified example are the same as the components of the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0136] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0137] In this modified example, the configuration of analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of analysis unit 170C shown in Fig. 10. Analysis unit 170B includes a necessity determination unit 171, a related party estimation unit 172, a content extraction unit 173, and a summary generation unit 175. Necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, and content extraction unit 173 in this modified example are the same as necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, and content extraction unit 173, respectively, of analysis unit 170A shown in Fig. 5.

[0138] <Summary generator 175> The summary generator 175 generates a summary of the message from the extracted message content.

[0139] The summary generation unit 175 generates a message summary from the extracted message content when the length of the extracted message content (e.g., the number of characters in the extracted message content) is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference length. In this modification, the message summary is one or more sentences that represent the message content. The reference length is a predetermined number of characters. The summary generation unit 175 may, for example, generate a message title from the message content so that the length of the message summary is within a predetermined summary length. The summary length is a predetermined number of characters that is shorter than the above-mentioned reference length. The technology for generating a message summary from the message content may be, for example, a generative AI technology.

[0140] The summary generation unit 175 may cause the generative AI to generate a summary of the message from the content of the message. In this case, the summary generation unit 175 inputs the content of the message to, for example, an AI server in which the generative AI is implemented. Then, the summary generation unit 175 causes the generative AI to generate a summary representing the content of the message by inputting an instruction to the generative AI implemented in the AI ​​server to generate a summary representing the content of the message from the content of the message. When causing the generative AI to generate a summary of the message, the summary generation unit 175 may also instruct a condition regarding the number of characters in the summary (for example, to generate a summary sentence so that the number of characters in the summary is equal to or less than the above-mentioned summary length). Then, the summary generation unit 175 receives the generated summary of the message from the AI ​​server.

[0141] <Playback section 140> In this modification, when the length of the message content is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference length, the playback unit 140 plays back a voice representing a summary of the message instead of a voice representing the message content.

[0142] <Third Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a third modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The information notification device 100 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 100 of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The components of the information notification device 100 of this modified example are the same as the components of the information notification device 100 of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0143] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0144] In this modified example, the configuration of analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of analysis unit 170D shown in Fig. 11. Analysis unit 170D includes a necessity determination unit 171, a related party estimation unit 172, a content extraction unit 173, a title generation unit 174, and a summary generation unit 175. Necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, and title generation unit 174 in this modified example are the same as necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, and title generation unit 174 of analysis unit 170B shown in Fig. 9, respectively.

[0145] <Summary generator 175> The summary generation unit 175 of this embodiment is the same as the summary generation unit 175 shown in FIG.

[0146] <Playback section 140> Similar to the playback unit 140 of the second variant of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, when the length of the message content is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference length, the playback unit 140 of this variant plays audio representing a summary of the message instead of audio representing the message content.

[0147] <Fourth Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a fourth modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The information notification device 100 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 100 of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The components of the information notification device 100 of this modified example are the same as the components of the information notification device 100 of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0148] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0149] In this modified example, the configuration of analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of analysis unit 170E shown in Fig. 12. Analysis unit 170E includes necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, and confidentiality determination unit 176. Necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, and title generation unit 174 of this modified example are the same as necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, and title generation unit 174 of analysis unit 170B shown in Fig. 9, respectively.

[0150] <Confidentiality determination unit 176> The confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the confidentiality level of a message from the message information, which, if the message includes a title, is the title and content of the message.

[0151] For example, if a message includes information specifically indicating the level of confidentiality, the confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the level of confidentiality indicated by the information included in the message that indicates the level of confidentiality as the level of confidentiality of the message. The information specifically indicating the level of confidentiality may be, for example, a tag indicating the level of confidentiality. If the message is an email, the information indicating the level of confidentiality may be a predefined field in the header that indicates the level of confidentiality. In this modification, the header field is a string of characters included in the header and separated by a colon (:). In the header field, the string to the left of the colon (:) is referred to as the field name. The string to the right of the colon (:) is referred to as the field value. The field name of the field indicating the level of confidentiality may be a string of characters indicating confidentiality that is appropriately defined to meet email standards. The field value of the field indicating the level of confidentiality may be a predefined string of characters indicating the level of confidentiality.

[0152] If the message does not include information such as a tag indicating the level of confidentiality, the confidentiality determination unit 176 detects information indicating the level of confidentiality from the message information. As described above, the message information in this case is, for example, the content of the message. If the message includes a title, the message information is the content and title of the message. The information indicating the level of confidentiality is, for example, a predetermined character string indicating the level of confidentiality. The character string indicating the level of confidentiality is, for example, a character string such as "confidential," "company confidential," "group confidential," "secret," or "top secret." The character string indicating the level of confidentiality is not limited to these examples. The character string indicating the level of confidentiality does not have to be at least one of these examples.

[0153] The confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the level of confidentiality from the detected information representing the level of confidentiality. A level of confidentiality (e.g., a value indicating the level of confidentiality) may be assigned to information representing the level of confidentiality (e.g., each of the character strings in the above example). A level of confidentiality that is not necessarily the same may be assigned to information representing different types of levels of confidentiality (e.g., different character strings in the above example). The confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the level of confidentiality assigned to the detected information representing the level of confidentiality as the level of confidentiality of the message. When information representing multiple types of levels of confidentiality is detected, the confidentiality determination unit 176 may determine the highest level of confidentiality among the levels of confidentiality assigned to the detected information representing the level of confidentiality as the level of confidentiality of the message. The same level of confidentiality may be assigned to information representing different types of levels of confidentiality (e.g., different character strings in the above example). The level of confidentiality may be represented by a value representing the level of confidentiality. The value representing the level of confidentiality may be defined as appropriate.

[0154] The confidentiality determination unit 176 may determine the level of confidentiality of a message from the message using a confidentiality determination model that receives a message as input, determines the level of confidentiality of the received message, and outputs the determined level of confidentiality. This confidentiality determination model is a model that is trained using training data including a combination of the message and the level of confidentiality of the message to receive a message as input, determine the level of confidentiality of the received message, and output the determined level of confidentiality.

[0155] If information indicating the level of confidentiality is not detected from the message information, the confidentiality determination unit 176 may set the level of confidentiality of the message to the level of confidentiality that indicates the lowest confidentiality. In other words, in this case, the confidentiality determination unit 176 may set the value of the level of confidentiality of the message to the value that indicates the lowest confidentiality.

[0156] <Playback section 140> When the confidentiality level of the message satisfies the confidentiality standard representing the standard for the level of confidentiality (for example, when the confidentiality level of the message is equal to or higher than the level represented by the confidentiality standard), the playback unit 140 plays back a sound representing the title of the message instead of a sound representing the content of the message. When the confidentiality level of the message satisfies the confidentiality standard representing the standard for the level of confidentiality, the playback unit 140 may play back a sound representing the level of confidentiality and a sound representing the title of the message instead of a sound representing the content of the message. The confidentiality standard may be represented by a value indicating the standard for the level of confidentiality.

[0157] If the level of confidentiality of the message does not satisfy the confidentiality standard representing the standard for the level of confidentiality, the playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the content of the message. If the level of confidentiality of the message does not satisfy the confidentiality standard representing the standard for the level of confidentiality, the playback unit 140 may play back audio representing the title of the message and audio representing the content of the message.

[0158] The playback unit 140 may play back a sound representing the sender of the message regardless of the confidentiality of the message. When a joint recipient of the message is extracted, the playback unit 140 may play back a sound representing the joint recipient of the message regardless of the confidentiality of the message.

[0159] <Fifth Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a fifth modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The information notification device 100 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 100 of the fourth modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The components of the information notification device 100 of this modified example are the same as the components of the information notification device 100 of the fourth modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0160] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis unit according to the present disclosure.

[0161] In this modified example, the configuration of analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of analysis unit 170F shown in Fig. 13. Analysis unit 170F includes necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, summary generation unit 175, and confidentiality determination unit 176. Necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, and confidentiality determination unit 176 in this modified example are the same as necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, and confidentiality determination unit 176 of analysis unit 170E shown in Fig. 12, respectively.

[0162] <Summary generator 175> The summary generation unit 175 of this embodiment is the same as the summary generation unit 175 shown in FIG.

[0163] <Playback section 140> In this modified example, if the confidentiality level of the message does not satisfy the confidentiality standard that represents the standard for the level of confidentiality, or if the length of the message content is equal to or longer than a predetermined standard length, the playback unit 140 plays back audio that represents a summary of the message instead of audio that represents the content of the message.

[0164] <Sixth Modification of the Second Embodiment> The configuration of the information notification device according to the sixth modified example of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment.

[0165] In this modification, when a user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, the call originating unit 130 of the information notification device 100 waits until the user's state is no longer in an unsuitable state for making a call. In this modification, the unsuitable state for making a call is defined as a state in which the user can answer a call to which a designated telephone number is assigned.

[0166] <State Estimation Unit 121> The state estimation unit 121 of this modification determines whether the user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, in which the user can answer a call to which a designated telephone number is assigned, in the same manner as the state estimation unit 121 of the second embodiment. The state estimation unit 121 determines whether the user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, for example, by using information about the user's schedule.

[0167] In this modification, similarly to the second embodiment, the information on the user's schedule is, for example, information indicating a time period during which the user can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. If the current time is included in the time period during which the user to whom the message is addressed can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the user's state is in a state in which the user can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. That is, in this case, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the user's state is not in an unsuitable state for making a call. If the current time is not included in the time period during which the user to whom the message is addressed can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the user's state is not in an unsuitable state for making a call. As described above, the current time is the time at which the state estimation unit 121 determines whether the user is in a state in which the user can answer a call to which the designated phone number is assigned. In this embodiment, the state estimation unit 121 stores information on the user's schedule in advance.

[0168] In this modified example, the time period during which the user can answer a call to which the designated telephone number is assigned is the same as the time period during which the user can answer a call to which the designated telephone number is assigned in the second embodiment.

[0169] <Judgment section 120> As described above, information indicating whether the user is using a terminal device that can check messages is referred to as seating information. Information on the degree of necessity for message notification is referred to as notification necessity information. Information indicating whether the user is available to answer a call to which a specified telephone number is assigned is referred to as user status information.

[0170] In this modification, the determination unit 120 uses the seating information and the notification necessity information to determine whether or not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0171] If the user is using a terminal device that can check messages, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. If the degree of necessity for message notification does not satisfy the necessity criterion and description, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. If the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages and the degree of necessity for message notification satisfies the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0172] <Telephone call unit 130> When the user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, the call originating unit 130 of this modified example waits until the user is no longer in an unsuitable state for making a call.

[0173] When the determination unit 120 determines that the user should be notified of the receipt of a new message, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user. However, when the user's status is unsuitable for calls, the call originating unit 130 of this modified example waits until the time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information described above. The time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information can be rephrased as the scheduled time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls. The call originating unit 130 of this modified example places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, at the time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information or a predetermined time after that time. When the user's status is not unsuitable for calls, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, without waiting.

[0174] If the determination unit 120 determines that the user should not be notified of the receipt of a new message, the calling unit 130 does not make a call to the designated telephone number, which is the telephone number associated with the user.

[0175] <Operation> 7 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0176] An example of the operation of the information notification device 100 according to this modification will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0177] The operation of the information notification device 100 of this modified example in FIG. 7 is the same as the operation of the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[0178] The operations from step S106 to step S108 in FIG. 14 are the same as the operations from step S106 to step S108 in FIG.

[0179] After the operation of step S108, if the user's condition is not unsuitable for communication (NO in step S121), the information notification device 100 performs the operations from step S109 onwards. The operations from step S109 onwards in Fig. 14 are the same as the operations from step S109 onwards in Fig. 8.

[0180] If the user's condition is unsuitable for calls (YES in step S121), the call originating unit 130 waits until a scheduled time when the user's condition will no longer be unsuitable for calls (step S122). The call originating unit 130 may wait for an additional predetermined time. Then, the information notification device 100 performs the operations from step S109 onwards.

[0181] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0182] <Configuration> FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the present disclosure.

[0183] An example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0184] The information notification system 2 shown in FIG. 15 includes an information notification device 101, a message server 200, a telephone 300, a schedule management device 400, and a sensor device 500.

[0185] The message server 200 and the telephone 300 are the same as the message server 200 and the telephone 300 of the second embodiment, respectively.

[0186] <Schedule Management Device 400> The schedule management device 400 is a device that stores information about a user's schedule (hereinafter referred to as schedule information). The schedule management device 400 is configured to transmit the information about the user's schedule to the information notification device 101 in response to a request from the information notification device 101.

[0187] The schedule information includes information indicating a scheduled time period during which the user's status is unsuitable for making calls. The unsuitable status for making calls is, for example, a status in which the user cannot make a call using a telephone installed at a location designated as the user's location. The unsuitable status for making calls is, for example, a time period during which the user is in a location other than the location designated as the user's location. The location designated as the user's location (hereinafter referred to as the designated location of stay) is, for example, a location designated as the user's location of work. Multiple designated locations of stay may be designated for one user. The unsuitable status for making calls may be represented, for example, by a status of being in a meeting, a status of being on the move, a status of being on a break, a status of performing work at an undetermined location, a status from the end of work to the start of work, etc. In other words, the schedule information included in the schedule information may include information on the type of schedule. The user's status during a scheduled time period for a type of schedule designated in advance (for example, a meeting, a move, a break, work at an undetermined location, etc.) may be considered to be unsuitable for making calls. The unsuitable status for making calls is not limited to these examples.

[0188] The schedule information may include information about the location where the user is scheduled to stay (for example, one of the designated locations, a conference room, etc.). There may also be time periods where the information about the location where the user is scheduled to stay is not designated (for example, a time period when the user is scheduled to be traveling, a time period when the user is scheduled to be on break, a time period between the time when the user is scheduled to finish work and the time when the user is scheduled to start work, etc.).

[0189] The schedule management device 400 does not have to be a device that stores a schedule dedicated to the information notification system 2. The schedule management device 400 may be a device that stores information such as a schedule or a schedule created by other software or the like that manages a schedule or a schedule.

[0190] <Sensor device 500> The sensor device 500 is a sensor that observes the presence of a user (for example, an information processing device equipped with a sensor, or a combination of a sensor and an information processing device connected to the sensor). The sensor device 500 may be configured to hold a combination of information identifying a user whose presence was observed and the time when the user's presence was observed (hereinafter referred to as observation information). The sensor device 500 is configured to transmit, in response to a request from the information notification device 101, information identifying a user whose presence was observed and the time when the user's presence was observed to the information notification device 101.

[0191] The sensor device 500 is, for example, a card reader that reads a card on which information identifying a user is stored, or a combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function. The combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function is, for example, a combination of an imaging device and an information processing device with a face authentication function. The combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function may be, for example, a combination of an imaging device and an information processing device with an iris authentication function. The combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function may be, for example, a combination of a fingerprint sensor and an information processing device with a fingerprint authentication function. The combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function may be, for example, a combination of a vein sensor and an information processing device with a vein authentication function. The combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function is not limited to these examples.

[0192] If the sensor device 500 is a card reader, the sensor device 500 determines that the presence of a user has been observed when it reads information that identifies the user stored on a card. In this case, the time that the presence of the user was observed is the time that the information that identifies the user stored on the card was read. In response to reading the information that identifies the user stored on the card, the sensor device 500 transmits the information that identifies the user and the time that the information that identifies the user was read to the information notification device 101.

[0193] When the sensor device 500 is a combination of a biometric sensor and an information processing device with a biometric authentication function, biometric authentication is performed using the user's biometric data obtained by the biometric sensor. When the biometric authentication is face authentication, the biometric data is, for example, a face image. When the biometric authentication is iris authentication, the biometric data is, for example, an iris image. When the biometric authentication is fingerprint authentication, the biometric data is, for example, a fingerprint image. When the biometric authentication is vein authentication, the biometric data is, for example, a vein image. In this case, the time when the user's presence is observed is the time when the biometric data was obtained. The sensor device 500 identifies the user whose biometric data was obtained through biometric authentication. When the sensor device 500 identifies the user whose biometric data was obtained through biometric authentication, it transmits information identifying the user and the time when the biometric data was obtained to the information notification device 101.

[0194] The sensor device 500 is installed, for example, at the entrance to a building where the user's designated stay location is located, or at the entrance to the user's designated stay location. The user's designated stay location is a location designated as a location where the user stays after entering the building when the user does not have any scheduled appointments. For example, if the location is the user's workplace, the designated stay location is a location designated as a room where the user performs work, a room where the user waits, a location where the user stays when the user does not have any scheduled appointments, or the like. The sensor device 500 may be used to control the opening and closing of gates installed at the entrance to the building where the user's designated stay location is located, or at the entrance to the user's designated stay location. The sensor device 500 may be used to monitor the inside of a building where the user's designated stay location is located.

[0195] When the sensor device 500 is installed at an entrance to a building where the user's designated place of stay is located and at an entrance to the user's designated place of stay, the sensor device 500 may determine whether the user enters or exits the building or the designated place of stay through the entrance. In this case, the sensor device 500 generates, as observation information, a combination of information identifying the user whose presence was observed, the time when the user's presence was observed, and information on the direction of the user's movement. The information on the direction of the user's movement is information indicating whether the user entered or exited the building or the designated place of stay through the entrance.

[0196] Specifically, for example, when the sensor device 500 is a combination of an imaging device and an information processing device, the sensor device 500 may determine the direction in which the user is moving from a video or multiple images captured by the imaging device. Specifically, the sensor device 500 may determine whether the direction in which the user is moving is a direction toward entering a building or a designated place of stay, or a direction toward leaving a building or a designated place of stay.

[0197] The sensor device 500 may be installed both inside and outside a building or a designated place of stay. Furthermore, the sensor device 500 installed outside may be configured to observe a user entering the building or designated place of stay, and the sensor device 500 installed inside may be configured to observe a user leaving the building or designated place of stay. In such a case, when a user is observed by a sensor device 500 installed outside the building or designated place of stay, the sensor device 500 determines that the direction of the user's movement is a direction entering the building or designated place of stay. When a user is observed by a sensor device 500 installed inside the building or designated place of stay, the sensor device 500 determines that the direction of the user's movement is a direction leaving the building or designated place of stay.

[0198] When the sensor device 500 is used to control the opening and closing of a gate installed at the entrance or exit of a building where a user's designated place of stay is located or at the entrance or exit of the user's designated place of stay, the sensor device 500 may determine whether the user is entering or exiting the gate. Specifically, when the sensor device 500 is installed to observe a user leaving a building or designated place of stay through the gate and observes the user, the sensor device 500 determines that the direction of the user's movement is a direction of exiting the building or designated place of stay. When the sensor device 500 is installed to observe a user entering a building or designated place of stay through the gate and observes the user, the sensor device 500 determines that the direction of the user's movement is a direction of entering the building or designated place of stay.

[0199] <Information notification device 101> FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0200] An example of the configuration of an information notification device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0201] 16, the information notification device 101 includes a reception detection unit 110, a message acquisition unit 111, a determination unit 120, a state estimation unit 121, a location estimation unit 122, a telephone call unit 130, a reproduction unit 140, a telephone number determination unit 150, an information acquisition unit 160, an analysis unit 170, and an instruction reception unit 180. The information notification device 101 is the same as the information notification device 100 of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. The reception detection unit 110, the message acquisition unit 111, the determination unit 120, the state estimation unit 121, the telephone call unit 130, the reproduction unit 140, the information acquisition unit 160, and the analysis unit 170 of this embodiment are the same as the components with the same names and the same reference numerals of the first modified example of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0202] <Information acquisition unit 160> FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information acquisition unit according to the present disclosure.

[0203] The configuration of the information acquisition unit 160 of this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the information acquisition unit 160B shown in FIG.

[0204] 17 includes a seating information acquisition unit 161, a schedule acquisition unit 162, and a measurement result acquisition unit 163. The seating information acquisition unit 161 is the same as the seating information acquisition unit 161 in the second embodiment.

[0205] <Schedule Acquisition Unit 162> The schedule acquisition unit 162 acquires, from the schedule management device 400, information about the schedule of the user who is the destination of the message that has been newly detected as having been received.

[0206] <Measurement result acquisition unit 163> The measurement result acquisition unit 163 acquires, from the sensor device 500, observation information on the user to whom the newly received message is detected.

[0207] <Location estimation unit 122> The location estimation unit 122 estimates the location where the user is located at the current time (hereinafter also referred to as "staying location") from the observation information of the user who is the destination of the newly detected message. This current time is, for example, the time when the location estimation unit 122 starts estimating the location where the user is located.

[0208] The location estimation unit 122 estimates the location of the user using the user's most recent observation result. Specifically, the location estimation unit 122 estimates the building in which the user is located using the user's most recent observation result. Furthermore, the location estimation unit 122 estimates the user's location within the building in which the user is located using the user's most recent observation result.

[0209] For example, if the most recent observation result of the user indicates that the user is inside a building, it is determined that the user is inside the building. The observation result indicating that the user is inside the building may be an observation result by a sensor device 500 installed in the building, excluding an observation result of a person leaving the building, observed by a sensor device 500 capable of observing a person leaving the building. Specifically, the observation result indicating that the user is inside the building may be, for example, an observation result indicating at least one of the following: the user has entered the building, the user is at a location within the building, the user has entered a room within the building, and the user has left a room within the building.

[0210] If the most recent observation of the user indicates that the user has left the building, the location estimation unit 122 may determine that the user's location is unknown.

[0211] Furthermore, if the most recent observation result of the user indicates that the user is in a room in the building, it is determined that the user is in that room in the building. The most recent observation result indicating that the user is in a room in the building may be, for example, an observation result by a sensor device 500 observing a person entering the room, or an observation result by a sensor device 500 installed in the room.

[0212] If the most recent observation result of the user indicates that the user is inside a building but does not indicate that the user is in any room within the building, it is determined that the room the user is in is unknown. The most recent observation result that indicates that the user is inside a building but does not indicate that the user is in any room within the building is referred to here as a room-indeterminate observation result. Room-indeterminate observation results include, for example, observation results that indicate the user entering a building, observation results that indicate the user leaving a room, and observation results that indicate the user is outside a room. An observation result that indicates the user is outside a room may include, for example, observation results by a sensor device 500 observing a person leaving a room. An observation result that indicates the user is outside a room may include, for example, observation results by a sensor device 500 installed outside a room within a building, excluding observation results that indicate the user has left the building.

[0213] When the room where the user is located estimated from the observation results is unknown, the location estimation unit 122 estimates that the user's location is the planned stay location at the current time indicated by the user's schedule information. The planned stay location is the location where the user plans to stay according to the schedule information. When the room where the user is located estimated from the observation results is unknown, the location estimation unit 122 may estimate that the planned stay location during times when the user is not scheduled to stay within a building including a designated stay location is the designated stay location. The planned time when the user is scheduled to be within a building including a designated stay location is, for example, the time between the planned start time of work in a building including a designated stay location and the planned end time of work in a building including a designated stay location. When the location estimated from the observation results is unknown and the user's schedule information indicates that the planned stay location at the current time is undetermined, the location estimation unit 122 determines that the user's location is unknown. The location estimation unit 122 may determine that the user's location is unknown if the user's schedule information indicates that the user's plan at the current time is a plan for which the location of stay is not specified, such as a break, travel, going out, a business trip, work where the work is performed at an unspecified location, etc. Furthermore, the location estimation unit 122 may determine that the user's location is unknown if the current time is included in the time period from the end time of work in a building including a designated stay location to the scheduled start time of work in a building including the designated stay location in the user's schedule information.

[0214] In addition, in the user's schedule information, if the user's schedule changes between the time when the user's most recent observation result was observed and the current time, the user may have moved to a different location from the location estimated by the observation result. A change in the user's schedule may, for example, mean a change from a scheduled state to a state with another scheduled event, a change from a scheduled state to a no-schedule state, or a change from a no-schedule state to a scheduled state. In such a case, the user may have moved from the location where the observation result was observed or the location to which the user was heading when the observation result was observed to a location in the user's schedule at the current time. In such a case, the location estimation unit 122 does not need to use the observation result to estimate the user's location at the current time.

[0215] <State Estimation Unit 121> The state estimation unit 121 estimates whether the user is in an unsuitable state for communication by using information about the schedule of the user who is the destination of the message. In this embodiment, the information about the user's schedule is information about the schedule acquired from the schedule management device 400.

[0216] The state estimation unit 121 may estimate that the user's state is an unsuitable state for calling when schedule information of the user who is the destination of the message indicates that the user's state at the state estimation time described below is an unsuitable state for calling. The state estimation unit 121 may estimate that the user's state is not an unsuitable state for calling when schedule information of the user who is the destination of the message indicates that the user's state at the state estimation time is not an unsuitable state for calling. The state estimation time may be the current time (i.e., the time at which the state estimation unit 121 estimates whether the user's state is an unsuitable state for calling). The state estimation time may be the time at which the reception of a new message is detected.

[0217] As described above, the unsuitable state for making a call is, for example, a state in which the user is in a meeting, a state in which the user is traveling, a state in which the user is taking a break, a state in which the user is performing work in an unfixed location, a state between the scheduled end time of work and the scheduled start time of work, etc. The unsuitable state for making a call is not limited to these examples. The unsuitable state for making a call may be defined as appropriate. The unsuitable state for making a call may be designated in advance by the user. The state estimation unit 121 may estimate that the user's state is an unsuitable state for making a call when the information on the user's schedule indicates that the user's schedule at the state estimation time is scheduled to be in a state defined as an unsuitable state for making a call. The state estimation unit 121 may estimate that the user's state is not an unsuitable state for making a call when the information on the user's schedule indicates that the user's schedule at the state estimation time is not scheduled to be in a state defined as an unsuitable state for making a call.

[0218] The state estimation unit 121 may estimate whether the user is in an unsuitable state for communication by using schedule information of the user who is the destination of the message and observation information of the user who is the destination of the message, the reception of which has been newly detected and which is acquired from the sensor device 500. In this case, the state estimation unit 121 estimates a time period in which the user is in an unsuitable state for communication from the current time (i.e., the time when the state estimation unit 121 estimates whether the user is in an unsuitable state for communication) using, for example, the schedule information and the observation information. Specifically, the state estimation unit 121 estimates whether the user is in an unsuitable state for communication by using schedule information of the user who is the destination of the message, which is changed, for example, as follows, depending on the result of determining whether the schedule information and the observation result are inconsistent:

[0219] That is, first, the state estimation unit 121 determines whether or not there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. For example, when the user is at the location indicated by the observation result at the time when the user indicated by the observation result is observed, the state estimation unit 121 determines whether the observed user state can become the user state at the current time indicated by the schedule information at the current time. If it is determined that the observed user state can become the user state at the current time indicated by the schedule information at the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is no contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. If it is determined that the observed user state cannot become the user state at the current time indicated by the schedule information, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. If it is determined that there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result, the state estimation unit 121 uses the schedule information and the observation information to estimate a time period after the current time during which the user state is unsuitable for communication.

[0220] More specifically, for example, the observation result may indicate that the user is in a building including a planned stay location at the current time before an arrival time (described later) before the current time, and that the user has not left the building from before the arrival time before the current time until the current time. This planned stay location is a location indicated by the schedule information as a location where the user plans to stay. In such a case, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is no contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. Note that the arrival time may be, for example, the time it takes for the user to reach the planned stay location from the observed location (e.g., the entrance of the building where the planned stay location is located) when moving at a speed defined as a standard moving speed for a person. The arrival time may be determined in advance based on the distance between the location of the sensor device 500 from which the observation information was obtained and the planned stay location. The state estimation unit 121 may calculate the arrival time from the speed defined as a standard moving speed for a person and the distance between the location of the sensor device 500 from which the observation information was obtained and the planned stay location. The arrival time may be a predetermined fixed time.

[0221] As in the above example, if the time at which the user was observed is between a time before the arrival time at the location where the user was observed and the location where the user planned to stay, and the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is no contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result.

[0222] Furthermore, if the location where the user is estimated by the location estimation unit 122 is the user's planned location indicated by the user's schedule information, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is no contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result.

[0223] When the information on the user's schedule does not include information on the place where the user plans to stay at the current time, the state estimation unit 121 may determine that there is no contradiction between the information on the schedule and the observation result.

[0224] If it is determined that there is no contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result, the state estimation unit 121 does not change the schedule information.

[0225] For example, if the observation result indicates that the user entered a building including the planned stay location between the arrival time before the current time and the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. In this case, the state estimation unit 121 may change the start time of the time period in which the user is scheduled to be at the planned stay location at the current time, in the schedule information, to a time after the arrival time from the time the user entered the building including the planned stay location. Furthermore, the state estimation unit 121 may change the plan for the time period from the current time to a time after the arrival time of the current time, in the schedule information, to, for example, a travel plan.

[0226] As in this example, if it is determined that the user cannot move from the location where the user was observed to the location where the user plans to stay at the current time between the time when the user was observed and the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. In this case, the state estimation unit 121 may change the start time of the time period in which the user is scheduled to be at the location where the user plans to stay at the current time, in the schedule information, to a time after the time it takes to move from the location where the user was observed to the location where the user plans to stay at the current time.

[0227] For example, if the observation result indicates that the user has not entered a building including a planned place of stay at the current time since the user left the building until the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that there is a contradiction between the schedule information and the observation result. In this case, the state estimation unit 121 may change the start time of a time period in which the user is scheduled to be at the planned place of stay at the current time, in the schedule information, to a time a predetermined time later. Furthermore, the state estimation unit 121 may change the plan for the time period from the current time to a time a predetermined time later than the current time, in the schedule information, to, for example, a travel plan.

[0228] As in this example, when the observation result indicates that the user is not in a building that includes the planned stay location at the current time, the state estimation unit 121 determines that the schedule information and the observation result are inconsistent. In this case, the state estimation unit 121 may change the start time of the time period in the schedule information during which the user is scheduled to be at the planned stay location at the current time to a time a predetermined time later. Furthermore, the state estimation unit 121 may change the schedule information for the time period from the current time to a time a predetermined time after the current time to, for example, a schedule with no fixed stay location, such as travel or rest. In this case, the changed schedule may be a pre-determined schedule, rather than a schedule with no fixed stay location, such as travel or rest.

[0229] <Telephone Number Determination Unit 150> If the schedule information indicates that the user's status at the current time is not unsuitable for making a call, the telephone number determination unit 150 determines the telephone number installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 as the designated telephone number.

[0230] The telephone number determination unit 150 determines the telephone number installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 as the designated telephone number. As described above, information on the telephone number of the telephone installed in the location designated as the location where the user is staying (i.e., the designated stay location) is obtained in advance. When the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 is the above-mentioned designated stay location, the telephone number determination unit 150 determines the telephone number installed in the designated stay location as the designated telephone number. Even when the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 is not the above-mentioned designated stay location, when information on the telephone number of the telephone installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 is obtained, the telephone number determination unit 150 determines that telephone number as the designated telephone number.

[0231] When information on the telephone number installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 cannot be obtained, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine, as the designated telephone number, the telephone number of a telephone installed in a location designated as the user's main location of stay. The telephone number determination unit 150 may store in advance the locations designated as the user's main locations of stay.

[0232] When the schedule information indicates that the user's status at the current time is unsuitable for calls, the telephone number determination unit 150 identifies the user's planned stay location in the schedule information, based on the information about the next time the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls. The telephone number determination unit 150 determines the telephone number installed at the identified planned stay location as the designated telephone number. When information about the telephone number installed at the identified planned stay location cannot be obtained, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of a phone installed at the stay location designated as the user's main stay location as the designated telephone number.

[0233] If the schedule information indicates that the user's status at the current time is not suitable for making calls, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 as the emergency telephone number.

[0234] In addition, the telephone number of a mobile phone such as a smartphone used by the user may be obtained in advance.

[0235] In this case, if the schedule information indicates that the user's status at the current time is not in a state where it is unsuitable for making calls, and information on the telephone number installed in the room estimated by the location estimation unit 122 has not been obtained, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of the user's mobile phone as the specified telephone number.

[0236] If the schedule information indicates that the user's status at the current time is not unsuitable for calls and the room the user is in is unknown, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of the user's mobile phone as the designated telephone number.

[0237] If the user's status at the current time is unsuitable for making a call, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of the user's mobile phone as the emergency telephone number. For example, if the user's location is unknown and the user is not inside a building, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of the user's mobile phone as the emergency telephone number. If the user's status at the current time is unsuitable for making a call and information on the telephone number of the user's planned location in the information on the next time the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for making a call is not available in the schedule information, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of the user's mobile phone as the designated telephone number.

[0238] <Judgment section 120> As described above, information indicating whether the user is using a terminal device that can check messages is referred to as seating information. Information on the degree of necessity for message notification is referred to as notification necessity information. Information indicating whether the user is available to answer a call to which a specified telephone number is assigned is referred to as user status information.

[0239] In this embodiment, similarly to the sixth modified example of the second embodiment, the determination unit 120 uses the seating information and the notification necessity information to determine whether or not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0240] If the user is using a terminal device that can check messages, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. If the degree of necessity for message notification does not satisfy the necessity criterion and description, the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the user of the receipt of a new message. If the user is not using a terminal device that can check messages and the degree of necessity for message notification satisfies the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines to notify the user of the receipt of a new message.

[0241] <Telephone call unit 130> In this embodiment, similarly to the sixth modification of the second embodiment, when the user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, the call originating unit 130 waits until the user is no longer in an unsuitable state for making a call.

[0242] When the determination unit 120 determines that the user should be notified of the receipt of a new message, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user. However, when the user's status is unsuitable for calls, the call originating unit 130 of this modified example waits until the time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information described above. The time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information can be rephrased as the scheduled time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls. The call originating unit 130 of this modified example places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, at the time when the user's status is no longer unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information or a predetermined time after that time. When the user's status is not unsuitable for calls, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, without waiting.

[0243] If the determination unit 120 determines that the user should not be notified of the receipt of a new message, the calling unit 130 does not make a call to the designated telephone number, which is the telephone number associated with the user.

[0244] When the call originating unit 130 is notified by the instruction receiving unit 180 (described later) that an instruction to end the call has been received, the call originating unit 130 ends the call with the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned.

[0245] <Instruction Receiving Unit 180> The instruction receiving unit 180 receives instructions from a telephone call made by the telephone call sending unit 130. In this embodiment, the instructions are a playback instruction and an end instruction. The playback instruction in this embodiment is an instruction to play back audio representing the content of a message. The end instruction in this embodiment is an instruction to end a call. The instructions are realized, for example, by an audio signal transmitted by the telephone 300 when a button or dial on the telephone 300 is operated. The button or dial number for issuing the playback instruction and the end instruction may be predetermined.

[0246] When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives a playback instruction, it notifies the playback unit 140 that the playback instruction has been received. When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an end instruction, it notifies the call sending unit 130 that the end instruction has been received.

[0247] <Playback section 140> The playback unit 140 of this embodiment first plays the summary notification audio described below. The summary notification audio is audio that includes audio representing the destination user of the message. The summary notification audio may include audio representing the sender of the message. The summary notification audio may include audio representing the title of the message. When the summary notification audio is configured to include multiple types of audio (for example, the destination user of the message and any of the sender of the message, the joint recipients of the message, and the title of the message), the order of the multiple types of audio may be determined appropriately.

[0248] When notified that a playback instruction has been received, the playback unit 140 plays the detailed notification audio. The detailed notification audio is audio that includes audio representing the content of the message. The detailed notification audio may include audio representing the user to whom the message is addressed. The detailed notification audio may include audio representing the sender of the message. The detailed notification audio may include audio representing the joint recipients of the message. The detailed notification audio may include audio representing the title of the message. When the detailed notification audio is configured to include multiple types of audio (for example, the content of the message and any of the user to whom the message is addressed, the sender of the message, the joint recipients of the message, and the title of the message), the order of the multiple types of audio may be determined appropriately.

[0249] <Operation> Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0250] 7 and 18 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the information notification device according to the present disclosure.

[0251] Hereinafter, the operation of the information notification device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0252] The operation of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is the same as the operation of the information notification device 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 7. In step S105, if the user is not using the terminal device (NO in step S105), the information notification device 101 performs the operation shown in Fig. 18.

[0253] 18, first, the information notification device 101 executes a user state estimation process (step S201). Next, the information notification device 101 executes a notification information extraction process (step S202). Next, the information notification device 101 executes a notification determination process (step S203). If notification is not to be executed (NO in step S204), that is, if it is determined by the notification determination process that notification will not be executed, the information notification device 101 ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 18.

[0254] If notification is to be executed (YES in step S204), that is, if it is determined by the notification determination process that notification is to be executed, the information notification device 101 executes a telephone number determination process (step S205). Next, the information notification device 101 executes a call origination process (step S206). Next, the information notification device 101 executes a playback process (step S207). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 18.

[0255] The user state estimation process, the notification information extraction process, the notification determination process, the telephone number determination process, the telephone call process, and the playback process will be described in detail below.

[0256] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the user state estimation process according to the present disclosure.

[0257] The operation of the user state estimation process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0258] 19, first, the information acquiring unit 160 acquires the user's schedule information and the results of observation by the sensor (step S211). Specifically, the schedule acquiring unit 162 of the information acquiring unit 160 acquires the user's schedule information from the schedule management device 400. Then, the measurement result acquiring unit 163 of the information acquiring unit 160 acquires the results of observation of the user by the sensor (i.e., the sensor device 500).

[0259] Next, the location estimation unit 122 estimates the user's location (step S212). The location refers to the location where the user is. Furthermore, the state estimation unit 121 estimates the user's state (step S213). The state estimation unit 121 estimates whether the user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, as the user's state.

[0260] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure.

[0261] The operation of the notification information extraction process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0262] In the example shown in FIG. 20, the content extraction unit 173 extracts the content of the message (step S221). The title generation unit 174 generates a title for the message (step S222). Next, the related party estimation unit 172 determines the sender of the message (step S223). Then, the related party estimation unit 172 determines information representing the destination of the message (step S224). The information representing the destination of the message is, for example, information about joint recipients of the message.

[0263] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification determination process according to the present disclosure.

[0264] The operation of the notification determination process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0265] In the example shown in FIG. 21, first, the necessity determination unit 171 of the analysis unit 170 determines the degree of notification necessity, which is the necessity of message notification (step S231). Next, the determination unit 120 determines whether the notification necessity of the message satisfies the necessity criterion (step S232). For example, if the degree of notification necessity of the message indicates a necessity greater than or equal to the necessity indicated by the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines that the notification necessity of the message satisfies the necessity criterion. For example, if the degree of notification necessity of the message indicates a necessity lower than the necessity indicated by the necessity criterion, the determination unit 120 determines that the notification necessity of the message does not satisfy the necessity criterion.

[0266] If the notification necessity satisfies the necessity criterion (YES in step S233), the determination unit 120 determines to notify the message. If the notification necessity does not satisfy the necessity criterion (NO in step S233), the determination unit 120 determines not to notify the message. Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG. 21.

[0267] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the telephone number determination process according to the present disclosure.

[0268] The operation of the telephone number determination process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0269] 22, first, for example, the telephone number determination unit 150 determines whether the user's status at the current time, as indicated by the information on the user's schedule, is in an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state that is not suitable for making a call (step S241). If the user's status is not in an unsuitable state for making a call (NO in step S242), the telephone number determination unit 150 identifies a telephone number associated with the user's current location (step S243A). If the user's status is in an unsuitable state for making a call (YES in step S242), the telephone number determination unit 150 identifies a telephone number associated with a location where the user will next be free from the unsuitable state for making a call (step S243B). If a telephone number is identified (YES in step S244), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets the identified telephone number as the designated telephone number (step S245). If a telephone number is identified (NO in step S244), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets a predetermined telephone number as the designated telephone number (step S246). The predetermined telephone number is, for example, the telephone number of a telephone installed at the above-mentioned stay location designated as the user's main stay location. The predetermined telephone number may also be the telephone number of the user's mobile phone. Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG. 22.

[0270] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the call origination process according to the present disclosure.

[0271] The operation of the call origination process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0272] 23, the call originating unit 130 determines whether the user's state is an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state that is unsuitable for making a call (step S251). If the user's state is not an unsuitable state for making a call (NO in step S252), the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the specified phone number (step S255). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0273] If the user's status is unsuitable for calls (YES in step S252), the call originating unit 130 waits until the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls (step S254). When the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls arrives, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the specified telephone number (step S255). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG. 23.

[0274] FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure.

[0275] The operation of the playback process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0276] In the example shown in FIG. 24, the playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the destination user (step S261). After step S261, the playback unit 140 may play back audio explaining how to input an instruction. Next, the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction (step S262). In this embodiment, the received instruction is an instruction to play or an instruction to end. If the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction to play (YES in step S263), the information notification device 101 executes a playback execution process (step S264). The playback execution process will be described in detail below. Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG. 24.

[0277] If the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction to end (NO in step S263), the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0278] FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure.

[0279] The operation of the reproduction execution process of the information notification device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0280] In the example shown in Fig. 25, the playback unit 140 plays audio representing the sender of the message (step S273). The playback unit 140 may further play audio representing the joint recipients of the message. The playback unit 140 plays audio representing the title of the message (step S274). The playback unit 140 plays audio representing the content of the message (step S277).

[0281] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0282] <First Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a first modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0283] The information notification device according to the first modified example of the third embodiment is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0284] The configuration of the analysis unit 170 is the same as the configuration of the analysis unit 170A shown in FIG. 5 (i.e., the configuration of the analysis unit 170 in the second embodiment). The content extraction unit 173 does not exclude the message title from the message content including the message title. The playback unit 140 does not play back the audio representing the message title as a separate audio from the audio representing the message content. In other words, if the message title is included in the message content, the playback unit 140 plays back the audio representing the message title as part of the audio representing the message content. If the message title is not included in the message content, the playback unit 140 does not play back the audio representing the message title.

[0285] When this modification is applied to another modification of the third embodiment, the analysis unit 170 is configured not to include the title generation unit 174. The content extraction unit 173 does not exclude the message title from the message content including the message title. The playback unit 140 does not play back the audio representing the message title as a separate audio from the audio representing the message content. In other words, if the message title is included in the message content, the playback unit 140 plays back the audio representing the message title as part of the audio representing the message content. If the message title is not included in the message content, the playback unit 140 does not play back the audio representing the message title.

[0286] <Second Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a second modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0287] The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. In this modified example, if the length of the content of a message is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, audio representing a summary of the message is played back instead of audio representing the content of the message.

[0288] The configuration of the analysis unit 170 of this modification is the same as the configuration of the analysis unit 170D shown in FIG.

[0289] The summary generation unit 175 is the same as the summary generation unit 175 in the second, third and fifth modifications of the second embodiment.

[0290] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure.

[0291] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 26 instead of the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 20. The operation of the notification information extraction process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 26.

[0292] The operations from step S221 to step S224 shown in FIG. 26 are the same as the operations from step S221 to step S224 in FIG.

[0293] In step S225, if the length of the content is less than the predetermined length (NO in step S225), the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0294] In step S225, if the length of the content is equal to or greater than the predetermined length (YES in step S225), summary generating section 175 generates a summary of the content of the message (step S226).

[0295] FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure.

[0296] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the playback execution process shown in Fig. 27 instead of the playback execution process shown in Fig. 25. The operation of the playback execution process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 27.

[0297] The operations in steps S273 and S274 shown in FIG. 27 are the same as the operations in steps S273 and S274 in FIG.

[0298] In step S275, if the length of the content is equal to or greater than the predetermined length (YES in step S275), playback unit 140 plays back audio representing a summary of the content as audio representing the message content (step S276). In other words, playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the summary of the content instead of audio representing the message content.

[0299] In step S275, if the length of the content is less than the predetermined length (NO in step S275), playback unit 140 plays back the sound representing the content of the message (step S277).

[0300] <Third Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a third modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0301] The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. In this modified example, the confidentiality of a message is determined. In this modified example, if the confidentiality of the message satisfies a criterion, the audio representing the content of the message is not played back.

[0302] The configuration of the analysis unit 170 of this modification is the same as the configuration of the analysis unit 170E shown in FIG.

[0303] The confidentiality determination unit 176 is the same as the confidentiality determination unit 176 in the fourth and fifth modified examples of the second embodiment.

[0304] FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure.

[0305] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 28 instead of the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 20. The operation of the notification information extraction process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 28.

[0306] The operations from step S221 to step S224 shown in Fig. 28 are the same as the operations from step S221 to step S224 in Fig. 20. After step S224, the information notification device 101 of this modified example performs the operation of the next step S227.

[0307] The confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the confidentiality of the message (step S227).

[0308] FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure.

[0309] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the playback execution process shown in Fig. 29 instead of the playback execution process shown in Fig. 25. The operation of the playback execution process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 29.

[0310] In the example shown in FIG. 29, first, the playback unit 140 determines whether the confidentiality satisfies the confidentiality standard (step S271). As described above, the confidentiality standard represents a standard for the level of confidentiality. The confidentiality of a message satisfying the confidentiality standard means that the level of confidentiality of the message is equal to or higher than the level of confidentiality represented by the confidentiality standard. If the confidentiality satisfies the confidentiality standard (YES in step S271), that is, if the confidentiality of the message is equal to or higher than the level of confidentiality represented by the confidentiality standard, the playback unit 140 plays back audio representing the confidentiality of the message and pre-specified information (step S272).

[0311] If the confidentiality does not satisfy the confidentiality standard (NO in step S271), that is, if the confidentiality of the message is lower than the level of confidentiality represented by the confidentiality standard, the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S273 onwards shown in FIG.

[0312] The operations in steps S273, S274, and S277 shown in FIG. 29 are the same as the operations in steps S273, S274, and S277 in FIG.

[0313] <Fourth Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a fourth modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0314] The information notification device 101 of this modification is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. This modification is a modification in which the third and fourth modifications of the third embodiment are applied to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0315] The configuration of the analysis unit 170 of this modification is the same as the configuration of the analysis unit 170F shown in FIG.

[0316] The confidentiality determination unit 176 is the same as the confidentiality determination unit 176 in the fourth and fifth modified examples of the second embodiment.

[0317] The summary generation unit 175 is the same as the summary generation unit 175 in the second, third and fifth modifications of the second embodiment.

[0318] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the notification information extraction process according to the present disclosure.

[0319] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 30 instead of the notification information extraction process shown in Fig. 20. The operation of the notification information extraction process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 30.

[0320] The operations from step S221 to step S224 shown in Fig. 30 are the same as the operations from step S221 to step S224 in Fig. 20. After step S224, the information notification device 101 of this modified example performs the operations from step S225 onwards.

[0321] In step S225, if the length of the content is less than the predetermined length (NO in step S225), confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the confidentiality of the message (step S227). Then, information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0322] In step S225, if the length of the content is equal to or greater than the predetermined length (YES in step S225), the summary generation unit 175 generates a summary of the message content (step S226). The confidentiality determination unit 176 determines the confidentiality of the message (step S227). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0323] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reproduction execution process according to the present disclosure.

[0324] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the playback execution process shown in Fig. 31 instead of the playback execution process shown in Fig. 25. The operation of the playback execution process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 31.

[0325] The operations from step S271 to step S274 shown in Fig. 31 are the same as the operations from step S271 to step S274 in Fig. 29. After step S274, the information notification device 101 of this modified example performs the operations from step S275 onwards.

[0326] The operations after step S275 in FIG. 31 are the same as the operations after step S275 in FIG. 27 in the second modified example of the third embodiment.

[0327] <Fifth Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a fifth modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0328] The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. This modified example is a modified example in which, when the need for message notification is greater than a standard, notification is executed even if the user is in an unsuitable state for communication.

[0329] The telephone number determination unit 150 of this modified example determines the emergency telephone number described in the description of the second embodiment.

[0330] In this modified example, the call originating unit 130 calls an emergency telephone number when the user's status is unsuitable for calls and the need for a message notification satisfies the severity criterion. In this modified example, the call originating unit 130 waits until the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls when the user's status is unsuitable for calls and the need for a message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion. In this modified example, the call originating unit 130 calls the specified telephone number after the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls.

[0331] The importance criterion is a criterion for the level of notification necessity. The importance criterion is set in advance so that the level of notification necessity indicated by the importance criterion is higher than the level of notification necessity indicated by the above-mentioned necessity criterion. As described above, when the notification necessity of a message (i.e., the above-mentioned notification necessity) is equal to or greater than the level of notification necessity indicated by the above-mentioned necessity criterion, the notification necessity of the message satisfies the necessity criterion. When the level of notification necessity indicated by the notification necessity of a message is less than the level of notification necessity indicated by the necessity criterion, the notification necessity of the message does not satisfy the necessity criterion. Similarly, when the level of notification necessity indicated by the notification necessity of a message is less than the level of notification necessity indicated by the importance criterion, the notification necessity of the message does not satisfy the importance criterion.

[0332] 32 and 33 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a telephone number determination process according to the present disclosure.

[0333] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the telephone number determination process of FIGS. 32 and 33 instead of the telephone number determination process shown in FIG.

[0334] The operations in steps S241 and S242 in FIG. 32 are the same as the operations in steps S241 and S242 in FIG.

[0335] 32 and 33, first, in step S241 of Fig. 32, the telephone number determination unit 150 determines whether the user's state is an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state that is not suitable for making a call (step S241). If the user's state is an unsuitable state for making a call (YES in step S242), the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S243B onwards shown in Fig. 33. If the user's state is not an unsuitable state for making a call (NO in step S242), the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S242A onwards.

[0336] The operations after step S243A in Fig. 32, i.e., the operations of step S243A, step S244A, step S245A, and step S246A, are the same as the operations of step S243A, step S244, step S245, and step S246 in Fig. 22 when the user's status is not unsuitable for communication. However, when the user's status is unsuitable for communication, the information notification device 101 does not perform the operations of step S244A, step S245A, and step S246A. After the operation of step S245A and the operation of step S246A in Fig. 32, the information notification device 101 of this modification ends the operations shown in Fig. 32 and Fig. 33.

[0337] As described above, when the user's status is unsuitable for communication (YES in step S242), the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S243B onwards shown in FIG.

[0338] 33, the telephone number determination unit 150 identifies a telephone number associated with a location where the user will next be in a call unsuitable state (step S243B). If a telephone number is identified (YES in step S244B), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets the identified telephone number as the designated telephone number (step S245B). If a telephone number is not identified (NO in step S244B), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets a predetermined telephone number as the designated telephone number (step S246B).

[0339] The operations up to step S243B, step S244B, step S245B and step S246B in Fig. 33 are the same as the operations of step S243A, step S244, step S245 and step S246 when the user's status is unsuitable for communication in Fig. 22. The information notification device 101 of this modified example performs the operations of step S247 and thereafter after the operations of step S245B and step S246B in Fig. 33.

[0340] In step S247, the telephone number determination unit 150 identifies a telephone number associated with the user's current location (step S247). If a telephone number is identified in step S247 (YES in step S248), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets the telephone number identified in step S247 as an emergency telephone number (step S249). If a telephone number is not identified in step S247 (NO in step S248), the telephone number determination unit 150 sets a predetermined telephone number as an emergency telephone number (step S250). After the operation of step S249 and the operation of step S250 in FIG. 33, the information notification device 101 of this modified example ends the operation shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.

[0341] FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the call origination process according to the present disclosure.

[0342] The information notification device 101 of this modified example performs the call outgoing process shown in Fig. 34 instead of the call outgoing process shown in Fig. 23. The operation of the call outgoing process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 34.

[0343] 34, the call originating unit 130 determines whether the user's state is an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state that is unsuitable for making a call (step S251). If the user's state is not an unsuitable state for making a call (NO in step S252), the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the specified phone number (step S255). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0344] If the user's status is unsuitable for making a call (YES in step S252), the call originating unit 130 determines whether the need for message notification satisfies the importance criterion (step S253). If the need for message notification satisfies the importance criterion (YES in step S253), the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the emergency telephone number (step S256). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0345] If the necessity for message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion (NO in step S253), the call originating unit 130 waits until the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls (step S254). When the scheduled time when the user's status will no longer be unsuitable for calls arrives, the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the specified telephone number (step S255). Then, the information notification device 101 ends the operation shown in FIG. <Sixth Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a sixth modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0346] The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. In this modified example, the instructions received by the instruction receiving unit 180 are not limited to playback instructions and end instructions.

[0347] The instruction receiving unit 180 of this modified example can receive a plurality of predetermined types of instructions, and receives any one of these plurality of types of instructions.

[0348] The multiple types of instructions include an instruction to end, one or more types of playback instructions, and other instructions, such as instructions to play sounds each representing a different part of the message.

[0349] The one or more types of playback instructions may include, for example, an instruction to play a sound representing the content of the message, an instruction to play a sound representing the title of the message, an instruction to play a sound representing the sender of the message, an instruction to play a sound representing the joint recipients of the message, etc. The one or more types of playback instructions may include, for example, an instruction to play a sound representing the need for notification of the message. The one or more types of playback instructions may include, for example, an instruction to play a sound representing the confidentiality of the message. In this case, the analysis unit 170 includes a confidentiality determination unit 176.

[0350] The other instruction is an instruction to perform a predetermined process. The other instruction is, for example, a forwarding instruction, i.e., an instruction to forward the notification to another telephone number. The other instruction is a re-notification instruction, i.e., an instruction to call back to notify the recipient of the message. The re-notification instruction may be an instruction to call back at a specified time to notify the recipient of the message.

[0351] If the instruction is a forwarding instruction, the playback unit 140 may play back audio prompting the user to input information representing the forwarding destination phone number. After the playback unit 140 plays back audio prompting the user to input information representing the forwarding destination phone number, the instruction receiving unit 180 may receive the information representing the forwarding destination phone number. The information representing the forwarding destination phone number is a string of numbers representing the phone number.

[0352] If the instruction is an instruction to re-notify, the playback unit 140 may play a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the time to make a call back. After the playback unit 140 plays a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the time to make a call back, the instruction receiving unit 180 may receive the information indicating the time to make a call back. The information indicating the time to make a call back may be numerical values ​​indicating the time (for example, four numerical values, including two numerical values ​​indicating hours and two numerical values ​​indicating minutes). The information indicating the time to make a call back may be expressed by a numerical value indicating the time difference between the current time and the time to make a call back. For example, the numerical value indicating the time difference may be a numerical value indicating how many hours later the time to make a call back will be, a numerical value indicating how many minutes later the time to make a call back will be, or a numerical value indicating how many hours and minutes later the time to make a call back will be.

[0353] When the instruction is a forwarding instruction, the instruction receiving unit 180 may receive, in addition to the forwarding destination phone number, information indicating the time at which a call will be made to the forwarding destination phone number to notify the user of the receipt of a message. The information indicating the time at which a call will be made to the forwarding destination phone number to notify the user of the receipt of a message may be information indicating a time similar to the information indicating the time of re-notification. In this case, when the forwarding instruction is received, the playback unit 140 may play a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the forwarding destination phone number. After the playback unit 140 plays a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the forwarding destination phone number, the instruction receiving unit 180 may accept the information indicating the forwarding destination phone number. After the information indicating the forwarding destination phone number is accepted, the playback unit 140 may play a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the time to make the call. After the playback unit 140 plays a sound prompting the user to input information indicating the time to make the call, the instruction receiving unit 180 may accept the information indicating the time to make the call. When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives one or more types of playback instructions, the playback unit 140 plays audio in accordance with the received instruction. The playback unit 140 plays audio representing information instructed to be played by the received instruction. The information instructed to be played includes, for example, the content of the message, the title of the message, the sender of the message, joint recipients of the message, the need for notification of the message, and the confidentiality of the message.

[0354] When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives, for example, an instruction to end the call, an instruction to transfer the call, or an instruction to re-notify the call, the call originating unit 130 performs processing in accordance with the instruction. If the instruction is an instruction to end the call, the call originating unit 130 ends the call. If the instruction is an instruction to transfer the call, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the transfer destination phone number to notify the reception of a message after the call for which the transfer instruction was accepted is ended. If the instruction is an instruction to transfer the call, the call originating unit 130 may place a call to the transfer destination phone number to notify the reception of a message in response to accepting the instruction to transfer, regardless of whether the call for which the transfer instruction was accepted is ended. If the instruction is an instruction to transfer and receives information on the time to make a call to the transfer destination phone number to notify the message, the call originating unit 130 places a call to the transfer destination phone number to notify the message at the specified time. Note that in the present disclosure, making a call to a phone to which a phone number is assigned may be referred to as making a call to a phone number. If the instruction is an instruction for re-notification, the call originating unit 130 makes a call at a specified time to the telephone number from which the call for which the instruction for re-notification was accepted was made, notifying the reception of the message. If information indicating the time to make a call back is not input, if the instruction is an instruction for re-notification, the call originating unit 130 makes a call to the telephone number from which the call for which the instruction for re-notification was accepted was made, notifying the reception of the message, for example, at a predetermined time after the time when the call for which the instruction for re-notification was accepted ended.

[0355] FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure.

[0356] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the playback process shown in Fig. 35 instead of the playback process shown in Fig. 24. The operation of the playback process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 35.

[0357] 35, the playback unit 140 plays back a sound representing the user who is the destination of the message. After step S281, the playback unit 140 may play back a sound that explains how to input an instruction.

[0358] Next, the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction (step S286). If the instruction is a playback instruction (YES in step S287), the playback unit 140 plays audio according to the instruction (step S288). After the operation of step S288, the information notification device 101 repeats the operations from step S286 onwards. Before repeating the operations from step S286 onwards, the playback unit 140 may play audio explaining how to input the instruction.

[0359] If the instruction is not an instruction to play (NO in step S287) but an instruction to end (YES in step S289), the information notification device 101 ends the operation of the playback process shown in Fig. 35. After the operation of the playback process ends, the information notification device 101 ends the call.

[0360] If the instruction is not an instruction to end (NO in step S289), the information notification device 101 executes processing in accordance with the instruction (step S290). The processing in accordance with the instruction in step S290 is, for example, processing in accordance with the above-mentioned instruction to re-notify and instruction to transfer. After the operation of step S290, the information notification device 101 repeats the operations from step S286 onwards. As described above, before repeating the operations from step S286 onwards, the playback unit 140 may play audio explaining how to input the instruction.

[0361] <Seventh Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a seventh modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0362] The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the third modified example of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below. In this modified example, the instructions received by the instruction receiving unit 180 are not limited to playback instructions and end instructions.

[0363] The analysis unit 170 of this modification includes a confidentiality determination unit 176. The confidentiality determination unit 176 is the same as the confidentiality determination unit 176 described above.

[0364] The instruction receiving unit 180 of this modified example can receive a plurality of predetermined types of instructions, similar to the instruction receiving unit 180 of the sixth modified example of the third embodiment. The instruction receiving unit 180 of this modified example receives any one of the plurality of types of instructions. The instructions received by the instruction receiving unit 180 of this modified example are the same as the instructions received by the instruction receiving unit 180 of the sixth modified example of the third embodiment.

[0365] The operation of the playback unit 140 of this modification in accordance with the received playback instruction is the same as the operation of the playback unit 140 of the sixth modification of the third embodiment in accordance with the received playback instruction.

[0366] The operation of the telephone call unit 130 of this modification in accordance with the received other instructions is the same as the operation of the telephone call unit 130 of the sixth modification of the third embodiment in accordance with the received other instructions.

[0367] 36 and 37 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the playback process according to the present disclosure.

[0368] The information notification device 101 of this modified example executes the playback process shown in Fig. 36 and Fig. 37 instead of the playback process shown in Fig. 24. The operation of the playback process of the information notification device 101 of this modified example will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 36 and Fig. 37.

[0369] In the examples shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, first, in step S281 in FIG. 36, the playback unit 140 plays back a voice representing the destination user (step S281).

[0370] If the confidentiality of the message does not satisfy the confidentiality standard (NO in step S282), the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S286 onwards in FIG.

[0371] If the confidentiality of the message satisfies the confidentiality standard (YES in step S282), the playback unit 140 accepts an instruction (step S283). The instruction accepted by the playback unit 140 in step S283 is an instruction to play or an instruction to end. Before the operation of step S283, the playback unit 140 may play audio explaining how to input the instruction. If the accepted instruction is an instruction to end (YES in step S284), the information notification device 101 ends the operation of the playback process shown in Figs. 36 and 37. After the operation of the playback process ends, the information notification device 101 ends the call.

[0372] If the received instruction is not an instruction to end the message (NO in step S284), the playback unit 140 plays back audio indicating the confidentiality of the message and pre-specified information (step S285). The pre-specified information is information specified by, for example, the subject, sender, and joint recipients. After the operation of step S285, the information notification device 101 performs the operations from step S286 onwards in FIG. 37.

[0373] The operations from step S286 onwards in FIG. 37 are the same as the operations from step S286 onwards shown in FIG. 35 in the sixth modified example of the third embodiment.

[0374] <Eighth Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, an eighth modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. This modified example is a modified example of the sixth or seventh modified example of the third embodiment. The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as the information notification device 101 of the sixth or seventh modified example of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0375] In this modification, multiple designated stay locations may be designated for one user. The multiple designated stay locations may be ranked in advance in order of the likelihood that the user will stay there. When a user is designated with only one designated stay location, the information notification device 101 of this modification is the same as the information notification device 101 of the sixth or seventh modification of the third embodiment. When a user is designated with multiple designated stay locations, the information notification device 101 of this modification can call multiple telephone numbers in order when it is estimated that the user is staying in one of the multiple stay locations, as described below.

[0376] If the user's schedule information indicates that the user is in a building where a designated place of stay is located and the current time is within a time period where there are no plans, the location estimation unit 122 may estimate that the user's place of stay is one of multiple designated places of stay.

[0377] In this case, the telephone number determination unit 150 may determine the telephone number of each telephone installed in the multiple designated places of stay as the designated telephone number. The telephone number determination unit 150 ranks the telephone numbers of the multiple designated places of stay according to the ranking of the multiple designated places of stay. In other words, the telephone number determination unit 150 ranks the multiple determined designated telephone numbers according to the ranking of the multiple designated places of stay in which the telephones to which the designated telephone numbers are assigned are installed. A list of the ranked multiple designated telephone numbers is referred to as a designated telephone number list.

[0378] In this modified example, when the current time falls within a time period when there are no scheduled events, the call originating unit 130 first calls the designated telephone number with the highest priority among the multiple designated telephone numbers. When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction to re-notify, the call originating unit 130 calls the designated telephone number with the next highest priority. When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction to re-notify and there is a designated telephone number with the next highest priority, the call originating unit 130 calls the designated telephone number with the next highest priority.

[0379] In this way, each time the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction for re-notification, the call originating unit 130 repeats the process of making a new call to the highest-ranked designated phone number among the designated phone numbers that have not been called. In the description of this variation, the process of the call originating unit 130 making a new call to the highest-ranked designated phone number among the designated phone numbers that have not been called, each time the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction for re-notification, is referred to as sequential notification processing. If the call originating unit 130 receives an instruction to end the call without receiving an instruction for re-notification during a call to any of the designated phone numbers, it ends the sequential notification processing.

[0380] When a re-notification instruction is received during a call with all designated phone numbers included in the designated phone number list, the call originating unit 130 terminates the sequential notification process. When the instruction receiving unit 180 receives a re-notification instruction during a call with the last designated phone number included in the designated phone number list, the instruction receiving unit 180 may perform the sequential notification process again after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time. In this case, the instruction receiving unit 180 may perform the sequential notification process again in response to the user's status in the user's schedule information becoming unscheduled after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time.

[0381] In the sequential notification process, when the instruction receiving unit 180 receives an instruction for re-notification that does not specify the time of re-notification, the telephone calling unit 130 may make a call to the designated telephone number that is next highest in the ranking.

[0382] <Ninth Modification of the Third Embodiment> Next, a ninth modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The information notification device 101 of this modified example is the same as that of the third embodiment, except for the differences described below.

[0383] In this embodiment, the information notification device 101 switches between a plurality of modes that differ in operation when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, such as the non-suppression mode and suppression mode described below, in accordance with an instruction from the user (hereinafter referred to as a mode switching instruction). In this modified example, the non-suppression mode is a mode that does not suppress notifications when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, as opposed to the suppression mode. The suppression mode is a mode that suppresses notifications when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, as opposed to the non-suppression mode. Specific examples of the suppression mode and the non-suppression mode will be described in detail later.

[0384] The information notification device 101 (e.g., the instruction receiving unit 180) may receive a mode switching instruction from a terminal device communicatively connected to the information notification device 101. The information notification device 101 may receive a mode switching instruction from a telephone. In this case, a telephone number for mode switching (hereinafter referred to as a mode switching telephone number) may be predetermined. For example, a user may call the mode switching telephone number and issue a mode switching instruction by using, for example, the push buttons or dial of the telephone used to call the mode switching telephone number. In this case, for example, the mode switching instruction may be assigned to either a push button or a dial number. In this case, when the instruction receiving unit 180 receives a mode switching instruction, the information notification device 101 (e.g., the telephone calling unit 130) changes the mode of the information notification device 101 to the next mode among multiple modes in a predetermined order for the multiple modes. Each of the multiple modes may be assigned to a different push button or dial number. In this case, when the instruction receiving unit 180 receives a mode switching instruction, the information notification device 101 (for example, the telephone calling unit 130) changes the mode of the information notification device 101 to the mode indicated by the mode switching instruction.

[0385] The unsuppressed mode may be a mode in which, when the reception of a new message is detected, a notification of the reception of a new message is provided regardless of whether the user is in an unsuitable state for calls. In the unsuppressed mode, the calling unit 130 may be configured to call an emergency number if the user is in an unsuitable state for calls, even if the need for notification of the message does not meet the severity criterion.

[0386] The suppression mode in this case may be, for example, a mode in which, when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, a notification of the receipt of a new message is sent if the need for message notification satisfies the severity criterion, and a mode in which, when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, a notification of the receipt of a new message is sent if the need for message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion. The call origination unit 130 is configured, for example, in the suppression mode, to call an emergency number if the need for message notification satisfies the severity criterion when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls. The call origination unit 130 is configured, for example, in the suppression mode, to not call an emergency number if the need for message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion when the user is in an unsuitable state for making calls.

[0387] In the case where the non-suppression mode is the example described above, the suppression mode may be, for example, a mode in which a notification of the receipt of a new message is not sent when the user is in an unsuitable state for calls. In this case, the call origination unit 130 is configured, for example, not to make calls in the suppression mode. For example, when the user is in an unsuitable state for calls in the suppression mode, the call origination unit 130 makes a call to a designated phone number at the time when the user is next no longer in an unsuitable state for calls in the user's schedule information.

[0388] In this case, the multiple modes of the information notification device 101 may include a normal mode, which will be described below. In this case, the normal mode is, for example, a mode in which, when a user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, a notification of the receipt of a new message is made if the need for a message notification satisfies a severity criterion, and a mode in which, when a user is in an unsuitable state for making a call, a notification of the receipt of a new message is not made if the need for a message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion. In this case, the call originating unit 130 is configured, for example, in the normal mode, to call an emergency telephone number if the need for a message notification satisfies the severity criterion when a user is in an unsuitable state for making a call. The call originating unit 130 is configured, for example, in the normal mode, not to call an emergency telephone number if the need for a message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion when a user is in an unsuitable state for making a call.

[0389] The non-suppression mode may be, for example, a mode in which, when a user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, a notification of the receipt of a new message is sent if the need for message notification satisfies a severity criterion, and a mode in which, when a user is in an unsuitable state for making calls, a notification of the receipt of a new message is not sent if the need for message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion. In this case, the call originating unit 130 is configured, for example, in the non-suppression mode, to call an emergency number if the need for message notification satisfies the severity criterion when a user is in an unsuitable state for making calls. The call originating unit 130 is configured, for example, in the non-suppression mode, to not call an emergency number if the need for message notification does not satisfy the severity criterion when a user is in an unsuitable state for making calls.

[0390] In this case, the suppression mode may be, for example, a mode in which a notification of the receipt of a new message is not sent when the user is in an unsuitable state for calls. In this case, the call origination unit 130 is configured, for example, not to make calls in the suppression mode. For example, when the user is in an unsuitable state for calls in the suppression mode, the call origination unit 130 makes a call to a designated phone number at the time when the user next becomes unsuitable for calls in the user's schedule information.

[0391] <Other variations> The embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure can be applied to other embodiments and modifications to the extent that no contradiction occurs.

[0392] <Other embodiments> An information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer including a memory into which a program read from a storage medium is loaded and a processor that executes the program. An information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure can also be realized by dedicated hardware. An information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure can also be realized by a combination of the computer and dedicated hardware.

[0393] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that can realize an information notification device according to the present disclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 38, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 1004. The computer 1000 can also access a storage medium 1005. The memory 1002 and the storage device 1003 are, for example, storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and a hard disk. The storage medium 1005 is, for example, a storage device such as RAM or a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a portable storage medium. The storage device 1003 may be the storage medium 1005. The processor 1001 can read and write data and programs from and to the memory 1002 and the storage device 1003. The processor 1001 can access, for example, the message server 200, the telephone 300, the schedule management device 400, and the sensor device 500 via the I / O interface 1004. The processor 1001 can access a storage medium 1005. The storage medium 1005 stores a program that causes the computer 1000 to operate as an information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure.

[0394] The processor 1001 loads a program stored in a storage medium 1005, which causes the computer 1000 to operate as an information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure, into the memory 1002. The processor 1001 then executes the program loaded into the memory 1002, causing the computer 1000 to operate as the information notification device according to an embodiment or modification of the present disclosure.

[0395] The reception detection unit 110, message acquisition unit 111, determination unit 120, state estimation unit 121, location estimation unit 122, telephone call unit 130, playback unit 140, telephone number determination unit 150, information acquisition unit 160, analysis unit 170, and instruction reception unit 180 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes programs loaded in memory 1002. The seating information acquisition unit 161, schedule acquisition unit 162, measurement result acquisition unit 163, necessity determination unit 171, related person estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, summary generation unit 175, and confidentiality determination unit 176 can be realized, for example, by the processor 1001 that executes programs loaded in memory 1002. The reception detection unit 110, message acquisition unit 111, determination unit 120, state estimation unit 121, location estimation unit 122, telephone call unit 130, reproduction unit 140, telephone number determination unit 150, information acquisition unit 160, analysis unit 170, and instruction reception unit 180 can be partly or entirely realized by dedicated circuits for realizing the functions of each unit. The seating information acquisition unit 161, schedule acquisition unit 162, measurement result acquisition unit 163, necessity determination unit 171, related party estimation unit 172, content extraction unit 173, title generation unit 174, summary generation unit 175, and confidentiality determination unit 176 can be partly or entirely realized by dedicated circuits for realizing the functions of each unit.

[0396] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0397] (Appendix 1) reception detection means for detecting the reception of a new message for the user; a determination means for determining whether the user is using a terminal device capable of checking the message; a call origination means for calling a designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, when the user is not using the terminal device; a playback means for playing back a voice message representing the contents of the message in response to a call being placed on a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned; An information notification device comprising:

[0398] (Appendix 2) a location estimation means for estimating a location where the user is staying by using information about the user's schedule; a telephone number determination means for determining the telephone number of a telephone installed at the place of stay as the designated telephone number; 2. The information notification device according to claim 1, comprising:

[0399] (Appendix 3) The location estimation means estimates the location of the user's stay using a measurement result obtained by a sensor installed in a building in which the terminal device is installed. 3. The information notification device according to claim 2.

[0400] (Appendix 4) a state estimation means for estimating whether the user's state is in an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state in which the user is not suitable for making a call, using information about the user's schedule; Equipped with The telephone call means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the user is not in the unsuitable state for calls, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is in the unsuitable state for calls. 3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0401] (Appendix 5) The state estimation means further uses the results of observation by a sensor installed in a building in which the terminal device is installed to estimate whether the user is in the unsuitable state for communication. 5. The information notification device according to claim 4.

[0402] (Appendix 6) a notification necessity determining means for determining, from the message, the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message; Equipped with the call originating means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's state is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity satisfies a seriousness criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's state is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity does not satisfy the seriousness criterion; 5. The information notification device according to claim 4.

[0403] (Appendix 7) a notification necessity determining means for determining, from the content of the message, the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message; Equipped with The telephone calling means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity satisfies a necessity criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity does not satisfy the necessity criterion. 3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0404] (Appendix 8) Confidentiality determination means for determining the confidentiality of the message from the message. Equipped with If the confidentiality satisfies a confidentiality standard indicating a standard for the level of confidentiality, the reproduction means reproduces a voice indicating the confidentiality and the pre-specified information of the message when a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned is in a busy state. 3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0405] (Appendix 9) an instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction in response to the message; Furthermore, When the received instruction is an instruction to reproduce the content of the message, the reproduction means reproduces a sound representing the content of the message. 9. The information notification device according to claim 8.

[0406] (Appendix 10) a title generating means for generating a title for the message from the message; Equipped with the reproduction means reproduces a voice representing the title in response to the telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned being in a call state; The information notification device an instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction in response to the message; Furthermore, When the received instruction is an instruction to reproduce the content of the message, the reproduction means reproduces a sound representing the content of the message. 3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0407] (Appendix 11) a related party estimation means for estimating related parties including at least one of a sender and a recipient of the message from the message; Equipped with The playback means plays back a voice representing the title and a voice representing the person involved. 11. The information notification device according to claim 10.

[0408] (Appendix 12) Detecting the receipt of a new message for the user; determining whether the user is using a terminal device that can view the message; If the user is not using the terminal device, calling a designated telephone number, the designated telephone number being a telephone number associated with the user; When a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned becomes busy, a voice representing the content of the message is played back. Information notification method.

[0409] (Appendix 13) Using information of the user's schedule, estimate a stay location, which is a location where the user is staying; The telephone number of the telephone installed at the place of stay is set as the designated telephone number. The information notification method described in Appendix 12.

[0410] (Appendix 14) The location of the user is estimated using a measurement result obtained by a sensor installed in a building where the terminal device is installed. The information notification method described in Appendix 13.

[0411] (Appendix 15) Using information about the user's schedule, estimate whether the user's state is in an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state in which the user is not suitable for making a call; If the user is not using the terminal device and the user is not in the unsuitable state for communication, a call is made to the designated telephone number, and if the user is in the unsuitable state for communication, a call is not made to the designated telephone number. An information notification method as set forth in Appendix 12 or 13.

[0412] (Appendix 16) The result of observation by a sensor installed in the building where the terminal device is installed is further used to estimate whether the user is in the unsuitable state for communication. The information notification method described in Appendix 15.

[0413] (Appendix 17) determining a notification necessity from the message, the notification necessity indicating the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message; If the user is not using the terminal device, the user's status is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity satisfies a seriousness criterion, which is a criterion for the degree of necessity, a call is made to the specified telephone number, and if the user is not using the terminal device, the user's status is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity does not satisfy the seriousness criterion, a call is not made to the specified telephone number. The information notification method described in Appendix 15.

[0414] (Appendix 18) determining notification necessity indicating the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message from the content of the message; If the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity satisfies a necessity criterion, which is a criterion for the degree of necessity, a call is made to the specified telephone number, and if the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity does not satisfy the necessity criterion, a call is not made to the specified telephone number. An information notification method as set forth in Appendix 12 or 13.

[0415] (Appendix 19) determining from the message the confidentiality of the message; If the confidentiality satisfies a confidentiality standard indicating a standard for the level of confidentiality, when a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned is in a call state, a voice indicating the confidentiality and the pre-designated information of the message is played back. An information notification method as set forth in Appendix 12 or 13.

[0416] (Appendix 20) Accepting instructions in response to the message; If the received instruction is an instruction to play back the content of the message, a sound representing the content of the message is played back. The information notification method described in Appendix 19.

[0417] (Appendix 21) generating a message title from the message; When the telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned is in a call state, a voice representing the title is played back; Accepting instructions in response to the message; If the received instruction is an instruction to play back the content of the message, a sound representing the content of the message is played back. An information notification method as set forth in Appendix 12 or 13.

[0418] (Appendix 22) Inferring from the message participants, including at least one of a sender and a recipient of the message; A voice representing the title and a voice representing the person involved are played back. The information notification method described in Appendix 21.

[0419] (Appendix 23) a reception detection process for detecting the reception of a new message for the user; a determination process for determining whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message; a call origination process for calling a designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, when the user is not using the terminal device; a playback process for playing back a voice message representing the contents of the message in response to a call being placed on a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0420] (Appendix 24) a location estimation process for estimating a location where the user is staying using information about the user's schedule; a telephone number determination process in which the telephone number of a telephone installed at the place of stay is set as the designated telephone number; 24. The program according to claim 23, which causes a computer to execute the above.

[0421] (Appendix 25) The location estimation process estimates the location of the user using a measurement result from a sensor installed in a building where the terminal device is installed. 2. The program described in Appendix 24.

[0422] (Appendix 26) A state estimation process that estimates whether the user's state is in an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state that is unsuitable for making a call, using information about the user's schedule. on the computer, The call origination process places a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the user is not in the unsuitable state for calls, and does not place a call to the designated telephone number when the user is in the unsuitable state for calls. 25. The program according to claim 23 or 24.

[0423] (Appendix 27) The state estimation process further uses the results of observations by sensors installed in a building in which the terminal device is installed to estimate whether the user is in the unsuitable state for communication. 26. The program described in Appendix 26.

[0424] (Appendix 28) A notification necessity determination process that determines, from the message, the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message. on the computer, The call origination process makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's status is the unsuitable status for making a call, and the notification necessity satisfies a seriousness criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's status is the unsuitable status for making a call, and the notification necessity does not satisfy the seriousness criterion. 26. The program described in Appendix 26.

[0425] (Appendix 29) A notification necessity determination process that determines the necessity of notifying the user of the message content from the message content. on the computer, The call origination process places a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity satisfies a necessity criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not place a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity does not satisfy the necessity criterion. 25. The program according to claim 23 or 24.

[0426] (Appendix 30) A confidentiality determination process for determining confidentiality of the message from the message. on the computer, In the reproduction process, when the confidentiality satisfies a confidentiality standard indicating a standard of the level of confidentiality, a voice indicating the confidentiality and the pre-specified information of the message is reproduced when a telephone to which the designated telephone number is assigned is in a busy state. 25. The program according to claim 23 or 24.

[0427] (Appendix 31) Instruction acceptance process for accepting instructions in response to the message Then, the computer executes When the received instruction is an instruction to reproduce the content of the message, the reproduction process reproduces a sound representing the content of the message. 30. The program described in Appendix 30.

[0428] (Appendix 32) A title generation process for generating a title for the message from the message. on the computer, The reproduction process reproduces a voice representing the title in response to the telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned being in a call state, The program Instruction acceptance process for accepting instructions in response to the message Then, the computer executes When the received instruction is an instruction to reproduce the content of the message, the reproduction process reproduces a sound representing the content of the message. 25. The program according to claim 23 or 24.

[0429] (Appendix 33) A related party estimation process for estimating related parties including at least one of a sender and a destination of the message from the message. on the computer, The playback process plays back a voice representing the title and a voice representing the person involved. 32. The program of claim 32.

[0430] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0431] 1. Information notification system 2. Information Notification System 10 Information notification device 100 Information notification device 101 Information notification device 110 Reception detection unit 111 Message acquisition unit 120 Judgment section 121 State Estimation Unit 122 Location Estimation Department 130 Telephone Outgoing Unit 140 Playback Department 150 Telephone Number Determination Unit 160 Information Acquisition Department 160A Information acquisition section 160B Information acquisition section 161 Seating Information Acquisition Unit 162 Schedule Acquisition Department 163 Measurement result acquisition section 170 Analysis Department 170A Analysis Department 170B Analysis Department 170C Analysis Department 170D Analysis Department 170E Analysis Department 170F Analysis Department 171 Necessity Determination Department 172 Related Person Estimation Department 173 Content extraction part 174 Title Generation Unit 175 Summary generator 176 Confidentiality Judgment Unit 180 Instruction Reception Department 200 Message Server 300 telephones 400 Schedule Management Device 500 Sensor Device 1000 computers 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 Storage device 1004 I / O interface 1005 Storage medium

Claims

1. reception detection means for detecting the reception of a new message for the user; a determination means for determining whether the user is using a terminal device capable of checking the message; a call origination means for calling a designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, when the user is not using the terminal device; a playback means for playing back a voice message representing the contents of the message in response to a call being placed on a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned; An information notification device comprising:

2. a location estimation means for estimating a location where the user is staying by using information about the user's schedule; a telephone number determination means for determining the telephone number of a telephone installed at the place of stay as the designated telephone number; The information notification device according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The location estimation means estimates the location of the user's stay using a measurement result obtained by a sensor installed in a building in which the terminal device is installed. The information notification device according to claim 2 .

4. a state estimation means for estimating whether the user's state is in an unsuitable state for making a call, which is defined as a state in which the user is not suitable for making a call, using information about the user's schedule; Equipped with The telephone call means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the user is not in the unsuitable state for calls, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is in the unsuitable state for calls.

3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The state estimation means further uses the results of observation by a sensor installed in a building in which the terminal device is installed to estimate whether the user is in the unsuitable state for communication. The information notification device according to claim 4.

6. a notification necessity determining means for determining, from the message, the necessity of notifying the user of the contents of the message; Equipped with the call originating means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's state is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity satisfies a seriousness criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device, the user's state is the unsuitable state for calls, and the notification necessity does not satisfy the seriousness criterion; The information notification device according to claim 4.

7. a notification necessity determining means for determining, from the content of the message, the necessity of notifying the user of the content of the message; Equipped with The telephone calling means makes a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity satisfies a necessity criterion that is a criterion for the degree of necessity, and does not make a call to the designated telephone number when the user is not using the terminal device and the notification necessity does not satisfy the necessity criterion.

3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Confidentiality determination means for determining the confidentiality of the message from the message. Equipped with If the confidentiality satisfies a confidentiality standard indicating a standard for the level of confidentiality, the reproduction means reproduces a voice indicating the confidentiality and the pre-specified information of the message when a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned is in a busy state.

3. The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Detecting the receipt of a new message for the user; determining whether the user is using a terminal device that can view the message; If the user is not using the terminal device, calling a designated telephone number, the designated telephone number being a telephone number associated with the user; When a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned becomes busy, a voice representing the content of the message is played back. Information notification method.

10. a reception detection process for detecting the reception of a new message for the user; a determination process for determining whether the user is using a terminal device that can check the message; a call origination process for calling a designated telephone number, which is a telephone number associated with the user, when the user is not using the terminal device; a playback process for playing back a voice message representing the contents of the message in response to a call being placed on a telephone set to which the designated telephone number is assigned; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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