Audio playback system

Abstract

This system provides an audio playback system that allows users to check notification information from devices on devices other than their mobile terminals. [Solution] The voice playback system 1 comprises a server 20 capable of receiving text data relating to notification information from an IoT device 50, and a water heater 10 that is connected to the server 20 in a communicative manner and capable of playing back voice data. The server 20 includes a registration unit that links and registers the IoT device 50 and the water heater 10, generates voice data relating to the notification information from the received text data relating to the notification information, and transmits it to the water heater 10 linked to the IoT device 50 that issued the notification information in the registration unit. The water heater 10 plays back the voice data relating to the notification information transmitted from the server 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a playback system including a server and a playback device capable of playing back audio data transmitted from the server.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various notifications have come to be transmitted from various devices (IoT devices) capable of communicating with the outside to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. On the mobile terminal, notification information from the device is displayed, for example, by text (sentence). Thereby, the user can confirm the notification information from the device on the mobile terminal.

[0003] Note that Patent Document 1 describes a visitor notification device that notifies a resident's terminal device that there has been a call from an intercom slave unit having a function of calling and communicating with a resident to an intercom master unit having a function of answering the call and communicating.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] On a mobile terminal, notification information can be collected from various devices and various other sources. Therefore, when a large amount of notification information has gathered on the mobile terminal, even if the notification information that the user particularly wants to confirm has been sent from the device, there is a risk that the notification information will be buried among other notification information on the mobile terminal and overlooked by the user.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an audio playback system that can give a user an opportunity to confirm notification information from a device outside a mobile terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The main aspect of the present invention relates to an audio playback system comprising a server capable of receiving text data relating to notification information from a device, and a playback device that is communicatively connected to the server and capable of playing back audio data. In the audio playback system according to this aspect, the server includes a registration unit that associates and registers the device and the playback device, generates audio data relating to the notification information from the received text data relating to the notification information, and transmits it to the playback device associated with the device that issued the notification information via the registration unit. The playback device plays back the audio data relating to the notification information transmitted from the server.

[0008] For example, if a device can communicate with a server via another server, the other server receives a notification command from the device and sends text data related to the notification information from the device to the server. Alternatively, if a device can communicate with a server without going through another server, the device sends text data related to the notification information from the device to the server.

[0009] According to the audio playback system of this embodiment, users can be given the opportunity to check notification information from a device on a device other than their mobile terminal. Therefore, it becomes less likely that users will miss notification information from a device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the present invention provides an audio playback system that can give users the opportunity to check notification information from a device on a device other than a mobile terminal.

[0011] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how to implement the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the embodiments below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a state in which an audio playback system according to an embodiment is connected to an IoT device system via an external communication network. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the circuit blocks of a water heater and a server that constitute an audio playback system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the registration unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a voice notification service according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the function of the voice notification service performed on the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the function of the voice notification service performed in a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed in the bathroom remote control of the water heater, according to modification example 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed in the bathroom remote control of the water heater, according to modification example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 shows the state in which the voice playback system 1 is connected to the IoT device system 2 via an external communication network 40.

[0015] As described below, the voice playback system 1 of this embodiment enables a user to confirm notification information from the IoT device 50 sent to the mobile terminal 90 by using the water heater 10. For this reason, in addition to its original functions such as hot water supply, the water heater 10 has a function as a playback device to output the above notification information as voice.

[0016] The voice playback system 1 includes one or more water heaters 10 and a server 20. The water heater 10 can communicate with the server 20 via the router 30 and the external communication network 40. The router 30 is a wireless router, and the external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

[0017] The water heater 10 includes a water heater 11, a bathroom remote controller 12 (hereinafter referred to as the bathroom remote 12), and a kitchen remote controller 13 (hereinafter referred to as the kitchen remote 13). The bathroom remote 12 is installed in the bathroom, and the kitchen remote 13 is installed in the kitchen or the like. The water heater 10 is one of the home equipment devices installed in the house.

[0018] The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to the bathtub, the faucet in the kitchen, the faucet in the bathroom, etc. via pipes respectively connected to the hot water outlet of the water heater 11. That is, the water heater 11 executes a hot water supply function of supplying hot water to a hot water faucet such as a faucet, a water filling function of filling the bathtub with hot water, a chasing burning function of chasing and burning the hot water in the bathtub, etc. When the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function by a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to the devices that realize these functions.

[0019] The bathroom remote 12 and the kitchen remote 13 are connected to the water heater 11 and are used to perform operations related to driving and various settings for each function of the water heater 10.

[0020] In the water heater 10, the function of communicating with the router 30, that is, the server 20, is possessed by the kitchen remote 13.

[0021] The kitchen remote control 13 obtains the address information (for example, the IP address) of the server 20, and accesses the server 20 based on this address information to communicate with the server 20. The address information of the kitchen remote control 13 is sent to the server 20 during initial setup and registered with the server 20. Furthermore, the ID information (identification information) of the kitchen remote control 13, i.e., the water heater 10, is sent from the kitchen remote control 13 to the server 20 and registered with the server 20.

[0022] Figure 2 shows the circuit blocks of the hot water supply device 10 and server 20 that constitute the audio playback system 1.

[0023] The water heater 11 comprises a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a drive unit 113, a detection unit 114, and a communication unit 115.

[0024] The control unit 111 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each part of the water heater 11 according to the control program stored in the storage unit 112. The storage unit 112 is equipped with memory and stores a predetermined control program.

[0025] The drive unit 113 is equipped with various driving means necessary for hot water supply operation, such as gas solenoid valves. The detection unit 114 includes various sensors located in the water heater 11. For example, the detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water, and a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub.

[0026] The communication unit 115 communicates with the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 according to the control unit 111. The communication unit 115 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 via two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Furthermore, the two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside the communication unit 115. Therefore, the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. As a result, a signal transmitted from any of the communication units 115, 125, or 135 is transmitted simultaneously to the other communication units.

[0027] The bathroom remote control 12 includes a display unit 121, an input unit 122, a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, a communication unit 125, a speaker 126, and a motion sensor 127.

[0028] The display unit 121 is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal panel and displays information such as the set hot water temperature and bath temperature. The input unit 122 includes operation buttons such as an operation button to switch the water heater 11 between an ON state and an OFF state, a setting button to set the hot water temperature, bath temperature, etc., and an execution button to execute each function, and accepts operation input for these operation buttons. The display unit 121 may also be a touch panel.

[0029] The control unit 123 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a control program stored in the memory unit 124. The memory unit 124 includes a memory and stores predetermined control programs.

[0030] The communication unit 125 communicates with the water heater 11 and the kitchen remote control 13 according to the control unit 123. The speaker 126 outputs sound based on the voice signal generated by the control unit 123. The motion sensor 127, acting as a human detection unit, detects people present in the bathroom.

[0031] The kitchen remote control 13 includes a display input unit 131, an operation button 132, a control unit 133, a storage unit 124, a communication unit 135, a speaker 136, and a wireless communication unit 137.

[0032] The display input unit 131 is, for example, a touch panel. The display input unit 131 displays information such as the set hot water temperature and bath temperature. The display input unit 131 also displays operation buttons such as setting buttons for setting the hot water temperature and bath temperature, and execution buttons for executing various functions, and accepts operation input for these operation buttons. The operation button 132 is a button for switching the water heater 11 between the operation on state and the operation off state.

[0033] The control unit 133 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a control program stored in the memory unit 134. The memory unit 134 includes a memory and stores predetermined control programs.

[0034] The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 and the bathroom remote control 12 according to the control unit 133. The speaker 136 outputs audio based on the audio signal generated by the control unit 133. The wireless communication unit 137 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 30.

[0035] The server 20 comprises a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a communication unit 203. The control unit 201 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a control program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 includes memory and a hard disk and stores predetermined control programs and a database. The communication unit 203 performs predetermined control according to the control from the control unit 201.

[0036] Returning to Figure 1, the voice playback system 1 is connected to the IoT device system 2 via an external communication network 40. The IoT device system 2 comprises an IoT device 50 and an IoT server 60. The IoT device 50 is a device capable of communicating with the outside world, such as an IoT intercom or a GPS terminal for children. The IoT device 50 can communicate with the IoT server 60 via a communication device 70 such as a router or base station and the external communication network 40.

[0037] The IoT device system 2 is connected to a mobile terminal 90 via an external communication network 40 and communication devices 80 such as routers and base stations. The mobile terminal 90 is a smartphone, tablet, or the like.

[0038] The IoT device 50 has a notification function that sends predetermined notification information to the mobile terminal 90. The mobile terminal 90 displays the received notification information. For example, if the IoT device 50 is an IoT intercom, when a visitor presses the call button on the intercom's sub-unit, notification information about the visitor is sent from the intercom's master unit to the mobile terminal 90 via the IoT server 60, and a message such as "You have a visitor" is displayed on the mobile terminal 90 as text. For example, if the IoT device 50 is a GPS device for children, when a child leaves school, notification information about the child leaving school is sent from the GPS device to the mobile terminal 90 via the IoT server 60, and a message such as "You have left school" is displayed on the mobile terminal 90 as text.

[0039] The mobile terminal 90 can receive a large amount of notification information from various sources. In this case, even if notification information that the user particularly wants to check is sent from the IoT device 50, there is a risk that this notification information will get buried among other notifications on the mobile terminal 90 and be missed by the user.

[0040] Therefore, a voice notification service is used, which allows users to confirm notification information from IoT device 50 to mobile terminal 90 via voice from water heater 10, using voice playback system 1. This notification service is subject to a fee, and users pay a usage fee at predetermined intervals (for example, one month).

[0041] In order for the voice playback system 1 to perform the function of the voice notification service, the storage unit 202 of the server 20 has a registration unit 202a in which the IoT device 50 and the water heater 10 are registered in association. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the registration unit 202a registers the water heater ID that identifies the water heater 10 and the user ID that belongs to the owner of the water heater 10 and is assigned to the IoT device 50 when the voice notification service is used, in association with each other.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the registration unit 202a registers permission flags that switch between an permitted state and a denied state, linked to the IoT device 50 and the water heater 10. If the usage fee for the voice notification service is paid properly, the permission flag will be in the permitted state, and if the usage fee payment is delayed, the permission flag will be in the denied state.

[0043] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the voice notification service.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, when the IoT device 50 is due to issue a predetermined notification, it sends a notification command to the IoT server 60 along with the user ID assigned to the IoT device 50. Upon receiving the notification command, the IoT server 60 sends text data related to the notification information to the mobile terminal 90 linked to the IoT device 50. Furthermore, the IoT server 60 sends the text data related to the notification information along with the user ID to the server 20.

[0045] When the mobile terminal 90 receives text data related to notification information, it displays the notification information in text format.

[0046] When server 20 receives text data related to notification information and a user ID, it generates audio data related to the notification information from the received text data. Server 20 then transmits the generated audio data related to the notification information to the water heater 10, which has a water heater ID associated with the user ID. Water heater 10 plays the audio data related to the notification information transmitted from server 20. Water heater 10 can play the audio data using the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13, and the audio of the notification information is output from the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13.

[0047] In this way, users of the voice playback service can also confirm notification information from IoT devices 50 sent to their mobile terminal 90 through voice output from the water heater 10. In particular, users can confirm notification information through voice output from the water heater 10 even when they cannot look at their mobile terminal 90, such as when cooking or bathing.

[0048] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed on server 20.

[0049] In server 20, the control unit 201 monitors whether or not it has received text data relating to notification information from IoT server 60 (S101). When the control unit 201 receives text data relating to notification information (S101: YES), it checks the user ID attached to the text data, refers to the storage unit 202, and identifies the water heater 100 associated with the IoT device 50 that issued the notification information from the water heater ID associated with the user ID (S102).

[0050] Next, the control unit 201 refers to the storage unit 202 and determines whether the permission flag associated with the identified hot water heater 10 is in the permission state (S103). Then, if the permission flag is in the permission state (S103: YES), the control unit 201 generates audio data related to the notification information from the text data related to the received notification information (S104). For example, the control unit 201 is equipped with an application program that converts text data into audio data.

[0051] The control unit 201 transmits the generated notification information audio data to the identified hot water heater 10 (S105). In this way, if the usage fee has been paid properly, the notification information audio data is generated and transmitted to the identified hot water heater 10.

[0052] On the other hand, the control unit 201 terminates processing if the permission flag is in the permission state (S103: YES). In this way, if payment of usage fees is overdue, the voice data related to the notification information is not generated and is not sent to the identified hot water heater 10.

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed in the hot water supply device 10.

[0054] In the water heater 10, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 performs processing related to the function of the voice notification service.

[0055] The control unit 133 monitors whether it has received audio data related to notification information from the server 20 (S201). When the control unit 133 receives audio data related to notification information (S201: YES), it determines whether the water heater 11 is supplying hot water (S202). The control unit 111 of the water heater 11 sends an operation signal to the control unit 133 while supplying hot water to the bathtub and hot water tap. This allows the control unit 133 to determine whether or not it is supplying hot water.

[0056] When the water heater 11 is supplying hot water, there is a high probability that a user is in the kitchen, bathroom, or near these rooms. Therefore, if the water heater 11 is supplying hot water (S202: YES), the control unit 133 plays audio data related to the notification information (S203). That is, the control unit 133 outputs the notification information by voice from the speaker 136. Furthermore, the control unit 133 transmits audio data related to the notification information to the bathroom remote control 12, instructing it to output the notification information by voice from the speaker 126.

[0057] On the other hand, if the water heater 11 is not supplying hot water (S202:YES), the control unit 133 temporarily stores the audio data related to the notification information in the storage unit 134 (S204). Then, when the water heater 11 starts supplying hot water (S205:YES), the control unit 133 plays back the audio data related to the notification information (S203).

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 133 may play the audio data related to the notification information once when hot water is not being supplied, and play it again when hot water supply starts. In addition, the audio data related to the notification information may be played by only one of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13.

[0059] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0060] In the voice playback system 1, the server 20 is equipped with a registration unit 202a that links and registers the IoT device 50 and the water heater 10. The registration unit 202a generates voice data related to the notification information from the text data related to the received notification information and transmits it to the water heater 10 linked to the IoT device 50 that issued the notification information. The water heater 10 then plays back the voice data related to the notification information transmitted from the server 20. This gives the user an opportunity to check the notification information from the IoT device 50 on a device other than the mobile terminal 90. Therefore, the notification information from the IoT device 50 is less likely to be missed by the user.

[0061] Furthermore, since the hot water heater 10, which is a residential equipment, can be used to play back audio data related to notification information, users inside the house can easily receive notification information from IoT devices 50 sent to their mobile terminals 90.

[0062] Furthermore, the server 20 is linked to the water heater 10 and has a permission flag that switches between an permitted state and a denied state. When the permission flag is in the permitted state, it sends audio data related to the notification information to the water heater 10. This ensures that the audio data related to the notification information is sent only to water heaters 10 that have been granted permission, for example, because the usage fee has been paid properly.

[0063] Furthermore, when the water heater 10 receives audio data related to notification information, it plays the audio data related to the notification information via at least one of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 while the water heater 11 is supplying hot and cold water. This ensures that notification information is output from the bathroom remote control 12 or the kitchen remote control 13 when there is a high probability that a user is in the kitchen, bathroom, or near these rooms, making it easier for the user to see the notification information.

[0064] <Example of change 1> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed in the bathroom remote control 12 of the water heater 10, according to modification example 1.

[0065] In the water heater 10, the process related to the voice notification service function shown in Figure 6 can be executed in parallel with, or instead of, the process related to the voice notification service function shown in Figure 6 in the bathroom remote control 12.

[0066] In the bathroom remote control 12, the control unit 123 monitors whether or not it has received audio data related to notification information from the server 20 (S301). The control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 transmits the received audio data related to the notification information to the bathroom remote control 12.

[0067] When the control unit 123 receives audio data related to notification information (S301: YES), it determines whether or not the user is in the bathtub (S302).

[0068] When a person enters a bathtub filled with hot water, the water level in the bathtub rises. The water heater 11 can detect the change in water level due to a person entering the bathtub using the water level sensor in the detection unit 114. The control unit 111 of the water heater 11, acting as a bathing detection unit, detects when a person is bathing in the bathtub based on the detection result of the water level sensor. The bathing detection result is transmitted from the control unit 111 to the bathroom remote control 12 as it occurs.

[0069] When the user is in the bathtub, there is a high probability that they will be able to clearly hear the sound output from the speaker 126 of the bathroom remote control 12. Therefore, when the user is in the bathtub (S302: YES), the control unit 123 plays the audio data related to the notification information (S303). That is, the control unit 123 outputs the notification information by voice from the speaker 126.

[0070] On the other hand, if the user is not bathing in the bathtub (S302: NO), the control unit 123 temporarily stores the audio data related to the notification information in the storage unit 124 (S304). Then, when the user starts bathing in the bathtub (S305: YES), the control unit 123 plays back the audio data related to the notification information (S303).

[0071] The control unit 123 may also play the audio data related to the notification information once when the user is not in the bathtub, and play it again when the user starts bathing in the bathtub.

[0072] According to this modification example, notification information is output from the bathroom remote control 12 while the user is bathing in the bathtub, making it easier for the user to see the notification information.

[0073] <Example of change 2> Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the voice notification service function performed in the bathroom remote control 12 of the water heater 10, according to modification example 2.

[0074] In the water heater 10, the process related to the voice notification service function shown in Figure 6 can be executed in parallel with, or instead of, the process related to the voice notification service function shown in Figure 6 in the bathroom remote control 12.

[0075] In the bathroom remote control 12, the control unit 123 monitors whether or not it has received audio data related to notification information from the server 20 (S401). The control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 transmits the received audio data related to the notification information to the bathroom remote control 12.

[0076] When the control unit 123 receives audio data related to notification information (S401: YES), it determines whether or not a person is present in the bathroom based on the detection result from the human presence sensor 127 (S402).

[0077] When the user is in the bathroom, there is a high probability that they will hear the sound output from the speaker 126 of the bathroom remote control 12. Therefore, if a person is present in the bathroom (S402: YES), the control unit 123 plays the audio data related to the notification information (S403). That is, the control unit 123 outputs the notification information by voice from the speaker 126.

[0078] On the other hand, if there is no person in the bathroom (S402: NO), the control unit 123 temporarily stores the audio data related to the notification information in the storage unit 124 (S404). Then, when a person enters the bathroom, that is, when the motion sensor 127 detects the presence of a person (S405: YES), the control unit 123 plays back the audio data related to the notification information (S403).

[0079] The control unit 123 may also play the audio data related to the notification information once when no one is present in the bathroom, and then play it again when someone enters the bathroom.

[0080] According to this modification example, notification information is output from the bathroom remote control 12 when the user is in the bathroom, making it easier for the user to see the notification information.

[0081] <Other examples of changes> The processing related to the voice notification service function in Figure 6 may be performed not by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13, but by the control unit 123 of the bathroom remote control 12 or the control unit 111 of the water heater 11.

[0082] Furthermore, when the hot water heater 10 receives audio data related to notification information from the server 20, it may play back the received audio data related to the notification information, regardless of whether the water heater 11 is supplying hot water, whether someone is bathing in the bathtub, or whether there is a person in the bathroom.

[0083] Furthermore, the server 20 may be connected to the IoT device 50 in a communicative manner without going through the IoT server 60. In this case, the IoT device 50 sends text data related to notification information to the server 20.

[0084] Furthermore, the switching between the permitted and denied states of the permission flag in the storage unit 202 of the server 20 is not limited to whether or not the usage fee has been paid. For example, the user may be able to select whether or not to permit the transmission of notification information to the water heater 10 using a kitchen remote control 13 or the like, and the permission flag may be switched to the permitted or denied state based on the permission or denial selection result notified to the server 20 from the water heater 10.

[0085] Furthermore, the hot water supply system 10 is not limited to one that uses gas fuel, but may also be a hot water supply system that uses oil as fuel. The hot water supply system 10 may be a storage type that uses a storage tank, and may also be configured to include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell. Furthermore, the hot water supply system 10 may be a heat pump type that heats water in the storage tank using a heat pump unit.

[0086] Furthermore, the audio playback system 1 may be composed of other residential equipment besides the water heater 10, such as a stove, range hood, heated toilet seat, etc., and a server 20. Also, the audio playback system 1 may include multiple residential equipment of different types, such as the water heater 10 and stove, as playback devices. Furthermore, the audio playback system 1 may be composed of audio playback devices other than residential equipment and a server.

[0087] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 1. Audio playback system 10. Hot water supply equipment (residential equipment, regeneration equipment) 11. Water heater 12 Bathroom remote control 13 Kitchen remote control 20 servers 50 IoT devices (equipment) 90 Mobile devices 111 Control Unit (Bathing Detection Unit) 127 Human presence sensor (human detection unit)

Claims

1. A voice playback system comprising a server capable of receiving text data relating to notification information from a device, and a playback device that is connected to the server in a manner that allows communication and is capable of playing back voice data, The aforementioned server, The device includes a registration unit that links and registers the aforementioned equipment and the aforementioned playback device. The registration unit generates audio data related to the notification information from the text data related to the received notification information and transmits it to the playback device linked to the device that issued the notification information. The aforementioned playback device is The audio data relating to the notification information transmitted from the server is played back. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

2. In the audio playback system according to claim 1, The aforementioned server, The hot water supply device is linked to a permission flag that switches between an permitted state and a dispermitted state, If the permission flag is in the permission state, the audio data relating to the notification information is transmitted to the playback device. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

3. In the audio playback system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned regeneration device is a residential equipment. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

4. In the audio playback system according to claim 3, The aforementioned residential equipment includes a hot water supply system, The aforementioned hot water supply device is It has a water heater, a bathroom remote control installed in the bathroom, and a kitchen remote control installed in the kitchen. When audio data relating to the notification information is received, the audio data relating to the notification information is played back by at least one of the bathroom remote control and the kitchen remote control while the water heater is supplying hot and cold water. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

5. In the audio playback system according to claim 3, The aforementioned residential equipment includes a hot water supply system, The aforementioned hot water supply device is It has a bathroom remote control installed in the bathroom and a bath detection unit that detects whether or not someone is bathing in the bathtub. When audio data relating to the notification information is received, and the bathing detection unit detects that the person is bathing in the bathtub, the bathroom remote control plays the audio data relating to the notification information. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

6. In the audio playback system according to claim 3, The aforementioned residential equipment includes a hot water supply system, The aforementioned hot water supply device is It comprises a bathroom remote control installed in the bathroom and a human detection unit that detects whether or not a person is present in the bathroom. When audio data relating to the notification information is received, and the presence detection unit detects that a person is present in the bathroom, the bathroom remote control plays the audio data relating to the notification information. A voice playback system characterized by the following features.

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