Notification system, notification method and device

Abstract

The notification system (2) includes a speech device (8) operated by a user (12) and a server device (6) capable of communicating with the speech device (8) via a network (10). The server device (6) has a communication unit (18) that transmits sound source data to the speech device (8). The speech device (8) has a communication unit (30) that receives the sound source data from the server device (6) and a playback unit (36) that plays the sound source data received by the communication unit (30). When the sound source data has not been played for a predetermined period, the playback unit (36) of the speech device (8) plays specific sound source data for notifying the user (12) of predetermined content, triggered by the operation of the speech device (8) by the user (12) or the approach of the user (12) to the speech device (8).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification system, a notification method, a server device, and a device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a speech device having a speech function that produces speech by reproducing sound source data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of speech device downloads sound source data for notifying a user of the occurrence of an event from a server device every time the event occurs in the information source device, and reproduces the downloaded sound source data. This allows the user to recognize that an event has occurred in the information source device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-46424 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a notification system, a notification method, a server device, and a device that can notify a user that the device has fallen into a state in which it is unable to play back audio source data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The notification system of the present disclosure is a notification system comprising an appliance operated by a user and a server device capable of communicating with the appliance via a network, wherein the server device has a first communication unit that transmits sound source data to the appliance, and the appliance has a second communication unit that receives the sound source data from the server device and a playback unit that plays the sound source data received by the second communication unit, and when the sound source data has not been played for a predetermined period of time, the playback unit of the appliance is triggered by the user operating the appliance or the user approaching the appliance to play specific sound source data to notify the user of predetermined content. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the notification system etc. of the present disclosure, it is possible to make a user aware that the device has fallen into a state in which it is unable to play back audio source data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a notification system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a first operational flow of the notification system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a first operation of the notification system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation flow of the notification system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a second operation of the notification system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Findings on which this disclosure is based) The present inventors have found that the conventional techniques described in the "Background Art" section have the following problems.

[0009] In the conventional technology described above, if for some reason the speaking device falls into a state where it is unable to play back audio source data, but the main functions of the speaking device can still be used, there is a problem that the user does not realize that the speaking device is now in a state where it is unable to play back audio source data.

[0010] Therefore, after extensive research, the inventors have devised a notification system, notification method, server device and device that can notify a user that the device has fallen into a state in which it is unable to play back audio source data.

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0012] It should be noted that the inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and they do not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

[0014] [1. Notification System Overview] First, an overview of a notification system 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a notification system 2 according to an embodiment.

[0015] 1, the notification system 2 includes an information source device 4, an external information source 5, a server device 6, and a speech device 8 (an example of a device). The information source device 4, the external information source 5, the server device 6, and the speech device 8 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 10. The network 10 is, for example, the Internet. The information source device 4 and the speech device 8 are installed in, for example, a home 14 of a user 12.

[0016] The information source device 4 is a home appliance operated by the user 12, for example, a washing machine. Every time an event (for example, "washing completed") occurs in the information source device 4, the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating the event to the server device 6. Note that in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the information source device 4 is a washing machine, but the information source device 4 is not limited to this, and may be any home appliance, such as a television receiver, an air conditioner, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a rice cooker, an autonomous robot vacuum cleaner, an air purifier, etc.

[0017] The external information source 5 is an information source (such as a server) that provides information on services not directly related to the speech device 8, such as weather information and delivery information for home delivery services.

[0018] The server device 6 is a cloud server for controlling the speech content of the speech device 8. When the server device 6 receives an operation log from the information source device 4, it transmits sound source data of the speech content corresponding to the operation log (for example, "The laundry is done.") to the speech device 8. The server device 6 may set the speech content of the speech device 8 based on information acquired from the external information source 5.

[0019] The speech device 8 is a home appliance having a speaker 38 (see FIG. 2 described later) operated by the user 12. Specifically, the speech device 8 is a home appliance having a speech function for uttering a voice from the speaker 38, and is, for example, a stationary, wall-mounted, or portable television receiver. Every time the speech device 8 receives sound source data from the server device 6, the speech device 8 utters a voice (for example, a voice with the content of the utterance "The laundry is done") by reproducing the received sound source data. This allows the user 12 to recognize an event that has occurred in the information source device 4. Note that, in this embodiment, a case where the speech device 8 is a television receiver will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the speech device 8 may be any home appliance equipped with a speaker, such as an autonomous robot vacuum cleaner, a ceiling light, or an intercom slave (so-called a door phone).

[0020] [2. Functional configuration of the notification system] Next, a functional configuration of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0021] 2, the information source device 4 has, as a functional configuration, a communication unit 16. Every time an event occurs in the information source device 4, the communication unit 16 transmits to the server device 6 an operation log indicating the event.

[0022] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the server device 6 has, as its functional configuration, a communication unit 18 (an example of a second communication unit), an acquisition unit 20, a reception unit 22, a memory unit 24, an identification unit 26, and a sound source data extraction unit 28.

[0023] The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various data between the information source device 4 and the speech device 8. Specifically, the communication unit 18 receives an operation log from the information source device 4. In addition, the communication unit 18 transmits the sound source data extracted by the sound source data extraction unit 28 to the speech device 8.

[0024] The acquisition unit 20 acquires the operation log received by the communication unit 18, and outputs the acquired operation log to the sound source data extraction unit .

[0025] The reception unit 22 receives settings (hereinafter, referred to as "reproduction settings") made by the user 12 via the communication unit 18 regarding the reproduction of sound source data, and outputs the contents of the received reproduction settings to the sound source data extraction unit 28. Here, the "settings regarding the reproduction of sound source data" are, for example, the content to be uttered by the speech device 8, the timing of utterance by the speech device 8, and the like. For example, the user 12 selects "weather forecast" as the content to be uttered by the speech device 8, and selects "8:00 a.m. every day" as the timing of utterance by the speech device 8, by operating the speech device 8 or a mobile terminal (not shown) such as a smartphone. When the user 12 sets the reproduction settings in this way, the communication unit 18 acquires sound source data of the weather forecast content from, for example, the external information source 5, and stores the acquired sound source data of the weather forecast content in the storage unit 24. Then, the communication unit 18 transmits the sound source data of the weather forecast content stored in the storage unit 24 to the speech device 8. As a result, the sound source data of the weather forecast content is reproduced by the speech device 8 at 8 am every day.

[0026] The storage unit 24 is a memory that stores various kinds of sound source data. Specifically, the storage unit 24 stores, for example, (a) sound source data for notifying the user 12 of an event that has occurred in the information source device 4 (hereinafter, also referred to as "sound source data for event notification"); (b) sound source data for notifying the user 12 of a content set for playback (hereinafter, also referred to as "sound source data for content notification"); (c) sound source data for notifying the user 12 that a communication error has occurred (an example of a predetermined content) in the communication between the server device 6 and the speaking device 8 (hereinafter, also referred to as "sound source data for communication error notification") (an example of specific sound source data); and (d) sound source data for notifying the user 12 that a review of the content of the playback setting (an example of a predetermined content) is encouraged (hereinafter, also referred to as "sound source data for reconfiguration notification") (an example of specific sound source data). The sound source data for content notification is acquired by the communication unit 18, for example, from the external information source 5, and stored in the storage unit 24.

[0027] The storage unit 24 also stores speech history information indicating the speech history of the speech device 8 (i.e., the playback history of sound source data in the speech device 8), which is generated based on the extraction result of the sound source data extraction unit 28 described later.

[0028] The identifying unit 26 refers to the speech record information stored in the storage unit 24 to identify a speech device 8 for which sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period (e.g., one month) due to the contents of the reproduction setting accepted by the accepting unit 22. For example, if the user 12 has not selected any content to be reproduced by the speech device 8 through the reproduction setting, the speech device 8 does not reproduce sound source data for content notification. In such a case, the identifying unit 26 identifies a speech device 8 for which sound source data for content notification has not been reproduced for a predetermined period, and adds the identified speech device 8 to the candidate list. Note that the identifying unit 26 may identify a speech device 8 for which sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period at a predetermined cycle (e.g., every hour). In addition, the phrase "due to the contents of the reproduction setting accepted by the accepting unit 22" does not include a case where the user 12 intentionally turns off the voice notification in the speech device 8.

[0029] Based on the operation log from the acquisition unit 20, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts, from the storage unit 24, sound source data for event notification corresponding to the operation log. For example, when the acquisition unit 20 acquires an operation log indicating an event "washing completed", the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts, from the storage unit 24, sound source data for event notification of the utterance content "washing is completed" corresponding to the operation log.

[0030] Furthermore, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts sound source data for content notification corresponding to the playback setting from the storage unit 24, based on the content of the playback setting accepted by the acceptance unit 22. For example, when the user 12 performs a playback setting to select “weather forecast” as the content to be spoken by the speaking device 8, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts sound source data for content notification of the spoken content related to the weather forecast from the storage unit 24.

[0031] Furthermore, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts sound source data for communication error notification, for example, "Please check the network connection status" from the storage unit 24, when the server device 6 and the speech device 8 are connected for the first time. Note that the "first connection" refers to the first connection between the speech device 8 and the server device 6 via the network 10 after the speech device 8 is installed.

[0032] In addition, when the speech device 8 is identified by the identification unit 26, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts sound source data for a reconfiguration notification of the speech content, for example, "Why don't you review the settings on the setting screen?"

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the speech device 8 includes, as its functional components, a communication unit 30 (an example of a second communication unit), a detection unit 32, a storage unit 34, a playback unit 36, and a speaker 38.

[0034] The communication unit 30 transmits and receives various data and the like to and from the server device 6 via the network 10. Specifically, the communication unit 30 receives sound source data from the server device 6, and stores the received sound source data in the storage unit 34.

[0035] The detection unit 32 monitors the communication state between the server device 6 and the speech device 8, and detects a communication error (e.g., network disconnection) in the communication between the server device 6 and the speech device 8. Note that while a communication error occurs in the communication between the server device 6 and the speech device 8, the communication unit 30 cannot receive sound source data from the server device 6.

[0036] The storage unit 34 is a memory that stores the sound source data (sound source data for event notification, sound source data for content notification, sound source data for communication error notification, and sound source data for resetting notification) received by the communication unit 30. The sound source data for communication error notification may be stored in advance as built-in sound source data in the storage unit 34 when the speaking device 8 is shipped from the factory. The sound source data for event notification, sound source data for content notification, and sound source data for resetting notification may be discarded from the storage unit 34 after being played back by the playback unit 36.

[0037] Each time the communication unit 30 receives sound source data for event notification and sound source data for content notification, the playback unit 36 ​​reads out the received sound source data for event notification and sound source data for content notification from the memory unit 34 and plays them.

[0038] Furthermore, when a communication error is detected by the detection unit 32, the reproduction unit 36 ​​measures the time that has elapsed since the detection of the communication error. When the measured elapsed time reaches a predetermined period (for example, one hour) (i.e., when the period during which the communication error is detected by the detection unit 32 reaches the predetermined period), the reproduction unit 36 ​​reproduces the sound source data for notifying the communication error that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 34, triggered by the user 12 operating the speech device 8 (for example, turning on the power of the speech device 8 by operating a remote control). Note that when the communication error in the communication between the server device 6 and the speech device 8 is resolved and the detection unit 32 no longer detects the communication error, the reproduction unit 36 ​​resets the measured elapsed time.

[0039] In addition, when sound source data for reconfiguration notification is received by the communication unit 30, the playback unit 36 ​​reads the received sound source data for reconfiguration notification from the memory unit 34 and plays it, triggered by the user 12 operating the speaking device 8.

[0040] The speaker 38 outputs the notification content represented by the sound source data reproduced by the reproduction unit 36 ​​in a voice form.

[0041] [3. Notification system operation] [3-1. First Operation of the Notification System] Next, a first operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of the first operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 connects to the server device 6 via the network 10 for the first time (S101).

[0043] Next, when the sound source data extraction unit 28 of the server device 6 detects an initial connection with the speaking device 8 via the communication unit 18, it extracts sound source data for communication error notification from the storage unit 24. Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits the sound source data for communication error notification extracted by the sound source data extraction unit 28 to the speaking device 8 (S102).

[0044] Next, the communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the sound source data for notifying the communication error from the server device 6 (S103), and stores the received sound source data for notifying the communication error in the storage unit 34 (S104).

[0045] Next, when an event occurs in the information source device 4, the communication unit 16 of the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating the event to the server device 6 (S105).

[0046] Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 receives the operation log from the information source device 4 (S106), and outputs the received operation log to the acquisition unit 20. The acquisition unit 20 acquires the operation log received by the communication unit 18, and outputs the acquired operation log to the sound source data extraction unit 28. Based on the operation log from the acquisition unit 20, the sound source data extraction unit 28 extracts sound source data for event notification corresponding to the operation log from the storage unit 24.

[0047] Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits the sound source data for event notification extracted by the sound source data extraction unit 28 to the speech device 8 (S107).

[0048] Next, the communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the sound source data for event notification from the server device 6 (S108), and stores the received sound source data for event notification in the storage unit 34. Next, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speech device 8 reads out the sound source data for event notification received by the communication unit 30 from the storage unit 34, and plays it (S109).

[0049] When no communication error is detected by the detector 32 of the utterance device 8, the above-mentioned steps S105 to S109 are repeatedly executed. In addition to the above-mentioned steps S105 to S109, the communicator 18 of the server device 6 may transmit sound source data for content notification to the utterance device 8.

[0050] Thereafter, when a communication error is detected by the detector 32 of the utterance device 8 (S110), the player 36 of the utterance device 8 measures the elapsed time since the detector 32 detected the communication error (S111).

[0051] During the period in which the detector 32 of the utterance device 8 detects a communication error, the communicator 30 of the utterance device 8 cannot receive the sound source data (the sound source data for event notification and the sound source data for content notification) from the server device 6. Therefore, as shown in (a) of Fig. 4, the player 36 of the utterance device 8 does not play the sound source data (the sound source data for event notification and the sound source data for content notification) during this period.

[0052] Next, when the measured elapsed time reaches a predetermined period (e.g., one hour) (S112), the playback unit 36 ​​is triggered by the operation of the speaking device 8 by the user 12 (S113) and plays the sound source data for communication error notification stored in advance in the storage unit 34 (S114). As a result, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the speaking device 8 plays the sound source data for communication error notification, for example, with the content of the message "Please check the network connection status", after not playing the sound source data for a predetermined period.

[0053] As a result, the user 12 can be made aware that a communication error in communication between the server device 6 and the speaking device 8 has caused the speaking device 8 to fall into a state in which it is unable to play back sound source data (sound source data for event notification and sound source data for content notification).

[0054] [3-2. Second operation of the notification system] Next, a second operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the second operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the second operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0055] In the following description, it is assumed that since the last time sound source data (e.g., sound source data for event notification) was played on the utterance device 8, the user 12 has not selected any content to be spoken on the utterance device 8 through playback settings, and no event has occurred on the information source device 4. Therefore, as shown in (a) of Fig. 6, since the last time sound source data was played on the utterance device 8, no sound source data (sound source data for event notification and sound source data for content notification) has been played back.

[0056] 5, the identifying unit 26 of the server device 6 refers to the speech record information stored in the storage unit 24 to identify a speech device 8 whose sound source data has not been played by the playback unit 36 ​​for a predetermined period (e.g., one month) due to the contents of the playback setting accepted by the accepting unit 22 (e.g., due to the user 12 not selecting any content to be spoken by the speech device 8 through the playback setting) (S201). Then, the identifying unit 26 adds the identified speech device 8 to a candidate list.

[0057] Next, the sound source data extraction unit 28 of the server device 6 extracts sound source data for a resetting notification of the utterance content, for example, "Why don't you review the settings on the setting screen?" from the storage unit 24. Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits the sound source data for the resetting notification extracted by the sound source data extraction unit 28 to the speech device 8 identified by the identification unit 26 (i.e., added to the candidate list) (S202).

[0058] Next, the communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the sound source data for the resetting notification from the server device 6 (S203), and stores the received sound source data for the resetting notification in the storage unit .

[0059] Next, the playback unit 36 ​​of the utterance device 8 is triggered by the operation of the utterance device 8 by the user 12 (S204), and reads out from the storage unit 34 the sound source data for the resetting notification received by the communication unit 30 and plays it (S205). As a result, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the utterance device 8 plays back the sound source data for the resetting notification of the spoken content, for example, "Why don't you review the settings on the setting screen?"

[0060] As a result, the user 12 can be made aware that the speech device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to play back sound source data (sound source data for event notification and sound source data for content notification) due to the content of the playback settings made by the user 12.

[0061] In this embodiment, the sound data for the reconfiguration notification is sound data representing the spoken content of "Why don't you review the settings on the setting screen?" However, this is not limited to this, and the sound data may be sound data representing the voice spoken by the personified speaking device 8 (for example, yawning, sneezing, a quiz, etc.).

[0062] [4. Effects] A notification system 2 according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a notification system including a speech device 8 operated by a user 12, and a server device 6 capable of communicating with the speech device 8 via a network 10. The server device 6 has a communication unit 18 that transmits sound source data to the speech device 8. The speech device 8 has a communication unit 30 that receives the sound source data from the server device 6, and a playback unit 36 ​​that plays the sound source data received by the communication unit 30. When the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speech device 8 is triggered by the operation of the speech device 8 by the user 12 to play back specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content.

[0063] According to this, when sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period of time, the reproduction unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 can reproduce specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content at a timing when the user 12 is near the speaking device 8. As a result, the user 12 can be made aware that the speaking device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce sound source data.

[0064] In the notification system 2 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the speaking device 8 further includes a detection unit 32 that detects a communication error in communication between the speaking device 8 and the server device 6, and a storage unit 34 that stores specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 that a communication error has occurred. The playback unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 (i) plays the sound source data every time the communication unit 30 receives the sound source data when the detection unit 32 has not detected a communication error, and (ii) plays the specific sound source data previously stored in the storage unit 34 when the detection unit 32 has detected a communication error, triggered by the user 12 operating the speaking device 8 after the period during which the communication error has been detected has reached a predetermined period.

[0065] This makes it possible to notify the user 12 that the speech device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce the sound source data due to a communication error in the communication between the server device 6 and the speech device 8.

[0066] Furthermore, in the notification system 2 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits specific sound source data to the speech device 8 when the speech device 8 and the server device 6 are connected for the first time. The communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the specific sound source data from the server device 6. The storage unit 34 of the speech device 8 stores the specific sound source data received by the communication unit 30.

[0067] This allows the specific sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 34 to be reliably reproduced even if the speaking device 8 is unable to receive the sound source data from the server device 6 due to a communication error.

[0068] In addition, in the notification system 2 according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, the server device 6 further includes a receiving unit 22 that receives settings related to the reproduction of sound source data by the user 12, and an identifying unit 26 that identifies a speech device 8 for which sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period due to the contents of the settings. When the speech device 8 is identified by the identifying unit 26, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits specific sound source data to the speech device 8 identified by the identifying unit 26, for notifying the user 12 that the content of the settings should be reviewed. The communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the specific sound source data from the server device 6. The reproduction unit 36 ​​of the speech device 8 reproduces the specific sound source data received by the communication unit 30.

[0069] This makes it possible to make the user 12 aware that the speech device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce sound source data due to the contents of the reproduction settings made by the user 12.

[0070] In the notification system 2 according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the specific sound source data in the fourth aspect is sound source data indicating a voice uttered by the personified speaking device 8.

[0071] This can reduce the annoyance felt by the user 12 when listening to specific sound source data being reproduced.

[0072] A notification method according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a notification method in a notification system 2 including a speech device 8 operated by a user 12 and a server device 6 capable of communicating with the speech device 8 via a network 10. The notification method includes the steps of (a) the server device 6 transmitting sound source data to the speech device 8, (b) the speech device 8 receiving the sound source data from the server device 6, (c) the speech device 8 playing the sound source data received in (b) above, and (d) when the speech device 8 has not played back the sound source data for a predetermined period of time, playing specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content, triggered by the speech device 8 being operated by the user 12.

[0073] According to this, when the sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period of time, the utterance device 8 can reproduce specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content at a timing when the user 12 is near the utterance device 8. As a result, the user 12 can be made aware that the utterance device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce the sound source data.

[0074] A server device 6 according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a server device capable of communicating with a speech device 8 operated by a user 12 via a network 10. The server device 6 includes a communication unit 18 that transmits sound source data to the speech device 8, a storage unit 24 that stores the sound source data and speech performance information indicating the performance of playback of the sound source data on the speech device 8, and an identification unit 26 that identifies a speech device 8 for which the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time based on the speech performance information stored in the storage unit 24. The communication unit 18 transmits specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content to the speech device 8 identified by the identification unit 26.

[0075] This makes it possible to make the user 12 aware that the speech device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce the sound source data, in the same manner as described above.

[0076] The speech device 8 according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a speech device that is operated by a user 12 and is capable of communicating with a server device 6 via a network 10. The speech device 8 includes a communication unit 30 that receives sound source data from the server device 6, and a playback unit 36 ​​that plays the sound source data received by the communication unit 30. When the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time, the playback unit 36 ​​is triggered by the operation of the speech device 8 by the user 12 to play back specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 of predetermined content.

[0077] This makes it possible to make the user 12 aware that the speech device 8 has fallen into a state in which it is unable to reproduce the sound source data, in the same manner as described above.

[0078] (Variations, etc.) As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment to create a new embodiment.

[0079] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 plays back the sound source data for communication error notification or the sound source data for resetting notification when the user 12 operates the speaking device 8 as a trigger when the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 may play back the sound source data for communication error notification or the sound source data for resetting notification when the user 12 approaches the speaking device 8, triggered by a human presence sensor arranged on the speaking device 8.

[0081] In addition, in the above embodiment, the information source device 4 and the utterance device 8 are separate devices, but this is not limiting, and the information source device 4 and the utterance device 8 may be the same device.

[0082] In the above embodiment, each component may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0083] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the notification system 2 according to each of the above-described embodiments may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0084] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. For this purpose, the attached drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0085] Therefore, among the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description, not only are there components essential for solving the problem, but there may also be components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that such non-essential components are described in the attached drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that such non-essential components are essential.

[0086] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology in the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0087] The present disclosure is applicable, for example, as a notification system in which, every time an event occurs in an information source device, a speech device notifies a user of the occurrence of the event by voice. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 2. Notification System 4 Information source device 5 External information sources 6 Server equipment 8. Speaking Devices 10 Network 12 users 14 Home 16,18,30 Communications Department 20 Acquisition Department 22 Reception 24,34 Storage part 26 Specific section 28 Audio source data extraction section 32 Detection unit 36 Playback Department 38 Speaker

Claims

1. A notification system including a device operated by a user and a server device capable of communicating with the device via a network, the server device has a first communication unit that transmits sound source data to the device; The device comprises: A second communication unit that receives sound source data from the server device; a playback unit that plays back the sound source data received by the second communication unit; a detection unit that detects a communication error in communication between the device and the server device; A storage unit that stores specific sound source data, The playback unit of the device (i) plays the sound source data every time the sound source data is received by the second communication unit when the detection unit has not detected the communication error, and (ii) when the detection unit detects the communication error, plays the specific sound source data, which is pre-stored in the storage unit and is used to notify the user that the communication error has occurred, triggered by the user operating the device or the user approaching the device after a period during which the communication error has been detected reaches a predetermined period. Notification system.

2. the first communication unit of the server device transmits the specific sound source data to the device when the device and the server device are connected to each other for the first time; the second communication unit of the device receives the specific sound source data from the server device; The storage unit of the device stores the specific sound source data received by the second communication unit. The notification system of claim 1 .

3. The server device further comprises: a reception unit for receiving settings related to the reproduction of the sound source data by the user; an identification unit that identifies the device in which sound source data has not been reproduced for a predetermined period of time due to the content of the setting, the first communication unit of the server device, when the device is identified by the identification unit, transmits the specific sound source data to the device identified by the identification unit, the specific sound source data being used to notify the user of a request to review the settings; the second communication unit of the device receives the specific sound source data from the server device; The playback unit of the device plays back the specific sound source data received by the second communication unit. The notification system of claim 1 .

4. A notification method in a notification system including a device operated by a user and a server device capable of communicating with the device via a network, comprising: (a) the server device transmitting sound source data to the device; (b) receiving, by the device, sound source data from the server device; (c) the device playing the sound source data received in (b); (d) detecting, by the device, a communication error in communication between the device and the server device; (e) the device (i) reproduces the sound source data every time the sound source data is received in (b) if the communication error is not detected in (d), and (ii) if the communication error is detected in (d), reproduces specific sound source data, which is pre-stored in a storage unit and is used to notify the user of the occurrence of the communication error, triggered by the user operating the device or the user approaching the device after a period during which the communication error has been detected reaches a predetermined period. Notification method.

5. A device that is operated by a user and is capable of communicating with a server device via a network, A communication unit that receives sound source data from the server device; a playback unit that plays back the sound source data received by the communication unit; a detection unit that detects a communication error in communication between the device and the server device; A storage unit that stores specific sound source data, The playback unit (i) plays back the sound source data every time the sound source data is received by the communication unit when the detection unit has not detected the communication error, and (ii) when the detection unit detects the communication error, plays back the specific sound source data, which is pre-stored in the storage unit and is used to notify the user that the communication error has occurred, triggered by the user operating the device or the user approaching the device after a period during which the communication error has been detected reaches a predetermined period. device.

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