Audio data playback system

Abstract

To provide a voice data reproduction system that distributes one or more types of voice data from a plurality of types of voice data to selected one or more speaker devices.SOLUTION: A voice data reproduction system 1 includes: a management device 3; and a plurality of speaker devices 5 that reproduces voice data. Each of the speaker devices 5 includes an identifier storage unit 5A that stores a unique specific identifier for identifying the speaker device 5. The management device 3 includes a voice data storage unit 9A that stores a plurality of types of voice data, a speaker device selection unit 9B that, using the specific identifier, selects one or more speaker devices to which voice data is to be distributed, a voice data selection unit 9C that selects one or more types of voice data to be distributed from among the plurality of types of voice data, and a voice data distribution unit 9D that distributes the one or more types of voice data selected by the voice data selection unit 9C to the one or more speaker devices 5 selected by the speaker device selection unit 9B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio data reproducing system comprising a management device and a plurality of speaker devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Teleworking has become increasingly common due to work style reforms and infection prevention measures. Companies are managing and supervising their employees by monitoring the operation status of their employees' computers and receiving reports from them.

[0003] In the case of telework, it becomes difficult for companies to manage employees through internal announcements, as they have done in the past (for example, managing work schedules by ringing chimes at the start, end of the shift, and during breaks, or managing employees' health by playing audio for exercises).

[0004] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, simultaneous broadcasting systems using a plurality of speakers have existed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-4319 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 4140721 (Patent Document 2)). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-4319 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4140721 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional broadcasting systems are designed to broadcast the same content to everyone simultaneously. During teleworking, broadcasts must be tailored to employees in different environments with various attributes, and they cannot be used directly to manage teleworking employees.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional systems for distributing audio do not include an audio data playback system that distributes audio data selected by an administrator to one or more speakers selected by the administrator from multiple speakers.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an audio data reproduction system that distributes one or more types of audio data from among a plurality of types of audio data to one or more selected speaker devices.

[0009] In particular, a specific object of the present invention is to provide an audio data playback system that can distribute audio to each employee who is teleworking, similar to an internal broadcast.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio data reproducing system that causes one or more selected speaker devices to reproduce one or more types of audio data from among a plurality of types of audio data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to an audio data reproduction system comprising a management device and a plurality of speaker devices connected to the management device via a telecommunications line and driven by a drive signal based on audio data to reproduce the audio data.

[0012] In the audio data playback system of the present invention, each of the multiple speaker devices has an identifier storage unit that stores a unique identifier for identifying the speaker device, and the management device has an audio data storage unit that stores multiple types of audio data, a speaker device selection unit that uses the unique identifier to select one or more speaker devices to which the audio data is to be distributed, an audio data selection unit that selects one or more types of audio data to be distributed from the multiple types of audio data, and an audio data distribution unit that distributes the one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit to the one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit.

[0013] The audio data distribution unit distributes one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit to one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit (in other words, a group of speaker devices consisting of one or more speaker devices). Therefore, any audio data selected from a plurality of pieces of audio data can be distributed to the selected one or more speaker devices (group of speaker devices). In other words, by distributing one or more types of audio data to one or more groups selected from a plurality of speaker device groups consisting of one or more speaker devices, it becomes possible to distribute different audio data to each group. This allows you to deliver, for example: · Broadcasting the audio data of chimes at the start, break, and end of work to all employees (all group speaker devices) - Distributing audio data inviting a web conference only to employees in a specific department (speaker devices belonging to a specific group) In companies with a shift system, audio data for chimes that sound at the start, break, and end of work according to the employee's shift (group) is distributed.

[0014] In this specification, the term "audio" is a broad concept that includes sounds, voices, music, and the like.

[0015] Additionally, the audio data reproducing system of the present invention can also be used as an audio signage system to be placed in front of a supermarket or the like, or as a BGM (background music) distribution system. In this case, for example, speaker devices can be placed in each corner of the store, and the audio data to be reproduced for each speaker device selected from a management terminal (for each speaker device belonging to a selected group) can be managed.

[0016] The speaker device may include a status signal transmitter that transmits a status signal containing information about at least the connection status to the telecommunications line, and the management device may be capable of monitoring the connection status of the plurality of speaker devices to the telecommunications line based on the status signal. By monitoring the status of the speaker device, it is possible to indirectly monitor employees who are teleworking (monitoring the status of the speaker device).

[0017] The speaker device may be equipped with a volume control unit that adjusts the volume of the output sound. How it is used is up to you, but for example, employees who are teleworking can adjust the volume themselves, and employees who want to concentrate on their work or are on the phone can turn the volume to 0 (zero) so that the sound cannot be heard.

[0018] The status signal may further include information regarding the volume settings of the speaker devices, and the management device may be able to monitor the volumes set for the multiple speaker devices based on the status signal. In this way, by monitoring the status of the speaker devices, it is possible to indirectly monitor employees who are teleworking.

[0019] The management device may further include a distribution reservation unit that reserves in advance the date and time for distributing one or more types of audio data. In this case, the audio data distribution unit may distribute one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit to one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit at the reserved date and time. This allows for scheduled distribution of audio data. This makes it possible to manage employees' working rhythms by ringing chimes at regular times for the start, break, and end of work, or by playing audio for exercises.

[0020] The speaker device may be connected to an external terminal via wired or wireless communication means, and may be driven by a drive signal based on audio data received from the external terminal to play audio data. In this way, the speaker device can be connected to a terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer owned by the user of the speaker device and used like a general speaker device.

[0021] The speaker device may include a history information storage unit that stores history information related to the reproduced audio. By checking such history information, the usage status of the speaker device can be confirmed. Furthermore, according to research conducted by the inventors, listening to natural sounds stabilizes people's mental health. Therefore, when natural sounds are played, by checking the playback status from the history information, the employee can check their own mental health, and managers can check the mental health of employees working remotely.

[0022] In the audio data playback system of the present invention, instead of or in addition to the management device, each of the plurality of speaker devices may be provided with an audio data storage unit. In this case, the management device may be configured to include an audio data playback command unit that causes one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit to play one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit. In this way, by storing audio data in the audio data storage unit of the speaker device in advance, it is not necessary to distribute the audio data when playing it, and it is possible to stably play back audio data even if the speaker device is located in a location with a poor communication environment.

[0023] In this case, the management device may further include a playback reservation unit that reserves in advance the date and time (date and time) for playing one or more types of audio data, and the audio data playback command unit may transmit a playback command to one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit to play one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit at the reserved date and time. In this way, the audio data can be scheduled for playback.

[0024] Depending on the communication environment, there may be a time lag in the arrival time of a playback command for playing audio data at each speaker device. Therefore, when multiple speaker devices are installed close to each other, even if commands to play the same audio data are issued simultaneously, the audio from the speaker devices may be slightly delayed, resulting in an echo-like sound. Therefore, each of the multiple speaker devices may be equipped with a time counter, and the audio data playback command unit of the management device may be configured to, when transmitting a playback command including a playback start time for playing one or more types of audio data, add a time that takes into account the arrival delay of the playback command to the scheduled playback start time and transmit the playback start time as the playback start time. For example, if the scheduled playback start time is "10:00:00," the playback command including the playback start time may be transmitted as "10:00:10," taking into account the arrival delay of the command due to network or hardware issues. In this way, even if the playback commands for playing audio data arrive with a delay, the playback start times of the multiple speaker devices can be synchronized to some extent.

[0025] The present invention can also be understood as an audio data distribution method, a computer program for audio data distribution, and a speaker device used in the above-mentioned audio data distribution system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an audio data reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is an example of a management screen of the audio data reproduction system displayed on a display unit of the management terminal. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a schedule setting screen. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a Play Now setting screen. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen by control software for a speaker device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of an audio data reproducing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of an audio data reproducing system. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a management screen of the audio data reproduction system displayed on a display unit of the management terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the audio data reproducing system 1 is used as a speaker device distributed to employees working remotely.

[0028] The audio data reproduction system 1 comprises a management device 3 and a plurality of speaker devices 5 (5a, 5b, etc.) connected via a telecommunications line NW. The management device 3 comprises a management terminal 7 used by a manager, and a management server 9. In this example, the speaker devices 5 are placed in the homes of employees working remotely, and the management terminals 7 are placed in the company's management department or the homes of the employees' managers.

[0029] Each speaker device 5 includes an identifier storage unit 5A that stores a unique identifier (device ID) for identifying the speaker device 5, a status signal transmission unit 5B that transmits a status signal indicating the status of the speaker device, a volume adjustment unit 5C, and a communication unit 5D connected to the telecommunications line NW. Also, the speaker device 5 can be connected to an external terminal by wired or wireless communication means to play back audio data.

[0030] The management terminal 7 may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC, personal computer, etc. The management terminal 7 includes a display unit 7A having a display screen, an operation unit 7B operated by an administrator, a control unit 7C for controlling programs, a data storage unit 7D, and a communication unit 7E connected to a telecommunications line NW. A control program for controlling multiple speaker devices is pre-installed in the data storage unit 7D of the management terminal 7. By executing the control program using the control unit 7C, the management server 9 can be accessed via the telecommunications line NW and a management screen (FIG. 2) can be displayed on the display unit 7A. In this embodiment, one management terminal 7 is shown, but it is also possible to provide multiple management terminals 7 and manage multiple speaker devices using the multiple management terminals 7.

[0031] The management server 9 includes an audio data storage unit 9A, a speaker device selection unit 9B, an audio data selection unit 9C, an audio data distribution unit 9D, a status monitoring unit 9E, a distribution reservation unit 9F, and a communication unit 9G connected to the telecommunications line NW. The management terminal 7 can access these units via a management screen (FIG. 2). The audio data storage unit 9A stores multiple types of audio data. In this specification, the term "audio" is a broad concept that includes sound, voice, music, etc. The speaker device selection unit 9B uses a unique identifier to select one or more speaker devices 5 to which the audio data is to be distributed. The audio data selection unit 9C selects one or more types of audio data to be distributed from the multiple types of audio data. The audio data distribution unit 9D distributes one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit 9C to one or more speaker devices 5 selected by the speaker device selection unit 9B. The status monitoring unit 9E monitors the status of the speaker device 5 based on a status signal from the speaker device 5. The distribution reservation section 9F reserves in advance the date and time for distributing one or more types of audio data.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an example of a management screen of the audio data reproduction system 1 displayed on the display unit 7A of the management terminal 7. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The operating status display section 15 displays the device ID, display name, connection status (online, offline, or playing music) and set volume of the registered speaker device 5.

[0034] The monitor target management button 17 is a button for registering or deleting when the number of registered speaker devices 5 increases or decreases.

[0035] The audio data management button 19 is a button for previewing, adding, and deleting multiple types of audio data to be distributed.

[0036] The calendar display section 21 is a section for setting a delivery date and time schedule. Pressing the button set in the date section displays the schedule setting screen shown in FIG. 3. The schedule setting screen displays setting sections for the speaker device selection section 9B, the audio data selection section 9C, and the delivery reservation section 9F. By setting these sections, one or more selected types of audio data can be delivered to the selected speaker devices 5 (speaker devices 5 belonging to the selected group) on the reserved date and time. This makes it possible to ring chimes at the regular times for the start, break, and end of work, or to play audio for doing exercises.

[0037] The Play Now setting button 23 is a button for immediately distributing the specified audio data regardless of the schedule. When the button is pressed, the Play Now setting screen shown in Fig. 4 is displayed. The Play Now setting screen displays setting sections for the speaker device selection section 9B and the audio data selection section 9C, and by setting these sections, it is possible to distribute one or more selected types of audio data to the selected speaker devices 5 (speaker devices 5 belonging to the selected group).

[0038] The menu button 25 is a button for checking and changing the administrator account and logging out. You can also select options such as whether the calendar starts on Sunday or Monday.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a management screen of the control program for the speaker device 5 installed on a smartphone. This control program is used by the direct user of the speaker device 5, i.e., an employee working remotely. In this example, the smartphone and the speaker device 5 are connected via wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). A sound source to be played can be selected from a sound source list 27, and the volume and other settings can be set from a playback control panel 29. In this embodiment, natural sounds such as the sound of waves can be selected as the sound source. In addition, various settings and history information regarding played audio can be viewed from a menu button 31.

[0040] <Second embodiment> Fig. 6 shows an embodiment (second embodiment) in which the audio data reproduction system of the present invention is used as a BGM (background music) distribution system. The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same components as those in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are assigned reference numerals that are 100 larger than the reference numerals assigned in Fig. 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] In this embodiment, speaker devices 105 (105a to 105d) are placed in various locations within the store, and the management terminal 107 (107a to 107c in this example) manages the audio data to be played back for each speaker device selected (each speaker device belonging to a selected group). In this embodiment, the management server 109 includes a streaming server that stores music as audio data as the audio data storage unit 109A.

[0042] <Third embodiment> Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment (third embodiment) in which the audio data reproduction system of the present invention is used as a BGM (background music) distribution system. In Figures 7 and 8, the same components as those in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 are assigned reference numerals that are 200 larger than the reference numerals assigned in Figures 1 and 2, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0043] In this embodiment, the speaker device 205 further includes a time counting section 205E and an audio data storage section 205F. The management server 209 of the management device 203 also includes an audio data reproduction command section 209D'.

[0044] The time counted by the time counting unit 205E is periodically set to Japan Standard Time based on the Japan Standard Time provided by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) through the "NICT Internet Time Supply Service" (it goes without saying that the time may be synchronized with other time supply services or the clock function of the management terminal 207. In addition, in countries other than Japan, it is sufficient that the time is set to the standard time of that country).

[0045] The audio data storage unit 205F stores audio data to be played (particularly BGM in this example) in advance. It is also possible to acquire new audio data from the audio data storage unit 209A of the management server 209 and store it.

[0046] The audio data reproduction command unit 209D' transmits a reproduction command to one or more speaker devices 205 selected by the speaker device selection unit 209B to reproduce one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit 209C.

[0047] In this embodiment, each speaker device 205 has audio data, so that playback of the audio data can be started simply by sending a playback command from the management server 209. Therefore, even if the speaker device 205 is placed in a location where the communication environment is poor, it is possible to stably play back the audio data.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows an example of a management screen of the audio data reproduction system 201 displayed on the display unit 207A of the management device 207.

[0049] The operating status display section 215 displays the device ID, display name, connection status (online, offline, or playing music) of the registered speaker device 205, the set volume, and the name of the song (audio data) being played from the speaker device.

[0050] Furthermore, in the operating status display unit 215, check boxes 233, which are setting units of the speaker device selection unit 209B, are arranged in the columns of each speaker device 205, and a setting unit 235 of the audio data selection unit 209C is arranged on the right side of the operating status display unit 215. This allows the administrator to control the speaker device 205 with a simple operation of selecting the check box 233 corresponding to the speaker device to which a playback command is to be sent, and then selecting audio data in the setting unit 235.

[0051] Depending on the communication environment, there may be a time lag in the arrival time of a playback command for playing audio data at each speaker device. Therefore, when multiple speaker devices are installed close to each other, even if commands to play the same audio data are issued simultaneously, the audio from the speaker devices may be slightly out of sync, resulting in an echo-like sound. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a playback command is transmitted, a time is added to the scheduled playback start time to account for the delay time of the playback command. For example, if the scheduled playback start time is "10:00:00," the playback command including the playback start time is set to "10:00:10," taking into account the delay time of the command due to network and hardware issues. (The added time is an example, and can be increased or decreased depending on the communication environment.) In this way, even if the playback commands for playing audio data arrive with delays, the playback start times of multiple speaker devices can be synchronized to some extent.

[0052] The above embodiment is described as an example, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, it can also be used as audio signage placed in front of a supermarket or the like. In this case, for example, speaker devices can be placed in each corner of the store, and the audio data to be played back can be managed for each speaker device selected from a management terminal (for each speaker device belonging to a selected group). [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Audio data distribution system 3 Management device 5. Speaker equipment 5A Identifier storage unit 5B Status signal transmitter 5C Volume control section 5D Communications Department 7 Management terminal 7A Display section 7B Operation section 7C control section 7D Data storage unit 7E Communication Department 9 Management Server 9A Audio data storage unit 9B Speaker device selection section 9C Audio data selection section 9D Audio Data Distribution Section 9E Status monitoring unit 9F Streaming Reservation Department 9G Communications Department 15 Operation status display section 17 Monitored object management button 19 Audio data management button 21 Calendar display 23 Play Now Setting Button 25 Menu button 27 Sound Source List 29 Playback Control Panel 31 Menu button

Claims

1. A management device; a plurality of speaker devices connected to the management device via a telecommunications line and driven by a drive signal based on audio data to reproduce the audio data; each of the plurality of speaker devices includes an identifier storage unit that stores a unique identifier for identifying the speaker device; The management device a display unit having a display screen, an operation unit operated by an administrator, a control unit for controlling programs, a data storage unit, a management terminal having a communication unit connected to the electric communication line, and a management server; The management server a voice data storage unit that stores a plurality of types of voice data; a speaker device selection unit that uses the unique identifier to select one or more of the speaker devices to which the audio data is to be distributed; an audio data selection unit that selects one or more types of audio data to be distributed from the plurality of types of audio data; an audio data distribution unit that distributes the one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit to the one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit; a distribution reservation unit for reserving in advance a date and time for distributing the one or more types of audio data; an audio data reproduction system in which the audio data distribution unit distributes the one or more types of audio data selected by the audio data selection unit to the one or more speaker devices selected by the speaker device selection unit at a reserved date and time, The display unit of the management terminal has a Play Now Setting button for immediately distributing the specified audio data regardless of a schedule, and when the Play Now Setting button is pressed, a Play Now Setting screen is displayed having setting sections for the speaker device selection unit and the audio data selection unit, and the administrator sets the setting sections so that the audio data distribution unit distributes the selected one or more types of audio data to the selected speaker device.This audio data playback system is characterized by the above.

2. the speaker device includes a status signal transmitting unit that transmits a status signal containing information about at least a connection status of the telecommunications line; 2. The audio data reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the management device is capable of monitoring the connection states of the plurality of speaker devices to the telecommunications line based on the status signal.

3. 3. The audio data reproducing system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device includes a volume control unit for adjusting the volume of the audio to be output.

4. the state signal further includes information about a volume state set in the speaker device; 4. The audio data reproducing system according to claim 3, wherein the management device is capable of monitoring the volume levels set in the plurality of speaker devices based on the status signal.

5. 2. The audio data playback system according to claim 1, wherein the speaker device is connected to an external terminal via a wired or wireless communication means and is driven by a drive signal based on audio data received from the external terminal to play back the audio data.

6. 6. The audio data reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the speaker device includes a history information storage unit for storing history information relating to the reproduced audio.

Images