Notification system and method

Abstract

A server device (6) comprises: a communication unit (18) which transmits at least part of sound source data to a speaking apparatus (8) before an event occurs in an information source apparatus (4); a determination unit (24) which, on the basis of an operation log from the information source apparatus (4), determines that the event has occurred in the information source apparatus (4); and an instruction unit (26) which, when the determination unit (24) has determined that the event has occurred in the information source apparatus (4), provides an instruction via the communication unit (18) to the speaking apparatus (8) for performing playback of at least part of the sound source data. The speaking apparatus (8) has a communication unit (28) which receives at least part of the sound source data from the server device (6), a storage unit (30) which stores said at least part of the sound source data received by the communication unit (28), and a playback unit (32) which, on the basis of an instruction from the instruction unit (26) of the server device (6), performs playback of at least part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification system, a notification method, a server device, and a speech 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). When an event occurs in an information source device, this type of speech device produces a speech to notify the user of the occurrence of the event. 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] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-46424 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 speaking device that can shorten the time lag between when an event occurs on an information source device and when sound source data for notifying the occurrence of the event is played on a speaking device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A notification system according to the present disclosure includes an information source device, a speech device capable of uttering voice, and a server device capable of communicating with each of the information source device and the speech device via a network, wherein the information source device has a first communication unit that transmits an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device to the server device, and the server device has a second communication unit that (i) receives the operation log from the information source device and (ii) transmits to the speech device at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification that an event has occurred in the information source device before the event has occurred in the information source device, and and an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that an event has occurred in the information source device, instructs the speaking device to play at least a portion of the sound source data via the second communication unit, wherein the speaking device has a third communication unit that receives at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device, a memory unit that stores at least a portion of the sound source data received by the third communication unit, and a playback unit that plays at least a portion of the sound source data stored in the memory unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit of the server device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the notification system etc. of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the time lag between when an event occurs in an information source device and when sound source data for notifying the occurrence of the event is reproduced by a speech device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overview of a notification system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment. [Figure 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. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation flow of the notification system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a second operation of the notification system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) 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, each time an event occurs in an information source device, the speech device downloads sound source data from a server device to notify the user of the occurrence of the event, and plays the sound source data after the download is complete. However, since the download takes time, there is a long time lag between the occurrence of an event in the information source device and the actual playback of the sound source data on the speech device, which makes it difficult to notify the user of the occurrence of an event in real time.

[0010] Therefore, after extensive research, the inventors have devised a notification system, notification method, server device, and speaking device that can shorten the time lag between when an event occurs on an information source device and when sound source data for notifying the occurrence of the event is played on a speaking device.

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

[0012] The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

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

[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] As shown in Fig. 1, the notification system 2 includes an information source device 4, a server device 6, and a speech device 8. The information source device 4, the server device 6, and the speech device 8 can communicate 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, the home 14 of a user 12.

[0016] The information source device 4 is a home appliance operated by the user 12, such as a washing machine. While the information source device 4 is operating, the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4 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, air conditioner, microwave oven, refrigerator, rice cooker, autonomous robot vacuum cleaner, air purifier, etc.

[0017] The server device 6 is a cloud server for controlling the speech content of the speech device 8. Before an event (e.g., "laundry done") occurs in the information source device 4, the server device 6 transmits at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification that the event has occurred in the information source device 4 to the speech device 8. The sound source data is, for example, sound source data of speech content such as "Laundry done." In this specification, the term "event" refers to an operation performed by the information source device 4 or a change in the state of the information source device 4. Furthermore, when an event occurs in the information source device 4, the server device 6 instructs the speech device 8 to play back at least a portion of the sound source data.

[0018] The speech device 8 is a home appliance having a speaker 34 (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 sound from the speaker 34, such as a stationary, wall-mounted, or portable television receiver. Before an event occurs in the information source device 4, the speech device 8 pre-stores at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device 6, and plays back at least a portion of the stored sound source data based on an instruction from the server device 6. As a result, the speech device 8 utters a voice such as, for example, "The laundry is done," thereby enabling the user 12 to recognize the event that has occurred in the information source device 4. Note that in this embodiment, the speech device 8 is described as a television receiver, but is not limited thereto. 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 sub-unit (so-called door phone).

[0019] [2. Notification system functional configuration] Next, the 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.

[0020] 2, the information source device 4 has a communication unit 16 (an example of a first communication unit) as a functional configuration. The communication unit 16 transmits an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4 to the server device 6 via the network 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0021] 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), a storage unit 20, a prediction unit 22, a determination unit 24, and an instruction unit 26.

[0022] The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various data and the like between the information source device 4 and the speech device 8 via the network 10. Specifically, the communication unit 18 receives an operation log from the information source device 4. Furthermore, before an event occurs in the information source device 4, the communication unit 18 transmits at least a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit 20 to the speech device 8.

[0023] The storage unit 20 is a memory that stores sound source data for notifying by voice that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 .

[0024] The prediction unit 22 predicts the timing at which an event will occur in the information source device 4 based on the operation log received by the communication unit 18.

[0025] The determination unit 24 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log received by the communication unit 18.

[0026] When the determining unit 24 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, the instructing unit 26 instructs the speech device 8 via the communication unit 18 to reproduce at least a part of the sound source data.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the speech device 8 also includes, as functional components, a communication unit 28 (an example of a third communication unit), a storage unit 30, a playback unit 32, and a speaker 34.

[0028] The communication unit 28 transmits and receives various data and the like to and from the server device 6 via the network 10. Specifically, the communication unit 28 receives at least a part of the sound source data from the server device 6, and stores at least a part of the received sound source data in the storage unit 30.

[0029] The storage unit 30 is a memory that stores at least a part of the sound source data received by the communication unit .

[0030] The playback unit 32 reads and plays back at least a portion of the sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 30 based on an instruction from the server device 6. After playing back at least a portion of the sound source data, the playback unit 32 discards (deletes) at least a portion of the sound source data.

[0031] The speaker 34 outputs the notification content represented by at least a part of the sound source data reproduced by the reproduction unit 32 as a voice.

[0032] [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 Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the first operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first operation of the notification system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, first, washing is started in the information source device 4 (S101). Next, while the washing operation is being performed in the information source device 4, the communication unit 16 of the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4 to the server device 6 (S102). As shown in Fig. 4, each time an operation such as "start of washing," "washing process," "rinsing process," ..., "spinning process," and "washing completion" is performed in the information source device 4, the communication unit 16 of the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating that each operation has been performed to the server device 6.

[0034] Next, communication unit 18 of server device 6 receives the operation log from information source device 4 (S103). Next, prediction unit 22 of server device 6 predicts the timing at which an event (e.g., "washing completed") will occur in information source device 4 based on the operation log received by communication unit 18 (S104). At this time, prediction unit 22 knows the time required for each process from the start of washing to the completion of washing. Therefore, for example, if the operation log received by communication unit 18 indicates the operation history of the "rinsing process," prediction unit 22 predicts that washing will be completed 20 minutes from the current time based on the time required for each process after the rinsing process.

[0035] Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 reads, from the storage unit 20, sound source data for notifying by voice that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 before the timing predicted by the prediction unit 22, and transmits the read sound source data to the speech device 8 (S105). For example, the communication unit 18 transmits the sound source data to the speech device 8 five minutes (during the spin-drying process) before the timing predicted by the prediction unit 22. Here, the sound source data transmitted by the communication unit 18 is the entire sound source data indicating the speech content, for example, "The laundry is done."

[0036] Next, the communication unit 28 of the speech device 8 receives the sound source data from the server device 6 (S106) and stores the received sound source data in the storage unit 30 (S107). That is, before an event occurs in the information source device 4, the sound source data is stored in advance in the storage unit 30.

[0037] Thereafter, the washing is completed in the information source device 4, that is, an event occurs (S108). The communication unit 16 of the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating that the washing has been completed to the server device 6 (S109).

[0038] Next, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 receives the operation log from the information source device 4 (S110). Next, the determination unit 24 of the server device 6 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log received by the communication unit 18 (S111).

[0039] Next, upon receiving the determination by the determination unit 24 that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6 instructs the speech device 8 via the communication unit 18 to play the sound source data (S112).

[0040] Next, the communication unit 28 of the utterance device 8 outputs the instruction from the server device 6 to the playback unit 32. Based on the instruction from the server device 6, the playback unit 32 of the utterance device 8 reads and plays back the sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 30 (S113). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the utterance device 8 plays back sound source data indicating the utterance content, for example, "The laundry is done," immediately after the event occurs in the information source device 4.

[0041] [3-2. Secondary 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.

[0042] 5, first, at the time of the initial connection between the server device 6 and the speech device 8, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 reads from the storage unit 20 a portion of sound source data for audio notification that an event (e.g., "operation error") has occurred in the information source device 4, and transmits the read portion of the sound source data to the speech device 8 (S201). Note that the "initial 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 has been installed.

[0043] Here, for example, if the speech content indicated by the sound source data is "An error has occurred in the washing machine. Inspection is required. Please check the display, unplug the power cord, and contact the store where you purchased it," the speech content indicated by a portion of the sound source data sent by communication unit 18 will be "An error has occurred in the washing machine. Inspection is required. Please check the display."

[0044] Next, the communication unit 28 of the speech device 8 receives a portion of the sound source data from the server device 6 (S202), and stores the received portion of the sound source data in the storage unit 30 (S203). That is, before an event occurs in the information source device 4, a portion of the sound source data is stored in advance in the storage unit 30.

[0045] Thereafter, an operation error, i.e., an event occurs, in the information source device 4 (S204). Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the communication unit 16 of the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating that the operation error has occurred to the server device 6 (S205).

[0046] Next, communication unit 18 of server device 6 receives the operation log from the information source device 4 (S206). Next, determination unit 24 of server device 6 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log received by communication unit 18 (S207).

[0047] Next, upon receiving the determination by the determination unit 24 that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6 instructs the speech device 8 via the communication unit 18 to play the sound source data (S208).

[0048] Next, the communication unit 28 of the utterance device 8 outputs the instruction from the server device 6 to the playback unit 32. Based on the instruction from the server device 6, the playback unit 32 of the utterance device 8 reads and plays back a part of the sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 30 (S209).

[0049] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, when an event occurs in the information source device 4, the speech device 8 starts playing a portion of the audio source data indicating the speech content, for example, "An error has occurred in the washing machine. It needs to be inspected. Please check the display content."

[0050] While part of the sound source data is being played back by the speech device 8, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 reads the remaining part of the sound source data from the storage unit 20 and transmits the read remaining part of the sound source data to the speech device 8 (S210). For example, the content of the utterance indicated by the remaining part of the sound source data transmitted by the communication unit 18 is "Please unplug the power cord and contact the store where you purchased the product."

[0051] Next, the communication unit 28 of the utterance device 8 receives the remaining part of the sound source data from the server device 6, and the playback unit 32 of the utterance device 8 streams the remaining part of the sound source data received by the communication unit 28 (S211).

[0052] 6, immediately after an event occurs in the information source device 4, the utterance device 8 plays back a portion of the sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 30, which indicates the utterance content, for example, "An error has occurred in the washing machine. An inspection is required. Please check the display content." Then, the utterance device 8 streams the remaining portion of the sound source data, which indicates the utterance content, "Unplug the power cord and contact the retailer where you purchased the machine."

[0053] The server device 6 may determine whether to transmit a portion of the sound source data or the entire sound source data in step S201 by comparing the delay time from when an event occurs in the information source device 4 until the sound source data is played back by the speech device 8 with the speech time (number of seconds) of the sound source data stored in the storage unit 20. For example, if the delay time is equal to or less than the speech time of the sound source data, the server device 6 determines to transmit a portion of the sound source data in step S201. On the other hand, if the delay time exceeds the speech time of the sound source data, the server device 6 determines to transmit the entire sound source data in step S201.

[0054] [4. Effects] A notification system 2 according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a notification system including an information source device 4, a speech device 8 capable of uttering sound, and a server device 6 capable of communicating with each of the information source device 4 and the speech device 8 via a network 10. The information source device 4 has a communication unit 16 that transmits an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4 to the server device 6. The server device 6 has a communication unit 18 that (i) receives the operation log from the information source device 4, and (ii) transmits at least a portion of sound source data to the speech device 8 for audio notification that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 before the event occurs in the information source device 4, a determination unit 24 that determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log, and an instruction unit 26 that, when the determination unit 24 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, instructs the speech device 8 via the communication unit 18 to play back at least a portion of the sound source data. The speech device 8 has a communication unit 28 that receives at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device 6, a memory unit 30 that stores at least a portion of the sound source data received by the communication unit 28, and a playback unit 32 that plays back at least a portion of the sound source data stored in the memory unit 30 based on instructions from the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6.

[0055] According to this, before an event occurs in the information source device 4, at least a portion of the sound source data for audio notification of the occurrence of the event is stored in advance in the storage unit 30 of the speech device 8. This allows the playback unit 32 of the speech device 8 to play back at least a portion of the sound source data stored in advance in the storage unit 30 immediately after the event occurs in the information source device 4. As a result, the time lag from when the event occurs in the information source device 4 to when the sound source data is played back by the playback unit 32 of the speech device 8 can be shortened.

[0056] Furthermore, in the notification system 2 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the server device 6 further includes a prediction unit 22 that predicts the timing at which an event will occur in the information source device 4 based on the operation log. The communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits the sound source data to the utterance device 8 before the timing predicted by the prediction unit 22. The communication unit 28 of the utterance device 8 receives the sound source data from the server device 6. The storage unit 30 of the utterance device 8 stores the sound source data received by the communication unit 28. The playback unit 32 of the utterance device 8 plays the sound source data stored in the storage unit 30 based on an instruction from the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6.

[0057] According to this, by using the prediction unit 22 to predict the timing at which an event will occur in the information source device 4, it is possible to easily store the sound source data in the memory unit 30 of the speech device 8 before the event occurs in the information source device 4.

[0058] Furthermore, in the notification system 2 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits a portion of the sound source data to the speech device 8 before an event occurs in the information source device 4. The communication unit 28 of the speech device 8 receives the portion of the sound source data from the server device 6. The storage unit 30 of the speech device 8 stores the portion of the sound source data received by the communication unit 28. When the determination unit 24 of the server device 6 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, (i) the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6 instructs the speech device 8 to play the sound source data via the communication unit 18, and (ii) the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits the remaining portion of the sound source data to the speech device 8. The playback unit 32 of the speech device 8 plays the portion of the sound source data stored in the storage unit 20 based on the instruction from the instruction unit 26 of the server device 6. While playing back a portion of the sound source data, the communication unit 28 of the utterance device 8 starts receiving the remaining portion of the sound source data from the server device 6. Following the playback of the portion of the sound source data, the playback unit 32 of the utterance device 8 plays back, by streaming, the remaining portion of the sound source data received by the communication unit 28.

[0059] According to this, immediately after an event occurs in the information source device 4, the playback unit 32 of the speech device 8 plays back a portion of the sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 30, and then streams back the remaining portion of the sound source data from the server device 6. This makes it possible to smoothly play back the sound source data while saving resources of the storage unit 30, even when it takes a relatively long time to play back the entire sound source data.

[0060] Furthermore, in the notification system 2 according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, at least a portion of the sound source data stored in the memory unit 30 of the speech device 8 is discarded after being played back by the playback unit 32 of the speech device 8.

[0061] This allows resources of the storage unit 30 to be saved.

[0062] A notification method according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a notification method in a notification system 2 including an information source device 4, a speech device 8 capable of uttering voice, and a server device 6 capable of communicating with each of the information source device 4 and the speech device 8 via a network 10. The notification method includes the steps of (a) the information source device 4 transmitting to the server device 6 an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4, (b) the server device 6 receiving the operation log from the information source device 4, (c) the server device 6 transmitting to the speech device 8, before the event occurs in the information source device 4, at least a portion of sound source data for notifying by voice that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, (d) the speech device 8 receiving at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device 6, and (e) the speech device 8 receiving the sound source data received in (d) above. (f) the server device 6 determining that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log received in (b) above; (g) the server device 6 instructing the speech device 8 to play back at least a portion of the sound source data when it has determined in (f) above that an event has occurred in the information source device; and (h) the speech device 8 playing back at least a portion of the sound source data stored in the memory unit 30 based on the instruction from the server device 6.

[0063] This, as in the above, makes it possible to reduce the time lag between when an event occurs in the information source device 4 and when the sound source data is reproduced by the speech device 8.

[0064] A server device 6 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a server device capable of communicating with each of an information source device 4 and a speech device 8 capable of uttering voice via a network 10. The server device 6 includes a communication unit 18 that (i) receives from the information source device 4 an operation log indicating the operation history of the information source device 4, and (ii) transmits to the speech device 8 at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 before the event occurs in the information source device 4, a determination unit 24 that determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 based on the operation log, and an instruction unit 26 that, when the determination unit 24 determines that an event has occurred in the information source device 4, instructs the speech device 8 via the communication unit 18 to play back at least a portion of the sound source data.

[0065] This, as in the above, makes it possible to reduce the time lag between when an event occurs in the information source device 4 and when the sound source data is reproduced by the speech device 8.

[0066] A speech device 8 according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a speech device that is capable of uttering sound and is capable of communicating with a server device 6 via a network 10. The speech device 8 includes a communication unit 28 that receives, from the server device 6, at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification that an event has occurred in the information source device 4 before the event occurs in the information source device 4, a storage unit 30 that stores at least a portion of the sound source data received by the communication unit 28, and a playback unit 32 that plays back at least a portion of the sound source data stored in the storage unit 30 based on an instruction from the server device 6 when an event has occurred in the information source device 4.

[0067] This, as in the above, makes it possible to reduce the time lag between when an event occurs in the information source device 4 and when the sound source data is reproduced by the reproduction unit 32.

[0068] (Variations, etc.) As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-described embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0069] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0070] 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.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0072] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the notification system 2 according to each of the above embodiments may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0073] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0074] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0075] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] The present disclosure is applicable, for example, to 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]

[0077] 2. Notification System 4 Information source device 6 Server equipment 8. Speaking Devices 10 Network 12 users 14 Home 16, 18, 28 Communications Department 20,30 storage section 22 Prediction Department 24 Judgment section 26 Instruction section 32 Playback Department 34 Speaker

Claims

1. A notification system comprising an information source device, a speech device capable of uttering voice, and a server device capable of communicating with each of the information source device and the speech device via a network, the information source device has a first communication unit that transmits an operation log indicating an operation history of the information source device to the server device; The server device (i) a second communication unit that receives the operation log from the information source device, and (ii) transmits, to the speech device, at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification of the occurrence of an event in the information source device before the event occurs in the information source device; a determination unit that determines, based on the operation log, that the event has occurred in the information source device; an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that the event has occurred in the information source device, instructs the speech device to reproduce at least a part of the sound source data via the second communication unit; The speech device includes: a third communication unit that receives at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device; a storage unit that stores at least a portion of the sound source data received by the third communication unit; a playback unit that plays back at least a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit of the server device, the server device further includes a prediction unit that predicts a timing at which the event will occur in the information source device based on the operation log; the second communication unit of the server device transmits the sound source data to the speech device before the timing predicted by the prediction unit; the third communication unit of the speech device receives the sound source data from the server device; the storage unit of the speaking device stores the sound source data received by the third communication unit; The playback unit of the speech device plays back the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit of the server device. Notification system.

2. A notification system comprising an information source device, a speech device capable of uttering voice, and a server device capable of communicating with each of the information source device and the speech device via a network, the information source device has a first communication unit that transmits an operation log indicating an operation history of the information source device to the server device; The server device (i) a second communication unit that receives the operation log from the information source device, and (ii) transmits, to the speech device, at least a portion of sound source data for audio notification of the occurrence of an event in the information source device before the event occurs in the information source device; a determination unit that determines, based on the operation log, that the event has occurred in the information source device; an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that the event has occurred in the information source device, instructs the speech device to reproduce at least a part of the sound source data via the second communication unit; The speech device includes: a third communication unit that receives at least a portion of the sound source data from the server device; a storage unit that stores at least a portion of the sound source data received by the third communication unit; a playback unit that plays back at least a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit of the server device, the second communication unit of the server device transmits a portion of the sound source data to the speech device before the event occurs in the information source device; the third communication unit of the speech device receives a portion of the sound source data from the server device; the storage unit of the speaking device stores a part of the sound source data received by the third communication unit; When the determination unit of the server device determines that the event has occurred in the information source device, (i) the instruction unit of the server device instructs the speech device to play the sound source data via the second communication unit, and (ii) the second communication unit of the server device transmits a remaining portion of the sound source data to the speech device; the playback unit of the speech device plays back a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit of the server device; the third communication unit of the speech device starts receiving the remaining part of the sound source data from the server device while the part of the sound source data is being reproduced; The playback unit of the speaking device plays back the remaining part of the sound source data received by the third communication unit through streaming, following the playback of the part of the sound source data. Notification system.

3. At least a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit of the speech device is discarded after being played back by the playback unit of the speech device.

3. The notification system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A notification method in a notification system including an information source device, a speech device capable of uttering voice, and a server device capable of communicating with each of the information source device and the speech device via a network, (a) the information source device transmitting an operation log indicating an operation history of the information source device to the server device; (b) the server device receiving the operation log from the information source device; (i) the server device predicts a timing at which an event will occur in the information source device based on the operation log received in (b); (c) transmitting, by the server device, sound source data for notifying by voice that the event has occurred in the information source device, to the speech device, before the timing predicted in (i); (d) receiving the sound source data from the server device by the speech device; (e) storing the sound source data received in (d) in a storage unit by the speech device; (f) the server device determining that the event has occurred in the information source device based on the operation log received in (b); (g) when the server device determines in (f) that the event has occurred in the information source device, instructing the speech device to reproduce the sound source data; (h) the speech device playing the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the server device. Notification method.

5. A notification method in a notification system including an information source device, a speech device capable of uttering voice, and a server device capable of communicating with each of the information source device and the speech device via a network, (a) the information source device transmitting an operation log indicating an operation history of the information source device to the server device; (b) the server device receiving the operation log from the information source device; (c) transmitting, by the server device, before an event occurs in the information source device, a portion of sound source data for notifying by voice that the event has occurred in the information source device to the speech device; (d) receiving, by the speech device, a portion of the sound source data from the server device; (e) storing a part of the sound source data received in (d) in a storage unit by the speech device; (f) the server device determining that the event has occurred in the information source device based on the operation log received in (b); (g) when the server device determines in (f) that the event has occurred in the information source device, instructing the speech device to play the sound source data and transmitting a remaining portion of the sound source data to the speech device; (h) a step in which the speech device reproduces a part of the sound source data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the server device; (n) the speech device starting to receive a remaining portion of the sound source data from the server device while the remaining portion of the sound source data is being played back; (o) after the speech device has reproduced the part of the audio source data, the speech device streams the remaining part of the audio source data received in (n). Notification method.

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