Two-way communication device system

Abstract

Provided is a two-way communication device system including a first two-way communication device and a second two-way communication device that is placed in a location different from the location of the first two-way communication device and configured to communicate with the first two-way communication device. The two-way communication device system generates an operator input operation history when receiving an input operation for the first time, transmits an input signal to the second two-way communication device, generates an other-device input operation history when receiving an input signal for the first time, maintains a first state when both of the operator input operation history and the other-device input operation history are not present, maintains a second state when only one of the operator input operation history and the other-device input operation history is present, maintains a third state when both of the operator input operation history and the other-device input operation history are present, and deletes both of the operator input operation history and the other-device input operation history at a specific cycle date and time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bidirectional communication device system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as methods of communication between people who are remotely located, there are letters, telephones, e-mails, social networking services (SNS), etc. With the spread of mobile phones, personal computers, and smartphones, it has become possible to easily perform such communications. Also, such communication methods can send various types of information such as characters, voices, images, and videos to each other.

[0003] On the other hand, in a situation where such a large amount of information can be sent to each other, there are cases where the recipient is forced to reply, and there are also problems such as the sender thinking that there is something abnormal on the recipient's side if the reply disappears halfway. As a result, the exchange of information may also stop.

[0004] In order to solve such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a method that combines a transmission device capable of transmitting signals in an anonymous state and a reception device that performs operations such as making a sound when a signal is received.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 can alleviate anxiety about the other party by maintaining anonymity, but the amount of information sent and received is drastically reduced because the presence of the person communicating becomes invisible. Furthermore, if the receiving device presents information instantaneously, such as by making a sound, it becomes impossible to confirm receipt unless one is constantly near the receiving device, making it difficult to reply and thus further hindering the exchange of information.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and to provide a device that can continue sending and receiving information while maintaining an appropriate amount of communication information, alleviating anxiety towards the other party.

[0008] The bidirectional communication device system according to the present invention comprises a first bidirectional communication device and a second bidirectional communication device installed in a different location from the first bidirectional communication device and configured to communicate with the first bidirectional communication device. The bidirectional communication device system is configured to create an operator input operation history when it first receives an input operation from an operator operating the first bidirectional communication device, to send an input signal to the second bidirectional communication device when the operator input operation history is created, to create a other device input operation history when it first receives an input signal from the second bidirectional communication device, to maintain a first state when neither the operator input operation history nor the other device input operation history exists, to maintain a second state when only one of the operator input operation history or the other device input operation history exists, to maintain a third state when both the operator input operation history and the other device input operation history exist, and to erase both the operator input operation history and the other device input operation history at a specific cycle date and time.

[0009] According to the bidirectional communication device system of the present invention, it is possible to reliably send and receive information by identifying and recognizing the communication partner and maintaining the transmission and reception state at all times, and by limiting the transmission and reception cycle, the burden of communication is reduced, and it becomes possible to continue sending and receiving information without anxiety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the bidirectional communication device system according to the present invention [Figure 2] Overview diagram of the bidirectional communication devices that make up the bidirectional communication device system. [Figure 3] Control flow diagram for switch inputs of a bidirectional communication device [Figure 4] Control flow diagram for communication with another bidirectional communication device that constitutes a bidirectional communication device system. [Figure 5] Main control flow diagram for a bidirectional communication device [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the first state of a bidirectional communication device. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of the second state of a bidirectional communication device. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of the third state of a bidirectional communication device. [Figure 9] Diagram illustrating example 1 of the use of a bidirectional communication device. [Figure 10] Diagram illustrating example 2 of the use of a bidirectional communication device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the bidirectional communication device system 1 according to the present invention. The bidirectional communication device system 1 comprises two bidirectional communication devices 100 (first and second bidirectional communication devices) that can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet. When in use, there are two operators for one set of bidirectional communication device systems 1. In other words, one operator operates one bidirectional communication device 100.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a bidirectional communication device 100 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The bidirectional communication device 100 comprises a body portion 101. A control unit 102 having a clock function is located inside the body portion 101. A right arm 103 and a left arm 104 are connected to the outside of the body portion 101, each with a rotatable degree of freedom of one axis. The control unit 102 is configured to be able to move the right arm 103 and the left arm 104. In one example, the control unit 102 includes a memory and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory.

[0014] Furthermore, a base 105 is connected to the bottom of the body 101 with one degree of freedom in the vertical direction. A switch 106 is fixed to the base 105. When the body 101 slides toward the base 105 and the body 101 comes into contact with the switch 106, the switch 106 is pressed. The control unit 102 is configured to recognize that the switch 106 has been pressed. An LED lighting unit 107 equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is placed on the base 105. The control unit 102 is configured to turn the LED of the LED lighting unit 107 on, off, and blink. The control unit 102 controls the LED lighting unit 107 so that the LED is turned off when there is an operator input history, which will be explained later, and the LED is turned on when there is no operator input history. In other words, the LED lighting unit 107 is an operator input operation indicator whose state changes depending on whether there is an operator input history or not. A device whose state changes depending on whether or not there is an operator input history can be used as an operator input indication unit instead of the LED lighting unit 107.

[0015] The control flow executed by the control unit 102 of the bidirectional communication device 100 will be explained using Figures 3, 4, and 5.

[0016] After startup, the control unit 102 determines whether or not switch 106 has been pressed (S01), as shown in Figure 3. If switch 106 is not pressed (NO in S01), this determination is repeated. If switch 106 is pressed (YES in S01), the control unit 102 determines whether the operator input history it possesses internally is 0 (S02). If the operator input history is not 0 (NO in S02), control returns to before S01. If the operator input history is 0 (YES in S02), the control unit 102 sets the operator input history to 1 (S03) and sends an input signal to the other bidirectional communication device 100 (S04). After that, control returns to before S01. As described above, the control unit 102 creates the operator input history by setting the operator input history to 1.

[0017] After startup, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 102 further determines whether there is an input signal from the other paired bidirectional communication device 100 (S05). If there is no reception (NO in S05), this determination is repeated. When reception occurs (YES in S05), the control unit 102 determines whether the input operation history of the other device held inside the control unit 102 is 0 (S06). If the input operation history of the other device is not 0 (NO in S06), the control returns to before S05. If the input operation history of the other device is 0 (YES in S06), the control unit 102 sets the input operation history of the other device to 1 (S07). Thereafter, the control returns to before S05. As described above, the control unit 102 creates the input operation history of the other device by setting the input operation history of the other device to 1.

[0018] The control unit 102 further holds a cycle date and time inside the control unit 102. After startup, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 102 determines whether the current time recognized by the clock function held by the control unit 102 has passed the cycle date and time (S08).

[0019] If the current time has passed the cycle date and time (YES in S08), the control unit 102 sets the operator input operation history and the input operation history of the other device held inside the control unit 102 to 0, and resets the cycle date and time based on a cycle set in advance, such as "the same time one day later" (S09).

[0020] Subsequently, the control unit 102 lights the LED lighting unit 107 (S10). Thereafter, the control unit 102 sets the bidirectional communication device 100 to the first state in which the right arm 103 and the left arm 104 are lowered, as shown in FIG. 6 (S11), and returns the control to before S08.

[0021] On the other hand, if the current time has not passed the cycle date and time (NO in S08), the control unit 102 determines whether the operator input operation history owned internally by the control unit 102 is 0 (S12). If the operator input operation history is 0 (YES in S12), the control unit 102 determines whether the other device input operation history owned internally by the control unit 102 is 1 (S13).

[0022] On the other hand, if it is determined that the device input operation history is not 1 (NO in S13), control is moved to before S10.

[0023] On the other hand, if it is determined that the device input operation history is 1 (YES in S13), the control unit 102 lights up the LED indicator 107 (S14). Then, the control unit 102 sets the bidirectional communication device 100 to a second state, as shown in Figure 7, where the right arm 103 (an example of the first arm) is raised and the left arm 104 (an example of the second arm) is lowered (S15), and returns control to before S08. Note that the second state may also be a state where the right arm 103 is lowered and the left arm 104 is raised.

[0024] On the other hand, if the operator input history is not zero (NO in S12), the control unit 102 determines whether the other device input history owned internally by the control unit 102 is zero (S16).

[0025] On the other hand, if the device input operation history is 0 (YES in S16), the control unit 102 turns off the LED indicator 107 (S17). Then, the control unit 102 sets the bidirectional communication device 100 to the second state (S15) and returns control to before S08.

[0026] On the other hand, if the input operation history of the other device is not zero (NO in S16), the control unit 102 turns off the LED indicator 107 (S18). Then, the control unit 102 sets the bidirectional communication device 100 to a third state in which the right arm 103 and left arm 104 are raised, as shown in Figure 8 (S19), and returns the control to before S08.

[0027] Next, we will explain the state when performing the control flow shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, using Figure 9 to illustrate its use in specific scenarios.

[0028] A set of two bidirectional communication devices 100 is used by two operators. For ease of understanding, we will present an example where operator A uses one of the bidirectional communication devices 100, device A, and operator B uses device B, which is the counterpart to device A, in a location different from operator A and device A. In addition, each element of device B is assigned a single quote ('') to the code of each element of the bidirectional communication device. For example, the control unit of device A is assigned the code 102, and the control unit of device B is assigned the code 102'.

[0029] First, devices A and B are in the first state (S11) (hereinafter, the state of the bidirectional communication device system 1 at this time will be described as follows). <1> (This is described as follows). At this time, neither operator A nor operator B is performing any operation on device A and device B, respectively. At this time, the LED indicator 107 of device A and the LED indicator 107' of device B are lit.

[0030] Next, operator A presses switch 106 on device A (hereinafter, this state <2> (This is described as follows). At this time, devices A and B are in the second state (S15). Furthermore, the LED indicator 107 of device A is off, while the LED indicator 107' of device B remains lit. In this way, the LED indicator 107 on the device on which switch 106 was pressed turns off, allowing the operator to easily recognize that they have performed a transmission.

[0031] Subsequently, devices A and B remain in the second state (S15) (hereinafter, this state <3> (As described above), the state of both device A and device B remains unchanged no matter how many times operator A presses switch 106 on device A. Because the state is maintained, operator B does not need to be within sight of device B at all times and can understand the current communication status at any time.

[0032] In this state, when operator B presses switch 106' on device B, devices A and B enter the third state (S19) (hereinafter, this state <4> (This is written as follows). At this time, the LED indicator 107 of device A and the LED indicator 107' of device B are off. Therefore, both operator A and operator B can easily recognize that they have transmitted the data.

[0033] Furthermore, the right arm 103 and left arm 104 of device A have arc shapes at their tips. Therefore, in the third state (S19), the right arm 103 and left arm 104, with their tips raised to the same height, draw a circle. Thus, operator A can easily recognize that they have transmitted to each other and communication has been achieved. Similarly, the right arm 103' and left arm 104' of device B also draw circles with both arms. Thus, operator B can easily recognize that they have transmitted to each other and communication has been achieved.

[0034] Subsequently, devices A and B maintain a third state (hereinafter, this state <5> (This is how it is written.) In this state, even if operator A presses switch 106 on device A, the state of device A and device B will not change, and even if operator B presses switch 106' on device B, the state of device A and device B will not change. This indicates that no further communication can be exchanged between operator A and operator B. Therefore, operator A does not need to press switch 106 on device A in response to operator B, and operator B will not become anxious if operator A does not press switch 106 on device A.

[0035] Subsequently, if, for example, the cycle time is set to 5:00 every morning, then at 5:00 the following day, device A and device B will return to the first state (S11) (hereinafter, this state... <1> (To be written as follows). This state <6> is state <1> This is the same as before. In other words, communication between operator A and operator B becomes possible again.

[0036] Also, as shown in Figure 10, the state is the same as in Figure 9. <1> ,situation <2> and state <3> Once the process has progressed to this point, and the set cycle time of 5 AM has passed, the state of the two-way communication device system 1 will be: <1> Return to the previous state. By doing this, the feelings can be reset at each cycle date and time, and communication between operator A and operator B can be resumed.

[0037] Furthermore, the input from the operator does not have to be an action other than pressing switch 106. In other words, it does not have to be a single action that has the "intention to communicate" from the operator (e.g., operator A) to the communication partner (e.g., operator B). For example, the two-way communication device 100 may be equipped with a microphone instead of switch 106, and the input from the operator may be a greeting to the two-way communication device 100. In this way, input can be easily made even when the hands are occupied. Here, "having the intention to communicate" means that communication with the communication partner is being done intentionally. Therefore, an action that is linked to a switch operation performed with the intention of turning on the room lights does not have the intention to communicate, and therefore cannot be replaced by the action of pressing switch 106.

[0038] Furthermore, the bidirectional communication device 100 performs the same actions (raising and lowering the right arm 103 and left arm 104) as its counterpart bidirectional communication device 100 in all three states: the first, second, and third states. In this way, even if the counterpart bidirectional communication devices 100 are located far apart from each other, the fact that the devices are in the same state allows the operator to feel connected and have the sensation that they are in the same space. [Industrial applicability]

[0039] The bidirectional communication device system of the present invention allows for continued communication without causing anxiety or burden by limiting the exchange of communications to the minimum necessary. Therefore, it can be used as a means of communication that differs from currently used methods such as phone calls and emails via mobile phones and personal computers, allowing for communication while maintaining an appropriate distance from the other party. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1. Two-way communication device system 100 Two-way communication devices 101 Torso 102 Control Unit 103 Right arm 104 Left arm 105 Base 106 switches 107 LED lighting section

Claims

1. The first bidirectional communication device, A bidirectional communication device system comprising: a second bidirectional communication device installed in a different location from the first bidirectional communication device and configured to communicate with the first bidirectional communication device, The aforementioned bidirectional communication device system is When an input operation is first received from the operator operating the first bidirectional communication device, an operator input operation history is created. When the operator input history is created, an input signal is sent to the second bidirectional communication device. When the input signal is first received from the second bidirectional communication device, the other device input operation history is created. If neither the operator input history nor the other device input history exists, the first state is maintained. If only one of the operator input history and the other device input history exists, the second state is maintained. When both the operator input history and the other device input history exist, the third state is maintained. The system is configured to erase both the operator input history and the other device input history at a specific cycle date and time. The first and second bidirectional communication devices are configured to maintain an operation that indicates to each other that they are in the same state, regardless of whether they are in the first state, the second state, or the third state. Each of the first and second bidirectional communication devices is: It has two arms, including the first and second arms, In the first state described above, both the first and second arms are lowered. In the second state described above, the first arm is raised and the second arm is lowered. In the third state described above, the configuration is such that both the first and second arms are raised. A two-way communication device system.

2. Each of the first and second bidirectional communication devices is configured to accept a single action performed by the operator as the input operation. The bidirectional communication device system according to claim 1.

3. Each of the first and second bidirectional communication devices is equipped with an operator input operation indicator unit whose state changes depending on whether or not the operator input operation history exists. The bidirectional communication device system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Each of the first and second arms has an arc shape. The bidirectional communication device system according to claim 1.

5. The first bidirectional communication device, A bidirectional communication device system comprising: a second bidirectional communication device installed in a different location from the first bidirectional communication device and configured to communicate with the first bidirectional communication device, The aforementioned bidirectional communication device system is When an input operation is first received from the operator operating the first bidirectional communication device, an operator input operation history is created. When the operator input history is created, an input signal is sent to the second bidirectional communication device. When an input signal is first received from the second bidirectional communication device, the other device input operation history is created. If neither the operator input history nor the other device input history exists, the first state is maintained. If only one of the operator input history and the other device input history exists, the second state is maintained. When both the operator input history and the other device input history exist, the third state is maintained. The first and second bidirectional communication devices are configured to maintain an operation that indicates to each other that they are in the same state, regardless of whether they are in the first state, the second state, or the third state. Each of the first and second bidirectional communication devices is: It has two arms, including the first and second arms, In the first state described above, the two arms are lowered. In the second state described above, the first arm is raised and the second arm is lowered. In the third state described above, the two arms are configured to be raised. A two-way communication device system.

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