Notification system, notification method, server device, and equipment

Abstract

A notification system (2) comprises speaking equipment (8) operated by a user (12), and a server device (6) that can communicate with the speaking equipment (8) over a network (10). The server device (6) has a communication unit (18) that transmits sound source data to the speaking equipment (8). The speaking equipment (8) has a communication unit (30) that receives sound source data from the server device (6) and a playback unit (36) that plays back the sound source data received by the communication unit (30). When the playback unit (36) of the speaking equipment (8) has not played back sound source data for a prescribed time, the playback unit plays back specific sound source data for notifying the user (12) of specific content when triggered by the following event: the speaking equipment (8) is operated by the user (12), or the user (12) approaches the speaking equipment (8).

Description

Notification system, notification method, server device and equipment

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

[0002] A speech device having a speech function that produces speech by playing back sound source data is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of speech device downloads sound source data from a server device to notify a user of an event each time the event occurs in the information source device, and plays back the downloaded sound source data. This allows the user to recognize that an event has occurred in the information source device.

[0003] JP 2008-46424 A

[0004] The present disclosure provides a notification system, a notification method, a server device, and a device that can notify a user that the device has fallen into a state where it cannot play back audio source data.

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

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

[0007] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a first operation flow of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first operation of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation flow of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the second operation of the notification system according to an embodiment.

[0008] (Findings that Form the Basis of the Present 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, if for some reason the speech device falls into a state where it is unable to play back audio source data, but the main functions of the speech device can still be used, the user may not notice that the speech device is now in a state where it is unable to play back audio source data.

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

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

[0015] 1 , the notification system 2 includes an information source device 4, an external information source 5, a server device 6, and a speech device 8 (an example of a device). The information source device 4, the external information source 5, the server device 6, and the speech device 8 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, for example, in 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. Each time an event (e.g., "washing completed") occurs in the information source device 4, the information source device 4 transmits an operation log indicating the event to the server device 6. Note that, in the present 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 external information source 5 is an information source (server, etc.) that provides information on services that are not directly related to the speech device 8, such as weather information and delivery information for home delivery services.

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

[0019] The speech device 8 is a home appliance operated by the user 12 and equipped with a speaker 38 (see FIG. 2 , described later). Specifically, the speech device 8 is an appliance with a speech function for emitting speech from the speaker 38, such as a stationary, wall-mounted, or portable television receiver. Each time the speech device 8 receives audio source data from the server device 6, the speech device 8 reproduces the received audio source data to produce speech (e.g., a speech that reads, "The laundry is done."). This allows the user 12 to recognize an event that has occurred on the information source device 4. While the present embodiment describes a case in which the speech device 8 is a television receiver, the present invention 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 handset (so-called door phone).

[0020] 2. Functional Configuration of Notification System 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.

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

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

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

[0024] The acquisition unit 20 acquires the operation log received by the communication unit 18 and outputs the acquired operation log to the sound source data extraction unit 28 .

[0025] The reception unit 22 receives settings for playback of sound source data (hereinafter referred to as "playback settings") made by the user 12 via the communication unit 18 and outputs the received playback settings to the sound source data extraction unit 28. Here, the "settings for playback of sound source data" refer to, for example, the content to be spoken by the speech device 8 and the timing of speech on the speech device 8. For example, the user 12 operates the speech device 8 or a mobile terminal (not shown), such as a smartphone, to select "weather forecast" as the content to be spoken by the speech device 8 and "8:00 AM every day" as the timing of speech on the speech device 8. When the user 12 sets playback settings in this manner, the communication unit 18 acquires sound source data for the weather forecast content from, for example, the external information source 5 and stores the acquired sound source data for the weather forecast content in the storage unit 24. The communication unit 18 then transmits the sound source data for the weather forecast content stored in the storage unit 24 to the speech device 8. As a result, the voice device 8 reproduces the sound source data of the weather forecast content at 8:00 AM every day.

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

[0027] The memory unit 24 also stores speech history information that indicates the speech history of the speech device 8 (i.e., the playback history of the sound source data in the speech device 8), which is generated based on the extraction results of the sound source data extraction unit 28 described below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0037] The playback unit 36 ​​reads out and plays back the received event notification sound source data and content notification sound source data from the storage unit 34 each time the communication unit 30 receives the event notification sound source data and content notification sound source data.

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

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

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

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

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 makes an initial connection with the server device 6 via the network 10 (S101).

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0049] When the detector 32 of the utterance device 8 does not detect a communication error, the above-described steps S105 to S109 are repeatedly executed. In addition to the above-described steps S105 to S109, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 may transmit sound source data for content notification to the utterance device 8.

[0050] Thereafter, when the detector 32 of the utterance device 8 detects a communication error (S110), the playback unit 36 ​​of the utterance device 8 measures the elapsed time since the detector 32 detected the communication error (S111).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0064] Furthermore, in the notification system 2 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the speech device 8 further includes a detection unit 32 that detects a communication error in communication between the speech device 8 and the server device 6, and a storage unit 34 that stores specific sound source data for notifying the user 12 that a communication error has occurred. The playback unit 36 ​​of the speech device 8 (i) plays the sound source data each time the communication unit 30 receives the sound source data when the detection unit 32 has not detected a communication error, and (ii) when the detection unit 32 detects a communication error, plays the specific sound source data pre-stored in the storage unit 34 in response to a trigger such as the user 12 operating the speech device 8 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the communication error was detected.

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

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

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

[0068] Furthermore, in a notification system 2 according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, the server device 6 further includes a reception unit 22 that receives settings related to the playback of sound source data made by the user 12, and an identification unit 26 that identifies a speech device 8 for which sound source data has not been played for a predetermined period of time due to the content of the settings. When the identification unit 26 identifies a speech device 8, the communication unit 18 of the server device 6 transmits specific sound source data to the speech device 8 identified by the identification unit 26, the specific sound source data being used to notify the user 12 that they should review the content of the settings. The communication unit 30 of the speech device 8 receives the specific sound source data from the server device 6. The playback unit 36 ​​of the speech device 8 plays the specific sound source data received by the communication unit 30.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0078] (Modifications, 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 modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-described embodiments to create new embodiments.

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

[0080] In the above embodiment, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 plays back the sound source data for communication error notification or the sound source data for resetting notification when the user 12 operates the speaking device 8 if the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time, but this is not limiting. For example, the playback unit 36 ​​of the speaking device 8 may play back the sound source data for communication error notification or the sound source data for resetting notification when the user 12 detects that the user 12 has approached the speaking device 8 using a human presence sensor located on the speaking device 8 if the sound source data has not been played back for a predetermined period of time.

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

[0082] 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.

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

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

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 2 Notification system 4 Information source device 5 External information source 6 Server device 8 Speaking device 10 Network 12 User 14 Home 16, 18, 30 Communication unit 20 Acquisition unit 22 Reception unit 24, 34 Storage unit 26 Identification unit 28 Sound source data extraction unit 32 Detection unit 36 ​​Playback unit 38 Speaker

Claims

1. A notification system comprising a device operated by a user and a server device capable of communicating with the device via a network, wherein the server device has a first communication unit which transmits sound source data to the device, the device has a second communication unit which receives the sound source data from the server device, and a playback unit which plays the sound source data received by the second communication unit, and when the sound source data has not been played for a predetermined period of time, the playback unit of the device is triggered by the user operating the device or the user approaching the device to play specific sound source data to notify the user of predetermined content.

2. The notification system of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: a detection unit that detects a communication error in communication between the device and the server device; and a memory unit that stores the specific sound source data for notifying the user that the communication error has occurred, and the playback unit of the device (i) plays the sound source data each time the sound source data is received by the second communication unit when the detection unit has not detected the communication error, and (ii) when the detection unit detects the communication error, plays the specific sound source data pre-stored in the memory unit in response to a trigger such as the user operating the device or the user approaching the device after the period during which the communication error has been detected has reached the specified period.

3. The notification system of claim 2, wherein the first communication unit of the server device transmits the specific sound source data to the device when the device and the server device are connected for the first time, the second communication unit of the device receives the specific sound source data from the server device, and the memory unit of the device stores the specific sound source data received by the second communication unit.

4. The notification system described in claim 1, wherein the server device further includes: a reception unit that receives settings made by the user regarding the playback of audio data; and an identification unit that identifies the device for which audio data has not been played for the specified period due to the content of the settings; when the device is identified by the identification unit, the first communication unit of the server device transmits the specific audio data to the device identified by the identification unit to notify the user that the content of the settings should be reviewed; the second communication unit of the device receives the specific audio data from the server device; and the playback unit of the device plays the specific audio data received by the second communication unit.

5. The notification system according to claim 4, wherein the specific sound source data is sound source data representing a voice spoken by the personified device.

6. A notification method in a notification system comprising a device operated by a user and a server device capable of communicating with said device via a network, comprising: (a) a step by said server device transmitting sound source data to said device; (b) a step by said device receiving the sound source data from said server device; (c) a step by said device playing the sound source data received in (b); and (d) a step of playing specific sound source data for notifying the user of predetermined content, triggered by the user operating said device or approaching said device, when said device has not played back sound source data for a predetermined period of time.

7. A server device capable of communicating with a device operated by a user via a network, comprising: a communication unit that transmits sound source data to the device; a memory unit that stores the sound source data and speech history information indicating the playback history of the sound source data on the device; and an identification unit that identifies a device for which the sound source data has not been played for a specified period of time based on the speech history information stored in the memory unit, wherein the communication unit transmits specific sound source data for notifying the user of specified content to the device identified by the identification unit.

8. A device that is operated by a user and can communicate with a server device via a network, comprising: a communication unit that receives sound source data from the server device; and a playback unit that plays the sound source data received by the communication unit, wherein when the sound source data has not been played for a predetermined period of time, the playback unit plays specific sound source data to notify the user of predetermined content, triggered by the user operating the device or the user approaching the device.

Images