Reporting system, reporting method, control device, and program

Abstract

A reporting system (1) comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be reported and importance level information pertaining to an importance level of the audio content; a first reporting unit (13) that reports the audio content; and a control unit (33) that performs first control for controlling reporting of the audio content by the first reporting unit according to the importance level identified on the basis of the importance level information acquired by the acquisition unit. In the first control, if the importance level is a first rank, the control unit (33) causes the first reporting unit (13) to report the audio content, or if the importance level is a second rank lower than the first rank, the control unit (33) does not cause the first reporting unit (13) to report the audio content.

Description

Notification system, notification method, control device, and program

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for causing a home appliance having a voice input / output function to speak by instructing the content and timing of speech to the home appliance.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-151718

[0004] The present disclosure provides a notification system and the like that can effectively notify users of audio content.

[0005] A notification system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content, a first notification unit that notifies the audio content, and a control unit that performs first control to control the notification of the audio content in the first notification unit according to the importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein, in the first control, the control unit notifies the first notification unit of the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not notify the first notification unit of the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0006] In addition, a notification method according to one aspect of the present disclosure acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content, determines whether to notify the audio content based on the importance determined based on the importance information, notifies the audio content based on the result of the decision, and decides to notify the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and decides not to notify the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0007] In addition, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that is communicatively connected to a notification device, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content, and a control unit that controls notification of the audio content in the notification device according to an importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the control unit notifies the notification device of the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not notify the notification device of the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0008] These general or specific aspects may be realized by a device, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a device, a method, a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a non-transitory recording medium.

[0009] The notification system and the like in the present disclosure can effectively notify users of audio content.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a notification system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation in the notification system. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of notification control in a server. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of notification control in a server. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of notification control in a server according to modification (1).

[0011] (Findings Forming the Basis of the Present Disclosure) In conventional technology, a notification device makes a speech based on a speech instruction upon receiving the speech instruction from a server. In this way, the notification device notifies the user by making a speech. However, if a speech is made while the user is performing another task, such as viewing content, the user may feel that the speech notification is interrupting the task and may find the speech notification annoying. On the other hand, there are some speech notifications that are more beneficial to the user when notified immediately. For example, such a notification may be that an error has occurred during operation of a home appliance owned by the user and the appliance has stopped. In this way, some speech notifications include content that should be notified immediately, and some include content that should not be notified immediately.

[0012] After careful consideration, the inventors discovered a notification system that can effectively notify users by speech by switching between notifications that include content that should be notified immediately and notifications that do not.

[0013] A notification system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content, a first notification unit that notifies the audio content, and a control unit that performs first control to control notification of the audio content in the first notification unit according to the importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein, in the first control, the control unit notifies the first notification unit of the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not notify the first notification unit of the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0014] This allows the user to be instantly notified of audio content with high importance, and does not notify of audio content with low importance, thereby notifying the user that the content notified by audio is beneficial to the user. In other words, the user can determine that the content notified by audio is important, so they can concentrate on listening to the audio notification, reducing the chance of missing an important notification. Furthermore, since content with low importance is not notified by audio, notifying the user of content with low importance by audio can reduce the disruption to the user's work. Therefore, it is possible to effectively notify the user by speech.

[0015] A notification system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the notification system according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify a sound other than speech when the importance determined based on the importance information is the second rank.

[0016] Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that a notification of content of low importance has been received without interfering with the user's work.

[0017] A notification system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a notification system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, and the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify the display content when the importance determined based on the importance information is the second rank.

[0018] Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that a notification of content of low importance has been received by displaying the content to the user without interfering with the user's work.

[0019] A notification system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the notification system according to the first aspect, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, and the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify sounds other than audio and the display content when the importance determined based on the importance information is the second rank, and causes the first notification unit to notify the display content when the importance determined based on the importance information is a third rank lower than the second rank.

[0020] Therefore, the user can be notified of content of low importance without interfering with the user's work, and the user can be notified of content of even lower importance by displaying the content without interfering with the user's work.

[0021] A notification system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a notification system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, the first notification unit is provided in a first device capable of outputting audio and video, and the control unit performs second control to notify the first notification unit of the audio content regardless of the importance based on the importance information when the first device is not outputting an image.

[0022] According to this, when the user is not viewing the content on the first device, the notification is given by voice regardless of the importance, so that the notification can be given to the user without interfering with the user's viewing of the content.

[0023] A notification system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a notification system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a second notification unit that notifies the audio content and is different from the first notification unit, wherein the first notification unit is provided in a first device capable of outputting audio and video, and the second notification unit is provided in a second device capable of outputting audio, and wherein, in the first control, if the importance is the first rank, the control unit further causes the second notification unit to notify the audio content, and if the importance is the second rank, causes the second notification unit to notify the audio content.

[0024] According to this, audio content with a high level of importance is notified to the first notification unit and the second notification unit, and audio content with a low level of importance is notified to the second notification unit. Therefore, since content with a low level of importance is notified to the second device by voice, even if the user is watching video content on the first device, the notification can be given to the user without interrupting the user's viewing of the video content.

[0025] A notification method according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content, determines whether to notify the audio content based on the importance determined based on the importance information, and notifies the audio content based on the result of the decision, and in the decision, decides to notify the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and decides not to notify the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0026] This allows the user to be instantly notified of audio content with high importance, and does not notify of audio content with low importance, thereby notifying the user that the content notified by audio is beneficial to the user. In other words, the user can determine that the content notified by audio is important, so they can concentrate on listening to the audio notification, reducing the chance of missing an important notification. Furthermore, since content with low importance is not notified by audio, notifying the user of content with low importance by audio can reduce the disruption to the user's work. Therefore, it is possible to effectively notify the user by speech.

[0027] A control device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a control device communicatively connected to a notification device, and comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content; and a control unit that controls notification of the audio content in the notification device according to an importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the control unit notifies the notification device of the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not notify the notification device of the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0028] This allows the user to be instantly notified of audio content with high importance, and does not notify of audio content with low importance, thereby notifying the user that the content notified by audio is beneficial to the user. In other words, the user can determine that the content notified by audio is important, so they can concentrate on listening to the audio notification, reducing the chance of missing an important notification. Furthermore, since content with low importance is not notified by audio, notifying the user of content with low importance by audio can reduce the disruption to the user's work. Therefore, it is possible to effectively notify the user by speech.

[0029] A program according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the notification method according to the seventh aspect.

[0030] These general or specific aspects may be realized by a device, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a device, a method, a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a non-transitory recording medium.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The inventors have provided 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.

[0033] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a notification system according to an embodiment.

[0034] 1 shows notification devices 10 and 20, a server 30, a network 60, and a router 61. Of these components, for example, notification system 1 includes notification devices 10 and 20 and server 30. Notification devices 10 and 20 and server 30 are communicatively connected to each other via network 60. Router 61 is a device that mediates communication between notification devices 10 and 20 and network 60.

[0035] The notification system 1 is a system in which a server 30 transmits a notification instruction to the notification devices 10, 20, and the notification devices 10, 20 output audio based on the received notification instruction, thereby notifying the user of predetermined notification content. The server 30 transmits the notification instruction to the notification devices 10, 20, for example, by push. The notification instruction includes audio indicating the notification content (i.e., audio content) and at least one of a character string and an image indicating the notification content (i.e., display content). Note that the notification instruction may include audio content but may not necessarily include display content.

[0036] Alternatively, the notification device 10, 20 may store multiple notification contents in advance, and the notification instruction may instruct the notification device 10, 20 to play audio indicated by one of the multiple notification contents stored in the notification device 10, 20. In other words, the notification instruction may include information specifying which of the multiple notification contents is to be played. In this case, the notification content may include audio content and display content, or may include audio content but not display content.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment.

[0038] The notification system 1 includes notification devices 10 and 20 and a server 30. The router 61 is not shown in Fig. 2 . The notification devices 10 and 20 are, for example, devices owned by the same user. For example, the server 30 stores the device information for each of the notification devices 10 and 20 in association with the user identifier of the same user.

[0039] The notification device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a first notification unit 13. The notification device 10 is, for example, an example of a first device capable of outputting audio and video. The notification device 10 is, for example, a TV. The notification device 10 may include a speaker for outputting audio and a display for outputting video. Note that the notification device 10 may be any home appliance as long as it includes a speaker and a display.

[0040] Furthermore, the notification device 10 does not need to have a speaker or a display, but may be any device that can output an audio signal to a speaker and a video signal to a display. For example, the notification device 10 may be a recorder, a set-top box, or the like.

[0041] The communication unit 11 receives a notification instruction from the server 30 via the network 60. The communication unit 11 is realized, for example, by a communication IF (Interface). The communication unit 11 may be realized by a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. The communication unit 11 does not have to be connected to the network 60 via the router 61, and may be connected to the network 60 via a communication line such as a mobile phone communication network.

[0042] When a notification instruction is received by the communication unit 11, the control unit 12 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify the content based on the notification instruction. If the notification instruction includes audio content, the control unit 12 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content by audio. If the notification instruction includes audio content and display content, the control unit 12 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content by audio and to notify the display content by display.

[0043] When the notification instruction includes an instruction to play a jingle sound, the control unit 12 may cause the first notification unit 13 to output a jingle sound. When the notification instruction includes an instruction to play audio content and a jingle sound, the control unit 12 may cause the first notification unit 13 to output a jingle sound and then notify the audio content by voice. The control unit 12 is realized by a control circuit such as a processor.

[0044] The first notification unit 13 performs notification based on control by the control unit 12. The first notification unit 13 has an audio output unit 13a and a video output unit 13b. When the control unit 12 notifies the user of audio content, the audio output unit 13a plays the audio content and outputs audio or an audio signal indicated by the audio content. The audio output unit 13a may be realized by a speaker, or may be realized by an audio signal processing circuit and an output terminal that output an audio signal to the speaker. When the control unit 12 notifies the user of display content, the video output unit 13b plays the display content and outputs a display or a display signal indicated by the display content. The video output unit 13b may be realized by a display, or may be realized by a video signal processing circuit and an output terminal that output a display signal to the display.

[0045] The notification device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a second notification unit 23. The notification device 20 is, for example, an example of a second device capable of outputting audio. The notification device 20 may also be capable of outputting video. The notification device 20 is, for example, a lighting device equipped with a speaker. Note that the notification device 20 may also be a VPA (Virtual Private Assistant) terminal such as a smart speaker, an autonomous vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner, or the like.

[0046] The communication unit 21 receives a notification instruction from the server 30 via the network 60. The communication unit 21 is realized, for example, by a communication IF (Interface). The communication unit 21 may be realized by a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. The communication unit 21 does not have to be connected to the network 60 via the router 61, and may be connected to the network 60 via a communication line such as a mobile phone communication network.

[0047] When the communication unit 21 receives a notification instruction, the control unit 22 causes the second notification unit 23 to notify the content based on the notification instruction. If the notification instruction includes audio content, the control unit 22 causes the second notification unit 23 to notify the audio content by audio. If the notification instruction includes audio content and display content, the control unit 22 causes the second notification unit 23 to notify the audio content by audio. In this case, the second notification unit 23 cannot present the display content, so the control unit 22 does not cause the second notification unit 23 to notify the display content.

[0048] When the notification instruction includes an instruction to play a jingle sound, the control unit 22 may cause the second notification unit 23 to output a jingle sound. When the notification instruction includes an instruction to play audio content and a jingle sound, the control unit 22 may cause the second notification unit 23 to output a jingle sound and then notify the audio content by voice. The control unit 22 is realized by a control circuit such as a processor.

[0049] The second notification unit 23 performs notification based on the control of the control unit 22. The second notification unit 23 has an audio output unit 23a. When the control unit 22 notifies the user of audio content, the audio output unit 23a plays the audio content and outputs the audio or audio signal indicated by the audio content. The audio output unit 23a may be realized by a speaker, or may be realized by an audio signal processing circuit and an output terminal that output an audio signal to the speaker.

[0050] The server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The server 30 is an example of a control device.

[0051] The communication unit 31 exchanges information with the notification devices 10 and 20 via the network 60. Specifically, the communication unit 31 transmits notification instructions to the notification devices 10 and 20. The communication unit 31 may be realized, for example, by a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

[0052] The storage unit 32 stores information indicating the destination of the notification devices 10, 20 as the destination of the notification instruction. If the notification instruction includes notification content composed of audio data, the storage unit 32 may store multiple notification instructions. The storage unit 32 stores device information for each of the notification devices 10, 20 in association with the user identifier of the same user. The storage unit 32 may store device information for one or more notification devices owned by each of multiple users. The device information may include information indicating the destination of the notification devices 10, 20. The storage unit 32 may store a notification history for the notification devices 10, 20.

[0053] When a predetermined condition in the server 30 is satisfied, the control unit 33 controls the communication unit 31 to send a predetermined notification instruction to the notification device 10, 20. Satisfying the predetermined condition in the server 30 may mean, for example, when a predetermined time arrives, when predetermined information is received, or when a predetermined action is performed a predetermined number of times. In other words, when one of a plurality of conditions in the server 30 is satisfied, the control unit 33 controls the communication unit 31 to send one notification instruction associated with that one condition to the notification device 10, 20.

[0054] For example, each of the plurality of conditions is associated with a plurality of contents. When one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied, the control unit 33 selects the content associated with the condition as content to be notified. Then, the control unit 33 acquires the selected content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the content from the storage unit 32. The content to be notified includes at least audio content out of audio content and display content.

[0055] A plurality of contents associated with a plurality of conditions are stored in the storage unit 32. Each of the plurality of contents may be stored in association with importance information relating to the importance of the corresponding content. The importance information is information indicating the importance. The importance may be classified into three ranks, for example, a first rank (high importance), a second rank (medium importance), and a third rank (low importance), in descending order of importance.

[0056] The importance information may be information used to identify the importance. The importance information may be information indicating a content category. In this case, an importance may be associated with each content category, and category information indicating the category associated with the importance may be stored in the storage unit 32. Each of multiple pieces of content may be associated with a category so that the content can be classified by category. This allows the control unit 33 to identify the importance of the content according to the content category.

[0057] Alternatively, the importance information may be information indicating a category of conditions associated with the content. In this case, multiple conditions associated with multiple pieces of content may be associated with categories. In this way, when one condition is satisfied, the control unit 33 can identify the content associated with that one condition and determine the importance associated with the category associated with that one condition as the importance of the identified content.

[0058] The multiple conditions may each be conditions based on personal information such as user information indicating user attributes and preference information indicating user preferences. User attributes are demographic information, such as the user's age, gender, residential area, annual income, marital status, whether with children, occupational classification, place of employment, and educational background. User preference information is information indicating the user's areas of preference. For example, a user's preferences may include games, game consoles, game strategies, baseball, American football, skiing, cameras, audio equipment, recorders, LCD TVs, high-definition TVs, videos, SNS (Social Networking Service), music, coffee, cooking recipes, automobiles, automobile exteriors, travel, travel bags, route maps, child-rearing, interior decoration, and gardens.

[0059] For example, if the category of the content for which the conditions are satisfied matches or is similar to the user's attribute or preference information, a high importance level may be set as the importance level of the content for which the conditions are satisfied. Conversely, if the category of the content for which the conditions are satisfied does not match or is not similar to the user's attribute or preference information, a low importance level may be set as the importance level of the content for which the conditions are satisfied. Furthermore, the higher the similarity obtained by comparing the category of the content for which the conditions are satisfied with the user's attribute or preference information, the higher the importance level may be set as the importance level of the content for which the conditions are satisfied.

[0060] Each of the multiple conditions may be set so that the importance of the content associated with the corresponding condition varies depending on the time period of the day. For example, if a certain condition is met in the morning, the importance of the content associated with the condition may be ranked first, and if the condition is met in the afternoon, the importance of the content associated with the condition may be ranked second.

[0061] As described above, the control unit 33 identifies the importance level based on the acquired importance level information. Then, the control unit 33 performs first control to control the notification of audio content in the notification devices 10 and 20 according to the identified importance level. If the importance level of the content to be notified is ranked first in the first control, the control unit 33 causes the notification device 10 to notify the audio content included in the content to be notified. In this case, the control unit 33 may also cause the notification device 20 to notify the audio content.

[0062] In the first control, if the importance of the content to be notified is a rank lower than the first rank (second rank or third rank), the control unit 33 does not cause the notification device 10 to notify the audio content included in the content to be notified. In this case, the control unit 33 may cause the notification device 10 to notify a sound other than audio. The control unit 33 may cause the notification device 10 to notify, for example, a jingle sound. In this case, the control unit 33 may also cause the notification device 10 to notify, for example, of display content included in the content to be notified. In this case, the control unit 33 may also cause the notification device 20 to notify the audio content included in the content to be notified.

[0063] In the first control, the control unit 33 may cause the notification device 10 to notify a jingle sound and display content if the importance of the content to be notified is second rank, and may cause the notification device 10 to notify the display content if the importance is third rank. If the importance is third rank, the control unit 33 does not cause the notification device 10 to notify a jingle sound. In this case, the control unit 33 does not need to cause the notification device 10 to notify the display content.

[0064] [2. Operation] Next, the operation of the notification system 1 will be described.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the notification system.

[0066] First, the server 30 performs notification control (S1). Details of the notification control will be described later.

[0067] Based on the notification control, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction to the notification device 10 (S2), and transmits a notification instruction to the notification device 20 (S3).

[0068] The notification device 10 issues a notification based on the notification instruction received from the server 30 (S4).

[0069] Similarly, the notification device 20 issues a notification based on the notification instruction received from the server 30 (S5).

[0070] The notification instruction sent from the server 30 in step S2 may be the same as or different from the notification instruction sent from the server 30 in step S3.

[0071] 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of notification control in the server.

[0072] The server 30 determines whether a specific user satisfies a predetermined condition (S11).

[0073] If the server 30 determines that the predetermined condition is met (Yes in S11), it executes step S12, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is not met (No in S11), it returns to step S11.

[0074] In step S12, the server 30 selects content that satisfies a predetermined condition (S12).

[0075] Next, the server 30 determines the importance of the selected content based on the selected content (S13).

[0076] Next, the server 30 determines whether or not a specific user has registered multiple notification devices (S14). That is, the server 30 determines whether or not a specific user owns multiple notification devices.

[0077] If the server 30 determines that a specific user has registered multiple notification devices (Yes in S14), it executes step S15, and if it determines that a specific user has not registered multiple notification devices (No in S14), it executes step S19.

[0078] In step S15, the server 30 determines whether the importance level is rank 1, rank 2, or rank 3 (S15).

[0079] If the importance level is rank 1 ("Rank 1" in S15), the server 30 executes step S16; if the importance level is rank 2 ("Rank 2" in S15), the server 30 executes step S17; and if the importance level is rank 3 ("Rank 3" in S15), the server 30 executes step S18.

[0080] In step S16, the server 30 instructs all notification devices 10, 20 to make a voice notification (S16). Specifically, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound, audio content, and display content to the notification device 10. Furthermore, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and audio content to the notification device 20.

[0081] In step S17, the server 30 instructs the notification device 10 to play a jingle sound and to issue a notification to present display content, and instructs the notification device 20 to issue a voice notification (S17). Specifically, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and display content to the notification device 10. Furthermore, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and audio content to the notification device 20.

[0082] In step S18, the server 30 instructs the notification device 10 to issue a notification to present the display content and instructs the notification device 20 to issue a voice notification (S18). Specifically, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including the display content to the notification device 10. Furthermore, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and the voice content to the notification device 20.

[0083] In step S19, the server 30 determines whether the importance level is rank 1, rank 2, or rank 3 (S19).

[0084] If the importance level is rank 1 ("Rank 1" in S19), the server 30 executes step S20; if the importance level is rank 2 ("Rank 2" in S19), the server 30 executes step S21; and if the importance level is rank 3 ("Rank 3" in S19), the server 30 executes step S22.

[0085] The server 30 issues a first notification instruction in step S20 (S20). In the first notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by a specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio and video (e.g., notification device 10), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and audio content and display content to the notification device 10. In the first notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by a specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio but not video (e.g., notification device 20), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and audio content to the notification device 20.

[0086] The server 30 issues a second notification instruction in step S21 (S21). In the second notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by the specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio and video (e.g., notification device 10), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and display content to the notification device 10. In the second notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by the specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio but not video (e.g., notification device 20), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound to the notification device 20. Note that the notification instruction transmitted to the notification device 20 may further include audio content.

[0087] The server 30 issues a third notification instruction in step S22 (S22). In the third notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by the specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio and video (e.g., notification device 10), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including display content to the notification device 10. In the third notification instruction, if the notification devices owned by the specific user are only devices capable of presenting audio but not video (e.g., notification device 20), the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound to the notification device 20.

[0088] In this way, the server 30 determines whether or not to notify the audio content in each of the notification devices 10, 20, depending on the importance level identified based on the importance level information. Then, the server 30 notifies the audio content based on the result of the determination.

[0089] 3. Effects, etc. The notification system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition unit (control unit 33), a first notification unit 13, and the control unit 33. The acquisition unit acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content. The first notification unit 13 notifies the audio content. The control unit 33 performs first control to control notification of the audio content by the first notification unit 13 according to the importance identified based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit. In the first control, the control unit 33 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not cause the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

[0090] This allows the user to be instantly notified of audio content with high importance, and does not notify of audio content with low importance, thereby notifying the user that the content notified by audio is beneficial to the user. In other words, the user can determine that the content notified by audio is important, so they can concentrate on listening to the audio notification, reducing the chance of missing an important notification. Furthermore, since content with low importance is not notified by audio, notifying the user of content with low importance by audio can reduce the disruption to the user's work. Therefore, it is possible to effectively notify the user by speech.

[0091] Furthermore, in the notification system 1 according to this embodiment, in the first control, when the importance determined based on the importance information is of the second rank, the control unit 33 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify a sound other than voice.

[0092] Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that a notification of content of low importance has been received without interfering with the user's work.

[0093] In the notification system 1 according to the present embodiment, the first notification unit 13 can also notify display content related to audio content. In the first control, if the importance level determined based on the importance information is second rank, the control unit 33 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify the display content.

[0094] Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that a notification of content of low importance has been received by displaying the content to the user without interfering with the user's work.

[0095] Furthermore, in the notification system 1 according to the present embodiment, the first notification unit 13 can also notify display content related to audio content. In the first control, the control unit 33 causes the first notification unit 13 to notify sounds other than audio and display content when the importance specified based on the importance information is second rank, and causes the first notification unit 13 to notify display content when the importance specified based on the importance information is third rank, which is lower than second rank.

[0096] Therefore, the user can be notified of content of low importance without interfering with the user's work, and the user can be notified of content of even lower importance by displaying the content without interfering with the user's work.

[0097] The notification system 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a second notification unit 23. The second notification unit 23 notifies audio content and is different from the first notification unit 13. The first notification unit 13 is provided in a first device (notification device 10) capable of outputting audio and video. The second notification unit 23 is provided in a second device (notification device 20) capable of outputting audio. In the first control, if the importance level is first rank, the control unit 33 further causes the second notification unit 23 to notify the audio content, and if the importance level is second rank, the control unit 33 causes the second notification unit 23 to notify the audio content. If the importance level is second rank, the control unit 33 does not cause the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content.

[0098] According to this, audio content with a high level of importance is notified to the first notification unit 13 and the second notification unit 23, and audio content with a low level of importance is notified to the second notification unit 23. Therefore, since content with a low level of importance is notified by audio to the second device, even if the user is watching video content on the first device, for example, the notification can be given to the user without interrupting the user's viewing of the video content.

[0099] [4. Modifications] (1) In the notification system 1 according to the above embodiment, the control unit 33 may perform second control to have the notification device 10 notify audio content included in the content to be notified, regardless of the importance level based on the importance information, when the notification device 10 is not outputting an image. In this case, the communication unit 31 may periodically acquire status information indicating the status of the notification device 10 from the notification device 10, or may request status information from the notification device 10 at the timing of notifying the content to be notified and acquire the status information from the notification device 10. The control unit 33 determines whether the notification device 10 is outputting an image based on the status information acquired by the communication unit 31. The status information is information indicating whether the notification device 10 is outputting an image. For example, the status information may be information indicating whether the notification device 10 is in a standby state. Being in a standby state indicates at least that the notification device 10 is not outputting an image.

[0100] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of notification control in the server according to the first modification.

[0101] The server 30 determines whether a specific user satisfies a predetermined condition (S31).

[0102] If the server 30 determines that the predetermined condition is met (Yes in S31), it executes step S32, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is not met (No in S31), it returns to step S31.

[0103] In step S32, the server 30 selects content that satisfies a predetermined condition (S32).

[0104] The server 30 acquires the status information of the notification device 10 from the notification device 10 (S33).

[0105] The server 30 determines whether the notification device 10 is outputting an image based on the status information (S34).

[0106] If the server 30 determines that the notification device 10 is in a state of outputting an image (Yes in S34), it executes step S35, and if it determines that the notification device 10 is not in a state of outputting an image (No in S34), it executes step S40.

[0107] In step S35, the server 30 determines the importance of the content based on the content selected in step S32 (S35).

[0108] Next, the server 30 determines whether the importance level is rank 1, rank 2, or rank 3 (S36).

[0109] If the importance level is rank 1 ("Rank 1" in S36), the server 30 executes step S37; if the importance level is rank 2 ("Rank 2" in S36), the server 30 executes step S38; and if the importance level is rank 3 ("Rank 3" in S36), the server 30 executes step S39.

[0110] In step S37, the server 30 issues a first notification instruction (S37). In the first notification instruction, the server 30 transmits to the notification device 10 a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound, audio content, and display content.

[0111] The server 30 issues a second notification instruction in step S38 (S38). In the second notification instruction, the server 30 transmits to the notification device 10 a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound and display content.

[0112] In step S39, the server 30 issues a third notification instruction (S39). In the third notification instruction, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including display content to the notification device 10.

[0113] In step S40, the server 30 transmits a notification instruction including an instruction to play a jingle sound, audio content, and display content to the notification device 10 (S40).

[0114] In this way, in the notification system 1 according to the modification (1), the first notification unit 13 can further notify display content related to audio content. The first notification unit 13 is provided in a first device (notification device 10) capable of outputting audio and video. When the first device is not outputting images, the control unit 33 performs second control to cause the first notification unit 13 to notify the audio content regardless of the importance level based on the importance information.

[0115] According to this, when the user is not viewing the content on the first device, the notification is given by voice regardless of the importance, so that the notification can be given to the user without interfering with the user's viewing of the content.

[0116] (2) In the notification system 1 according to the above embodiment, the control unit 33 selects one piece of content to be notified from among a plurality of pieces of content. However, this is not limited to this. When one of a plurality of conditions is satisfied, the content to be notified may be generated based on a rule that is previously associated with that one condition.

[0117] (3) In the notification system 1 according to the above embodiment, the notification device 10 plays audio content if the notification instruction includes audio content, and plays display content if the notification instruction includes display content. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the notification instruction may always include audio content and display content, and may further include information indicating whether to notify the audio content and information indicating whether to notify the display content. In this way, the notification device 10 may switch between notifying the audio content and the display content included in the notification instruction based on the information indicating whether to notify the audio content and the information indicating whether to notify the display content.

[0118] [5. Other] In the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program appropriate for that 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 recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. Here, the software that realizes the system, information terminal, server, camera device, etc. of the above embodiments is a program that causes a computer to execute each step included in the flowcharts shown in the figures.

[0119] The following cases are also included in this disclosure:

[0120] (1) Specifically, each of the above devices is a computer system consisting of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, hard disk unit, display unit, keyboard, mouse, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk unit. Each device achieves its function when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program. Here, a computer program is composed of a combination of multiple instruction codes that indicate commands to a computer to achieve a specified function.

[0121] (2) Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be configured as a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration). A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components on a single chip, and specifically, is a computer system configured to include a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0122] (3) Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be configured as an IC card or a standalone module that can be attached to each device. The IC card or module may be a computer system configured with a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include the above-mentioned ultra-multifunctional LSI. The IC card or module achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates in accordance with a computer program. The IC card or module may be tamper-resistant.

[0123] (4) The present disclosure may be embodied as the methods described above, a computer program that implements these methods on a computer, or a digital signal that includes the computer program.

[0124] The present disclosure may also be a computer program or a digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be a digital signal recorded on such a recording medium.

[0125] Furthermore, the present disclosure may involve transmitting the computer program or the digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0126] The present disclosure may also be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, the memory storing the computer program, and the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0127] The program or the digital signal may also be implemented by another independent computer system by recording it on the recording medium and transferring it, or by transferring it via the network or the like.

[0128] (5) The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0129] The present disclosure is useful as a notification system that can effectively notify users of audio content.

[0130] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Notification system 10, 20 Notification device 11, 21, 31 Communication unit 12, 22, 33 Control unit 13 First notification unit 13a, 23a Audio output unit 13b Video output unit 23 Second notification unit 32 Storage unit 60 Network 61 Router

Claims

1. A notification system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content; a first notification unit that notifies the audio content; and a control unit that performs first control to control notification of the audio content in the first notification unit according to an importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and does not cause the first notification unit to notify the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

2. The notification system of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify a sound other than speech when the importance identified based on the importance information is the second rank.

3. The notification system of claim 1, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, and the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify the display content when the importance identified based on the importance information is the second rank.

4. The notification system of claim 1, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, and the control unit, in the first control, causes the first notification unit to notify sounds other than voice and the display content when the importance identified based on the importance information is the second rank, and causes the first notification unit to notify the display content when the importance identified based on the importance information is a third rank lower than the second rank.

5. A notification system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first notification unit is further capable of notifying display content related to the audio content, the first notification unit is provided in a first device capable of outputting audio and video, and the control unit performs a second control to notify the first notification unit of the audio content regardless of the importance based on the importance information when the first device is not outputting an image.

6. A notification system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second notification unit which notifies the audio content and is different from the first notification unit, wherein the first notification unit is provided in a first device capable of outputting audio and video, and the second notification unit is provided in a second device capable of outputting audio, and wherein the control unit, in the first control, further causes the second notification unit to notify the audio content when the importance is the first rank, and causes the second notification unit to notify the audio content when the importance is the second rank.

7. A notification method comprising: acquiring audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content; determining whether or not to notify the audio content according to the importance determined based on the importance information; notifying the audio content based on the result of the decision; and, in the decision, deciding to notify the audio content if the importance is a first rank, and deciding not to notify the audio content if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank.

8. A control device communicatively connected to a notification device, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires audio content to be notified and importance information regarding the importance of the audio content; and a control unit that controls notification of the audio content in the notification device according to an importance determined based on the importance information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the control unit: if the importance is a first rank, causes the notification device to notify the audio content; and if the importance is a second rank lower than the first rank, does not cause the notification device to notify the audio content.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute the notification method according to claim 7.

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