Notification system, notification device, notification method, and program

Abstract

A notification system (100) comprises an acquisition unit (11), an extraction unit (12), and a processing unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) acquires text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal (3). The extraction unit (12) extracts, from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit (11), a condition regarding notification using the message. The processing unit (13) causes a notification device (2) to output notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information, on the basis of the condition extracted by the extraction unit (12).

Description

Notification system, notification device, notification method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification system and the like that causes a notification device to output notification information indicating the content of a message transmitted from an information processing terminal.

[0002] For example, 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 makes it easier to control notifications from notification devices using an information processing terminal.

[0005] A notification system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, an extraction unit, and a processing unit. The acquisition unit acquires text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal. The extraction unit extracts conditions related to notification using the message from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit. The processing unit causes a notification device to output notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit.

[0006] A notification device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an instruction acquisition unit and an output unit, wherein the instruction acquisition unit acquires an instruction to output the notification information from the notification system, and the output unit outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit acquires the instruction.

[0007] A notification method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes acquiring text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal, extracting conditions for notification using the message from the acquired text information, and outputting notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information from a notification device based on the extracted conditions.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the notification method.

[0009] The notification system and the like according to the present disclosure has the advantage that the notification mode by the notification device can be easily controlled by the information processing terminal.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first extraction example by the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second extraction example by the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of issues with a notification system of a comparative example. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of advantages of the notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of a notification system according to a modified embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of operation of the notification system according to a modified embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a notification system according to another modified embodiment.

[0011] First, the inventor's point of view will be explained below.

[0012] As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, there is a conventional technology for causing a home appliance (notification device) equipped with a voice input / output function to speak by instructing the content and timing of the speech (notification) to the home appliance. This technology is used to notify a user who is not near a home appliance, for example, a washing machine, of the content of an event that has occurred by causing the notification device equipped with a voice input / output function to speak the content of the event. The event may include, for example, the occurrence of an error in the home appliance or the completion of an operation that the home appliance was executing.

[0013] The above technology can be used to notify users nearby a notification device of the contents of a message entered in an instant messenger application running on an information processing terminal, such as a smartphone, by having the notification device with a voice input / output function speak the contents of the message. However, instant messenger applications basically transmit entered messages to the notification device instantly and do not have the function of specifying the notification format in which the notification device notifies the users of the contents of the message. Therefore, when a notification device receives a signal containing a message sent from the information processing terminal, it immediately notifies the users of the contents of the message contained in the received signal. In other words, the above technology has a problem in that the notification by the notification device cannot be controlled by the information processing terminal.

[0014] In view of the above, the inventors have come up with the present disclosure.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] (Embodiment) [1-1. Overall Configuration] First, the overall configuration including a notification system 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including a notification system 100 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment, the notification system 100 is a system that, when a message M1 (see Fig. 2, etc., described later) is transmitted from an information processing terminal 3 such as a smartphone, causes a notification device 2 to output notification information indicating the contents of the message M1.

[0018] The notification device 2 is a device capable of notifying a user U1 (see Figure 5, etc., described later) who is different from the user U2 who owns the information processing terminal 3 of the contents of a message M1 sent from an information processing terminal 3 owned by the user U2 (see Figure 5, etc., described later).

[0019] In the embodiment, the notification device 2 issues a notification by, for example, outputting a sound from a speaker. Note that the notification device 2 may also issue a notification by, for example, displaying a character string or an image on a built-in display, or by both outputting a sound and displaying a message.

[0020] The notification device 2 is, for example, a device installed in the facility where user U1 resides, and is a device having the above-mentioned audio output function or display function. In the embodiment, the notification device 2 is a home appliance. Specifically, the notification device 2 may include, for example, a smart speaker, a television receiver, a lighting fixture, a pet camera, an intercom master unit, an intercom slave unit, an air conditioner, or a robot vacuum cleaner. Note that the notification device 2 may also be a portable information device owned by user U1, such as a portable television receiver, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop personal computer.

[0021] The notification device 2 includes an instruction acquisition unit 21 and an output unit 22. In the embodiment, the notification device 2 includes a processor and a memory, and the notification device 2 realizes each of its components by causing the processor to execute a computer program stored in the memory.

[0022] The instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires an instruction to output notification information from the notification system 100. In the embodiment, the instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires the instruction included in the instruction signal by receiving the instruction signal transmitted from the notification system 100 via a network such as the Internet (hereinafter simply referred to as the "network").

[0023] The output unit 22 outputs notification information when the instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires an instruction. For example, if the notification device 2 has an audio output function, the output unit 22 accesses a sound source URL (Uniform Resource Locator) included in the instruction, downloads an audio message, and plays the audio message to output the notification information. The output unit 22 may play the audio message included in the instruction. Furthermore, if various audio messages are pre-stored in the memory of the notification device 2, the output unit 22 may read and play the corresponding audio message from the memory in accordance with the instruction. Furthermore, if the notification device 2 has an automatic audio generation function, the output unit 22 may generate and play the corresponding audio message in accordance with the instruction.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, if the notification device 2 has a display function, the output unit 22 outputs the notification information by displaying the character string or image, etc. included in the instruction on the display. Note that if various character strings or images, etc. are stored in advance in the memory of the notification device 2, the output unit 22 may read the corresponding character string or image, etc. from the memory in accordance with the instruction and display it on the display. Also, if the notification device 2 has a function to automatically generate character strings or images, etc., the output unit 22 may generate the corresponding character string or image, etc. in accordance with the instruction and display it on the display.

[0025] The information processing terminal 3 is a terminal carried by the user U2, and is a portable terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop-type personal computer. The information processing terminal 3 has a function of sending a message M1 to other devices including the server 1. In this embodiment, an instant messenger application is installed in the information processing terminal 3. The information processing terminal 3 executes the instant messenger application to send text information including a message M1 entered in the instant messenger application to a specified destination.

[0026] The instant messenger may include, for example, LINE (registered trademark), WhatsApp (registered trademark), WeChat (registered trademark), Messenger (registered trademark), Snapchat (registered trademark), etc. Of course, the instant messenger is not limited to the above examples.

[0027] [1-2. Notification System] Next, details of the notification system 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 , the notification system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, an extraction unit 12, a processing unit 13, and a storage unit 14. Note that, although the notification system 100 includes the storage unit 14 in the embodiment, the storage unit 14 does not have to be a component of the notification system 100.

[0028] In the embodiment, the notification system 100 is realized by a server 1. The server 1 has a processor and a memory, and the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory to realize each component of the notification system 100. In the embodiment, the memory is a storage unit 14.

[0029] The notification system 100 is configured to be able to communicate with the notification device 2 and the information processing terminal 3 via a network. In the example shown in Fig. 1, there is one notification device 2 and one information processing terminal 3, but there may be multiple notification devices 2 and multiple information processing terminals 3.

[0030] The acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including a message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3. In the embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information by receiving a signal including the message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 via the instant messenger server 4 over a network. Here, the instant messenger server 4 is a server operated by a company that provides an instant messenger. More specifically, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 input in an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal 3. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information by receiving, from among signals including the message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3, a signal that is transmitted from the instant messenger server 4 and addressed to the server 1 (notification system 100).

[0031] The extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Examples of the conditions are listed below. Note that the conditions listed below are merely examples.

[0032] For example, the condition indicates the timing at which notification information is to be output from the notification device 2. Specifically, if the condition indicates that the timing at which notification information is to be output is 5:00 PM, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information at the designated time of 5:00 PM. Note that the timing at which notification information is to be output that can be specified by the condition may not only be a time but also a time including a date.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the condition indicates the type of notification device 2 that outputs the notification information. Specifically, if the condition indicates that the notification device 2 that outputs the notification information is a robot vacuum cleaner, the notification device 2 that is the specified robot vacuum cleaner outputs the notification information. Note that the type of notification device 2 that can be specified by the condition may also be the type of notification device 2 that includes the location, such as a robot vacuum cleaner installed in a kitchen.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, the condition indicates a recipient of the notification information. Specifically, if the condition indicates that the recipient of the notification information is the father, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information including a message addressing the designated father (e.g., "This is a message for Dad"). Note that the recipient of the notification information that can be designated by the condition may be designated by, for example, an account name used in an instant messenger application.

[0035] Here, the processing unit 13 may cause the notification information to be output from a notification device 2 related to the recipient. For example, the processing unit 13 may cause the notification information to be output from a notification device 2 used by the recipient or a notification device 2 located in a room used by the recipient, by referencing data indicating the correspondence between recipients and notification devices 2 that is pre-stored in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, for example, the processing unit 13 may cause the notification information to be output from notification devices 2 located around the recipient, by referencing the detection results from a sensor that detects the recipient's identification information.

[0036] Furthermore, the processing unit 13 may cause the notification device 2 to output notification information based on parameters set by the recipient. The parameters may include, for example, the speaker, the speech rate, the type of notification device 2, the volume, or a time period during which notification is prohibited. The parameters are set, for example, by the recipient executing an application for the notification system 100 on an information processing terminal used by the recipient and inputting the parameters into the application as appropriate. For example, the processing unit 13 may refer to parameters set by the recipient that are stored in advance in the storage unit 14, and cause the notification device 2 to output notification information in accordance with the referred parameters.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, the condition indicates the output mode of the notification information. Specifically, if the condition indicates that the speaker is the mother, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information in a machine-generated voice that imitates the mother's voice. If the condition indicates that the speaker should speak at a relatively slow speed, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information so that the speaker should speak at a relatively slow speed. If the condition indicates that the speaker should speak at a relatively loud volume, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information so that the speaker should speak at a relatively loud volume.

[0038] In the embodiment, the extraction unit 12 extracts conditions from text information using either the first extraction example or the second extraction example below. Note that the extraction unit 12 may extract conditions from text information using both the first extraction example and the second extraction example.

[0039] 2 is a diagram showing a first extraction example performed by the notification system 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a user U2 inputs a message M1 in an instant messenger application using the information processing terminal 3. In the first extraction example, the extraction unit 12 extracts a tag T1 included in the message M1 as a condition.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the message M1 includes a first tag T11 and a second tag T12 as tags T1, and a message body M10. The first tag T11 includes a hash symbol and a character string. The extraction unit 12 extracts the first tag T11, which is input as "#17:30", as a condition indicating that the timing for outputting the notification information is 17:30. The second tag T12 includes an at symbol and a character string. The extraction unit 12 extracts the second tag T12, which is input as "@mom", as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the mother.

[0041] As described above, the extraction unit 12 may recognize what condition the character string following the symbol indicates depending on the type of symbol included in the tag T1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, if the tag T1 includes a hash symbol, the extraction unit 12 recognizes that the character string following the hash symbol indicates the timing at which the notification information is to be output from the notification device 2. Furthermore, if the tag T1 includes an at symbol, the extraction unit 12 recognizes that the character string following the at symbol indicates the recipient of the notification information. Of course, the symbol included in the tag T1 is not limited to a hash symbol and an at symbol, and may be other symbols.

[0042] Note that the symbol used in tag T1 may be one type, not multiple types. In this case, the extraction unit 12 may recognize the character string following the symbol word by word, and recognize the condition indicated for each word. For example, assume that user U2 uses the information processing terminal 3 to input a message M1 including the tag T1 "#17:30 robot vacuum cleaner mom" into an instant messenger application. In this case, the extraction unit 12 extracts the tag T1 as a condition indicating that the timing for outputting the notification information is 17:30, a condition indicating that the notification device 2 outputting the notification information is a robot vacuum cleaner, and a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the mother.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a second extraction example by the notification system 100 according to the embodiment. Similar to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 shows an example in which a user U2 inputs a message M1 in an instant messenger application using the information processing terminal 3. Note that the dashed line frame in Fig. 3 is added merely for the purpose of explanation and is not actually displayed on the display of the information processing terminal 3.

[0044] In the second extraction example, the extraction unit 12 parses the message M1 and extracts conditions from the results of the parsing. For example, the extraction unit 12 parses the message M1 using an appropriate parsing algorithm and extracts one or more keywords W1 included in the message M1 as conditions. Note that the extraction unit 12 may use a trained model that has been machine-learned to input the message M1 and output one or more keywords W1.

[0045] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the message M1 includes only a message body M10. The extraction unit 12 syntactically analyzes the message body M10 to extract a first keyword W11, "Dad," as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the father. Furthermore, the extraction unit 12 syntactically analyzes the message body M10 to extract a second keyword W12, "around 18:00," as a condition indicating that the timing for outputting the notification information is around 18:00 (e.g., 17:50). In this case, as already described, the processing unit 13 may, for example, output the notification information from a notification device 2 related to the father (e.g., the notification device 2 in the father's room). In this case, as already described, the processing unit 13 may, for example, output the notification information from the notification device 2 based on parameters (e.g., speech rate, etc.) set by the father (e.g., the father).

[0046] As another example, suppose that user U2 uses the information processing terminal 3 to input a message M1 including a message body M10 saying, "Grandpa, I left the medicine I bought on the table" into an instant messenger application. In this case, the extraction unit 12 analyzes the message body M10 to extract the keyword W1, "Grandpa," as a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the grandfather. Furthermore, in this case, as already described, the processing unit 13 may, for example, output the notification information from a notification device 2 related to the recipient grandfather (e.g., a notification device 2 in the grandfather's room). Furthermore, in this case, as already described, the processing unit 13 may, for example, output the notification information from the notification device 2 based on parameters (e.g., speech rate, etc.) set by the recipient grandfather.

[0047] The processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output notification information indicating the content of the message M1 included in the text information based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12. In the embodiment, the processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output the notification information by transmitting an instruction signal to the notification device 2 via a network. In the embodiment, the processing unit 13 includes a sound source URL in the instruction signal and transmits it to the notification device 2. The sound source URL is a URL that can be accessed to download a voice message. In other words, in the embodiment, outputting an instruction to the notification device 2 corresponds to transmitting the sound source URL.

[0048] Specifically, the processing unit 13 causes a voice synthesis system (not shown) to generate a voice message indicating the content of the identified event, and stores the generated voice message and a sound source URL linked to the voice message in a notification database (not shown). The voice synthesis system acquires a character string indicating the notification content and parameters for the sound source to be used from the notification system 100 via a network, and then generates the voice message by synthesizing a voice using the acquired character string and parameters. The notification database is a storage device that stores various voice messages transmitted from the notification system 100 via the network, linked to the sound source URL. The notification database is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory, but is not particularly limited and any known electronic information storage means can be used.

[0049] The processing unit 13 then transmits the sound source URL to the notification device 2 via the network, thereby outputting an instruction to the notification device 2 to output the voice message. Furthermore, if an existing voice message exists in the notification database, the processing unit 13 reads out the sound source URL corresponding to the voice message from the notification database without causing the voice synthesis system to generate the voice message, and transmits the read sound source URL to the notification device 2.

[0050] The processing unit 13 may include, for example, a voice message in the instruction signal and transmit it to the notification device 2. Furthermore, if, for example, various voice messages are stored in advance in the memory of the notification device 2, or if the notification device 2 has a function for automatically generating voice messages, the processing unit 13 may include, in the instruction signal and transmit it to the notification device 2, a command specifying the voice message to be played by the notification device 2.

[0051] The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores information (such as computer programs) necessary for the processor of the notification system 100 to perform various controls. The storage unit 14 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory, but is not particularly limited and any known electronic information storage means can be used. The storage unit 14 stores, for example, data indicating the correspondence between the above-mentioned recipients and notification devices 2, parameters set by the recipients, etc. The storage unit 14 also stores, for example, instruction data included in instruction signals transmitted to the notification devices 2.

[0052] [2. Operation] The operation (i.e., notification method) of notification system 100 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of notification system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0053] For example, when user U2 inputs message M1 addressed to server 1 (notification system 100) in an instant messenger application using information processing terminal 3, information processing terminal 3 transmits text information including message M1 over the network to instant messenger server 4. Upon receiving the text information, instant messenger server 4 transmits it over the network to server 1. As a result, acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information transmitted from information processing terminal 3 via instant messenger server 4 over the network (S11).

[0054] Next, the extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S12). Here, the extraction unit 12 may extract the tag T1 included in the message M1 as a condition, for example, using the first extraction example. Alternatively, the extraction unit 12 may syntactically parse the message M1 and extract conditions from the results of the syntactic analysis, for example, using the second extraction example.

[0055] Then, the processing unit 13 transmits an instruction signal including an instruction to the notification device 2 via the network, i.e., outputs an instruction, based on the condition extracted by the extraction unit 12 (S13). Upon receiving the instruction signal, the notification device 2 outputs notification information in accordance with the instruction included in the instruction signal.

[0056] [3. Advantages, etc.] Advantages of the notification system 100 (notification method) according to the embodiment are described below. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the problems of the notification system 200 of the comparative example. In FIG. 5, a first user U11 and a second user U12 are both users U1, different from a user U2 who owns an information processing terminal 3. Hereinafter, user U2 will be referred to as "Mr. A," the first user U11 as "Mr. B," and the second user U12 as "Mr. C." Furthermore, in FIG. 5, it is assumed that "Mr. A" is out, and "Mr. B" and "Mr. C" are at home. Furthermore, in FIG. 5, "Mr. B" and "Mr. C" are in different rooms. Furthermore, in FIG. 5, a first notification device 2A (here, a television receiver) serving as the notification device 2 is provided in the room where "Mr. B" is located, and a second notification device 2B (here, a portable television receiver) serving as the notification device 2 is provided in the room where "Mr. C" is located. 5 does not show the instant messenger server 4. The above premise also applies to FIG. 6, which will be described later.

[0057] The notification system 200 of the comparative example differs from the notification system 100 of the embodiment in that, when it acquires text information including a message M1 sent from an information processing terminal 3, it immediately outputs the notification information from all notification devices 2 without extracting any conditions.

[0058] 5, suppose that "Person A" uses information processing terminal 3 to input a message M1 saying "I hope rice is cooked" into an instant messenger application at 12:30. In this case, when the notification system 200 of the comparative example acquires text information including message M1, it immediately outputs notification information indicating the content of message M1 to all notification devices 2 (here, the first notification device 2A and the second notification device 2B). Here, both the first notification device 2A and the second notification device 2B output a voice message saying "A message from Person A. I hope rice is cooked" as notification information at around 12:31.

[0059] As a result, neither "Mr. B," who listens to the voice message output from the first notification device 2A, nor "Mr. C," who listens to the voice message output from the second notification device 2B, can determine whether they should cook rice, nor can they determine when they should cook rice. As described above, the notification system 200 of the comparative example has the problem that notifications from the notification device 2 cannot be controlled by the information processing terminal 3, and therefore it is not possible to specify the timing to output notification information or the recipient of the notification information and have the notification information output from the notification device 2.

[0060] In contrast, in the notification system 100 (notification method) according to the embodiment, when text information including a message M1 transmitted from an information processing terminal 3 is acquired, conditions related to a notification using the message M1 are extracted from the acquired text information, and based on the extracted conditions, the notification information is output from the notification device 2. Therefore, in the notification system 100, if the message M1 is created so as to include conditions, it is possible to specify the notification mode in which the notification information is to be output using the information processing terminal 3, which has the advantage that it is easier to control notifications by the notification device 2 using the information processing terminal 3.

[0061] In addition, since the notification system 100 extracts conditions from text information sent from the information processing terminal 3, there is no need to add new functions such as specifying conditions to the instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal 3, which has the advantage that there is no need to update the instant messenger application.

[0062] 6 is a diagram illustrating advantages of the notification system 100 (notification method) according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assume that "Person A" uses information processing terminal 3 to input a message M1 at 12:30, saying, "#17:00 @Person B, please cook rice," into an instant messenger application. In this case, when the notification system 100 acquires text information including the message M1, it extracts a condition indicating that the timing for outputting the notification information is 5:00 p.m. and a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is "Person B."

[0063] The notification system 100 returns a response message (here, a message saying "I will speak to Mr. B in his room at 17:00") indicating that notification information will be output from the notification device 2 in accordance with the extracted condition, using the instant messenger application. Whether or not the notification system 100 returns a response message may be set as appropriate.

[0064] Thereafter, notification system 100 causes first notification device 2A in "B's" room to output notification information specifying "B" as the recipient of the notification information at around 5 p.m. Here, first notification device 2A outputs a voice message at around 5 p.m. saying, "A has a message for B from A. Please cook rice." Then, upon hearing the voice message output from first notification device 2A, "B" can determine that he should start cooking rice.

[0065] (Modifications) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this 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 embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0066] Therefore, modifications of the embodiment will be exemplified below.

[0067] In the above embodiment, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from the notification device 2, the processing unit 13 may output question information indicating a question inquiring about the missing conditions to the information processing terminal 3. Then, when the acquisition unit 11 acquires answer information indicating an answer to the question information from the information processing terminal 3, the processing unit 13 may cause the notification device 2 to output notification information based on the conditions and answer information extracted by the extraction unit 12.

[0068] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the notification system 100 according to the modified embodiment. For example, when the user U2 inputs a message M1 addressed to the server 1 (notification system 100) in an instant messenger application using the information processing terminal 3, the information processing terminal 3 transmits text information including the message M1 to the instant messenger server 4 via the network. Upon receiving the text information, the instant messenger server 4 transmits the text information to the server 1 via the network. As a result, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the text information transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 via the instant messenger server 4 via the network (S21).

[0069] Next, the extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S22). Here, the extraction unit 12 may extract the tag T1 included in the message M1 as a condition, for example, using the first extraction example. Alternatively, the extraction unit 12 may syntactically parse the message M1 and extract conditions from the results of the syntactic analysis, for example, using the second extraction example.

[0070] If the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from the notification device 2 (S23: No), the processing unit 13 transmits an instruction signal including an instruction to the notification device 2 via the network, based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12, i.e., outputs the instruction (S24). Upon receiving the instruction signal, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information in accordance with the instruction included in the instruction signal.

[0071] On the other hand, if the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting the notification information from the notification device 2, i.e., if the conditions are missing (S23: Yes), the processing unit 13 transmits (outputs) question information indicating a question inquiring about the missing conditions to the information processing terminal 3 via the network (S25).

[0072] Upon receiving the question information, the information processing terminal 3 displays a message indicating the question in the instant messenger application. Then, the user U2 inputs an answer to the question in the instant messenger application using the information processing terminal 3. The information processing terminal 3 then transmits answer information indicating the answer to the question information to the server 1 via the network. As a result, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the answer information via the network (S26).

[0073] Then, if the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from the notification device 2 are met by the answer contained in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S23: No), the processing unit 13 sends an instruction signal containing an instruction to the notification device 2 via the network, i.e., outputs an instruction, based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 and the answer (i.e., the missing condition) contained in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S24).

[0074] On the other hand, if the answer included in the answer information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 still does not satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting the notification information from the notification device 2 (S23: Yes), the processing unit 13 executes steps S25 and S26 again. This processing is repeated until the above conditions are satisfied.

[0075] Upon receiving the instruction signal, the notification device 2 outputs the notification information in accordance with the instruction included in the instruction signal. In this way, the notification system 100 according to this modification can satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting the notification information from the notification device 2 by inquiring about the missing conditions, which has the advantage of making it easier to output the notification information from the notification device 2 in an appropriate notification format.

[0076] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation of notification system 100 according to the modified example of the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 8, when extraction unit 12 extracts three conditions, namely, a condition indicating the timing for outputting notification information (notification timing), a condition indicating the recipient of the notification information, and a condition indicating the type of notification device 2 that will output the notification information, processing unit 13 of notification system 100 determines that the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from notification device 2 are met.

[0077] FIG. 8A shows a message M1 (here, a message saying "@Dad, please bring in the laundry at exactly 6 PM") input by the mother, who is user U2, using the information processing terminal 3 in an instant messenger application.

[0078] 8(b) shows data extracted by the notification system 100 from text information including message M1 shown in FIG. 8(a). Here, the extraction unit 12 of the notification system 100 extracts a condition indicating that the notification timing is around 6:00 PM (e.g., 5:50 PM) and a condition indicating that the recipient of the notification information is the father. On the other hand, the extraction unit 12 does not extract a condition indicating the notification device 2 that will output the notification information. Therefore, the processing unit 13 transmits (outputs) question information indicating a question inquiring about the notification device 2 that will output the notification information to the information processing terminal 3 via the network.

[0079] 8(c) shows a message displayed in an instant messenger application indicating a question from notification system 100 (here, the message is "What would you like to do about the notification device?") and a message indicating the answer entered by user U2, the mother (here, the message is "robot vacuum cleaner"). Information processing terminal 3 transmits answer information indicating the answer to server 1 (notification system 100) via the network.

[0080] Figure 8(d) shows data extracted by the notification system 100 from the text information including message M1 shown in Figure 8(a), and data extracted from the response information acquired from the information processing terminal 3. As shown in Figure 8(d), the condition for specifying the notification device 2 to output the missing notification information is satisfied. Therefore, the processing unit 13 causes the robot vacuum cleaner, which is the notification device 2, to output notification information specifying the father as the recipient of the notification information at around 6 p.m.

[0081] 8(e) shows a response message from notification system 100 that is displayed in the instant messenger application. The response message is a message indicating that notification information will be output from notification device 2 in accordance with the satisfied condition (here, a message saying, "The robot vacuum cleaner will send a message to Dad at 5:50 PM.").

[0082] In the above embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 acquires text information by receiving a signal including the message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 via the instant messenger server 4 via a network. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire text information by receiving a signal including the message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 via a server other than the instant messenger server 4. Furthermore, the signal transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 may be transmitted via one or more servers. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the acquisition unit 11 may acquire text information by receiving a signal including the message M1 transmitted directly from the information processing terminal 3 without passing through another server. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a notification system 100 according to another variation of the embodiment.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 of the notification system 100 acquires text information including a message M1 input via an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal 3, but this is not limiting. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire text information including a message M1 input via an SMS (Short Message Service) application executed by the information processing terminal 3. Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire text information including a message M1 input via an application having a chat function equivalent to an instant messenger executed by the information processing terminal 3.

[0084] In the above-described embodiments, the notification system 100 may be realized by a device other than the server 1. Furthermore, for example, although the notification system 100 is realized as a single device in the above-described embodiments, it may be realized by multiple devices. When the notification system 100 is realized by multiple devices, the components of the notification system 100 may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices. For example, some of the components of the notification system 100 in the above-described embodiments may be provided in the facility where the user U1 resides. In other words, the present disclosure may be realized by cloud computing or edge computing.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, all or some of the components of notification system 100 of the present disclosure 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 (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or semiconductor memory.

[0086] Furthermore, the components of the notification system 100 of the present disclosure may be configured as one or more electronic circuits, each of which may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0087] The one or more electronic circuits may include, for example, a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit (IC), or a large-scale integration (LSI). The IC or LSI may be integrated on a single chip or on multiple chips. Although the IC or LSI is referred to here as an IC or LSI, the name may vary depending on the degree of integration, and may be called a system LSI, a very large-scale integration (VLSI), or an ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI). A field programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, can also be used for the same purpose.

[0088] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, or computer program. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as an optical disc, HDD, or semiconductor memory, on which the computer program is stored. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the notification method of the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, or may be distributed via a communication channel, such as the Internet.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] (Summary) As described above, the notification system 100 according to the first aspect includes the acquisition unit 11, the extraction unit 12, and the processing unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including the message M1 transmitted from the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 extracts conditions related to notification using the message M1 from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output notification information indicating the content of the message M1 included in the text information, based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12.

[0093] This has the advantage that if message M1 is created to include conditions, it is possible to specify the notification format in which the notification information is to be output using information processing terminal 3, making it easier to control notifications by notification device 2 using information processing terminal 3.

[0094] In the notification system 100 according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including a message M1 input in an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 extracts a tag T1 included in the message M1 using the tag T1 as a condition.

[0095] This has the advantage that it becomes clear that the character string indicating the condition in the message M1 is the tag T1, making it easier to extract the condition from the text information.

[0096] In the notification system 100 according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the acquisition unit 11 acquires text information including a message M1 input in an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal 3. The extraction unit 12 parses the message M1 and extracts a condition from the result of the parsing.

[0097] This has the advantage that the extraction unit 12 automatically extracts the conditions from the message M1, so the user U2 does not need to input a specific tag T1 or the like, which can easily improve convenience.

[0098] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the condition indicates the timing at which the notification information is to be output from the notification device 2.

[0099] This has the advantage that the timing for outputting the notification information from the notification device 2 can be specified using the information processing terminal 3, so that the notification information can be output from the notification device 2 at the timing desired by the user U2.

[0100] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the condition indicates the type of notification device 2 that outputs the notification information.

[0101] This has the advantage that the type of notification device 2 that will output the notification information can be specified using the information processing terminal 3, allowing the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 that the user U2 desires.

[0102] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the condition indicates a recipient of the notification information.

[0103] This has the advantage that the user U2 can easily transmit the notification information to a desired recipient since the recipient of the notification information can be specified using the information processing terminal 3.

[0104] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 related to the recipient to output the notification information.

[0105] This has the advantage that notification information is outputted not from an unspecified notification device 2 but from a notification device 2 related to a specified recipient, making it easier to convey notification information to the specified recipient.

[0106] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the eighth aspect, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output notification information based on parameters set by the recipient.

[0107] This has the advantage that notification information can be easily conveyed to the designated recipient because notification information is output from notification device 2 in the notification format set by the designated recipient.

[0108] In addition, in the notification system 100 according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the condition indicates an output mode of the notification information.

[0109] This has the advantage that the output mode of the notification information can be specified using the information processing terminal 3, allowing the notification information to be output from the notification device 2 in the output mode desired by the user U2.

[0110] Furthermore, in the notification system 100 according to a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit 12 do not satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from the notification device 2, the processing unit 13 outputs question information indicating a question inquiring about the missing conditions to the information processing terminal 3. When the acquisition unit 11 acquires answer information indicating an answer to the question information from the information processing terminal 3, the processing unit 13 causes the notification device 2 to output the notification information based on the conditions and answer information extracted by the extraction unit 12.

[0111] This has the advantage that by inquiring about the missing conditions, the conditions necessary for outputting notification information from notification device 2 can be satisfied, making it easier to output notification information from notification device 2 in an appropriate notification format.

[0112] The notification device 2 according to the eleventh aspect includes an instruction acquisition unit 21 and an output unit 22. The instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires an instruction to output notification information from the notification system 100 according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. The output unit 22 outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit 21 acquires the instruction.

[0113] This has the advantage that if message M1 is created to include conditions, it is possible to specify the notification format in which the notification information is to be output using information processing terminal 3, making it easier to control notifications by notification device 2 using information processing terminal 3.

[0114] In addition, in a notification method according to a twelfth aspect, text information including a message M1 transmitted from an information processing terminal 3 is acquired (S11). In this notification method, conditions related to notification using the message M1 are extracted from the acquired text information (S12). In this notification method, notification information indicating the content of the message M1 included in the text information is output from the notification device 2 based on the extracted conditions (S13).

[0115] This has the advantage that if message M1 is created to include conditions, it is possible to specify the notification format in which the notification information is to be output using information processing terminal 3, making it easier to control notifications by notification device 2 using information processing terminal 3.

[0116] A program according to a thirteenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the notification method according to the twelfth aspect.

[0117] This has the advantage that if message M1 is created to include conditions, it is possible to specify the notification format in which the notification information is to be output using information processing terminal 3, making it easier to control notifications by notification device 2 using information processing terminal 3.

[0118] The present disclosure is applicable to a system or the like that causes a notification device to output notification information indicating the content of a message transmitted from an information processing terminal.

[0119] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Server 11 Acquisition unit 12 Extraction unit 13 Processing unit 14 Storage unit 2 Notification device 21 Instruction acquisition unit 22 Output unit 2A First notification device 2B Second notification device 3 Information processing terminal 4 Instant messenger server 100 Notification system 200 Notification system of comparative example M1 Message M10 Message body T1 Tag T11 First tag T12 Second tag U1, U11, U12, U2 User W1 Keyword W11 First keyword W12 Second keyword

Claims

1. A notification system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal; an extraction unit that extracts conditions related to notification using the message from the text information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a processing unit that outputs notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information from a notification device based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit.

2. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the text information including the message input in an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal, and the extraction unit extracts a tag included in the message as the condition.

3. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the text information including the message input in an instant messenger application executed by the information processing terminal, and the extraction unit performs syntax analysis of the message and extracts the condition from the result of the syntax analysis.

4. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the condition indicates a timing for outputting the notification information from the notification device.

5. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the condition indicates a type of the notification device that outputs the notification information.

6. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the condition indicates a recipient of the notification information.

7. The notification system according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit causes the notification information to be output from the notification device related to the recipient.

8. The notification system according to claim 6, wherein said processing unit causes said notification information to be output from said notification device based on parameters set by said recipient.

9. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the condition indicates an output mode of the notification information.

10. A notification system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the conditions extracted by the extraction unit do not satisfy the conditions necessary for outputting the notification information from the notification device, the processing unit outputs question information indicating a question inquiring about the missing conditions to the information processing terminal, and when the acquisition unit acquires answer information indicating an answer to the question information from the information processing terminal, the processing unit outputs the notification information from the notification device based on the conditions extracted by the extraction unit and the answer information.

11. A notification device comprising: an instruction acquisition unit that acquires an instruction to output the notification information from a notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an output unit that outputs the notification information when the instruction acquisition unit acquires the instruction.

12. A notification method comprising: acquiring text information including a message transmitted from an information processing terminal; extracting conditions related to notification using the message from the acquired text information; and outputting notification information indicating the content of the message included in the text information from a notification device based on the extracted conditions.

13. A program causing one or more processors to execute the notification method according to claim 12.

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