Control device, control system, and control method

Abstract

A control device according to one embodiment comprises: a connection unit that connects to an output device; and a control unit that causes a holding unit to hold a first sound acquired from a sound acquisition unit, and causes the first sound held by the holding unit to be outputted by the output device connected to the connection unit. The control unit causes the first sound to be outputted when a first output device, which is an output device having a correspondence relationship with the first sound, is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device, which is an output device having no correspondence relationship, is connected to the connection unit.

Description

Control device, control system, and control method CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-120777, filed on July 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a control device, a control system, and a control method.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an invention has been disclosed that can store audio collected by a microphone in a device as audio data and output the stored audio data from a speaker connected to the device.

[0004] JP 2009-237256 A

[0005] A control device according to one embodiment includes a connection unit that connects output devices, and a control unit that causes a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit to be stored in a storage unit and that causes the first sound stored in the storage unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device that is not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

[0006] Moreover, a control system according to one embodiment includes a connection unit that connects output devices, and a control unit that causes a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit to be stored in a storage unit and causes the first sound stored in the storage unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device that is not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

[0007] Furthermore, a control method according to one embodiment includes: a connection unit connecting to an output device; a control unit causing a storage unit to store a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit and causing the first sound stored in the storage unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit; and the control unit causing a first output device, which is an output device having a correspondence relationship with the first sound, to output the first sound when connected to the connection unit, and not causing the first sound to be output when a second output device, which is an output device having no correspondence relationship, is connected to the connection unit.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the control system 1. Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing flows of the control device 200. Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing flows of the control system 1 when the detection unit 271 detects a playback event. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a method by which the storage unit 260 stores external sound data.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate components having the same or equivalent functions. Note that the configurations, numerical values, process flows, functions, and elements described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are subject to free modification and alteration. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0011] The control system 1 includes an output device 100 and a control device 200. The control system 1 may include a smartphone or a voice radar.

[0012] The output device 100 is a device that outputs sound to a user. The user is a person who uses the output device 100 or the control device 200, for example. The output device 100 is, for example, an earphone. The output device 100 is not limited to an earphone, but may be a headphone or a headset. The output device 100 may have a noise cancellation function and an external sound capture function. The noise cancellation function is a function that cancels out and reduces external sounds generated around the user so that the user cannot hear them. The external sound capture function is a function that outputs external sounds collected by a microphone or the like from a speaker so that the user can hear them. The output device 100 may be a bone conduction earphone. The output device 100 may be a device that visually displays sound, for example, a terminal such as a smartphone that includes a display or the like.

[0013] The transmitter 100 has unique terminal information for uniquely identifying the transmitter 100. The terminal information may be, for example, a MAC address, an IP address, or unique identification information.

[0014] The following describes a schematic configuration of the transmitter 100. The transmitter 100 includes a sound acquisition unit 110, a sound playback unit 120, and a first connection unit 130. Each of the components included in the transmitter 100 may be included in the control device 200.

[0015] The sound acquisition unit 110 may be provided outside the transmitter 100 and configured to be able to communicate with either or both of the transmitter 100 and the control device 200 via wired or wireless communication.

[0016] The sound acquisition unit 110 is, for example, a microphone. The sound acquisition unit 110 acquires external sounds and converts them into sound signals. The external sounds include sounds produced by the user, sounds produced by people around the user, and sounds emitted from sound sources around the user. Sound sources around the user may include not only living things such as humans, but also machines such as speakers, and natural phenomena that generate some kind of sound.

[0017] The sound acquisition unit 110 may acquire sound arriving via a communication line. For example, if the transmitter 100 is a smartphone, the sound acquisition unit 110 may acquire sound arriving at the transmitter 100 via a communication line from another communication device while the user is on a call. In this specification, sound arriving via a communication line is also described as external sound.

[0018] The sound reproducing unit 120 is, for example, a speaker, and outputs the sound signal acquired from the control device 200 as sound.

[0019] If the output device 100 has a display that visually outputs information about the sound, the output device 100 may display information about the sound (e.g., text data about the sound, the location of the sound source, the time the sound was generated, the type of sound, etc.) in place of the sound playback unit 120.

[0020] The first connection unit 130 is, for example, a communication module, and is a connection unit that connects the control device 200. The first connection unit 130 is used for the data output device 100 to connect to the control device 200 and communicate with it. The communication module is a communication module that complies with any communication standard. The communication standard is, for example, a wired communication standard or a short-range wireless communication standard including Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared, and NFC. The data output device 100 may communicate with the control device 200 using any communication standard. By connecting the first connection unit 130 to a second connection unit 210 (described later) included in the control device 200, communication can be performed between the data output device 100 and the control device 200.

[0021] The transmitter 100 can transmit terminal information of the transmitter 100 and sound signals of external sounds acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110 to the control device 200 via the first connection unit 130. The transmitter 100 can receive sound signals from the control device 200 via the first connection unit 130.

[0022] Next, the general configuration of the control device 200 will be described.

[0023] The control device 200 may be, for example, a smartphone or the like, which is a terminal capable of controlling the output device 100 .

[0024] The control device 200 includes a second connection unit 210, an input unit 220, a notification unit 230, a storage unit 240, an accumulation unit 250, a retention unit 260, and a control unit 270. The control unit 270 includes a detection unit 271, a management unit 272, and a playback control unit 273. One or more components included in the control device 200 may be included in the output device 100. Alternatively, one or more components included in the control device 200 may be provided outside the control device 200 and configured to be connectable to one or both of the control device 200 and the output device 100 via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the storage unit 240 may be located in a remote server configured to be able to communicate with the control device 200 via a network system or the like. For example, the accumulation unit 250 may be located in a remote server configured to be able to communicate with the output device 100 via a network system or the like.

[0025] The second connection unit 210 is, for example, a communication module, and is a connection unit that connects the transmitter 100. The second connection unit 210 is connected to the first connection unit 130 and is used for communication between the control device 200 and the transmitter 100. The communication module may support the same communication standard as the first connection unit 130. By connecting the second connection unit 210 to the first connection unit 130 of the transmitter 100, communication can be performed between the transmitter 100 and the control device 200. The second connection unit 210 can receive terminal information of the transmitter 100 transmitted via the first connection unit 130 of the transmitter 100, and sound signals of external sounds acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110. The second connection unit 210 can transmit sound signals to the transmitter 100.

[0026] The input unit 220 may include an input interface capable of receiving input from a user. The input unit 220 may include, for example, one or more buttons, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 220 may be used to select a process to be executed by the control device 200.

[0027] The notification unit 230 may be configured to include any of a display unit, a light-emitting unit, and a vibration unit. The display unit may be, for example, a display arranged on the surface of the control device 200. The display unit may include part of the input unit 220 and may display an input interface. The light-emitting unit is used to notify the user by emitting light. The light-emitting unit may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The vibration unit is used to notify the user by vibration. The vibration unit may include, for example, a vibration element. The notification unit 230 may be used to notify the user of processes executed by the control system 1 and their results, etc.

[0028] The storage unit 240 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 240 may store programs executed by the control system 1. The programs may include a sound processing program executed by the control system 1.

[0029] The control unit 270 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 270 executes processes related to the operation of the control system 1 while controlling each component of the control system 1.

[0030] The components included in the control unit 270 may be configured as hardware, software, or both. Each component included in the control unit 270 may be controlled by the control unit 270. The detection unit 271, management unit 272, and playback control unit 273 may be configured outside the control unit 270. The control unit 270 can execute various processes on the control device 200 in response to input from the input unit 220 by the user.

[0031] The control unit 270 may execute a real-time playback process that causes the sound playback unit 120 to output external sound in real time (or nearly in real time) in response to an input from the input unit 220. In this specification, an input to the input unit 220 that causes the real-time playback process to be executed may be referred to as a "real-time playback event."

[0032] The control unit 270 may execute a recording process to record the external sound in the storage unit 260 in response to an input from the input unit 220. That is, the control unit 270 causes the storage unit 260 to store the external sound (including a first sound, which will be described later) acquired from the sound acquisition unit 110. In this specification, an input by a user who has heard an external sound to cause the input unit 220 to execute a process to record the external sound may be referred to as a "recording event."

[0033] Furthermore, when an external sound satisfying a pre-registered condition is acquired, the control unit 270 may execute a recording process to record the external sound in the storage unit 260. The execution of a recording process for an external sound satisfying a pre-registered condition may be referred to as a "recording event." The control unit 270 may execute a voice recognition process on the acquired external sound to determine whether the external sound includes a sound that satisfies the pre-registered condition. The sound that satisfies the pre-registered condition may be a sound that the user wants to record. The sound that the user wants to record may be, for example, a specific person's voice, a sound containing a specific word, or a sound with a specific characteristic. The sound that satisfies the pre-registered condition may be stored in the storage unit 240. The control unit 270 may perform voice recognition on the external sound acquired when the output device 100 is set to noise cancellation or external sound capture, and determine whether the external sound includes a sound that satisfies the pre-registered condition.

[0034] For example, the control unit 270 executes a playback process in which an external sound recorded in the storage unit 260 is output from the sound playback unit 120 in response to an input from the input unit 220. The control unit 270 may execute a playback process in which a sound (sometimes referred to as a first sound) selected by a user through an input to the input unit 220 is output from the sound playback unit 120 of the output device 100, from the external sounds recorded in the storage unit 260. In other words, the control unit 270 outputs the first sound stored in the storage unit 260 from the output device 100 connected to the second connection unit 210. In this specification, an input to the input unit 220 that causes the input unit 220 to execute a playback process may be referred to as a "playback event."

[0035] The detection unit 271 detects that the transmitter 100 and the control device 200 are connected. In this specification, the connection between the transmitter 100 and the control device 200 may be referred to as a "connection event." The detection unit 271 detects that the connection between the transmitter 100 and the control device 200 is cut. In this specification, the cutoff of the connection between the transmitter 100 and the control device 200 may be referred to as a "disconnection event."

[0036] The detection section 271 may detect the occurrence of a real-time playback event, a recording event, or a playback event.

[0037] The management unit 272 holds terminal information of the output device 100 connected to the control device 200. When the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a connection event, the management unit 272 holds the terminal information acquired from the output device 100. The management unit 272 may continue to hold the acquired terminal information until the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a disconnection event. When the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a disconnection event, the management unit 272 may delete the held terminal information, or may add a flag to the terminal information indicating that the output device 100 having the terminal information has been disconnected, and hold the terminal information.

[0038] The storage unit 250 stores the sound signal of the external sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110 as external sound data. The storage unit 250 may store the start and end times of the external sound as one piece of external sound data. After a period of time during which no sound is detected (or the volume is below a predetermined volume) exceeds a set time (in other words, when no external sound is being generated), the time when sound (or a sound at a volume above a predetermined volume) is detected may be determined as the start time of the external sound. After the start time of the external sound is identified (in other words, after the external sound is generated), if a period of time during which no sound is detected (or the volume is below a predetermined volume) exceeds a set time, this time may be determined as the end time of the external sound. Furthermore, the time when the output device 100 is connected to the control device 200 may be treated as the start time of the external sound generation, and the time when the connection between the control device 200 and the output device 100 is released may be treated as the end time of the external sound generation. The start and end times of the external sound generation may be determined by a user input operation.

[0039] The storage unit 250 may store each piece of external sound data in association with an external sound ID, which is a unique ID. The external sound data may be composed of sound from a single sound source. The storage unit 250 may store the external sound data for a predetermined time period and, after the predetermined time period has elapsed, sequentially delete the external sound data starting from the oldest. The storage unit 250 may be configured as a ring buffer, for example. The storage unit 250 may sequentially store the external sound data in chronological order. When the external sound data stored in the ring buffer exceeds the capacity of the ring buffer, the storage unit 250 may sequentially delete the oldest sound data.

[0040] When the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of an external sound recording event, the storage unit 260 stores the external sound data acquired from the sound acquisition unit 110 and further accumulated in the accumulation unit 250. The storage unit 260 may store, for example, the characteristics of the external sound recognized by the control unit 270, the source of the external sound, words included in the external sound, and a summary of the external sound, linked to the external sound data. An example of a method for the storage unit 260 to store external sound data will be described later.

[0041] When the storage unit 260 acquires external sound data from the accumulation unit 250, the external sound data may be deleted from the accumulation unit 250. The storage unit 260 may store the external sound data from the start time to the end time of generation stored in the accumulation unit 250. The storage unit 260 may store a portion of the external sound data from the start time to the end time of generation. When a portion of the external sound data is to be stored, the user may specify a section of the external sound data to be stored in the storage unit 260. The user may specify, via the input unit 220, the start time and end time of the external sound to be stored in the storage unit 260.

[0042] The storage unit 260 may store the external sound ID stored in the storage unit 250 in association with the external sound data. The storage unit 260 may store the external sound data or the external sound ID in association with the terminal information of the output device 100 connected when the external sound data was acquired. The storage unit 260 may store the external sound data in association with the terminal information of the output device 100 that is in a corresponding relationship with the external sound data. Examples of the output device 100 that is in a corresponding relationship will be described later. The storage unit 260 may be included as part of the storage unit 240.

[0043] The playback control unit 273 controls the output of sound to the sound playback unit 120 of the output device 100 connected to the control device 200 .

[0044] When the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a real-time playback event, the playback control unit 273 may execute processing to cause the sound playback unit 120 to output the acquired external sound in real time (almost in real time). The playback control unit 273 may cause the sound playback unit 120 to output the external sound data accumulated in the accumulation unit 250. The playback control unit 273 may cause the external sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110 to be output directly without going through the control device 200.

[0045] When the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a playback event, the playback control unit 273 may execute processing to cause the sound playback unit 120 to output a sound including the first sound. The playback control unit 273 may cause the sound playback unit 120 to output the first sound from the start point of the first sound.

[0046] Next, a control method, which is a processing flow of the control device 200, will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the control device 200.

[0047] The control unit 270 determines whether the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of a connection event or a disconnection event (step 1). If the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of a disconnection event, the management unit 272 may delete the terminal information of the output device 100 that it has stored, and then terminate the process.

[0048] If the control unit 270 determines in step 1 that the occurrence of a connection event has been detected, the control device 200 receives terminal information from the connected output device 100 (step 2). The notification unit 230 may notify the user that the output device 100 has been connected to the control device 200, and may, for example, cause the display unit to display the terminal information of the connected output device 100. The user can check the terminal information of the output device 100 connected to the control device 200 on the display unit. The management unit 272 may hold the received terminal information.

[0049] The control unit 270 determines whether the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of a playback event (step 3). If the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of a playback event, the control unit 270 starts the process shown in the flow of FIG. 3, which will be described later.

[0050] In step 3, if the detection unit 271 does not detect the occurrence of a playback event (or detects the end of the playback event), the control unit 270 determines whether the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of a real-time playback event (or whether the detection unit 271 has not detected the end of the real-time playback event) (step 4). If the detection unit 271 has not detected the occurrence of a real-time playback event, the processes of steps 1 to 4 are repeated.

[0051] In step 4, if the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a real-time playback event (or if it does not detect the end of the real-time playback event), the control device 200 receives a sound signal of an external sound from the sound acquisition unit 110 (step 5).

[0052] The control unit 270 causes the storage unit 250 to store the received sound signal of the external sound as external sound data (step 6).

[0053] The control unit 270 causes the sound playback unit 120 to play the external sound data stored in the storage unit 250 (step 7). The notification unit 230 may provide a notification indicating that the external sound data is being output in real time. In particular, if the notification unit 230 includes a display unit, the display unit may display that the external sound data is being played in real time.

[0054] The control unit 270 determines whether the detection unit 271 has detected the occurrence of an external sound storage event (step 8). The control unit 270 repeats steps 4 to 8 until it determines that the occurrence of an external sound storage event has been detected.

[0055] In step 8, if the control unit 270 determines that an external sound storage event has been detected, the control unit 270 associates the external sound data stored in the storage unit 250 with the terminal information of the connected output device 100 (i.e., the terminal information stored by the management unit 272) and stores it in the storage unit 260 (step 9).

[0056] After performing the process of step 9, the control device 200 performs the process of step 4 again, and repeats the process.

[0057] The determination in step 3 may be performed at any time as long as the output device 100 is connected to the control device 200.

[0058] Next, the flow of processing when the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a playback event will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing after the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a playback event.

[0059] If the detection unit 271 detects the occurrence of a first sound playback event in step 3, the control unit 270 acquires the terminal information of the output device 100 (terminal information of the output device 100 connected to the control device 200) held by the management unit 272 (step 11).

[0060] The control unit 270 acquires, from the storage unit 260, terminal information of the transmitter 100 that corresponds to the first sound selected by the user (sometimes referred to as first terminal information) (step 11). The first terminal information may be terminal information of the transmitter 100 that was connected when the first sound selected by the user was recorded.

[0061] The control unit 270 determines whether the first terminal information is the same as the terminal information of the transmitter 100 held by the management unit 272 (step 13). That is, the control unit 270 determines whether the transmitter 100 corresponding to the first sound selected by the user is connected to the second connection unit.

[0062] If the control unit 270 determines in step 13 that the first terminal information and the terminal information of the transmitter 100 held by the management unit 272 are the same, the control unit 270 controls the playback control unit 273 to output the first sound from the sound playback unit 120 of the transmitter 100 connected to the control device 200 (step 14). That is, if the transmitter 100 corresponding to the first sound selected by the user is connected to the second connection unit 210, the control unit 270 outputs the first sound.

[0063] If the control unit 270 determines in step 13 that the first terminal information and the terminal information of the transmitter 100 held by the management unit 272 are not the same, the control unit 270 does not cause the sound playback unit 120 of the transmitter 100 connected to the control device 200 to play the first sound (step 15). That is, if the transmitter 100 that does not correspond to the first sound selected by the user is connected to the second connection unit 210, the control unit 270 does not cause the first sound to be output.

[0064] After the processing of step 14 or step 15 is performed, the processing of step 3 may be started.

[0065] Another embodiment of the processing related to a playback event executed by the control device 200 will be described. In step 3, after the control device 200 acquires the terminal information of the connected output device 100, the user can select a first sound to be played by the sound playback unit 120. At this time, the list of candidates for the first sound that the user can select may be external audio data that correspond to the terminal information of the connected output device 100. In the above embodiment, the user can select external audio data to be output by the output device 100 from the external audio data that correspond to the connected output device 100. Note that in the above embodiment, the processing shown in FIG. 3 may or may not be performed.

[0066] Next, a method in which the storage unit 260 stores external sound data will be described.

[0067] The storage unit 260 may store external sound data in association with a user and / or an output device 100 that may reproduce the external sound data.

[0068] The user may be the user or owner of the output device 100 that was connected when the external sound was acquired. When the output device 100 is connected to the control device 200, the control unit 270 may identify the user of the output device 100. The storage unit 240 may store the output device 100 and information about the identified user of the output device 100 in association with each other. The retention unit 260 may acquire information about the user of the output device 100 that acquired the external sound from the storage unit 240 and associate the information with external sound data.

[0069] The user of the output device 100 may be a person identified as using the output device 100 by a personal authentication means. The control system 1 may include a personal authentication means capable of identifying a person using the output device 100. The personal authentication means may be, for example, fingerprint authentication, face authentication, voiceprint authentication, iris authentication, etc. The personal authentication means is not limited to these and may also use, for example, a PIN code or a password. The personal authentication means may identify a person using the output device 100 after the detection unit 271 detects a connection event. The storage unit 260 may associate information about the person identified by the personal authentication means as the user and with the external sound data. By using the personal authentication means to identify the user of the output device 100 when the external sound was acquired, it is possible to accurately associate the user with the external sound data.

[0070] The output device 100 that may play external sound data may be the output device 100 that was connected to the second connection unit 210 when the sound acquisition unit 110 acquired the external sound, or the output device 100 that the user who was using the output device 100 when the external sound data was acquired allows to play the external sound, or both. In this specification, the output device 100 that may play external sound data may be referred to as the output device 100 that has a correspondence relationship with the external sound data.

[0071] The output device 100 corresponding to the external sound data may be an output device 100 owned by the user. The output device 100 owned by the user may be registered in advance in the storage unit 240. The output device 100 having the corresponding relationship may include an output device 100 owned by a person who has a predetermined relationship with the user. A person who has a predetermined relationship with the user may be set in advance by the user and registered in the storage unit 240. The predetermined relationship may be, for example, belonging to the same group or being permitted by the user to listen to external sounds. The storage unit 240 may store a correspondence relationship between the external sound data and the output device 100 corresponding to the external sound data. For example, the storage unit 240 may store correspondence information including a correspondence relationship between the first sound and the output device 100 connected when the sound acquisition unit 110 acquired the external sound.

[0072] The output device 100 that does not have a correspondence relationship with the external sound data is different from the output device 100 that has a correspondence relationship with the external sound data.

[0073] The output device 100 that does not correspond to the external sound data may be, for example, an output device 100 different from the output device 100 that was connected to the second connection unit 210 when the sound acquisition unit 110 acquired the external sound. When an output device 100 different from the output device 100 that was connected to the second connection unit 210 when the sound acquisition unit 110 acquired the external sound is connected, the control unit 270 does not output the external sound.

[0074] The output device 100 that does not correspond to the external sound data may be, for example, an output device 100 that is not owned by the user who acquired the external sound. When the output device 100 that does not correspond to the external sound data is connected, the control unit 270 does not output the external sound.

[0075] Furthermore, the output device 100 that does not have a correspondence relationship with the external sound data may be, for example, an output device 100 that is not owned by a person who has a predetermined relationship with the user who was using the output device 100 when the external sound was acquired. If the output device 100 that does not have a correspondence relationship with the external sound data is an output device 100 that is not owned by a person who has a predetermined relationship with the user who was using the output device 100 when the external sound was acquired, the control unit 270 does not output the external sound when an output device 100 that outputs sound to a user who does not have a predetermined relationship with the user to whom the output device 100 that was connected to the second connection unit 210 when the sound acquisition unit 110 acquired the external sound is connected.

[0076] Next, an example of a method in which the storage unit 260 stores external sound data will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] In FIG. 4, the terminal information of the output devices 100 that have been connected to the control device 200 is xx-xx-xx-01, xx-xx-xx-02, xx-xx-xx-03, and xx-xx-xx-04. The people who have used the control system 1 are A, B, and C. The owner of the output devices 100 with xx-xx-xx-01 and xx-xx-xx-02 is A. The owner of the output device 100 with xx-xx-xx-03 is B. The owner of the output device 100 with xx-xx-xx-04 is C. User C has a predetermined relationship with user B. This information may be stored in the storage unit 240.

[0078] The following describes external sound data with an external sound ID of ID01. The output device 100 connected when the external sound with the external sound ID of ID01 was acquired is the output device 100 with terminal information xx-xx-xx-01. Therefore, the external sound data with ID01 is associated with user A, who is the user of xx-xx-xx-01, and with xx-xx-xx-01 and xx-xx-xx-02, which are output devices 100 owned by user A.

[0079] Next, the external sound data with an external sound ID of ID02 will be described. The output device 100 connected when the external sound with an external sound ID of ID02 was acquired is the output device 100 with terminal information xx-xx-xx-03. The owner of the output device 100 with terminal information xx-xx-xx-03 is B. Therefore, the external sound data with ID02 is associated with B, the owner of xx-xx-xx-03, and xx-xx-xx-03, the output device 100 owned by B.

[0080] The external sound data with an external sound ID of ID03 will be described. The output device 100 connected when the external sound with the external sound ID of ID03 was acquired is the output device 100 with terminal information of xx-xx-xx-01. The owner of the output device 100 with xx-xx-xx-01 is A, but the personal authentication means of the control system 1 has identified that the user using the output device 100 is B. Therefore, B is associated with the user of the external sound data with an external sound ID of ID03. Since the output device 100 owned by B is xx-xx-xx-03, the corresponding output devices 100 may include xx-xx-xx-03. Furthermore, the corresponding output devices 100 may include xx-xx-xx-01, which is the output device 100 connected when the external sound of the external sound data with ID03 was acquired.

[0081] The external sound data with an external sound ID of ID04 will be described. The output device 100 connected when the external sound with the external sound ID of ID04 was acquired is the output device 100 with terminal information of xx-xx-xx-03. The owner of the output device 100 with xx-xx-xx-03 is B. Because user C has a predetermined relationship with user B, the corresponding output devices 100 may include xx-xx-xx-04, which is the output device 100 owned by user C.

[0082] <Example 2> A control system 1 according to Example 2 may be configured such that, in the control system 1 of Example 1, the user can set a state in which the external sound data stored in the storage unit 260 is not output from the sound playback unit 120 even when the detection unit 271 detects a playback event. The state in which the first sound is not output from the sound playback unit 120 may be referred to as a "locked state." When the state of the control system 1 is set to the locked state, the sound playback unit 120 cannot output the first sound even when the detection unit 271 detects an output event for the first sound.

[0083] If the control system 1 is left unattended with the output device 100 still connected to the control device 200, there is a risk that the control system 1 may be used by a third party other than the user of the output device 100. In such a case, there is a risk that the control system 1 may leak external sound data corresponding to the output device 100 to the third party.

[0084] The control system 1 of Example 2 cannot output the first sound when it is set to the locked state, thereby preventing the first sound from being leaked to a third party.

[0085] Furthermore, if the locked state continues for a predetermined time, the control system 1 may terminate the acquisition of external sounds or the accumulation of external sound signals.

[0086] <Example 3> In the control system 1 according to Example 3, in the control system 1 of Example 1, the control unit 270 may perform personal authentication of the user who uses the output device 100 and identify the person who is using the output device 100 by step 13 of the processing flow shown in Fig. 3. When the storage unit 260 stores external sound data associated with users, the control unit 270 may determine whether the user associated with the first sound is the same as the person who uses the output device 100. When the control unit 270 determines that the user and the person are the same person, the playback control unit 273 may output the first sound from the sound output unit.

[0087] The control system 1 of Example 3 can output recorded external sound when the user who wants to output the external sound is the same as the user who acquired the external sound, thereby making it possible to prevent sound data from being leaked to a different user.

[0088] Fourth Example In the control system 1 according to the fourth example, in the control system 1 of the first example, when a state in which the transmitter 100 is not connected to the second connection unit 210 continues for a predetermined time, the control unit 270 may delete the first sound corresponding to the transmitter 100 from the storage unit 260. The predetermined time may be set in advance by the user.

[0089] <Effects of this embodiment> The control device of the above-described embodiment has a connection unit that connects output devices, and a control unit that causes a first sound acquired from a sound acquisition unit to be held in a holding unit, and causes the first sound held in the holding unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit, and the control unit causes the first sound to be output when a first output device that is the output device that corresponds to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not cause the first sound to be output when a second output device that is the output device that does not correspond to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, thereby making it possible to prevent leakage of sound data.

[0090] The present technology can also be configured as follows.

[0091] (1) A control device includes a connection unit that connects output devices, and a control unit that causes a first sound acquired from a sound acquisition unit to be held in a holding unit and causes the first sound held in the holding unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

[0092] (2) In the control system described in (1) above, the first output device is an output device that was connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

[0093] (3) In the control device described in (1) or (2) above, the second output device is an output device different from the output device that was connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

[0094] (4) In the control device described in (1) to (3) above, the storage unit stores correspondence information including a correspondence relationship between the first sound and a first output device that was connected when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

[0095] (5) In the control device described in (1) to (4) above, when the first output device is not connected to the connection unit for a predetermined time, the control unit deletes the first sound corresponding to the first output device from the storage unit.

[0096] (6) The control system includes a connection unit that connects output devices, and a control unit that stores a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit in a memory unit and outputs the first sound stored in the memory unit from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

[0097] (7) A control method includes: a connection unit connecting to an output device; a control unit storing a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit in a storage unit and outputting the first sound stored in the storage unit from the output device connected to the connection unit; and the control unit outputting the first sound when a first output device, which is the output device corresponding to the first sound, is connected to the connection unit, and not outputting the first sound when a second output device, which is the output device not corresponding to the first sound, is connected to the connection unit.

[0098] (8) The control device includes a connection unit that connects an output device that outputs sound to a user, and a control unit that stores a first sound acquired from the acquisition unit in a storage unit and outputs the first sound to the user via the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit does not output the first sound when an output device that outputs sound to a user different from the user to which the output device connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound is connected.

[0099] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit to form a status determination system. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments.

[0100] Control system 1 Output device 100 Control device 200 Sound acquisition unit 110 Sound playback unit 120 First connection unit 130 Second connection unit 210 Input unit 220 Notification unit 230 Storage unit 240 Accumulation unit 250 Holding unit 260 Control unit 270 Detection unit 271 Management unit 272 Playback control unit 273

Claims

1. A control device comprising: a connection unit that connects output devices; and a control unit that causes a first sound acquired from a sound acquisition unit to be stored in a storage unit and that causes the first sound stored in the storage unit to be output from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device that is not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the first output device is an output device that was connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second output device is an output device different from the output device that was connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage unit stores correspondence information including a correspondence relationship between the first sound and a first output device that was connected when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound.

5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when a state in which the first output device is not connected to the connection section continues for a predetermined time, the control section deletes the first sound corresponding to the first output device from the storage section.

6. A control system comprising: a connection unit that connects output devices; and a control unit that stores a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit in a memory unit and outputs the first sound stored in the memory unit from the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit outputs the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and does not output the first sound when a second output device that is the output device not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

7. A control method including: a connection unit connecting to an output device; a control unit storing a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit in a memory unit and outputting the first sound stored in the memory unit from the output device connected to the connection unit; and the control unit outputting the first sound when a first output device that is the output device corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit, and not outputting the first sound when a second output device that is the output device not corresponding to the first sound is connected to the connection unit.

8. A control device comprising: a connection unit that connects an output device that outputs sound to a user; and a control unit that stores a first sound acquired from an acquisition unit in a memory unit and outputs the first sound to the user via the output device connected to the connection unit, wherein the control unit does not output the first sound when an output device that outputs sound to a user different from the user to which the output device connected to the connection unit when the acquisition unit acquired the first sound is connected.

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