JP6509701B2 - Voice distribution server, control method therefor, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice distribution server that delivers voice data to be uttered via a communication network to an electronic device having a voice uttering function, a control method thereof, and a control program.

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electronic devices such as home appliances tend to be multifunctional year by year, and as an additional function other than the main functions of home appliances, those having a voice uttering function of reproducing voice data and uttering voice are increasing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a microwave oven, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, etc. that can add or change voice data to be uttered by acquiring voice data from an application server via a home gateway. . Hereinafter, a home appliance having a voice utterance function is referred to as a speech home appliance.

  Further, according to Patent Document 2, individual utterances can be made so that the user can hear individual voices even in a situation in which an utterance-enabled device such as an ETC in-vehicle device, a car navigation device, a car audio device, etc. Techniques for adjusting the timing of utterances between possible devices are described. Each speech enabled device is provided with a speaking right negotiation means, and by negotiation between the speaking right speaking means, one speech enabled device should be given a preferential speaking right and should speak into a speech enabled device that does not have a prioritized speaking right When voice data is generated, the fact is notified to a speech-enabled device having a priority speech right to have the speech time adjusted.

JP 2008-046424 A (published on February 28, 2008) JP, 2009-294310, A (released on December 17, 2009)

  By the way, when the above-mentioned utterance home appliance is present, a system can be considered in which voice data is supplied from the distribution server or the like to the utterance home appliance to make it speak regardless of the user's operation. However, in this case, when the speech periods overlap with each other, the user may not be able to hear or feel annoyed.

  The technology for adjusting the speech time in Patent Document 2 is one in which individual speech-capable devices adjust each other, and in a system in which voice data is centrally managed and distributed by a distribution server or the like, the speech periods do not overlap among the speech home appliances It is not something to adjust.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an audio distribution server suitable for a system that centrally manages and distributes audio data by a server, which adjusts the speech time so that speech periods do not overlap among speech home appliances , And its control method and control program.

  An audio distribution server according to an aspect of the present invention is an audio distribution server for distributing audio data to a plurality of electronic devices having an audio reproduction function in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the transmission destination of the audio data The transmission destination information indicating the information of the above and the reproduction start time information indicating the reproduction start time of the voice data are added to the electronic device of the transmission destination from the reproduction start time indicated in the reproduction start time information. The audio transmission control unit transmits a reproduction start instruction to transmit the reproduction start instruction that instructs the reproduction start of the transmitted audio data when the reproduction start time is reached, and each belonging to a preset group including a plurality of electronic devices. And an adjusting unit that adjusts the reproduction start time including the reproduction stop so that the reproduction periods of the audio data do not overlap between the electronic devices, and the audio transmission control unit When the reproduction starting time is adjusted by the adjustment unit is characterized to transmit the playback start command based on the adjustment result of the adjustment unit.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a voice distribution server suitable for a system that adjusts the speech time so that the speech periods do not overlap between the speech home appliances, and centrally manages and distributes the speech data by the server. Play.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the remote control system 100 containing the delivery server which is an audio delivery server concerning this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the UI screen displayed by starting the application for remote control on the communication terminal device in the said remote control system. It is a figure which shows the flow of the delivery data delivered to each household appliance via the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows the structure of household appliances ID added and transmitted to the said delivery data and this delivery data. It is a principal part block diagram which concerns on the audio | voice delivery of the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows the image of the reproduction | regeneration instruction | indication list produced by the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows the image of a division | segmentation of the reproduction | regeneration instruction | indication list performed by the said delivery server. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the audio | voice delivery in the said delivery server. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of adjustment processing of reproduction | regeneration start time of S7 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the image of rearrangement of the delivery data which should adjust the reproduction | regeneration start time in a delivery server. It is a timing chart of the case where the reproduction periods overlap between the home appliance A and the home appliance B arranged close to each other and the voices overlap. It is the timing chart which shifted the timing of the speech instruction between the home appliance A and the home appliance B which are arranged close to each other, and eliminated the overlap of the reproduction periods. It is a figure which shows the image of the reproduction | regeneration instruction | indication list performed by the delivery server which is an audio delivery server concerning another embodiment. It is a principal part block diagram which concerns on the audio | voice delivery of the delivery server which is an audio delivery server concerning further another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the delivery data delivered to each household appliance via the said delivery server. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of adjustment processing of reproduction | regeneration start time in the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows the image of rearrangement of the delivery data which should adjust the reproduction | regeneration start time in the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows an example of the management screen of a network household appliance broadcast station in the management server connected with the said delivery server. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration screen for registering distribution data in a network household appliance broadcast station in the said management server. It is a principal part block diagram which concerns on the audio | voice delivery of the delivery server which is an audio delivery server concerning further another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image which announces an utterance beforehand to the said communication terminal device, and makes a predetermined | prescribed button be pushed and listens to an utterance.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of embodiments. In addition, about the member which has the function same as the member shown to each embodiment for convenience of explanation, the same code | symbol is appended and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First Embodiment
One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the voice distribution server is exemplified as the distribution server of the remote control system.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote control system 100 including a distribution server 20 which is an audio distribution server according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the remote control system 100, the home appliances 10-1 to 10-6 installed in the user's house 50 which is a house, the distribution server 20 which is an audio distribution server, and the communication terminal devices 30-1 to 30-3 are connected via the communication network 80. Further, to the distribution server 20, a plurality of management servers 60-1 to 60-N, an external information server 70 for providing external information, and the like are connected via the communication network 80.

  In FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10-1, the television 10-2, the air cleaner 10-3, the heating cooker 10-4, the washing machine 10-5, and the refrigerator 10-6 are shown as home appliances. Moreover, the communication terminal devices 30-1 to 30-3 which downloaded the application (smart phone application) for remote control, such as a smart phone, are shown as a communication terminal device. However, in the said system 100, these numbers and types are not limited, When it is not necessary to demonstrate separately, the household appliances 10 and the communication terminal device 30 are used as a generic term. Moreover, also about several management server 60-1-60-N, the management server 60 is used as a generic term, when it is not necessary to demonstrate separately. Furthermore, although FIG. 1 shows a part related to one user home 50, the number of user homes 50 included in the system 100 is not limited.

  The home appliance 10 is a network home appliance having a wireless communication function for connecting to the communication network 80 and communicating with the distribution server 20. The wireless communication function may be built in the home appliance 10 main body, or may be provided in a communication adapter externally attached to the home appliance 10 main body. The home appliance 10 receives the remote control by the associated communication terminal device 30 via the distribution server 20.

  The distribution server 20 registers and manages the correspondence between the communication terminal device 30 and the home appliance 10. By registering the combination in the distribution server 20, remote operation of the home appliance 10 by the communication terminal device 30 and data distribution to the communication terminal device 30 become possible. In addition, the distribution server 20 communicates with the home appliance 10 to communicate information indicating the operating state of the home appliance 10 and sensing information acquired by various sensors mounted on the home appliance 10 (for example, information on room temperature and humidity in the case of an air conditioner) In the case of a refrigerator, the temperature in the storage, in the case of an air purifier, the amount of dust, etc. is acquired, and the acquired information is transmitted to the communication terminal device 30 or the management server 60.

  Furthermore, the distribution server 20 has a function as an audio distribution server that distributes audio data to the home appliance 10. Audio data to be reproduced by the home appliance 10 is supplied from the communication terminal device 30, the management server 60, the external information server 70, and the like. The distribution server 20 can also generate voice data by speech synthesizing the character string data transmitted from the management server 60 or the external information server. The distribution server 20 distributes (sends) the supplied voice data and voice data generated by voice synthesis to the home appliance 10.

  The communication terminal device 30 is downloaded with a dedicated application for remote control. The communication terminal device 30 remotely controls the home appliance 10 via the distribution server 20. Images, text information, and the like are also transmitted from the distribution server 20 to the communication terminal device 30.

  In the user home 50, a wireless local area network (LAN) that forms a part of the communication network 80 is provided. The relay station 40 of the wireless LAN is connected to a communication network 80 including the Internet. The relay station 40 is, for example, a communication device such as a WiFi (registered trademark) router or a WiFi (registered trademark) access point. The communication terminal device 30 and the Internet in the communication network 80 are connected using 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), a home or public WiFi (registered trademark) access point, or the like. As the communication network 80, a telephone network, a mobile communication network, a CATV (CAble TeleVision) communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like not including the Internet can also be used. The home appliance 10 and the communication terminal device 30 can also communicate with each other via the relay station 40.

  The management server 60 is based on information acquired by the distribution server 20 from the home appliance 10 (information indicating the operating state, sensing information, etc.), and information obtained by the communication terminal device 30 remotely controlling the home appliance 10 via the distribution server 20, etc. , Grasp and accumulate the usage condition of the customer in the home appliance 10; In addition, the management server 60 performs cooperative control between the home appliances 10 based on the information acquired by the distribution server 20 from the home appliances 10. Furthermore, the management server 60 provides the home appliance 10 with speech information and provides the communication terminal device 30 with content via the distribution server 20. The management server 60 provides voice data to the home appliance 10 via the distribution server 20 and provides the communication terminal device 30 as text data and voice data.

  The external information server 70 provides the home appliance 10 and the communication terminal device 30 with external information such as weather information and event information via the distribution server 20 or the management server 60. The external information server 70 provides the home appliance 10 as voice data, and provides the communication terminal device 30 as text data and voice data. The external information server 70 connected to the distribution server 20 may be plural.

  Although the functions of the distribution server 20 and the functions of the management server 60 have been described separately here, the management of the functions provided by the distribution server 20 and the management server 60 and the management of master data can be realized by either system design. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed by activating the application for remote control on the communication terminal device 30. As shown in FIG. (A) of FIG. 2 is a screen which displays a message from each user (family member etc.) associated with the same user home ID, provided as a basic function. In addition to the message from each user, the message from the home appliance 10 associated with the same user home ID is also displayed. (B) of FIG. 2 is a seal screen used when operating the home appliance 10 (in the example, an air cleaner). By selecting the seal, the home appliance 10 can be operated. (C) of FIG. 2 is a screen of a schedule function. On this screen, you can check the schedule you have already entered (such as "sports meeting" or "excursion"). (D) of FIG. 2 is a screen of a registration function for registering a schedule, and it is possible to input a schedule from this screen.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of distribution data distributed to each home appliance 10 via the distribution server 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the distribution data and the structure of a home appliance ID to be added to the distribution data and transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution server 20 includes voice data to be uttered by the plurality of home servers 10-1 to 60-N from the plurality of management servers 60-1 to 60-N and the communication terminal device 30. The distribution data is posted (sent) together with a home appliance ID (transmission destination information) indicating the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination. As described above, the posting may be performed using character string data, and the contents of the character string data may be synthesized by speech in the distribution server 20.

  The home appliance ID is identification information for identifying each home appliance 10, and includes installation position information indicating a position at which the home appliance 10 is installed. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, user home IDs for identifying individual user homes 50 are used as the installation position information. The home appliance ID also includes information indicating the type of the home appliance 10 (refrigerator / air conditioner / air purifier /...), And information indicating a region such as a zip code.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the distribution data includes voice data to be uttered and attribute information of the distribution data. The attribute information includes reproduction start time information, reproduction time information, category information of utterance content, registration time information, and the like. The reproduction start time information is information indicating a reproduction start time at which reproduction (utterance) of audio data is started. The reproduction time information is information indicating the time required to reproduce the audio data. Further, the category information of the utterance content is information indicating the category of the utterance content, and includes sports, weather forecast, news, messages, and a time report. The registration time information is information indicating the time when the distribution data was registered (posted).

  The voice data to be uttered may be voice messages posted from a plurality of management servers 60, predetermined voice messages registered in distribution server 20, message messages recorded from communication terminal device 30, and the like. In the voice messages posted from the management server 60, voice messages etc. distributed simultaneously by the management server 60 according to the type of the home appliance 10 (refrigerator / air conditioner / air purifier / ...) provided by the management server 60 described later included.

i) Examples of voice messages to be broadcasted simultaneously from broadcast stations are as follows.
・ Know-how to use home appliances listed in time bulletins, chimes, radio exercises of public institutions such as schools ・ Voices of idols, voices of voice actors, voices of anime and characters, movie trailers
ii) Examples of predetermined voice messages registered in the distribution server 20 include the following.
・ "Thank you for registering ~" at the time of initial registration
・ Utterance at a specific date and time "Today is New Year's Eve, have you finished cleaning?"
iii) Examples of voice messages posted from the management server 60 include the following. This is customized with a category set in advance by the user or user registration information.
・ Weather forecast / weather information (including temperature and humidity, PM2.5, yellow sand, pollen), typhoon information, news, current events information, Tokyo Olympics 2020, movie trailers, event information, fortune telling information, overseas local time, regional shops Sale information, health information, message information (voice recorded by the user using the communication terminal device)
iv) In addition, there is also a voice message delivered by the delivery server 20 in response to an operation result of another home appliance 10 and an utterance result. This voice message is also registered in the distribution server 20.
・ “There are more electricity charges for this month” than the amount of electricity generated by the HEMS system
・ Selection of washing machine is over, and other household appliances 10 (for example, air purifiers) say "I'm done selecting" instead of the washing machine
-Receiving failure information of the other home appliance 10, for example, the other home appliance 10 (for example, air conditioner) says "the air purifier seems to be out of order" instead of the broken home appliance 10.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the plurality of management servers 60-1 to 60-N and the communication terminal device 30 serving as the posting source do not cooperate between the posting sources with the distribution data for causing the voice message as described above to be uttered. It independently posts to the distribution server 20.

  The distribution server 20 distributes each distribution data posted from the plurality of management servers 60-1 to 60-N and the communication terminal device 30 to the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination, and makes them utter at the designated reproduction start time.

  Also, the distribution server 20 voluntarily distributes the distribution data by determining the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination and the reproduction start time by itself according to a predetermined rule, of the predetermined distribution data registered in the distribution server 20 ( Delivery according to embedded delivery content), delivery data delivered spontaneously are uttered at the determined playback start time.

  The delivery data to be delivered spontaneously is, for example, delivery data of "Thank you for registering ~" at the time of initial registration described above. In this case, the distribution destination is the initially registered home appliance 10, and the reproduction start time is several seconds after the completion of the initial registration.

  Further, an utterance related to a schedule for which a schedule has been registered according to the aforementioned schedule also corresponds to distribution data to be distributed spontaneously. The delivery destination is the home appliance 10 that has registered the schedule, and the reproduction start time is a designated time. The reproduction start time of the distribution data of “Today is New Year's Eve, is it finished cleaning?” Is a predetermined time that is set in advance.

  In addition, when the operation is completed in the home appliance 10 installed in the user home 50 or when an abnormality occurs, an utterance notifying that effect via the other home appliances 10 installed in the same user home is also spontaneous. It corresponds to delivery data to be delivered. For example, the delivery destination of the delivery data of "I finished washing" is the other home appliance 10 having the same user ID as that of the washing machine, and the reproduction start time is, for example, a notification that washing is finished from the washing machine Within a few seconds from the time you received Similarly, the delivery destination of the delivery data of "the air purifier seems to be in a bad condition" is another home appliance 10 having the same user ID as the air purifier, and the reproduction start time is, for example, an abnormality Within a few seconds from the time of receipt of the notification to the effect.

  Thus, the reproduction start time is set for each of the distribution data posted to the distribution server 20 and the distribution data of the spontaneous distribution generated by the distribution server 20.

  However, as described above, posting of distribution data to distribution server 20 is independently performed without cooperation from a plurality of management servers 60-1 to 60-N and communication terminal apparatus 30 as a posting source, and distribution Also in the server 20, the distribution data is generated by itself regardless of the posted distribution data.

  Therefore, distribution data in which the same reproduction start time is set is posted to the home appliance 10 installed at a position where the voices overlap with each other such as installed in the same user home 50. There is. Further, although the reproduction start time is different, the set reproduction start time may overlap during reproduction of another home appliance 10 which has started reproduction first. In such a case, the reproduction periods overlap among the home appliances 10 installed in the same user home 50, and there is a possibility that the sounds emitted from the home appliances 10 overlap and it becomes difficult to hear.

  Moreover, although there is no problem in which audio | voice overlaps, several delivery data to which the same reproduction | regeneration start time was set with respect to one household appliance 10 may be posted. Moreover, although the reproduction start time is different for one household appliance 10, the set reproduction start time may overlap during reproduction of the audio data which has started reproduction first. In such a case, it is not possible to reproduce the audio data of the later reproduction start time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, each home appliance 10 belongs to a group set in advance including the plurality of home appliances 10 installed at positions where the respective voices overlap with each other. Adjustment of the reproduction start time of the audio data to be reproduced by each home appliance 10 is performed including the reproduction stop so that the reproduction periods of the audio data do not overlap among 10, and based on the adjusted reproduction start time, each home electric appliance 10 Send a speech instruction (start instruction) to

  The previously set group is a group of home appliances 10 which are assumed to be installed at positions where their voices overlap with each other. When each home appliance 10 is associated with the installation position information indicating the installed position, a group consisting of the home appliances 10 having the same installation position information corresponds to this. In the present embodiment, the user home ID for identifying the user home 50 is used as the installation position information, and the reproduction start time is adjusted for each home appliance 10 having the same user home ID.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the main parts related to the audio delivery of the delivery server 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing an image of the reproduction instruction list created by the distribution server 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an image of division of the reproduction instruction list performed by the distribution server 20. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution server 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22 and a communication unit 23. The control unit 21 is, for example, a computer including an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor, and controls the operation of each unit of the distribution server 20. The storage unit 22 stores various information (data) used by the distribution server 20. The communication unit 23 communicates with the home appliance 10, the communication terminal device 30, the management server 60, the external information server 70, and the like through the communication network 80.

  In the control unit 21, a reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a, a reproduction instruction list division unit 21b, an utterance adjustment unit (adjustment unit) 21c, and a voice transmission control unit 21d are constructed.

  The reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a targets all of the distribution data posted at the current time and the distribution data by spontaneous distribution regardless of the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination, and the household appliance of the distribution destination is set for each set reproduction start time. Create a reproduction instruction list in which the ID and the distribution data are paired.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the distribution data designated with the reproduction start time of 12:00, 12:01, ... is listed together with the home appliance ID of the distribution destination. The delivery data is arranged in order from the earliest registration time based on the registration time information included in the attribute information.

  The reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a re-creates such a reproduction instruction list, for example, at preset periodic timings such as every one minute, every ten minutes, every thirty minutes, and the like. Also, when receiving the notification that the operation has been completed or the notification that an abnormality has occurred from the connected home appliance 10, the reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a re-creates the reproduction instruction list at that timing. In addition, it is also created again when distribution data that needs to be immediately uttered with high urgency is posted from the management server 60 and the communication terminal device 30.

  In the present embodiment, the reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a is configured to create the reproduction instruction list every one minute in accordance with the configuration in which the reproduction start time can be set every one minute. In addition, for the distribution data whose reproduction start time has been adjusted by the speech adjustment unit 21c, which will be described later, the reproduction instruction list creation unit 21a re-creates the reproduction instruction list using the adjusted start time. There is. As a result, it is possible to surely utter the voice data with high priority, for example, when it newly appears.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the reproduction instruction list division unit 21 b divides the reproduction instruction list for each group of home appliances 10 having the same user home ID that requires adjustment of the reproduction start time. In the example of the reproduction instruction list shown in FIG. 6, the reproduction instruction list dividing unit 21b divides each of the user's home (A), the user's home (B), ... into a reproduction instruction list in units of homes.

  The utterance adjustment unit 21c is configured such that the reproduction periods of the audio data do not overlap among the home appliances 10 of the group having the same user home ID divided by the reproduction instruction list division unit 21b. Adjustment of the reproduction start time of the audio data to be reproduced by the home appliance 10 is performed including the reproduction stop.

  For example, in the example of the reproduction instruction list shown in FIG. 6, the reproduction start time overlaps with the distribution data A of the air conditioner installed in the user's house (A) and the distribution data B of the refrigerator. In this case, the utterance adjustment unit 21c starts the reproduction first of the reproduction start time of any one of the distribution data A of the air conditioner or the distribution data B of the refrigerator (more precisely, the reproduction start time of the audio data of each distribution data). Shift back by the playback time of the distributed data.

  Further, in the refrigerator and the air purifier installed at the user's house (B), the reproduction start time of the distribution data and the content thereof overlap. In this case, the speech adjustment unit 21c stops the reproduction of the voice data in either the refrigerator or the air purifier. That is, the reproduction start time is erased.

  The speech adjustment unit 21c shifts the reproduction start time according to the order of early registration time, the order of shorter reproduction time, the order of higher priority according to category determined in advance, the order designated by the user, or the like.

  The voice transmission control unit 21 d transmits the distribution data to the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination in advance of the reproduction start time of the reproduction start time information. For example, it transmits about one hour before the playback disclosure time. Thereafter, when the reproduction start time is reached, the reproduction start instruction for instructing the reproduction start of the audio data included in the transmitted distribution data is transmitted to the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination. As a result, regardless of the time involved in downloading the audio data, the home appliance 10 can utter immediately at the time when the start of reproduction is instructed.

  Then, in the present embodiment, when the reproduction start time is adjusted by the speech adjustment unit 21c, the voice transmission control unit 21d transmits a reproduction start instruction based on the adjustment result of the speech adjustment unit 21c. For example, in the example of the reproduction instruction list shown in FIG. 6, the utterance adjustment unit 21c sets the reproduction disclosure time of the distribution data B by the refrigerator installed in the user residence (A) to that of the air conditioner installed in the user residence (A). When delaying according to the reproduction time of the distribution data A, the voice transmission control unit 21d reproduces the audio data of the distribution data B that has already been transmitted to the refrigerator installed in the user's house (A) when the delayed time is reached. Instruct to start.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of voice distribution in the distribution server 20. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the control unit 21 in the distribution server 20 targets the reproduction instruction list for all distribution data posted at this point and distribution data by spontaneous distribution regardless of the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination. Create (S1).

  Next, the control unit 21 divides the reproduction instruction list in units of homes where the reproduction start time needs to be adjusted (S2), and for each of the reproduction instruction lists in units of homes, voices are generated between the home appliances 10 included in the list. It is determined whether the data reproduction periods overlap (S3).

  For a house determined not to overlap in S3, the process proceeds to S4, and it is determined whether there is a home appliance 10 to which a reproduction start instruction should be sent at that time. Here, when it is determined that there is a home appliance 10 to be transmitted, a reproduction start instruction is transmitted to the corresponding home appliance 10 (S5), and the process proceeds to S6. If it is determined in S4 that there is no home appliance 10 to be transmitted, S5 is skipped and the process proceeds to S6.

  On the other hand, for a house determined to overlap in S3, the process proceeds to S7, and adjustment of the reproduction start time is performed including the reproduction stop. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8, and based on the adjustment result, the reproduction start instruction is transmitted to the first home appliance 10, and the process proceeds to S6.

  In S6, while excluding the distribution data to which the reproduction start instruction has been transmitted, the control unit 21 adds the distribution data newly posted after the creation of the previous reproduction instruction list and the distribution data newly caused to be spontaneous. A reproduction instruction list is re-created for all distribution data (S6). In S7, when the reproduction start time is adjusted, and there is distribution data whose reproduction start time is shifted later, the reproduction start time shifted later is used. After this, the process returns to S2, and the processes of S2 to S8 are repeated. In the present embodiment, the regeneration of the reproduction instruction list in S6 is performed every one minute in accordance with the minimum time for which the reproduction start time can be set.

  When the reproduction instruction list is re-created including the adjustment result by the speech adjustment unit 21c as described above, distribution data in which the number of executions of the process for adjusting the reproduction start time exceeds a predetermined number may appear. Therefore, it is preferable that the speech adjustment unit 21 c further have a function of increasing the priority of reproduction of audio data whose number of executions exceeds the predetermined number to facilitate reproduction.

  FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of adjustment processing of the reproduction start time of S7 in FIG. The control unit 21 of the distribution server 20 first determines, based on the attribute information included in the distribution data, whether or not the distribution data whose reproduction start time should be adjusted overlap from the category of audio data or the like. Then, in the case of duplication, one of them is left, the remaining distribution data is deleted, and the reproduction is stopped (S4-1). This makes it possible to prevent the user from hearing the same utterance many times and feeling annoyance.

  Next, with respect to the distribution data whose reproduction start time should be adjusted, the control unit 21 arranges the reproduction time in the ascending order (S4-2), the high priority according to the category determined in advance (S4-3), and the user According to the designated order (S4-4) or the like, the order of distribution data is rearranged to shift the reproduction start time. In addition, even if it is the structure which can implement only one of the processes of S4-2 to S4-4, it may be the structure which can be implemented combining. Moreover, the combination of the process of S4-1 and the process of S4-2 to S4-4 is not essential.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of sorting of distribution data whose reproduction start time should be adjusted. FIG. 10A shows an example in which the process proceeds to S4-2 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and is rearranged in ascending order of reproduction time. By setting the short order, there is an advantage that when there are many distribution data to be adjusted, more utterances can be heard than when reproduced from the long order. (B) of FIG. 10 shows an example in which audio data with duplicate contents is deleted except one at S4-1 in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart of a case where the reproduction periods overlap between the home appliance A and the home appliance B arranged close to each other and the audio overlaps. The distribution server 20 instructs the home appliance A and the home appliance B to download the voice data, and the home appliance A and the home appliance B that have received the instruction download the voice data. Since the download of voice data takes time, the distribution server 20 instructs the download about one hour before the start time indicated by the start time information. After that, when the start time (start time of the start time information) specified in the previously downloaded voice data is reached, the server transmits an utterance instruction (start instruction) of voice data to the home appliance A and the home appliance B. The home appliance A and the home appliance B that received the instruction reproduce and speak the downloaded voice data.

  Between home appliance A and home appliance B, if the playback start time is the same for home appliance A and home appliance B, or if the playback start time for home appliance B overlaps during playback of home appliance A, which has started playback earlier. The playback periods overlap, and each voice overlaps, making it difficult to hear.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart in which the overlapping of the reproduction periods is eliminated by shifting the timing of the speech instruction between the home appliance A and the home appliance B arranged close to each other. The distribution server 20 shifts the timing of transmitting the speech instruction to the home appliance B with overlapping playback periods n seconds according to the playback time n seconds of the home appliance A so as to start speaking after the end of the playback of the home appliance A. As a result, even if the reproduction start time is the same for the home appliance A and the home appliance B, the voices do not overlap between the home appliance A and the home appliance B, making it difficult to hear.

  Further, in the present embodiment, regardless of the home appliance 10 of the distribution destination, the reproduction instruction list is created for all of the distribution data posted at the current time and the distribution data by spontaneous distribution, and the reproduction disclosure time is adjust. Therefore, a plurality of distribution data in which the same reproduction start time is set is posted to one household appliance 10, or although the reproduction start time is different, the set reproduction start time is audio data whose reproduction is started earlier Even in the case of overlapping during playback of audio, it is possible to play back audio data by shifting the playback start time.

Second Embodiment
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of division of the reproduction instruction list dividing unit 21b in the distribution server 20 which is an audio distribution server, and the other configuration is the same as the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, reproduction instruction list division unit 21 b indicates the group where the adjustment of the reproduction start time is required with the same user residence ID and the installation location in user residence 50. The group of home appliances 10 having the same installation location information is divided into smaller groups than the configuration of the first embodiment. The installation location information indicating the installation location in the user home 50 is information on a living room basis, and is information on a living room, a children's room 1, a children's room 2, a bedroom, an entrance, or the first floor or the second floor. The home appliance ID includes installation location information (living / child's room 1 / child's room 2 / bedroom / entry / 1st floor / 2nd floor / ...) as information indicating the installation location, and the reproduction instruction list division unit 21b. Classifies the home appliances 10 using both the user home ID and the installation location information.

  Even if it is installed in the same user's house 50, between the home appliances installed on the first floor and the second floor, or between home appliances 10 installed in the living room and the bedroom, even if the reproduction period overlaps, the voice of the speech There are no duplicates that make it difficult to hear.

  Therefore, in this way, it is possible to determine the distribution data for each of the users on the first floor and the users on the second floor, the users in the living room, and the users in the bedroom by determining whether the adjustment is necessary in more detail. I can hear you speak.

Third Embodiment
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the message transmission control unit 21e is further provided to the distribution server 20 which is the voice distribution server, and the other configuration is the same as the first and second embodiments. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, a message transmission control unit 21 e is further constructed in the control unit 21 of the distribution server 20. The message transmission control unit 21e transmits, to the communication terminal device 30 of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination, a message indicating the content of the audio data whose reproduction is canceled by the speech adjustment unit 21c. If the television having the same user home ID as the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination is a television with a message receiving function for displaying or outputting a message from the distribution server 20 as a message, the message transmission control unit 21e The above message may be transmitted to the television.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of distribution data distributed to each home appliance via distribution server 20 in the present embodiment. The distribution server 20 uses the message indicating the content of the audio data whose reproduction is canceled by the speech adjustment unit 21c to the same user as the communication terminal device 30 of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination or the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination. It transmits to the television 33 with the message reception function which has house ID.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of adjusting the reproduction start time in the distribution server 20 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 21 of the distribution server 20 arranges the distribution data whose reproduction start time is to be adjusted in ascending order of reproduction time (S4-2), in descending order of priority by category determined in advance (S4-3), The order of distribution data is rearranged in accordance with the order (S4-4) designated by the user, etc., and the reproduction start time is shifted. As a result, if it is judged that it is not possible to cause the home appliance 10 to make speech in consideration of the schedule of the subsequent utterances, such as distribution data with low priority or distribution data with extremely long reproduction time, as alternative representation processing The transmission instruction of the reproduction of the voice data is cancelled, and a message indicating the content is transmitted to the communication terminal apparatus 30 or the television 33 of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination (S4-5). In the case of the communication terminal device 30, the message in the alternative expression process may be transmitted as text data or may be transmitted as voice data.

  FIG. 17 is a view showing an image of sorting of delivery data whose reproduction start time should be adjusted. With regard to the delivery data that is determined to be unreasonable to cause the household appliance 10 to be uttered in consideration of the long reproduction time and the schedule of subsequent utterances, the alternative expression process is used and the utterance from the household appliance 10 is cancelled.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a broadcast station provided in the management server 60 will be described.

  Similarly to the distribution server 20, the management server 60 also includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit (not shown). FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a management screen of the network home appliance broadcast station. A broadcast schedule of voice messages delivered simultaneously in accordance with the type of the home appliance 10 (refrigerator / air conditioner / air purifier / ...) is set up as in the television and radio program column. Such a broadcast schedule is set for each broadcast target and broadcast date. In the example of FIG. 18, the broadcast time is set in units of 30 minutes, and this time is the reproduction start time information included in the attribute information of the distribution data.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen for registering distribution data in the network home appliance broadcast station. Delivery of delivery data can be reserved to the broadcast schedule from this screen. In FIG. 18, it is possible to select “direct speech” which is the first speech setting and “the lamp blinks” which is the second speech setting as the manner of speech for each target home appliance.

  If “direct speech” is selected, the home appliance 10 speaks at the designated reproduction start time regardless of the user's operation on the home appliance 10 as described in the first to third embodiments.

  On the other hand, when “lamp blinks” is selected, a predetermined lamp (notification unit) provided on the home appliance 10 blinks to notify the user of the presence of voice to be uttered. The blinking start of the predetermined lamp is the reproduction start time set in the broadcast schedule. The blinking of the predetermined lamp continues until the predetermined lamp is pressed and the speech is completed, and is turned off when the end time is reached without being reproduced.

  In addition, as a method of uttering using "the lamp blinks", according to the content registered on the registration screen, a configuration is given in advance to notify the communication terminal device 30 of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination. You can also The advance notice is performed by displaying a message by text data and reproducing voice by voice data on the UI screen on which the above-mentioned application is activated. The category of distribution data for which it is desired to receive such a notice can be set as appropriate using the UI screen displayed on the communication terminal device 30.

  Utterance setting information indicating whether the "lamp blinks" or "direct speech" is added to the distribution data as attribute information. The distribution data for which “the lamp blinks” is selected includes, as attribute information, reproduction end time information indicating a reproduction end time, as well as reproduction start time information indicating a reproduction start time. The reproduction start time information and the reproduction end time information correspond to the reproducible time period information indicating the reproducible time period.

  The home appliance 10 acquires the reproducible period from the reproduction start time and the reproduction end time, and blinks a predetermined lamp (notification unit, reproduction operation reception unit) in the reproducible period to notify the presence of the utterance to be reproduced.

  FIG. 20 is a main block diagram relating to audio distribution of distribution server 20 in the present embodiment. The distribution server 20 and the home appliance 10 constitute an audio distribution system. As shown in FIG. 20, in the delivery server 20 according to the present embodiment, a notice message transmission control unit 21f and a second voice transmission control unit 21g are added to the delivery server 20 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. Configuration. The distribution server 20 according to the first and second embodiments may be provided with the notice message transmission control unit 21f and the second voice transmission control unit 21g. Further, to clarify the distinction between the advance notice message transmission control unit 21 f and the second voice transmission control unit 21 g, the message transmission control unit 21 e is hereinafter referred to as the alternative message transmission control unit 21 e, and the voice transmission control unit 21 d is It is referred to as a first voice transmission control unit 21 d.

  The speech adjustment unit 21c, the first voice transmission control unit 21d, and the alternative message transmission control unit 21e function with regard to distribution data for which "direct speech" is selected. On the other hand, the notice message transmission control unit 21 f and the second voice transmission control unit 21 g function for the distribution data for which “the lamp blinks” is selected.

  The second voice transmission control unit 21 g transmits the distribution data to the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination before the playable period, that is, before the reproduction start time. Thereafter, when the playable period starts, that is, when the play start time is reached, the second voice transmission control unit 21g instructs the home appliance 10 of the delivery destination to play the audio data included in the transmitted delivery data. Send

  When the home appliance 10 receives the reproduction permission instruction from the distribution server 20, the home lamp 10 blinks a predetermined lamp (notification unit) to notify the user of the presence of audio data (received audio data) included in the received distribution data. Let Then, while the predetermined lamp is blinking, the reproduction operation of the received voice data is received, and when the predetermined lamp (reproduction operation receiving unit) is pressed, the reproduction is started to be uttered.

  In the present embodiment, when the predetermined lamp is operated and the speech is completed, the home appliance 10 ends the blinking of the predetermined lamp. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can be heard several times repeatedly. The predetermined flash period of the lamp is at most the end of the reproducible period. If the playable period has passed without the predetermined lamp being pressed, the received voice data will not be played back. In this case, the alternative message transmission control unit 21e may be configured to transmit a message (alternative message) indicating the content of the utterance not reproduced to the communication terminal device 30 or the like of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination. .

  The advance notice message transmission control unit 21 f distributes distribution data including audio data to the information terminal device 30 of the user associated with the home appliance 10 of the transmission destination before the playable period, that is, before the reproduction start time. An advance notice message is sent to give notice and to notify the playable period of the audio data. By sending such a notice message, the user knows the presence of an utterance scheduled to be issued from the home appliance 10, and presses a predetermined button during the reproducible period to allow the home appliance 10 to hear without hearing. Can hear the voice of

  FIG. 21 is a view showing an image in which the communication terminal device 30 is notified of an utterance in advance and the user depresses a predetermined button to listen to the utterance. (A) of FIG. 21 is a specific screen registered on the registration screen from “Ku-chan” of the air purifier on the UI screen displayed by activating the application for remote control on the communication terminal device 30. On the date and time, notice that special voice delivery can be heard "Don't miss delivery of special voices. Date and time 5/24 14:00 to 5/26 15:00" notice message was displayed It is a figure which shows an example. (B) of FIG. 21 is a figure which shows a mode that the predetermined | prescribed button of "く" of an air cleaner blinks when the specific date registered on the registration screen comes. (C) of FIG. 21 is a figure which shows the example of the content of the speech uttered by pushing the predetermined | prescribed button of "く" of an air cleaner.

  Although the setting for uttering by pressing a predetermined button is not uttered unless the predetermined button is pressed, when the predetermined button is pressed, the user who pressed the predetermined button reliably hears the uttered content. be able to. Therefore, in this case, it is important how to press the predetermined button, and it is possible to more effectively hear the speech from the home appliance 10 by giving such a notice and prompting the button operation. Become.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a configuration for registering a speech schedule in the distribution server 20 from a UI screen displayed by activating an application for remote operation on the communication terminal device 30 will be described in detail. The configuration of the distribution server 20, which is an audio distribution server, is the same as in the first to third embodiments.

  As described above, the delivery schedule can be registered in the distribution server 20 from the UI screen displayed by activating the above-described application on the communication terminal device 30. Examples of utterance contents that can be registered include the following.

I) Countdown When a specific purpose is set to a specific time in the calendar, the following utterance is made at the time calculated backward from the set time.
・ When X day (general purpose) is set to the calendar, it utters, "10 days until X day, this is a production".
・ When a payday is set in the calendar, he speaks, "Let's try to drink water and do my best!
・ If you set the day of the earth destruction in the calendar, it will say "4 days until the earth destruction day".

II) Timer When the start seal sending and the end seal are sent, they speak at regular intervals.
・ In the study sticker (for upper grade elementary school), he utters, "Two hours. I will do my best. I will do my best for one more hour."
・ For nami life, he utters, "It is the fifth hour. △ The average time spent studying for major applicants is seven hours a day."
・ For game enthusiasts, he utters, "It's been 3 hours. If it's late, go to bed?""It's 24 hours. I'll die soon."

III) Count-up When sending the start seal and the end seal, they speak daily on a daily basis.
・ "It is the third day of the diet. Do you do exactly what you decided?"
・ It is uttered "It is the first month of smoking cessation today. We have not been able to get withdrawal symptoms soon?"
・ "I'm the first month of abstinence today. I will do my best for a health checkup," he utters.

IV) Event (derived version of countdown)
○ ○ Send an Olympic seal.
・ Speak: "After 940 days until the Olympics. I'm looking forward to it."

V) World clock When sending the flag seal, it will speak the time of the country every hour.
・ Speaking "It is 12: 5 in Milan time".

[Example of software implementation]
The control block (in particular, the control unit 21) of the distribution server 20 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized.

  In the latter case, the distribution server 20 is a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the above program and various data are readably recorded by a computer (or CPU) or A storage device (these are referred to as a "recording medium"), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for developing the program, and the like are provided. The object of the present invention is achieved by the computer (or CPU) reading the program from the recording medium and executing the program. As the recording medium, a “non-transitory tangible medium”, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention can be applied to any electronic device such as an industrial electric device other than the home appliance 10.

[Summary]
The audio distribution server (distribution server 20) according to aspect 1 of the present invention is an audio distribution server for distributing audio data to a plurality of electronic devices having an audio reproduction function, and information of a transmission destination is used for the audio data. The transmission destination information indicating the reproduction start time information indicating the reproduction start time of the audio data is added, and the audio data of the transmission destination electronic device is earlier than the reproduction start time indicated in the reproduction start time information. And an audio transmission control unit 21d for transmitting a reproduction start instruction to instruct reproduction start of the transmitted audio data when the reproduction start time is reached, and each electronic device belonging to a preset group including a plurality of electronic devices And an adjustment unit (speech adjustment unit 21c) that adjusts the reproduction start time including the reproduction stop so that the reproduction periods of the audio data do not overlap among the electronic devices. The voice transmission control unit 21d, when the reproduction start time is adjusted by the adjustment unit transmits the playback start command based on the adjustment result of the adjustment unit.

  According to the above configuration, first, the voice transmission control unit 21d downloads the voice data to the transmission destination electronic device in advance and only transmits the playback start instruction at the playback start time. It is possible to have the electronic device speak at just the designated time.

  Furthermore, for each electronic device belonging to a preset group including a plurality of electronic devices, the adjustment unit includes a playback stop time, including a playback stop, so that the playback periods of audio data do not overlap between the electronic devices. Make adjustments. As a result, even if the posting source of the audio data registers the audio data with reproduction start time without cooperation, the audio distribution server side does not overlap the reproduction periods of the audio data among the electronic devices. Can be adjusted to avoid the occurrence of the situation where sounds generated from electronic devices overlap and can not be heard.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, each electronic device is associated with installation position information indicating an installed position, and the groups are associated with the same installation position information. And a group consisting of electronic devices.

  In the case of electronic devices in which the installation position information is the same, reproduction periods of audio data overlap between the electronic devices, and a situation in which they can not be heard easily is likely to occur, so such a configuration is preferable.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 2, the installation position information is identification information for identifying a user's home, or installation location information indicating the identification information and an installation place in the user's home Is a configuration.

  When the user's house installed is the same electronic device, the reproduction periods of the audio data overlap between the electronic devices, and it is easy to cause a situation where it can not be heard, so such a configuration is preferable. In addition, when electronic devices are installed at the same user home and at the same installation location in the user home, the reproduction periods of the audio data overlap between the electronic devices, which makes it difficult to hear them. Therefore, such a configuration is more preferable.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 3, when the contents of the audio data to be reproduced overlap among a plurality of electronic devices, the adjusting unit causes the plurality of electronic devices to reproduce The reproduction start time of the audio data is adjusted such that the audio data is reproduced only by one of the electronic devices.

  As in the above configuration, when the contents of audio data overlap among a plurality of electronic devices, the reproduction start time is adjusted, and the audio data is reproduced by only one of the electronic devices, and the other electronic devices By adjusting so as not to be reproduced, it is possible to prevent the user from hearing the same utterance many times and feeling annoyance.

  In the audio distribution server according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 4, the adjustment unit is configured to reproduce the reproduction start time of audio data to be reproduced by each electronic device in order from audio data having a short reproduction time. To adjust to

  According to the above configuration, since speech data is reproduced from audio data having a short reproduction time, more utterances can be heard in the same time than when reproduced from speech data having a long reproduction time.

  In the audio distribution server according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 5, the adjusting unit performs processing at the predetermined timing on the audio data for which the reproduction start instruction has not been transmitted by adjustment of the previous reproduction start time. It is the structure which adjusts the reproduction | regeneration start time including.

  According to the above configuration, since the reproduction start time is adjusted including the audio data for which the reproduction start instruction has not been transmitted by the adjustment of the previous reproduction start time at the predetermined timing, the audio data with high priority is When it newly appears, it can be uttered quickly.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in the above aspect 6, the timing is the minimum time that can be set as the reproduction start time, and the adjustment unit repeatedly adjusts the reproduction start time every minimum time. It is a structure.

  According to the above configuration, the adjustment of the reproduction start time is repeatedly performed for each minimum time that can be set as the reproduction start time, so when high priority voice data newly appears, it is uttered quickly and reliably It can be done.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 7, when the number of executions of the process of adjusting the reproduction start time exceeds a predetermined number, the adjustment number exceeds the predetermined number. It is the structure which raises the priority of reproduction | regeneration of audio | voice data.

  According to the above configuration, the priority of the reproduction of the audio data for which the number of times of execution of the process of adjusting the reproduction start time exceeds the predetermined number can be increased. Therefore, even if there are many audio data to adjust the reproduction start time, It is possible to avoid a situation that extremely delays from the designated reproduction start time.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 9 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 8, the adjusting unit is configured to transmit the audio data for which the start instruction has not been transmitted within a predetermined time from the reproduction start time indicated in the reproduction start time information. Further includes a message transmission control unit that cancels reproduction and transmits a message indicating the contents of the audio data whose reproduction is canceled by the adjustment unit to the information terminal device of the user associated with the electronic device of the transmission destination is there.

  According to the above configuration, the audio data for which the start instruction has not been transmitted within the predetermined time from the reproduction start time indicated by the reproduction start time information is not reproduced, and the message transmission control unit cancels the contents of the canceled audio data. Since the message to be shown is transmitted to the user's information terminal device associated with the electronic device of the transmission destination, the user who wanted to hear even if there were a lot of audio data to adjust the reproduction start time, and could not be reproduced. Can hear the speech.

  In the voice distribution server according to aspect 10 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 9, when the electronic device receives the reproduction start instruction, the first utterance setting for starting reproduction of the voice data received from the voice distribution server When the (direct utterance) and the reproduction permission instruction are received, the user is informed of the presence of the audio data received from the audio distribution server, and when the reproduction is instructed by the user, the second utterance starts the reproduction of the audio data. It is possible to set (the lamp blinks), and in the voice data, an utterance setting indicating whether the first or second utterance setting indicates reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the audio data. In the case where the information is further added, and the speech setting information is the second speech setting, the electronic device of the transmission destination can be reproduced as indicated by the reproducible period information. A second voice transmission control unit (second voice transmission control unit 21g) that transmits voice data prior to an interval and sends a playback permission instruction to allow playback of the sent voice data when the playable period is entered. And, if the utterance setting information is the second utterance setting, the information terminal device 30 of the user associated with the electronic device of the transmission destination of the audio data is longer than the reproducible period indicated in the reproducible period information. A notice message transmission control unit 21f is provided to give notice of distribution of voice data and transmit a notice message notifying of a reproducible period of the voice data.

  According to the above configuration, in the case of the second utterance setting, the audio data is transmitted to the electronic device from the second audio transmission control unit of the audio distribution server by designating the reproducible period and before the reproducible period. Ru. After that, when it becomes the reproduction possible period of the audio data, the reproduction permission instruction is transmitted from the second audio transmission control unit to the electronic device, and by receiving this, the electronic device can reproduce the received audio data. In the electronic device, when the reproduction permission instruction is received, the user is notified of the presence of the audio data, and when the user instructs the reproduction, the reproduction of the audio data is started.

  In the second utterance setting in which the user receives such a reproduction instruction from the user and reproduces (utters) a voice, although the user does not speak unless the reproduction instruction is made, the user who issued the reproduction instruction is given when the reproduction instruction is made. There is an advantage that it is possible to surely hear the contents of the utterance.

  Furthermore, the advance notice message transmission control unit gives notice of distribution of the audio data to the information terminal device of the user associated with the electronic device to which the audio data is transmitted before the reproducible period, and the reproducible period of the audio data Send a notice message to notify.

  Thereby, the user can hear the speech from the electronic device without hearing by operating the reproduction operation reception unit during the reproducible period, knowing the presence of the speech scheduled to be emitted from the electronic device. .

  An audio delivery system according to aspect 11 of the present invention receives an audio data from an audio delivery server (distribution server 20) for delivering audio data to a plurality of electronic devices having an audio playback function, and plays the audio data from the audio delivery server and plays it. A voice distribution system including a plurality of electronic devices (home appliances 10), transmission destination information indicating transmission destination information, and reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the audio data being added to the audio data. The voice distribution server transmits voice data to the destination electronic device before the playable period indicated in the playable period information, and the transmitted voice is entered when the playable period is entered. A second voice transmission control unit (second voice transmission control unit 21g) that transmits a playback permission instruction that permits playback of data, and a user associated with an electronic device to which voice data is transmitted A notice message transmission control unit for notifying the information terminal device 30 of a notice of distribution of audio data prior to the reproducible period indicated by the reproducible period information, and transmitting an advance notice message for notifying the reproducible period of the audio data 21f, and when the plurality of electronic devices receive the reproduction permission instruction from the voice distribution server, a notification unit that notifies the user of the presence of the received voice data; And a reproduction operation reception unit configured to receive a reproduction operation of the received voice data by the user during a period in which the presence of the data is notified.

  The voice distribution server according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, the voice distribution server is realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit included in the voice distribution server. A control program of a distribution server, a computer readable recording medium recording the same, and a control method also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

10 Household appliances (electronic equipment)
20 Distribution server (voice distribution server)
21 control unit 21a reproduction instruction list creation unit 21b reproduction instruction list division unit 21c speech adjustment unit 21d voice transmission control unit 21e message transmission control unit 21f notice message transmission control unit 21g second voice transmission control unit 22 storage unit 23 communication unit 30 communication unit 30 communication Terminal device 40 Relay station 50 User home 60 Management server 80 Communication network 70 External information server 80 Communication network 100 Remote control system

Claims (10)

A voice distribution server for delivering voice data to a plurality of electronic devices having a voice reproduction function, comprising:
The audio data is added with transmission destination information indicating transmission destination information and reproduction start time information indicating reproduction start time of the audio data,
The audio data is transmitted to the electronic device of the transmission destination before the reproduction start time indicated in the reproduction start time information, and when the reproduction start time is reached, the reproduction start instruction to instruct the reproduction start of the transmitted audio data A voice transmission control unit to transmit;
And an adjusting unit that adjusts the reproduction start time including the reproduction stop so that the reproduction periods of the audio data do not overlap among the electronic devices belonging to a preset group including a plurality of electronic devices. , And
The voice distribution server, wherein the voice transmission control unit transmits a playback start instruction based on the adjustment result of the adjustment unit when the reproduction start time is adjusted by the adjustment unit. Each electronic device is associated with installation position information indicating the installation position,
The voice distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the group is a group consisting of electronic devices associated with the same installation position information.   The voice distribution server according to claim 2, wherein the installation position information is identification information for identifying a user's home, or is the installation information indicating the identification information and an installation place in the user's home. .   When the content of audio data to be reproduced is overlapped among a plurality of electronic devices, the adjustment unit makes the reproduction start time of the audio data to be reproduced by the plurality of electronic devices into only one of the electronic devices. The voice delivery server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voice delivery server is adjusted to be played back.   The said adjustment part adjusts the reproduction | regeneration start time of the audio | speech data which each electronic device is made to reproduce | regenerate so that it may be reproduced | regenerated sequentially from the audio | voice data with a short reproduction time. Voice distribution server described.   The adjustment unit adjusts the reproduction start time at a predetermined timing, including audio data for which a reproduction start instruction has not been transmitted by adjustment of the previous reproduction start time. The voice delivery server according to any one of the above.   The voice distribution server according to claim 6, wherein the timing is a minimum time that can be set as a reproduction start time, and the adjustment unit repeatedly adjusts the reproduction start time every minimum time.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of executions of the process of adjusting the reproduction start time exceeds a predetermined number, the adjustment unit raises the priority of the reproduction of the audio data whose number of executions exceeds the predetermined number. The voice delivery server according to any one of the above. The adjustment unit cancels the reproduction of the audio data for which the start instruction has not been transmitted within a predetermined time from the reproduction start time indicated by the reproduction start time information.
A message transmission control unit for transmitting a message indicating the content of audio data whose reproduction is canceled by the adjustment unit to the information terminal device of the user associated with the electronic device of the transmission destination is further provided. The voice delivery server according to any one of 1 to 8. When the electronic device receives the reproduction start instruction, when the first utterance setting for starting reproduction of the audio data received from the audio distribution server and the reproduction permission instruction are received, the electronic device receives the audio data from the audio distribution server. It is possible to notify the user of the presence and to make a second utterance setting to start the reproduction of the voice data when the reproduction is instructed by the user.
The voice data is further added with playable period information indicating a playable period of the voice data and speech setting information indicating which of the first and second speech settings.
When the speech setting information is the second speech setting, audio data is transmitted to the transmission destination electronic device before the reproducible period indicated in the reproducible period information, and the reproducible period is entered. And a second audio transmission control unit for transmitting a reproduction permission instruction for permitting reproduction of the transmitted audio data.
When the utterance setting information is the second utterance setting, the information terminal device of the user associated with the electronic device of the transmission destination of the voice data is before the reproducible period indicated in the reproducible period information. 10. A notice message transmission control unit for giving notice of delivery of voice data, and sending a notice message notifying a reproducible period of the voice data, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Voice distribution server.

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