JP7614800B2 - Electrical Equipment and Electrical Equipment Systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electrical equipment and electrical equipment systems.

Patent Document 1 describes a remote control system. In the remote control system, a distribution server adjusts the playback start times of the audio data to be played by each of a plurality of home appliances that are installed in positions where their respective voices overlap, so that the playback periods of the audio data of each appliance do not overlap, and transmits a speech instruction to each appliance based on the adjusted playback start times.

JP 2017-69836 A

However, the remote control system described in Patent Document 1 assumes that all home appliances have a speech function, and does not mention home appliances that do not have a speech function. Naturally, users cannot receive voice messages from home appliances that do not have a speech function.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an electrical device and an electrical device system that can provide a user with a voice message about another device that does not have a speech function.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical device includes an audio output unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The audio output unit outputs audio. The control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the own device's message information related to the own device. The communication unit receives first other device's message information related to a first other device that does not have a speech function. The control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other device's message information. The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other device's message information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a home appliance system includes a speech electrical appliance having a speech function and a non-speech electrical appliance not having a speech function. The speech electrical appliance includes an audio output unit, a speech side control unit, and a speech side communication unit. The audio output unit outputs audio. The speech side control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the own device's message information regarding the speech electrical appliance. The speech side communication unit receives other device's message information regarding the non-speech electrical appliance. The speech side control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the other device's message information. The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the other device's message information.

The present invention provides an electrical device and an electrical device system that can provide a user with a voice message about another device that does not have a speech function.

1 is a diagram showing a home appliance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a home electric appliance according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first home electric appliance according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of the home appliance system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second home electric appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a home electric appliance system according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the first stage of processing of the home appliance system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the latter stage of the processing of the home electric appliance system according to the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the first stage of processing of a home appliance system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the latter stage of the processing of the home electric appliance system according to the sixth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing home appliances of a home appliance system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a first home electric appliance of a home electric appliance system according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a mobile terminal according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to a tenth embodiment. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing of a home appliance system according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be given the same reference symbols and descriptions will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
A home appliance system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The home appliance system 100 corresponds to an example of an "electrical appliance system".

First, the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the home appliance system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the home appliance system 100 includes a server SV, a network NW, a relay device RT, a mobile terminal MB, and at least one home appliance CE. In the example of FIG. 1, the home appliance system 100 includes multiple home appliances CE. The home appliance CE corresponds to an example of an "electrical appliance."

The multiple home appliances CE are installed, for example, inside a building HM. The building HM is, for example, a house.

The home appliance CE may be, for example, a kitchen appliance, an air conditioning appliance, a household appliance, a lighting appliance, or an audiovisual device.

Kitchen appliances are appliances that are installed in a kitchen. Kitchen appliances are, for example, cooking appliances that cook food, or appliances related to cooking. Cooking appliances are, for example, heat-cooking appliances. Heat-cooking appliances are, for example, induction cookers, ovens, or microwave ovens. An appliance related to cooking is, for example, a refrigerator.

An air conditioning appliance is an appliance that adjusts the air in a target space. Adjusting the air means, for example, adjusting at least one of the air temperature, humidity, flow rate, and cleanliness. An air conditioning appliance is, for example, an air conditioner, an air purifier, a humidifier, or a dehumidifier.

The household appliances are, for example, appliances that assist with housework, or beauty and health appliances. The appliances that assist with housework are, for example, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, or irons. The beauty and health appliances are, for example, hair dryers.

The home appliance CE does not include, for example, a general-purpose device. General-purpose devices are, for example, a personal computer, a mobile terminal, and a smart speaker. A mobile terminal is, for example, a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

Each home appliance CE is connected to the relay device RT by wire or wirelessly. For example, a home LAN (Local Area Network) is constructed by the relay device RT, and each home appliance CE is connected to the home LAN.

The relay device RT connects each home appliance CE to the network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN, and a public telephone network. Each home appliance CE and the server SV communicate with each other via the relay device RT and the network NW. The relay device RT is, for example, a router. The router may have, for example, a function as a wireless access point. A home appliance CE having a wireless communication function is wirelessly connected to the relay device RT in accordance with, for example, a wireless communication standard defined by Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The mobile terminal MB is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The mobile terminal MB is connected to the network NW and communicates with the server SV and each home appliance CE. The mobile terminal MB can also wirelessly connect to the relay device RT in accordance with, for example, a wireless communication standard defined by Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The server SV collects and stores various information from each home appliance CE via the network NW and the relay device RT. The server SV also provides various information to each home appliance CE via the network NW and the relay device RT.

The server SV is composed of one or more computers. When the server SV is composed of multiple computers, the multiple computers may be installed in the same location or in different locations.

A home appliance CE indirectly communicates with another home appliance CE. "Indirect communication" indicates that the home appliance CE and the other home appliance CE communicate with each other via a server SV. A home appliance CE may also communicate directly with another home appliance CE. "Direct communication" indicates that the home appliance CE and the other home appliance CE communicate with each other without going through a server SV.

Hereinafter, one of the multiple home appliances CE may be referred to as "home appliance CE0", another home appliance CE may be referred to as "first home appliance CE1", and yet another home appliance CE may be referred to as "second home appliance CE2". Home appliance CE0 has a speaking function. In this specification, the speaking function refers to a function for outputting sound. Home appliance CE0 corresponds to an example of a "self-apparatus" or a "speaking electrical appliance". First home appliance CE1 does not have a speaking function. First home appliance CE1 corresponds to an example of a "first other appliance" or a "non-speaking electrical appliance". Second home appliance CE2 has a speaking function. Second home appliance CE2 corresponds to an example of a "second other appliance". In addition, the user of the home appliance CE0 may be referred to as "user U0," the user of the first home appliance CE1 may be referred to as "user U1," and the user of the second home appliance CE2 may be referred to as "user U2."

Here, various terms are defined. These terms apply to embodiments 1 to 11.

Define the "first range A1." The first range A1 is a range that is close to the target home appliance CE. The close distance indicates a close distance within the building HM. Specifically, the first range A1 indicates the room in which the target home appliance CE is installed, or a range that is less than the first distance D1 from the target home appliance CE.

A "second range A2" is defined. The second range A2 is a range at a medium distance from the target home appliance CE. The medium distance indicates a medium distance within the building HM. Specifically, the second range A2 indicates an adjacent room on the same floor as the room in which the target home appliance CE is installed, or a range that is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 and less than the second distance D2 from the target home appliance CE. The second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D1.

A "third range A3" is defined. The third range A3 is a long distance range from the target home appliance CE. The long distance indicates a long distance within the building HM. Specifically, the third range A3 indicates a room on a different floor from the room in which the target home appliance CE is installed, a non-adjacent room on the same floor as the room in which the target home appliance CE is installed, or a range that is equal to or greater than the second distance D2 and less than the third distance D3 from the target home appliance CE. The third distance D3 is greater than the second distance D2.

"The home appliance CE is in an operating state" indicates that it has been within a predetermined period of time T since the home appliance CE was operated. The predetermined period of time T is, for example, from 5 seconds to 30 minutes. However, the length of the predetermined period of time T is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the predetermined period of time T may be the same for multiple home appliances CE, or may be determined for each home appliance CE.

For example, the fact that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state indicates that it is within a predetermined period T0 since the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the operation unit 11 in FIG. 3) was operated. For example, the fact that the first home appliance CE1 is in an operating state indicates that it is within a first predetermined period T1 since the first home appliance CE1 (specifically, the first operation unit 21 in FIG. 4) was operated. For example, the fact that the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state indicates that it is within a second predetermined period T2 since the second home appliance CE2 (specifically, the second operation unit 31 in FIG. 6) was operated. The predetermined period T0, the first predetermined period T1, and the second predetermined period T2 may be the same or different. Note that the predetermined period T0, the first predetermined period T1, and the second predetermined period T2 are examples of the predetermined period T.

Next, the server SV will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the server SV. As shown in FIG. 2, the server SV includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 3, and a communication unit 5.

The control unit 1 controls the communication unit 5 and the memory unit 3. The control unit 1 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory unit 3 includes a storage device and stores data and computer programs. Specifically, the memory unit 3 includes a main storage device such as a semiconductor memory, and an auxiliary storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a solid state drive, and a hard disk drive. The memory unit 3 may include removable media. The memory unit 3 corresponds to an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the control unit 1 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the memory unit 3 to control the communication unit 5 and the memory unit 3.

The communication unit 5 is connected to the network NW. The communication unit 5 communicates with each home electric device CE and the mobile terminal MB via the network NW.

The communication unit 5 is a communication device, and includes, for example, a network interface controller (NIC) that communicates according to a specific communication protocol. The specific communication protocol is, for example, the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocol suite (i.e., the Internet Protocol Suite).

The storage unit 3 stores home appliance information 300 for each building HM. The home appliance information 300 indicates information related to each home appliance CE arranged in the building HM. The home appliance information 300 includes a plurality of pieces of home appliance status information 301 corresponding to the plurality of home appliances CE, a plurality of pieces of home appliance audio information 303 corresponding to the plurality of home appliances CE, and a plurality of pieces of home appliance position information 305 corresponding to the plurality of home appliances CE, respectively.

The home appliance status information 301 indicates the status of the home appliance CE. The home appliance status information 301 may include information indicating other home appliances CE that can cooperate with the home appliance CE. The home appliance audio information 303 indicates audio information assigned to the home appliance CE. The audio information indicates the characteristics of the audio when the home appliance CE (with a speech function) speaks, or the characteristics of the audio assigned to the home appliance CE (without a speech function). For example, the audio information indicates the tone and pitch of the audio. It is preferable that the home appliance audio information 303 is different for each home appliance CE. This is to prevent mishearing and to diversify the audio of the home appliance CE. The home appliance position information 305 indicates the position of the home appliance CE within the building HM. For example, the home appliance position information 305 includes information indicating the room in which the home appliance CE is installed and/or information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE and other home appliances CE.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, according to the first embodiment, the server SV (specifically, the storage unit 3) pre-stores the home appliance location information 305 for each home appliance CE. Therefore, the server SV can transmit the home appliance location information 305 itself or various information based on the home appliance location information 305 to each home appliance CE. As a result, each home appliance CE can execute various processes based on the home appliance location information 305.

Next, the home appliance CE0 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the home appliance CE0. As shown in FIG. 3, the home appliance CE0 includes a control unit 10, an operation unit 11, a function execution unit 12, an audio output unit 13, a communication unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a detection unit 16. The home appliance CE0 may further include an audio input unit 17. Note that the names of the elements 10 to 17 may be prefixed with "speaker".

The control unit 10 controls the operation unit 11, the function execution unit 12, the audio output unit 13, the communication unit 14, the memory unit 15, the detection unit 16, and the audio input unit 17. The hardware configuration of the control unit 10 is similar to the hardware configuration of the control unit 1 shown in FIG. 2. The hardware configuration of the memory unit 15 is similar to the hardware configuration of the memory unit 3 shown in FIG. 2. The processor of the control unit 10 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the memory unit 15 to control the operation unit 11, the function execution unit 12, the audio output unit 13, the communication unit 14, the memory unit 15, the detection unit 16, and the audio input unit 17. The control unit 10 corresponds to an example of a "control unit" or a "speaker-side control unit".

The operation unit 11 accepts an operation by the user U0 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user U0 to the control unit 10. The operation unit 11 includes, for example, a display and an operation button, or a lamp and an operation button. The operation unit 11 may also include a touch screen display.

The function execution unit 12 executes a specific function according to the type of the home appliance CEO in accordance with the control unit 10. The function execution unit 12 includes, for example, a fan, a motor, a heater, a magnetron, or a compressor.

The audio output unit 13 outputs audio in accordance with the control unit 10. Specifically, the control unit 10 converts audio data into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs the audio signal to the audio output unit 13. The audio data is digital data, and the audio signal is an analog signal. The control unit 10 includes, for example, a D/A converter. The audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the audio signal. The audio output unit 13 includes, for example, a speaker.

The communication unit 14 is connected to the network NW via the relay device RT. The communication unit 14 communicates with the server SV and the mobile terminal MB via the network NW. The hardware configuration of the communication unit 14 is similar to the hardware configuration of the communication unit 5 shown in FIG. 2. The communication unit 14 indirectly communicates with another home appliance CE (e.g., the first home appliance CE1) via the server SV. The communication unit 14 may also directly communicate with another home appliance CE (e.g., the first home appliance CE1) via a home LAN. Furthermore, the communication unit 14 includes a wireless communication module that complies with a wireless communication standard defined by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Therefore, the communication unit 14 is wirelessly connected to the relay device RT. The communication unit 14 corresponds to an example of a "communication unit" or a "speaker-side communication unit".

The storage unit 15 stores home appliance audio information 150. The home appliance audio information 150 indicates audio information assigned to the home appliance CEO. The audio information indicates the characteristics of the audio when the audio output unit 13 speaks. For example, the audio information indicates the tone and pitch of the audio. The home appliance audio information 150 is also stored as home appliance audio information 303 in the storage unit 3 of the server SV shown in FIG. 2. In addition, for example, the storage unit 15 stores various information received from the server SV, various information to be transmitted to the server SV, and various control information for controlling the function execution unit 12.

The detection unit 16 detects the state of the home appliance CE0 or the state of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0. The detection unit 16 then outputs a detection signal indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 or a detection signal indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 to the control unit 10. In this specification, the "state of the surrounding environment" is, for example, "temperature," "humidity," or "brightness." Note that the home appliance CE0 may be equipped with multiple detection units 16.

The control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit the home appliance status information ST0 to the server SV. As a result, the communication unit 14 transmits the home appliance status information ST0 to the server SV via the network NW. The home appliance status information ST0 includes information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 indicated by an operation signal from the operation unit 11, information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 or the state of the surrounding environment indicated by a detection signal from the detection unit 16, and information indicating the operating state of the home appliance CE0. The information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 indicated by the operation signal from the operation unit 11 includes information indicating that the home appliance CE0 has been operated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication unit 5 of the server SV receives the home appliance status information ST0 from the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CEO. The control unit 1 controls the storage unit 3 to store the home appliance status information ST0. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the home appliance status information ST0 as home appliance status information 301.

The control unit 1 of the server SV also controls the storage unit 3 to store information indicating that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the information indicating that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state as part of the home appliance state information 301. Specifically, the control unit 1 causes the storage unit 3 to store the information indicating that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state from the time when the communication unit 5 receives information indicating that the home appliance CE0 has been operated from the home appliance CE0 until the time when a predetermined period T0 has elapsed. The predetermined period T0 corresponds to an example of a "predetermined period of the own device".

Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 executes the following process. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the speech condition C0 is satisfied. The speech condition C0 is a condition for outputting a voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 related to the home appliance CE0. The speech condition C0 of the home appliance CE0 is set for the home appliance CE0 and stored in the storage unit 15. The home appliance message information M0 is pre-stored in the storage unit 15. The home appliance message information M0 is voice data.

Specifically, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the utterance condition C0 is satisfied based on the detection result of the detection unit 16. The home appliance message information M0 includes information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 or information indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0. The home appliance message information M0 corresponds to an example of "own device message information."

When the speech condition C0 is satisfied, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 regarding the home appliance CE0. Thus, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0. As a result, the user U0 can recognize the state of the home appliance CE0 or the state of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0.

Specifically, when causing the audio output unit 13 to output the home appliance message information M0, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to speak the home appliance message information M0 in a voice having the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 150. Because the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 150 are the tone and pitch unique to the home appliance CE0, the user U0 can easily recognize that the home appliance message information M0 is a voice message related to the home appliance CE0.

In particular, in embodiment 1, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives the first home appliance message information M10 regarding the first home appliance CE1 that does not have a speech function. For example, the server SV receives the first home appliance message information M10 from the first home appliance CE1, and the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives the first home appliance message information M10 from the server SV.

The control unit 10 then controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. Therefore, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. In other words, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 instead of the first home appliance CE1 that does not have a speech function. As a result, a voice message regarding the first home appliance CE1, which is another device that does not have a speech function, can be provided to the user U0 by the home appliance CE0, which is the home appliance, instead of the first home appliance CE1 that does not have a speech function. In other words, a speech function can essentially be added to the first home appliance CE1 that does not have a speech function.

The first home appliance message information M10 includes information indicating the state of the first home appliance CE1 or information indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the first home appliance CE1. Therefore, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize the state of the first home appliance CE1 or the state of the surrounding environment of the first home appliance CE1. The first home appliance message information M10 is voice data. In the first embodiment, the first home appliance message information M10 originates from the first home appliance CE1 and is transmitted from the first home appliance CE1. The first home appliance message information M10 corresponds to an example of "first other device message information."

Preferably, when the first home appliance message information M10 is output to the audio output unit 13, at least one of the tone and pitch of the voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 is different from at least one of the tone and pitch of the voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M0. Therefore, according to this preferred example, the user U0 can easily distinguish between the first home appliance message information M10 related to the first home appliance CE1 and the home appliance message information M0 related to the home appliance CE0.

More preferably, before causing the audio output unit 13 to output the first home appliance message information M10, the control unit 10 receives the home appliance voice information 303 (FIG. 2) assigned to the first home appliance CE1 from the server SV via the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 10 controls the voice output unit 13 to speak the first home appliance message information M10 in a voice having the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 303. Since the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 303 are the tone and pitch specific to the first home appliance CE1, the user U0 can easily recognize that the first home appliance message information M10 is a voice message related to the first home appliance CE1.

The voice input unit 17 receives input of the voice generated by the user U0. The voice input unit 17 then outputs an audio signal (electrical signal) indicating the voice generated by the user U0 to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 converts the audio signal into audio data. The audio signal is an analog signal, and the audio data is digital data. The control unit 10 includes, for example, an A/D converter. The voice input unit 17 includes, for example, a microphone.

Next, the first home appliance CE1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first home appliance CE1. As shown in FIG. 4, the first home appliance CE1 includes a first control unit 20, a first operation unit 21, a first function execution unit 22, a first communication unit 23, a first storage unit 24, and a first detection unit 25. The first home appliance CE1 may further include a first voice input unit 26. Note that instead of "first" at the beginning of the name of each of the elements 20 to 26, "non-speaking side" may be added.

The first control unit 20 controls the first operation unit 21, the first function execution unit 22, the first communication unit 23, the first memory unit 24, the first detection unit 25, and the first voice input unit 26. The hardware configuration of the first control unit 20 is similar to the hardware configuration of the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 3. The hardware configuration of the first memory unit 24 is similar to the hardware configuration of the memory unit 15 shown in FIG. 3. The processor of the first control unit 20 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the first memory unit 24 to control the first control unit 20, the first operation unit 21, the first function execution unit 22, the first communication unit 23, the first memory unit 24, the first detection unit 25, and the first voice input unit 26. The first control unit 20 corresponds to an example of a "non-speaking side control unit".

The first operation unit 21 accepts an operation by the user U1 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user U1 to the first control unit 20. The hardware configuration of the first operation unit 21 is similar to the hardware configuration of the operation unit 11 shown in FIG. 3.

The first function execution unit 22 executes a specific function according to the type of the first home electric appliance CE1 in accordance with the first control unit 20. The first function execution unit 22 includes, for example, a fan, a motor, a heater, a magnetron, or a compressor.

The first communication unit 23 is connected to the network NW via the relay device RT. The first communication unit 23 communicates with the server SV and the mobile terminal MB via the network NW. The hardware configuration of the first communication unit 23 is similar to the hardware configuration of the communication unit 14 shown in FIG. 3. The first communication unit 23 indirectly communicates with other home appliances CE (e.g., home appliance CE0) via the server SV. The first communication unit 23 may also directly communicate with other home appliances CE (e.g., home appliance CE0) via a home LAN. Furthermore, the first communication unit 23 includes a wireless communication module that complies with a wireless communication standard defined by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Therefore, the first communication unit 23 is wirelessly connected to the relay device RT. The first communication unit 23 corresponds to an example of a "non-utterance side communication unit".

The first memory unit 24 stores, for example, various information received from the server SV, various information to be sent to the server SV, and various control information for controlling the first function execution unit 22.

The first detection unit 25 detects the state of the first home appliance CE1 or the state of the surrounding environment of the first home appliance CE1. Then, the first detection unit 25 outputs a detection signal indicating the state of the first home appliance CE1 or a detection signal indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the first home appliance CE1 to the first control unit 20. Note that the first home appliance CE1 may be provided with multiple first detection units 25.

The first control unit 20 controls the first communication unit 23 to transmit the home appliance status information ST1 to the server SV. As a result, the first communication unit 23 transmits the home appliance status information ST1 to the server SV via the network NW. The home appliance status information ST1 includes information indicating the state of the first home appliance CE1 indicated by the operation signal of the first operation unit 21, information indicating the state of the first home appliance CE1 or the state of the surrounding environment indicated by the detection signal of the first detection unit 25, and information indicating the operating state of the first home appliance CE1. The information indicating the state of the first home appliance CE1 indicated by the operation signal of the first operation unit 21 includes information indicating that the first home appliance CE1 has been operated.

2, the communication unit 5 of the server SV receives the home appliance status information ST1 from the first communication unit 23 of the first home appliance CE1. The control unit 1 of the server SV controls the storage unit 3 to store the home appliance status information ST1. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the home appliance status information ST1 as the home appliance status information 301. The control unit 1 also controls the storage unit 3 to store information indicating that the first home appliance CE1 is in an operating state. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the information indicating that the first home appliance CE1 is in an operating state as part of the home appliance status information 301. Specifically, the control unit 1 of the server SV causes the storage unit 3 to store the information indicating that the first home appliance CE1 is in an operating state from the time when the communication unit 5 receives the information indicating that the first home appliance CE1 has been operated from the first home appliance CE1 until the first predetermined period T1 has elapsed.

Returning to FIG. 4, the first control unit 20 of the first home appliance CE1 determines whether or not the speech condition C1 set for the first home appliance CE1 is satisfied based on the detection result of the first detection unit 25. The speech condition C1 is stored in the first storage unit 24. The speech condition C1 is a condition for outputting a voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 related to the first home appliance CE1 to another home appliance CE having a speech function. The first home appliance message information M10 is stored in advance in the first storage unit 24, for example. When the speech condition C1 is satisfied, the first control unit 20 starts a process for outputting a voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 to another home appliance CE (for example, home appliance CE0) having a speech function. This point will be described in detail later.

The first voice input unit 26 receives the voice generated by the user U1. The first voice input unit 26 then outputs an audio signal (electrical signal) indicating the voice generated by the user U1 to the first control unit 20. The first control unit 20 converts the audio signal into audio data. The audio signal is an analog signal, and the audio data is digital data. The first control unit 20 includes, for example, an A/D converter. The first voice input unit 26 includes, for example, a microphone.

Next, referring to Figures 3 and 4, a process in which the home appliance CE0 speaks on behalf of the first home appliance CE1 that does not have a speech function will be described with specific examples (first to fourth examples). In the first to fourth examples, the first range A1 indicates the room in which the first home appliance CE1 is installed, or a range less than the first distance D1 from the first home appliance CE1. For example, the first range A1 is a short distance range within the building HM.

[First Example]
In the first example, the first home appliance CE1 in Fig. 4 is a hair dryer. In this case, the first function execution unit 22 of the first home appliance CE1 includes a heater and a fan. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1 and is in an operating state.

In the first home electric appliance CE1, the first detection unit 25 detects the temperature of the first home electric appliance CE1 (for example, the temperature of the first function execution unit 22 or the temperature around the first function execution unit 22). The first detection unit 25 includes, for example, a temperature sensor. Then, the first control unit 20 determines whether the utterance condition C1 is satisfied, that is, whether the temperature detected by the first detection unit 25 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature.

When it is determined that the temperature detected by the first detection unit 25 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the first communication unit 23 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. Thus, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize the state of the first home appliance CE1. For example, the first home appliance message information M10 is "The temperature of the hair dryer is now high." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the audio that the temperature of the first home appliance CE1 is high.

[Second Example]
In the second example, the first home appliance CE1 in Fig. 4 is a refrigerator. In this case, the first function execution unit 22 of the first home appliance CE1 includes a heat exchanger and a compressor. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1 and is in an operating state.

In the first home appliance CE1, the first detection unit 25 detects whether the door of the first home appliance CE1 is opened or closed. The first detection unit 25 includes, for example, a push switch. The first control unit 20 determines whether the utterance condition C1 is satisfied, that is, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the first detection unit 25 detected that the door of the first home appliance CE1 was opened.

When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the first detection unit 25 detected that the door of the first home appliance CE1 was opened, the first communication unit 23 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs a voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. For example, the first home appliance message information M10 is "You forgot to close the refrigerator door." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the voice that he or she forgot to close the door of the first home appliance CE1.

[Third Example]
In the third example, the first home appliance CE1 in Fig. 4 is an air conditioner. In this case, the first function execution unit 22 of the first home appliance CE1 includes an air filter for removing dust, a heat exchanger, and a compressor. In addition, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1 and is in an operating state.

In the first home appliance CE1, the first detection unit 25 detects clogging of the air filter of the first home appliance CE1. The first detection unit 25 includes, for example, an optical sensor that detects the light transmittance of the air filter. The first control unit 20 determines whether the utterance condition C1 is satisfied, that is, whether the detection result of the first detection unit 25 indicates that the air filter is clogged. For example, the first control unit 20 determines that the air filter is clogged when the light transmittance of the air filter is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

When it is determined that the detection result of the first detection unit 25 indicates that the air filter of the first home appliance CE1 is clogged, the first communication unit 23 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs a voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. For example, the first home appliance message information M10 is "Please clean the air filter of the air conditioner." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the voice that it is time to clean the air filter of the first home appliance CE1.

[Fourth Example]
In the fourth example, the first home appliance CE1 in Fig. 4 is a cooking appliance. In this case, the first function execution unit 22 of the first home appliance CE1 includes a heater or a magnetron. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is an air purifier. The home appliance CE0 is within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1 and is in an operating state.

In the first home appliance CE1, the first detection unit 25 detects smoke generated during cooking by the first home appliance CE1. The smoke is, for example, oil smoke. The first detection unit 25 includes, for example, an optical sensor that optically detects smoke. The first control unit 20 determines whether the utterance condition C1 is satisfied, that is, whether the first detection unit 25 has detected smoke.

When it is determined that the first detection unit 25 has detected smoke, the first communication unit 23 transmits control information instructing the home appliance CEO to set its mode to the strong mode and the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CEO via the server SV.

Then, in the home appliance CE0, the control unit 10 sets the mode of the home appliance CE0 to the strong mode in accordance with the control information. In addition, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. For example, the first home appliance message information M10 is "Smoke was produced while cooking, so the air purifier was switched from standard mode to strong mode." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the audio that smoke was produced while cooking with the first home appliance CE1, and that the mode of the home appliance CE0 has been switched to the strong mode.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 5, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S1 to S4. The processing of the server SV includes steps S11 to S14. The processing of the first home appliance CE1 includes steps S21 to S25.

In step S1, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 determines whether the speech condition C0 of the home appliance CE0 is satisfied.

Next, if a negative judgment (No) is made in step S1, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if step S1 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S2.

Next, in step S2, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0.

On the other hand, in step S21, the first control unit 20 of the first home appliance CE1 determines whether the speech condition C1 set in the first home appliance CE1 is satisfied.

If the result of step S21 is negative (No), processing returns to step S21.

On the other hand, if the result of step S21 is positive (Yes), processing proceeds to step S22.

Next, in step S22, the first control unit 20 requests the server SV for the home appliance location information E1. Specifically, the first control unit 20 transmits location request information RQ1 to the server SV via the first communication unit 23. The location request information RQ1 is information that requests the server SV to transmit the home appliance location information E1 to the first home appliance CE1.

The home appliance location information E1 is information indicating the location of a home appliance CE other than the first home appliance CE1 within the building HM. Specifically, the home appliance location information E1 includes information indicating whether or not there is another home appliance CE within a first range A1 relative to the first home appliance CE1, and information indicating whether or not the other home appliance CE within the first range A1 is in an operating state. The first range A1 is, for example, a short distance range within the building HM.

On the other hand, in step S11, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives location request information RQ1 from the first home electric device CE1 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S12, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance location information E1 to the first home appliance CE1 via the communication unit 5. In this case, the control unit 1 creates the home appliance location information E1 based on the home appliance status information 301 and the home appliance position information 305 stored in the storage unit 3.

Meanwhile, in step S23, the first control unit 20 of the first home appliance CE1 receives the home appliance location information E1 via the first communication unit 23.

Next, in step S24, the first control unit 20 determines whether or not there is another home appliance CE in an operating state within the first range A1 based on the home appliance location information E1.

If the result in step S24 is negative (No), the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S24 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. Hereinafter, the home appliance CE0 is present within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1 and is in an operating state.

Next, in step S25, the first control unit 20 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 regarding the first home appliance CE1 to the server SV via the first communication unit 23.

On the other hand, in step S13, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives the first home appliance message information M10 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S14, the control unit 1 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. The first home appliance message information M10 is accompanied by home appliance voice information 303 (FIG. 2) assigned to the first home appliance CE1.

On the other hand, in step S3, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the first home appliance message information M10 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S4, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. As a result, according to embodiment 1, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can hear audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 regarding the first home appliance CE1. In this case, the audio output unit 13 vocalizes the first home appliance message information M10 using audio with the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the first home appliance CE1.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, when the home appliance CE0 is installed within the first range A1 relative to the first home appliance CE1 (Yes in step S24), the home appliance CE0 outputs a voice corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10 (step S4). That is, the home appliance CE0 executes a speech by the voice output unit 13 according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1. Therefore, the speech can be optimized according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1.

For example, the home appliance CE0 utters the first home appliance message information M10 only when the home appliance CE0 is installed within the first range A1 of the first home appliance CE1. This is because the home appliance CE0 is installed in a position close to the first home appliance CE1 within the building HM. On the other hand, for example, when the home appliance CE0 is located outside the first range A1, the home appliance CE0 does not utter the first home appliance message information M10. This is because the home appliance CE0 is installed in a position medium or long distance from the first home appliance CE1 within the building HM.

In addition, in the first embodiment, when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state (Yes in step S24), the communication unit 14 in the home appliance CE0 receives the first home appliance message information M10, and the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the first home appliance message information M10. The fact that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state indicates that it is within a predetermined period T0 since the home appliance CE0 was operated. Therefore, when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, it is highly likely that the user U0 is in the vicinity of the home appliance CE0. As a result, it is highly likely that the first home appliance message information M10 can be directly transmitted to the user U0 by audio.

In the first embodiment, the first home appliance CE1 transmits the first home appliance message information M10 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV (steps S13 and S14). The home appliance location information E1 is an example of information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1. Therefore, the first home appliance CE1 executes processing according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1.

(Embodiment 2)
A home appliance system 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, and 7. The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the home appliance CE0 according to the second embodiment speaks on behalf of another home appliance CE having a speech function. The following mainly describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

First, a second home appliance CE2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the second home appliance CE2. As shown in FIG. 6, the second home appliance CE2 includes a second control unit 30, a second operation unit 31, a second function execution unit 32, a second audio output unit 33, a second communication unit 34, a second storage unit 35, and a second detection unit 36. The second home appliance CE2 may further include a second audio input unit 37.

The second control unit 30 controls the second operation unit 31, the second function execution unit 32, the second audio output unit 33, the second communication unit 34, the second memory unit 35, the second detection unit 36, and the second audio input unit 37. The hardware configuration of the second control unit 30 is similar to the hardware configuration of the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 3. The hardware configuration of the second memory unit 35 is similar to the hardware configuration of the memory unit 15 shown in FIG. 3. The processor of the second control unit 30 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the second memory unit 35 to control the second operation unit 31, the second function execution unit 32, the second audio output unit 33, the second communication unit 34, the second memory unit 35, the second detection unit 36, and the second audio input unit 37.

The second operation unit 31 accepts an operation by the user U2 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user U2 to the second control unit 30. In addition, the hardware configuration of the second operation unit 31 is the same as the hardware configuration of the operation unit 11 shown in FIG. 3.

The second function execution unit 32 executes a specific function according to the type of the second home appliance CE2 in accordance with the second control unit 30. The second function execution unit 32 includes, for example, a fan, a motor, a heater, a magnetron, or a compressor.

The second audio output unit 33 outputs audio in accordance with the second control unit 30. Specifically, the second control unit 30 converts audio data into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs the audio signal to the second audio output unit 33. The audio data is digital data, and the audio signal is an analog signal. The second control unit 30 includes, for example, a D/A converter. The second audio output unit 33 outputs audio corresponding to the audio signal. The second audio output unit 33 includes, for example, a speaker.

The second communication unit 34 is connected to the network NW via the relay device RT. The second communication unit 34 communicates with the server SV and the mobile terminal MB via the network NW. The hardware configuration of the second communication unit 34 is similar to the hardware configuration of the communication unit 14 shown in FIG. 3. The second communication unit 34 indirectly communicates with other home appliances CE (e.g., home appliance CE0) via the server SV. The second communication unit 34 may also directly communicate with other home appliances CE (e.g., home appliance CE0) via a home LAN. Furthermore, the second communication unit 34 includes a wireless communication module that complies with a wireless communication standard defined by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Therefore, the second communication unit 34 is wirelessly connected to the relay device RT.

The second memory unit 35 stores home appliance audio information 350. The home appliance audio information 350 indicates audio information assigned to the second home appliance CE2. The audio information indicates the characteristics of the audio when the second audio output unit 33 speaks. For example, the audio information indicates the tone and pitch of the audio. The home appliance audio information 350 is also stored as home appliance audio information 303 in the memory unit 3 of the server SV shown in FIG. 2. In addition, for example, the second memory unit 35 stores various information received from the server SV, various information to be sent to the server SV, and various control information for controlling the second function execution unit 32.

The second detection unit 36 detects the state of the second home appliance CE2 or the state of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2. Then, the second detection unit 36 outputs a detection signal indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 or a detection signal indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2 to the second control unit 30. Note that the second home appliance CE2 may be provided with multiple second detection units 36.

The second control unit 30 controls the second communication unit 34 to transmit the home appliance status information ST2 to the server SV. As a result, the second communication unit 34 transmits the home appliance status information ST2 to the server SV via the network NW. The home appliance status information ST2 includes information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 indicated by the operation signal of the second operation unit 31, information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 or the state of the surrounding environment indicated by the detection signal of the second detection unit 36, and information indicating the operating state of the second home appliance CE2. The information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 indicated by the operation signal of the second operation unit 31 includes information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 has been operated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication unit 5 of the server SV receives the home appliance status information ST2 from the second communication unit 34 of the second home appliance CE2. The control unit 1 controls the storage unit 3 to store the home appliance status information ST2. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the home appliance status information ST2 as home appliance status information 301.

The control unit 1 of the server SV also controls the storage unit 3 to store information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state. As a result, the storage unit 3 stores the information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state as part of the home appliance state information 301. Specifically, the control unit 1 causes the storage unit 3 to store the information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state from the time when the communication unit 5 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 has been operated from the second home appliance CE2 until the time when the second predetermined period T2 has elapsed. The second predetermined period T2 corresponds to an example of a "predetermined period of another device".

Returning to FIG. 6, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 executes the following process. That is, the second control unit 30 determines whether or not the speech condition C2 is satisfied. The speech condition C2 is a condition for outputting a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2 related to the second home appliance CE2. The speech condition C2 of the second home appliance CE2 is set for the second home appliance CE2 and stored in the second storage unit 35. The second home appliance message information M2 is voice data and is stored in advance in the second storage unit 35.

Specifically, the second control unit 30 determines whether the utterance condition C2 is satisfied based on the detection result of the second detection unit 36. Furthermore, the second home appliance message information M2 includes information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 or information indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2. The second home appliance message information M2 corresponds to an example of "second other device message information."

When the speech condition C2 is satisfied, the second control unit 30 controls the second audio output unit 33 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2 regarding the second home appliance CE2. Thus, the second audio output unit 33 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2. As a result, the user U2 can recognize the state of the second home appliance CE2 or the state of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2.

Specifically, when causing the second audio output unit 33 to output the second home appliance message information M2, the second control unit 30 controls the second audio output unit 33 to speak the second home appliance message information M2 in a voice having the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 350. Because the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance voice information 350 are the tone and pitch unique to the second home appliance CE2, the user U2 can easily recognize that the second home appliance message information M2 is a voice message related to the second home appliance CE2.

In particular, in the second embodiment, when a home appliance CE0 (FIG. 3) installed within a medium or long distance range from the second home appliance CE2 in the building HM is in an operating state, the home appliance CE0 outputs a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2 regarding the second home appliance CE2 instead of the second home appliance CE2. Therefore, a voice message corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2 regarding the second home appliance CE2 can be provided to a user U0 of the home appliance CE0 that is at a medium or long distance from the second home appliance CE2. In the second embodiment, the second home appliance message information M2 is transmitted from the second home appliance CE2, starting from the second home appliance CE2.

In the following, for ease of understanding, the second home appliance message information M2 that the home appliance CE0 utters on behalf of the second home appliance CE2 will be referred to as "second home appliance message information M20." In the second embodiment, the second home appliance message information M20 originates from the second home appliance CE2 and is transmitted from the second home appliance CE2. The second home appliance message information M20 corresponds to an example of "second other-appliance message information."

Specifically, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 shown in FIG. 3 receives the second home appliance message information M20 related to the second home appliance CE2 having a speech function. For example, the server SV receives the second home appliance message information M20 from the second home appliance CE2, and the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives the second home appliance message information M20 from the server SV. Then, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. Therefore, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. In other words, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20 instead of the second home appliance CE2 having a speech function.

Preferably, at least one of the timbre and pitch of the voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20 output by the home appliance CE0 shown in FIG. 3 instead of the second home appliance CE2 is different from at least one of the timbre and pitch of the voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 related to the home appliance CE0. In addition, the timbre and pitch of the voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20 output by the home appliance CE0 instead of the second home appliance CE2 are approximately the same as the timbre and pitch of the voice output by the second audio output unit 33 of the second home appliance CE2. According to this preferred example, the user U0 operating the home appliance CE0 can easily recognize that the spoken second home appliance message information M20 is a voice message related to the second home appliance CE2.

Returning to FIG. 6, the voice generated by the user U2 is input to the second voice input unit 37. The second voice input unit 37 then outputs an audio signal (electrical signal) indicating the voice generated by the user U2 to the second control unit 30. The second control unit 30 converts the audio signal into audio data. The audio signal is an analog signal, and the audio data is digital data. The second control unit 30 includes, for example, an A/D converter. The second voice input unit 37 includes, for example, a microphone.

Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 6, the process in which a home appliance CE0 speaks on behalf of a second home appliance CE2 having a speech function will be described with specific examples (first to fourth examples).

In the first to fourth examples, the second range A2 indicates an adjacent room on the same floor as the room in which the second home appliance CE2 is installed, or a range that is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 and less than the second distance D2 from the second home appliance CE2. For example, the second range A2 is a medium distance range within the building HM.

In the first to fourth examples, the third range A3 indicates a room on a different floor from the room in which the second home appliance CE2 is installed, a room on the same floor as the room in which the second home appliance CE2 is installed but not adjacent to it, or a range that is equal to or greater than the second distance D2 and less than the third distance D3 from the second home appliance CE2. For example, the third range A3 is a long distance range within the building HM.

[First Example]
In the first example, the second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a hair dryer. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the second home appliance CE2 and is in an operating state.

In the second home electric appliance CE2, the second detection unit 36 detects the temperature of the second home electric appliance CE2 (for example, the temperature of the second function execution unit 32 or the temperature around the second function execution unit 32). The second detection unit 36 includes, for example, a temperature sensor. Then, the second control unit 30 determines whether the utterance condition C2 is satisfied, that is, whether the temperature detected by the second detection unit 36 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature.

When it is determined that the temperature detected by the second detection unit 36 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the second communication unit 34 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. Thus, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize the state of the second home appliance CE2. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is "Currently, the hair dryer is still on."

[Second Example]
In the second example, the second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a refrigerator. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the second home appliance CE2 and is in an operating state.

In the second home appliance CE2, the second detection unit 36 detects whether the door of the second home appliance CE2 is opened or closed. The second detection unit 36 includes, for example, a push switch. The second control unit 30 determines whether the utterance condition C2 is satisfied, that is, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the second detection unit 36 detected that the door of the second home appliance CE2 was opened.

When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the second detection unit 36 detected that the door of the second home appliance CE2 was opened, the second communication unit 34 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is "You forgot to close the refrigerator door."

[Third Example]
In the third example, the second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a washing machine. In this case, the second function execution unit 32 of the second home appliance CE2 includes a motor and a washing tub. Also, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the second home appliance CE2 and is in an operating state.

In the second home appliance CE2, the second detection unit 36 detects an error in the second home appliance CE2. The error is, for example, a stop of operation in the middle of the washing process. The second detection unit 36 includes, for example, a sensor that detects that the motor has stopped. The second control unit 30 determines whether the utterance condition C2 is satisfied, that is, whether the second detection unit 36 has detected an error.

When it is determined that the second detection unit 36 has detected an error, the second communication unit 34 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is "An error has occurred in the washing machine. The cause is XXX. Please perform YYY to return it to normal." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the audio that an error has occurred in the second home appliance CE2, the cause of the error, and how to resolve the error.

[Fourth Example]
In the fourth example, the second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a cooking appliance, and the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the second home appliance CE2 and is in an operating state.

In the second home electric appliance CE2, the second control unit 30 determines whether cooking is complete. For example, the second control unit 30 determines whether the cooking time input by the user U2 has elapsed or whether the cooking time indicated by the recipe information has elapsed.

When it is determined that cooking is complete, the second communication unit 34 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CEO via the server SV.

Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is "The dish (meat and potatoes) is ready. Please eat it before it gets cold." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can recognize from the audio that cooking by the second home appliance CE2 has been completed and the contents of the dish.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 7, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S31 to S34. The processing of the server SV includes steps S41 to S44. The processing of the second home appliance CE2 includes steps S51 to S57.

In step S31, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 determines whether the speech condition C0 of the home appliance CE0 is satisfied.

Next, if a negative judgment (No) is made in step S31, the process returns to step S31.

On the other hand, if the result of step S31 is positive (Yes), processing proceeds to step S32.

Next, in step S32, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0.

On the other hand, in step S51, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 determines whether the speech condition C2 set in the second home appliance CE2 is satisfied.

If the result of step S51 is negative (No), processing returns to step S51.

On the other hand, if step S51 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S52.

Next, in step S52, the second control unit 30 determines whether the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state. For example, the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state from the time when the second operation unit 31 of the second home appliance CE2 is operated until the second predetermined period T2 has elapsed. Therefore, the second control unit 30 determines whether the state of the second home appliance CE2 is within the second predetermined period T2 from the time when the second operation unit 31 is operated.

If step S52 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S57.

On the other hand, if a negative determination (No) is made in step S52, processing proceeds to step S53.

Next, in step S53, the second control unit 30 requests the server SV for the home appliance location information E2. Specifically, the second control unit 30 transmits location request information RQ2 to the server SV via the second communication unit 34. The location request information RQ2 is information that requests the server SV to transmit the home appliance location information E2 to the second home appliance CE2.

The home appliance location information E2 is information indicating the location of a home appliance CE other than the second home appliance CE2 within the building HM. Specifically, the home appliance location information E2 includes information indicating whether or not another home appliance CE exists within the first range A1, the second range A2, or the third range A3 with respect to the second home appliance CE2, and information indicating whether or not another home appliance CE within the first range A1, the second range A2, or the third range A3 is in an operating state. For example, the first range A1 is a short-distance range within the building HM, the second range A2 is a medium-distance range within the building HM, and the third range A3 is a long-distance range within the building HM.

On the other hand, in step S41, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives location request information RQ2 from the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S42, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance location information E2 to the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5. In this case, the control unit 1 creates the home appliance location information E2 based on the home appliance status information 301 and the home appliance position information 305 stored in the storage unit 3.

On the other hand, in step S54, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 receives the home appliance location information E2 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S55, the second control unit 30 determines whether or not there is another home appliance CE in an operating state within the second range A2 or the third range A3 based on the home appliance location information E2.

If the result of step S55 is negative (No), processing proceeds to step S57.

Next, in step S57, the second control unit 30 causes the second audio output unit 33 to output a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M2 regarding the second home appliance CE2. That is, when the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state, or when another home appliance CE in an operating state is present within the first range A1, the second home appliance message information M2 is spoken in the second home appliance CE2.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S55 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S56. Hereinafter, the home appliance CE0 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the second home appliance CE2 and is in an operating state.

Next, in step S56, the second control unit 30 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 regarding the second home appliance CE2 to the server SV via the second communication unit 34. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is the same as the second home appliance message information M2 uttered in step S57.

On the other hand, in step S43, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives the second home appliance message information M20 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S44, the control unit 1 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. The second home appliance message information M20 is accompanied by home appliance voice information 303 (FIG. 2) assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

On the other hand, in step S33, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the second home appliance message information M20 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S34, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. As a result, according to the second embodiment, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can hear audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20 regarding the second home appliance CE2. In this case, the audio output unit 13 vocalizes the second home appliance message information M20 using audio with the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

As described above with reference to FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2. Specifically, when the home appliance CE0 is installed within the second range A2 or the third range A3 of the first home appliance CE1 (Yes in step S55), the home appliance CE0 outputs a voice according to the second home appliance message information M20 (step S34). Therefore, a voice message according to the second home appliance message information M20 regarding the second home appliance CE2 can be provided to a user U0 of the home appliance CE0 at a medium or long distance from the second home appliance CE2.

In addition, in the second embodiment, when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state (Yes in step S55), the communication unit 14 in the home appliance CE0 receives the second home appliance message information M20, and the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. The fact that the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state indicates that the home appliance CE0 has been operated within a predetermined period T0. Therefore, when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, it is highly likely that the user U0 is in the vicinity of the home appliance CE0. As a result, it is highly likely that the second home appliance message information M20 can be directly transmitted by audio to the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 that is installed at a medium or long distance from the second home appliance CE2 within the building HM.

In the second embodiment, the second home appliance CE2 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV (steps S43 and S44). The home appliance location information E2 is an example of information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2. Therefore, the second home appliance CE2 executes processing according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2.

(Embodiment 3)
A home appliance system 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, 6, and 8. The third embodiment is mainly different from the first and second embodiments in that the home appliance CE0 according to the third embodiment controls the volume of the sound depending on the distance between the home appliance CE0 and another home appliance CE. The following mainly describes the differences between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments.

First, the home appliance system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6. When the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 shown in Fig. 3 receives information indicating that the other home appliance CE shown in Fig. 1 is in an operating state, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 regarding the home appliance CE0 at a volume corresponding to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE. Therefore, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 at a volume corresponding to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE. As a result, the home appliance message information M0 can be spoken to the user who operates the other home appliance CE at an appropriate volume corresponding to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE. In addition, the power consumption of the home appliance CE can be reduced compared to when the audio is spoken at a uniformly high volume.

For example, the other home appliance CE is the first home appliance CE1 shown in FIG. 4 or the second home appliance CE2 shown in FIG. 6.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 8, the processing of the home appliance CEO includes steps S61 to S68. The processing of the server SV includes steps S71 and S72.

In step S61, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 determines whether the speech condition C0 set in the home appliance CE0 is satisfied.

If the result of step S61 is negative (No), processing returns to step S61.

On the other hand, if the result of step S61 is positive (Yes), processing proceeds to step S62.

Next, in step S62, the control unit 10 determines whether the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state. For example, the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state from the time when the operation unit 11 of the home appliance CE0 is operated until a predetermined period T0 has elapsed. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines whether the state of the home appliance CE0 is within the predetermined period T0 from the time when the operation unit 11 is operated.

If step S62 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S68.

Next, in step S68, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 regarding the home appliance CE0 at a standard volume. As a result, the home appliance message information M0 can be provided to the user U0 who operates the home appliance CE0. The standard volume indicates a volume that is preset for the home appliance CE0.

On the other hand, if a negative determination (No) is made in step S62, processing proceeds to step S63.

Next, in step S63, the control unit 10 requests the server SV for the home appliance location information E0. Specifically, the control unit 10 transmits location request information RQ0 to the server SV via the communication unit 14. The location request information RQ0 is information that requests the server SV to transmit the home appliance location information E0 to the home appliance CE0.

The home appliance location information E0 is information indicating the location of a home appliance CE other than the home appliance CE0 within the building HM. Specifically, the home appliance location information E0 includes information indicating whether or not another home appliance CE exists within the first range A1, the second range A2, or the third range A3 with respect to the home appliance CE0, information indicating whether or not the other home appliance CE within the first range A1, the second range A2, or the third range A3 is in an operating state, and information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE. For example, the first range A1 is a short-distance range within the building HM, the second range A2 is a medium-distance range within the building HM, and the third range A3 is a long-distance range within the building HM.

On the other hand, in step S71, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives location request information RQ0 from the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S72, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance location information E0 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. In this case, the control unit 1 creates the home appliance location information E0 based on the home appliance status information 301 and the home appliance position information 305 stored in the storage unit 3.

On the other hand, in step S64, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the home appliance location information E0 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S65, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is another home appliance CE in an operating state within the first range A1 or the second range A2 based on the home appliance location information E0.

If the determination in step S65 is negative (No), the process ends. In other words, if there is no other home appliance CE being operated within the first range A1 or the second range A2, the home appliance message information M0 is not spoken. Therefore, the power consumption of the home appliance CE can be reduced.

In other words, even if there is another home appliance CE being operated at a long distance from the home appliance CE0 within the building HM, the home appliance message information M0 is not spoken. This is because the other home appliance CE is far from the home appliance CE0, and therefore even if the message information M0 is spoken, it is highly likely that the user operating the other home appliance CE will not be able to hear it.

On the other hand, if the result of step S65 is positive (Yes), processing proceeds to step S66.

Next, in step S66, the control unit 10 calculates the speech volume based on the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE. In this case, the other home appliance CE is a home appliance CE that is in an operating state within the first range A1 or the second range A2. The other home appliance CE is, for example, the first home appliance CE1 or the second home appliance CE2.

For example, the control unit 10 calculates the speech volume so that the greater the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE, the louder the speech volume becomes.

Next, in step S67, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 at the speech volume calculated in step S66. Therefore, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 at the speech volume calculated in step S66. As a result, the home appliance message information M0 can be spoken to a user operating another home appliance CE at an appropriate volume according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the other home appliance CE.

Here, if it is determined in step S65 that the home appliance CE in the operating state is present within the second range A2, then, for example, the speech volume calculated in step S66 is greater than the standard volume in step S68. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S65 that the home appliance CE in the operating state is present within the first range A1, then, for example, the speech volume calculated in step S66 is less than, the same as, or greater than the standard volume in step S68.

As described above with reference to FIG. 8, according to the third embodiment, the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 depending on the distance between the home appliance CE0 and another home appliance CE. Note that the home appliance location information E0 is an example of information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE (e.g., the home appliance CE0) and another home appliance CE (e.g., the first home appliance CE1 or the second home appliance CE2).

(Embodiment 4)
A home appliance system 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, 9, and 10. The fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment mainly in that a home appliance CE0 according to the fourth embodiment and a second home appliance CE2 transmit and receive voice messages. The following mainly describes the differences between the fourth embodiment and the second embodiment.

First, the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 6. As shown in Fig. 3, when the communication unit 14 in the home appliance CE0 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 (Fig. 6) is in an operating state, and when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, the control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit home appliance message information M02 related to the home appliance CE0 to the second home appliance CE2. The communication unit 14 transmits the home appliance message information M02 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. Therefore, the second home appliance CE2 can output a sound corresponding to the home appliance message information M02.

The home appliance message information M02 includes information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 or information indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0. For example, the information indicating the state of the home appliance CE0 indicates the contents of the function being executed by the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the function execution unit 12). The home appliance message information M02 is voice data, and is stored in advance in the storage unit 15. In the fourth embodiment, the home appliance message information M02 originates from the home appliance CE0 and is transmitted from the home appliance CE0. The home appliance message information M02 corresponds to an example of "own device message information".

When the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, it is highly likely that the user U0 is in the vicinity of the home appliance CE0. Similarly, when the second home appliance CE2 (FIG. 6) is in an operating state, it is highly likely that the user U2 is in the vicinity of the second home appliance CE2. Therefore, it is highly likely that the home appliance message information M02 can be directly transmitted to the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 by voice. For example, when the home appliance message information M02 regarding the home appliance CE0 is spoken in the second home appliance CE2, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can know "the work content that the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 is performing using the home appliance CE0". In addition, in this case, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can infer that the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 is in the vicinity of the home appliance CE0. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 to send a response message to the user U0.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 (FIG. 6) is in an operating state, and when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, the communication unit 14 receives the second home appliance message information M20, and the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20.

The second home appliance message information M20 includes information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 or information indicating the state of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2. For example, the information indicating the state of the second home appliance CE2 indicates the content of the function being executed by the second home appliance CE2 (specifically, the second function execution unit 32). The second home appliance message information M20 is voice data, and is pre-stored in the second storage unit 35 (FIG. 6) of the second home appliance CE2. In the fourth embodiment, the second home appliance message information M20 originates from the second home appliance CE2 and is transmitted from the second home appliance CE2. The second home appliance message information M20 corresponds to an example of "second other device message information".

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the communication unit 14 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state in the home appliance CE0, in response to the operation of the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the operation unit 11), the control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit the second home appliance message information M22 regarding the second home appliance CE2 to the second home appliance CE2. The communication unit 14 transmits the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. Therefore, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can send a voice message corresponding to the second home appliance message information M22 to the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 by operating the operation unit 11.

Specifically, the second home appliance message information M22 is a voice message from the home appliance CE0 to the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 regarding the second home appliance CE2. Therefore, the second home appliance message information M22 originates from the home appliance CE0 and is transmitted from the home appliance CE0. The second home appliance message information M22 is voice data and is stored in advance in the memory unit 15 of the home appliance CE0. The second home appliance message information M22 corresponds to an example of "second other device message information."

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives home appliance message information M00 transmitted from the second home appliance CE2 in response to the operation of the second home appliance CE2 (specifically, the second operation unit 31). Then, in the home appliance CE0, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M00. Therefore, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M00. As a result, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can listen to the audio message corresponding to the home appliance message information M00 transmitted in response to the operation of the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2. In this way, the user U0 and the user U2 can communicate via the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2.

Specifically, the home appliance message information M00 is a voice message from the second home appliance CE2 to the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 regarding the home appliance CE0. Therefore, the home appliance message information M00 originates from the second home appliance CE2 and is transmitted from the second home appliance CE2. The home appliance message information M00 is voice data, and is stored in advance in the second storage unit 35 (Figure 6) of the second home appliance CE2. The home appliance message information M00 corresponds to an example of "own device message information".

Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 6, specific examples (first example and second example) of transmitting and receiving a voice message between a home appliance CE0 and a second home appliance CE2 will be described.

In the first and second examples, the second range A2 indicates an adjacent room on the same floor as the room in which the home appliance CEO is installed, or a range that is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 and less than the second distance D2 from the home appliance CEO. For example, the second range A2 is a medium-distance range within the building HM.

In the first and second examples, the third range A3 indicates a room on a different floor from the room in which the home appliance CE0 is installed, a room on the same floor as the room in which the home appliance CE0 is installed but not adjacent to it, or a range that is equal to or greater than the second distance D2 and less than the third distance D3 from the home appliance CE0. For example, the third range A3 is a long distance range within the building HM.

[First Example]
In the first example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is a cooking appliance and is in an operating state. The second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a washing machine and is in an operating state. The second home appliance CE2 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 relative to the home appliance CE0.

The home appliance CE0 transmits the home appliance message information M02 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. Then, in the second home appliance CE2, the second audio output unit 33 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M02. For example, the home appliance message information M02 is "I'm currently cooking (meat and potatoes)." In this case, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can know the details of the work being done by the user U0 of the home appliance CE0.

Meanwhile, the second home appliance CE2 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. For example, the second home appliance message information M20 is "I'm doing the laundry now." In this case, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can know the work content of the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2.

For example, after transmitting and receiving the home appliance message information M02 and the second home appliance message information M20, the home appliance CE0 transmits the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV in response to an operation of the operation unit 11. Then, in the second home appliance CE2, the second audio output unit 33 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M22. For example, the second home appliance message information M22 is "Thank you for doing the laundry." In this way, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can reply to the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2.

On the other hand, for example, after transmitting and receiving the home appliance message information M02 and the second home appliance message information M20, the second home appliance CE2 transmits the home appliance message information M00 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV in response to the operation of the second operation unit 31. Then, in the home appliance CE0, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M00. For example, the home appliance message information M00 is "Thank you for your hard work cooking. I'm looking forward to cooking (meat and potatoes)." In this way, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can reply to the user U0 of the home appliance CE0.

[Second Example]
In the second example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is a cooking appliance and is in an operating state. The second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is a vacuum cleaner and is in an operating state. In this case, the second function execution unit 32 of the second home appliance CE2 includes, for example, a fan and a filter. The second home appliance CE2 is within the second range A2 or the third range A3 relative to the home appliance CE0.

Similar to the first example, the home appliance CE0 transmits home appliance message information M02 to the second home appliance CE2, and the second home appliance CE2 outputs a voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M02. For example, the home appliance message information M02 is "I'm currently cooking (meat and potatoes)."

On the other hand, similar to the first example, the second home appliance CE2 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0, and the home appliance CE0 outputs a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. The second home appliance message information M20 is, for example, "I'm cleaning now."

Furthermore, for example, after transmitting and receiving the home appliance message information M02 and the second home appliance message information M20, similar to the first example, the home appliance CE0 transmits the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2, and the second home appliance CE2 outputs a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M22. For example, the second home appliance message information M22 is "Thank you for your hard work cleaning."

On the other hand, for example, after transmitting and receiving the home appliance message information M02 and the second home appliance message information M20, the second home appliance CE2 transmits the home appliance message information M00 to the home appliance CE0, and the home appliance CE0 outputs a voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M00, as in the first example. For example, the home appliance message information M00 is "Thank you for your hard work on cooking. I'm looking forward to cooking (meat and potatoes)."

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, 9, and 10. Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S81 to S88. The processing of the server SV includes steps S91 to S100. The processing of the second home appliance CE2 includes steps S111 to S118.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step S91, the control unit 1 of the server SV determines whether or not two or more home appliances CE in an operating state are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 based on the home appliance status information 301 and the home appliance location information 305. For example, within the building HM, the second range A2 indicates a close range, and the third range A3 indicates a long range. In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 1 determines whether or not one or more home appliances CE in an operating state are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 relative to the home appliance CE0 in an operating state.

If the determination in step S91 is negative (No), processing returns to step S91.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S91 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S92. Hereafter, the second home electric device CE2 is present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 and is in an operating state.

Next, in step S92, the control unit 1 transmits a notification IF2 indicating that "the second home appliance CE2 is in an operating state and is within the second range A2 or the third range A3" to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S93, the control unit 1 transmits a notification IF0 indicating that "the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state and is within the second range A2 or the third range A3" to the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S81, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives notification IF2 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S82, the control unit 10 transmits the home appliance message information M02 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

On the other hand, in step S111, the second control unit 30 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives notification IF0 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S112, the second control unit 30 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the server SV via the second communication unit 34.

On the other hand, in step S94, the control unit 10 of the server SV receives home appliance message information M02 from the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. The timing of receiving the home appliance message information M02 depends on the timing of transmitting the home appliance message information M02 from the home appliance CE0. The control unit 10 also receives second home appliance message information M20 from the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5. The timing of receiving the second home appliance message information M20 depends on the timing of transmitting the second home appliance message information M20 from the second home appliance CE2.

Next, in step S95, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance message information M02 to the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5. The home appliance message information M02 is accompanied by the home appliance voice information 303 assigned to the home appliance CE0.

On the other hand, in step S113, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 receives home appliance message information M02 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S114, the second control unit 30 outputs a voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M02 by the second audio output unit 33. As a result, according to the fourth embodiment, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can hear the voice corresponding to the home appliance message information M02 regarding the home appliance CE0. In this case, the second audio output unit 33 vocalizes the home appliance message information M02 by using a voice with a tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the home appliance CE0.

On the other hand, in step S96, the control unit 1 of the server SV transmits the second home appliance message information M20 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. The second home appliance message information M20 is accompanied by home appliance voice information 303 assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

On the other hand, in step S83, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the second home appliance message information M20 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S84, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20. As a result, according to the fourth embodiment, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can hear audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20 regarding the second home appliance CE2. In this case, the audio output unit 13 vocalizes the second home appliance message information M20 using audio with the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S115, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 determines whether the second operation unit 31 has received a predetermined operation P2. The predetermined operation P2 is an operation for instructing the home appliance message information M00 to be sent to the home appliance CE0.

For example, the second operation unit 31 shown in FIG. 6 includes a display (not shown), a first operator, and a second operator. The second operation unit 31 displays a plurality of candidate messages on the display. The candidate messages are candidates for the home appliance message information M00. One candidate message is selected from the plurality of candidate messages by the operation of the first operator by the user U2. When the user U2 further operates the second operator, the selected candidate message is confirmed, and the second operation unit 31 notifies the second control unit 30 of the confirmed candidate message. The second control unit 30 acquires the home appliance message information M00 corresponding to the confirmed candidate message from the second storage unit 35. The operation of the second operator corresponds to the predetermined operation P2.

If the result of step S115 is negative (No), processing returns to step S115.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S115 is positive (Yes), processing proceeds to step S116.

Next, in step S116, the second control unit 30 transmits the home appliance message information M00 to the server SV via the second communication unit 34. The home appliance message information M00 is accompanied by home appliance voice information 303 assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

On the other hand, in step S97, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives the home appliance message information M00 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S98, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance message information M00 to the home appliance CEO via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S85, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the home appliance message information M00 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S86, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M00. In this case, the audio output unit 13 vocalizes the home appliance message information M00 using audio with the tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the second home appliance CE2.

In addition, in step S87, the control unit 10 determines whether the operation unit 11 has received a predetermined operation P0. The predetermined operation P0 is an operation for instructing to transmit the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2. Details of the predetermined operation P0 are similar to the details of the predetermined operation P2 described in step S115. For example, one candidate message is selected from a plurality of candidate messages by the user U0 operating the operation unit 11 shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the selected candidate message is confirmed by the user U0 operating the operation unit 11, and the second home appliance message information M22 is determined.

If the result of step S87 is negative (No), processing returns to step S87.

On the other hand, if step S87 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S88.

Next, in step S88, the control unit 10 transmits the second home appliance message information M22 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

On the other hand, in step S99, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives the second home appliance message information M22 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S100, the control unit 1 transmits the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5. The second home appliance message information M22 is accompanied by the home appliance voice information 303 assigned to the home appliance CE0.

On the other hand, in step S117, the second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 receives the second home appliance message information M22 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S118, the second control unit 30 outputs a voice corresponding to the second home appliance message information M22 by the second audio output unit 33. In this case, the second audio output unit 33 vocalizes the second home appliance message information M22 by a voice with a tone and pitch indicated by the home appliance audio information 303 assigned to the home appliance CE0.

As described above with reference to Figures 9 and 10, according to the second embodiment, voice messages can be transmitted and received between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 within the second range A2 (i.e., within a medium-distance range within the building HM) or within the third range A3 (i.e., within a long-distance range within the building HM). This can promote communication between the user U0 and the user U2.

In the fourth embodiment, the home appliance CE0 transmits the home appliance message information M02 and the second home appliance message information M22 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV (steps S94, S95, S99, S100). The second home appliance CE2 transmits the second home appliance message information M20 and the home appliance message information M00 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV (steps S94, S96, S97, S98).

(Embodiment 5)
A home appliance system 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, and 11. The fifth embodiment is mainly different from the second embodiment in that the home appliance CE0 according to the fifth embodiment and the second home appliance CE2 enable users to make calls to each other. The following mainly describes the differences between the fifth embodiment and the second embodiment.

First, the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 6. As shown in Fig. 3, in the home appliance CEO, speech uttered by the user U0 is input to the speech input unit 17.

When the communication unit 5 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 (FIG. 6) is in an operating state and when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, the control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit voice data V0 indicating the voice of the user U0 input to the voice input unit 17 to the second home appliance CE2. Thus, the communication unit 14 transmits the voice data V0 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. As a result, the user U0 can send his/her voice message to the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2. Meanwhile, the second audio output unit 33 of the second home appliance CE2 outputs the voice of the user U0 according to the voice data V0. Thus, the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can listen to the voice message from the user U0.

In addition, in the home appliance CE0, when the communication unit 14 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 (FIG. 6) is in an operating state, and when the home appliance CE0 is in an operating state, the communication unit 14 receives, from the second home appliance CE2, voice data V2 indicating a voice uttered by the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2. In this way, the user U2 can send his/her voice message to the user U0 of the home appliance CE0. Then, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 controls the voice output unit 13 to output the voice of the user U2 indicated by the voice data V2. Thus, the voice output unit 13 outputs the voice of the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2. As a result, the user U0 can listen to the voice message of the user U2. The user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 corresponds to an example of "another user".

As described above with reference to Figures 3 and 6, according to embodiment 5, a user U0 of a home appliance CE0 and a user U2 of a second home appliance CE2 can have a voice call via the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6, and 11. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 11, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S121 to S124. The processing of the server SV includes steps S131 to S136. The processing of the second home appliance CE2 includes steps S141 to S144.

In step S131, the control unit 1 of the server SV determines whether or not two or more home appliances CE in an operating state are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 based on the home appliance status information 301 and the home appliance location information 305. For example, within the building HM, the second range A2 indicates a close range, and the third range A3 indicates a long range. In the fifth embodiment, the control unit 1 determines whether or not one or more home appliances CE in an operating state are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 relative to the home appliance CE0 in an operating state.

If a negative judgment (No) is made in step S131, processing returns to step S131.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S131 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S132. Hereinafter, the second home electric device CE2 is present within the second range A2 or the third range A3 and is in an operating state.

Next, in step S132, the control unit 1 transmits a notification IF indicating that "a call can be made between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2" to the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S121, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives the notification IF via the communication unit 14.

Similarly, in step S141, the second control unit 30 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives the notification IF via the second communication unit 34.

On the other hand, in step S122, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the voice of the user U0 via the voice input unit 17, and transmits voice data V0 representing the voice of the user U0 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

On the other hand, in step S133, the server SV receives the voice data V0 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S134, the server SV transmits the audio data V0 to the second home electric appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S142, the second control unit 30 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives the audio data V0 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S143, the second control unit 30 outputs the voice of the user U0 according to the voice data V0 via the second voice output unit 33.

Next, in step S144, the second control unit 30 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives the voice of the user U2 via the second voice input unit 37, and transmits voice data V2 representing the voice of the user U2 to the server SV via the second communication unit 34.

On the other hand, in step S135, the server SV receives the voice data V2 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S136, the server SV transmits the voice data V2 to the home appliance CEO via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S123, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the audio data V2 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S124, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output the voice of the user U2 according to the voice data V2.

After this, steps S122 to S124 of the home appliance CE0, steps S133 to S136 of the server SV, and steps S142 to S144 of the second home appliance CE2 are repeated. Therefore, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 and the user U2 of the second home appliance CE2 can communicate by voice.

In the fifth embodiment, the home appliance CE0 transmits the voice data V0 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV (step S122). The second home appliance CE2 transmits the voice data V2 to the home appliance CE0 via the server SV (step S144).

(Embodiment 6)
A home appliance system 100 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, 12, and 13. The sixth embodiment is mainly different from the second embodiment in that a home appliance CE0 according to the sixth embodiment controls a second home appliance CE2. The following mainly describes the differences between the sixth embodiment and the second embodiment.

First, the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 3, when the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 has information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 (FIG. 6) is present within the first range A1, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20A indicating whether or not to operate the second home appliance CE2 in response to receiving an operation signal for the home appliance CE0. The audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20A. Therefore, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can select whether or not to operate the second home appliance CE2 at the same time as operating the home appliance CE0. The first range A1 corresponds to an example of a "predetermined range".

When the control unit 10 receives an operation signal instructing the home appliance CE0 to operate the second home appliance CE2, the control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit control information CT2 for controlling the second home appliance CE2 to the server SV. The communication unit 14 transmits the control information CT2 to the server SV. The server SV transmits the control information CT2 to the second home appliance CE2 via the communication unit 5. The second control unit 30 of the second home appliance CE2 shown in FIG. 6 controls the second function execution unit 32 in accordance with the control information CT2.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the second home appliance CE2 can be linked to the home appliance CE0. This improves the convenience of the user U0.

Here, the operation signal received by the control unit 10 is the operation signal output by the operation unit 11. Therefore, the operation signal is a signal corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 11. The operation unit 11 may also have an infrared receiver (not shown). In this case, the infrared receiver receives an infrared signal from a remote control. The infrared signal is an operation signal of the remote control by the user U0. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the infrared signal received from the remote control to the control unit 10. In this case, the operation signal is a signal corresponding to the operation of the remote control.

Next, specific examples (first to fourth examples) of a case where the home appliance CE0 controls the second home appliance CE2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 6. In the first to fourth examples, the first range A1 indicates the room in which the home appliance CE0 is installed, or a range less than the first distance D1 from the home appliance CE0. For example, the first range A1 is a short distance range within the building HM.

[First Example]
In the first example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is an air conditioner. The second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is an air purifier and is present within the first range A1 of the home appliance CE0. In this case, the second function execution unit 32 of the second home appliance CE2 includes, for example, a fan and an air filter.

The control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives an operation signal for turning on the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the function execution unit 12). In this case, the audio output unit 13 outputs audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20A. The second home appliance message information M20A indicates whether or not to turn on the second home appliance CE2 (specifically, the second function execution unit 32) at the same time as turning on the home appliance CE0.

When the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives an operation signal instructing "to turn on the second home appliance CE2 at the same time as turning on the home appliance CE0," the communication unit 14 transmits control information CT2 for turning on the second home appliance CE2 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. The control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 also drives the function execution unit 12. As a result, the home appliance CE0 is turned on.

Furthermore, in the second home appliance CE2, when the second communication unit 34 receives the control information CT2, the second control unit 30 outputs, via the second audio output unit 33, a sound indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is to be turned on. In addition, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32 in accordance with the control information CT2. As a result, the second home appliance CE2 is turned on.

In regard to the operation when the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives an operation signal to turn off the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the function execution unit 12), in the explanation of the case where the control unit 10 receives an operation signal to turn on the home appliance CE0, "on" is read as "off" and "drive" is read as "stopped."

As described above, in the first example, the power consumption of the second home appliance CE2 can be reduced compared to when the second home appliance CE2 is always on.

[Second Example]
In the second example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is a cooking appliance. The second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is an air purifier and is located within the first range A1 of the home appliance CE0.

When transitioning to a cooking stage where a lot of smoke is generated, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 transmits control information CT21 for setting the mode of the second home appliance CE2 to "powerful mode" to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. The smoke is, for example, oily smoke. For example, in the second home appliance CE2, the fan rotation speed in "powerful mode" is higher than the fan rotation speed in "standard mode."

When the second communication unit 34 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives the control information CT21, the second control unit 30 outputs, via the second audio output unit 33, audio indicating that the mode of the second home electric appliance CE2 is to be set to "strong mode". In addition, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32 (fan) in "strong mode" in accordance with the control information CT21. In other words, the mode of the second home electric appliance CE2 is set to "strong mode". Therefore, the air can be purified effectively as the amount of smoke caused by cooking increases.

On the other hand, when the cooking stage that generates a lot of smoke is finished, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 transmits control information CT22 for setting the mode of the second home appliance CE2 to the "standard mode" to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. Then, when the second communication unit 34 of the second home appliance CE2 receives the control information CT22, the second control unit 30 outputs a sound indicating that the mode of the second home appliance CE2 is set to the "standard mode" by the second sound output unit 33. In addition, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32 (fan) in the "standard mode" according to the control information CT22. That is, the mode of the second home appliance CE2 is set to the "standard mode". Therefore, the power consumption of the second home appliance CE2 can be suppressed.

[Third Example]
In the third example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is an air purifier. The detection unit 16 of the home appliance CE0 detects the brightness of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0. The detection unit 16 includes, for example, an illuminance sensor. The second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is an air conditioner and is present within the first range A1 of the home appliance CE0. The second home appliance CE2 does not have a detection function for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment of the second home appliance CE2.

The detection unit 16 of the home appliance CE0 detects the brightness of the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0. When the detection unit 16 detects that the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 has become dark, the control unit 10 sets the mode of the home appliance CE0 to "sleep mode", and the communication unit 14 transmits control information CT2 indicating the "sleep mode" to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. "The surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 has become dark" indicates, for example, that a physical quantity indicating the brightness of the surrounding environment has become equal to or lower than a threshold value. For example, the air volume of the fan of the home appliance CE0 in the "sleep mode" is less than the air volume of the fan of the home appliance CE0 in the "standard mode". For example, the air volume of the fan of the second home appliance CE2 in the "sleep mode" is less than the air volume of the fan of the second home appliance CE2 in the "standard mode".

When the second communication unit 34 of the second home appliance CE2 receives the control information CT2, the second control unit 30 outputs, via the second audio output unit 33, audio indicating that the mode of the second home appliance CE2 is to be set to "sleep mode". In addition, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32 (fan) in "sleep mode" in accordance with the control information CT2. In other words, the mode of the second home appliance CE2 is set to "sleep mode".

Note that, with regard to the operation when the detection unit 16 detects that the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 has become brighter, in the explanation of the case where the detection unit 16 detects that the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 has become darker, "sleep mode" is read as "standard mode." However, the content of "sleep mode" and "standard mode" is the same. Also, "the surrounding environment of the home appliance CE0 has become brighter" indicates, for example, that a physical quantity indicating the brightness of the surrounding environment has exceeded a threshold value.

As described above, in the third example, even if the second home appliance CE2 does not have a function for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment, the second home appliance CE2 can be controlled according to the brightness of the surrounding environment by cooperating with the home appliance CE0. Therefore, the power consumption of the second home appliance CE2 can be reduced.

[Fourth Example]
In the fourth example, the home appliance CE0 in Fig. 3 is a vacuum cleaner, and the second home appliance CE2 in Fig. 6 is an air purifier and is located within the first range A1 of the home appliance CE0.

The control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives an operation signal for turning on the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the function execution unit 12). Then, the control unit 10 drives the function execution unit 12. As a result, the home appliance CE0 is turned on. In addition, the communication unit 14 transmits control information CT2 for setting the mode of the second home appliance CE2 to the "strong mode" to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV. When the second communication unit 34 in the second home appliance CE2 receives the control information CT2, the second control unit 30 outputs a sound indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is set to the "strong mode" by the second sound output unit 33. In addition, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32 in the "strong mode" according to the control information CT2. As a result, the second home appliance CE2 is set to the "strong mode". Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent dust from being stirred up by cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. In addition, by linking the second home appliance CE2 to the home appliance CE0, the power consumption of the second home appliance CE2 can be reduced.

In regard to the operation when the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 receives an operation signal to turn off the home appliance CE0 (specifically, the function execution unit 12), in the explanation of the case where the control unit 10 receives an operation signal to turn on the home appliance CE0, "on" is read as "off", "drive" is read as "stop", and "strong mode" is read as "standard mode".

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6, 12, and 13. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S151 to S158. The processing of the server SV includes steps S161 to S164. The processing of the second home appliance CE2 includes steps S171 to S173.

As shown in FIG. 12, in step S151, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO determines whether the operation unit 11 has received a predetermined operation PEO. The predetermined operation PEO is, for example, an operation for driving the function execution unit 12 of the home appliance CEO.

If the result of step S151 is negative (No), processing returns to step S151.

On the other hand, if step S151 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S152.

Next, in step S152, the control unit 10 requests the home appliance location information E0 from the server SV. Specifically, the control unit 10 transmits the location request information RQ0 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

The home appliance location information E0 is the same as the home appliance location information E0 in step S63 of FIG. 8. However, the home appliance location information E0 includes information indicating other home appliances CE that can cooperate with the home appliance CE0.

On the other hand, in step S161, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives location request information RQ0 from the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S162, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance location information E0 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S153, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the home appliance location information E0 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S154, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is a home appliance CE that can be linked with the home appliance CE0 within the first range A1 based on the home appliance location information E0.

If a negative determination (No) is made in step S154, processing proceeds to step S158 in FIG. 13.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S154 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S155. Hereinafter, the home appliance CE that can be linked within the first range A1 is the second home appliance CE2.

Next, in step S155, the control unit 10 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the second home appliance message information M20A indicating whether or not the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 are to be operated simultaneously.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, in step S156, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 determines whether or not an operation signal instructing to operate the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 simultaneously has been received.

If the determination in step S156 is negative (No), the process proceeds to step S158. For example, the control unit 10 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 11, which is generated by the user U0 operating the operation unit 11 or the user U0 operating the remote control, instructing the control unit 10 not to operate the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 simultaneously. Alternatively, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the speech in step S155, the control unit 10 determines that it has not received an operation signal instructing the control unit 10 to operate the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 simultaneously.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S156 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S157. For example, the control unit 10 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 11 in response to an operation of the operation unit 11 by the user U0 or an operation of a remote control by the user U0, the operation signal instructing the control unit 10 to simultaneously operate the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2.

Next, in step S157, the control unit 10 transmits control information CT2 for controlling the second home electric appliance CE2 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S158, the control unit 10 executes control in response to the predetermined operation P0A in step S151. For example, the control unit 10 drives the function execution unit 12.

On the other hand, in step S163, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives the control information CT2 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S164, the control unit 1 transmits control information CT2 to the second home electric appliance CE2.

On the other hand, in step S171, the second control unit 30 of the second home electric appliance CE2 receives the control information CT2 via the second communication unit 34.

Next, in step S172, the second control unit 30 outputs a sound indicating the control content of the control information CT2 via the second sound output unit 33.

Next, in step S173, the second control unit 30 executes control according to the control information CT2. For example, the second control unit 30 drives the second function execution unit 32.

As described above with reference to Figures 12 and 13, according to the sixth embodiment, the second home appliance CE2 can be linked to the home appliance CE0 depending on the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the home appliance CE0 transmits control information CT2 to the second home appliance CE2 via the server SV (step S157). Also, the home appliance location information E0 is an example of information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2.

(Embodiment 7)
A home appliance system 100 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6, and 14. The seventh embodiment is mainly different from the second embodiment in that the home appliance CE0 according to the seventh embodiment avoids overlapping speech with the second home appliance CE2. The following mainly describes the differences between the seventh embodiment and the second embodiment.

First, the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 3, in the home appliance CE0, when the control unit 10 has information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is present within the first range A1 with respect to the home appliance CE0, and the communication unit 14 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 is outputting audio, the control unit 10 controls the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0 regarding the home appliance CE0 after the communication unit 14 receives information indicating that the second home appliance CE2 has finished outputting audio. Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to prevent the speech period by the home appliance CE0 and the speech period by the second home appliance CE2 from overlapping. As a result, the user U0 of the home appliance CE0 can easily hear the audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0. The first range A1 corresponds to an example of a "predetermined range".

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6, and 14. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 14, the processing of the home appliance CEO includes steps S181 to S186. The processing of the server SV includes steps S191 to S193.

In step S181, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 determines whether the speech condition C0 set in the home appliance CE0 is satisfied.

If a negative judgment (No) is made in step S181, processing returns to step S181.

On the other hand, if step S181 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S182.

Next, in step S182, the control unit 10 requests the home appliance location information E0 from the server SV. Specifically, the control unit 10 transmits the location request information RQ0 to the server SV via the communication unit 14.

The home appliance location information E0 is the same as the home appliance location information E0 in step S63 of FIG. 8. However, the home appliance location information E0 includes information indicating whether the other home appliance CE is outputting sound, that is, information indicating whether the other home appliance CE is speaking.

On the other hand, in step S191, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives location request information RQ0 from the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S192, the control unit 1 transmits the home appliance location information E0 to the home appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5.

On the other hand, in step S183, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CEO receives the home appliance location information E0 via the communication unit 14.

Next, in step S184, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a home appliance CE that is currently speaking is present within the first range A1 of the home appliance CE0 based on the home appliance location information E0.

If a negative judgment (No) is made in step S184, processing proceeds to step S186.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S184 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S185. Hereinafter, the home appliance CE that is speaking within the first range A1 is the second home appliance CE2.

Next, in step S185, it is determined whether the speech of the second home electric appliance CE2 has ended.

If a negative judgment (No) is made in step S185, processing returns to step S185.

On the other hand, in step S193, the control unit 1 of the server SV notifies the home appliance CE0, via the communication unit 5, of information indicating that the speech of the second home appliance CE2 has ended.

In this case, step S185 returns a positive result (Yes) and processing proceeds to step S186.

Next, in step S186, the control unit 1 causes the audio output unit 13 to output audio corresponding to the home appliance message information M0. Then, the process ends.

As described above with reference to FIG. 14, according to the seventh embodiment, the communication unit 5 of the home appliance CE0 receives the home appliance location information E0 from the server SV (step S183). The home appliance location information E0 is an example of information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2. Then, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 depending on the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 and whether or not the second home appliance CE2 is speaking (step S186).

(Embodiment 8)
A home appliance system 100 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 15. The eighth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 is measured in the eighth embodiment. The following mainly describes the differences between the eighth embodiment and the first embodiment.

First, the first home electric appliance CE1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first home electric appliance CE1, the first audio input unit 26 detects audio. Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the first audio input unit 26 functions as a "audio detection unit."

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 15. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 15, the processing of the home appliance CE0 includes steps S201 and S202. The processing of the server SV includes steps S211 and S212. The processing of the first home appliance CE1 includes steps S221 and S222.

In step S201, the audio output unit 13 of the home appliance CEO outputs audio at a predetermined sound pressure AP.

Next, in step S202, the control unit 10 controls the communication unit 14 to transmit information indicating the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP to the server SV. The communication unit 14 transmits information indicating the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP to the server SV. For example, the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP is indicated in decibels.

Meanwhile, the first audio input unit 26 of the first home appliance CE1 detects the audio output by the audio output unit 13 of the home appliance CE0.

Next, in step S222, the first control unit 20 controls the first communication unit 23 to transmit information indicating the sound pressure level of the sound detected by the first audio input unit 26 to the server SV. The first communication unit 23 transmits information indicating the sound pressure level of the sound to the server SV. For example, the sound pressure level is indicated in decibels.

On the other hand, in step S211, the server SV receives information indicating the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP from the home electric appliance CE0 via the communication unit 5. The server SV also receives information indicating the level of the sound pressure from the first home electric appliance CE1 via the communication unit 5. Note that the reception timing depends on the transmission timing in step S202 and the transmission timing in step S222.

Next, in step S212, the control unit 1 of the server SV calculates the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 based on the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP of the sound output by the sound output unit 13 of the home appliance CE0 and the level of the sound pressure of the sound detected by the first sound input unit 26. Then, the control unit 1 stores the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 in the memory unit 3 as part of the home appliance position information 305.

Specifically, the greater the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1, the more the sound pressure level of the sound detected by the first home appliance CE1 attenuates relative to the level of the predetermined sound pressure AP. Therefore, for example, the memory unit 3 stores a table or function indicating the relationship between distance and attenuation of the sound pressure level. Therefore, the control unit 1 calculates the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 based on the table or function.

As described above with reference to FIG. 15, according to the eighth embodiment, the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 can be easily measured by using the audio output unit 13 of the home appliance CE0 and the first audio input unit 26 of the first home appliance CE1. In the eighth embodiment, each of the audio output unit 13 and the first audio input unit 26 functions as a "distance measurement unit" in that they measure distance. For example, the home appliance CE0 includes a "distance measurement unit" configured by the audio output unit 13, and the first home appliance CE1 includes a "first distance measurement unit" configured by the first audio input unit 26.

In the eighth embodiment, for example, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 receives information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 from the server SV. Then, for example, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 according to the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1.

(Embodiment 9)
A home appliance system 100 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. The ninth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the home appliance system 100 according to the ninth embodiment has a dedicated distance measuring unit. The following mainly describes the differences between the ninth embodiment and the first embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a home electric appliance CE0 according to a ninth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16, the home electric appliance CE0 further includes a distance measurement unit 18. The distance measurement unit 18 performs distance measurement.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a first home electric appliance CE1 according to embodiment 9. As shown in Fig. 17, the first home electric appliance CE1 includes a first distance measurement unit 27. The first distance measurement unit 27 performs distance measurement.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the distance measurement unit 18 of the home appliance CE0 and the first distance measurement unit 27 of the first home appliance CE1 work together to measure the distance L01 between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1.

The control unit 10 of the home appliance CE transmits information indicating the distance L01 to the server SV via the communication unit 14. Alternatively, the first control unit 20 of the first home appliance CE1 transmits information indicating the distance L01 to the server SV via the first communication unit 23. Then, the memory unit 3 of the server SV stores the information indicating the distance L01 as part of the home appliance position information 305.

Here, each of the distance measuring unit 18 and the first distance measuring unit 27 may measure the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 independently. In this case, for example, each of the distance measuring unit 18 and the first distance measuring unit 27 includes an infrared light emitting unit and an infrared light receiving unit. Then, each of the distance measuring unit 18 and the first distance measuring unit 27 measures the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 based on the principle of triangulation.

(Embodiment 10)
A home appliance system 100 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 18, and 19. The home appliance system 100 according to the tenth embodiment collects location information of different home appliances CE.

First, the mobile terminal MB in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a mobile terminal MB according to embodiment 10. As shown in FIG. 18, the mobile terminal MB includes a control unit 40, an operation display unit 41, a sound output unit 42, a sound input unit 43, a sensor unit 44, a communication unit 45, and a memory unit 46.

The control unit 40 controls the operation display unit 41, the sound output unit 42, the sound input unit 43, the sensor unit 44, the communication unit 45, and the memory unit 46. The hardware configuration of the control unit 40 is similar to the hardware configuration of the control unit 1 shown in FIG. 2. The hardware configuration of the memory unit 46 is similar to the hardware configuration of the memory unit 3 shown in FIG. 2. The processor of the control unit 40 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the memory unit 46 to control the operation display unit 41, the sound output unit 42, the sound input unit 43, the sensor unit 44, the communication unit 45, and the memory unit 46.

The operation display unit 41 displays various information and accepts operations from the user UX of the mobile terminal MB. Specifically, the operation display unit 41 includes a display 411 and a touch screen 412.

The operation display unit 41 receives input of information indicating the positional relationship of multiple home appliances CE installed in the building HM from the user UX. In other words, the operation display unit 41 receives input of multiple pieces of home appliance position information 305 corresponding to the multiple home appliances CE, respectively, from the user UX.

In this case, the multiple home appliances CE in the building HM include two or more home appliances CE that have different functions (e.g., functions of the function execution unit 12). For example, the multiple home appliances CE include a home appliance CE installed in a toilet, a home appliance CE installed in a bathroom, a home appliance CE installed in an entranceway, a home appliance CE installed in a living room, and a home appliance CE installed in a kitchen.

The sound output unit 42 outputs sound. The sound output unit 42 includes, for example, a speaker.

Sound is input to the sound input unit 43. The sound input unit 43 includes, for example, a microphone.

The sensor unit 44 includes an acceleration sensor. The sensor unit 44 may also include a gyro sensor.

The communication unit 45 connects to the network NW. The communication unit 45 communicates with the server SV and the home appliance CE via the network NW. The communication unit 45 transmits each home appliance position information 305 received by the operation display unit 41 to the server SV. The hardware configuration of the communication unit 45 is similar to the hardware configuration of the communication unit 5 shown in FIG. 2. The communication unit 45 also includes a first wireless communication module that connects to a public telephone network. The communication unit 45 further includes a second wireless communication module that complies with a wireless communication standard defined by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Therefore, the communication unit 45 can also be wirelessly connected to the relay device RT.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Figure 19, the processing of the mobile terminal MB includes steps S231 to S233. Specifically, steps S231 to S233 are executed by the processor of the control unit 40 in the mobile terminal MB executing a computer program stored in the storage device of the storage unit 46. The processor is an example of a computer. The processing of the server SV includes steps S241 and S242.

In step S231, the control unit 40 of the mobile terminal MB receives the home appliance location information 305 of the home appliance CE within the building HM from the user UX via the operation display unit 41.

Next, in step S232, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the user UX has completed inputting the home appliance location information 305 for all of the desired home appliances CE.

If a negative judgment (No) is made in step S232, processing proceeds to step S231.

On the other hand, if step S232 returns a positive result (Yes), processing proceeds to step S233.

Next, in step S233, the control unit 40 transmits all home appliance location information 305 to the server SV via the communication unit 45.

On the other hand, in step S241, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives all home appliance location information 305 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S242, the control unit 1 stores all of the home appliance location information 305 in the memory unit 3.

For example, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 shown in FIG. 3 receives home appliance position information 305 (e.g., information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1) from the server SV. Then, for example, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 according to the home appliance position information 305 (e.g., the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1).

(Embodiment 11)
A home appliance system 100 according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 18, and Fig. 20. The home appliance system 100 according to the eleventh embodiment mainly differs from the tenth embodiment in that the home appliance system 100 measures the distance between the home appliances CE by the number of steps. The following mainly describes the differences between the eleventh embodiment and the tenth embodiment.

First, a mobile terminal MB according to an eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 40 calculates the number of steps of a user UX carrying the mobile terminal MB based on the acceleration detection results by the sensor unit 44. The control unit 40 may also calculate the number of steps of a user UX carrying the mobile terminal MB based on the acceleration and angular acceleration detection results by the sensor unit 44.

In the eleventh embodiment, the user UX walks from the position of the home appliance CE to the position of the other home appliance CE. In this case, the control unit 40 calculates the number of steps from the position of the home appliance CE to the position of the other home appliance CE. Then, the control unit 40 calculates the distance from the home appliance CE to the other home appliance CE (= number of steps x distance of one step) based on the number of steps.

That is, the mobile terminal MB measures the distance between the home appliances CE. For example, the mobile terminal MB measures the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1. Then, the server SV shown in FIG. 1 receives information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 measured by the mobile terminal MB from the mobile terminal MB. Furthermore, in the server SV, the memory unit 46 stores information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1.

Next, the processing of the home appliance system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 18 and 20. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the home appliance system 100. As shown in Fig. 20, the processing of the mobile terminal MB includes steps S251 to S255. Specifically, steps S251 to S255 are executed by the processor of the control unit 40 in the mobile terminal MB executing a computer program stored in the storage device of the storage unit 46. The processor is an example of a computer. The processing of the server SV includes steps S261 and S262. Below, an example of measuring the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 will be described.

In step S251, the control unit 40 of the mobile terminal MB registers the home appliance CEO as the measurement start point in the storage unit 46. In this case, the user UX carrying the mobile terminal MB is stationary at the position of the home appliance CEO.

Next, in step S252, the control unit 40 starts counting (calculating) the number of steps based on the detection result of the sensor unit 44. In this case, the user UX starts moving from the home appliance CE0 toward the first home appliance CE1.

Next, in step S253, the control unit 40 registers the first home appliance CE1 as the measurement end point in the memory unit 46. In this case, the user UX has reached the position of the first home appliance CE1 and is stationary at the position of the first home appliance CE1.

Next, in step S254, the control unit 40 calculates the distance L01 from the home appliance CE0 to the first home appliance CE1 based on the number of steps from the home appliance CE0 to the first home appliance CE1.

Next, in step S255, the control unit 40 transmits information indicating the distance L01 to the server SV via the communication unit 45.

On the other hand, in step S261, the control unit 1 of the server SV receives information indicating the distance L01 via the communication unit 5.

Next, in step S262, the control unit 1 stores information indicating the distance L01 in the memory unit 3 as part of the home appliance position information 305.

For example, the communication unit 14 of the home appliance CE0 shown in FIG. 3 receives home appliance position information 305 (e.g., information indicating the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1) from the server SV. Then, for example, the control unit 10 of the home appliance CE0 executes speech by the audio output unit 13 according to the home appliance position information 305 (e.g., the distance between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1).

The above describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, a component among all the components shown in one embodiment may be added to a component of another embodiment, or some of all the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

In addition, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiment is one example and is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.

(1) The configurations of the home appliances CE other than the home appliance CE0 in FIG. 3, the first home appliance CE1 in FIG. 4, the second home appliance CE2 in FIG. 6, the home appliance CE0 in FIG. 16, and the first home appliance CE1 in FIG. 17 are, for example, similar to the configuration of the home appliance CE0 in FIG. 3, the configuration of the first home appliance CE1 in FIG. 4, the configuration of the second home appliance CE2 in FIG. 6, the configuration of the home appliance CE0 in FIG. 16, or the configuration of the first home appliance CE1 in FIG. 17. In addition, the second home appliance CE2 in FIG. 6 may be provided with a second distance measuring unit similar to the first distance measuring unit 27 of the first home appliance CE1 in FIG. 17. Hereinafter, the function executing unit 12, the first function executing unit 22, and the second function executing unit 32 are collectively referred to as the "function executing unit".

(2) In the first to eleventh embodiments, the home appliance CE being in an operating state may mean that "the function execution unit of the home appliance CE is operating." Or, the home appliance CE being in an operating state may mean that "the function execution unit of the home appliance CE is operating and within a predetermined period T since the home appliance CE was operated."

(3) In the second to seventh embodiments (FIGS. 6 to 14), the first home appliance CE1 may be used instead of the second home appliance CE2. Also, in the eighth embodiment (FIG. 15), the second home appliance CE2 may be used instead of the first home appliance CE1.

(4) In the first to eleventh embodiments, the first range A1, the second range A2, and the third range A3 are used, but the number of ranges is not limited to three, and may be two, or four or more. Furthermore, in the processes of the first to eleventh embodiments (e.g., steps S24, S55, S65, S91, S131, S154, S184), there is no particular limitation as to which of the first range A1, the second range A2, and the third range A3 is used, and any range may be used.

(5) In step S91 of FIG. 9, if three or more home appliances CE are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3, voice messages can be sent and received between the three or more home appliances CE. Also, in step S131 of FIG. 11, if three or more home appliances CE are present within the second range A2 or the third range A3, each user can make calls between the three or more home appliances CE.

(6) In embodiment 4 (FIGS. 9 and 10) and embodiment 5 (FIG. 11), each of the first range A1, the second range A2, and the third range A3 may be defined as a range relative to the home appliance CE, or may be defined as an absolute range relative to a specific position within the building HM.

(7) The home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 may directly transmit and receive home appliance message information and the first home appliance message information between the home appliance CE0 and the first home appliance CE1 without going through the server SV. The home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 may directly transmit and receive home appliance message information and the second home appliance message information between the home appliance CE0 and the second home appliance CE2 without going through the server SV.

The present invention provides an electrical device and an electrical device system, and has industrial applicability.

10 Control unit (utterance side control unit)
13 Audio output unit 14 Communication unit (utterance side communication unit)
17 Voice input unit 20 First control unit (non-speaking side control unit)
23 First communication unit (non-utterance side communication unit)
26 First voice input unit (voice detection unit)
100 Home Appliance System CE Home Appliance (Electrical Equipment)
CEO 0 Home appliances (self-driving devices, speaking electronic devices)
CE1 First household appliance (first other device, non-talking electrical appliance)
CE2 2nd home appliance (2nd other device)
MB Mobile terminal SV Server

Claims (17)

an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit that receives first other device message information related to a first other device that does not have a speech function,
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information ,
An electrical device in which, when the communication unit receives information indicating that the first other device is in an operating state, the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the own device's message information at a volume corresponding to the distance between the own device and the first other device . When the own device is in an operating state, the communication unit receives the first other-device message information, and the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The electric device according to claim 1 , wherein the state of the electric device being in an operating state indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the electric device was operated. an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit for receiving first other device message information regarding a first other device that does not have a speech function;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information,
The control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the first other device message information indicating whether or not to operate the first other device in response to receiving an operation signal for the own device when the control unit has information indicating that the first other device is present within a predetermined range for the own device . 4. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the tone and pitch of the voice corresponding to the first other-device message information is different from at least one of the tone and pitch of the voice corresponding to the own- device message information. the communication unit receives information indicating the distance between the own device and the first other device from a server;
The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein the information indicating the distance between the own device and the first other device is stored in advance in the server. an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit for receiving first other device message information regarding a first other device that does not have a speech function;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information,
The communication unit receives second other device message information related to a second other device having a speech function;
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the second other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the second other-device message information,
The communication unit communicates directly or indirectly with the second other device,
When the communication unit receives information indicating that the second other device is in an operating state and the own device is in an operating state, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit the own device message information to the second other device;
The fact that the own device is in an operating state indicates that the own device has been operated within a predetermined period of time;
The second device being in an operating state indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second device was operated . 7. The electrical device according to claim 6, wherein when the communication unit receives the information indicating that the second other device is in an operating state and when the own device is in an operating state, the communication unit receives the second other device message information, and the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the second other device message information. an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit for receiving first other device message information regarding a first other device that does not have a speech function;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information,
The communication unit receives second other device message information related to a second other device having a speech function;
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the second other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the second other-device message information,
The communication unit communicates directly or indirectly with the second other device,
When the communication unit receives information indicating that the second other device is in an operating state, in response to the operation of the own device, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit the second other device message information to the second other device;
The second device being in an operating state indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second device was operated . When the own device is in an operating state, the communication unit receives the own device message information transmitted from the second other device in response to the second other device being operated;
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the own message information;
The electric device according to claim 8 , wherein the state of the own device being in an operating state indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the own device was operated. an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit for receiving first other device message information regarding a first other device that does not have a speech function;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information,
The communication unit receives second other device message information related to a second other device having a speech function;
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the second other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the second other-device message information,
A voice input unit is further provided to input voice uttered by a user,
The communication unit communicates directly or indirectly with the second other device,
When the communication unit receives information indicating that the second other device is in an operating state and when the own device is in an operating state, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit voice data indicating the voice of the user input to the voice input unit to the second other device;
The fact that the own device is in an operating state indicates that the own device has been operated within a predetermined period of time;
The second device being in an operating state indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second device was operated . The electrical device according to claim 10, wherein when the communication unit receives the information indicating that the second other device is in an operating state and when the own device is in an operating state , the communication unit receives voice data from the second other device indicating a voice spoken by another user, and the control unit controls the voice output unit to output the voice of the other user indicated by the voice data. an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a control unit that controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the message information of the own device;
a communication unit for receiving first other device message information regarding a first other device that does not have a speech function;
Equipped with
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the first other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the first other-device message information,
The communication unit receives second other device message information related to a second other device having a speech function;
the control unit controls the audio output unit to output audio corresponding to the second other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the second other-device message information,
An electrical device in which, when the control unit has information indicating that the second other device is present within a predetermined range of the own device, and the communication unit receives information indicating that the second other device is outputting audio, the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the own device's message information after the communication unit receives information indicating that the second other device has stopped outputting the audio. The electrical device according to claim 6 , wherein a tone color and a pitch of the sound corresponding to the second other-device message information are substantially the same as a tone color and a pitch of the sound output by the second other device, respectively. A speech generating electrical device having a speech generating function;
A non-speech electric device having no speech function;
The speech generating electrical device comprises:
an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a speech-side control unit that controls the audio output unit so as to output a voice corresponding to the message information of the speech-side electrical device;
a speaker-side communication unit for receiving other-device message information related to the non-speaking electrical device,
the speaker control unit controls the audio output unit to output a voice corresponding to the other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the other-device message information ,
When the speaking side communication unit receives information indicating that the non-speaking electrical device is in an operating state, the speaking side control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the own device's message information at a volume corresponding to the distance between the speaking electrical device and the non-speaking electrical device . A speech generating electrical device having a speech generating function;
A non-speech electric device having no speech function;
The speech generating electrical device comprises:
an audio output unit that outputs audio;
a speech-side control unit that controls the audio output unit so as to output a voice corresponding to the message information of the speech-side electrical device;
a speaker-side communication unit for receiving other-device message information related to the non-speaking electrical device,
the speaker control unit controls the audio output unit to output a voice corresponding to the other-device message information;
The audio output unit outputs the audio corresponding to the other-device message information ,
When the speaking side control unit has information indicating that the non-speaking electrical device is present within a predetermined range for the speaking electrical device, the control unit controls the audio output unit to output the audio corresponding to the other device message information indicating whether or not to operate the non-speaking electrical device in response to receiving an operation signal for the speaking electrical device . Further equipped with a server,
The non-speaking electrical device comprises:
A voice detection unit that detects voice;
A non-utterance side communication unit that communicates with the server;
a non-utterance side control unit that controls the non-utterance side communication unit,
The audio output unit of the speaking electrical device outputs audio with a predetermined sound pressure,
the speaker-side control unit controls the speaker-side communication unit to transmit information indicating the level of the predetermined sound pressure to the server;
The voice detection unit of the non-utterance electrical device detects the voice output by the voice output unit,
the non-utterance side control unit controls the non-utterance side communication unit to transmit information indicating a sound pressure level of the voice detected by the voice detection unit to the server;
the server calculates the distance between the speaking electrical device and the non-speaking electrical device based on the predetermined sound pressure level and the sound pressure level of the voice detected by the voice detection unit;
The electric device system according to claim 14 , wherein the speaking-side communication unit receives information indicating the distance between the speaking electric device and the non-speaking electric device from the server. A server that receives information from a mobile terminal indicating the distance between the speech electric device and the non-speech electric device, the information being measured by the mobile terminal;
The electric device system according to claim 14 , wherein the speaking-side communication unit receives the information indicating the distance between the speaking electric device and the non-speaking electric device from the server.

Images