JP7747461B2 - Information output method, information output device, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to technology for notifying users of device information.

Technology has been known for some time now for notifying information about devices within a facility, such as their status and settings (hereinafter referred to as device information), to home controllers installed within the facility and to the mobile devices of users of the devices.

In this type of technology, Patent Document 1 proposes determining whether or not to send event occurrence information based on the state of the mobile device or its surroundings.

Patent No. 6795437

However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration determining the appropriate notification recipient for the device information, determining the appropriate device for that notification recipient, and notifying that device information.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to present an information output method, information output device, and program that can appropriately notify device information that requires notification to a user appropriate for that device information.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an information output method involves a computer acquiring device information for a first device, acquiring rules that associate device information requiring notification with a group of candidate notification recipients, referencing the device information for the first device and the rules to determine a recipient of the device information for the first device, determining a second device present in the location of the recipient as a notification recipient of the device information for the first device, and transmitting an instruction to the notification recipient device to output the device information for the first device.

This disclosure makes it possible to appropriately notify users of device information that requires notification.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information output system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of device data. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of user data. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a device information notification process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a process for determining a notification target device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a process for determining a notification target device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of a process for determining a notification target device.

(Background to this disclosure)
As described above, there has been known a technique for notifying a home controller installed in a facility and a mobile terminal of a user of the device of device information of the device in the facility. However, if this technique is used to unconditionally notify the home controller installed in the facility and the mobile terminal of a user of the device, the user may feel annoyed by being notified of the same device information multiple times or of device information of a device that the user is not interested in at the time of notification.

As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 proposes determining whether to send event occurrence information to a mobile device based on the state of the mobile device or its surroundings. This prevents duplicate notifications of event occurrence information to the mobile device. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider determining the appropriate notification recipient for the event occurrence information, determining the appropriate device for that notification recipient, and notifying the event occurrence information.

For this reason, in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that event occurrence information that needs to be notified to a specific user may be determined to be unsendable based on the state of the user's mobile device or the conditions around the mobile device. In this case, the problem arises that the event occurrence information that needs to be notified to the user cannot be notified to the user.

The inventors therefore conducted extensive research into technologies for appropriately notifying users of device information that requires notification, and arrived at the following aspects of the present disclosure.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an information output method involves a computer acquiring device information for a first device, acquiring rules that associate device information requiring notification with a group of candidate notification recipients, referencing the device information for the first device and the rules to determine a recipient of the device information for the first device, determining a second device present in the location of the recipient as a notification recipient of the device information for the first device, and transmitting an instruction to the notification recipient device to output the device information for the first device.

With this configuration, the recipients of the device information of the first device are determined by referencing the device information of the first device and rules that associate the device information requiring notification with a group of candidates for notification. Therefore, when notification of the device information of the first device is required, it is possible to determine the recipients of notification appropriate for that device information from the group of candidates associated with that device information in the rules.

With this configuration, a second device present at the location of the notification target is determined as the notification target device for the device information of the first device, and an instruction to output the device information of the first device is sent to the notification target device. This allows the notification target device to output the device information of the first device. As a result, the device information of the first device can be appropriately notified to the notification target person who is present at the location of the notification target device and is appropriate for the device information of the first device.

In the above information output method, a priority is assigned to each of the one or more candidates included in the candidate group, and when determining the notification recipient, the candidate with the highest priority who has not yet been determined as the notification recipient is determined as the notification recipient, and a process of determining the notification recipient, determining the notification target device, and sending the instruction may be executed each time a predetermined time has elapsed.

With this configuration, the device information of the first device can be notified to each of one or more candidates associated with the device information of the first device in the rule, in order of priority.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information about the first device, and determining the notification target device by determining the second device included in the first device group as the notification target device.

With this configuration, even if the device owned by the notification target is not present in the target's location, the instruction can be sent to a device present in the target's location that is capable of outputting device information about the first device. This configuration is therefore useful when notifying device information of high urgency.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information about the first device and information indicating the owners of one or more devices included in the first device group, and determining the notification target device by determining the second device included in the first device group whose owner is the notification target as the notification target device.

With this configuration, the instruction is sent to a device owned by the notification target that is present in the notification target's location and is capable of outputting device information about the first device. This prevents the device information about the first device from being notified to users other than the notification target. Therefore, this configuration is useful when notifying device information that you do not want others to know.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information about the first device and information indicating a second device group shared by multiple users, and determining the notification target device by selecting the second device that is included in both the first device group and the second device group.

With this configuration, the instruction is sent to a device that is located in the location of the notification target, is capable of outputting device information about the first device, and is shared by multiple users. Therefore, even if the notification target is unable to use the device, other users who are in the notification target's location and can use the device can be notified of the device information about the first device.

This allows the notification recipient to be notified of the device information for the first device via the other user. Therefore, this configuration is useful when notifying device information in a facility where there are output devices shared by multiple users, such as home controllers or smart speakers.

The above information output method may further acquire information indicating the planned activities of the notification target person and information indicating a third group of devices capable of audio output, and during a time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity, determine the second device that is not included in the third group of devices as the notification target device, giving priority to the second device that is included in the third group of devices.

With this configuration, during the time period when the notification recipient is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the instruction is sent to the second device that cannot output audio, in preference to the second device that can output audio. This reduces the possibility that the notification recipient's predetermined action will be hindered by the audio output indicating the device information of the first device.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating the planned activities of the notification target, and transmitting an instruction to output text information representing device information of the first device during a time period when the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity.

With this configuration, during the time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, an instruction to output text information representing the device information of the first device is sent to the notification target device. Therefore, by having the notification target device output audio indicating the device information of the first device, the notification target person can be appropriately notified of the device information of the first device while reducing the possibility that the notification target person's predetermined action will be hindered.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating the notification target person's planned activities and information indicating a second device group shared by multiple users, and determining the second device included in the second device group as the notification target device during a time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity.

With this configuration, the instruction is sent to a second device shared by multiple users during the time period when the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined action. Therefore, even if the device that received the instruction is unavailable because the notification target is performing the predetermined action, the device information of the first device can be notified to other users of the device that received the instruction who are in the location where the notification target is present. As a result, after the notification target has completed the predetermined action, the device information of the first device can be notified to the notification target via the other users.

The above information output method may further include acquiring information indicating the planned activities of the notification target, and executing the next process after executing the process during a time period in which the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity, before the predetermined time has elapsed.

With this configuration, during a time period when the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, after the execution of the process, the process is executed with the next highest priority candidate as the notification target before the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, even if the device information of the first device cannot be notified to the candidate performing the predetermined action, the device information of the first device can be notified to the candidate with the next highest priority more quickly than usual.

The above information output method may further include acquiring first location information indicating the location of each of one or more candidates included in the candidate group, and determining the notification target device by referring to the first location information to identify the location of the notification target person.

With this configuration, the location of the person to be notified can be accurately identified by referencing the acquired first location information.

The above information output method may further include acquiring second location information indicating the locations of devices owned by each of the one or more candidates and devices shared by the one or more candidates, and identifying the second device by referring to the second location information when determining the notification target device.

With this configuration, the acquired second location information can be referenced to accurately identify the second device present at the location where the notification recipient is located.

An information output device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a first acquisition unit that acquires device information of a first device; a second acquisition unit that acquires rules that associate device information requiring notification with a group of candidate notification recipients; a first determination unit that determines a notification recipient of the device information of the first device by referencing the device information of the first device and the rules; a second determination unit that determines a second device present in a location where the notification recipient is present as a notification recipient of the device information of the first device; and a transmission unit that transmits an instruction to the notification recipient device to output the device information of the first device.

This configuration achieves the same effects as the information output method described above.

A program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function, causing the computer to function as a first acquisition unit that acquires device information of a first device, a second acquisition unit that acquires rules that associate device information requiring notification with a group of candidate notification recipients, a first determination unit that determines a notification recipient of the device information of the first device by referencing the device information of the first device and the rules, a second determination unit that determines a second device present in a location where the notification recipient is present as a notification recipient of the device information of the first device, and a transmission unit that transmits an instruction to the notification recipient device to output the device information of the first device.

This configuration achieves the same effects as the information output method described above.

The present disclosure can also be realized as a system operated by such a program. It goes without saying that such a computer program can be distributed on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or via a communications network such as the Internet.

The embodiments described below each represent a specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, any component that is not recited in an independent claim that represents the highest concept will be described as an optional component. Furthermore, the contents of each of the embodiments can be combined.

(Embodiment)
[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information output system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information output system 1 includes a plurality of devices 300 and a plurality of sensors 400 arranged within a facility, and a server 1000 (an example of an information output device).

The multiple devices 300, the multiple sensors 400, and the server 1000 are communicatively connected to each other via a network 900. The network 900 is, for example, a public communication line such as the Internet. Note that the network 900 may also be a local area network.

Device 300 and sensor 400 are installed within the user's facility. Device 300 and sensor 400 may be communicatively connected via a local network within the facility. The facility is, for example, a residence. The residence may be an apartment building or a single-family home. Alternatively, the facility may be an office. If the facility is a residence, the user of device 300 is a resident. If the facility is an office, the user of device 300 is a user of the office. Hereinafter, residents and users of the facility will be referred to as users.

Devices 300 include electronic devices installed in designated locations within the facility, such as washing machines, rice cookers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, air conditioners, and electronic locks. Devices 300 also include mobile electronic devices such as cleaning robots, smartphones, and laptops.

Device 300 periodically transmits log information indicating its own operating status to server 1000. The log information includes the current date and time, device 300 identification information, information indicating whether device 300 is operating, information indicating the operation of device 300 if it is operating, the start time of the operation, and information indicating whether any abnormalities occurred during the operation.

In addition, the device 300 transmits information (hereinafter, notification request information) requesting notification of information related to the device 300 (hereinafter, device information) to the server 1000 at a predetermined timing. In addition, the device 300 transmits information (hereinafter, notification termination request information) requesting termination of device information notification to the server 1000 at a predetermined timing.

Notifying device information specifically means sending information (hereinafter, instruction information) that instructs the device 300 to output the device information. In other words, upon receiving the instruction information, the device 300 outputs the device information in accordance with the instruction indicated by the instruction information. This causes the user of the device 300 to be notified of the device information.

For example, when the washing machine completes the washing, it sends notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the washing machine has completed the washing. The device information is, for example, text information and/or voice data stating, "Washing is complete. Please remove the laundry." In this case, after sending the notification request information, the washing machine sends notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that the laundry has been removed.

When the rice cooker has finished cooking rice, it sends notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the rice cooker has finished cooking rice. This device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data indicating "Rice cooking is complete." In this case, the rice cooker sends notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has passed since sending the notification request information.

When the refrigerator detects that the door has remained open for a predetermined time or longer, it transmits notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the refrigerator door has remained open. The device information is, for example, text information and/or voice data stating, "The door is still open. Please close it." In this case, after transmitting the notification request information, the refrigerator transmits notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that the door has remained closed for a predetermined time or longer.

When cooking is complete, the microwave oven transmits notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the microwave oven has completed cooking. This device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data stating, "Cooking is complete. Please remove the contents from the microwave oven." In this case, after transmitting the notification request information, the microwave oven transmits notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that the ingredients have been removed.

When the cleaning robot detects that it is in a state where it cannot move autonomously, it periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds) transmits notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the cleaning robot is in this state. The device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data stating, "The cleaning robot is stuck on a step. Please move the cleaning robot." In this case, after transmitting the notification request information, the cleaning robot transmits notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that the cleaning robot has been lifted.

Furthermore, when the cleaning robot detects that the dust box is full, it periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds) transmits notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the cleaning robot's dust box is full. The device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data indicating, "The dust box is full. Please empty it." In this case, after transmitting the notification request information, the cleaning robot transmits notification termination request information to server 1000 when it detects that the dust box is empty.

When the air conditioner detects that the indoor temperature has exceeded a predetermined temperature, it transmits notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the air conditioner is operating with the indoor temperature exceeding the predetermined temperature. The device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data stating, "The indoor temperature is high and there is a risk of heatstroke. Please be careful." In this case, after transmitting the notification request information, the cleaning robot transmits notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that the dust box is empty. In this case, the air conditioner transmits notification end request information to server 1000 when it detects that a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has passed since transmitting the notification request information.

When the electronic lock detects that it has been unlocked at an unusual time, it sends notification request information requesting notification of device information indicating that the electronic lock was unlocked at an unusual time. The device information is, for example, text information and/or audio data stating, "The lock was unlocked at midnight. Please confirm that it was unlocked as expected." In this case, the electronic lock sends notification termination request information to server 1000 when it detects that a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has passed since sending the notification request information.

Sensors 400 include, for example, a human presence sensor that detects the presence of people in a room of the facility, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the room, and a humidity sensor that detects the humidity in the room.

The human presence sensor is composed of an image sensor that detects the presence of a person from images captured by a camera. The human presence sensor may also be composed of an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a person by the person touching the emitted infrared light, or a beacon sensor that detects the presence and location of a person by receiving a beacon signal transmitted from a mobile device carried by the person.

The sensor 400 transmits the detected information (hereinafter, "detection information") to the server 1000. For example, when a human presence sensor detects the presence of a person in a room, it transmits detection information to the server 1000, including a captured image of the person and information indicating the person's location.

The server 1000 is composed of a cloud server, an edge server within the facility, a personal computer, etc. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1000. The server 1000 includes a communication circuit 120, a processor 100, and a memory 110.

The communication circuit 120 is a communication circuit compatible with a communication method using a network 900 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and connects the server 1000 to the network 900.

The communication circuit 120 receives log information from the device 300 via the network 900. The communication circuit 120 also receives detection information from the sensor 400 via the network 900. The communication circuit 120 outputs various pieces of information received via the network 900 to the processor 100. The communication circuit 120 also transmits various pieces of information via the network 900 to external devices connected to the network 900 under the control of the processor 100.

The processor 100 is configured, for example, by a CPU. The processor 100 includes a first acquisition unit 101, a second acquisition unit 102, a first determination unit 103, a second determination unit 104, and a transmission unit 105. The first acquisition unit 101 to the transmission unit 105 may be realized by the processor 100 executing a predetermined program, or may be configured by dedicated hardware circuits.

The first acquisition unit 101 acquires information received by the communication circuit 120 from the device 300 and the sensor 400. The second acquisition unit 102 acquires information stored in the memory 110. The first determination unit 103 to the transmission unit 105 perform predetermined processing based on the information acquired by the first acquisition unit 101 and the second acquisition unit 102. Details of the first acquisition unit 101 to the transmission unit 105 will be described later.

Memory 110 is composed of non-volatile rewritable semiconductor memory such as flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc.

Memory 110 stores information relating to the floor plan of the facility (hereinafter referred to as floor plan information). The floor plan information includes information indicating the shape and location of the partitioned spaces within the facility, as well as information indicating the locations of the devices 300 and sensors 400. If the facility is a residence, the partitioned spaces within the facility include a living room, dining room, toilet, hallway, etc. If the facility is an office, the partitioned spaces within the facility include an office, study room, conference room, kitchen, toilet, hallway, etc.

Memory 110 also stores matching data used to recognize users. The matching data includes a facial image of the user and data indicating the user's facial features.

In addition, the processor 100 stores log information received from multiple devices 300 in the memory 110.

In addition, memory 110 stores data (hereinafter referred to as device data) related to the notification of device information for multiple devices 300. The device data is an example of a rule in this disclosure that associates device information requiring notification with a group of candidates to be notified.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of device data. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the device data includes a registration number (e.g., "1") indicating the registration order of the device 300, identification information for the device 300 (e.g., "Device A"), information indicating the location of the device 300 (hereinafter, device location information) (e.g., "Space 1"), and information indicating the owner of the device 300 (hereinafter, owner information) (e.g., "User A"). The device location information is an example of second location information in this disclosure.

Note that the device data containing the registration number "3" in Figure 3 contains owner information "shared." This indicates that the device 300 corresponding to the identification information "Device C" contained in the device data is a device 300 shared by multiple users.

The device data further includes information (hereinafter, notification availability information) indicating whether the device 300 is available as a notification target device (hereinafter, notification target device). A state in which the device 300 is available as a notification target device indicates a state in which it has received an instruction to output device information of another device 300 and is able to output the device information of the other device 300 indicated by the received instruction.

For example, in Figure 3, the device data including the identification information "Device A" and "Device C" includes communication availability information of "Available." This indicates that the two devices 300 (an example of the first device group) corresponding to the identification information "Device A" and "Device C" are available as notification target devices and are able to output device information for the other devices 300. On the other hand, the device data including the identification information "Device B" includes communication availability information of "Not Available." This indicates that the device 300 corresponding to the identification information "Device B" is not available as a notification target device and is unable to output device information for the other devices 300.

When the device 300 switches from a usable state to an unavailable state as a notification target device, or from an unusable state to a usable state as a notification target device, the device 300 transmits log information including notification availability information indicating whether the device is usable as a notification target device. The first acquisition unit 101 acquires the log information received by the communication circuit 120 from the device 300, and updates the notification availability information included in the device data based on the log information.

The device data further includes information indicating whether or not device information about the device 300 needs to be notified to other devices 300 (hereinafter, "notification necessity information").

For example, in Figure 3, device data including identification information "Device A" includes communication necessity information "Needed." This indicates that the device information of the device 300 corresponding to identification information "Device A" needs to be notified to other devices 300. On the other hand, device data including identification information "Device B" includes communication necessity information "Not Required." This indicates that the device information of the device 300 corresponding to identification information "Device B" does not need to be notified to other devices 300.

When the communication circuit 120 receives notification request information from the device 300, the first acquisition unit 101 acquires the notification request information and updates the notification availability information included in the device data including the identification information of the device 300 to "required." On the other hand, when the communication circuit 120 receives notification termination request information from the device 300, the first acquisition unit 101 acquires the notification termination request information and updates the notification availability information included in the device data including the identification information of the device 300 to "not required."

The device data further includes information indicating a group of candidates to whom device information about the device 300 itself will be notified (hereinafter, candidate information). A priority is assigned to each of the one or more candidates included in the candidate group indicated by the candidate information.

For example, in Figure 3, the device data containing the identification information "Device C" of device 300 includes candidate information "User B, User C, User A." This candidate information indicates that the group of candidates to be notified of the device information includes three candidates corresponding to the three identification information "User B," "User C," and "User A." The candidate information also indicates that the candidate corresponding to the identification information "User B" has the highest priority, followed by the candidate corresponding to the identification information "User C," and then the candidate corresponding to the identification information "User A." In other words, the candidate information indicates that the candidate corresponding to the identification information "User B" has the highest priority, and the candidate corresponding to the identification information "User A" has the lowest priority.

In Figure 3, the device data containing the identification information "Device B" of device 300 includes candidate information "All." This candidate information indicates that all users in the same facility as the user corresponding to identification information "User B," who is the owner of device 300 corresponding to identification information "Device B," are candidates. In this case, the priority assigned to each of these users is the same. In other words, the candidate information "All" indicates that the device information of device 300 will be notified simultaneously to all users in the same facility as the owner of device 300.

Furthermore, memory 110 stores data relating to users who use multiple devices 300 (hereinafter referred to as user data). User data is an example of first location information in this disclosure.

Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of user data. As shown in Figure 4, user data includes user identification information (e.g., "User A") and information indicating the user's location (hereinafter referred to as user location information) (e.g., "Space 1").

For example, in Figure 4, user data containing user identification information "User A" contains user location information "Space 1." This indicates that the user corresponding to user identification information "User A" is present in "Space 1" indicated by the user location information. Also, in Figure 4, user data containing user identification information "User C" contains location information "Outside the home." This indicates that the user corresponding to identification information "User C" is out and not present within the facility.

The processor 100 uses publicly known techniques, such as image recognition technology, to recognize the user and identify the user's location based on the information indicating the user's captured image and location within the facility, which is included in the detection information transmitted from the sensor 400 to the server 1000, the floor plan information and matching data stored in the memory 110, etc. The processor 100 updates the user location information for the user included in the user data using the information indicating the identified user's location. However, this is not limited to this, and the user location information may be editable by an administrator operating the server 1000.

Next, the flow of device information notification processing on the server 1000 will be explained. In this explanation, details of the first acquisition unit 101 to the transmission unit 105 will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of device information notification processing.

When the communication circuit 120 receives notification request information from the device 300 requesting notification of device information related to the device 300, the first acquisition unit 101 acquires the notification request information from the communication circuit 120 (step S101). Step S101 is an example of a process for acquiring device information about a first device in the present disclosure.

In step S101, when the communication circuit 120 acquires the notification request information received from the device 300, the first acquisition unit 101 updates the notification availability information included in the device data record that includes the identification information of the device 300 stored in the memory 110 to "required."

Next, the second acquisition unit 102 acquires a group of candidates to be notified of device information related to the device 300 (hereinafter, the notification source device) that is the sender of the notification request information acquired in step S101 (step S102).

Specifically, in step S102, the second acquisition unit 102 acquires device data including identification information of the notification source device (hereinafter, device data of the notification source device) from the memory 110. This process is an example of a process in the present disclosure for acquiring rules that associate device information requiring notification with a group of candidates to be notified. The second acquisition unit 102 then acquires candidate information included in the acquired device data of the notification source device. As a result, the second acquisition unit 102 acquires one or more candidates indicated in the acquired candidate information as a group of candidates to be notified of the device information of the notification source device.

Next, the first determination unit 103 determines, from among one or more candidates included in the group of candidates acquired in step S102, the candidate with the highest priority who has not been determined as a notification recipient for the device information of the notification source device, as the notification recipient (step S103).

If the candidate information acquired in step S102 indicates "all," as described above, all users in the same facility as the owner of the notification source device will be notified, and the processing from step S104 onwards will be executed simultaneously in parallel.

In step S104, the second decision unit 104 determines whether or not it is necessary to notify the device information of the notification source device (step S104).

Specifically, in step S104, the second decision unit 104 references the notification necessity information included in the device data of the notification source device stored in memory 110. If the referenced notification necessity information indicates that the device information of the notification source device needs to be notified to other devices 300, the second decision unit 104 determines that the device information of the notification source device needs to be notified. If the referenced notification necessity information indicates that the device information of the notification source device does not need to be notified to other devices 300, the second decision unit 104 determines that the device information of the notification source device does not need to be notified.

If the second decision unit 104 determines in step S104 that there is no need to notify the device information of the notification source device (NO in step S104), it terminates the processing.

On the other hand, if the second decision unit 104 determines in step S104 that it is necessary to notify the device information of the notification source device (YES in step S104), it identifies the location where the notification target is located (hereinafter, the notification target location) (step S105).

Specifically, in step S105, the second determination unit 104 references the user data (Figure 4) stored in memory 110, which includes the identification information of the notification target person (e.g., "User A") determined in step S103. The second determination unit 104 identifies the location indicated by the user location information (e.g., "Space 1") included in the referenced user data as the notification target location.

Next, the second determination unit 104 identifies a group of devices present in the notification target location identified in step S105, and determines from the group of devices a device to be notified of the device information of the notification source device (hereinafter, notification target device) (step S106). In other words, steps S105 and S106 are an example of the process of determining notification target devices in this disclosure. Step S106 will be described in detail later.

If a notification target device is determined in step S106 (YES in step S107), the transmission unit 105 transmits instruction information to the notification target device, instructing the notification target device to output device information about the notification source device (step S108).

When the notification target device receives the instruction information, it outputs the device information of the notification source device in accordance with the instruction information. Specifically, if the notification target device has a display device such as an LCD display, the notification target device will display text information representing the device information of the notification source device (e.g., "Laundry is done. Please remove the laundry.") on the display device. Furthermore, if the notification target device has an audio output device such as a speaker, it will output audio representing the device information of the notification source device (e.g., "Laundry is done. Please remove the laundry.") from the audio output device.

After step S108, the first determination unit 103 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed (step S109). When the predetermined time has elapsed after step S108, or if the first determination unit 103 was unable to determine the notification target device in step S106 (NO in step S107), the first determination unit 103 transitions to step S110.

In step S110, the first determination unit 103 determines whether or not device information has been notified to all candidates acquired in step S102 (step S110). Specifically, in step S110, the first determination unit 103 determines whether or not device information has been notified to all candidates based on whether or not all of the one or more candidates included in the group of candidates acquired in step S102 were determined to be notification recipients in step S103.

If the first determination unit 103 determines in step S110 that device information has not been notified to some of the candidates acquired in step S102 (NO in step S110), it performs step S103. On the other hand, if the first determination unit 103 determines in step S110 that device information has been notified to all of the candidates acquired in step S102 (YES in step S110), it terminates processing.

When the communication circuit 120 receives the above-mentioned notification termination request information from the device 300, the first acquisition unit 101 acquires the notification termination request information and updates the notification availability information included in the record containing the identification information of the device 300 included in the device data to "not required."

With this configuration, when notification of device information about a notification source device is required, notification recipients suitable for that device information can be selected from a group of candidates indicated by the candidate information included in the device data corresponding to the communication source device, in descending order of priority.

With this configuration, a device 300 located at the location of the notification recipient is determined as the notification target device for the device information of the notification source device, and an instruction to output the device information is sent to the notification target device. This allows the notification target device to output the device information. As a result, the device information of the notification source device can be appropriately notified to the notification recipient, who is located at the location of the notification target device and is suitable for the device information.

<First example of notification target device determination process>
A first example of the process of determining the notification target device in step S106 will be described below. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the first example of the process of determining the notification target device.

In a first example of the process for determining the notification target device, the second determination unit 104 acquires information indicating a group of devices (an example of a first group of devices) that can output device information about the communication source device, and determines, as the notification target device, a device 300 (an example of a second device) that is included in the group of devices and is present at the notification target location identified in step S105.

Specifically, when the second decision unit 104 starts step S106 (Figure 5), it executes step S201 as shown in Figure 6.

In step S201, the second determination unit 104 acquires from the memory 110 a device data group whose notification availability information indicates that the device can be used as a notification target device. As a result, the second determination unit 104 acquires a device group corresponding to the identification information group of the device 300 included in the device data group as a device group that can output device information of the communication source device.

Furthermore, in step S201, the second determination unit 104 acquires, from the acquired device data groups, device data groups whose location information indicates the same location as the notification target location identified in step S105. The second determination unit 104 extracts, as candidate device groups that are candidates for notification target devices, device groups that correspond to the identification information groups of devices 300 included in the acquired device data groups.

If the number of devices 300 included in the candidate device group extracted in step S201 is greater than 0 (YES in step S202), the second determination unit 104 determines one device 300 included in the candidate device group as the notification target device (step S203).

For example, in step S203, the second determination unit 104 references the device data with the smallest registration number from the device data group containing the identification information of the candidate device group extracted in step S201. The second determination unit 104 determines the device 300 corresponding to the identification information of the device 300 contained in the referenced device data as the notification target device. Hereinafter, the device 300 corresponding to the identification information of the device 300 contained in the device data will be abbreviated as the device 300 corresponding to the device data.

In step S203, the second determination unit 104 may refer to the device data with the highest registration number from the device data group containing the identification information of the candidate device group extracted in step S201, and determine the device 300 corresponding to the referenced device data as the notification target device. Alternatively, the second determination unit 104 may randomly select one piece of device data from the device data containing the identification information of the candidate device group extracted in step S201, and determine the device 300 corresponding to the selected piece of device data as the notification target device.

On the other hand, if the number of devices 300 included in the candidate device group extracted in step S201 is 0 (NO in step S202), the second determination unit 204 determines that there are no devices to be notified (step S204).

When the first example of the process for determining the notification target device is used in step S106, even if the device 300 owned by the notification target person is not present at the notification target location, the instruction can be sent to a device 300 that is present at the notification target person's location and is capable of outputting device information. For this reason, this example is useful when notifying device information that is highly urgent.

<Second example of process for determining notification target device>
Next, a second example of the notification target device determination process in step S106 will be described below with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

In a second example of the process for determining the notification target device, the second determination unit 104 acquires information indicating a device group that can output device information about the communication source device and information indicating the owners of one or more devices 300 included in the device group. The second determination unit 104 then determines, as the notification target device, a device 300 (an example of a second device) included in the device group whose owner is the notification target and which is located in the notification target location identified in step S105.

Specifically, when the second decision unit 104 starts step S106 (Figure 5), it executes step S211 as shown in Figure 7.

In step S211, similar to step S201 (FIG. 6), the second determination unit 104 acquires from memory 110 a device data group whose notification availability information indicates that the device can be used as a notification target device. As a result, the second determination unit 104 acquires a device group corresponding to the identification information group of the device 300 included in the device data group as a device group that can output device information of the communication source device.

Furthermore, in step S211, the second determination unit 104 references the owner information included in the acquired device data group. As a result, the second determination unit 104 obtains information indicating the owner of each of one or more devices 300 included in the device group that can output device information about the communication source device.

Then, in step S211, the second determination unit 104 obtains, from the obtained device data group, a device data group whose owner information indicates the notification recipient determined in step S103 and whose location information indicates the notification target location identified in step S105. The second determination unit 104 extracts, as a candidate device group that is a candidate for notification target devices, a device group that corresponds to the identification information group of the device 300 included in the obtained device data group.

If the number of devices 300 included in the candidate device group extracted in step S211 is greater than 0 (YES in step S212), the second determination unit 104 determines one device 300 included in the candidate device group as the notification target device (step S213), similar to step S203 (Figure 6).

On the other hand, if the number of devices 300 included in the group of candidate devices extracted in step S211 is 0 (NO in step S212), the second determination unit 204 determines that there are no devices to be notified (step S214).

When the second example of the notification target device determination process is adopted in step S106, the instruction is sent to a device 300 owned by the notification target that is present in the location of the notification target and is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device. This prevents the device information about the notification source device from being notified to users other than the notification target. Therefore, this example is useful when notifying device information that you do not want others to know.

In addition, instead of step S214, the processing from step S201 onwards shown in Figure 6 may be executed. As a result, if there is no device 300 owned by the person to be notified that is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device in the location where the person to be notified is present, the instruction may be sent to any device 300 that is present in the location where the person to be notified is present and that is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device.

<Third example of the process for determining the device to be notified>
Next, a third example of the notification target device determination process in step S106 will be described below with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

In a third example of the process for determining notification target devices, the second determination unit 104 acquires information indicating a group of devices (hereinafter referred to as the first device group) that can output device information about the communication source device, and information indicating a group of devices (hereinafter referred to as the second device group) that are shared by multiple users. The second determination unit 104 then determines, as notification target devices, the devices 300 that are included in the first device group and the second device group and that are present in the notification target location identified in step S105.

Specifically, when the second decision unit 104 starts step S106 (Figure 5), it executes step S221 as shown in Figure 8.

In step S221, similar to step S201 (FIG. 6), the second determination unit 104 acquires from memory 110 a device data group (hereinafter referred to as the first device data group) whose notification availability information indicates that the device can be used as a notification target device. As a result, the second determination unit 104 acquires the device group corresponding to the identification information group of the device 300 included in the first device data group as the first device group that can output device information of the communication source device.

Furthermore, in step S221, the second determination unit 104 acquires from the memory 110 a device data group whose owner information is "shared" (hereinafter referred to as the second device data group). As a result, the second determination unit 104 acquires the device group corresponding to the identification information group of the devices 300 included in the second device data group as the second device group shared by multiple users.

Then, in step S221, the second determination unit 104 acquires a device data group whose location information indicates the notification location identified in step S105 and is included in both the first device data group and the second device data group. Alternatively, the second determination unit 104 may simplify this process and acquire a device data group whose owner information is "shared" in the first device data group and whose location information indicates the notification location identified in step S105.

The second determination unit 104 extracts a device group corresponding to the identification information group of the device 300 included in the acquired device data group as a candidate device group that is a candidate for notification target devices.

If the number of devices 300 included in the candidate device group extracted in step S221 is greater than 0 (YES in step S222), the second determination unit 104 determines one device 300 included in the candidate device group as the notification target device (step S223), similar to step S203 (Figure 6).

On the other hand, if the number of devices 300 included in the candidate device group extracted in step S221 is 0 (NO in step S222), the second determination unit 204 determines that there are no devices to be notified (step S224).

If the third example of the process for determining the notification target device is adopted in step S106, the instruction is sent to a device 300 that is shared by multiple users, is present in the location where the notification target is located, and is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device.

As a result, even if the notification recipient is unable to use the device 300, the device information of the notification source device can be notified to another user who is present in the notification recipient's location and who can use the device 300. This allows the notification recipient to be notified of the device information of the notification source device via the other user. Therefore, this example is useful when notifying device information in a facility where there is an output device shared by multiple users, such as a home controller or smart speaker.

In addition, instead of step S224, the processing from step S201 onwards shown in Figure 6 may be executed. As a result, if there is no device 300 shared by multiple users that is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device in the location where the notification target is located, the instruction may be sent to any device 300 that is present in the location where the notification target is located and is capable of outputting device information about the notification source device.

This disclosure can adopt the following variations.

(1) If the notification target location identified in step S105 (Figure 5) is "outside the home," the priority of the notification target determined in step S103 (Figure 5) may be changed to the lowest priority, and processing from step S103 onward may be executed. This may allow notification of device information to users within the facility to take priority over notification of device information to users who are out.

(2) Schedule information indicating the planned activities of each user may be stored in memory 110. Furthermore, the device data (FIG. 3) may further include information indicating whether each device 300 is capable of audio output. In this case, the second determination unit 104 may refer to (acquire) the schedule information stored in memory 110 in step S106 (FIG. 5).

Then, when the time period during which step S106 is performed is a time period during which the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, such as a web conference, the second determination unit 104 may refer to the device data in step S203 (Figure 6), step S213 (Figure 7), and step S223 (Figure 8) and determine that devices 300 that cannot output audio are to be the notification target devices, giving priority to devices 300 that can output audio.

In this case, during the time period when the notification recipient is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the instruction is sent to devices 300 that cannot output audio, with priority given to devices 300 that can output audio. This reduces the possibility that the notification recipient's predetermined action will be hindered by the audio output indicating device information.

(3) As in variant example (2), schedule information indicating the planned activities of each user may be stored in memory 110. Then, in step S106 (FIG. 5), the second determination unit 104 may refer to (acquire) the schedule information stored in memory 110.

Then, when the time period during which step S106 is performed is a time period during which the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, such as a web conference, the second determination unit 104 may adopt the third example of the process for determining the notification target device in step S106, and determine that the device 300 shared by multiple users is the notification target device.

In this case, the instruction is sent to a device 300 shared by multiple users during the time period when the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined action. Therefore, even if the device 300 that received the instruction is unavailable because the notification target is performing a predetermined action, the device information can be notified to other users of the device 300 that received the instruction and who are in the location where the notification target is present. As a result, after the notification target has completed the predetermined action, the device information can be notified to the notification target via the other users.

(4) As in variations (2) and (3), schedule information indicating the planned activities of each user may be stored in memory 110. Then, in step S108 (FIG. 5), the transmission unit 105 may refer to (acquire) the schedule information stored in memory 110, and if the time period during which step S108 is performed is a time period during which the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity, transmit an instruction to output text information representing the device information.

In this case, by outputting a sound indicating the device information on the notification target device, the device information can be properly notified to the notification target while reducing the possibility of the notification target being hindered from taking a specific action.

(5) As in variations (2) to (4), schedule information indicating the planned activities of each user may be stored in memory 110. Then, in step S109 (FIG. 5), the first determination unit 103 may refer to (acquire) the schedule information stored in memory 110, and if the time period in which step S109 is performed is a time period in which the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined activity, wait until a time period that is shorter than the predetermined time by a predetermined shortened time (= predetermined time - shortened time) has elapsed.

In this case, during the time period when the notification target is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the processing from step S103 (Figure 5) onwards is executed with the next highest priority candidate as the notification target before the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, even if it is not possible to notify the device information to the candidate performing the predetermined action out of the one or more candidates acquired in step S102, the device information can be notified to the next highest priority candidate more quickly than usual.

This disclosure allows device information requiring notification to be appropriately notified to users appropriate for that device information, making it useful for notifying users of device information without bothering them in facilities with numerous devices.

1000: Server (information output device)
100: Processor (computer)
101: First acquisition unit 102: Second acquisition unit 103: First determination unit 104: Second determination unit 105: Transmission unit 204: Second determination unit 300: Equipment

Claims (13)

The computer
Obtaining device information of a first device;
Obtaining a rule that associates device information that requires notification with a group of candidates to be notified;
By referring to the device information of the first device and the rule, determine a notification recipient of the device information of the first device from a group of candidates associated with the device information of the first device in the rule;
determining a second device present at the location where the notification target person is present as a notification target device of the device information of the first device;
transmitting an instruction to the notification target device to output device information of the first device;
Information output method. each of the one or more candidates included in the candidate pool is assigned a priority;
In determining the recipients of the notification,
Determine, among the one or more candidates, the candidate with the highest priority who has not been determined as the person to be notified, as the person to be notified;
executing a process of determining the notification recipient, determining the notification recipient device, and transmitting the instruction in this order every time a predetermined time elapses;
The information output method according to claim 1 . Further, information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information of the first device is acquired;
In determining the notification target device,
determining the second device included in the first device group as the notification target device;
3. The information output method according to claim 1 or 2. Furthermore, information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information of the first device and information indicating the owners of one or more devices included in the first device group are acquired;
In determining the notification target device,
determining the second device included in the first device group and whose owner is the notification target person as the notification target device;
3. The information output method according to claim 1 or 2. Furthermore, information indicating a first device group capable of outputting device information of the first device and information indicating a second device group shared by a plurality of users are acquired;
In determining the notification target device,
determining the second device that is included in the first device group and also included in the second device group as the notification target device;
3. The information output method according to claim 1 or 2. Further, information indicating the action schedule of the notification target person and information indicating a third device group capable of audio output are acquired;
During a time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the second device that is not included in the third device group is determined as the notification target device with priority over the second device that is included in the third device group.
The information output method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Furthermore, information indicating the notification target person's planned activities is acquired,
During a time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the transmission of the instruction includes transmitting an instruction to output text information representing device information of the first device.
The information output method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Furthermore, information indicating the planned activity of the notification target person and information indicating a second device group shared by a plurality of users are acquired;
In determining the notification target device during a time period when the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, the second device included in the second device group is determined to be the notification target device.
The information output method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Furthermore, information indicating the notification target person's planned activities is acquired,
In a time period in which the notification target person is scheduled to perform a predetermined action, after the execution of the process, the next process is executed before the predetermined time has elapsed.
The information output method according to claim 2 . Furthermore, first location information indicating the location of each of the one or more candidates included in the candidate group is acquired;
In determining the notification target device,
Identifying the location of the person to be notified by referring to the first location information;
The information output method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Further, second location information indicating the locations of devices owned by each of the one or more candidates and devices shared by the one or more candidates is acquired;
In determining the notification target device,
Identifying the second device by referring to the second location information;
The information output method according to claim 10. a first acquisition unit that acquires device information of a first device;
a second acquisition unit that acquires a rule in which device information that requires notification is associated with a group of candidates to be notified;
a first determination unit that refers to the device information of the first device and the rule, and determines a notification recipient of the device information of the first device from a candidate group associated with the device information of the first device in the rule;
a second determination unit that determines a second device present in a location where the notification target person is present as a notification target device of the device information of the first device;
a transmitting unit that transmits an instruction to the notification target device to output device information of the first device. A program that causes a computer to function,
The computer
a first acquisition unit that acquires device information of a first device;
a second acquisition unit that acquires a rule in which device information that requires notification is associated with a group of candidates to be notified;
a first determination unit that refers to the device information of the first device and the rule, and determines a notification recipient of the device information of the first device from a candidate group associated with the device information of the first device in the rule;
a second determination unit that determines a second device present in a location where the notification target person is present as a notification target device of the device information of the first device;
a transmission unit that transmits an instruction to the notification target device to output device information of the first device;
A program that functions as a