JP2000347956A - Device and method for processing information and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily recognize the function of an information processor. SOLUTION: The using state of a network electric home appliance itself which constitutes a home network 201 is monitored, and a message is produced to explain a function that is not used yet. Then an electronic mail including the message is produced or the synthetic sounds corresponding to the message are generated. The electronic mail or the synthetic sounds are transmitted to a user, i.e., the owner of the network electric home appliance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium, and more particularly to, for example, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that enable a user to use various apparatuses. And a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Advances in semiconductor technology, information and communication technology,
With the development, computers have become widespread, and various tools (application programs) executed on such computers have been provided.

[0003]

By the way, for a tool to be executed on a computer, a manual explaining how to use (function) is generally attached, but it is troublesome to read the manual. Even though there are useful functions, many users do not know such functions.

In recent years, home appliances (home appliances) having a microcomputer and a sophisticated function have become widespread, and users of such home appliances also have basic functions. Often only knows the function. In other words, even for home appliances with advanced functions,
Although a manual is attached, it is troublesome to read the manual, and the user often does not know the functions other than the functions which can be intuitively (intuitively) recognized.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and allows a user to easily recognize the functions of various devices and the like, thereby enabling the user to use the devices. It is to be.

[0006]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a monitoring means for monitoring a use state of an object and a creation means for creating a message about the function of the object based on the use state of the object. And e-mail transmitting means for transmitting the message by e-mail.

[0007] The creating means can create a message about the function of the object not used yet.

[0008] The object to be monitored by the monitoring means may be a household electric appliance.

[0009] The information processing apparatus of the present invention may further include generating means for generating data of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message, and synthesized sound transmitting means for transmitting the data of the synthesized sound.

[0010] The information processing apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a setting means for setting whether the message is transmitted by e-mail or synthesized sound data.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, a monitoring step of monitoring the use state of a predetermined object, a creation step of creating a message about the function of the object based on the use state of the object, And an e-mail transmission step of transmitting by e-mail.

A recording medium according to the present invention includes a monitoring step of monitoring a use state of a predetermined object, a creation step of creating a message about a function of the object based on the use state of the object, and an electronic message. And causing the computer to execute a computer program including an e-mail transmission step of transmitting by e-mail.

[0013] In the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the recording medium of the present invention, the use state of a predetermined object is monitored, and a message about the function of the object is created based on the use state. Sent by email.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a chat system to which the present invention is applied (a system refers to a device in which a plurality of devices are logically assembled, and whether or not each device is in the same housing. The configuration example of one embodiment is shown.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three personal computers (personal computers) 1-1 to 1-3, 1
Mail servers 93 and one WWW (World Wide We
b) The server and the two chat servers 111 and 112 are interconnected via the Internet 92.

Each of the servers 111 and 112 has a hard disk 157 (FIG. 10) storing a virtual reality space sharing program for sharing a virtual reality space as a place where a user performs a chat, and executes the program. By doing so, it can function as a chat server that controls chatting between personal computers. That is, the servers 111 and 112 provide the personal computers 1-1 to 1-3 connected via the Internet 92 with an environment for the user to chat.

On the other hand, the servers 111 and 112 provide the personal computers 1-1 to 1-3 (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the personal computers 1-1 to 1-3, the personal computers 1-1 to 1-3 are appropriately described as personal computers 1). A virtual reality space application program for chatting while sharing the virtual reality space with another personal computer is stored. The virtual reality space application program and the server 111 or 1 are stored.
By executing the virtual reality space sharing program 12, the virtual reality space that can be chatted is displayed on the personal computer 1. In this virtual reality space, an object (hereinafter, referred to as an avatar) imitating a human figure that is an alter ego of a user who operates the personal computer 1 is displayed. And here, the avatar is, for example, a part corresponding to a human face,
The personal computer 1 has an area for displaying a user image.
By operating a keyboard 4 and a stick 5) described later, each part can be moved in the virtual reality space.

2 to 7 show examples of the configuration of the personal computer 1 shown in FIG. The personal computer 1 is called a mini-notebook type personal computer, and includes a main body 2 and a display unit 3 which can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 2. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the display unit 3 is opened with respect to the main body 2, FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the display unit 3 is closed with respect to the main body 2. The left side view, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 5, showing the display unit 3 opened 180 degrees with respect to the main body 2.

The main body 2 includes a keyboard 4 operated when inputting various characters and symbols, a stick-type pointing device (hereinafter abbreviated as a stick) 5 operated when moving a (mouse) cursor or the like.
Is provided on the upper surface thereof. Further, on the upper surface of the main body 2, there are further provided a speaker 8 for outputting sound and a shutter button 10 operated when capturing an image with the CCD video camera 23 provided on the display unit 3.

A claw 13 is provided at an upper end portion of the display unit 3. As shown in FIG. 4, when the display unit 3 is closed with respect to the main body 2, the main body 2 is located at a position opposed to the claw 13. Is provided with a hole 6 into which the claw 13 is fitted. A slide lever 7 is provided on the front surface of the main body 2 so as to be movable in parallel with the front surface. The slide lever 7 engages with a claw 13 fitted in the hole 6 to lock and unlock. I can do it. By releasing the lock, the display unit 3 can be rotated with respect to the main body 2. A microphone (microphone) 24 is attached next to the claw 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the microphone 24 can also collect sound from the back.

A programmable power key (PPK) 9 is also provided on the front of the main body 2. As shown in FIG. 5, an exhaust hole 11 is provided on the right side surface of the main body 2, and an intake hole 14 is provided at a lower front portion of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Interna
nation association) card (PC card) is provided.

An LCD for displaying an image is provided on the front of the display unit 3.
(Liquid Crystal Display) 21 is provided, and an imaging unit 22 is provided at the upper end thereof so as to be rotatable with respect to the display unit 3. That is, this imaging unit 22
It can rotate to any position within a range of 180 degrees between the same direction as D21 and the opposite direction (backward direction). The imaging unit 22 includes a CCD (Charg
e Coupled Device) A video camera 23 is attached.

A power lamp PL, a battery lamp BL, a message lamp ML, and other LEs are provided on the body 2 below the display unit 3.
A lamp made of D is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the power switch 40 is provided on the left side surface of the main body 2, and the adjustment ring 40 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 5 is operated when the focus of the CCD video camera 23 is adjusted. Further, the lid 26 shown in FIG.
An opening for attaching an additional memory therein is covered, and a pin for removing a lock nail of the lid 26 is inserted into the small hole 41.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the personal computer 1.

For example, a PCI (Peripheral Component I)
CPU 51 (Cent)
ral Processing Unit) 52, PC card 53 inserted as necessary, RAM (Random Access Memory) 54,
And a graphic chip 81 are connected. This bus 51 is, for example, an ISA (Industry Standard Arch)
It is also connected to a bus 55 composed of a hard disk drive (HDD) 5 and the like.
6. I / O (input / output) controller 57, keyboard controller 58, stick controller 59, sound chip 60, LCD controller 83, modem (MODEM)
50 are connected.

The CPU 52 is a processor that controls each function, and performs various processes by executing various programs loaded into the RAM 54 and the like. PC card 5
3 is appropriately mounted when adding optional functions.

When the power of the personal computer 1 is turned on (or the sleep state is released), an OS (basic program) such as Windows (registered trademark) 95 or Windows 98 is transferred from the HDD 56 into the RAM 54. , C
This is executed by the PU 52. Thus, the OS is started. Furthermore, after the start of the OS is completed, if necessary,
A predetermined application program is transferred from the HDD 56 to the RAM.
The program is transferred to 54 and executed by the CPU 52. As a result, various processes are performed in the personal computer 1.

The HDD 56 on the side of the bus 55 stores various application programs in addition to the OS, and is transferred to the RAM 54 as necessary.
52. Here, in the present embodiment, the HDD 56 stores (installs) the chat program as the virtual reality space application program described above, a mail program for performing a mail creation process described later, and the like as the application program.
Have been.

The I / O controller 57 has a microcontroller 61, and the microcontroller 61 is provided with an I / O interface 62. This microcontroller 61 includes an I / O interface 6
2. The CPU 63, the RAM 64, and the ROM 69 are connected to each other. The RAM 64 includes a key input status register 65 and an LED (light emitting diode) control register 6.
6, a set time register 67 and a register 68 are provided. The set time register 67 is used to start the operation of the activation sequence control unit 76 when the time set by the user has come. The register 68 stores a correspondence between a preset operation key combination and an application program to be started. When the stored operation key combination is input by a user, the stored application program is stored in the register 68. Will be activated.

The key input status register 65 has a programmable power key (PPK) 9 for one-touch operation.
Is pressed, the operation key flag is stored. The LED control register 66 controls the lighting of a message lamp ML that indicates the start-up state of the application program stored in the register 68. The set time register 67 can arbitrarily set a predetermined time.

A backup battery 74 is connected to the microcontroller 61.
The values of the registers 65, 66, and 67 are retained even when the power of the main unit 2 is turned off.

A wake-up program, a key input monitoring program, and an LED control program are stored in the ROM 69 in the microcontroller 61 in advance. The ROM 69 is a flash memory, for example, an EEPROM
(Electrically erasable andprogrammable read only
memory). Further, the microcontroller 61 has an RTC (Real-Time
Clock) 75 is connected.

Here, the wake-up program in the ROM 69 checks whether or not the time set in advance in the set time register 67 has been reached, based on the current time data supplied from the RTC 75. Is a program that activates a predetermined process (or program). Key input monitoring program is PPK
9 is a program for constantly monitoring whether or not 9 has been pressed by the user. The LED control program is a program for controlling lighting of the message lamp ML.

The ROM 69 further includes a BIOS (Basic Input / O
utput System) (basic input / output system) program is written. The BIOS controls data transfer (input / output) between the OS or application software and peripheral devices (display, keyboard, hard disk drive, etc.).

A keyboard controller 58 connected to the bus 55 controls an input from the keyboard 4. The stick controller 59 controls the stick 5
Control input.

The sound chip 60 includes the microphone 24
Or an audio signal is supplied to the built-in speaker 8.

The modem 50 performs communication control for performing communication via the Internet 92.

The image data captured by the CCD video camera 23 is input to the graphic chip 81 connected to the bus 51 after being processed by the processing unit 82. The graphic chip 81 includes the processing unit 8
Video data and the like input from the CCD video camera 23 via the VRAM 2 are stored in the built-in VRAM 81A, read out as appropriate, and output to the LCD controller 83. The LCD controller 83 outputs the image data supplied from the graphic chip 81 to the LCD 21 for display. The backlight 84 illuminates the LCD 21 from behind.

The power switch 40 is operated when the power is turned on or off. The half-press switch 85 is turned on when the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, and the full-press switch 86 is turned on when the shutter button 10 is fully pressed. The reversing switch 87 is connected to the imaging unit 2
2 is rotated 180 degrees (CCD video camera 23
It is turned on when it is rotated in the direction of imaging the opposite side of the CD 21).

Next, FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen display displayed when the chat program is executed in the personal computer 1-1, for example.

When the chat program is executed on the personal computer 1-1, the personal computer 1-1 is connected to the server 111 or 112, and the window 121 is displayed on the LCD 21.
Will be displayed.

In the virtual reality space display section 122 in the window 121, in addition to the user's avatar 131, the server 1
A virtual reality space in which an avatar 132 of a user of another personal computer connected to 11 or 112 acts is displayed. In the virtual reality space, users using the virtual reality space sharing system communicate (in this case, in particular,
In order to chat, the avatars 131 and 132 change the image corresponding to the face, display the text, and further operate according to the operation of each user.
Moving.

The conversation input setting section 123 includes a conversation input field 134 and speech balloon selection buttons 135-1 to 135.
-4, and operation selection buttons 136-1 to 136-4
Consists of When text is input to the conversation input field 134, a balloon including the text is displayed at a predetermined position of the user's avatar 131 in the virtual reality space display unit 122. Here, when the personal computers 1-2 and 1-3 are connected to the server 111 or 112, a screen similar to that shown in FIG. A balloon containing the same text is also displayed at a predetermined position on the displayed avatar 131.
As described above, the users of the personal computers 1-1 to 1-3 can chat with each other.

Balloon selection buttons 135-1 to 135
When any one of -4 is clicked, in text display, the user's avatar 131 displayed on the virtual reality space display unit 122 has a predetermined number corresponding to each of the balloon selection buttons 135-1 to 135-4. A shape balloon is displayed. In the avatar 131 displayed on the LCD 21 of each of the other personal computers 1-2 and 1-3, balloons of a predetermined shape corresponding to the balloon selection buttons 135-1 to 135-4 are also displayed. Action selection button 13
When any one of 6-1 to 136-4 is clicked,
The user's avatar 131 displayed on the virtual reality space display unit 122 executes a predetermined operation (for example, raising his hand, lying down, etc.) corresponding to each of the operation selection buttons 136-1 to 136-4, and executes another personal computer. 1-2 and 1-
The avatar 131 displayed on each of the LCDs 21 is also
Perform the same action.

The movement input setting section 124 includes movement instruction buttons 137-1 to 137-4, a room movement instruction field 1
38, and an end button 139. When any of the movement instruction buttons 137-1 to 137-4 is clicked, the user avatar 131 displayed on the virtual reality space display unit 122 moves the movement instruction buttons 137-1 to 137.
-4, the avatar 131 displayed on the LCD 21 of each of the other personal computers 1-2 and 1-3 also moves in the predetermined direction.

When the name of the room in the virtual reality space is input to the room movement instruction field 138, the user's avatar 13
1 moves to a room in the virtual reality space specified by the name. When the end button 139 is clicked, the personal computer 1
-1 chat program ends, and the other PC 1
The avatar 131 displayed on the LCD 21 of each of -2 and 1-3 also executes a predetermined operation of ending.

The server selection setting section 125 includes server selection buttons 140-1 to 140-4, and server setting buttons and server setting fields (not shown). When one of the server selection buttons 140-1 to 140-4 is clicked, the server that executes the virtual reality space sharing program is set to the predetermined terminal virtual mode corresponding to the clicked server selection button 140-1 to 140-4. The server is switched to the server that executes the physical space sharing program (here, for example, server 111 or server 112).

The object setting section 126 includes a nickname setting field 141 for setting a nickname of the user's avatar 131, an object setting display section 142 for displaying the setting state of the user's avatar 131, and an image displayed on the face of the avatar 131. It consists of an image selection field 143 to be selected. Image selection field 143 is 4
Kinds of pre-stored images 144-1 to 144-3
Is displayed. Image 144 of image selection field 143
When any one of 1 to 144-3 is clicked, the image displayed on the face of the avatar 131 is switched to the clicked image.

Next, the operation of the personal computer 1 when the chat program is executed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the blocks configuring the personal computer 1 are realized by executing a chat program. Also, the blocks configuring the server 111 are realized by executing the virtual reality space sharing program.

For example, the user of the personal computer 1-1 has a CCD
The position is set so that the video camera 23 captures an image of the user himself. When the user of the personal computer 1-1 fully presses the shutter button 10, the imaging processing unit 151-1
Makes the CCD video camera 23 capture an image of the user,
The processing unit 82 and the graphic chip 81 execute predetermined processing, and the RAM 54 stores the image 154. The imaging processing unit 151-1 transmits the user's image 154 to the virtual space processing unit 152-1 and the communication processing unit 153-1 realized by executing the chat program. The virtual space processing unit 152-1 stores the received image as an image 155, causes the graphic chip 81 to execute predetermined processing, and converts the image of the face of the avatar 131 displayed on the LCD 21 of the personal computer 1-1 into an image. 155 (the image 155 is pasted as the face image of the avatar 131).

The communication processing unit 153-1 causes the modem 50 to execute predetermined processing, and transmits the user's image 154 received from the imaging processing unit 151-1 to the virtual reality space sharing program of the server 111 via the Internet 92. Is transmitted to the image sharing server function unit 156 realized by the execution of The image sharing server function unit 156 stores the received image in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 157
Save as 9. The WWW server function unit 158 transmits the user image 159 to the communication processing unit 153-2 of the personal computer 1-2 via the Internet 92. The communication processing unit 153-2 sends the received user image 162 to the virtual space processing unit 152-2. Virtual space processing unit 152-2
Is the avatar 13 displayed on the LCD 21 of the personal computer 1-2.
The first face image is changed to the user image 163 received from the communication processing unit 153-2 (the image 163 is pasted as the face image of the avatar 131).

As described above, the image displayed on the faces of the avatars 131 of the personal computers 1-1 and 1-2 can be obtained by simply pressing the shutter button 10 by the user of the personal computer 1-1. Is changed to the image of the user captured in step (the image captured by the CCD video camera 23 is pasted as the face image of the avatar 131).

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 11, the processing of the personal computer 1-1 to 1-3 and the server 111 performed when the shutter button 10 of the personal computer 1-1 is fully pressed will be further described. .

In this case, in step S11, the imaging processing unit 151-1 of the personal computer 1-1 operates the CCD video camera 23 to image the user of the personal computer 1-1.
Proceed to step S12.

In step S12, the communication processing unit 153-1 of the personal computer 1-1 transmits
An image reception preparation request is transmitted to the image sharing server function unit 156 of the server 111, and the process proceeds to step S13.
In step S13, the image sharing server function unit 156 of the server 111 sends the URL (Universal Re
source Locator), and returns a message indicating that the reception preparation is completed, and then proceeds to step S14. Step S14
Then, the communication processing unit 153-1 of the personal computer 1-1 converts the user image 154 received from the imaging processing unit 151-1 into
The image is transmitted to the image sharing server function unit 156 of the server 111, and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the image sharing server function unit 156 of the server 111 stores the received image in a file specified by the URL.

Then, the process proceeds to step S16, where the virtual space processing unit 152-1 of the personal computer 1-1 transmits the virtual space processing unit 152 of the personal computer 1-2 via the Internet 92.
-2 and virtual space processing unit 152-3 of personal computer 1-3
(Not shown), the image displayed on the face of the avatar 131
A request to change to the image of the file specified by the URL is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the virtual space processing unit 152-2 of the personal computer 1-2 and the virtual space processing unit 152-3 of the personal computer 1-3 communicate with the WWW server function unit 158 of the server 111 via the Internet 92.
Then, a request for transmission of the image specified by the URL is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the server 111
The WWW server function unit 158 transmits the image specified by the URL to the personal computer 1-2 and the personal computer 1-3, proceeds to step S19, and executes the virtual space processing unit 152 of the personal computer 1-2.
-2 and virtual space processing unit 152-3 of personal computer 1-3
, The avatar 13 displayed on each LCD 21
The image of the first face is stored in the WWW server function unit 15 of the server 111.
8 is changed to the image transmitted.

As described above, the personal computers 1-1 to 1
-3, the image of the avatar 131 displayed on each screen is changed to the image of the user captured by the personal computer 1-1 (the image of the user captured by the personal computer 1-1 is pasted as the image of the avatar 131). Attached).

Next, the processing of the personal computer 1-1 when sharing the virtual space will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, the communication processing unit 153-1 connects to the server 111, and proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the imaging processing unit 15
1-1 determines whether or not the shutter button 10 has been fully pressed. If it is determined that the shutter button 10 has not been fully pressed, the process returns to step S22, and the same operation is performed until the shutter button 10 is fully pressed. Is repeated.

If it is determined in step S22 that the shutter button 10 has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S23, where the imaging processing unit 151-1 causes the CCD video camera 23 to capture an image of the user, and the processing unit 82 In addition, the CPU causes the graphic chip 81 to execute processing of a predetermined image, and stores the image as the image 154 in the RAM 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, where the communication processing unit 153-1
The image of the imaging processing unit 151-1 is transmitted to the server 111,
Proceed to step S25. In step S25, the virtual space processing unit 152-1 displays the image 155 transferred from the imaging processing unit 151-1 on the face of the avatar 131. Then, in step S26, the communication processing unit 153-1
It is determined whether or not to log out. If it is determined not to log out, the process returns to step S22 to continue the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that logout is to be performed, the communication processing unit 153-1 executes logout processing and ends the processing.

Next, the processing of the personal computer 1-2 when sharing the virtual space will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S31, the communication processing unit 153-2 connects to the server 111, and proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the communication processing unit 15
3-2 receives the image from the server 111 and executes Step S
Go to 33. In step S33, the virtual space processing unit 15
Step 2-2 displays the image 163 transferred from the server 111 on the face of the avatar 131, and proceeds to step S24. In step S34, the communication processing unit 153-2 determines whether or not to log out. If it is determined that the user does not log out, the process returns to step S32 to continue the processing.

If it is determined in step S34 that the user logs out, the communication processing unit 153-2 executes the logout process and ends the process.

As described above, as a client of the virtual space sharing system, the personal computer 1 connected to the Internet 92 simply presses the shutter button 10 completely.
Paste the user's image on the avatar 131, or
When the user's image is already pasted on the avatar 131, the image can be updated to the latest user's image.

Next, as described above, the user pastes the user's image on the avatar 131 or changes the image pasted on the avatar 131 into the latest user's image simply by pressing the shutter button 10 fully. It can be updated, but such chat program features (Avatar 13
A function for pasting a user's image to the avatar 13
If the user does not know the function of updating one image (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an image pasting function or a face switching function), the image cannot be pasted or updated.

Therefore, in the personal computer 1, by executing the mail program stored in the HDD 56, a user who has not used the chat program among the functions of the chat program is notified.

That is, when the mail program is executed,
The CPU 52 of the personal computer 1 starts monitoring the use state of the chat program, whereby information on the functions used by the user among the functions of the chat program is stored in the HDD 56, for example.

Further, by executing the mail program, the CPU 52 performs a mail creation process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, for example, periodically.

That is, in the mail creation process, first,
In step S41, by referring to the HDD 56, the functions used by the user among the functions of the chat program are recognized. Further, in step S41,
By referring to the help file of the chat program stored in the HDD 56, a chat program function that the user has not used yet is recognized.

That is, the HDD 56 also stores a so-called help file for explaining the function of the chat program. In step S41, the function of the chat program described in the help file and the HDD 5 are stored.
By comparing the function of the chat program used by the user stored in 6 with the function of the chat program that the user has not used yet (hereinafter referred to as an unused function as appropriate).

Then, the process proceeds to step S42, where a message explaining the unused function is created using the help file stored in the HDD 56, and the process proceeds to step S43. Here, generally, there are a plurality of unused functions.
In that case, for example, for example, one of the plurality of unused functions is selected, and for the unused functions,
A message is created.

In step S43, the message created in step S42 is converted into an e-mail addressed to the user of the personal computer 1, transmitted to the mail server 93 via the Internet 92, and the mail creation processing ends. To create an e-mail addressed to the user of the personal computer 1, the user's e-mail address is required.
This is assumed to be registered in advance in the HDD 56, for example.

The e-mail transmitted to the mail server 93 as described above can be downloaded from the mail server 93 via the Internet 92 by operating the personal computer 1 by the user, for example. Alternatively, for example, an e-mail can be downloaded from the mail server 93 via the Internet 92 by operating the terminal at a place where the user is going out or at a company.

By reading the downloaded e-mail, the user can easily recognize the functions of the chat program that the user did not know among the functions of the chat program. It becomes possible to use the personal computer 1 functioning as a client.

Specifically, for example, if the user has not used the image pasting function or the face switching function, the message “image pasting function is provided in the mail creation processing. You can use it to paste your favorite image onto your avatar ’s face. ”
"Press the shutter button fully to change your avatar's expression. You can change your face to express your emotions." Is created and sent by email. Also,
As described above, in FIG.
When -1 to 136-4 are operated, the avatar 131
Performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the operation (this function is
In the following, when such an action function is not used, for example, the message “Action function can be used while moving. Press to move and take action. "Is created and sent by email. The user who has received such an e-mail can recognize that there is an image pasting function, a face switching function, and an action function.

Next, FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a home network system to which the present invention is applied.

At the user's home, a home network 201 is configured. That is, in addition to information-related equipment such as a personal computer (PC) and a printer, a television receiver (television) having a communication function for connecting to a network, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a video tape recorder (VTR), and a refrigerator , A home appliance 201 is configured by connecting network home appliances such as a mini component stereo (mini component stereo). For example, exchange of video data and audio data, exchange of control signals, and the like can be performed between devices constituting the home network 201. As a transmission standard in the home network 201, for example, a transmission standard using a radio created by HomeRF, a home PNA (Home Phoneline Network
ing Alliance).

Further, the home network 201 is connected to the Internet 92, so that the home network 201
It is also possible to exchange various data via the.

That is, in the present embodiment, for example, the network home appliance can monitor the usage status of the user, create a message for the user based on the usage status, and transmit the message by e-mail. It has become. This e-mail is received and stored by a mail server 93 connected to the Internet 92 (constituting the Internet 92).

The electronic mail stored in the mail server 93 as described above can be downloaded from the mail server 93 via the Internet 92 by the user operating a personal computer installed at the user's house, for example. Can be. Alternatively, when the user operates the portable terminal 204 at a place where he or she is away, for example, the user can download the mail from the mail server 93 via the Internet 92.

The home network 201 is connected to the public network 205, so that the home network 201 can exchange various data via the public network 205.

That is, for example, the network home appliance can transmit a message by e-mail as described above, and also transmit a synthesized sound corresponding to the message to the portable terminal 204 via the public network 205. It has become.

Therefore, the user can receive a message from a so-called personified network home appliance.

Next, FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of a network home appliance constituting the home network 201 of FIG.

The communication I / F (Interface) 211 is used for other network home appliances, information-related devices, and the Internet 9.
2. It controls communication with the public network 205 and the like. ROM (Read Only Memory) 212 is a CPU
The (Central Processing Unit) 213 stores, for example, a computer program or the like for performing the above-described mail creation processing and the like. The CPU 213 sets R
By executing a computer program stored in the OM 212, mail creation processing and the like are performed. RAM (Random Access Memory) 214 is a CPU
213 temporarily stores data and the like necessary for the operation. The HD (Hard Disk) 215 temporarily stores, for example, the state of the functional block 219 monitored by the monitoring unit 216. HD215
Stores, for example, a so-called help file that explains the functions (including the usage method and the like) of the function block 219.

The monitoring section 216 is composed of, for example, various sensors and the like, monitors the use status, use frequency, and other states of the function block 219, and supplies the same to the HD 215 for storage.

The input unit 217 includes, for example, a keyboard,
It is constituted by a pointing device or the like, and is operated when various kinds of information are set for network home appliances. In addition, the input unit 217 can be configured with, for example, a microphone and a voice synthesizer, and in this case, the user can input various kinds of information by voice.

The output unit 218 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays necessary information under the control of the CPU 213. In addition, the output unit 218 can be configured by, for example, a voice synthesizer, a speaker, and the like.
In this case, necessary information can be output to the user as a synthesized sound.

The function block 219 is a block for performing functions specific to network home appliances. For example, when the network home appliances are refrigerators, they have a function as refrigerators, and when they are air conditioners, they have a function as air conditioners. ing.

In the network home appliance configured as described above, the monitoring unit 216 includes the function block 219
The usage status by the user is monitored, and the monitored usage status is supplied to the HD 215 and stored.

In the network home appliance, the CPU 2
At 13, for example, the mail creation processing as described in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is performed periodically.

That is, in the network home appliance, the HD 215
, The function of the network home appliance used by the user is recognized. Further, the help file for network home appliances stored in the HD 215 and the HD
By comparing the function of the network home appliance used by the user and stored in 215, the function of the network home appliance that the user has not used yet (unused function) is recognized. Then, a message describing the unused function is created using the help file stored in the HD 215. Further, the message is an e-mail addressed to the user of the network home appliance, and the Internet 92
Is transmitted to the mail server 93 via the. The email address of the user is HD2
15 is stored in advance.

The mail server 93 receives and stores the e-mail transmitted as described above. Then, when the user requests an e-mail by operating the portable terminal 204 at a place where the user is going out or at a company, for example, the mail server 93 transmits the stored e-mail to the user via the Internet 92. To the mobile terminal 204. Thereby, the user can read the e-mail from the network home appliance.

As described above, in the network home appliance, the usage status of the user is monitored, and based on the usage status, the user creates a message about the function not yet used and sends it as an e-mail to the user. Since the transmission is performed, it is possible to give (notify) various kinds of advice on how to use the apparatus to the user.

That is, for example, if the network home appliance is a VT
If it is R, monitor its usage and let the user
If you have never used a so-called quick timer to perform one-touch timer recording, create a message "If you want to record for an hour from now, the quick timer is convenient." It can be easily recognized that there is a quick timer function. In this case, the user can recognize the function of the network home appliance every time an e-mail is received,
Gradually, you will become familiar with how to use it.

[0097] Next, in the network home appliance, the above-described message notification can be performed not only by e-mail but also by means such as a so-called telephone or facsimile.

That is, the means for notifying the user of the message can be determined by, for example, opening the output unit 218 by operating the input unit 217, for example, as shown in FIG. The setting can be made by inputting predetermined information into the notification destination setting window.

In the notification destination setting window shown in FIG. 17A, the check box 221A in the e-mail column is
Checked if you want to be notified by email of the message. The user selects the check box 221
If A is checked, the e-mail input field 222
In A, it is necessary to input a mail address that is an e-mail destination. Here, the e-mail address input in the input field 222A is the e-mail address for transmitting the above-mentioned e-mail.

The check box 221B in the telephone column is
Checked if you want to be notified by phone of the message. When the user checks the check box 221B, the user needs to input a telephone number for notifying a message in the telephone input field 222B.

Fax check box 221C
Is checked when it is desired to notify the message by facsimile. When the user checks the check box 221C, the user needs to input a facsimile number for notifying the message in the facsimile input field 222C.

The OK button 223 is operated when the information input to the notification destination setting window is determined and the notification destination setting window is closed. When the OK button 223 is operated, each piece of information input to the notification destination setting window is supplied to the HD 215 and stored.

The cancel button 224 is operated when canceling information input to the notification destination setting window.

A notification destination setting window (the same applies to a notification voice setting window in FIG. 17B described later).
Input of various information to the device and operation of buttons are performed by the input unit 21.
7 can be operated.

Further, in the notification destination setting window,
In the check boxes 221A to 221C, none can be checked or a plurality of check boxes can be checked. Check box 2
If none of 21A to 221C is checked, the message is not notified. Further, when a plurality of check boxes 221A to 221C are checked, a message is notified by a plurality of checked means. That is, for example, when all of the check boxes 221A to 221C are checked, the message is notified by e-mail, telephone, and facsimile.

In the input fields 222A to 222C,
A plurality of mail addresses, telephone numbers, or facsimile numbers can be input, and in this case, a message can be sent to the plurality of mail addresses.

In the notification destination setting window, the check box 221B in the telephone column is checked.
When a telephone number for notifying a message (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a notification destination telephone number) is input to the input field 222B, a call is made to the notification destination telephone number in the network home appliance, and the message is transmitted, for example. , Transmitted as a synthesized sound. The synthesized sound may have a predetermined prosody or the like in the network home appliance, but in the present embodiment, the prosody or the like of the synthesized sound can be set by the user.

That is, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 217, a notification sound setting window for setting the prosody and the like of the synthetic sound is opened on the output unit 218, for example, as shown in FIG. Is done.

In the notification voice setting window, the “male” check box 231A or the “female” check box 231B in the voice type column indicates whether the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is a male or female utterance. Is checked in each case. When the “male” check box 231A is checked, for example, the pitch frequency of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is lowered. Also, check box 2 for "Women"
If a check is made to 31B, for example, the pitch frequency of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is increased. Note that only one of the check boxes 231A and 231B can be checked.

In the sound quality column, check box 232A for “sharp” or check box 2 for “mild”
32B is checked when the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is to be sharp or mild.
When the “sharp” check box 232 </ b> A is checked, for example, the high range of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is emphasized. If the check box 232B for “mild” is checked, for example,
The low range of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message is emphasized. The check box 232A or 232B can be checked only in either one.

The check box 233A for "all" or the check box 23 for "gist" in the notification content column
3B is checked when all or the gist of the message is a synthesized sound. When the “all” check box 233A is checked, the contents of the message are all synthesized sounds. In addition, "the point"
When the check box 233B is checked, a summary of the contents of the message is used as a synthesized sound. Check box 233A or 233B
Also, only one of them can be checked.

The notification lever 234 in the notification level column is operated when setting the volume (volume) of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message. The position of the notification lever 234 sets the power of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message. Note that the notification lever 234 can be moved by dragging the pointing device, operating a cursor key, or the like.

The OK button 235 is operated when the information input to the notification sound setting window is determined and the notification sound setting window is closed. OK button 235
Is operated, each piece of information input to the notification sound setting window is supplied to the HD 215 and stored.

The cancel button 236 is operated when canceling information input to the notification sound setting window.

In the notification destination setting window shown in FIG. 17A, the check box 221A in the e-mail column is checked, and if the e-mail address is entered in the e-mail input column 222A, the flow chart shown in FIG. The mail creation processing shown is performed, but when the check box 221B in the telephone column is checked and the notification destination telephone number is input in the telephone input column 222B,
In a network home appliance, a voice notification process of notifying a message with a synthetic sound is performed, for example, periodically.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, in the voice notification process, in step S51, the CP
U213 creates a message in the same manner as in steps S41 and S42 of FIG. Further, the CPU 213 proceeds to step S52, and proceeds to step S52.
Phone entry field 2 in notification destination setting window (A)
The notification destination telephone number input to 22B is read from HD 215, and the notification destination telephone number is transmitted to communication I / F 211.

In step S53, the CPU 213 makes a call in step S52 to issue a call to the public network 205.
It is determined whether or not a communication link with the telephone having the notification destination telephone number (here, for example, the mobile terminal 204) has been established. If it is determined that the communication link has not been established, the process proceeds to step S54. The CPU 213 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the call was made in step S52. If it is determined in step S54 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S53, and the same processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S54 that the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, if the communication link with the portable terminal 204 cannot be established even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the call originated, the processing is performed. finish.

On the other hand, in step S53, the public network 2
If it is determined that a communication link with the portable terminal 204 has been established via the CPU 05, the process proceeds to step S55, and the CPU
In step S213, a synthetic sound corresponding to the message created in step S51 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S56. In step S56, the CPU 213 causes the communication I / F 211 to transmit the synthesized sound generated in step S55 to the portable terminal 204 of the user who has established the communication link via the public network 205. This allows the user to listen to the message as described above with a synthetic sound.

In step S55, the CPU 213 reads out the information input to the notification sound setting window (FIG. 17B) from the HD 215 and generates a synthesized sound according to the information. Therefore, the user can listen to a synthesized sound that suits his or her taste by inputting desired information into the notification sound setting window (FIG. 17B).

Then, the process proceeds to a step S57, wherein the CPU 2
In step S55, it is determined whether or not the generation of the synthetic sound corresponding to the message has been completed. And the generation of the synthesized speech corresponding to the message is continued.

If it is determined in step S57 that the generation of the synthesized sound corresponding to the message has been completed, the process proceeds to step S58, in which the CPU 213 sets the communication I / O.
By controlling F211, the communication link with the portable terminal 204 is disconnected, and the process ends.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, voice synthesis is performed in a network home appliance, and the synthesized voice obtained as a result is transmitted to the portable terminal 204 through the public network 205. In a network home appliance, data necessary for generating a synthesized sound corresponding to a message is generated and transmitted to the portable terminal 204, and the portable terminal 204 performs speech synthesis using the data. good.

In the notification destination setting window shown in FIG. 17A, a check box 221 in the facsimile column is displayed.
C is checked, and if a facsimile number has been entered in the entry field 222C, the message is sent by facsimile in the network home appliance (FIG. 16). Here, when the message is transmitted by facsimile, in the flowchart of FIG.
The point where a call is made to the facsimile number in step 2 and the step S
18. Except that the facsimile data corresponding to the message is transmitted via the public network 205 instead of the processing of 55 to S57, the same processing as in FIG. 18 is performed, and the description thereof is omitted. .

In the present embodiment, the user is notified of the message by e-mail, telephone, or facsimile.
It can be displayed on the output unit 218 of the network home appliance (FIG. 16) or output as a synthesized sound.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user creates a message about the function of the device that has not been used yet.
It is also possible to create a message such as a description of a recommended function, a more convenient function, and advice on how to use the function. That is, for example, when the network home appliance is a VTR, the usage status is monitored, and a message “It is better to rewind and store the videotape” as more convenient usage advice is created. Etc. are possible.

Further, transmission of a message by telephone or facsimile as described above is performed by the personal computer 1 (CPU 5).
2) can be performed.

When a program for performing the above-described various processes is installed in a computer and executed, the application program includes the HDD 56 (HD (not shown) included in the HDD 56) and the HD 21.
5. Floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM
(Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digtal
Versatile Disc) or a package medium, a program that is temporarily or permanently stored in a ROM 212 or the like, and provided, or a LAN (Local Area Network)
, The Internet 92, a transmission medium such as a digital satellite line, and a router for transferring or receiving data and the like via such a transmission medium, a modem 50, and a communication I / O.
/ F211 or the like.

Here, in the present specification, processing steps for describing a program for causing a computer to perform various processes do not necessarily need to be processed in chronological order in the order described in the flowchart, and may be performed in parallel. Alternatively, it also includes processing executed individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by an object).

The program may be processed by one computer, or may be processed in a distributed manner by a plurality of computers. Further, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed. That is, in the home network system of FIG. 15, for example, it is possible to cause a personal computer to receive the state of each network home appliance and perform the processing shown in FIGS.

[0130]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the recording medium of the present invention, the use state of a predetermined object is monitored, and based on the use state of the object, the use of the object is monitored. A message about the feature is created and sent by email. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the function of the device of the object, and thereby, can master the object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a chat system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of a personal computer 1 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side view showing a state where the display unit of FIG. 2 is closed with respect to a main body.

FIG. 5 is a right side view showing a state where the display unit of FIG. 2 is opened 180 degrees with respect to a main body.

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 5;

8 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the personal computer 1 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the LCD 21 of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the personal computer 1 is used as a client of the virtual reality space sharing system.

FIG. 11 shows the personal computer 1 and the server 11 which are executed by fully pressing the shutter button 10 of the personal computer 1.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the process of FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a personal computer 1 for executing virtual space sharing.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the process of FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a personal computer 1 for executing virtual space sharing.
9 is a flowchart for explaining the process 2;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a mail creation process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a home network system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network home appliance configuring the home network 201 of FIG.

FIG. 17 illustrates a notification destination setting window and a notification voice setting window.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a voice notification process by the network home appliance in FIG. 16;

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-3 PC, 21 LCD, 22
Imaging unit, 23 CCD video camera, 52 CP
U, 54 RAM, 56 HDD, 92 Internet, 93 mail server, 201 home network, 204 portable terminal, 211 communication I / F,
212 ROM, 213 CPU, 214 RA
M, 215 HD, 216 monitoring unit, 217 input unit, 218 output unit, 219 function block

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/58

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for creating and transmitting an electronic mail, comprising: storage means for storing a description of a function of a predetermined object; monitoring means for monitoring a use state of the object; Creating means for creating a message about the function of the object based on the use state of the object using the description of the function stored in the storage means; and transmitting the message by e-mail. And an information processing apparatus. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit creates a message about a function of the object that has not been used yet. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object is a household electric appliance. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: generating means for generating data of a synthetic sound corresponding to the message; and transmitting means for transmitting the synthetic sound data. apparatus. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising setting means for setting whether the message is transmitted by the electronic mail or the data of the synthesized sound. 6. An information processing method for creating and transmitting an e-mail, comprising: a monitoring step of monitoring a use state of a predetermined object; and a function of the object based on the use state of the object. Creating a message using the description of the function stored in the storage unit that stores the description of the function of the object, and an e-mail transmitting step of transmitting the message by e-mail. An information processing method characterized by the following. 7. A process for creating and transmitting an electronic mail,
A recording medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute, a monitoring step of monitoring a use state of a predetermined object, and a function of the object based on the use state of the object. A creating step of creating a message using the description of the function stored in the storage unit storing the description of the function of the object; and an e-mail transmitting step of transmitting the message by e-mail. A recording medium storing a computer program characterized by the following.