JP2001265369A - Voice processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance idea elaboration rich in variation by creating a pseudo- conversion with a nearby arranged body. SOLUTION: When a reed switch 9 switches as a result of the nearby arrangement of an object to be detected, a control means 1 reads sounds or voices out of storage means 2 and 3 and outputs them from a sound output means 7. For example, a 1st storage means 3 which stores the sound inputted from a sound input means 3 in a rewritable state and a 2nd storage means 2 which previously stores plural registered sound output patterns showing combinations of voices and output intervals are provided. The control means 1 detecting the switching of the reed switch 9 optionally selects a voice output pattern from the 2nd storage means 2 according to a random number generated in the control means 1, reads the sounds or vices out of the 1st storage means 3 according to the selected pattern, and outputs them in order from the sound output means 7. They may be used in arbitrary combination with a synthesized voice or automatically registered voice together with a voice registered by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice processing apparatus having a function of outputting registered sounds or voices, and performing a pseudo conversation between the apparatuses using the function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The function of outputting input sound or voice has been applied to, for example, toys such as electronic pets, and clock devices that wake up by voice. Many toys such as electronic pets use this function to learn words from the user (owner).

[0003]

However, unlike conventional creatures, this conventional voice processing device (for example, a toy) has almost no function of using the learned words, and therefore is inevitably a machine partner. He was conscious of this, and his interest as an electronic pet (simulated creature) was poor.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a speech processing device that is rich in changes and has high interest by establishing a pseudo conversation between devices.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above object, a voice processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a lead for switching when a detection target is placed in close proximity. A switch, sound output means for outputting sound or sound, storage means for storing sound or sound, and control means, wherein the control means changes a detection signal due to a switching operation of the reed switch. And controlling the voice output means and the storage means to read out the sound or voice stored in the storage means and to output the sound or voice from the voice output means.

For example, the apparatus further includes voice input means for inputting voice and random number generation means for generating a random number, wherein the storage means stores the voice input from the voice input means in a rewritable manner. 1 storage means, and a second storage means in which a plurality of voice output patterns indicating combinations of voices and output intervals are stored in advance, wherein the control means detects switching of the reed switch by the detection signal. Arbitrarily selecting a pattern from the plurality of audio output patterns in the second storage means based on the random number generated by the random number generation means, reading the audio from the first storage means in accordance with the selected pattern, Output from the audio output means. Alternatively, the apparatus further includes voice input means for inputting voice and random number generation means for generating a random number, wherein the storage means stores a plurality of voices input from the voice input means in a rewritable manner. A storage means and a plurality of voices or voices, a second voice output pattern indicating the combination and output interval of the voices or voices, and a first voice output pattern indicating the voice combination and the output interval in the first storage means are stored in advance. The second storage means, when the switching of the reed switch is detected by the detection signal, based on a random number generated by the random number generation means. A pattern is arbitrarily selected from the first and second voice output patterns, and the voice or voice is read from the first or second storage means according to the selected pattern. Out, and sequentially outputted from the audio output means.

Further, voice input means for inputting voice,
Random number generation means for generating a random number, wherein the control means, during a period in which the reed switch is switched and the detection target is arranged in proximity, the random number generated from the random number generation means has a predetermined value. When indicated, the voice input from the voice input means is acquired and stored in the storage area of the automatic registration voice in the storage means. In this case, the storage means includes a first storage means in which the automatically fetched voice is rewritably stored, and a second storage means, in which a third voice output pattern indicating a combination and an output interval of the automatically registered voice is stored in advance. The control means, when detecting that the object to be detected is arranged close to the object but that sound is no longer input from the sound input device,
According to the third sound output pattern in the storage means, the first
The automatic registration voice stored in the storage means is read out and output from the voice output means.

The first or second storage means has an area in which a subject voice representing a noun serving as a subject is registered in advance, and the control means indicates that a random number generated by the random number generation means indicates a predetermined value. At this time, the subject voice is read out from the storage means, and the subject voice is intermittently inserted before each voice to be output based on the pattern, and the voice output from the voice output means is executed.

According to the audio processing apparatus having the above configuration,
When the reed switch is switched and the conversion of the detection signal is detected by the control circuit simply by facing the object to be detected, for example, another voice processing device of the same configuration, the sound or voice is automatically read from the storage means. And output from the audio output means. The arrangement of the sound or voice at this time,
The interval is determined based on the first to third audio output patterns stored in the second storage means. The first to third audio output patterns are provided with a mechanism for imitating various pseudo conversations. For example, the audio output timing is set between two devices, the voice uttered by the other party is returned as it is, and the subject (pet name or owner's name) is associated with a predicate (registered word). Therefore, a sensation as if the voice processing device of the present invention and the detection target (for example, another device) are talking on their own will be evoked.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a voice processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic pet toy.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a toy according to an embodiment of the voice processing device of the present invention. In FIG.
M8 indicates each part of the body of the toy in the form of a simulated creature, M1 indicates a head button, M2 and M3 indicate ears, and M4 indicates an ear.
Indicates a right hand, M5 indicates a left hand, M6 indicates a right foot, M7 indicates a left foot, and M8 indicates a main body.

The head button M1 is a button for controlling activation and sleeping in the present invention, and incorporates a head switch described later inside. When the user depresses the head button M1, a head switch described later can be turned on. The ears M2 and M3 have a built-in microphone (voice input means) described later, and the voice recognized by the toy is taken into the toy from here. The right hand M4 incorporates a magnet described later inside, and the left hand M4
Reference numeral 5 has a built-in reed switch described below. When the magnet approaches the left hand and the reed switch conducts, the communication switch described later is turned on. The right hand M4 and the left hand M5 are arrows a and b.
And an alarm switch described later is turned on in response to the raising / lowering operation of the right hand M4 and the left hand M5. Right foot M6 and left foot M7 are main body M8
And supports the main body M8 such that the toy can stand upright on a horizontal plane. The main body M8 includes a battery for operating the toy, and a board including a clock operation mechanism, a speaker, a control circuit, and the like to be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toy according to an embodiment of the voice processing device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1 is a control circuit (registering means), 2 is a ROM (notification sound storage means), 3 is a FLASH ROM (storage means and temporary storage means), 4 is a microphone, and 5 is a pitch conversion circuit. , 6
Is an audio amplifier circuit, 7 is a speaker (audio output means),
Reference numeral 8 denotes a head switch, 9 denotes a communication switch, 10 denotes an alarm switch, 11 denotes a reset switch, and 12 denotes a clock operating mechanism.

The control circuit 1 converts an analog audio signal output from the microphone 4 into digital audio data and
The audio data recorded on the ROM 2 and the FLASH ROM 3 are converted into an analog audio signal S 3 and output to the pitch conversion circuit 5. Further, the pitch of the audio signal output from the pitch conversion circuit is controlled by the control signal S4. Clock operation mechanism 1
The alarm operation in the alarm mode, which will be described later, is started by the control signal S1 by the control signal 2 and the time is measured by the pulse signal S2. In addition, voice recording and voice output are performed in accordance with control signals from the head switch 8, the communication switch 9, the alarm switch 10, and the reset switch 11. The operation of the control circuit 1 is executed based on a program read from the ROM 2.

The ROM 2 stores voice data to be uttered by the toy and a program of the control circuit 1 as data, and outputs data at an address designated by the control circuit 1 to the control circuit 1. FLASH ROM3
Records various data including audio data output from the control circuit 1 at a predetermined address specified by the control circuit, and outputs data at a predetermined address specified by the control circuit 1 to the control circuit 1. The microphone 4 outputs an audio signal to the control circuit 1. The pitch conversion circuit 5 outputs a signal obtained by converting the pitch of the audio signal S3 output from the control circuit 1 based on the control signal S3 to the audio amplification circuit 6. The audio amplification circuit 6 amplifies the signal output from the pitch conversion circuit 5 and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker 7. The speaker 7 converts an audio signal output from the audio amplification circuit 6 into audio and outputs the audio. The head switch 8, the communication switch 9, and the alarm switch 10 all output a signal for controlling an operation mode of a toy described later to the control circuit 1. Reset switch 11
Resets all the voices stored in the toy and the values of each parameter for controlling the operation of the toy, and sets the operation mode of the toy to an initial state. The clock operation mechanism outputs a signal S1 for controlling start and stop of the alarm operation to the control circuit 1, and outputs a pulse signal S2 having a constant cycle to the control circuit 1 as a pulse signal for time measurement.

Next, the operation of the toy having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation mode related to the operation at the time of the first activation of the toy according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In the figure, M0 indicates an initial startup mode, and M indicates a normal mode. I0 to I2 indicate the mode transition in each mode.

The initial startup mode M0 is an operation mode in a state where a battery is inserted for the first time or a state where the reset switch 11 is turned on. In this first boot mode,
The operation of registering the name of the toy itself (hereinafter referred to as a pet name) and the name of the user of the toy (hereinafter referred to as an owner name) to the toy is performed. The normal mode M is a mode in which a normal operation of the toy described later is performed.

When a battery is inserted into a toy for the first time, the operating state of the toy is the initial activation mode M0. At the beginning of this mode, all parameters described later are in the initial state, and all registered words described later are also deleted.
In this mode, the process of registering the pet name and the owner name in the toy is performed. When the registration is completed, the operation mode is shifted to the normal mode M by the transition I2. When the mode shifts to the normal mode M, the operation of the normal mode described later is executed. In the normal mode M, the state of the reset switch 11 is constantly monitored, and when the reset switch 11 is turned on, the operation mode is immediately shifted to the initial startup mode M0 by the transition I1.
At this time, all parameters and registered words described later are lost. The transition I0 indicates a mode transition due to a temporary stop of power supply to the internal circuit due to replacement of a battery or the like. Even if the power supply is stopped in the normal mode M due to battery replacement or the like, if the power supply is started again, the operation mode remains unchanged in the normal mode M. That is, parameters and registration words described later are FLASH
It is stored in the ROM 3. Even in the first activation mode M0, the mode transition by the transition I0 does not occur.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the operation mode in the normal mode M. In FIG. 4, M11 indicates a wake-up mode, M12 indicates a sleeping mode, M13 indicates an alarm mode, and M14 indicates a communication mode.

The wake-up mode M11 includes voice recognition processing for learning conversation and words, random utterance processing for randomly uttering stored words, and automatic voice registration processing for automatically storing sounds input to the microphone 4. Is a mode for performing the processing described later.

The sleeping mode M12 is a mode in which all operation processes such as conversation in the wake-up mode M11 are stopped.

The alarm mode M13 is a voice alarm for notifying the user of the set time by uttering a registered word or the like as an alarm when a predetermined time set in advance by the user is reached. This is the mode in which the operation is performed. After the toy emits the sound of the alarm, the user speaks the words stored in the toy toward the microphone 4 of the toy to recognize the words,
The alarm of the time signal can be temporarily stopped without touching the toy.

The communication mode M14 is a mode in which the words stored in the toy are uttered while the toys are brought close to each other, and the sound being uttered is stored. Such an operation gives the user an impression as if the toys are autonomously communicating. FIG. 5 is an overhead view showing the arrangement of the toys in the communication mode M14. At the tips of the left hand M5 and the right hand M4 of the toy, a reed switch 91 and a magnet 92 are respectively built. When the magnet 92 of the other toy approaches the reed switch 91 of one toy and the reed switch 91 conducts and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the operation mode shifts to the communication mode M14.

Next, the transition between the respective modes in the normal mode M will be described.

When the above-described operation in the first activation mode M0 is completed, the operation mode is changed to the wake-up mode M11 in transition I2.
Move to Timing starts with the transition to the wake-up mode M0, and the elapsed time when the operation mode is in the wake-up mode is measured. If the elapsed time exceeds, for example, 10 minutes, the operation mode shifts to the sleep mode M12 in transition I3.

In the sleep mode M12, when the head button M1 of the toy is pressed and the head switch 8 built in the head button M1 is turned on, the operation mode shifts to the wake-up mode M11 at transition I4. When the head switch 8 is turned on in the wake-up mode M11, the operation mode does not change if the toy does not emit any sound. In this case, the elapsed time of the wake-up mode M11 is reset, and the wake-up mode M11 is changed to the sleep mode M1.
The time to move to 2 is extended by 10 minutes. on the other hand,
In the wake-up mode M11, when the head switch 8 is turned on in a state where the toy is making some sound, the operation mode is forcibly shifted to the sleep mode M12.

When the left hand M5 is rotated in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 and the alarm switch 10 is turned on, the wake-up mode M
11. A transition from the sleep mode M12 and the communication mode M14 to the alarm mode M13 is made in transition I5. The alarm mode M13 is a mode having the highest priority among the other three modes in the normal mode M. When the right hand M4 or the left hand M5 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow a and the alarm switch 10 is turned off, the operation mode shifts to the sleep mode M12 at transition I6.

When the reed switch 91 is turned on and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the wake-up mode M11 and the sleeping mode M12 shift to the communication mode M14 at the transition I7. When the alarm switch 10 and the communication switch 9 are simultaneously turned on, the alarm mode M13 by the alarm switch 10 is set.
Does not shift to the communication mode M14.

There are three operation modes related to reliability parameters described later, independently of the operation modes related to the initial start-up mode M0 and the normal mode M described above. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode according to the reliability parameter. In FIG. 6, M21 is a health mode, M22 is a disease mode,
M23 indicates the asphyxia mode, respectively.

After the first battery insertion and after the reset switch 11 is turned on, the mode relating to the reliability parameter is the health mode M21. When the value of the confidence parameter fluctuates due to a condition described later and exceeds a threshold value that defines the boundary between the health mode M21 and the disease mode M22, the transition I
At 9, the mode is shifted from the health mode M21 to the disease mode M22. In the sick mode M22, a part of the operation that was processed in the health mode M21 is not performed, or the toy utters a voice as if the toy is sick. Make the impression that you are. If the user of the toy recovers the confidence parameter within a predetermined threshold value by continuing the action such as making the toy recognize words, the illness mode M22 is made in transition I11.
To the health mode M21. Conversely, when the confidence parameter fluctuates and exceeds a threshold value that defines the boundary between the illness mode M22 and the asphyxia mode M23, the state shifts from the sickness mode M22 to the asphyxia mode M23 in transition I10. In the asphyxia mode M23, most of the processing performed in the health mode M22 is not performed, all stored words are deleted, and parameters described later are not updated. Turn on reset switch 11
Then, the mode relating to the confidence parameter is sick mode M
22 and a transition to the health mode M21 from the asphyxia mode M23 in transition I1.

Next, a specific operation in each of the above-described operation modes will be described.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining the processing in the initial start mode M0. 7 and 8, Pa1 to Pa54, Pb and Pc indicate steps. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the connection relation of the steps.

In the process in the first activation mode M0, first, voice data input from the microphone 4 is registered as a pet name. In that case, to prevent the wrong voice from being registered, the user is asked to input the same voice twice to confirm the voice to be registered. If the characteristics of the voice data match twice, the pet is Registered as first names. Following the registration of the pet name, the owner's name is also registered. This registration procedure is similar to the registration of the pet name. The user is required to input the same voice twice, and when the characteristics of the voice data match twice, the user is registered as the owner name.

In step Pa1, the initial start mode M
0 processing is started. In step Pa2, a process in which the toy emits sound is executed at the beginning of the initial startup mode. In this step, since the audio data has not been recorded yet, the audio is generated from the audio data recorded in the ROM 2 in advance. Specifically, ROM2
The digitized data of the voice recorded in the ROM 2, for example, "Hiyahaha" is output to the control circuit 1 from a predetermined address of the ROM 2 in response to a request from the control circuit 1. The audio data output to the control circuit 1 is subjected to D / A conversion, converted into an analog audio signal, and output to the pitch conversion circuit 5 as a signal S3. The sound signal output to the pitch conversion circuit 5 is converted in pitch according to the signal S4 output from the control circuit 1, amplified by the voice amplification circuit 6, and converted into sound waves by the speaker 7. By emitting a predetermined sound from the toy in step Pa2, the user can recognize that the toy is operating.

At step Pa3, a waiting time parameter described below is reset. At step Pa4, a predetermined time interval, for example, 2
In response to the pulse signal S2 input every second, an interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started. Since the value of the waiting time parameter has been reset in Step Pa3, the elapsed time from Step Pa4 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pa5, the value of the integer k used in step Pa10 described later is reset to zero.

In step Pa6, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4.
Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold, the audio signal is input. Is determined. If it is determined in the control circuit 1 that no audio signal has been input, the process proceeds to step Pa7. In step Pa7,
The elapsed time from step Pa4 indicated by the value of the above-mentioned waiting time parameter is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and when the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds,
The process returns to step Pa6 again, and the presence or absence of the voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. If a voice is detected in Step Pa6 within 10 seconds, the interrupt processing for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the processing shifts from Step Pa6 to Step Pa8. If no voice is detected in Step Pa6 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process shifts from Step Pa7 to Step Pa25 described later.

In step Pa8, the analog audio signal detected in step Pa7 is subjected to A / D conversion by the control circuit 1 and converted into digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper threshold set in the control circuit 1, or smaller than the lower threshold, the voice length is set to the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold, step P
The process shifts to a9, and a sound is issued to notify that the level of the input sound is inappropriate. More specifically, for example, data of the sound “B” is read from the ROM 2, D / A-converted, and transmitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.

Next, at step Pa10, the value of the integer k is incremented by one, and
At a11, the magnitude relationship between the integer k and a predetermined integer is determined. If the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1, the process returns to step Pa6 to wait for the input of a voice again. If the integer k is larger than 1, the process returns to step Pa25 described later. Processing is shifted.
As described above, when the level of the sound converted in step Pa8 is inappropriate, the opportunity to re-input the sound a predetermined number of times is provided, so that when the user inputs an incorrect sound, The inconvenience of repeating the procedure is reduced.

At step Pa12, the voice data obtained at step Pa8 is substituted for the variable Vd. This audio data is referred to in later processing.

In step Pa13, a voice notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, "un?"
Is read from the ROM 2 and D / A-converted. The sound data is transmitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6. As described above, different voices (in the above example, “bu-” and “un?”) Are output according to the result of recognition of the input voice by the toy, so that the user interacts with the toy. Sound can be registered in the toy with a sense.

At step Pa14, the above-mentioned waiting time parameter is reset again, and at step Pa15
In, an interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started according to the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In step Pa16, the value of the integer k used in step Pa21 is reset to zero.

In step Pa17, the control circuit 1 determines again whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4, and if it is determined that no voice signal has been input, the process proceeds to step Pa18. Step Pa18
Then, the elapsed time from step Pa15 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pa17 again. , The presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. If a voice is detected in Step Pa17 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the process proceeds from Step Pa17 to Step Pa19. If no voice is detected in step Pa17 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process proceeds from step Pa18 to step Pa25 described later.

In step Pa19, step Pa17
The analog audio signal detected by the control circuit 1
It is subjected to D conversion and converted to digitized audio data. If it is determined that the voice input under the same conditions as in step Pa8 described above is inappropriate, step Pa20
The processing is shifted to the step S3, and the voice that informs that the level of the input voice is inappropriate, for example, the voice data “B” is read out from the ROM 2 and D / A-converted. The sound is emitted as sound from the speaker 7 through the amplifier circuit 6. Next, in step Pa21, the value of the integer k is incremented by one,
In step Pa22, a magnitude relationship between the integer k and a predetermined integer is determined. If the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1, the process returns to step Pa17 and waits for the input of a voice again.
If it is larger, the process proceeds to Step Pa25 described later. Similarly to steps Pa9 to Pa11,
Since an opportunity is provided to re-enter the sound a predetermined number of times when the sound level is inappropriate, the inconvenience of the user is reduced.

In step Pa23, step Pa12
And the voice data substituted for the variable Vd at step Pa19
Are compared in the control circuit 1. The features of the audio data are extracted using, for example, the amplitude of a frequency spectrum obtained by performing Fourier transform on the audio data, and are compared by a predetermined comparison procedure. Variable V
If it is determined that the voice data of step d and the characteristics of the voice data acquired in step Pa19 match, the process proceeds to step Pa24, and the voice data acquired in step Pa19 is used as the pet name in the FLASH ROM.
3 is written to a predetermined address. Conversely, if it is determined that the characteristics of the audio data do not match each other, the process proceeds to step Pa20 described above and proceeds to step Pa17.
Is given to the user again.

When the pet name is registered in step Pa24, the process proceeds to step Pa28, and a sound for notifying the user that the pet name has been registered, for example, a sound registered as the pet name is issued. As a result, the user can know that the pet name has been successfully registered, and can confirm the registered voice.

In this case, the voice data written in the FLASH ROM 3 is data of a voice uttered by the user himself, but the voice signal output from the pitch conversion circuit 5 is
Since the pitch can be controlled by the signal S4, the sound can be converted to an adorable sound such as a parakeet, and the sound can be output from the speaker 7. As a result, it is possible to avoid the unpleasantness of listening to the user's own voice, and to give the user the impression that the toy is emitting his own voice. Increase.

Steps Pa25 to Pa27 are used to randomly shift to another processing when the audio input waiting time exceeds 10 seconds or when the audio data is inappropriate due to the sound being too loud. Step. The procedure for shifting at random is based on steps Pa2 to P
a24: a pet name registration procedure, a random utterance process Pb described later, and an automatic voice registration process Pc.

At step Pa25, an integer from 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to a variable m. In step Pa26, it is determined whether the numerical value assigned to the variable m matches the integer 0, and if they match, the process returns to step Pa2, and the process of registering the pet name again is executed from the beginning. If the variable m and the integer 0 do not match, the process proceeds to step Pa27, where it is determined that the variable m and the integer 1 match, and if they do match, the process proceeds to a random utterance process Pb to be described later. If not, the process proceeds to an automatic voice registration process Pc described later. As described above, even in a state where the pet name is left unregistered in the first activation mode, processes such as a random utterance process Pb and an automatic voice registration process Pc to be described later are randomly executed. According to such a process, the mechanical impression of the user on the toy can be reduced as compared with a process in which the pet name is not registered, and the registration is urged forever.

Here, the random comment processing Pb and the automatic voice registration processing Pc will be described.

In the random speech processing Pb, the control circuit 1 randomly reads out voice data prepared in advance stored in the ROM 2 of the toy and voice data registered in the FLASH ROM 3 by the user. Then, the sound is emitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6. When the operation mode is the initial startup mode, since voice data has not yet been registered in the FLASH ROM 3 by a user's registration operation, the voice data automatically registered by the automatic voice registration process Pc to be described later, or the ROM 2 The recorded audio data prepared in advance is exclusively output.
The type of the voice data selected at random by the random utterance process Pb changes depending on a mood parameter and a reliability parameter described later.

In the automatic voice registration process Pc, voices within a predetermined length inputted to the microphone 4 are automatically converted into voice data by the control circuit 1, and FLASH R
Recorded in OM3. The number of audio data to be registered is set to a predetermined maximum number, for example, three or less. If the number of audio data to be registered exceeds this, any one of the recording areas where audio data is recorded in the automatic audio registration process Pc. Is overwritten and recorded. The voice data registered in the automatic voice registration process Pc includes the above-mentioned random speech process Pb,
Since the utterance is generated in a conversation process to be described later, the unexpectedness of the content of the voice uttered by the toy increases, whereby the mechanical impression of the toy is reduced, and the taste of the toy as a simulated creature can be increased.

In the course of the pet name registration process, in addition to the above-mentioned random speech process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc, a number of other different processes can be provided and the process can be made randomly. This can reduce the disadvantage that the toy is bored by forcing the user to perform a single process.

Next, the processing after the completion of the pet name registration in the first activation mode M0 will be described.

After the pet name is registered, the owner name is registered by the same steps. Specifically, steps Pa29 to Pa49 and steps Pa3 to Pa23
Then, the same processing is performed respectively.

In step Pa52, an integer from 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to a variable m. In step Pa53, it is determined whether the numerical value assigned to the variable m is equal to the integer 0, and if they match, the process returns to step Pa28, in which the pet name is uttered and then the owner name is registered again. Executed from the beginning. If the variable m and the integer 0 do not match, the process proceeds to step Pa54, where it is determined that the variable m matches the integer 1, and if they do match, the process proceeds to the above-described random utterance process Pb. And if not, the process proceeds to the automatic voice registration process Pc described above. Through the same procedure as steps Pa25 to Pa27 in the registration of the pet name, processes such as the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc are executed at random, so that the mechanical impression of the user on the toy is reduced. be able to.

In step Pa49, step Pa
If it is determined that the characteristics of the voice data acquired in step 45 and the voice data of the variable Vd match, step Pa50
In, the audio data obtained in step Pa45 is written to a predetermined address of the flash ROM 3 as the owner name. Thereafter, a sound indicating that the owner name has been registered, for example, a registered owner name is output. As with the process for registering pet names, FLASH ROM
When the voice data registered as the owner's name in 3 is converted to voice, the pitch is changed by the pitch conversion circuit 5, so that the user is given the impression that the toy is emitting his own voice. Can be.

When the registration of the pet name and the owner's name is completed, the operation of the first activation mode M0 is completed, and the operation mode is shifted to the wake-up mode M11 at transition I2.

Next, the operation in the wake-up mode M11 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the wake-up mode M11. 4 and 9 indicate the same contents. In addition, Pd1 to Pd17 indicate steps.

In the wake-up mode M11, in addition to the above-described random utterance processing Pb and the automatic voice registration processing Pc, a voice recognition processing Pe, which will be described later, is randomly selected and executed by the generated random numbers. At this time, if the mode based on the reliability parameter is the sick mode M22 described above, the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc are not executed, and a voice that sometimes indicates the sickness is generated. In the temporary death mode M23, the random utterance process Pb, the automatic voice registration process Pc, and the voice recognition process Pe, which will be described later, are all not executed, and a voice notifying the temporary death mode is issued. Also, the status of the head switch 8, the communication switch 9, and the alarm switch 10 are monitored,
The processing is shifted to each operation mode according to the state of the switch. Further, the time from when the process is shifted to the wake-up mode M11 is measured, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process is shifted to the sleeping mode M12.

When the process is started in step Pd1 of the wake-up mode M11, in step Pd2, the wake-up time parameter described below is reset to zero. In step Pd3, an interrupt process for incrementing the wake-up time parameter is started in response to a pulse signal S2 input from the clock operation mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every two seconds. Since the value of the wake-up time parameter has been reset in step Pd2, the elapsed time from step Pd3 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pd4, it is confirmed whether or not the mode relating to the reliability parameter is the asphyxia mode M23. In the case of the temporary death mode M23, a voice notifying the user of the temporary death mode is issued in step Pd5. More specifically, audio data representing a suspended state recorded at a predetermined address in the ROM 2 is read out, D / A-converted, pitch-converted by a pitch conversion circuit 5, passed through a voice amplification circuit 6 and passed through a speaker. 7 is output as audio. Thereafter, a step Pd1 described later.
The process is shifted to 1.

In step Pd4, the temporary death mode M23
If not, it is next checked in step Pd6 whether the mode is the sick mode M22.
If it is in the sick mode M22, step Pd7
At step S22, a voice is issued to notify the user that the user is in the sick mode M22. More specifically, voice data expressing a disease state recorded at a predetermined address in the ROM 2 is read out, D / A converted, the pitch is converted by a pitch conversion circuit 5, passed through a voice amplification circuit 6, and passed through a speaker. 7 is output as audio. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a speech recognition process Pe described later.

In steps Pd4 and Pd6, the modes related to the reliability parameters are not the asphyxia mode M23 and the sick mode M22, ie, the health mode M2.
After it is confirmed that the value is 1, Step Pd8-
In Pd10, a speech recognition process Pe, a random utterance process Pb, and an automatic speech registration process Pc are randomly selected and executed. Specifically, at step Pd8, 0
An integer of ~ 2 is randomly generated and assigned to a variable m. Next, in step Pd9, a match between the integer 0 and the variable m is determined.
e is transferred to step e.
The process is shifted to 0. In step Pd10, it is determined that the integer 1 matches the variable m. If the two match, the process proceeds to the above-described random utterance process Pb, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to the above-described automatic voice registration process Pc. Therefore, any one of the speech recognition processing Pe, the random speech processing Pb, and the automatic speech registration processing Pc is selected and executed.

Voice recognition processing Pe, random speech processing Pb
After the completion of the automatic voice registration process Pc, the process proceeds to Step Pd11. In step Pd11, the state of the alarm switch 10 is confirmed, and if the alarm switch 10 is ON, the process is shifted to the alarm mode M13 by the above-described transition I5. If it is confirmed that the alarm switch 10 is turned off, the process proceeds to Step Pd12.

At step Pd12, the state of the communication switch 9 is confirmed. If the communication switch 9 is turned on, step Pd1
3, the state of the mode relating to the reliability parameter is confirmed, and if the mode is not in the suspended
7, the processing shifts to the communication mode M14. When the mode related to the reliability parameter is the temporary death mode, the process does not shift to the communication mode M14, and the process shifts to the next step Pd14. Also, when it is confirmed in step Pd12 that the communication switch 9 has not been turned ON, the process proceeds to step Pd14.

At step Pd14, it is confirmed whether or not the sleep mode has been selected. When the sleep mode is selected, the process is shifted to the sleep mode M12 by the above-described transition I3, and when not selected, the process is shifted to Step Pd15 described later.

Whether the sleep mode has been selected or not is determined by
This is done by checking the state of the sleep mode selection flag. When the head switch 8 is turned on, an interruption process occurs, and in that process, a sleep mode selection flag is set. Specifically, when the head switch 8 is turned on while the voice signal is being output from the control circuit 1 in the random speech processing Pb, the voice recognition processing Pe, and the communication mode M14, and the above-described interrupt processing occurs, this interrupt is generated. In the process, a sleep mode selection flag is set. Then, in step Pd14, the state of the sleep mode selection flag is determined, and if it is confirmed that the sleep mode selection flag is set, the process proceeds to the sleep mode M12 in transition I3, and the sleep mode selection flag is set. If it is confirmed that the process has not been performed, the process proceeds to Step Pd15. That is,
In the random speech processing Pb, the voice recognition processing Pe, and the communication mode M14, when the toy is hit and the head switch 8 is turned on while the toy is emitting sound, the operation mode of the toy is shifted to the sleeping mode. You. When the state of the sleep mode selection flag is confirmed in step Pd14 and the process proceeds to the next process, the sleep mode selection flag is reset. By the above processing, the user can stop the sound of the toy by hitting the head of the toy when the sound generated by the toy becomes harsh.

At step Pd15, it is confirmed whether or not the extension of the wake-up time is selected. If the extension of the wake-up time is selected, the process proceeds to step Pd16, and after the wake-up time parameter is reset, the process proceeds to step Pd17. If the extension of the wake-up time has not been selected, the process proceeds to Step Pd17. Step Pd17 to be described later
From the wake-up mode M11 to the sleep mode M1 when the time for measuring the wake-up time parameter exceeds a predetermined time.
The processing is shifted to 2, but when the wake-up time parameter is reset in step Pd16, the measured time is returned to zero. Is extended.

Whether the extension of the wake-up time is selected or not is determined by checking the state of the wake-up time extension flag. When the head switch 8 is turned on, an interrupt process occurs as in the case of the sleep mode selection flag,
In the process, a wake-up time extension flag is set.
Specifically, in the wake-up mode M11 in a period other than the above-described conditions for setting the sleeping mode selection flag (when a voice signal is output from the control circuit 1 in the random speech processing Pb or the voice recognition processing Pe), When the switch 8 is turned on and the above interrupt processing occurs,
In this interrupt processing, the wake-up time extension flag is set. Then, in step Pd15, the state of the sleep mode selection flag is determined, and if it is confirmed that the wake-up time extension flag is set, the process proceeds to step Pd
If the wake-up time parameter is reset at 16 and it is confirmed that the wake-up time extension flag has not been set, the process proceeds to step Pd17. That is, when the toy head is hit in the wake-up mode M11 in a period other than when the toy is emitting a voice in the random speech processing Pb, the voice recognition processing Pe, and the communication mode M14 to turn on the head switch 8,
The time until the operation mode is shifted to the sleep mode M12 can be extended. When the state of the wake-up time extension flag is confirmed in step Pd15 and the process proceeds to the next process, the wake-up time extension flag is reset. By the above processing, the user can wake up mode M11 as much as desired.
Can be extended to enjoy the operation of the toy.

When the head switch 8 is turned on, a process for causing the toy to emit predetermined voice data can be provided. Thereby, the reaction of the toy caused by the user touching the head of the toy can be enjoyed. At this time, different sounds can be generated according to the time during which the head switch is ON. For example, a pulse having an appropriate period is provided in the control circuit 1 and the number of pulses is counted by the control circuit 1 during the period from when the head switch is turned on to when the head switch is turned off. The sound to be uttered by the toy can be changed according to the number of pulses counted by such a method.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the utterance processing according to the switching time. In FIG. 15, Pi1 to Pi8 indicate steps.

The utterance process according to the switching time is started from step Pi1 in which it is detected that the head switch 8 has been turned on. First, in step Pi2, the time T _SW from when the head switch 8 is turned on to when it is turned off is measured by, for example, the method of counting the number of pulses described above. Next, in step Pi3, for example, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not the switching time T _SW is within a predetermined time range. Specifically, the switching time T _SW is equal to or longer than the lower limit value T1 (for example, 0.03 seconds) and the predetermined value T2 (for example, 0.4 seconds).
If it is less than the range, the process shifts to step Pi4, and if it is out of the range, the process shifts to step Pi5.

When the process proceeds to step Pi4, for example, anger voice 1 "bu-" or anger voice 2 "burururururu" is uttered once or more than once. Specifically, RO
The audio data recorded in M2, for example, audio data such as "B" or "Bururu Lulu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted. The pitch is converted by the pitch conversion circuit 5 and then amplified by the audio amplification circuit 6. The sound is output from the speaker 7 as sound. On the other hand, the processing is performed at step Pi5.
In this case, it is determined whether or not the switching time T _SW is equal to or longer than the predetermined value T2. If the switching time T _SW is equal to or longer than the predetermined value T2, in step Pi6, a pleasure voice, for example, “fey to n” or “ ~ "Is uttered through the same procedure as the anger sound described above.

After the anger voice or the pleasure voice is output in this way, in step Pi7, the selection mode is determined. For example, when the head switch 8 is pressed during the wake-up mode or the communication mode to start the present process, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the sleep mode has been selected in the sleep mode, and if the sleep mode has been selected, the sleep mode M1
2 and the sleep mode is not selected, and the wake-up mode M11 or the communication mode M14 is maintained. Conversely, when the head switch 8 is pressed during the sleep mode to start this processing,
In step Pi7, it is determined whether or not the wake-up mode has been selected. If the wake-up mode has been selected, the process is forcibly shifted to the wake-up mode M11. Mode M11 is maintained. Although not redundantly described here, as described above, the determination of the selection of the sleep mode or the wake-up mode has a different result depending on whether or not the sound is being output.

On the other hand, the switching time T _SW is lower than the lower limit T1.
If shorter, step Pi3 and step Pi5
Does not fall within the range, the process proceeds to step Pi8, and it is assumed that the head switch 8 has not been effectively pressed, and the original process at the start of the process is continued.

As described above, for example, when the ON time of the head switch is between 0.03 seconds and less than 0.4 seconds, it is considered that the head has been hit, and the voice expressing anger is uttered by the toy. When the head switch is turned on for more than 0.4 seconds, the processing of causing the toy to utter a voice expressing pleasure by assuming that the head has been stroked is performed by interrupting or branching when the head switch 8 is turned on. It is executed in the process. It is also possible to incorporate a sensor for detecting pressure in the head switch and change the sound in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure. Further, the type of voice data can be changed by a mood parameter to be described later to express pleasant or unpleasant mood by voice. By the above processing,
Since the toy can respond to the operation of the user by emitting various sounds, the mechanical impression of the toy is weakened,
The taste as a simulated creature can be enhanced.

Next, the operation of the speech recognition processing Pe will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the voice recognition processing Pe. In FIG.
1 to Pe16 and Pf, Pg, Ph indicate steps.

First, the outline of the speech recognition processing Pe will be described. In the voice recognition processing Pe, the voice data input from the microphone 4 and the features of the voice data recorded in the FLASH ROM 3 are compared. If the voice data having the matching features is recorded in the FLASH ROM 3, the speech processing Ph is performed. Let it run. In the conversation processing Ph, the voice input from the microphone 4 is read from the ROM 2 and the FLASH RO.
The voice data recorded in M3 is converted into voice in various combinations and uttered. Therefore, the user can enjoy an unexpected voice response from the toy to the voice input to the microphone. On the other hand, audio data whose characteristics match the audio data input from the microphone 4 is FLA
If not recorded in the SH ROM 3, a temporary registration process Pf and a registration extension process Pg, which will be described later, are executed. As a result, the sound input from the microphone 4 is converted into sound data by the control circuit 1 and recorded on the FLASH ROM 3. The temporary registration process Pf and the registration extension process Pg include a process of randomly changing a process until voice data is recorded in the FLASH ROM 3, and provide a user with an interest in an action of causing a toy to remember a voice. I have it.

In the speech recognition processing Pe, the microphone 4
The mood parameter is incremented each time the control circuit 1 converts the sound input into the mood parameter. The mood parameter is a parameter that changes the type of voice to be uttered in the above-described random utterance processing Pb or the type of voice to be uttered when the head switch 8 is turned on. Also, related to the above-mentioned reliability parameter, when the mood parameter is raised to a predetermined maximum value, the reliability parameter is incremented. That is, each time a voice is recognized in the voice recognition processing Pe, the mood parameter increases, and the reliability parameter increases in accordance with the mood parameter. On the other hand, the mood parameter and the reliability parameter are decremented every predetermined time in the interrupt processing generated every predetermined time by counting the pulse signal S2 of the predetermined cycle output from the clock operation mechanism 12, so that the toy in the voice recognition processing Pe is performed. If the user neglects the operation of recognizing the voice, the type of voice generated by the toy changes due to the decrease in the mood parameter, and the operation mode of the toy automatically becomes ill after a certain period due to the reduction in the reliability parameter. The mode shifts to the mode M22 or the temporary death mode M23, and a part of the normal processing becomes inoperable.
As described above, since the process of causing the toy to recognize the voice and the other behavior of the toy are associated with each other, the user is given an interest in the act of continuously giving a voice to the toy and taking care of the toy. I have.

Hereinafter, the detailed operation of the speech recognition processing Pe will be described.

The speech recognition processing Pe is started from step Pe1. First, the voice recognition time parameter is reset in step Pe2, and thereafter, in step Pe3, an interrupt for incrementing the voice recognition time parameter in response to a pulse signal S2 input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every two seconds. Processing is started. The value of the speech recognition time parameter is determined by the step Pe.
2, the elapsed time from step Pe3 can be measured by referring to this value.

After the start of the measurement of the voice recognition time, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4 in step Pe4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the audio signal is not input,
When it is larger than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is being input. If the control circuit 1 determines that no audio signal has been input, the process proceeds to step Pe5. In step Pe5, the elapsed time from step Pe3 indicated by the value of the above-described voice recognition time parameter is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds.
The process is returned again to detect the presence or absence of the voice input from the microphone 4. If a voice is detected in step Pe4 within 30 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the voice recognition time parameter is stopped, and the process shifts from step Pe4 to step Pe6. If no voice is detected in step Pe4 within 30 seconds, the interrupt processing for incrementing the voice recognition time parameter is similarly stopped.
The process proceeds from step Pe5 to step Pe16, and the voice recognition process ends.

At step Pe6, the analog audio signal detected at step Pe4 is subjected to A / D conversion by the control circuit 1 and converted into digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper threshold set in the control circuit 1, or smaller than the lower threshold, the voice length is set to the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold, step P
The process proceeds to e7, and a sound is generated to notify that the level of the input sound is inappropriate. More specifically, for example, data of the sound “B” is read from the ROM 2, D / A-converted, and transmitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.
Thereafter, the process returns to step Pe7, and the process of waiting for the input of the voice is performed again. In step Pe6,
When the audio signal from the microphone 4 is normally converted into audio data, the acquired audio data is substituted for the variable Vd.

After the voice data is substituted for the variable Vd, in step Pe9, the above-mentioned mood parameter is incremented by, for example, 1, and the process proceeds to step Pe10. Thereafter, in step Pe10, it is confirmed whether or not the toy is in the sick mode M22. If the toy is in the sick mode M22, in step Pe11 voice data indicating that the toy is in the sick mode is read from the ROM 2 and converted into a voice signal. , Pitch conversion circuit 5, sound amplification circuit 6
Is output from the speaker 7 as audio. And
After incrementing the number of times of voice recognition in step Pe12, the process returns to step Pe4, and the process of waiting for the input of voice again is executed. As described above, when the toy is in the sick mode M22, a voice registration process described later is not executed.

If it is determined in step Pe10 that the toy is not in the sick mode, the process proceeds to step Pe13. In step Pe13, the voice data substituted for the variable Vd in step Pe8 and FL
The features of audio data (hereinafter referred to as registered words) already registered in the ASH ROM 3 are compared. And
When a registered word that is determined to have the same voice data characteristics by a predetermined determination method is found, a number indicating the storage location of the registered word is substituted into the variable J as a registered word number (step Pe14). . Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired registration word is a temporary registration word described later (step Pe15). If the obtained registration word is not a temporary registration word, the above-described conversation processing Ph is performed, and the process returns to step Pe2 again. A process for waiting for a voice input is executed.

In the search in step Pe13,
If no voice data whose characteristics match the voice data assigned to the variable Vd is found in the FLASH ROM 3, the input word is input again by the user.
Temporary registration process P for storing in a toy as a registration word
f and registration extension processing Pg are executed. Details of these processes will be described later. When the registration extension process Pg ends, the process returns to step Pe2, and the process of waiting for the input of a voice is executed again, similarly to the conversation process Ph.
When it is confirmed in step Pe15 that the registered word searched in step Pe14 is the temporarily registered word, the registration extension process Pg is executed instead of the conversation process Ph.

Next, the operation of the above-described temporary registration process Pf will be described. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts for explaining processing in the temporary registration processing Pf. 11 and 12, Pf1 to Pf33 indicate steps. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the connection relation of the steps.

In the temporary registration process Pf, the voice input from the microphone 4 is used as a registration word in the FLASH RO
The process of recording in M3 is performed. At this time, in order to confirm whether or not the user has the intention to store the voice input in step Pf5 as a registration word in the toy, a process of inputting the same voice a plurality of times is performed. When it is determined that the characteristics of the input audio data match, the audio data is recorded in the FLASH ROM 3 as a registered word. By performing the above-described processing, it is possible to prevent inconvenience in which a voice that has no intention to be registered is registered in the toy, such as when an erroneous voice is input to the toy, so that a new voice is registered. In such a case, a troublesome operation such as pressing a button becomes unnecessary.

In step Pf1, a temporary registration process Pf
1 is started. In step Pf2, a process in which the toy emits sound is executed at the beginning of the temporary registration process Pf1. More specifically, audio data recorded in the ROM 2, for example, audio data such as "un?" The sound is output from the speaker 7 as sound. As described above, the predetermined sound is emitted from the toy in step Pf2, so that the user can confirm that the input sound is sound not registered in the toy.

In step Pf3, the waiting time parameter is reset, and in step Pa4, an interrupt for incrementing the waiting time parameter in response to a pulse signal S2 input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every two seconds. Processing is started. Since the value of the waiting time parameter has been reset in step Pf3, the elapsed time from step Pf4 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pf5, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4.
Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold, the audio signal is input. Is determined. If the control circuit 1 determines that no audio signal has been input, the processing shifts to step Pf6. In Step Pf6,
The elapsed time from step Pf4 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and when the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds,
The process returns to step Pf5, and the presence or absence of the voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. If a voice is detected in Step Pf5 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the process shifts from Step Pf5 to Step Pf7. If no voice is detected in step Pf5 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process proceeds from step Pf6 to the first step of the above-described voice recognition process Pe. Will be migrated.

At step Pf7, the analog audio signal detected at step Pf5 is subjected to A / D conversion by the control circuit 1 and converted into digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper threshold set in the control circuit 1, or smaller than the lower threshold, the voice length is set to the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold, step P
The process shifts to f8, and a sound is generated to notify that the level of the input sound is inappropriate. More specifically, for example, data of the sound “B” is read from the ROM 2, D / A-converted, and transmitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.
Thereafter, the process returns to the first step of the above-described speech recognition processing Pe. If the voice data is normally acquired in step Pf7, in the next step Pf9, a voice for notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data "Un?" It is D / A converted and is emitted as sound from a speaker 7 through a pitch conversion circuit 5 and a sound amplification circuit 6.

In step Pf10, the above-described waiting time parameter is reset again, and the process proceeds to step Pf11.
In, an interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started according to the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In step Pf12, step Pf17 described later
Is reset to zero.

In step Pf13, the control circuit 1 determines again whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4, and if it is determined that no voice signal has been input, the process proceeds to step Pf14. Step Pf14
Then, the elapsed time from step Pf11 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process returns to step Pf13 again. , The presence or absence of a voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. If a voice is detected in Step Pf13 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the process shifts from Step Pf13 to Step Pf15. If no voice is detected in Step Pf13 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process returns to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

In Step Pf15, Step Pf13
The analog audio signal detected by the control circuit 1
It is subjected to D conversion and converted to digitized audio data. If it is determined that the voice input under the same conditions as in step Pf7 described above is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step Pf16.
The sound is transmitted from the ROM 2 and is subjected to D / A conversion, for example, sound data indicating that the level of the inputted sound is inappropriate, for example, sound data such as "B".
The sound is emitted from a speaker 7 through a pitch conversion circuit 5 and a sound amplification circuit 6. Next, in step Pf17, the value of the integer k is incremented by one, and in step Pf18, the magnitude relationship between the integer k and the integer 1 is determined. When the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1, the process returns to step Pf13 to wait for the input of the voice again, and the integer k is set to 1
If it is larger, the process returns to the first step of the speech recognition process Pe. As described above, since an opportunity is provided to re-input a predetermined number of times (in the above example, once) when the level of the audio is inappropriate, when an erroneous audio is input, It is not necessary to return to the initial step of the voice recognition processing Pe and repeat the input from the beginning, and the inconvenience of repeating the same operation is reduced.

If the voice data is normally obtained in step Pf15, the voice data obtained in step Pf19 is substituted for the variable Vd. Variable Vd
Is used to confirm a match with audio data input in a process described later.

Next, in step Pf20, a voice notifying that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data such as "Woonmo" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and the pitch conversion circuit 5, the voice amplification circuit 6 And is emitted from the speaker 7 as voice. Since the sound emitted by the toy in response to the recognition of the sound changes (in the above example, “un?” Changes to “woonmo”), the user must confirm that the toy has recognized the sound and that the sound is being registered. You can know the stage.

In step Pf21, the above-mentioned waiting time parameter is reset again, and in step Pf22
In, an interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started according to the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In Step Pf23, Step Pf28 described later
Is reset to zero.

In step Pf24, the control circuit 1 again determines the presence or absence of a sound input from the microphone 4, and when it is determined that no sound signal is input, the process proceeds to step Pf25. Step Pf
In 25, the elapsed time from step Pf22 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter and a predetermined time,
For example, the elapsed time is compared with 10 seconds, and if the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process returns to Step Pf24 again.
The presence or absence of a voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. 10
If a voice is detected in step Pf24 within seconds, the interrupt processing for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the processing shifts from step Pf24 to step Pf26. If no voice is detected in step Pf24 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process returns to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

At Step Pf26, Step Pf24
The analog audio signal detected by the control circuit 1
It is subjected to D conversion and converted to digitized audio data. If it is determined that the voice input under the same conditions as in step Pf7 described above is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step Pf27.
The sound is transmitted from the ROM 2 and is subjected to D / A conversion, for example, sound data indicating that the level of the inputted sound is inappropriate, for example, sound data such as "B".
The sound is emitted from a speaker 7 through a pitch conversion circuit 5 and a sound amplification circuit 6. Next, in step Pf28, the value of the integer k is incremented by one, and in step Pf29, the magnitude relationship between the integer k and the integer 1 is determined. When the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1, the process returns to step Pf24 to wait for the input of the voice again, and the integer k is set to 1
If it is larger, the process returns to the first step of the speech recognition process Pe. As in steps Pf12 to Pf18, an opportunity is provided to re-enter the sound a predetermined number of times if the sound level is inappropriate, so that the inconvenience of repeating the same operation is reduced.

At Step Pf30, Step Pf19
And the voice data substituted for the variable Vd at step Pf26
Are compared in the control circuit 1. The features of the audio data are extracted using, for example, the amplitude of a frequency spectrum obtained by performing Fourier transform on the audio data, and are compared by a predetermined comparison procedure. If it is determined that the characteristics of the audio data do not match each other, the process proceeds to step Pf27 described above, a voice is issued to notify that the level of the input voice is inappropriate, and the process goes through step Pf27. Depending on the number of times, the re-input of the voice is permitted, or the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

The voice data of the variable Vd and the step Pf26
If it is determined that the features of the audio data acquired in step Sf2 match, the process of recording the audio data acquired in step Pf26 in the FLASH ROM 3 is performed.
First, in step Pf31, the FLASH ROM
3, the registered word number relating to the location where the data is to be stored is obtained, and that number is substituted for the variable J. Then, in step Pf32, the FLAS whose registered word number is J
The audio data acquired in step Pf26 is stored in the storage area of the H ROM 3. At this time, the temporary registration flag set in the temporary registration state is also recorded together with the information of the audio data. The temporary registration flag is a flag referred to in step Pe15 of FIG. The registration word for which the temporary registration flag is set is determined to be a temporary registration word in this step, and the execution of the conversation process Ph is not permitted, and the registration extension process Pg is executed. In the registration extension process, only the registered word that is temporarily registered by resetting the temporary registration flag is permitted to execute the conversation process Ph.

Subsequently, the operation of the registration extension process Pg will be described. FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining the processing in the registration extension processing Pg. 13 and 14, Pg1 to Pg23 indicate steps. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show the connection relation of the steps.

As described above, when the registered word in which the temporary registration flag is set is recognized, the conversation processing Ph
Is not executed, the registration extension process Pg is executed. In the registration extension process Pg, the process of recognizing the voice is repeated a plurality of times until the temporary registration flag is reset and the registration word is formally registered, and the process of extending the formal registration is performed. The number of repetitions of the process of recognizing the voice is randomly determined within a range in which the above-described reliability parameter is added.

The conversation process Ph is a process in which the registration word and the above-described automatic voice registration process Pc are variously combined in accordance with the voice input by the user to the microphone 4 to randomly utter the voice. This processing is indispensable for enjoying the act of exchanging exchanges. Therefore, by prolonging the enjoyment of the conversation process Ph by the registration extension process Pg, it is possible to produce an effect of inspiring the user's interest and expectation for talking with the toy. In addition, if the registration of words is completed in the specified number of times, the user will have the impression that the toy mechanically records the sound, and the taste of the toy as a simulated creature will be impaired. By providing a process to extend the registration of words at random like this, it is possible to express the uncertainty when the creature memorizes the words, so that the user is stimulated as if the creature is remembering the words Can be.

The registration extension process Pg is started from step Pg1. First, in step Pg2, the magnitude of the above-mentioned reliability parameter is a predetermined integer value,
If the confidence parameter is smaller than the integer 45, the process proceeds to step Pg3. In step Pg3, for example, integers of 2 to 4 are randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. If the confidence parameter is larger than the integer 45, the process proceeds to Step Pg4. Also at step Pg4, the magnitude of the reliability parameter is compared with a predetermined integer value, for example, an integer 55, in magnitude relation, as in step Pg2. If the reliability parameter is smaller than the integer 55, the process proceeds to step Pg5. In Step Pg5, for example, integers of 1 to 3 are randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. The trust parameter is an integer 5
If it is larger than 5, the process proceeds to Step Pg6,
For example, an integer of 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to a variable m. Through the above processing, an integer from 0 to 4 according to the magnitude of the reliability parameter is substituted for the variable m.

After an integer has been substituted for the variable m, step P
In g7, a match between the integer m and the integer 0 is confirmed. If the integer m is equal to the integer 0, the process proceeds to Step Pg21, where the provisional registration flag of the registered word having the registered word number J is reset and officially registered. On the other hand, when the integer m is not equal to the integer 0, steps Pg8 to Pg18
Is performed. In this step, in order for the operator to complete the formal registration, the operation of causing the toy to recognize the voice to be registered must be repeated a number of times according to the variable m.

In step Pg8, integer variables k and i to be referred to in the subsequent processing are reset to zero. Next, in step Pg9, the waiting time parameter is reset, and in step Pg10, the pulse signal S input from the clock operating mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals is set.
In response to 2, the interrupt processing for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started. Since the value of the waiting time parameter has been reset in step Pg9, the elapsed time from step Pg10 can be measured by referring to this value.

At step Pg11, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold, the audio signal is input. Is determined. If the control circuit 1 determines that no audio signal is input,
The process is shifted to Step Pg12. Step Pg1
In 2, the elapsed time from step Pg10 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process returns to step Pg11 again. Thus, the presence or absence of the voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. If a voice is detected in step Pg11 within 10 seconds, the interrupt processing for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the processing shifts from step Pg11 to step Pg13. If no sound is detected in step Pg11 within 10 seconds, the interruption process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process proceeds from step Pg12 to step Pg19 described later.

In the step Pg13, in the step Pg11
The analog audio signal detected by the control circuit 1
It is subjected to D conversion and converted to digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the sound volume is larger than the upper limit threshold value determined in the control circuit 1,
If it is smaller than the lower threshold, or if the length of the voice is longer than the predetermined upper threshold, the process proceeds to step Pg14, and the level of the input voice is inappropriate. A voice is emitted to inform the user. More specifically, for example, data of the sound “B” is read from the ROM 2, D / A-converted, and transmitted as a sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step Pg19 described later.

If the voice data is normally obtained in step Pg13, in the next step Pg15, a voice for notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data "Wunnya" is stored in the ROM 2.
, And D / A-converted, and is emitted as sound from a speaker 7 through a pitch conversion circuit 5 and a sound amplification circuit 6. According to the above-described example, the sound uttered by the toy at various stages of registering the sound to the toy, such as “Un?” In step Pf2 and “Un?” In step Pf9 to “Woonmo” in step Pf20, and further, “Wunnya” in step Pg15, Since it changes, the user can roughly grasp the registration stage of the sound for the toy.

Next, at step Pg16, the integer 1 is added to the above-described variable i, and at step Pg17, it is confirmed that the variables m and i match. If the variable m and the variable i do not match, the process returns to step Pg11, and the process of waiting for the input of a voice again and performing conversion to voice data is executed. Therefore, the number of times of repeating the processing of steps Pg11 to Pg17 is determined by the variable m randomly determined in consideration of the reliability parameters in steps Pg2 to Pg6.

In step Pg17, the variables m and i
If it is confirmed that they match, the step Pg
At 18, it is determined whether or not the features of the voice data whose registered word number is J and the voice data acquired in step Pg13 match. If they match, the process moves to step Pg21, where the temporary registration flag of the registered word whose registered word number is J is reset to FLASH.
It is stored at a predetermined address in the ROM 3. This allows
The audio data of the registration word J is officially registered. If the voice data of the registered word number J does not match the voice data acquired in step Pg13, the process proceeds to step Pg19 described later.

At steps Pg19 and Pg20, an error (step Pg12) in which the waiting time for voice input exceeds a predetermined time or an error (step Pg1) in which the level of the input voice is too high.
3) or an error in which the characteristics of the audio data to be registered and the temporarily registered audio data do not match (step P
g18) occurs, the value of the variable k is set to the integer 1
Is added. Then, in step Pg20, the variable k
And the magnitude relationship of a predetermined integer, for example, the integer 3, is determined.
If the variable k is equal to or smaller than the integer 3, step Pg11
And the process of acquiring audio data is repeated. If the variable k is larger than the integer 3, the process returns to the beginning of the speech recognition process Pe. As described above, when the above-described error occurs, the process is not immediately returned to the beginning of the speech recognition process Pe. The process is returned to the process of acquiring audio. Therefore, for example, even when the voice is input with the wrong intonation, there is provided an opportunity to input the voice again, so that it is not necessary to re-input the voice from the beginning, and the same operation can be repeated. Inconvenience is reduced.

After the temporary registration flag is reset in step Pg21 and recorded in the FLASH ROM 3, in step Pg22, a sound expressing that the sound has been stored in the toy is emitted. For example, the audio data that has been officially registered in step P21 is D / A-converted, and is emitted as audio from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the audio amplification circuit 6. This allows the user to be notified that the toy has memorized the sound.

According to the speech recognition processing Pe described above,
Until the temporary registration process is completed, voice input must be performed at least four times. Of these, in the voice input operation in step Pf5, the voice is tentatively registered by mistake and FL
This is a processing procedure for reducing the probability that the storage area of the ASH ROM 3 will be squeezed. Even if this processing is omitted, the operation of temporary registration is possible. The input of the voice in step Pf13 is a processing procedure for inputting a voice for confirming the match of the voice data in step Pf30. For example, as described above, when the process of step Pf5 is omitted, , If in step Pe8 the variable Vd
If the voice data substituted into the data can be referred to in step Pf30, the voice input operation in step Pf13 can also be omitted. That is, the processing from step Pf1 to step Pf20 in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be omitted.

As a modification of the temporary registration process, for example, after the process of step Pf9, the processes of steps Pf3 to Pf8 are repeated, and finally, the processes of steps Pf31 and Pf31 are repeated.
It is also possible to perform f32. That is, the user repeatedly inputs the same voice, confirms the intention of the user to register the voice, and registers the voice. According to this, since the matching of the voices in each voice input is not confirmed, there is a possibility that if different voices are continuously input, the last input voice may be registered, but the processing can be simplified. Saves memory space.

Further, from step Pf19 to step Pf
Step 30 is repeated a plurality of times, and finally, Step Pf31,
It is also possible to perform Pf32. That is, before performing voice input, the previous voice data is stored in a variable Vd, and then the next voice data is obtained. After that, a match between the variable Vd and the obtained voice data is detected. This is the process of returning to the step. Since it is possible to check the case where the voice input last time is different from the voice input this time, this method can also confirm the user's intention to register the voice in the toy.

Further, from step Pf19 to step Pf
30 is repeated a plurality of times in the above-described modified example, the step Pf30 is performed by using the acquired audio data and the FLASH
The step may be changed to a step of searching for a match of the registered word in the ROM 3. In this case, if data matching the acquired audio data is stored in the FLASH ROM 3, the process proceeds to Step Pf27. According to this processing, since it is known that the user has input a voice that has already been registered, the user's intention can also be confirmed.

The processing in the registration extension processing is the same as the temporary registration processing in the sense that the processing is intended to allow the user to input the same words and to make the toy memorize the words. Can also be applied to registration extension processing. Further, processing in which these are arbitrarily combined is also possible.

Finally, the alarm mode M13 and the communication mode M14 will be described in more detail. FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are flowcharts for explaining processing in the alarm mode (alarm processing). 16 and 17, Pj1 to Pj21 indicate steps. 16 and FIG. 17, and FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show connection relations of steps.

[0124] The outline of the alarm processing is as follows. First, when a predetermined alarm set time is reached, for example, a time signal by voice is made for the first 10 seconds, and a voice input waiting operation is performed in the next 10 seconds. At this time, if there is a voice input, the registration word is uttered at random, for example, and if there is no registration word, a predetermined voice in the ROM 2 is output. The time signal and the voice input waiting operation are repeated ten or more times in a predetermined time, for example, two minutes. After the intermittent operation of the time signal, an alarm temporary stop function called a snooze function is activated, and after a predetermined time, for example, four minutes, a time signal is sounded again by voice. Similarly, the intermittent operation and the snooze operation of the time signal are repeated.

First, when the alarm switch 10 is turned on in step Pj1, alarm processing is started. In step Pj2, the alarm set time is monitored. When the time comes, in step Pj3, the elapsed time from the alarm set time (hereinafter referred to as “set elapsed time”) and the sound output time are reset, and then both the times are started. You.

In the next step Pj4, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a registered word.
If it is not in the SH ROM 3, the processing of steps Pj5 to Pj8 is performed. First, in step Pj5, anger or laughter voice data is called from the ROM 2 and D / A converted in the control circuit 1.
The sound is output from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6 as sound. "Boo" as an angry voice
Alternatively, "Blurrururu" is output, and "Hihyah" or "Uhfu" is output as laughter. Thereafter, in step Pj6, it is determined whether or not the audio output time measured starting from step Pj3 exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the audio output time is 10 seconds or less, step Pj5 is repeated until the time exceeds 10 seconds, and a continuous anger or laughter is output. If the audio output time exceeds 10 seconds, it is determined in step Pj7 whether the set elapsed time has exceeded 2 minutes.
If the set elapsed time is not more than 2 minutes, in step Pj8, after a predetermined time, for example, a waiting time of 10 seconds, a main voice time is reset, and the process is returned to before step Pj5. If the set elapsed time exceeds 2 minutes,
By returning the processing before step Pj2, about 1
No alarm processing is performed until it is determined that the set time has been reached again after 2 hours or about 24 hours. Even when there is a registered word, when the toy is in the sick mode M22 or the asphyxia mode M23 described above, for example, an anger voice “burururururu” or a laughter voice “hihihaha” or the like is output from the ROM 2 in the same procedure as described above. I do.

If it is determined in step Pj4 that there is a registered word, the control circuit 1 selects a registered word in step Pj9. There are various modes for the method of selecting a registered word. For example, a registered word is randomly selected based on a generated random number, the above-mentioned memory parameter is selected in descending order, "get up", "morning!" Or any pattern, such as selecting from a specific registered word such as, or selecting a parameter in association with the most recently selected registered word in a descending order.
The control circuit 1 may change the pattern by appropriately changing the pattern. Subsequently, in Step Pj10,
The selected registration word is read from the FLASH ROM 3 and output from the speaker 7 in a predetermined procedure. Note that the processing repeatedly passes through Steps Pj9 and Pj10 as described later. In this case, in the word selection in Step Pj9, depending on how the relevance parameter is set, the processing may be repeated many times. By doing so, meaningful sentences and songs can be reproduced.

In the next step Pj11, it is determined whether or not the head switch 8 has been pressed. If it is determined that the head switch 8 has been pressed, the process is skipped before step Pj19 described later. If it is determined that the head switch 8 has not been pressed, in the next step Pj12, it is determined whether or not the audio output time measured starting from the step Pj3 exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. . If the audio output time is 10 seconds or less, steps Pj9 and Pj10 are repeated until the time exceeds 10 seconds, and a continuous registered word is output. When the audio output time exceeds 10 seconds, in the next step Pj13, the input waiting time parameter is reset, and the counting of the input waiting time is started.

In the next step Pj14, the control circuit 1 determines the sound to be inputted from the microphone 4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold, the audio signal is input. Is determined. If the control circuit 1 determines that no audio signal has been input, the process proceeds to step Pj15. Step P
At j15, the elapsed time from step Pj13 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process returns to step Pj14 again. Thus, the presence or absence of the voice input from the microphone 4 is detected.
If a voice is detected in Step Pj14 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and the process proceeds from Step Pj14 to Step Pg17. If no sound is detected in step Pj14 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and in step Pg16, it is determined whether the set elapsed time is longer than 2 minutes. Is determined. If the set elapsed time is longer than 2 minutes, the process is returned to before step Pj2, and nothing is performed as an alarm process until it is determined that the set time has been reached again after about 12 hours or about 24 hours. State. If the set elapsed time is 2 minutes or less, the process is returned to before the step Pj9, and the process is repeated again from the selection of the registered word and the utterance.

In step Pj17, step Pj14
The analog audio signal detected by the control circuit 1
It is subjected to D conversion and converted to digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the sound volume is larger than the upper limit threshold value determined in the control circuit 1,
If it is smaller than the lower threshold, or if the length of the voice is longer than the predetermined upper threshold, the process proceeds to Step Pj9, and the process is again performed from the selection and utterance of the registered word. Repeated. If the audio data is properly acquired in step Pj17, the next step Pj
At 18, the registered word is output as a sound from the speaker 7 according to a predetermined procedure based on the acquired sound data, and then the snooze operation is started.

That is, in step Pj19, after the parameter indicating the snooze time is reset, an interrupt process for incrementing the snooze time parameter is started. In the next step Pj20, it is monitored whether or not the snooze set time, for example, 4 minutes, has elapsed with reference to the snooze time parameter started from step Pj19. Move to Pj21. Step Pj2
In step 1, it is determined whether the set elapsed time from step Pj3 has exceeded a predetermined reference time, for example, 30 minutes.
If the set elapsed time is less than the reference time, the process proceeds to step P
The process returns to j9, and the process is repeated from the selection and utterance of the registered word. If the set elapsed time exceeds the reference time, the processing is returned to before step Pj2, and no alarm processing is performed until it is determined that the set time has been reached again after about 12 hours or about 24 hours. It will not be in a state.

Note that FIG. 16 does not describe the step of terminating the process. However, no matter what stage the process is in, once the alarm switch 10 is turned off, the process immediately exits the process and the alarm process is terminated. To end.
Regardless of the stage in which the processing is proceeding, the turning off of the alarm switch 10 is always accepted, and for example, the turning off of the alarm switch may be determined immediately before the sound output step Pj5 or Pj10 to forcibly terminate the processing. . In this case, the process is apparently the same as the former case in which the processing ends immediately when the alarm switch 10 is turned off.

Next, processing in the communication mode (hereinafter, toy conversation processing) will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the conversation processing between toys. FIG.
In FIG. 8, Pk1 to Pk7 indicate steps.

First, at step Pk1, the toys are faced to each other, and as described above, the reed switch 9 is turned on.
When the switch 1 is turned on and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the conversation process between the toys is started. The communication mode M14 has the second highest priority after the alarm mode M13, and is in the middle of various processes in the wake-up mode M11 or during the sleep mode M12.
Is ON, the communication mode M1 is forcibly
Move to 4. In the following step Pk2, after the communication mode time parameter is reset, time measurement (increment of the parameter) is started. In the next step Pk3, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a registered word in the flash ROM 3.

If it is determined in step Pk3 that there is a registered word, in step Pk4, the control circuit 1 selects a voice or sound output pattern including the registered word. Specifically, a plurality of output patterns are stored in the ROM 2 in advance, and the control circuit 1 generates a random number, and randomly selects an output pattern from the plurality of output patterns based on the random number. The number of output patterns is arbitrary,
Also, the probability of being selected at random may be given a light weight. In the present example, the following description will proceed assuming that the following five output patterns exist and the probability of random selection is equal, that is, 20% each. When no weight is assigned to the selection probability as in this example, random selection is performed, and when some weight is weighted, pseudo random selection is performed.

The first and second output patterns are registered word output patterns. In the first output pattern,
At the time of the next actual utterance, a random number is generated randomly or pseudo-randomly, different registered words are extracted based on the random number, and different registered words are output at predetermined intervals, for example, every 5 seconds in the order of extraction. For example, "word A" →
(For 5 seconds) → “word B” → (for 5 seconds) → “word C”... In the second output pattern, a random number is randomly or pseudo-randomly generated at the next actual utterance, one different registered word is extracted based on the random number, and the extracted registered words are extracted at predetermined intervals, for example, every 5 seconds. Output repeatedly. For example, (for 5 seconds) → “Word A” → (for 5 seconds) → “Word A” → (for 5 seconds)
... and so on.

The third and fourth output patterns are stored in ROM
2 is an output pattern of a word built in advance, for example, a synthesized speech word. In the third output pattern, synthesized speech words whose output procedure is determined in advance in a random manner are continuously output. For example, when expressing a continuous kiss sound,
"U ~ nchu" → "Tutu" → "U ~ n" → "U ~ nchu" → "Tutu" → "U ~ n" ... It is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices expressing the pseudo-conversation or action as a whole, and to select and output them at random or pseudo-randomly at the time of actual output. In the fourth output pattern, pseudo-speech or action is expressed as a whole by, for example, continuously outputting one synthesized speech word. For example, if you express a cry,
"Wah" → "Wah" → "Wah", and so on. It is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices expressing a pseudo-conversation or an operation as a whole, and to select one type at random or pseudo-random at the time of actual output and to output continuously.

In the fifth output pattern, the automatic voice registration processing described above is applied to a conversation between toys, and the sound or voice spoken by the other party is automatically captured, and after a predetermined interval (for example, 5 seconds), rumination is performed. And output. For example,
(Automatic registration of word A) → “(playback)”, (automatic registration of word B) → “(playback)”, and so on.

In the next step Pk5, audio output is performed according to the output pattern. Specifically, the control circuit 1
According to the output pattern selected and read from the ROM 2, the word read from the FLASH ROM 3 or the ROM 2 is D / A converted and output from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the audio amplification circuit 6. At this time, the fifth
When the output pitch changes in accordance with the pitch of the input voice in the pitch conversion circuit 5, the processing by the pitch conversion circuit 5 may be skipped during this reproduction. This is to avoid the inconvenience that the pitch changes rapidly during the automatic registration and reproduction of words. If a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, a waiting time of 5 seconds is provided by the same processing as in steps Pj13 and Pj15 in FIG. 16, and the next word output is repeated again.

This processing is forcibly terminated when a predetermined time, for example, one minute has elapsed in the timekeeping operation starting from step Pk2, regardless of which processing is in progress. If Step Pk5 has ended and the end time has not yet been reached, the process is repeated from Step Pk4.

If it is determined in step Pk3 that there is no registered word, then in step Pk6, step Pk
Similarly to 4, the control circuit 1 selects a voice or sound output pattern including the registered word. Here again, there are the following six output patterns to the tenth output patterns, which are randomly selected.

It is assumed that the sixth, seventh, and eighth output patterns are the same as the third, fourth, and fifth output patterns, respectively. In the ninth output pattern, continuously outputting one synthesized speech word is the same as the fourth output pattern, but here, a laughing voice is expressed. For example,
"Hihyah" → "Hihyah" → "Hihyah" ... In the tenth output pattern, 1
Outputting one synthesized speech word continuously is the same as the fourth and ninth output patterns, but here expresses anger. For example, “Blururururu” → “Bururulururu” → “Bururulururu”... In the ninth and tenth output patterns,
It is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices expressing the pseudo-conversation or action as a whole, and to select one type at random or pseudo-random at the time of actual output and to output continuously.

At the next step Pk7, audio is output in the same manner as at the above-mentioned step Pk5 except that words are read only from the ROM 2. At this time, in the eighth output pattern, for the same reason as in the case of the fifth output pattern, the processing by the pitch conversion circuit 5 may be skipped during reproduction.

In the timing operation starting from step Pk2, when a predetermined time, for example, one minute has elapsed, the process is forcibly ended regardless of the process. If Step Pk5 has ended and the end time has not yet been reached, the process is repeated from Step Pk4.

As described above, the operation of the head switch 8 is also accepted in this communication mode, and when the head switch 8 is pressed during a conversation, the mode is forcibly shifted to the sleep mode. Further, when the head switch 8 is pressed other than during a conversation, a process of extending the predetermined time of the communication mode by one minute can be performed.

As described above, just by facing the two toys, the toys emit sounds as if they were talking as if they were on their own. In order to further enhance the sense of conversation, the output timing is controlled between the two toys so that when one is talking and the other is not, the feeling of listening to the conversation can be produced. In particular, when playing back after automatic recording, the word is played back as a parrot, so that the toys can behave as if they are performing voice learning. Also, paying attention to the fact that a registered word is usually a predicate, if one says the subject (pet name or owner's name), the other is the predicate (registered word)
Or if one of them says the predicate (registration word) following the subject (pet name or owner's name), more and more conversation can be established, and the user can enjoy the oddity of the combination Can be made, and the taste is enhanced.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the electronic pet toy as shown in the external view of FIG. 1, but is widely applied to, for example, a computer or a game machine having an audio output device. be able to. Also, by expressing the flowcharts in the respective drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention as programs, the present invention can be applied to a recording medium on which the programs are recorded.

[0148]

According to the voice processing device of the present invention, the user merely speaks to the object to be detected (for example, another voice processing device) and speaks the learned words. Such fun can be obtained. Also, it is possible to alternate utterances, imitate words spoken by the other party, or utter as a simple sentence using a subject and a predicate. At the time of using the voice processing device according to the present invention, it is possible to enjoy the sensation as if there are two living creatures through enjoying the atmosphere of talking and the unexpectedness and fun of the combination of words. The taste is enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a toy according to an embodiment of a voice processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toy according to an embodiment of the voice processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation mode related to an operation at the time of initial activation of the toy according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of an operation mode in a normal mode.

FIG. 5 is an overhead view showing an arrangement of toys in a communication mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode according to a reliability parameter;

FIG. 7 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in an initial startup mode;

FIG. 8 is a second flowchart illustrating the processing in the first activation mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a wake-up mode;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in voice recognition processing.

FIG. 11 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in a temporary registration process;

FIG. 12 is a second flowchart illustrating a process in a temporary registration process;

FIG. 13 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in a registration extension process;

FIG. 14 is a second flowchart illustrating the processing in the registration extension processing;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an utterance process performed when the head switch is switched.

FIG. 16 is a first flowchart illustrating an alarm process;

FIG. 17 is a second flowchart illustrating the process in the alarm mode.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a communication mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control circuit (control means), 2 ... ROM (2nd storage means), 3 ... FLASHROM (1st storage means), 4 ...
Microphone (voice input means), 5 pitch conversion circuit, 6 voice amplification circuit, 7 speaker (voice output means), 8 head switch, 9 communication switch (lead switch and switching means), 10 alarm switch , 11: reset switch, 12: clock operating mechanism.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Manabu Hoshino 1-2-1 Kinshi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Rhythm Watch Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C150 CA01 CA02 DF02 DF04 DF06 DF33 ED31 ED42 ED52 EF03 EF16 EF23 FA42 5D045 AB11 DB02 9A001 DD11 HH18 JJ75 JJ76 KK45

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A reed switch for switching when an object to be detected is arranged in proximity to the object, a sound output means for outputting a sound or a sound, a storage means for storing the sound or the sound, and a control means. The control unit controls the audio output unit and the storage unit based on a change in a detection signal due to a switching operation of the reed switch, and reads out a sound or a sound stored in the storage unit, An audio processing device for outputting from the audio output means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: voice input means for inputting voice; and random number generation means for generating a random number. The storage means stores the voice input from the voice input means in a rewritable manner. 1 storage means, and second storage means in which a plurality of voice output patterns indicating the combination of voices and the output interval are stored in advance, wherein the control means detects switching of the reed switch by the detection signal. Arbitrarily selecting a pattern from the plurality of audio output patterns in the second storage means based on the random number generated by the random number generation means, reading the audio from the first storage means in accordance with the selected pattern, 2. The sound processing device according to claim 1, wherein the sound is output from a sound output unit. 3. A voice input means for receiving a voice, and a random number generating means for generating a random number, wherein the storage means rewritably stores a plurality of voices input from the voice input means. A first storage means, a plurality of voices or voices, a second voice output pattern indicating a combination of the voices or voices and an output interval, and a first voice output pattern indicating a combination of voices and the output interval in the first storage means Is stored in advance, and said control means, when switching of said reed switch is detected by said detection signal, based on a random number generated by said random number generation means, said second storage means Arbitrarily selects a pattern from the first and second voice output patterns in the first and second voice output patterns, and stores the voice or voice in the first or second storage means in accordance with the selected pattern. Reading, speech processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein to sequentially outputted from the audio output means. 4. A voice input means for inputting a voice, and a random number generating means for generating a random number, wherein the control means controls a period during which the reed switch is switched and the object to be detected is arranged in proximity. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the random number generated by the random number generation means indicates a predetermined value, a voice input from the voice input means is acquired and stored in an automatic registration voice storage area of the storage means. Voice processing device. 5. The storage means includes: a first storage means in which the automatically fetched voice is rewritably stored; and a third voice output pattern in which a combination of the automatically registered voice and an output interval are stored in advance. The storage means, when the control means detects that the object to be detected is arranged close to but no longer receives voice from the voice input device, the control means stores the third object in the second storage means. 5. The voice processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the automatic registration voice stored in the first storage unit is read out according to the voice output pattern, and output from the voice output unit. 6. The first or second storage means has an area in which a subject voice representing a noun serving as a subject is registered in advance, and the control means sets the random number generated by the random number generation means to a predetermined value. Indicates that the subject voice is read from the storage means, and the subject voice is output intermittently from the voice output means while being intermittently inserted before each voice to be output based on the pattern. The audio processing device according to claim 2, 3 or 5. 7. The reed switch according to claim 1, wherein said reed switch is provided at a position facing a switching means disposed on the other side when the audio processing apparatuses face each other.
7. The audio processing device according to 3, 4, 5 or 6. 8. The audio processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means stops automatic output of audio based on said pattern after a lapse of a predetermined period from when said reed switch is switched.