JP2002328693A - Robot system, robot apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a robot system which can fully secure privacy protection when an E-mail is read out with a robot apparatus, the robot apparatus and its control method. SOLUTION: Header information among voice data obtained by respectively carrying out voice synthesis processing of a predetermined header information included in the header of the E-mail and text information corresponding to a text part of the E-mail given from a communication terminal means are reproduce. After the reproduction processing of the header information is carried out, only when the input of the predetermined signal is detected, the text information of the E-mail among voice data is reproduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a robot system,
The present invention relates to a robot apparatus and a control method thereof, and is suitably applied to, for example, a robot system that allows a pet robot to read out the contents of an electronic mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a pet robot of a four-legged walking type has been developed and commercialized by the present applicant. Such a pet robot has an appearance resembling a dog or a cat bred as a pet in an ordinary household, and is configured to be able to act autonomously in response to a command from a user, surrounding conditions, and the like. is there.

[0003]

By the way, recently, a robot which can read out the contents of an e-mail received by a communication terminal device such as a personal computer by a robot wired to the communication terminal device has been developed. Many systems have been seen.

[0004] Therefore, if such a function can be provided to such a pet robot, it is considered that the pet robot can be more interesting and more entertaining.

[0005] However, when such a function is provided to the pet robot, it is necessary to prevent the pet robot from reading the contents of the e-mail carelessly, for example, even when there is a person around the user. It is necessary to ensure sufficient privacy protection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a robot system, a robot apparatus, and a control method thereof that can sufficiently secure privacy protection when reading out an electronic mail.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a robot system in which the contents of an electronic mail received by a communication terminal can be read out by a robot apparatus. Has voice synthesis processing means for voice synthesizing predetermined header information included in the header of the e-mail and text information corresponding to the text part of the e-mail, respectively, and the robot apparatus is obtained by the voice synthesis processing means. Audio data reproducing means for reproducing the audio data and outputting the audio data to the outside; and input detecting means for detecting an input of a predetermined signal from the outside, wherein the audio data reproducing means comprises an electronic mail of the audio data. The header information of the audio data is reproduced only when a signal input is detected by the input detection means. It was to reproduce the text information Le. As a result, in this robot system, it is possible to prevent the robot apparatus from inadvertently reading out the text of the e-mail.

Further, according to the present invention, in a robot apparatus capable of reading out the contents of an e-mail received by a communication terminal, predetermined header information included in an e-mail header provided from the communication terminal is provided. And voice data reproducing means for reproducing voice data obtained by subjecting text information corresponding to the text portion of the e-mail to voice synthesis processing and outputting the voice data to the outside, and detecting an input of a predetermined signal from the outside The voice data reproducing means reproduces the header information of the e-mail of the audio data, and thereafter, the e-mail of the e-mail data only when the input detection means detects the input of the signal. Text information is now played. As a result, the robot device does not inadvertently read the text of the e-mail.

Further, according to the present invention, in a control method of a robot apparatus capable of reading out the content of an e-mail received by a communication terminal means, a predetermined method included in a header of the e-mail provided from the communication terminal means is provided. A first step of reproducing the header information of the audio data obtained by subjecting the header information and the body information corresponding to the body part of the electronic mail to speech synthesis processing and outputting the header information to the outside, And a second step of reproducing the text information of the e-mail in the audio data only when the input of a predetermined signal is detected after the reproduction processing. As a result, according to the control method of the robot device, it is possible to prevent the robot device from reading the body of the e-mail carelessly.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Pet Robot 1 In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pet robot as a whole according to the present embodiment, which has an external shape that resembles a dog or a cat bred in a general household as a whole. . That is, in the pet robot 1, the leg units 3A to 3D are connected to the front, rear, left and right of the body unit 2, respectively, and the head unit 4 and the tail unit 5 are respectively connected to the front end and the rear end of the body unit 2. Are connected.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, a controller 10 for controlling the entire operation of the pet robot 1, a battery 11 as a power source of the pet robot 1, a battery sensor 12 and The internal sensor unit 14 including the temperature sensor 13 and the like are stored, and a dedicated memory card and a PC (Persona)
Each slot (not shown) for a (Computer) card is provided at a predetermined position.

The head unit 4 has a microphone 1 functioning as a substantial “ear” of the pet robot 1.
5. CCD (Charg) that functions as a substantial "eye"
eCoupled Device) An external sensor unit 18 including a camera 16 and a touch sensor 17, a speaker 19 functioning as a substantial "mouth", and an apparent "eye"
LED (Light Emitting
(Diode) 20 are arranged at predetermined positions.

The knee joints of the leg units 3A to 3D and the shoulder joints of the leg units 3A to 3D and the torso unit 2, the joints of the head unit 4 and the torso unit 2 are connected. Actuators 21 _{l to} 21 _n each having a degree of freedom are arranged at a certain neck joint, a jaw joint that opens and closes the apparent “mouth” of the head unit 4, and a root portion of the tail 5 A of the tail unit 5. Has been established.

The microphone 1 of the external sensor unit 18
5 collects external sounds such as a command sound such as “walk”, “down” or “chase the ball” given as a musical scale by a user via a sound commander (not shown), and external sounds such as these sounds emitted from the user. And the obtained audio signal S
1A is sent to the controller 10. Further, the CCD camera 16 captures an image of the surroundings, and sends the obtained image signal S1B to the controller 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor 17 is provided on the upper part of the head unit 4 and detects a pressure applied by a physical action such as "stroke" or "hit" from the user. Then, the detection result is sent to the controller 10 as a pressure detection signal S1C.

The battery sensor 1 of the internal sensor section 14
2 detects the remaining energy of the battery 11 and uses the detection result as a remaining battery detection signal S2A.
Send to 0. The temperature sensor 13 detects the temperature inside the pet robot 1 and outputs the detection result as a temperature detection signal S2B.
To the controller 10.

The controller 10 has a CPU (Centr
al Processing Unit), ROM (R
ead Only Memory) and RAM (Ran
dom Access Memory), and the operation of the pet robot 10 according to a control program stored in a memory card 22 loaded in advance, and control data such as various motion files, audio files, and LED files described later. Control.

In practice, the controller 10 is, for example, a memory card 22 storing control data for the autonomous mode.
(Hereinafter, referred to as an autonomous mode memory card 22A), an audio signal S1A from the microphone 15 and an image signal S1B from the CCD camera 16 are provided.
And a pressure detection signal S1C from the touch sensor 17 (hereinafter collectively referred to as an external information signal S1 as appropriate).
And the remaining battery signal S2A from the battery sensor 12.
Based on the temperature detection signal S2B and the like from the temperature sensor 13 and the like (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as an internal information signal S2), the external and internal states, the instruction from the user and the presence or absence of the action are determined. .

The controller 10 determines a subsequent action based on the result of the determination and the control program stored in the autonomous mode memory card 22A. 2
The corresponding motion file is reproduced from the motion file composed of the control data for each operation pattern stored in 2A, and the drive signal S is transmitted to the corresponding actuators 21 _{1 to} 21 _n based on the control data thus obtained.
By 3 sends out a _l to S3 _n drives this,
The head unit 4 can be swung up and down, left and right, the tail 5A of the tail unit 5 can be moved, and the mouth 4A (FIG. 1) of the head unit 4 that functions as an apparent "mouth" can be opened and closed. An operation or action such as walking by driving the leg units 3A to 3D is performed.

At this time, the controller 10 reproduces the corresponding audio file from the various audio files stored in the autonomous mode memory card 22A as necessary, and sends the audio signal S4 thus obtained to the speaker 19. By giving the sound, the sound based on the sound signal S4 is output to the outside. Also, the controller 10 may control the LED stored in the autonomous mode memory card 22A as necessary.
The corresponding LED file is reproduced from the LED files for each of the 20 types of blinking patterns, and the LED 20 is driven to blink in the corresponding pattern based on the driving signal S5 thus obtained.

As described above, in the pet robot 1, under the control of the controller 10, operations and actions according to the control program and various data files stored in the loaded memory card 22 can be performed. It has been done.

(2) Configuration of the Robot System 30 According to the Present Embodiment FIG. 3 shows the robot system 3 according to the present embodiment.
0, an electronic mail or Wen obtained via the Internet using the personal computer 31.
A text sentence based on the text data of page b can be read by the pet robot 1.

In practice, in the robot system 30, the pet robot 1 described above and the general-purpose personal computer 3 owned by the user of the pet robot 1 are used.
And 1.

At this time, the pet robot 1 has dedicated software (hereinafter, referred to as robot mail reading software) for enabling the pet robot 1 to read out text sentences, and necessary operations. Card that stores a control program and control parameters for causing the pet robot 1 to express the action and behavior (hereinafter, this is referred to as a memory card for the mail reading mode).
25B and, for example, IEEE (Institute of Institute)
Electronic and Electroni
cs Engineers) 802. A wireless LAN card 32 compatible with a predetermined wireless communication standard such as 11B is mounted.

The personal computer 31 is provided with, for example, a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM 33, which is provided with application software (hereinafter referred to as PC e-mail reading) for exhibiting such functions as the robot system 30 as a whole. Software and general-purpose Internet browser and e-mail software (hereinafter simply referred to as Internet browser and e-mail software, respectively), and a wireless LAN paired with the wireless LAN card 32 of the pet robot. A card 34 is mounted.

The personal computer 31 accesses a preset mail server at predetermined time intervals by using mail software, thereby confirming the presence or absence of a new electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as a new mail). When there is a new mail, the mail is read from the mail server, the text data is converted into WAV file format voice data using the voice synthesis function of the PC mail reading software, and then converted to the wireless LAN card 34. To the pet robot 1 via.

At this time, the pet robot 1 waits for the transfer of the voice data based on the robot's mail reading software stored in the mail reading mode memory card 22B. And the reproduced sound is output to the speaker 19 (FIG. 2).
Output from

In this way, the robot system 30
, An electronic mail can be read out by the pet robot 1.

In the case of the robot system 30, the check for new mail is automatically performed at regular intervals by mail software as described above. However, the check can be performed by voice instructions from the user, or the personal computer 31 can be used. The pet robot 1 can also read out the previous e-mail stored in the pet robot 1 by voice instruction from the user.

In practice, in this robot system 30, when it is desired to confirm whether a new mail has arrived, for example, the pet robot 1 is to be told "mail check". As a result, when the pet robot 1 recognizes the words by using the voice recognition function of the mail reading software for the robot, the pet robot 1 issues a command corresponding thereto via the wireless LAN card 32 to the personal computer 31.
Send to

At this time, the personal computer 31
The PC mail reading software always waits for a command from the pet robot, and the command from the pet robot 1 is transmitted to the wireless LAN card 3.
When the mail is received through 4, the mail software is started and the mail server is accessed to check for new mail.

If there is a new mail, the personal computer 31 reads the mail from the mail server, converts the mail into WAV file format voice data using the voice synthesis function of the PC mail reading software,
This is sent to the pet robot 1 via the wireless LAN card 34.
Send to As a result, the sound data is reproduced by the pet robot 1, and the reproduced sound is output via the speaker 19.

When the pet robot 1 wants to read out the e-mails stored in the personal computer 31 so far, the pet robot 1 is told to read the e-mail. And pet robot 1
Transmits a command corresponding to the word to the personal computer 31 via the wireless LAN card 32 when the word is recognized by voice.

At this time, the personal computer 31
When the command from the pet robot 1 is received via the wireless LAN card 34, the mail software is activated and the text data of the latest e-mail from the previous e-mails managed by the e-mail software is transmitted. After converting to voice data in the WAV file format using the voice synthesis function of the PC mail reading software, the voice data is transmitted to the pet robot 1 via the wireless LAN card 34.

As a result, the sound data is reproduced by the pet robot 1 and the reproduced sound is output via the speaker 19, so that the e-mail is sequentially read out by the pet robot 1.

At this time, by speaking words such as "next", "before" or "already" to the pet robot 1, the e-mail to be read can be advanced to the next one or returned to the previous one. Alternatively, reading out can be stopped.

On the other hand, in the robot system 30, several (for example, six) W
By registering the web sites in advance, the pet robot 1 can read out a web page of a desired web site from among them.

In practice, in the robot system 30, when reading out a Web page of a desired Web site to the pet robot 1, the pet robot 1
The registration number for the personal computer 31 of the website is set to the nth number, and "read the web n" is spoken. At this time, when the pet robot 1 recognizes the words by voice, the pet robot 1 transmits a command corresponding to the words to the personal computer 31 via the wireless LAN card 32.

When the personal computer 31 receives the command from the pet robot 1 through the wireless LAN card 34, the personal computer 31 activates the Internet browser to access the Web site, and also obtains the Web page of the Web site thus obtained. HTML
(Hypertext Markup Language)
e) Of the data, the text data of the sentence portion is converted into WAV file format voice data using the voice synthesis function of the PC mail reading software and transmitted to the pet robot 1 via the wireless LAN card 34. .

As a result, the sound data is reproduced by the pet robot 1, and the reproduced sound is output via the speaker 19, whereby the Web page of the Web site designated by the user is read out by the pet robot 1.

In this way, the robot system 30
In, the content of a Web page of a desired Web site can be confirmed as a sound output from the pet robot 1 without directly operating the personal computer 31 by the user.

In the case of this embodiment, the text such as the e-mail is transmitted to the pet robot 1 as described above.
In addition to a function that allows the pet robot 1 to read out the current time, a clock function that outputs the current time as sound from the pet robot 1 is also provided.

In practice, when the user wants to know the current time, the user speaks to the pet robot 1 "What time is it now?" At this time, when the pet robot 1 recognizes the words by voice, the pet robot 1 issues a command corresponding to the words by wireless L.
The data is transmitted to the personal computer 31 via the AN card 32.

When the personal computer 31 receives the command from the pet robot 1 through the wireless LAN card 34, the personal computer 31 uses the voice synthesis function of the PC mail reading software to represent the time of its own internal clock.
V-filed audio data is generated, and the
This is transmitted to the pet robot 1 via the N card 34. As a result, the sound data is reproduced by the pet robot 1, and the current time is output from the speaker 19 of the pet robot 1 as a synthesized sound.

In this manner, the robot system 30
In this configuration, the user can use the pet robot 1 instead of a clock.

In addition to this configuration, the robot system 3
In the case of 0, the personal computer 31 converts the new mail read from the mail server and the e-mail managed by the mail software of the personal computer 31 into audio data in the WAV file format as described above.
Using the voice synthesis function of PC mail reading software,
The information such as the sender and the subject (subject) included in the header of a new mail or an e-mail is also converted into WAV file format voice data and transmitted to the pet robot 1.

Then, the pet robot 1 first reads out such information (the source and the subject, etc.) contained in the header of each new mail or e-mail based on the robot's mail reading software, and then reads the " Only when a voice instruction of "read" is given, the body of the new mail or the electronic mail is read out.

As described above, in the robot system 30, even in the case where there is a new mail, the main body of the mail is not read out without the instruction of the user in consideration of the case where there is a person around the user. Thus, the privacy protection of the user can be sufficiently ensured.

(3) Controller 1 of Pet Robot 1
Processing of 0 Next, processing of the controller 10 (FIG. 2) of the pet robot 1 based on the robot's mail reading software in the mail reading mode will be described.

The controller 30 of the pet robot 1
As shown in FIG. 4, five states in the mail reading mode, that is, a new mail waiting state ST1, a mail reading preparation state ST2, a Web page reading preparation state ST3, a reproduction standby state ST4, and a reproduction state ST5. Necessary processing is sequentially performed while changing its own state according to the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 according to the situation.

In practice, the controller 10 provides the pet robot 1 with the memory card 22B for reading out the mail and the wireless LAN.
When the pet robot 1 is powered on with the AN card 32 loaded, the mail reading mode processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 is performed based on the robot mail reading software stored in the mail reading memory card 22B. The procedure RT1 starts in step SP0, and in the following step SP1, the necessary actuators 21 _l to 2 are first used.
To transition to or tummy of posture sitting posture of the pet robot 1 by driving the 1 _n becomes the new mail standby state ST1 is.

In the new mail waiting state ST1, when the personal computer 31 notifies that there is a new mail at the time of periodic mail check, for example, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP2 to use the mail reading mode. The corresponding motion file, audio file and / or L stored in the memory card 22B
By playing back an ED file (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a motion file or the like), a predetermined operation (hereinafter, this is referred to as a new mail motion) notifying the reproduction is caused to appear in the pet robot 1.

The controller 10 then proceeds to step SP3 to move to the e-mail reading preparation state ST2 and transitions the posture of the pet robot 1 to the corresponding posture, and thereafter to step SP4 (FIG. 6) for personal communication. A transfer request for voice data obtained by converting the number of new mails into voice (hereinafter referred to as number information voice data) is transmitted to the computer 31.

Further, the controller 10 thereafter proceeds to step SP5 and waits for the transfer of the number information voice data.
When the number information voice data is given from step SP
6 (FIG. 7), transition to the reproduction standby state ST4, and reproduce the number information audio data. As a result, the number of newly arrived mails is output from the pet robot 1 as voice.

Further, after that, the controller 10 waits for a subsequent voice instruction from the user in the reproduction standby state ST4, and when a voice instruction “next” is given from the user, proceeds to step SP7 (FIG. 7). The personal computer 31 transmits a transfer request for audio data (hereinafter, referred to as header information audio data) of information such as a source and a subject included in the header of the first newly arrived mail.

The controller 10 then proceeds to step SP8 and waits for the transfer of the header information audio data from the personal computer 31. When the header information audio data is transferred from the personal computer 31 soon, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP9. Play this with. As a result, the sender, the subject, and the like included in the header of the newly arrived mail are read out by the pet robot.

Further, the controller 10 thereafter returns to step SP6 and waits for a subsequent voice instruction from the user. Thereafter, each time a voice instruction “next” is given from the user, steps SP6-SP7-SP8-SP9-
Repeat SP6. Thus, at this time, the sender, the subject, and the like included in the header of each new mail are sequentially read out by the pet robot 1.

At this time, if the user gives a voice instruction of "before", the controller 10 transmits a request to transfer the header information voice data of the immediately preceding new mail to the personal computer 31 in step SP7. Except for this, steps SP7-SP8-SP9 are processed similarly. As a result, at this time, the sender, the subject, and the like included in the header of the newly arrived mail read out immediately before are read out by the pet robot 1.

On the other hand, after the controller 10 reproduces the header information voice data of the newly arrived mail in this way, when in the reproduction standby state ST4 (step SP6), the user receives a voice instruction of "read". If so, the process proceeds to step SP10 and immediately before step S10.
In P7-SP8-SP9, in order to reproduce the newly arrived mail in which the header information audio data has been reproduced, the reproduction state ST
Move to 5.

The controller 10 then proceeds to step SP11 (FIG. 8) to determine whether or not a specific event as described below (hereinafter, referred to as a specific event) has occurred, and obtains a negative result. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12 to request the personal computer 31 for the voice data of the body part of the newly arrived mail (hereinafter referred to as body information voice data). As a result, in response to the request, the personal computer 31 sends the pet robot 1 the text information voice data obtained by converting the first sentence in the text portion of the new mail into voice data.

When the controller 10 receives the text information voice data, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP13 and reproduces the text information voice data. As a result, the first sentence of the body part of the newly arrived mail is read out by the pet robot 1.

The controller 10 then returns to step SP11 to determine whether a specific event has occurred. At this time, when there is a preset keyword in the voice based on the above-mentioned text information voice data, it is determined that the specific event has occurred. At this time, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP14 and proceeds to the mail reading mode memory. By reproducing a motion file or the like corresponding to the keyword from the card 22B, an operation corresponding to the pet robot is developed. As a result, the pet robot 1 expresses a corresponding operation in accordance with the sound reproduction of the keyword.

Then, the controller 10 returns to step SP11. Thereafter, in step SP12, the controller 10 requests the personal computer 31 to transfer the text information voice data in which the next one sentence is converted into voice data. repeat. As a result, the text of the newly arrived mail is sequentially read out by the pet robot while occasionally expressing an operation corresponding to the content.

At this time, by pressing a touch sensor (not shown) provided on the back portion of the pet robot 1, one sentence immediately before the touch sensor can be repeated. Actually, the controller 10 executes step SP11
In step SP12, when the touch sensor detects that the touch sensor has been pressed, the personal computer 3 transfers the immediately preceding text information voice data of one sentence.
Request 1

Then, the controller 10 reproduces the text information audio data in the following step SP13. As a result, one sentence immediately before the sentence is read out again by the pet robot 1.

Further, in step SP11, the controller 10 confirms in step SP11 that the reproduction of the newly arrived mail has ended and that there has been a pressing operation of the touch sensor 17 (FIG. 2) indicating that the reading has been stopped.
Returns to the reproduction standby state ST4.

The controller 10 is in the reproduction standby state S
If there is a voice input of "thank you" at T4 (step SP6), the process proceeds to step SP15 to play back the corresponding motion file and the like stored in the memory card 22B for the mail reading mode, so that the user is sought. After causing the pet robot 1 to express an operation that makes the user happy to receive the words, the process returns to step SP6.

The controller 10 is in the reproduction standby state S
If there is a voice input of "already good" at T4 (step SP6), the process proceeds to step SP16 to play back the corresponding motion file or the like stored in the mail reading mode memory card 22B. Then, an operation as if the user is satisfied after completing the work (hereinafter, referred to as a satisfactory operation) is caused to appear in the pet robot 1, and thereafter, the process returns to step SP1 (FIG. 5) to enter the new mail waiting state ST1. . In the case of this embodiment, such a satisfactory operation changes depending on the degree of the user's negligentness (the number of times the user has received the neglected words).

On the other hand, if there is a voice instruction of "mail check" from the user in the new mail waiting state ST1 (step SP1), the controller 10 proceeds to step SP20 and sends a command notifying the user of the voice command to the personal computer. Transmit to the computer 31. As a result, based on this command, the personal computer 31
Is checked by email.

Then, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP21 and waits for a notification from the personal computer 31. When a notification that there is no new mail is given from the personal computer 31, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP22 to read the mail reading mode. By reading a corresponding motion file or the like from the memory card 22B for use and reproducing the motion file, the pet robot 1 expresses a sad operation and then waits for a new mail waiting state ST1.
Return to (Step SP1).

On the other hand, when the controller 10 is notified by the personal computer 31 that a new mail has been received, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP2 and thereafter performs steps SP3 to SP14 in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, when the controller 10 is in the new mail waiting state ST1 (step SP1) and receives a voice instruction of "read mail" from the user, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP30 and issues a command notifying the user of this. After transmitting to the personal computer 31, the process proceeds to step SP31 to wait for a reply from the personal computer 31.

When the controller 10 receives a notification from the personal computer 31 that there is no e-mail managed by the mail software, the controller 10 proceeds to step S.
Proceeding to P22, the memory card 22 for the mail reading mode
After causing the pet robot 1 to express a sad operation by playing back the corresponding motion file or the like stored in B, the new mail waiting state ST1 (step SP
Return to 1).

On the other hand, in step SP31, when the personal computer 31 notifies the personal computer 31 that there is an e-mail managed by the mail software, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP3 and thereafter performs the same operation as described above. Steps SP3 to SP14 are performed.

Further, when the controller 10 is in the new mail waiting state ST1 (step SP1) and receives a voice input of "read web n" from the user, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP40 and prepares for reading the Web page ST3 ( Move to FIG. 4). And controller 1
No. 0 thereafter proceeds to step SP41 (FIG. 9) and requests the personal computer 31 to prepare for reading out the Web page of the specified Web site. The controller 10 then proceeds to step SP42 and waits for the personal computer 31 to transmit a reply indicating that the preparation is completed.

Then, when the notification is given from the personal computer 31 in due time, the controller 10
Proceeding to step SP6 (FIG. 7), the reproduction standby state ST4 is entered. Thereafter, steps SP7 to SP14 are processed in the same manner as in the case of the above-described new mail.

On the other hand, when the controller 10 is in the new mail standby state ST1 (step SP1 (FIG. 5)) and gives a voice instruction "What time is it now?" After transitioning to the mode, the process proceeds to step SP51 (FIG. 10), and voice data obtained by converting the current time into voice for the personal computer 31 (hereinafter referred to as current time information voice data).
Send a transfer request.

Then, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP52 and waits for the transfer of the current time information audio data from the personal computer 31. After this, the controller 10 proceeds to step SP53 to transfer the current time information audio data. Reproduce. As a result, the current time at that time is uttered by the pet robot 1 as a voice. The controller 10 thereafter returns to step SP6 (FIG. 5) and enters the new mail waiting state ST1.

Further, when the controller 10 is in the new mail waiting state ST1 (step SP1 (FIG. 5)), if a predetermined time has passed without any voice instruction being input,
Proceeding to step SP60, one of various motion files and the like prepared for such a time is randomly selected from various motion files and the like stored in the memory card 22B for the mail reading mode and reproduced. . As a result, an operation corresponding to the motion file or the like is expressed by the pet robot 1. After finishing the motion file reproduction process, the controller 10 returns to step SP1 again and enters the new mail standby state ST1.

In this way, the controller 10 controls the operation of the pet robot 1 in the mail reading mode based on the robot mail reading software and various control data stored in the mail reading mode memory card 22B.

(4) Operation and Effect of the Embodiment In the above configuration, the robot system 30
When the pet robot 1 reads a new mail or an e-mail managed by the personal computer 31,
First, the header (sender, subject, etc.) is read out, and only when a voice instruction “read” is received from the user, the body part of the new mail or electronic mail is read out.

Therefore, in the robot system 30, it is possible to prevent the pet robot 1 from inadvertently reading out the contents of a new mail or an electronic mail managed by the personal computer 31, thereby protecting the privacy of the user. Can be sufficiently secured.

According to the above configuration, when the pet robot 1 reads out a new mail or an e-mail managed by the personal computer 31, it first reads out its header (source and subject, etc.), and then reads from the user. The pet robot 1 inadvertently reads the new mail or the electronic mail managed by the personal computer 31 by reading out the text of the new mail or the electronic mail only when the voice instruction "Read" is given. It is possible to prevent the reading of the contents of the e-mail from occurring beforehand, and thus to realize a robot system that can sufficiently secure the privacy protection when reading the e-mail.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, a four-legged walking type pet robot 1 configured as shown in FIG. 1 is applied as a robot device to which the present invention is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other types of robot devices can be widely applied.

In this case, in the above-described embodiment, the controller 10 and the speaker 19 are used as sound data reproducing means for reproducing the sound data transmitted from the personal computer 31 on the pet robot 1 side and outputting the sound data to the outside. Although the case has been described in which the touch sensor 17 and the controller 10 are applied as input detection means for detecting a predetermined external input, various forms may be used according to the configuration of the robot device to which the present invention is applied. Audio data reproducing means and input detecting means can be widely applied.

In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described where the personal computer 31 is applied as the communication terminal means for receiving an electronic mail.
The present invention is not limited to this, and various other communication terminal means such as a mobile phone can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the pet robot 1 and the personal computer 31 are connected wirelessly has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection may be made by wire.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described where the function as communication terminal means having voice synthesis processing means for converting electronic mail into voice data by voice synthesis processing is provided to the personal computer. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the pet robot 1 side.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which only the function of causing the pet robot 1 to read out the Web page of the Web site registered in the robot system 30 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, various commands are included in the text data of the Web page, and the pet robot 1 is made to perform rakugo, ventriloquism, playfulness or play based on these commands, or to be a newscaster. You may make it do.

A translation function may be provided in the robot system 30 so that the pet robot 1 translates and reads out a web page described in a foreign language other than the native language. Further, the text may be used to sing a song, read a picture book, or be used for education. Further, only the action may be reproduced by a remote control using text.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the content of the e-mail is read out by the pet robot 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is installed in the robot system 30, and the reply to the mail is sent to the pet robot 1
May be sent automatically by talking to the user, or voice mail may be sent. Further, when the user writes a text such as an e-mail on the personal computer 31, the pet robot may point out a spelling error, and may be used as an assistant.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where the pet robot 1 performs a predetermined corresponding action in response to a keyword when reading out an e-mail or the like. The present invention is not limited to this, and it may be possible to customize such an operation. Also, for example, by registering pictograms and their reading methods, it may be possible to output this as a voice, and furthermore, by changing the voice quality and head direction of other people's quotes that can be read by human eyes, The robot system 30 may be constructed so that the pet robot 1 reads aloud. Furthermore, the pet robot 1 may express an action at an appropriate timing even when a keyword is not present.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the state of the pet robot 1 when the pet robot 1 reads out text such as an e-mail is not described. For example, the pet robot 1 reads out an e-mail or the like. The mouth 4A, which is an apparent "mouth," may be opened and closed when the user is in the state, and this can increase the user's awareness of listening.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the pet robot 1 operates in response to a keyword such as an e-mail has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By setting the action and the action, the set action applied to the pet robot 1 at that time (including the voice output such as "3 o'clock", "I'm about to start ~" etc.)
The robot system 30 may be constructed so as to express

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the pet robot 1 reads out all new mails and the like in order. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
To prevent the pet robot 1 from reading out the e-mail from the source (skip the e-mail), or the pet robot 1 reads out the header part of the e-mail from the source. At this time, the pet robot 1 may read out the pseudonym registered in advance in association with the sender as the sender of the e-mail.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pet robot 1 uses the new mail or the personal computer 3
When reading out the e-mail managed by 1, first read out its header (sender, subject, etc.), and then only when there is a voice instruction of “reading” from the user, this new mail or e-mail Has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a signal other than the word "read" or a sound other than the word "read" may be used. In this case, the words and sounds serving as the cues may be changed freely, and the user may be able to register the pet robot 1 in advance. By doing so, the privacy of the user can be further secured. it can.

As a method of giving such a signal to the pet robot 1, other than voice input, for example, contact with the pet robot 1 (pressing operation of the touch sensor 17), instruction input using a remote controller, and light are used. A method such as input of an instruction may be applied.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a robot system in which the content of an electronic mail received by the communication terminal means can be read out by the robot apparatus, the communication terminal means The robot apparatus has voice synthesis processing means for voice-synthesizing predetermined header information included in the header and text information corresponding to the text part of the e-mail, and the robot apparatus reproduces voice data obtained by the voice synthesis processing means. A voice data reproducing means for outputting to the outside as voice, and an input detecting means for detecting an input of a predetermined signal from the outside, wherein the voice data reproducing means reproduces the header information of the e-mail in the voice data. Then, only when the input detection means detects the input of the signal, the body information of the e-mail in the audio data is reproduced. By the robot apparatus can be prevented from read the carelessly body of the email, thus possible to realize a robot system which can sufficiently ensure privacy when read aloud e-mail.

According to the present invention, in a robot apparatus capable of reading out the contents of an e-mail received by a communication terminal means, a predetermined header included in an e-mail header provided from the communication terminal means is provided. Voice data reproducing means for reproducing voice data obtained by performing voice synthesis processing on information and text information corresponding to the text portion of the e-mail and outputting the voice data to the outside, and inputting a predetermined signal from the outside; Input data detecting means for detecting, the audio data reproducing means reproducing the header information of the e-mail in the audio data, and thereafter, when the input detecting means detects the input of the signal, the electronic data in the audio data is reproduced. This robot device reads the body of the e-mail carelessly by playing back the body information of the mail. Preparative can be prevented, thus possible to realize a robot apparatus that can sufficiently ensure privacy when read aloud e-mail.

Further, according to the present invention, in a method of controlling a robot apparatus capable of reading out the content of an e-mail received by a communication terminal, the content of the e-mail included in the header of the e-mail given from the communication terminal is provided. A first step of reproducing header information of audio data obtained by subjecting predetermined header information and text information corresponding to the text portion of the e-mail to voice synthesis processing, and outputting the reproduced header information to the outside; A second step of reproducing the body information of the e-mail in the voice data only when the input of a predetermined signal is detected after the reproduction processing of the information. Prevents reading the body of the email before it happens, thus privacy when reading the email It can be realized a method of controlling the fully secured and may robotic device protection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a pet robot according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the pet robot according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a robot system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a mail reading mode processing procedure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a mail reading mode processing procedure.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... pet robot, 10 ... controller, 19 ...
... Speaker, 22, 22A, 22B ... Memory card,
30 ... Robot system, 31 ... Personal computer, 32, 34 ... Wireless LAN card, RT1 ...
E-mail reading mode processing procedure.

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 13/00 610 G10L 5/02 J G10L 13/00 3/00 E Q F term (reference) 3C007 AS00 AS36 CY02 JS03 JS07 KS38 KS39 KT02 KV06 KV18 MT14 WA04 WA14 WB01 WB19 WC06 5D045 AA00 AB11

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A robot system in which a robot device can read the content of an e-mail received by a communication terminal means, wherein the communication terminal means includes a predetermined header information included in a header of the e-mail. And voice synthesis processing means for performing voice synthesis processing on the text information corresponding to the text part of the e-mail, respectively. The robot apparatus reproduces the voice data obtained by the voice synthesis processing means and outputs the voice data to the outside. Audio data reproducing means, and input detecting means for detecting an input of a predetermined signal from outside, wherein the audio data reproducing means reproduces the header information of the electronic mail of the audio data, Then, only when the input of the signal is detected by the input detection means, the electronic mail of the audio data is detected. A robot system for reproducing the text information of the file. 2. The robot system according to claim 1, wherein the header information includes at least information on a source of the electronic mail. 3. The robot system according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a signal registered in advance by a user. 4. A robot apparatus capable of reading out the contents of an e-mail received by a communication terminal means, wherein predetermined header information included in a header of the e-mail provided from the communication terminal means and A voice data reproducing means for reproducing voice data obtained by subjecting the text information corresponding to the text portion of the e-mail to voice synthesis processing and outputting the voice data to the outside, and detecting an input of a predetermined signal from outside. The audio data reproducing means reproduces the header information of the electronic mail out of the audio data, and thereafter, when the input detecting means detects the input of the signal, the audio data reproducing means A robot apparatus for reproducing the body information of the electronic mail in data. 5. The robot apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the header information includes at least information on a source of the electronic mail. 6. The robot apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the signal is a signal registered in advance by a user. 7. A control method for a robot apparatus, wherein a content of an electronic mail received by a communication terminal means can be read aloud, a predetermined header included in a header of the electronic mail provided from the communication terminal means. A first step of reproducing the header information of the voice data obtained by performing voice synthesis processing on the information and the text information corresponding to the text portion of the e-mail, and outputting the header information to the outside; A second step of reproducing the text information of the e-mail of the voice data only when an input of a predetermined signal is detected after the information reproducing process. Method. 8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the header information includes at least information on a source of the electronic mail. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the signal is a signal registered in advance by a user.