JP2004120776A - Automatic answering system, handset terminal and automatic answering information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a person who lives alone wherein nobody else is at home which is a place to come back, and there is no person to entrust with absence in compensation for free feeling. <P>SOLUTION: When an information acquisition request concerning the house (during user's absence) is received from a user 2 who stays outside, an automatic answering system server 1 creates automatic answering information corresponding to the request and returns the information to a user terminal 3 together with an image picked up with a handset terminal 4 by using an image pickup function. When occurrence of the abnormal situation is detected inside or outside the house, the automatic answering system server 1 similarly notifies the user terminal 3 of the occurrence of the abnormal situation together with an image picked up with the handset terminal 4. Further, the automatic answering system server 2 reports happenings which have occurred during user's absence to the user 2 who comes back to the house. The happening report during user's absence is transmitted to the user via the handset terminal 4 or the user terminal 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to an answering machine, particularly to an answering machine system and an answering machine information providing method installed in a residence where a resident tends to be away.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-011282 is an example of a system in which a resident tends to be away, for example, considering a person living alone. In this prior art, a living activity of an elderly person living alone is detected by a sensing device, and the safety is reported to an external device. This prior art is intended for a solitary elderly who needs nursing care, to support an emergency in which the solitary elderly alone cannot respond alone (emergency related to housing / emergency related to solitary elderly) from outside the life of the solitary elderly (eg, (Care center). It is just a system that emphasizes how to care for the elderly alone.

On the other hand, systems that provide information related to answering machines are roughly classified into two types: answering machine home security and answering machine message function phones.

Japanese Patent Application No. 11-224383 is an example of a home security system for an absence house. In this prior art, in order to more accurately grasp an intruder who has invaded an office or a residence, monitoring is performed by using an image in addition to sensing information. Is sending to. This prior art merely uses an image to notify a monitoring target.

Japanese Patent No. 1508266 is an example of a telephone with an answering machine function. In this prior art, a match with a preset individual identification number is confirmed, and when the match is found, a message of the other party is recorded. This prior art is a system in which a telephone call from the outside while the user is away from the house responds on behalf of the user and, in some cases, records a message from the other party. It's just

住 In the first place, for those living alone, dwelling is the place of the worst and most vulnerable. This is largely due to the fact that there is no other person in the dwelling, and this is thought to be due to the sense of openness that does not require any attention.

However, the price of such a feeling of openness is that no one is in the residence where he or she returns, and that there is no one who leaves his absence. Conventional security systems (home security systems) that monitor out-of-home homes (homes where users go out) focus on how to efficiently and accurately notify monitoring information to users who have left homes. However, there was a problem that the production was not performed at all with respect to the presence of the person answering. This is because people who live alone feel anxiety and loneliness in their homes.

Of course, with the conventional home security system, users cannot feel the presence of an answering machine who will be greeted when they return home. This is because the user who receives the information does not think that the information is from the answering machine at the answering machine.

However, if you are in a house where you return, and there is a person who is waiting for you to return, you will not be able to say that you are in an absence. This is because the word “answering machine” originally implies that you are in your own house and entrusts you to your absence instead of yourself, and it is necessary to give consideration to the presence that cannot be easily felt in a virtual manner.

Of course, with conventional telephones with the answering machine function, a user who comes home and hears an answering machine message does not think that he / she will greet him / her home.

The essence of the present invention is a thing (terminal) in a form where the user who lives alone is in an absence house and the user can actually feel it by touching the hand. The purpose is to eliminate the feeling of anxiety about the absence at home while the user is away from home and the loneliness of living alone when returning home by directing the user as if he were answering at home.

The present invention includes an information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a device installed in a house in which a user lives, and a communication means for communicating with an external device outside the house via a network. Using, by the information from the information providing device or the sensing device installed in advance in the house, has a handset terminal with a movable unit to perform different behavior, the user has gone out of the house When the communication unit receives the information acquisition request signal from the user terminal possessed at this time, the answering machine information to be returned in response to the information acquisition request signal is created. And the imaging means for imaging the state of the slave terminal, and the communication means, together with the answering machine information created, the captured image obtained by imaging the behavior of the movable part of the slave terminal imaged by the imaging means. The slave terminal is sent to the user terminal as if it were answering at the residence.

The image capturing unit may start capturing an image by detecting a behavior start of the slave terminal based on information from an information providing device or a sensing device.

The information providing device referred to here is a device that has a dedicated function for executing the purpose given to each device and is generally called a home appliance or the like, and of course includes a sensing function component. There are also things. Specifically, indoor / outdoor lighting, air conditioners, ventilation devices, heating devices, refrigerators, electric / gas stoves, microwave ovens, rice cookers, washing machines, dryers, water heaters (water heaters), televisions, videos, and audio equipment , A switchboard, a gas meter, a water meter, etc., of any type as long as it is installed in the house where the user lives, has a dedicated function, and can exchange information with the answering machine.

Note that the source information acquired from the information providing device is information on the execution result (including the execution status) of the dedicated function, information on the program function, and the like. The information on the execution result / status of the special function includes, specifically, for example, the set room temperature / humidity set by the air conditioner, the degree of opening / closing of the ventilator, the amount and temperature of the bath water by the water heater, and the usage status of the electric / gas stove (ignition / Non-ignition, temperature, etc.), fuel such as electricity and gas, and water consumption. The information on the program function includes information on a program state of an apparatus having the program function, and reply information indicating whether or not the information providing apparatus has accepted an input (instruction) from an external device. The reply information includes a reservation and a notification of a setting state of a timer, and specifically, a reservation of a video, a room temperature timer by an air conditioner, a bathroom timer by a water heater, a rice cooking timer by a rice cooker, and the like.

In addition, a sensing device as used herein refers to a device that has a sensing function that detects the physical quantities of events (sensing targets) related to the house where the user lives and the amount of change in them, and converts the detected amount into an electric signal. is there. The physical quantities include, for example, temperature, humidity, rainfall, pressure, flow rate, light, magnetism, and the like. The event relating to the dwelling can target a person such as an intruder (intruder) using physical quantities such as temperature / humidity, rainfall outside the dwelling, and pressure / magnetism. Further, an imaging device such as a camera may be used as a sensing device for acquiring an image, and a face image of a visitor who has visited a house can be acquired.

The answering machine information created based on the original information received from the information providing device or the sensing device is reply information to the information acquisition request received from the user terminal. In order for the user to feel as if the answering machine information is a word from the slave terminal that is answering, the template (text even if the original information becomes reply information as it is) It is good to make the sentence created by inserting it into the answering machine information in the present invention. In addition, if the template is “talking language style”, the user can have more familiarity (intimacy) with the child device terminal.

Further, the master unit has abnormality occurrence determination means for judging the occurrence of an abnormal situation relating to the house based on the original information received by the information transmitting / receiving means, and the master unit performs the abnormality occurrence judgment. If the means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the dwelling, the communication means, together with the notification information for notifying the abnormal situation, displays an image of the child device terminal taken by the imaging means in the child device. The terminal may transmit to the user terminal as a state of noticing the occurrence of an abnormal situation in the residence.

異常 The abnormal situation here refers to an abnormal situation related to a disaster such as a fire or water leak, or an abnormal situation related to a crime such as intrusion of a suspicious person or human damage to equipment. It is not a low-urgency situation in which the user can wait until the "addition" at the time of the information acquisition request from the user (via the user terminal), but it is preferable to notify the user when the situation is detected Is defined here as an abnormal situation. That is, the abnormal situation here may be considered to be an emergency situation that requires notification to the user. There are various methods for detecting an abnormal situation, and any means can be used as long as an abnormal situation regarding a house can be detected.

In addition, security means that the guard is compromised in the first place (for example, when a suspicious person breaks in and something is stolen), and that security is known to be inadequate. I do not know well. In other words, if you start to doubt whether it's okay, you won't have a break and security won't give you a sense of security forever. Therefore, by using an answering machine in which the presence of the child device terminal according to the present invention is such that someone stays at the place to which the user himself / herself has gone home, unnecessary feelings of anxiety can be eliminated from the psychology of the user. . Stated another way, the presence of the child device terminal allows the user to avoid having to worry about the absence of a drill once he starts to doubt.

Further, the master unit has an abnormal contact storage unit that stores in advance devices other than the user terminal as abnormal contacts when the abnormal situation occurs, and the abnormal occurrence determination means is provided. When it is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication unit notifies the abnormal situation to the abnormal contact device stored in the abnormal contact storage unit in addition to the user terminal. Information may be transmitted.

異常 The abnormal contact information referred to here should preferably be the other party who requests support if the user cannot solve the problem. These correspondents are those who can respond quickly to abnormal situations, such as officials and professionals at police stations, security companies, fire departments, hospitals, gas companies, etc. Notify the terminal registered in advance to transmit.

Further, the slave terminal has a movable part, and has an operating means for operating the movable part, and when the master device captures an image of the slave terminal, the master device transmits the slave device to the slave terminal. The slave terminal that has notified the start of the imaging and received the notification of the start of the imaging may instruct the operating means to execute the operation.

The usage of the child terminal moving the movable part, for example, `` pattering '', is similar to, for example, the appearance of a young child trying to convey something hard, and using the image of the child terminal together with the information The user can feel through the image that the slave terminal is, for example, an adorable entity.

Further, the slave terminal has information transmitting means for transmitting information to the user, and the information transmitting means allows the user to leave the house after the user returns to the house. May be transmitted to the user. Here, it is preferable to use a template in which the original information is inserted. If the template is a talking-word-like template, it is the same that the user can have a more familiarity (intimacy) with the slave terminal.

In this way, by allowing the slave terminal to talk to the user when the user returns home, the user can feel as if he / she has been greeted to return home, and the loneliness felt by the user when returning home Can be eliminated.

According to the present invention described above, when receiving an information acquisition request regarding a house (answering house) from a user who has gone out, the answering machine system server creates answering machine information in accordance with the request and captures the slave terminal information using the imaging function. Is returned to the user terminal together with the captured image. When the answering machine system server detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation inside or outside the house, the answering machine system server notifies the user terminal of the occurrence of the abnormal situation along with the image of the slave terminal captured by the imaging function. As described above, when transmitting information about an absence home to a user terminal, when a user living alone is in an absence home, the user can actually touch and feel the home (child terminal). By giving the captured image of (1), it is possible to produce a presence as if the slave terminal were as if answering at the answering machine.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the answering machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a first concept in the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, when an answering machine system server 1 receives an information acquisition request regarding a house (answering house) from a user 2 who has gone out via a network 6, a sensing device 5-1 and an information providing device 5 installed in the house in advance -2 creates answering machine information based on the original information acquired from the terminal information -2, and returns it to the user terminal 3 together with the captured image of the slave terminal 4 captured by the imaging function. Whether the user 2 who is living alone is in the absence house where he / she is away and using the thing (child device 4) that the user 2 can actually touch and feel to be in the absence house It is used to produce a presence like The slave terminal 4 may have a sensing function, and the sensing information acquired from the sensing function of the slave terminal 4 may be used as the original information. Furthermore, if the operation function of the slave terminal is a movement function that changes the location of the slave terminal 4, the slave terminal 4 itself can serve as a movement sensor. A specific example of the answering machine information will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a second concept in the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, when the answering machine system server 1 detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation inside and outside of a house (inside and around) from the original information acquired from the sensing function of the sensing device 5-1 or the slave terminal 4, The occurrence of an abnormal situation is notified to the user terminal 3 together with the captured image of the slave terminal 4 captured by the imaging function. If the abnormal situation contact information (apparatus / device) 7 is registered in advance as the abnormal situation contact information, the answering machine system server 1 sets the abnormal situation occurrence contact information (device / device) according to the type of the abnormal situation. The notification information is transmitted to the (device / equipment) 7. The original information may be obtained from a dedicated function of the information providing device 5-2. A specific example of the notification information for notifying an abnormal situation will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a third concept in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the answering machine system server 1 reports an event during the answering machine to the user 2 who has returned home. The event report during the answering machine is transmitted to the user 2 via the slave terminal 4 or the user terminal 3. Of course, if the slave unit terminal 4 does not have an output function for transmitting information from the system to the user 2, the communication is performed via the user terminal 3. In this case, however, the output to the user terminal 3 is linked. Preferably, the slave terminal 4 operates. A specific example of answering machine information for reporting an event during an answering machine will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a psychological model of a user in the background of the present invention.

図 In the figure, the residence is the most carefree space and the most vulnerable place for the user 2 who is a single person who does not have to worry about the eyes. This is largely due to the fact that there is no other person in the dwelling, and this is thought to be due to the sense of openness that does not require any attention. The price of this feeling of openness is the feeling of anxiety that there is no presence (absence) of leaving home when user 2 goes out, and the existence of waiting for one's return when returning home. There is no (absence) loneliness.

In the answering machine system according to the present invention, the absence of each of these entities is the one who is present at the place where he / she returns and entrusts his / her absence, and the one who is present at the place where he / she returns and is waiting for his / her return. The purpose is to eliminate the presence of "answering machine". In other words, it is important how to produce the presence of answering machine, and the solution will be described next.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the answering machine in FIG.

In the same figure, as for the existence of being at the place where one returns and waiting for one's return, "terminalization" is the solution, and the presence of the terminal 2 allows the user 2 to touch the hand and feel the presence. I can do it. In addition, the presence of leaving home and entrusting his / her absence is solved by using a “captured image” obtained by capturing the handset terminal 4 that can be felt by touching the hand, and a sensing device 5-1 previously installed in the residence. And the information providing apparatus 5-2, in some cases, creates answering machine information based on the original information acquired from the slave terminal 4, and returns the answering machine information together with the captured image of the slave terminal 4 captured by the imaging function to the user terminal 3. Thus, it is possible to produce an effect as if the slave terminal 4 was answering.

(4) If the user terminal 4 is provided with an operation function, these effect effects can be enhanced. If the user terminal 4 is provided with a report function, the effect of producing a presence that can be felt by touching the hand can be enhanced. In this way, by allowing the slave terminal to talk to the user when the user returns home, the user can feel as if he / she has been greeted to return home, and the loneliness felt by the user when returning home Can be eliminated. As the user terminal 4, a device imitating a living thing may be used as described later.

In addition, if the handset terminal 4 has a call function unit for the user 2 to talk with an outside person, the handset terminal 4 can be like a cordless telephone handset. It can also serve as a communication terminal. FIG. 36 shows an external appearance image diagram of the slave terminal 4 having the call function unit in the embodiment of the present invention. When a call signal is received from an external calling device, for example, when a call is received, the user 2 is called, for example, "a phone call". ".

FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the server operator 8 is the operator of the answering machine system server 1 and is a person who manages the server (including operation, monitoring, maintenance, etc.). The HM (human machine) input / output unit 9 is a unit having an input / output function for the answering machine system server 1 to perform various exchanges with the server operator 8. As the input device, for example, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a barcode reader, etc. correspond, and any type can be used as long as the input of the server operator 8 transmits information to the system. The output device is, for example, a display, a printer, or the like, and any type can be used as long as information can be transmitted from the system to the server operator 8. The arithmetic unit 10 is a unit having an arithmetic function for driving and processing each function by executing a program, and generally includes a CPU (central processing unit). The memory unit 11 is a part of an execution area of a program executed by the arithmetic unit 10. The communication unit 12-1 is a part that controls communication with an external device via the network 6. The transmission / reception unit 12-2 is a part that transmits and receives information to and from the slave terminal 4, the sensing device 5-1, and the information providing device 5-2 in the house. The information transmitting / receiving means may be wired or wireless. Note that when the user terminal 4 is in the house (may include a case where the house is near the house if the radio wave is sufficiently received), the transmission / reception of information is performed using the transmission / reception unit 12-2 without using the network 6. May go. The network authentication unit 13 is a unit having an authentication function for the network 6 and external devices. The imaging unit 14 is a part that captures an image of the slave terminal 4. As the imaging means, there is a CCD (Electronic Coupled Device) camera or the like, and any type can be used as long as the appearance of the slave terminal 4 can be imaged. The DB (database) management unit 15 is a part having a function of managing various data structures and data entities. The processing program 16 managed by the DB management unit 15 is a program necessary for achieving the purpose of use of the answering machine system server 1, and includes an OS (operation system). Similarly, the original information DB 17 is a database that stores information that is the source of the answering machine information obtained from the sensing device 5-1 or the information providing device 5-2. Similarly, the captured image DB 18 is a database that stores images captured by the imaging unit 14. Similarly, the answering machine information DB 19 is a database that stores answering machine information created based on the acquired original information. Similarly, the other program data 20 corresponds to, for example, application software such as a word processor or a spreadsheet program used by the server operator 8 and data associated therewith.

FIG. 7 is a hardware block diagram of the user terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, an HM input / output unit 21 is a part having an input / output function for the user terminal 3 to perform various exchanges with the user 2. The input device corresponds to, for example, a numeric keypad, a kana key, a touch switch, a voice input, and the like, and any type may be used as long as the input of the user 2 transmits information to the user terminal 3. The output device is, for example, a display, a sound output device, or the like. Any type can be used as long as information can be transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the user 2. The memory unit 23 is a storage area for storing a program necessary for achieving the purpose of the user terminal 4 and an execution area for a program executed by the arithmetic unit 22. The communication unit 24-1 is a part that communicates with an external device via the network 6. The transmission / reception unit 24-2 transmits / receives information when communicating with the answering machine system server 1 or the child device terminal 4 without or via the network 6 in or around the house.

FIG. 8 is a hardware block diagram of the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the slave terminal 4 preferably includes a detection unit (sensing unit) 29 for detecting a sensing target and an operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 may include a movement function of moving the slave terminal 4. In this case, the slave terminal 4 is generally called a robot. 4 functions as a movement sensor. While the sensing device 5-1 installed in the house in advance is a fixed sensor, the moving sensor enables movement to a position where a sensing target can be efficiently detected. The specific function is not much different from that of the sensing device 5-1 and a sensor that is preferably mounted on the slave terminal 4 may be selected.

FIG. 9 is a hardware block diagram of the sensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the sensing device 5-1 has a detection unit (sensing unit) 31 for detecting a sensing target. The detection unit 31 has a sensing function of detecting a physical quantity of an event (a sensing target) related to a house in which a user lives and a change amount thereof, and converting the detected amount into an electric signal. The physical quantities include, for example, temperature, humidity, rainfall, pressure, flow rate, light, magnetism, and the like. The event relating to the dwelling can target a person such as an intruder (intruder) using physical quantities such as temperature / humidity, rainfall outside the dwelling, and pressure / magnetism. Further, an imaging device such as a camera may be used as a sensing device for acquiring an image, and a face image of a visitor who has visited a house can be acquired.

FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram of the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a dedicated function unit 35 corresponds to a dedicated function for the information providing device 5-2 to execute a given purpose. Specifically, for example, when the information providing device 5-2 is a refrigerator The dedicated function unit is a refrigeration function or a freezing function including a temperature control function. In other words, it can be said that home appliances and devices that have existed in or around the house have been connected to the answering machine server 1 by the transmission / reception unit 38.

FIG. 11 is a hardware block diagram of the user terminal and the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 correspond to block diagrams illustrating the concept shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a user terminal 3 has a function of receiving a request for acquisition of answering machine information from an HM input unit operated by the user 2 and a function of transmitting the received information acquisition to the answering machine system server 1. The answering machine system server 1 has a function of receiving an answering request for answering machine information from the user terminal 4, a function of acquiring answering machine information from the answering machine information DB 19 based on the received acquisition request, and a captured image of the slave terminal 4. From the picked-up image DB 18 to give the answering machine information acquired, the function of sending the answering machine information with the picked-up image of the slave terminal 4 to the user terminal 3, and what kind of information is sent to the user terminal 3. It has a function of storing the information in the answering machine information DB 19. Further, the handset terminal 4 has a function of receiving the answering machine information from the answering machine system server 1 and a function of outputting the received answering machine information and the captured image of the handset terminal 4 to the HM output unit.

FIG. 12 is a hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 correspond to a block diagram for explaining the concept shown in FIG.
When answering machine information is created based on a request from the user terminal 3 and when the answering machine information is created based on a request from the user terminal 3, This is a case where an image is taken. Either the process of generating the answering machine information and the imaging of the slave terminal 4 may be performed.

In FIG. 1, the answering machine system server 1 has a function of receiving an answering request for answering machine information from the user terminal 4 and, based on the received acquisition request, an original information serving as a source of the answering machine information, based on the original information DB 17 or the sensing device 5- 1. It has a function of acquiring from any of the information providing device 5-2 and the slave terminal 4, a function of creating answering machine information from the acquired original information, and a function of storing the created answering machine information in the answering machine information DB19. Further, the answering machine system server 1 has a function of imaging the slave terminal 4 based on the received acquisition request and a function of storing the captured image of the slave terminal 4 in the imaging information DB 18.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the user terminal and the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when receiving a request for answering machine information (ST1301), user terminal 3 transmits a request for acquiring answering machine information to answering machine system server 1 (ST1302). When receiving the answering machine information request from the user terminal 3, the answering machine system server 1 acquires the answering machine information from the answering machine information DB 19 based on the received acquisition request (ST 1303). The captured image is acquired from the captured image DB 18 and given (ST1304), the acquired answering machine information is transmitted to the user terminal 3 together with the captured image of the slave terminal 4 (ST1305), and what information is transmitted to the user terminal 3 Is stored in the answering machine information DB 19 (ST1306), and the process ends. When the user terminal 3 receives the answering machine information and the captured image of the slave terminal 4 from the answering machine system server 1, the user terminal 3 outputs the received answering machine information and the captured image of the slave terminal 4 to the HM output unit (ST1307). To end.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation unit of the answering machine server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, when the answering machine system server 1 receives a request for acquiring answering machine information from the user terminal 3 (ST1401), it determines whether or not the answering machine information based on the received acquisition request is present in the answering machine information DB 19 (ST1402). ), If there is no answering machine information, the source information is acquired from any of the sensing device 5-1, the information providing device 5-2, and the slave terminal 4 (ST1403), and answering machine information is created from the acquired original information. (ST1404) The created answering machine information is stored in answering machine information DB 19 (ST1405). If there is answering machine information requested from the user terminal 3 in ST1402, the process directly proceeds to ST1406. In ST1406, the answering machine information is acquired from the answering machine information DB 19 based on the acquisition request received from the user terminal 3, and the acquired answering machine information is provided with the captured image of the slave terminal 4 (ST1407). The information is transmitted to the user terminal 3 together with the captured image of the machine terminal 4 (ST1408), what information is transmitted to the user terminal 3 is stored in the answering machine information DB 19 (ST1409), and the process is terminated.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the operation of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, when the answering machine system server 1 receives a request for answering machine information from the user terminal 3 (ST1501), it captures an image of the slave terminal 4 (ST1502). Imaging information DB1
8 (ST1503), and terminates the process.

FIG. 16 is a hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server and the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to a block diagram for explaining the concept shown in FIGS. In FIG. 1, the answering machine system server 1 has a function of notifying the child terminal 4 of the start of imaging. The child device terminal 4 has a function of receiving a notification of the start of imaging from the answering machine system server 1 and a function of operating the movable unit in response to the notification of the start of imaging. Further, the answering machine system server 1 has a function of notifying the slave terminal 4 of the end of the imaging. The slave terminal 4 has a function of receiving a notice of the end of imaging from the answering machine system server 1 and a function of stopping the operation of the movable unit in response to the notification of the end of imaging.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the answering machine system server and the operation unit of the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when answering machine system server 1 receives information transmission to user terminal 3 (ST1701), it sends a notification of the start of imaging of child terminal 4 to child terminal 4 (ST1702), and child terminal 4 (ST1703). Receiving the notification of the start of imaging from answering machine system server 1, slave terminal 4 executes the operation of the movable part (ST1704). Further, when the information transmission to the user terminal 3 ends (ST1705), the answering machine system server 1 ends the imaging of the slave terminal 4 (ST1706), and sends a notification of the end of the imaging to the slave terminal 4 (ST1706). ST1707), and the process ends. Receiving the notification of the end of imaging from answering machine system server 1, slave terminal 4 stops the operation of the movable part (ST1708) and ends the process.

FIG. 18 is a hardware block diagram of the sensing device or the child device terminal and the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the block diagram explaining the concept shown in FIG. In the figure, the sensing device 5-1 or the slave terminal 4 has a function of sensing a sensing target and a function of transmitting the acquired sensing information to the answering machine system server 1. The answering machine system server 1 has a function of receiving sensing information from the sensing device 5-1 or the slave terminal 4, a function of storing the received sensing information in the original information DB 17, and an occurrence of an abnormal situation based on the received sensing information. It has a function of determining the presence / absence and a function of storing the determination result in the answering machine information DB 19. In addition to the sensing information received from the sensing device 5-1 or the slave terminal 4, information received from the information providing device 5-2 also becomes the original information.

When the occurrence of an abnormal situation is detected based on the determination result, the answering machine system server 1 further provides the function of adding the captured image of the slave terminal 4 to the notification information of the abnormal situation, and notifies the user terminal 3 of the occurrence of the abnormal situation. Has a function to notify. If the contact information (apparatus / equipment) 7 at the time of occurrence of an abnormal situation other than the user terminal 3 is set in advance, the occurrence of the abnormal situation is determined to be abnormal (without adding the captured image of the slave terminal 4). When a situation occurs, the contact (device / equipment) 7 is notified.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart in the arithmetic unit of the sensing device or the child device terminal and the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when sensing device 5-1 or slave terminal 4 acquires sensing information (ST1901),
The acquired sensing information is transmitted to the answering machine system server 1 (ST1902), and the process ends. Upon receipt of the sensing information, the answering machine server 1 stores the received sensing information in the original information DB 17 (ST1903), determines whether or not an abnormal situation has occurred based on the received information (ST1904), and outputs the determination result to the answering machine information. The data is stored in the DB 19 (ST1905), and the process ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation unit of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when the occurrence of an abnormal situation regarding a house is received (ST2001), it is determined whether or not it is necessary to contact a contact when an abnormal situation occurs (ST2002). (ST2003), and if not necessary, the captured image of the child device terminal 4 is added to the notification information of the abnormal condition as it is (ST2004). Is transmitted to the user terminal 3 to notify the occurrence of an abnormal situation (ST2005), and the process ends.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the block diagram for explaining the concept shown in FIG. In the figure, the answering machine system server 1 has a function of detecting the return of the user 2, a function of acquiring the answering machine information during the absence of the user 2 from the answering machine information DB 19, and a function of transmitting the acquired answering machine information to the slave terminal 4 or It has a function of outputting to the user terminal 3. The sensing of the user 2 may be performed by using the sensing device 5-1, the slave terminal 4, or the information providing device 5-2.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the operation of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when the answering machine server 1 detects that the user 2 has returned home (ST2201), the answering machine information during the absence of the user 2 is obtained from the answering machine information DB 19 (ST2202), and the obtained answering machine information is obtained. 4 or output to the user terminal 3 (ST2203), and the process ends.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart in the operation unit of the user terminal and the child device terminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the processing between the user terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4 in the block diagram for explaining the concept shown in FIG. 3, and the output to the user 2 is executed from the user terminal 3. This is a case where the slave terminal 4 is operated so as to synchronize with execution (output of answering machine information). By this processing, the user 2 can feel as if the answering machine information output from the user terminal 3 is received from the slave terminal 4 at the user terminal 3 for convenience. In the figure, when receiving a request for output of answering machine information (ST2301), user terminal 3 notifies slave terminal 4 of the content to be output to the HM output unit (ST2302), and outputs the notified output content to the HM output unit. (ST2303). Slave terminal 4, upon receiving the content to be output to the HM output unit (of user terminal 3) from user terminal 3 (ST2304), performs an operation linked to the content output by user terminal 3 (ST2305). Then, the execution result of the operation is returned to the user terminal 3 (ST2306), and the process ends. Upon receiving the operation execution result from the slave terminal 4 (ST2307), the user terminal 3 determines whether or not there is content to be output to the HM output unit (ST2308). To end.

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The figure is a further specific example of the slave terminal 4 shown so far, and shows a case where the slave terminal 4 is a device (robot) imitating a living thing. In the figure, the child device terminal 4 has a function of sensing the external world (external event) surrounding the device as a sensing target, a function of determining an external event based on sensing information, and a personality relating to the device individual from the emotion model DB 27-1. A function of acquiring information and emotion information, a function of acquiring a past action history from the learning function DB 27-2, a function of determining an action based on a determination result of an external event and the information obtained from the database, It has a function of executing the performed action (a function of instructing the operation unit to execute the determined action) and a function of storing the executed action in the learning function DB 27-2.

と す る Making the child device terminal 4 a device imitating a living thing is effective for making the user 2 feel presence.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating the emotion model and the learning function in FIG.

に お い て In the figure, the generation of individuality in the emotion model part plays the role of an individual in expressing the individual. Similarly, the generation of emotions in the emotion model unit bears the expression of the state, and the generation of memories in the learning function unit bears the expression of growth. That is, it is possible to produce a characteristic as an individual by giving personality and emotion to the child device terminal 4, and to produce a state of being familiar with the user 2 by having a learning function.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the operation unit of the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

This figure corresponds to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure, when sensing information is acquired (ST2601), an external event is determined based on the acquired sensing information (ST2602), and personality information and emotion information on the device are acquired from the emotion model DB 27-1 (ST2603), and learning is performed. A past action history is acquired from the function DB 27-2 (ST2604), an action is determined based on the determination result of the external event and the acquired information (ST2605), and the determined action is instructed to the operation unit (ST2606). The action performed is stored as an action history in the learning function DB 27-2 (ST2607), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, specific examples in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. 27 to 31 correspond to the first concept of the present invention (FIG. 1) for receiving an information acquisition request from a user 2 who is out of the office. FIGS. 32 and 33 correspond to the second concept (FIG. 2) of the present invention in which the user 2 who is out of the office is notified of an abnormal situation that has occurred in the absence house. FIGS. 34 and 35 correspond to the third concept (FIG. 3) of the present invention in which a user 2 who has returned home is notified of an event during which he is away.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

{Circle around (2)} is a specific example in the case where the original information is obtained from the sensing device 5-1. In the figure, a user 2 who is away from home uses the user terminal 3 to make an inquiry to the answering machine system server 1 as to "who came?" The answering machine system server 1 detects the presence or absence of a visitor to the answering machine by, for example, an entrance human body detection sensor 5-1-1 which is a type of sensing device, and transmits a detection signal to the answering machine system server 1. The answering machine system server 1 acquires a visitor's face image by using the face imaging camera 5-1-2, and compares the acquired face image with a face image of a person close to the user registered in a database in advance. You can also get information on who is nearby. In addition, the face image of an imminent person may be collated, and a person determined to be unsuitable may not be an imminent person for the user 2.

In the illustrated example, the answering machine information from the answering machine system server 1 is "only a newspaper shop in the evening", and the captured image of the slave terminal 4 is returned to the user terminal 3. The original information acquired from the sensing device 5-1 is, for example, information on the detected time and the detected person. Instead of using the time as it is, referring to how the person answers, the exact time may be ambiguous. Replace the time with "evening (there are other expressions such as around 4 o'clock)", replace the newspaper delivery husband with a familiar "newspaper shop", "only" or "only" It is good to make a conversation sentence using a template of the talking language. The answering machine system server 1 transmits these conversation sentences to the user terminal 3 as answering machine information. Here, by attaching the picked-up image of the handset terminal 4 to the answering machine information returned to the user terminal 3, the user 2 can feel as if the handset terminal 4 is answering. In addition, while the answering machine system server 1 is imaging the slave terminal 4, the slave terminal 4 further moves the movable part, for example, its own ship, into a “patter” to further increase the realistic presence of the slave terminal 4. Can be increased. If the captured image is a moving image, the presence of the slave terminal 4 is transmitted more.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a specific example in a case where the original information is acquired from the information acquisition device 5-2. In the figure, a user 2 in a supermarket food section on the go uses a user terminal 3 to inquire the answering machine system server 1 of "Is there milk and eggs?" Probably, user 2 saw milk and eggs that he thought were a bargain at a special sale corner while shopping at the food counter. However, even if you buy too much food, you will often not be able to consume it by the expiration date, and you will want to ask how much you have left in your home.

In the illustrated example, the answering machine server 1 extracts the words “milk” and “egg” relating to the refrigerator 5-2-1 from the sentence information of “Is there milk and egg” received from the user terminal 3? The refrigerator 5-2-1 requests the refrigerator 5-2-1 for inventory information indicating how many items indicated by the extracted words are present in the refrigerator 5-2-1, and there is no stock for milk, and five stocks for eggs. Desired inventory information indicating that Further, the answering machine system server 1 converts the original information obtained from the information providing device 5-2 into a template such as "no," "only," "only in the bin," or "a lot." And sent to the user terminal 3 as answering machine information. It should be noted that attaching the picked-up image of the slave terminal 4 to the answering machine information is the same as in FIG.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example regarding acquisition of stock information in FIG.

図 The figure is an example of detection in the case where the storage location is determined in advance, and the inventory can be determined by whether or not the storage location is in a predetermined position. In the same figure, in the refrigerator 5-2-1, for example, using a piezoelectric element installed in advance at the bottom of an egg stocker, the egg enters the hole of the stocker and the tip thereof is a piezoelectric element (an electric signal is generated when the element is displaced). Touching the element), it can be seen that there is an egg there. Similarly, when a paper pack or a bottle of milk or the like is in the door pocket, it may be detected by a piezoelectric element in the same manner as an egg, or the paper pack may be detected by a photoelectric switch (light from the light-emitting element is a light-receiving element). If the object is interrupted by a certain object before the detection, a sensor that outputs an electric signal indicating that the object exists may be detected.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example regarding acquisition of inventory information different from that of FIG.

FIG. 7 shows detection examples in a case where the determination is made based on the shape and a case where the determination is made using the information tag. In the figure, the shape of the stick-shaped thing protruding from the box-shaped container can be determined as butter or margarine. Butter and margarine may be determined solely by shape, if they are considered to be of the same range in their application. However, there are some which cannot be distinguished only by the shape, and in that case, it is preferable to use an information tag which has a storage area in which information can be written and which can be read without contact.

In the example shown in the figure, the user 2 creates “item, purchase date, expiration date, etc.” on an information tag that has been processed in advance into a seal using a tag writing device (a device that writes information on the information tag), After being attached to the container, it is stored in the refrigerator 5-2-1. The container provided with the identification means can read the information written in the refrigerator 5-2-1. If there is no tag writing device, the user 2 registers the information tag in which the random number is written to the answering machine system server 1 (the random number written in advance in the information tag is, A similar effect can be obtained by causing the system to recognize that the expiration date is a valid margarine.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a specific example in a case where the original information is acquired from the information acquisition device 5-2. In the figure, a user 2 in front of a restaurant where he is away uses a user terminal 3 to make an inquiry to the answering machine system server 1 as to whether "cooked rice". Probably, the user 2 set the timer of the rice cooker before going out to self-cook at his own home after returning home. However, there was a delicious meal when User 2 passed in front of the restaurant, so I decided to stop my self-prepared meal and eat out. However, what I am worried about is the rice cooker that I have set, and if I have not already started cooking, I am inquiring to the answering machine system server 1 thinking that I should enter this restaurant.

In the illustrated example, the answering machine system server 1 requests the rice cooker 5-2-2 for status information, and since the rice cooker 5-2-2 has not yet started cooking rice, the "timer" is used as the status information. Operating. Not yet started. " Therefore, the answering machine system server 1 uses the template to make a conversation sentence “not yet switched on” and sends it to the user terminal 3 as answering machine information. It should be noted that attaching the picked-up image of the slave terminal 4 to the answering machine information is the same as in FIG. In this case, the template is a template of a fixed phrase "not yet turned on" which represents the case where "the timer is operating and the timer target has not started".

The user 2 who has confirmed that he has not started cooking rice with the rice cooker 5-2-2 decides to eat out at the restaurant, and switches off the rice cooker 5-2-2 to the answering machine system server 1 ( That is, the timer is stopped or invalidated), and an instruction is given to the answering machine system server 1. The answering machine system server 1 that has received the instruction to cancel the timer of the rice cooker 5-2-2 from the user terminal 3 transmits instruction information to cancel the timer to the rice cooker 5-2-2, and confirms that the instruction has been executed. After confirmation, the completion of the instruction is notified to the user terminal 3.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a specific example in a case where the original information is obtained from the sensing device 5-1. In the figure, the answering machine system server 1 that has detected the presence of a suspicious person by a human body detection sensor 5-1-3 around the house or a face imaging camera 5-1-2, which is a kind of sensing device 5-1 is located at the outside. The answering machine information indicating the occurrence of an abnormal situation related to the answering machine is transmitted to the user terminal 3 by using a fixed sentence "There is a suspicious person at ..." from the template. It should be noted that attaching the picked-up image of the slave terminal 4 to the answering machine information is the same as in FIG. The handset terminal 4 may perform an operation in response to the occurrence of an abnormal state, and specifically, an operation in which there is no calmness such as barking, panic, and fluttering.

In the example shown in the figure, the answering machine system server 1 transmits the notification information to the report receiving terminal 7-1 of the security company registered in advance as the contact address of the abnormal situation.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a specific example in a case where the original information is obtained from the information providing device 5-2. In the same figure, the answering machine system server 1 that has received the abnormal sound detection and the abnormal vibration detection as the state information indicating the abnormality from the dryer 5-2-3 causes the user terminal 3 to go out of the template to “ The answering machine information indicating the occurrence of an abnormal situation regarding the answering machine is transmitted using the fixed phrase "I hear a strange sound!", And the dryer 5-2-3 is instructed to stop the operation and to turn off the main power. are doing. It should be noted that attaching the picked-up image of the slave terminal 4 to the answering machine information is the same as in FIG.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

{Circle around (2)} is a specific example in a case where the original information is obtained from the sensing device 5-1. In the same figure, the answering machine system server 1 that has detected that the user 2 has returned home uses the slave terminal 4 to report, as an event report while the user 2 is away, "Mr. Output. In the illustrated example, the original information of the event report is the entrance human body detection sensor 5-1-1 and the face imaging camera 5-1-2, and the answering machine information is created from the acquired original information and stored in the answering machine information DB 19. I have.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a specific example in a case where the original information is obtained from the information providing device 5-2. In FIG. 1, the answering machine system server 1 that has detected that the user 2 has returned home uses the slave unit terminal 4 to acquire a new home information acquired from an information home appliance such as a television 5-2-4 or a personal computer 5-2-5 while being away. Using the program information, report information that attracts the user 2 is created and output to the user 2. In the example shown in the figure, the report information indicates "A new drama will start from today. Kimura will appear. PM 9:00, 8 channels. Do you reserve a video?" When the user 2 answers “Yes” to the question output from the slave terminal 4 in this way, the answering machine server 1 executes a reservation instruction to the video deck.

As shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 35, the information output to the user 2 when returning home also serves to greet the user 2 returning home, and in an effect to eliminate the loneliness felt by the user 2 living alone when returning home. Become.

In other words, it is possible to eliminate the anxiety about the absence home that the user feels when going out by setting the answering machine where someone is at the place where they return home where the user is away from the terminal itself I can do it.

Note that the slave terminal may have a sensing function, and if the operation function of the slave terminal is a mobile function that changes the location of the slave terminal, the slave terminal itself may function as a movement sensor. Can be fulfilled.

Further, the answering machine system server reports an event during the answering machine to the user who has returned home. Since the event report during the answering machine is transmitted to the user via the slave terminal or the user terminal, it is possible to give the user a real feeling as if the slave terminal was answering, and when the user returns home By allowing the slave terminal to talk to the user, the user feels welcomed to return home, so that the loneliness of living alone when the user returns home can be eliminated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first concept according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a second concept according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a third concept according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a psychological model of a user in the background of the present invention. Block diagram illustrating answering machine in FIG. Hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of a user terminal in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of the slave terminal in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of a sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of an information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the operation unit of the user terminal and the answering machine system server in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the calculation unit of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the calculation unit of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of answering machine system server and slave terminal in embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of the answering machine system server and the operation unit of the slave terminal in the embodiment of the present invention Hardware block diagram of a sensing device or a slave terminal and an answering machine server in an embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the arithmetic unit of the sensing device or the slave terminal and the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart in the calculation unit of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention Functional block diagram of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the calculation unit of the answering machine server in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the operation unit of the user terminal and the slave terminal in the embodiment of the present invention Functional block diagram of a slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an emotion model and a learning function in FIG. Flowchart in the operation unit of the slave terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of acquisition of stock information in FIG. FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example related to acquisition of inventory information different from that in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example corresponding to the concept shown in FIG. External appearance image diagram of slave terminal 4 having a call function unit in the embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Answering Machine System Server 2 User 3 User Terminal 4 Slave Terminal 5-1 Sensing Device 5-2 Information Provision Device 6 Network 7 Contact Information for Abnormal Occurrence

Claims (18)

An information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a device installed in a house where the user lives,
Communication means for communicating with an external device outside the house via a network,
Answering machine information creating means for acquiring information from an information providing device or a sensing device installed in the house in advance using the information transmitting and receiving means, creating answering machine information based on the acquired information, and generating an imaging start notification signal. When,
An imaging unit that images a slave terminal including a movable unit that performs a different predetermined behavior according to the answering machine information created by the answering machine information creating unit,
When the communication unit receives an information acquisition request signal transmitted from a user terminal possessed when the user goes out of the house, the answering machine information creating unit replies in response to the received information acquisition request signal. Answering machine information is created, the imaging unit captures an image of the slave terminal that has begun behavior of the movable unit in response to the imaging start notification signal, and the communication unit captures an image of the slave terminal captured by the imaging unit. An answering machine system which transmits an image together with the answering machine information to the user terminal, thereby enabling an effect as if the slave terminal is answering at the house. Further comprising abnormality occurrence determination means for determining the occurrence of an abnormal situation regarding the house,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means, together with notification information for notifying the abnormal situation, displays the captured image of the slave terminal taken by the imaging means. By transmitting to the user terminal as a behavior in which the slave terminal detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house, the user only observes the behavior of the slave terminal displayed on the screen of the user terminal. 2. The answering machine system according to claim 1, wherein information on occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house of the answering machine can be obtained by using. An information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a device installed in a house where the user lives,
Communication means for communicating with an external device outside the house via a network,
Using the information transmitting and receiving means, to obtain information from an information providing device or a sensing device installed in the house in advance, abnormality occurrence determination means to determine the occurrence of an abnormal situation related to the house based on the acquired information,
Imaging means for imaging a slave terminal provided with a movable part that performs a different predetermined behavior according to the abnormal situation determined by the abnormality occurrence determination means,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means, together with the notification information for notifying the abnormal situation, displays the captured image of the slave terminal taken by the imaging means. As a behavior image in which the slave terminal detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house, by transmitting to the user terminal possessed when the user goes out of the house, the user is displayed on the screen of the user terminal. An answering machine system which makes it possible to acquire information in the house of an answering house simply by observing the behavior of the slave terminal displayed on the terminal. Having an abnormal contact storage unit that stores in advance devices other than the user terminal as abnormal contacts when the abnormal situation occurs,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means stores the abnormality in the abnormal contact device stored in the abnormal contact storage unit in addition to the user terminal. 4. The answering machine according to claim 2, wherein the notification information or the behavior image of the slave terminal is transmitted to notify a situation. 5. A movable unit that performs different predetermined behaviors according to the answering machine information created by the answering machine information creating unit included in the answering machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Operating means for operating the movable part,
A slave terminal, comprising: an operation instruction unit that instructs the operation unit to execute the predetermined behavior at least while an image is captured by the imaging unit of the answering machine system. Further comprising information transmitting means for transmitting the information of absence to the user,
6. The slave unit according to claim 5, wherein the information transmission unit transmits information to the user while the user is away from the house after the user returns to the house. Terminal. Further comprising an emotion model unit that generates an emotion expressing the state of the slave terminal,
7. The slave terminal according to claim 5, wherein the operation instruction unit instructs the operation unit to execute a behavior based on the emotion generated by the emotion model unit. The emotion model unit generates an emotion and an individuality responsible for the expression of an individual for each of the slave terminals, and the operation instruction unit executes the behavior based on the emotion and the individuality generated by the emotion model unit. 8. The slave terminal according to claim 7, wherein the instruction is given to the slave terminal. The child device further includes a learning function unit that stores an action history of an action executed in the past,
The slave according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the operation instruction unit changes the predetermined behavior instructed to the operation unit based on the action history stored in the learning function unit. Terminal. An information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a device installed in a house where the user lives,
Communication means for communicating with an external device outside the house via a network,
Answering machine information creating means for acquiring information from an information providing device or a sensing device installed in the house in advance using the information transmitting and receiving means, creating answering machine information based on the acquired information, and generating an imaging start notification signal. When,
An answering machine information providing method using an answering machine system comprising: an answering machine system comprising: an image pickup means for imaging a slave terminal provided with a movable part that performs different predetermined behaviors according to the answering machine information created by the answering machine information creating means. hand,
When the communication unit receives an information acquisition request signal from a user terminal possessed when the user goes out of the house, the answering machine information creating unit responds to the received information acquisition request signal with the answering machine information and Create an imaging start notification signal and
The imaging unit captures an image of the slave terminal that has started the behavior of the movable unit in response to the imaging start notification signal,
The communication means transmits the captured image of the slave terminal captured by the imaging means to the user terminal together with the answering machine information, so that the effect as if the slave terminal is answering at the residence is provided. Answering machine information provision method provided to users. Further comprising abnormality occurrence determination means for determining the occurrence of an abnormal situation regarding the house,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means, together with notification information for notifying the abnormal situation, displays the captured image of the slave terminal taken by the imaging means. By transmitting to the user terminal as a behavior in which the slave terminal detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house, the user only observes the behavior of the slave terminal displayed on the screen of the user terminal. The answering machine information providing method according to claim 10, wherein information on occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house of the answering machine can be obtained by using the method. An information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a device installed in a house where the user lives,
Communication means for communicating with an external device outside the house via a network,
Using the information transmitting and receiving means, to obtain information from an information providing device or a sensing device installed in the house in advance, abnormality occurrence determination means to determine the occurrence of an abnormal situation related to the house based on the acquired information,
An answering machine information providing method using an answering machine system including an answering machine system having an image pickup device for picking up an image of a slave terminal provided with a movable portion that performs different predetermined behaviors according to the abnormal situation determined by the abnormality occurrence judging device. hand,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means, together with notification information for notifying the abnormal situation, displays the captured image of the slave terminal taken by the imaging means. As a behavior image in which the slave terminal detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation in the house, by transmitting to the user terminal possessed when the user goes out of the house, the user can display the screen of the user terminal. And an answering machine information providing method for providing the user with information in the house of the answering machine only by observing the behavior of the slave terminal displayed on the terminal. Having an abnormal contact storage unit that stores in advance devices other than the user terminal as abnormal contacts when the abnormal situation occurs,
When the abnormality occurrence determination means determines that an abnormal situation has occurred with respect to the house, the communication means stores the abnormality in the abnormal contact device stored in the abnormal contact storage unit in addition to the user terminal. 13. The answering machine information providing method according to claim 11, wherein the notification information for notifying a situation or the behavior image of the slave terminal is transmitted. The slave unit terminal, a movable unit that performs different predetermined behavior according to the answering machine information created by the answering machine information creating means,
Operating means for operating the movable part,
Operation instruction means for instructing the operation means to execute the predetermined behavior,
The said slave terminal which received the notification of the imaging start from at least the said answering machine system continues performing the said predetermined behavior, while being imaged by the said imaging means by the said operation instruction means. 13. The method for providing answering machine information according to any one of 13. The slave unit terminal further includes an information transmitting unit that transmits information of an absence to the user,
The information transmission means transmits information to the user while the user is away from the house after the user returns to the house, the information being transmitted to the user. Answering machine information provision method described in. The slave terminal further includes an emotion model unit that generates an emotion expressing the state,
16. The answering machine information providing method according to claim 14, wherein the operation instruction unit instructs the operation unit to execute a behavior based on an emotion generated by the emotion model unit. The emotion model unit generates an emotion and an individuality responsible for the expression of an individual for each of the slave terminals, and the operation instruction unit executes the behavior based on the emotion and the individuality generated by the emotion model unit. The method of providing answering machine information according to claim 16, wherein the instruction is given to the user. The slave terminal further includes a learning function unit that stores an action history of actions executed in the past,
The answering machine information according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the operation instructing means changes the predetermined behavior instructed to the operating means based on the action history stored in the learning function unit. Delivery method.

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