JP2005211232A - Communication support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily communicate with an opposite party through a communication support apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A communication support apparatus (1) is provided for performing communication between a plurality of apparatuses by exchanging data owned by them respectively with each other, and the data include at least self introduction data indicating the communication support apparatus (1) itself or a user using the apparatus. Also, the communication support apparatus (1) is provided with: a radio communication means (60) for transmitting and receiving the data; a storage means (52) for preserving the data; and an output means (11) for displaying the data on a screen or an output means (23) for outputting them by voice. The radio communication means (60) can be switched to an individual communication mode in which the plurality of apparatuss can be connected with each other and a base station connection mode in which the access point of the Internet can be connected and is set to the individual communication mode when searching a communication opposite party. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication support apparatus applicable to a communication robot or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal information guidance method and information device for information guidance for mobile users have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-252003

  However, the conventional system as described above records position information and date / time information in a visit history database, and manages and retrieves information regarding a predetermined place and time, and supports daily communication. is not.

  That is, for example, there is a problem that it is not possible to easily communicate with the other party through the device, such as searching for a partner who wants to communicate in daily life and exchanging information when meeting a partner who meets the conditions.

  Therefore, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a communication support apparatus that can easily communicate with a partner via the apparatus.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a communication support device mounted on a plurality of devices for exchanging data owned by each of the devices and communicating with each other. The data includes at least self-introduction data representing the device itself or a user who uses the device, wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving the data, storage means for storing the data, and the data on the screen It is a communication support apparatus provided with the output means to display or sound-output.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication means switches between an individual communication mode connectable between a plurality of devices and a base station connection mode connectable to an Internet access point. The communication support apparatus is set to the individual communication mode when searching for a communication partner.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the communication support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-introduction data includes desired data for narrowing down a communication partner apparatus or its user.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the communication information corresponds to an emotional expression that changes according to the degree to which the data received from the communication partner device corresponds to the desired data. It is a communication support device including contents.

  As described above, the present invention is a communication support device that is mounted on a plurality of devices and communicates by exchanging data owned by each of the devices, and the data includes at least the device itself or A configuration comprising: wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving the data including self-introduction data representing a user who uses the apparatus; storage means for storing the data; and output means for displaying the data on a screen or outputting sound. As a result, you can easily communicate with the other party via the device. For example, you can search for a person you want to communicate with in your daily life and exchange information when you meet a partner who meets the conditions. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a communication support apparatus according to the present invention. The communication support apparatus 1 is configured as a monkey-shaped robot.

  The robot (communication support device) 1 includes a body part 10, a head part 20, and four leg parts 30 and 40 (front legs 30a and 30b and rear legs 40a and 40b). The head 20 and the four leg portions 30 and 40 can be driven, and emotional expression by movement can be realized.

  In other words, the head 20 has a portion corresponding to the neck attached to the body portion 10 with two degrees of freedom of yaw (turning) and pitch (moving back and forth).

  Each front leg 30 has a portion corresponding to a shoulder attached to the body portion 10 with two degrees of freedom of pitch (moves back and forth) and roll (moves left and right), and a portion corresponding to the elbow is a body portion. 10 is configured with one degree of freedom in the roll direction so as to bend inward.

  Each rear leg 40 has a portion corresponding to the base of the leg attached to the body portion 10 with two degrees of freedom of pitch (moving back and forth) and roll (moving left and right), and a portion corresponding to the knee. The pitch direction is one degree of freedom.

  Such a degree of freedom of the portion corresponding to each joint can be realized by using an appropriate actuator such as a motor, for example, and this type of actuator (motor) and its drive mechanism can use well-known ones. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

  CCD (Charge Coupled Device) cameras 21a and 21b are attached to portions corresponding to the eyes of the head 20 of the robot (communication support device) 1, and images can be input.

  In addition, microphones 22a and 22b are attached to portions corresponding to the ears of the head 20 of the robot (communication support device) 1, and voice can be input.

  In addition, a speaker 23 is attached to a portion corresponding to the mouth of the head 20 of the robot (communication support device) 1 and can output sound.

  A color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display 11 with a touch panel is attached to a portion corresponding to the chest of the body 10 of the robot (communication support device) 1.

  This LCD display 11 with a touch panel displays data recognized by the robot (communication support apparatus) 1 by voice input by the user and is displayed as character data so that the user can confirm the data or data transmitted from the other party. Can be displayed.

  It is also possible to realize emotional expression by color display of the screen of the LCD display 11 with a touch panel or specific character display.

  For example, an angry emotion is expressed by making the entire screen red or displaying characters such as “Pumpun” and “Angry!”. In addition, we express happy feelings by making the whole screen orange or displaying characters such as “Niko Niko” or “I am happy!”. In addition, a sad feeling is expressed by making the entire screen blue or displaying characters such as “en” or “sad”.

  Further, an antenna 12 for wireless communication is attached to a portion corresponding to the back of the body portion 10 of the robot (communication support device) 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the communication support device (robot) 1. The control device 50 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 that performs overall control.

  A memory 52 and a sub CPU 53 are connected to the main CPU 51, and motor control units 55 with 14 degrees of freedom are connected to the sub CPU 53 via a serial bus 54.

  Here, “14 degrees of freedom” means two degrees of freedom of the yaw and pitch of the head 20, two degrees of freedom of the pitch and roll corresponding to the shoulder of each front leg 30, and the direction of the roll of the part corresponding to the elbow. This is a combination of one degree of freedom, the pitch of the portion corresponding to the base of each rear leg 40, two degrees of freedom of the roll, and one degree of freedom in the pitch direction of the portion corresponding to the knee.

  Each motor control unit 55 includes a motor control CPU 56, a drive motor 57 and an angle sensor 58 connected to the motor control CPU 56. For example, one motor control unit 55 may be provided for each of the 14 degrees of freedom. For example, one motor control unit 55 is provided for every two degrees of freedom of the head 20 and one for each of the three degrees of freedom of the front legs 30. , One for each of the three degrees of freedom of each rear leg 40, and a total of five can be configured.

  For example, a motor control unit 55 provided with one front leg 30 with three degrees of freedom will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the motor control CPU 56 includes a drive motor 57a as a shoulder pitch gear motor and a shoulder. An angle sensor 58a as a pitch rotation sensor, a drive motor 57b as a shoulder roll gear motor, an angle sensor 58b as a shoulder roll rotation sensor, a drive motor 57c as an elbow roll gear motor, and an angle sensor 58c as an elbow roll rotation sensor. Connected.

  The control device 50 will be described with respect to the operation of the robot (communication support device) 1. The main CPU 51 generates a target value of the angle of each joint at a predetermined timing based on the operation program stored in the memory 52. Is sent to the sub CPU 53. The sub CPU 53 serially converts the target angle data sent from the main CPU 51 and sends it to the motor control CPU 56 of each motor control unit 55.

  The motor control CPU 56 of each motor control unit 55 compares the target angle data sent from the sub CPU 53 with the output of the angle sensor 58 attached to each joint, so that both are the same. It controls rotation. Thus, each joint is controlled to have a predetermined angle based on the operation program.

  A wireless communication circuit 60 is connected to the main CPU 51 of the control device 50. The wireless communication circuit 60 transmits and receives character data and image data via the wireless communication antenna 12.

  As will be described later, the wireless communication circuit 60 includes an individual communication mode such as an ad hoc mode in which a plurality of robots (communication support apparatuses) 1 and 1 can be connected one by one, and an infrastructure that can be connected to a wireless access point on the Internet. The base station connection mode such as the mode can be switched, and when searching for a communication partner, the individual communication mode is set.

  The memory 52 stores various programs necessary for communication support and stores self-introduction data used for communication.

  As will be described later, this self-introduction data is self-introduction data of the robot (communication support apparatus) 1 or a user who uses the robot 1, and is used for narrowing down the communication partner robot (communication support apparatus) 1 or the user. Includes desired data.

  Further, the LCD display 11 with a touch panel is connected to the main CPU 51. The LCD display 11 with a touch panel displays character data and image data to be transmitted and received, and since it has a touch panel, it is possible to directly select commands and input characters.

  As will be described later, the LCD display 11 with a touch panel displays communication information including self-introduction data on the screen, and the data received from the communication partner robot (communication support device) 1 is desired for this communication information. It includes content corresponding to emotional expressions that change according to the degree corresponding to the data.

  The main CPU 51 is connected to the CCD cameras 21 a and 21 b, and can capture image data captured by the CCD cameras 21 a and 21 b and display it on the LCD display 11 with a touch panel. be able to.

  Further, microphones 22a and 22b are connected to the main CPU 51, and voice input data captured by the microphones 22a and 22b can be recorded in the memory 52, and the data is converted into text by voice recognition software and an LCD with a touch panel. It can be displayed on the display 11.

  Furthermore, a speaker 23 is connected to the main CPU 51, and communication information including an arbitrary message and self-introduction data can be output from the speaker 23.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing two types of communication connection modes of the communication support apparatus (robot) 1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for setting the communication connection mode.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the communication support apparatus (robot) 1 is connected to the individual communication mode in which the communication support apparatuses (robots) 1 and 1 are connected in a one-to-one relationship and the wireless access point (wireless LAN base station) of the Internet. The base station connection mode to be connected can be selected.

  Therefore, the user selects and sets either the individual communication mode or the base station connection mode as shown in FIG. 4 in consideration of the situation that the user wants to use (step S1). This mode switching can be set by displaying a mode selection screen on the LCD display 11 with a touch panel and operating the touch panel to select one of the modes.

  When searching for a communication partner, set the individual communication mode.

  For example, it is assumed that a user A (not shown) is moving with a robot (communication support apparatus) 1A and the robot (communication support apparatus) 1A searches for a communication partner in the individual communication mode.

  At this time, it is assumed that a user B (not shown) also has a similar robot (communication support apparatus) 1B, and the robot (communication support apparatus) 1B also searches for a communication partner in the individual communication mode.

  When the distance between the user A and the user B approaches a predetermined communicable range, the robot (communication support apparatus) 1A detects the robot (communication support apparatus) 1B and links to communicate with the robot (communication support apparatus) 1B. Make it ready.

  Subsequently, specific communication is started between the robots (communication support apparatuses) 1A and 1B. Here, if you introduce yourself and the other party shows a response, you can start communication.

  In this communication, when user A and user B want to know more about each other's information, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the user's personal home page on the Internet via robots (communication support devices) 1A and 1B Etc. can be taught.

  If there is a wireless local area network (LAN) base station 70 nearby, the wireless LAN base station 70 connects to the Internet 100 via the router 71 and the server 72 by switching the communication mode to the base station connection mode. Can access any of the servers 101, 102, 103,..., And browse the home page of the other user.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the exchange in the individual communication mode of the communication support apparatus (robot) 1.

  First, it is checked whether or not the communication connection mode is the individual communication mode (step S11), and if it is not the individual communication mode (NO in step S11), the process ends.

  If it is the individual communication mode (YES in step S11), the communication partner is searched, and if a communication partner is found, a link is established (step S12).

  If the link is not successful (NO in step S13), a timer of a few seconds is set (step S14), and after a while, the process returns to step S12 to perform again from the search.

  When linked (YES in step S13), data reception is enabled (step S15). When the other party sends it, it receives it.

  If there is received data (YES in step S16), this is displayed on the LCD display 11 with a touch panel (step S17).

  Further, the received information is converted into a database and stored in the memory 52 (step S18). The stored contents can be displayed and confirmed later on the LCD display 11 with a touch panel.

  The first data after linking is self-introduction data of the robot (communication support apparatus) 1, for example, the name, color, and growth of the robot (communication support apparatus) 1.

  In this way, a similar robot (communication support device) 1B is found near the robot (communication support device) 1A, and the name, color, growth, etc. of the partner robot (communication support device) 1B are determined. I can know. Furthermore, if you like it, you can send and receive the robot user's self-introduction data and proceed with the communication.

  Further, the robot (communication support device) 1 performs emotion expression based on the received data. For example, changing the display color of the LCD display 11 with a touch panel, expressing it with characters, driving the actuators of the leg portions 30 and 40, making various years of operation, stroking the head, etc. Can be expressed as

  Further, the robot (communication support apparatus) 1 changes or grows the character of the robot (communication support apparatus) 1 itself depending on the total number of received data and the number of times of expressing emotions of joy. This is realized by an operation program.

  Next, the robot (communication support apparatus) 1A determines whether or not to transmit this information to the partner robot (communication support apparatus) 1B (step S19). For example, if the user does not like the emotion expression (NO in step S19), the process ends without performing transmission.

  If you like it (YES in step S19), select the transmission content, enter the transmission content as required, and transmit it (step S20). This is realized by an operation program.

  Finally, it is determined whether transmission / reception is to be ended (step S21), and if it is to be ended (YES in step S21), the process ends. This is also realized by an operation program.

  When continuing (NO in step S21), the state of the link is confirmed (step S22). If the state is good (YES in step S22), the process returns to step S15 to receive data from the other party.

  In this way, communication can be triggered by the robot (communication support device) 1 and, at the same time as exchanging information, the emotion (expression, growth, character formation) of the robot (communication support device) 1 can be realized and actively enjoyed. .

  In addition, the robot (communication support device) 1 inputs information on the robot (communication support device) 1 and the user who wants to communicate in advance and stores them in the memory. This may be input from a touch panel, or may be voice input as described later.

  By detecting a match between the received data and the desired data stored in advance, it is possible to determine whether the partner robot (communication support device) 1 or the user is close to or far from the desired communication partner.

  That is, for the robot (communication support device) 1 of the partner, keywords such as “robot color is white”, “mature period”, “stores gourmet information” in the robot growth program are compared. For the other user, keywords included in “personal computer is a hobby”, “I like Japanese food”, “I want to know information in front of the station”, and the like are compared. Here, the robot (communication support device) 1 expresses emotions by comparing the desired data with the received data. This is an image that changes the expression according to the number of matched data and expresses the feeling of the user instead.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the emotional expression of the communication support apparatus (robot) 1 and corresponds to the emotional expression part in step S18 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, the received data and the registered desired data (keyword) are compared, and the number of matching keywords is counted.

  For example, when there is no received data that matches the desired data (keyword) (NO in step S31), sadness is expressed (step S32).

  If there are three or more received data that matches the desired data (keyword) (YES in step S33), joy is expressed (step S35).

  If the received data that matches the desired data (keyword) is 1 to 2 (NO in step S33), the normal state is set (step S34).

  Thereby, the operation of the robot (communication support device) 1 can be enjoyed depending on what the received data is, and the entertainment property can be enhanced. The number of matching received data is not limited to three and can be set as appropriate.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the level of transmission contents of the communication support apparatus (robot) 1 and corresponds to step S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, the familiarity in communication is represented by a level, and the level when receiving data is first converted into a database after linking is set to 1, and the level gradually increases as the familiarity deepens.

  The setting of the level value may be input on the touch panel of the LCD display 11 with a touch panel or may be input by voice. Further, the number of receptions after linking may be automatically added to obtain a level value. In this case, repeating the transmission / reception increases the level and deepens the intimacy.

  The transmission contents are determined according to the level, and the level is checked at the time of transmission. If it is level 1 (YES in step S41), the profile (self-introduction) of the robot (communication support apparatus) 1 is selected (step S42) and transmitted (step S49).

  If it is level 2 (YES in step S43), the user's profile (self-introduction) is selected (step S44) and transmitted (step S49).

  If it is level 3 (YES in step S45), for example, more detailed information such as the URL of the user's home page is selected (step S46) and transmitted (step S49).

  If the intimacy is at this stage, various information about the user can be obtained by switching to a base station connection mode for connecting to a wireless access point (wireless LAN base station) on the Internet and accessing this home page.

  Furthermore, if it is level 4 (YES in step S47), for example, an image such as a favorite photograph or an image such as one's own face photograph is selected (step S48) and transmitted (step S49).

  This image may be an image taken by the CCD cameras 21a and 21b mounted on the robot (communication support apparatus) 1, and it is possible to notify the receiving party of the current position by a transmission image.

  These profiles, URLs, images, and other data are basically preferably stored in advance in memory in terms of immediacy, but can of course be input on the spot. Also, the transmission content corresponding to the level can be set as appropriate.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the communication support apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, conversation is performed via the communication support apparatus (robot) 1 shown in FIGS. Furthermore, the meaning of communication was strengthened.

  In the case of this embodiment, since the conversation is performed via the robot (communication support device) 1, unlike the telephone, the conversation can be enjoyed in a more entertaining manner.

  Specifically, a voice is input to the robot (communication support apparatus) 1, and this is converted into text by voice recognition software and transmitted. The receiving side converts the sent character data into speech using speech synthesis software and outputs the speech. Voice can be output with your favorite sound quality, such as robot voice, so you can enjoy it.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, data is received (step S51). If there is received data (YES in step S52), the received character data is displayed on the LCD display 11 with a touch panel (step S53). Simultaneously, voice synthesis and voice output are performed (step S54). Set the sound quality separately.

  Subsequently, if the conversation is to be continued (YES in step S55), the content of the conversation is input as a voice (step S56), this is recognized as a voice (step S57), and the content is displayed as characters in the LCD display 11 with a touch panel. (Step S58).

  The content of the conversation displayed on the LCD display 11 with the touch panel is confirmed (step S59). If the content is OK (YES in step S59), this is transmitted (step S60).

  In the above description, the communication support apparatus 1 is configured as a robot that includes the body part 10, the head part 20, and the four leg parts 30 and 40, and can specifically express the operation, but is not limited thereto.

  That is, even if there is no moving part, for example, it is possible to display a robot animation on the screen and move the animation robot within the screen to express a pseudo emotion. In this case, mechanisms such as the head and limbs are unnecessary.

  Therefore, the communication support apparatus 1 can be configured, for example, in the form of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) having an LCD display, an exterior, a communication circuit, and a voice input / output function.

  When a communication partner is determined, it is also possible to exchange IP (Internet Protocol) addresses with each other and communicate using a public line such as the Internet using mobile IP or the like.

  Since the communication support apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following various effects.

(1) It is possible to search for a partner who wants to communicate in daily life, exchange information when meeting a partner who meets the conditions, and communicate easily through the communication support device.

(2) There are an individual communication mode and a base station connection mode, and when searching for a communication partner, there is no problem even if the distance to the base station is very long by selecting the individual communication mode.

(3) There are an individual communication mode and a base station connection mode. When you want to access many information sources, you can easily connect to the Internet or the like via the base station by selecting the base station connection mode.

(4) The communication support device (robot) can express emotions according to the content of communication.

(5) The content of communication can be changed according to the intimacy of communication.

(6) Since the communication support device is not just a wireless device but is provided with emotion expression means, it can be anthropomorphized and enjoyed as entertainment.

(7) Since the self-introduction data and the like are stored in advance in the communication support device, communication can be smoothly advanced.

(8) Voice input / output can be performed in a form different from that of a telephone, thereby making communication even more enjoyable.

(9) Since you can search for the partner within the range (relatively narrow area) that can be linked in the wireless individual communication mode, you can meet with the person who started communication through the communication support device without spending time, Communication is possible.

It is a schematic front view which shows one Embodiment of the communication assistance apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the communication connection mode of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the setting method of the communication connection mode of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the exchange by the separate communication mode of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the emotional expression of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the level of the transmission content of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of other embodiment of the communication assistance apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Communication support device (robot)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Body part 11 LCD display device with a touch panel 12 Antenna 20 for radio | wireless communication Head 21a, 21b CCD camera 22a, 22b Microphone 23 Speaker 30 (30a, 30b) Leg part (front leg)
40 (40a, 40b) Leg (rear leg)
50 control device 51 main CPU
52 Memory 53 Sub CPU
54 Serial bus 55 Motor control unit 56 Motor control CPU
57 drive motor 58 angle sensor 60 wireless communication circuit 70 wireless LAN base station 71 router 72 server 100 Internet 101, 102, 103 server

Claims (4)

A communication support device mounted on a plurality of devices for exchanging data owned by each of the devices and communicating with each other,
The data includes at least self-introduction data representing the device itself or a user who uses the device,
Wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving the data;
Storage means for storing the data;
And an output means for outputting the data on a screen or outputting a voice.   The wireless communication means can switch between an individual communication mode connectable between a plurality of devices and a base station connection mode connectable to an Internet access point, and is set to the individual communication mode when searching for a communication partner. The communication support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   2. The communication support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-introduction data includes desired data for narrowing down a communication partner apparatus or its user.   4. The communication support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication information includes content corresponding to an emotional expression that changes depending on the degree of data received from a communication partner apparatus corresponding to the desired data. .

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